all over but the shoutin'

live out your dreams and rise above circumstances, but never forget where you came from and the people who got you where you are.

this was what i decided was the theme of a memoir i recently read for english class. the novel, all over but the shoutin' was excellent. it's by rick braggs. and as i am working on the poster for the theme... i was thinking if i agree with what rick braggs life has portrayed. it sounds good... i mean, the words just fit when i put them on the page. i think we can flip them around, and they might work.

starting with the "live out your dreams"... maybe, we can. as long as our dreams are jesus' plan. i mean, once you fall in love with the King, then we want exactly what He wants. so my dreams are that jesus does exactly what He wants in and through my life. so i could live out my dreams, because they are for jesus to do exactly what He wants!

"rise above circumstances"... sure! look for the Light in the darkness. search out jesus in everything. see what He's up to in circumstances. rise above them, find glory, and direct it to Jesus.

"but never forget where you came from"... absolutely. never let your pride grow. always remember that we are all broken and weak, and He is at work in all of us. never forget that you are a sinner. don't let yourselve judge others, and put them "beneath" you. its when our hearts grow bitter and cold and judgemental that it becomes difficult for Christ to be exalted.

"and the people who got you where you are." one word- gratitude. don't give yourself the glory. give it to jesus. don't forget about all the people who got you where you are. the big impacters and the smaller ones. they all did it. say thank you. share the satisfaction. share the success. give the glory to god.

so go out there! go share the light! say, here i am god, send me!
check your heart. make sure it's in the right place.
then go...
live out your dreams and rise above circumstances, but never forget where you came from and the people who got you where you are.