Mary Walker's 5 Minute Message

But something that we're so excited about is that we have a bunch uh a bunch.

I six six students in Innsday?

Uh we have we have six students that are going through this discipleship program, and many of them their goal is to eventually become credentialed ministers.

And one of the things that we believe as a church body, and I don't think that's necessarily your goal, Mary, but uh one of the things we believe as a church body is that we want to help them work out their calling.

And so we we give them opportunity, we train them, and we help lead them into the next steps of teaching, preaching, and I wasn't sure she would ever want to do it, but Mary expressed a desire to also give a five-minute message.

And Heidi has been working with her in this, and I've got a chance to read over it, and I can say that she has not only conveyed what the Lord has revealed to her, but she has also brought her heart into the message.

And so we're gonna welcome Mary this morning as she gives her five-minute message.

I did practice doing that.

Is it on?

Okay.

Good morning, everyone.

You're in for a real treat today because not only am I speaking, that wonderful man my husband is as well.

So after service, we will be taking a poll on whose message is better because who is worse has to put the kids to bed tonight.

And I'm a tired mom, you guys.

I need to win this.

But in truth, God is good because Nathan and I did not talk about what we were preaching today.

And our messages go so well together that it is uncanny.

Um, so today my message is titled Letting Go to Truly Live.

The scripture I'll be reading is Matthew 10, 39.

If you cling to your life, you will lose it.

But if you give your life for me, you will find it.

Easier said than done, right?

Especially when we live in a world that pushes us to be independent.

If you want something, you have to make it happen.

Success is the only thing that matters.

Or if I have this shiny new car or this beautiful house, I've made it in life.

Or on the flip side, we don't like being uncomfortable.

We want to stay in our nice, comfortable bubble where we don't have to feel weird and different.

This causes us to be so hyper-focused on what we want that we lose what God wants for us.

When we cling so tightly to our own selfish tendencies, we not only lose peace, but we lose purpose.

So let me ask you have you ever tried to control everything in your life and still felt empty?

Because I have for the longest time, I would stress myself out on everything that I had to do, or I need to get this new house so my kids will be happy that it took the enjoyment out of everything we did in life.

And after a while, it just starts to eat at you and it turns into a never-ending cycle.

So, how do we live for him?

This doesn't mean we stop living our lives.

It just means we start living differently.

It means we let go of control, trust God, and choose obedience over comfort by surrendering our plans and saying, God, may your will be done.

In Romans 12, 2, it says, Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

This verse really hits home for me, not because it's the only verse I've ever said on the stage because Aaron made me, but because if I wouldn't have given my life for God, I would have not experienced all the blessings that have come from it.

For example, when Kelly and Heidi asked Nathan and I if we would do the young adults group, every part of me wanted to say no.

It was just too much for me to handle.

But God shut that down real quick because I felt him tug at my heart and say, Hey, you remember a while back when you said you'd listen for my call?

Yeah, that's now.

And I'm so grateful I listened because I gained so many genuine relationships that I didn't know that I needed.

Sorry.

It's not only a one-time thing either.

It's a constant choice.

And sometimes it's really uncomfortable and you don't want to do it.

But the sense of peace that you get after is worth more its weight and gold.

Am I currently having a panic attack?

Yeah, especially when I walked in today and didn't realize it was gonna be so busy because of this baptism.

But that's because Jesus' life he gives us is not shallow, it's full.

We end up with so much joy, more peace, and more purpose.

It's like keeping a tiny plant in a pot where its roots are cramped and it stays small and never really thrives.

But when you move it into good soil with room to grow, it begins to stretch and strengthen and flourish into what it's meant to be.

Because that's what surrendering does.

It opens our lives for God to fill.

So I ask you will you start living your life for God?