The "I am..." Mentality

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Wherever God leads us, we go!  But we often forget that this includes all of us - our body, our mind, and our spirit.  Leveraging good health for good works involves equipping ourselves for effective service in all areas of health, including the ones that, though not visible, can be very impactful.
 
Our mental state at any moment is governed by our thoughts and emotions - things that are invisible unless we are paying close attention to body language.  And just like our physical state, our mental state has an impact on all that we do, including the effectiveness of our Kingdom service.
 
As I am walking forward in my calling, I am often brought to the edge of some uncomfortable and unknown places.  Just like Abraham, I may be following, but I’m not always sure exactly where I am being led and opposition seems to be everywhere. (Hebrews 11:8)! 

Welcome to the stress that often accompanies servanthood!
 
In our Kingdom service, we all have times when where we are being led feels, at best, confusing and, at worst, potentially catastrophic.  How we handle that stress mentally determines whether we cower or take the next step forward with calm and confidence.

I was given an opportunity to attend a Zoom meeting with those described as the creme de la creme of their area of expertise and influence.  I almost decided against participating.  I overcame my hesitation and signed on to the meeting with my heart pounding in my chest. I didn’t speak up.  
 
I received an invitation to an event designed to support leaders.  I signed up and walked across the threshold of that room where I promptly wanted to shrivel up and die.  I stayed in the shadows as I watched experienced leaders sharing leadership experiences with each other.
 
In both of these situations, me not taking control of my mental state resulted in me not being a full participant.  My thoughts - What are you doing here?  You don’t belong here.  Who do you think you are? - did not serve me in my Kingdom service.
 
As Jesus followed His calling, He was calm and confident in who He was and what God created Him to do despite a level of opposition that would challenge the mental state of most of us:

• His own family questioned his motives
• People pointed out that his family background that was less than impressive
• The legitimacy of his birth was questioned by those in his community
• People talked about Him coming from a hick town from which prophets do not typically arise
• People of influence labelled His followers as a simple and uneducated mob
• He had no witness, no highly respected person, to vouch for Him other than the Father who was not visibly present.

All this resulted in Jesus having to manage His mental state to continue going forward in His calling despite the opposition from all around him saying,  Who do you think you are? (John 8:53)

​Who do you think you are?
This is a powerful question!

​Through John 7 and 8 we see Jesus explaining who He thinks He is through a series of “I am…” statements that ultimately conclude in His most courageous and truthful claim:

Very truly I tell you...before Abraham was born, I am! (8:58)

These preliminary “I am…” statements can best be summed up in four proclamations:
 
I am not here on my own authority; I am sent by the Father. (7:28-29)
I am submitted and responsive to my Father’s instructions. (8:28)
I am sensitive to and have overcome self-centered motivation. (7:18)
I am supported by the Father. (8:16)
 
These four “I am…” statements are the precursor to Jesus calmly, confidently, and courageously stepping into a turning point in His ministry. 
 
These four “I am… statements can be the way that we move past the stress of insecurity that threatens to sideline us before we take the next step forward in our Kingdom service. 

What are you doing here?  You don’t belong here.  Who do you think you are?

When these thoughts leave us stressed and shrinking back, we can use these four statements as a prayer for conviction and clarity.  And after any needed course corrections, we can use these four statements as a proclamation to give us confidence to, like Jesus, step forward into the next turning point of our ministry.
 
I am not here on my own authority; I am sent by the Father. (7:28-29)
I am submitted and responsive to my Father’s instructions. (8:28)
I am sensitive to and have overcome self-centered motivation. (7:18)
I am supported by the Father. (8:16)

Good Health for Good Works Challenge:  Has God brought you to the edge of your next step within your sphere of Kingdom service?  Is the discomfort of the uncomfortable or unknown causing you to cower?  Is the enemy hurling that accusing question, “Who do you think you are?” 

​Make these four “I am…” statements your prayer prompt and proclamation to help you manage your mental state so you can move forward in your calling with calm and confidence!

Sources:
John 7-8 (NIV)
Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)