"The Forced Reflection of The Heart"

I am long overdue with thoughts so lets just see what happens?.I recently went to a Hillsong United Conference, and for anyone who knows anything about this church family they have decided to live past the walls of their church. Joel Houston ,one of the leaders of the church, made a bold and clear statement saying, " Jesus Christ gave us a platform or one might say a stage".He proceeded to say that with that same stage came the choice of what that stage would bring,what it will represent,and for what reason. I sat there pondering on that question which inevitable changed my thoughts of what I reasoned the way I live.Hoping that the finding for this question would be deeper than emotion and excitment.I came to one conclusion, the only reason for that stage to be should be to further Gods kingdom and slowly begin to tear down "my own kingdom" which I have built for no reason other then self power,self pride,and self accomplishment. Their is a song by Keith Green (oldie but nonetheless terrific) called " O' Lord you're beautiful" and in the lyrics my favorite line falls upon these words, "And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.For my reward is giving glory to you." That summed up all of "self" and shot it down to..well....where the devil calls home. For all of you with talents that have clearly been given to you in the arena of many kinds, I hope the stage you've been given is examined and purposeful. LiVe OuT LoUd. Gio Marcela