1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,640 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:03,660 --> 00:00:08,070 Speaker 2: Have you ever felt a stirring in your heart that 3 00:00:08,150 --> 00:00:11,799 Speaker 2: God created you for something more? Yet maybe you weren't 4 00:00:11,980 --> 00:00:14,470 Speaker 2: sure how to take the next step. Many of us 5 00:00:14,630 --> 00:00:18,150 Speaker 2: wrestle with doubt, fear, or unbelief that our dreams are 6 00:00:18,250 --> 00:00:21,910 Speaker 2: too small or too big for God to use. My 7 00:00:21,970 --> 00:00:25,300 Speaker 2: guest today knows what it's like to start small but 8 00:00:25,420 --> 00:00:29,460 Speaker 2: dream big. In her new book, Start Little, Dream Big, 9 00:00:29,740 --> 00:00:33,320 Speaker 2: Grow the Ministry You Were Born to Build, my friend 10 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:38,260 Speaker 2: Lynette shares how God takes ordinary obedience and multiplies it 11 00:00:38,420 --> 00:00:42,229 Speaker 2: into extraordinary kingdom impact. If you've ever longed to step 12 00:00:42,290 --> 00:00:45,550 Speaker 2: into your calling, this conversation will encourage you to move 13 00:00:45,630 --> 00:00:49,390 Speaker 2: forward with faith. Welcome back to your hope-filled perspective, where 14 00:00:49,430 --> 00:00:52,630 Speaker 2: it's always our goal to restore hope, renew minds, and 15 00:00:52,659 --> 00:00:57,040 Speaker 2: empower listeners to live in your God-given identity. I'm always 16 00:00:57,100 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 2: thrilled when you've chosen to spend a few minutes of 17 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 2: your week with us. Today, we're going to be talking 18 00:01:01,900 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 2: about how to step boldly into the ministry God created 19 00:01:05,420 --> 00:01:08,630 Speaker 2: you for. We'll dive into that right after this brief 20 00:01:08,650 --> 00:01:14,250 Speaker 2: word from our sponsor. Do you feel called to ministry 21 00:01:14,490 --> 00:01:18,030 Speaker 2: but struggle with where to begin? or how to grow 22 00:01:18,090 --> 00:01:21,550 Speaker 2: what God has already entrusted to you, you're not alone. 23 00:01:21,850 --> 00:01:25,470 Speaker 2: Many people sense a divine assignment, but then get stuck 24 00:01:25,650 --> 00:01:30,290 Speaker 2: somewhere between inspiration and action. My guest today, Lynette Rainville, 25 00:01:30,390 --> 00:01:34,070 Speaker 2: has walked this journey, and now she equips others to 26 00:01:34,110 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 2: do the same. Start little, dream big. Grow the ministry 27 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 2: you were born to build. practical and faith-filled guide for 28 00:01:41,180 --> 00:01:45,380 Speaker 2: anyone wanting to cultivate the ministry God's placed in their heart. Today, 29 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:49,390 Speaker 2: we're going to unpack how to overcome obstacles, recognize God's voice, 30 00:01:49,670 --> 00:01:52,970 Speaker 2: and faithfully grow into the calling God has designed for you. 31 00:01:53,270 --> 00:01:56,950 Speaker 2: Matthew 13, 31 through 32 says, The kingdom of heaven 32 00:01:57,140 --> 00:01:59,980 Speaker 2: is like a mustard seed, which a man took and 33 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:03,860 Speaker 2: planted in his field. Though it's the smallest of seeds, 34 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:06,940 Speaker 2: yet when it grows, it's the largest of garden plants. 35 00:02:06,980 --> 00:02:09,710 Speaker 2: It becomes a tree so that the birds can come 36 00:02:09,950 --> 00:02:13,169 Speaker 2: and perch in its branches. I'm excited to hear about 37 00:02:13,230 --> 00:02:17,250 Speaker 2: the small mustard seeds that God has placed within you 38 00:02:17,500 --> 00:02:20,460 Speaker 2: and hope that today's episode encourages you that he can 39 00:02:20,500 --> 00:02:24,820 Speaker 2: grow something beyond your wildest imagination. I'm so honored to 40 00:02:24,860 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 2: welcome to you my friend Lynette Rainville. She's a warm-hearted, 41 00:02:28,700 --> 00:02:33,260 Speaker 2: down-to-earth speaker, mentor, and author best known for helping women 42 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 2: in her new book, Start Little and Dream Big. As 43 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 2: the founder of the ministry Daughters United, she equips women 44 00:02:40,310 --> 00:02:43,350 Speaker 2: to grow ministries, missions, and movements from the ground up 45 00:02:43,630 --> 00:02:46,930 Speaker 2: where they are. Through her books, training programs, and the 46 00:02:46,970 --> 00:02:51,370 Speaker 2: Daughters United community, Lynette mentors women across the globe. virtually 47 00:02:51,550 --> 00:02:54,530 Speaker 2: and in person. And each year she connects with thousands 48 00:02:54,570 --> 00:02:59,470 Speaker 2: through her online academy, interactive workshops, live virtual gatherings, and 49 00:02:59,610 --> 00:03:03,030 Speaker 2: in-person speaking events. I want to introduce you to my 50 00:03:03,090 --> 00:03:05,940 Speaker 2: dear friend, Lynette. Welcome to the program, Lynette. 51 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: Oh, Michelle, what a blessing. What an honor. And thank 52 00:03:10,100 --> 00:03:13,520 Speaker 1: you for having me and for helping me with this 53 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:18,470 Speaker 1: mission to inspire, honestly, an army of Esther's because they 54 00:03:18,570 --> 00:03:22,329 Speaker 1: need a shot of encouragement. Hope what your podcast is 55 00:03:22,430 --> 00:03:25,970 Speaker 1: all about. And that's really what we're going to share today. 56 00:03:26,570 --> 00:03:32,580 Speaker 2: Frequently, our ministries, our books, our resources, frequently they're birthed 57 00:03:32,660 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 2: out of our own experiences or our own needs. So 58 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:39,460 Speaker 2: what inspired you to write Start Little Dream Big? 59 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 1: Oh, my goodness. There's so, so much that I can 60 00:03:42,500 --> 00:03:46,650 Speaker 1: share on that. But basically, as God helped me to 61 00:03:46,690 --> 00:03:49,670 Speaker 1: take those steps of faith to grow this ministry, literally 62 00:03:49,730 --> 00:03:53,810 Speaker 1: from one bag of clothing to a multifaceted outreach that 63 00:03:53,890 --> 00:03:57,910 Speaker 1: reaches 50,000 needs a year. I was on the backside 64 00:03:58,150 --> 00:04:01,390 Speaker 1: of that desert, so to speak, for 20 years, standing 65 00:04:01,430 --> 00:04:06,140 Speaker 1: behind the counter, watching generation after generation come through that 66 00:04:06,180 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 1: was hopeless, that just had in their eyes, they just 67 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,460 Speaker 1: needed something. And I knew that I could give them 68 00:04:13,500 --> 00:04:15,820 Speaker 1: what I had, but there was so much more that 69 00:04:15,860 --> 00:04:19,060 Speaker 1: they needed. And I said to myself one day, I 70 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:24,300 Speaker 1: was really exhausted and exasperated by the mounting needs. And 71 00:04:24,460 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 1: I said, Lord, I can't meet all these needs. But 72 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:30,980 Speaker 1: he says, I know, but give what you have and 73 00:04:31,020 --> 00:04:35,630 Speaker 1: you can multiply the movement. And I'm like, okay, Lord. 74 00:04:35,790 --> 00:04:37,730 Speaker 1: So what does that look like? So then I had 75 00:04:37,770 --> 00:04:40,969 Speaker 1: to take another journey step by step. And the Lord 76 00:04:41,210 --> 00:04:45,730 Speaker 1: really showed me by reaching out and encouraging you, the listener, 77 00:04:46,170 --> 00:04:49,349 Speaker 1: encouraging you with the mustard seed, with that dream in 78 00:04:49,390 --> 00:04:52,070 Speaker 1: your heart, you have something the world needs. 79 00:04:52,470 --> 00:04:55,930 Speaker 2: Step back for just a minute and just briefly tell us, 80 00:04:56,150 --> 00:04:59,510 Speaker 2: when did you first sense God calling you into ministry 81 00:04:59,540 --> 00:05:00,700 Speaker 2: and what did that look like? 82 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:04,140 Speaker 1: Well, it was that day, the day that the Lord, 83 00:05:04,260 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: I love that you open with the mustard seed because 84 00:05:06,300 --> 00:05:08,700 Speaker 1: that is what I call it, my mustard seed moment. 85 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 1: When I was a young mom, newly out of the military, 86 00:05:13,020 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 1: I had a back injury and I was in this 87 00:05:16,740 --> 00:05:19,989 Speaker 1: thrift store trying to trade clothing. My skinny jeans is 88 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:22,690 Speaker 1: what I call it. And I was denied. They said, no, 89 00:05:22,710 --> 00:05:24,710 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, that's not our policy. You can take your 90 00:05:24,730 --> 00:05:28,990 Speaker 1: donation out back. Oh, that day, Michelle, that day was 91 00:05:29,050 --> 00:05:31,469 Speaker 1: the day I said in my heart, I looked up 92 00:05:31,710 --> 00:05:35,000 Speaker 1: to the Lord and I said, Lord, someday, somehow let 93 00:05:35,100 --> 00:05:38,870 Speaker 1: me be the one to help women in my same situation. 94 00:05:39,310 --> 00:05:43,020 Speaker 1: And that's what happened. That day changed everything for me. 95 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:46,600 Speaker 1: Instead of having a pity party and getting in the doldrums, 96 00:05:46,980 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 1: I just looked ahead and I said, Lord, you can 97 00:05:49,260 --> 00:05:53,310 Speaker 1: take this mess and turn it into my message. And 98 00:05:53,350 --> 00:05:57,810 Speaker 1: that is what happened. But it took diligence on the 99 00:05:57,850 --> 00:06:01,450 Speaker 1: part of God showing me, me being open to that 100 00:06:01,550 --> 00:06:03,930 Speaker 1: next thing that God was showing me. And that's really 101 00:06:03,970 --> 00:06:07,390 Speaker 1: how it happened. And that was that pivotal moment for me. 102 00:06:07,990 --> 00:06:10,690 Speaker 2: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when 103 00:06:10,710 --> 00:06:11,590 Speaker 2: you were starting out? 104 00:06:11,870 --> 00:06:15,100 Speaker 1: The biggest thing, it was right here, right? Am I 105 00:06:15,140 --> 00:06:18,339 Speaker 1: good enough? Do I have enough? Who am I anyway? 106 00:06:18,580 --> 00:06:21,180 Speaker 1: All those things, I really address that in the book. 107 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:24,539 Speaker 1: I call it the border bullies. They try to keep 108 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:29,350 Speaker 1: you contained. And God wants to release all the barriers. 109 00:06:29,450 --> 00:06:32,510 Speaker 1: He wants to get what he's put on the inside 110 00:06:32,550 --> 00:06:35,830 Speaker 1: of you outside of you, right? So yeah, that was 111 00:06:35,850 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 1: a big thing. And just walking through those steps of faith, 112 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 1: of saying, Lord, what's the next step? And me being 113 00:06:45,020 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 1: obedient with that next yes. 114 00:06:47,270 --> 00:06:50,890 Speaker 2: We were at a conference and you had a rack 115 00:06:50,950 --> 00:06:54,020 Speaker 2: of clothes and you were encouraging people to bring in 116 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:56,900 Speaker 2: an item or two and exchange it for an item 117 00:06:56,940 --> 00:07:00,580 Speaker 2: or two. But that's just like a mustard seed version 118 00:07:00,860 --> 00:07:03,340 Speaker 2: of what you do on a grander scale. Tell our 119 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 2: audience a little bit about that. 120 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:10,270 Speaker 1: Yeah. So one thing about I call it closet swaps now. 121 00:07:10,590 --> 00:07:13,150 Speaker 1: We have in the center that we built from the 122 00:07:13,190 --> 00:07:17,090 Speaker 1: ground up there, when I was operating it, we had a, 123 00:07:17,690 --> 00:07:20,170 Speaker 1: every day someone could bring in a bag of clothes 124 00:07:20,350 --> 00:07:23,170 Speaker 1: and exchange it for other things that they needed. We 125 00:07:23,190 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 1: had a whole process. That spurred on a whole bunch 126 00:07:26,710 --> 00:07:30,260 Speaker 1: of other missions locally here that did the same thing. 127 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 1: They took our plan and they made a blueprint and 128 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:35,460 Speaker 1: they followed it. And then the years went on and 129 00:07:35,500 --> 00:07:37,850 Speaker 1: I handed that ministry off so that I could do 130 00:07:37,890 --> 00:07:41,350 Speaker 1: what I'm doing today. We are encouraging others, whether it's 131 00:07:41,690 --> 00:07:44,910 Speaker 1: asking five friends into your living room to do a 132 00:07:44,950 --> 00:07:47,770 Speaker 1: closet swap. There's so much that can happen there. Three 133 00:07:47,790 --> 00:07:53,150 Speaker 1: things happen. You create community, right? And there's something that 134 00:07:53,170 --> 00:07:56,070 Speaker 1: happens around a table, whether it's around food or clothes 135 00:07:56,110 --> 00:07:59,340 Speaker 1: or whatever it is, There's these hard things that are met. 136 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:02,780 Speaker 1: The second thing is that people are getting tangible needs. 137 00:08:02,860 --> 00:08:05,690 Speaker 1: They're one cleaning their closet out. They're getting things that 138 00:08:05,730 --> 00:08:08,750 Speaker 1: they might use. They're not using all of these things, 139 00:08:08,810 --> 00:08:11,710 Speaker 1: but they're using something else. Right. And then the third thing, 140 00:08:11,810 --> 00:08:14,410 Speaker 1: all the leftovers you get to bless a ministry with. 141 00:08:14,990 --> 00:08:18,750 Speaker 1: So so that's that's just that piece. And then if 142 00:08:18,810 --> 00:08:21,910 Speaker 1: you're building, you have this idea, you have this call 143 00:08:22,070 --> 00:08:23,950 Speaker 1: and you're like, well, I don't know the first step. 144 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: That's what we address in our academy and our community online, 145 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 1: because we know people are busy. They don't have time 146 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,110 Speaker 1: to run here, run there. But that's the beauty of 147 00:08:34,150 --> 00:08:37,730 Speaker 1: the online space is you can plug in whenever you're available. 148 00:08:37,750 --> 00:08:38,309 Speaker 3: Yeah. 149 00:08:38,670 --> 00:08:41,490 Speaker 2: Share a moment when you felt like giving up and 150 00:08:41,670 --> 00:08:44,740 Speaker 2: how did God meet you in that place? Because I 151 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 2: think it is a battle largely of the mind. But 152 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 2: for many, it's also a battle because, like you mentioned, 153 00:08:53,070 --> 00:08:55,250 Speaker 2: they don't know where to start. They have this dream, 154 00:08:55,330 --> 00:08:57,709 Speaker 2: but they don't have the business background or they don't 155 00:08:57,730 --> 00:09:01,650 Speaker 2: have the ministry background. But then there's also the battle 156 00:09:01,910 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 2: in the midst of probably each new step. When we 157 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:08,610 Speaker 2: all feel like giving up, we all give up. shrink 158 00:09:08,670 --> 00:09:11,850 Speaker 2: back and think small. We all wonder if it's making 159 00:09:11,870 --> 00:09:14,770 Speaker 2: a difference. So when did that happen to you and 160 00:09:14,830 --> 00:09:15,830 Speaker 2: how did God meet you? 161 00:09:15,850 --> 00:09:18,830 Speaker 1: I have a great story for that. So it was 162 00:09:18,870 --> 00:09:22,500 Speaker 1: in the height of 2008 when, if you remember those days, 163 00:09:22,580 --> 00:09:26,540 Speaker 1: it was the recession and gas prices were through the roof. 164 00:09:27,059 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 1: It was then that our food pantry, we were serving 165 00:09:30,059 --> 00:09:37,910 Speaker 1: about four to 500 a month. It And at the 166 00:09:37,970 --> 00:09:42,710 Speaker 1: same time, our funding sources dried up. So I didn't 167 00:09:42,770 --> 00:09:46,640 Speaker 1: have the staff. I had to wear so many of 168 00:09:46,679 --> 00:09:49,179 Speaker 1: the hats. And I remember being, it was a late night. 169 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 1: I was burning the midnight oil. I was doing our 170 00:09:51,980 --> 00:09:53,890 Speaker 1: book work at the end of the night. And I 171 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:56,590 Speaker 1: remember I fell asleep on my desk. It was literally 172 00:09:56,670 --> 00:10:01,239 Speaker 1: one of those moments. I woke up. he ruled on 173 00:10:01,260 --> 00:10:03,660 Speaker 1: my everything, you know, the whole picture. And I was 174 00:10:03,740 --> 00:10:07,479 Speaker 1: just like, like, Lord, I can't do this one more day. 175 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:11,780 Speaker 1: Like I can't. And he reminded me to go listen. 176 00:10:11,900 --> 00:10:13,580 Speaker 1: It was back in the day when we still had 177 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:16,370 Speaker 1: the cassettes The message is when someone left us a 178 00:10:16,410 --> 00:10:17,390 Speaker 1: message on our phone. 179 00:10:17,590 --> 00:10:20,689 Speaker 3: So we had that in our office. So he goes, 180 00:10:20,770 --> 00:10:22,459 Speaker 3: go replay the message. 181 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:26,260 Speaker 1: So earlier that year, we had our back to school 182 00:10:26,300 --> 00:10:28,540 Speaker 1: giving tree. And there was a family of eight kids. 183 00:10:29,220 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: And the mom had left us a message. And on 184 00:10:32,140 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 1: the message, she said, started crying on the message. She goes, 185 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:39,340 Speaker 1: you don't even know. Cause we, when we adopt a family, 186 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:43,750 Speaker 1: we adopt them for a whole outfit, shoes, backpack, everything. 187 00:10:44,070 --> 00:10:46,250 Speaker 1: And she goes, you don't know. Our kids have never 188 00:10:46,330 --> 00:10:49,689 Speaker 1: gotten new sneakers for school. And they, she started crying 189 00:10:50,210 --> 00:10:53,790 Speaker 1: on the, on the message. And in that, in that moment, 190 00:10:54,030 --> 00:10:57,870 Speaker 1: the Lord reminded me my why that it was making 191 00:10:57,910 --> 00:11:01,670 Speaker 1: a difference. And the love of Jesus, like, like, cause 192 00:11:01,690 --> 00:11:05,260 Speaker 1: there's a lot of do good outreaches there. But our 193 00:11:05,490 --> 00:11:09,810 Speaker 1: ministry was to share not just tangible needs, but the 194 00:11:09,890 --> 00:11:12,929 Speaker 1: love of Christ with these people and to pray for 195 00:11:12,990 --> 00:11:15,810 Speaker 1: them and to hear them and to love on them. 196 00:11:16,230 --> 00:11:19,469 Speaker 1: And that was my big, big moment that the Lord 197 00:11:19,510 --> 00:11:19,860 Speaker 1: met me. 198 00:11:20,220 --> 00:11:24,310 Speaker 2: What a difference it makes when God encourages a heart 199 00:11:24,590 --> 00:11:28,140 Speaker 2: by reminding us not just our why, but how he 200 00:11:28,260 --> 00:11:31,980 Speaker 2: helps us meet the needs that we have to bless 201 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:34,220 Speaker 2: the needs of other people. Friends, we're going to take 202 00:11:34,260 --> 00:11:36,960 Speaker 2: a real short break for a brief word from our sponsor, 203 00:11:36,980 --> 00:11:38,970 Speaker 2: but stick with us because when we come back, I'm 204 00:11:38,990 --> 00:11:41,050 Speaker 2: going to ask Lynette to share more about how to 205 00:11:41,090 --> 00:11:45,190 Speaker 2: step boldly into your ministry that God has created you for. 206 00:11:45,330 --> 00:11:51,900 Speaker 2: We'll be right back. Lynette, what are some of the 207 00:11:52,059 --> 00:11:56,479 Speaker 2: myths or lies that hold people back from pursuing their calling? 208 00:11:57,320 --> 00:12:03,700 Speaker 1: There's so, so many of those. It's insecurity, inferiority, the background, 209 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:08,300 Speaker 1: the people that you, the recording in our mind from 210 00:12:08,370 --> 00:12:11,390 Speaker 1: people who have said things or maybe the words we 211 00:12:11,410 --> 00:12:16,350 Speaker 1: tell ourselves, right? And sometimes we have this amazing gift. 212 00:12:16,940 --> 00:12:19,179 Speaker 1: And those are the people that I talk to all 213 00:12:19,220 --> 00:12:22,580 Speaker 1: the time and I help encourage them. It's like this 214 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:26,349 Speaker 1: gift that you're holding wasn't just meant for you. It 215 00:12:26,390 --> 00:12:29,370 Speaker 1: was meant for the world. Like the Lord, the word 216 00:12:29,450 --> 00:12:33,050 Speaker 1: says that our gifts are to build up and equip 217 00:12:33,290 --> 00:12:37,319 Speaker 1: and to encourage the body of Christ, right? To encourage others. 218 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:41,059 Speaker 1: So when we hold back and we stay small, It 219 00:12:41,100 --> 00:12:44,640 Speaker 1: could be this opposite of humility, right? We're thinking, oh, 220 00:12:44,780 --> 00:12:49,450 Speaker 1: I'm being humble when really we're being afraid. And God 221 00:12:49,530 --> 00:12:54,429 Speaker 1: wants you to step out boldly because it's not about you. 222 00:12:54,590 --> 00:12:57,450 Speaker 1: And that's, I think, the biggest takeaway here, Michelle, was 223 00:12:57,470 --> 00:12:59,270 Speaker 1: that we have to get out of our own way 224 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 1: and say, it's not about me. It's about God's plan. 225 00:13:03,100 --> 00:13:05,780 Speaker 1: It's about the mission. So when you. 226 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:09,860 Speaker 3: Talk about whether it's singing or writing or starting. 227 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:12,860 Speaker 1: An outreach program You don't need to worry about playing 228 00:13:12,980 --> 00:13:16,110 Speaker 1: small because we want to make the biggest impact for 229 00:13:16,130 --> 00:13:19,470 Speaker 1: the kingdom, right? So I think that's one way to 230 00:13:19,910 --> 00:13:22,910 Speaker 1: step out of our own way and to battle those 231 00:13:23,010 --> 00:13:24,650 Speaker 1: border bullies that attack us. 232 00:13:25,550 --> 00:13:29,540 Speaker 2: Help my audience understand, what do you think are some 233 00:13:29,580 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 2: of the first ways or the first steps someone should 234 00:13:33,460 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 2: take if they have this inkling or they feel called 235 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 2: to start a ministry? 236 00:13:38,660 --> 00:13:42,680 Speaker 1: So with that is Habakkuk. It says to write the vision, 237 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:46,530 Speaker 1: run with it, that even though the vision may tarry, 238 00:13:46,970 --> 00:13:50,089 Speaker 1: don't worry, it will surely come to pass. That's in 239 00:13:50,130 --> 00:13:53,380 Speaker 1: the New Living Translation, I believe. So write the vision. 240 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:57,059 Speaker 1: So I start with, because I think a lot of people, 241 00:13:57,440 --> 00:14:00,230 Speaker 1: what happens is it's like this big random process. creative 242 00:14:00,290 --> 00:14:03,610 Speaker 1: cloud around them and they're getting all these porn ideas. 243 00:14:03,710 --> 00:14:06,130 Speaker 1: It's like, that is great. Put it on paper. It 244 00:14:06,150 --> 00:14:08,890 Speaker 1: could look like a mess on paper. So that's the 245 00:14:08,950 --> 00:14:11,850 Speaker 1: very first step is to just write down all those 246 00:14:11,890 --> 00:14:16,059 Speaker 1: popcorn ideas on scattered piece of paper. It doesn't matter. 247 00:14:16,220 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: We call it a mind map. Just dump it, do 248 00:14:19,700 --> 00:14:22,479 Speaker 1: the brain dump. And then from there, you take that paper. 249 00:14:22,500 --> 00:14:25,989 Speaker 1: Now you Try to make sense of it. You can do, 250 00:14:26,190 --> 00:14:28,810 Speaker 1: if you're like me, I love creative, get it the 251 00:14:28,850 --> 00:14:33,090 Speaker 1: same color and circle the things that are similar in 252 00:14:33,130 --> 00:14:36,220 Speaker 1: that same color. Then you could write those down in 253 00:14:36,260 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: an itemized list. And from there, then you can do 254 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: a plan. I actually have something called Write the Vision 255 00:14:43,820 --> 00:14:46,790 Speaker 1: and Run. It's a template to use so that you 256 00:14:46,850 --> 00:14:50,570 Speaker 1: could really organize your thoughts and what's the first step, 257 00:14:50,630 --> 00:14:54,500 Speaker 1: what's second step, what's third step. So that's the first thing, Michelle, 258 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,860 Speaker 1: is just to get it on paper, write the vision 259 00:14:58,380 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 1: so that a herald could run with it. Because if 260 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 1: you don't write it down, that's when it really starts 261 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:06,100 Speaker 1: to become real to you when you start writing it down. 262 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:09,880 Speaker 2: I know that your book is called Start Little, Dream Big, 263 00:15:10,100 --> 00:15:14,650 Speaker 2: but how do you balance dreaming big with being faithful 264 00:15:15,010 --> 00:15:16,369 Speaker 2: in the small beginnings? 265 00:15:16,890 --> 00:15:20,910 Speaker 1: Mm-hmm. That's a really good question. So you have the destination. 266 00:15:20,970 --> 00:15:24,050 Speaker 1: I call it your LZ or your landing zone. I 267 00:15:24,070 --> 00:15:26,430 Speaker 1: was in the military, so I use some military terms. 268 00:15:26,630 --> 00:15:29,980 Speaker 1: That big dream that you have, that's your landing zone. 269 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 1: That's your goal, right? And there's a lot of steps 270 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: that you need to take along the way. And I 271 00:15:36,820 --> 00:15:41,620 Speaker 1: wouldn't say, honestly, don't wait till you get to your 272 00:15:41,660 --> 00:15:45,980 Speaker 1: destination to be fulfilled. Mm-hmm. You need to be fulfilled 273 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:49,370 Speaker 1: in each step of the journey, each season, like when 274 00:15:49,410 --> 00:15:51,530 Speaker 1: we have kids, right? It's like, oh, I'll be happy 275 00:15:51,550 --> 00:15:53,610 Speaker 1: when they could walk or I could be happy when 276 00:15:53,630 --> 00:15:56,530 Speaker 1: they can talk or when they can go to kindergarten 277 00:15:56,600 --> 00:16:00,940 Speaker 1: or like, no, you want to embrace every season that 278 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 1: you have with your child. It's the same with a ministry. 279 00:16:04,790 --> 00:16:07,650 Speaker 1: you grow and it's just like a baby. Honestly, when 280 00:16:07,690 --> 00:16:10,470 Speaker 1: it's very new, you have to attend to it right. 281 00:16:10,630 --> 00:16:13,250 Speaker 1: Like all the time, 24 seven, you got to change 282 00:16:13,310 --> 00:16:15,470 Speaker 1: its messy diapers. You've got to feed it. You've got 283 00:16:15,490 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 1: to nurture it. And, and just knowing, you know, being 284 00:16:18,900 --> 00:16:21,540 Speaker 1: faithful on those steps and knowing yet there will be, 285 00:16:21,860 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: there will come a day when you're going to send 286 00:16:23,460 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: it off to college, but right now you're going to 287 00:16:26,620 --> 00:16:30,020 Speaker 1: celebrate those moments and those little wins on the way 288 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:30,800 Speaker 1: to the bigger win. 289 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:34,950 Speaker 2: I love that because it is a series of stages. 290 00:16:35,410 --> 00:16:38,670 Speaker 2: But I appreciate that you say it's not the destination 291 00:16:38,730 --> 00:16:43,020 Speaker 2: that we celebrate, but it's enjoying the process and appreciating 292 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 2: what God is doing in the midst of it while 293 00:16:46,140 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 2: he's growing and maturing it. Particularly, I don't know if 294 00:16:50,020 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 2: male leaders struggle with this. as much, but I feel 295 00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:58,300 Speaker 2: compelled to ask, how do you guard against comparison with 296 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 2: other ministry or other leaders? Because it's so easy to 297 00:17:03,220 --> 00:17:08,179 Speaker 2: look at others, their highlight reels, their social media presence, 298 00:17:08,340 --> 00:17:10,980 Speaker 2: and to think, God, why aren't you growing my ministry 299 00:17:11,030 --> 00:17:13,110 Speaker 2: the way you've grown them? Lord, how come you haven't 300 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:16,070 Speaker 2: given me favor like you've given someone else favor? How 301 00:17:16,109 --> 00:17:17,430 Speaker 2: do you deal with that? 302 00:17:17,450 --> 00:17:22,620 Speaker 1: Mm-hmm. I love that question, Michelle. In our community, we 303 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 1: have several mentors and some of them are in different 304 00:17:27,820 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 1: lanes and some are in the same lane. Let's say 305 00:17:30,340 --> 00:17:34,699 Speaker 1: we have like three or four health coaches, but everyone 306 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:39,610 Speaker 1: is different. There's no need to compare because God has 307 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:44,330 Speaker 1: assigned someone to you because there's only one, even though 308 00:17:44,350 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 1: you have a similar message or a similar lane, you 309 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:51,980 Speaker 1: show up on the stage, right? You show up in 310 00:17:52,020 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 1: that place, your unique self. And those are the people 311 00:17:56,420 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 1: who are going to connect to you. And also think 312 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:03,340 Speaker 1: of it, I'm also a worship leader and I never 313 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:06,439 Speaker 1: was comfortable on the big stage. I'm not a performer. 314 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:11,450 Speaker 1: I am an intimate Davidic worshiper. And that's kind of 315 00:18:11,510 --> 00:18:15,090 Speaker 1: like my, so again, even in something like a worship leader, 316 00:18:15,710 --> 00:18:18,510 Speaker 1: Some of us are called to go on tour for 317 00:18:18,510 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: 300 days of the year. That's not me. God bless 318 00:18:22,180 --> 00:18:25,820 Speaker 1: Carrie Jobe and all the other beautiful singers out there. 319 00:18:25,859 --> 00:18:28,230 Speaker 1: And I don't even think that was a season when 320 00:18:28,290 --> 00:18:31,270 Speaker 1: she was on stage a lot. But listen... We cannot 321 00:18:31,330 --> 00:18:35,290 Speaker 1: compare because God has an avenue, whether you're a big ministry, 322 00:18:35,350 --> 00:18:39,790 Speaker 1: small ministry, big mega church, small church, it all matters 323 00:18:39,830 --> 00:18:42,730 Speaker 1: in the kingdom. That's our assignment. And I think you 324 00:18:42,810 --> 00:18:45,810 Speaker 1: opened up with the tapestry today, Michelle, that we are 325 00:18:45,890 --> 00:18:49,219 Speaker 1: all threads in God's tapestry. And some of us are 326 00:18:49,260 --> 00:18:52,020 Speaker 1: big and bold, and some of us are more of 327 00:18:52,060 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 1: the background color tapestry. And it all is necessary to 328 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:00,740 Speaker 1: do God's plan. So just know whether big or small, 329 00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:03,280 Speaker 1: the one, like I show up, I have so many 330 00:19:03,340 --> 00:19:05,659 Speaker 1: times I've had to show up with a handful of 331 00:19:05,700 --> 00:19:11,090 Speaker 1: people there, right? And I gave my best, whether there 332 00:19:11,130 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 1: was 100 or whether there was five people in the room, 333 00:19:14,690 --> 00:19:17,650 Speaker 1: because The message is still going to matter to that 334 00:19:17,770 --> 00:19:22,119 Speaker 1: one person. So never neglect the call on your life 335 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:24,300 Speaker 1: and you never know the impact it's going to make. 336 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 1: And that will obliterate any comparison. I call it the 337 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:29,000 Speaker 1: comparison trap. 338 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 2: And it shows up in so many different aspects of 339 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:35,500 Speaker 2: our lives. And I have to remember as an author 340 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:38,700 Speaker 2: and a speaker and a podcast host is that God's 341 00:19:38,740 --> 00:19:44,900 Speaker 2: going to use so many different people within himself. others' lives. 342 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:47,900 Speaker 2: After they finish my book, they need another book to read. 343 00:19:48,230 --> 00:19:50,490 Speaker 2: I want to be able to encourage them to read 344 00:19:50,550 --> 00:19:53,620 Speaker 2: this author or a different author. Go listen to this 345 00:19:53,670 --> 00:19:56,960 Speaker 2: episode on someone else's podcast because when they're done with mine, 346 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:59,300 Speaker 2: they've got other needs that need to be met and 347 00:19:59,380 --> 00:20:03,780 Speaker 2: God can fulfill those. If instead of looking at it 348 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:07,639 Speaker 2: as comparison, we'll look at it as a compliment in 349 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 2: the body of Christ. You know, the Bible talks about 350 00:20:10,060 --> 00:20:12,419 Speaker 2: the body's made up of different parts. We need all 351 00:20:12,460 --> 00:20:13,420 Speaker 2: the different parts. 352 00:20:14,020 --> 00:20:18,340 Speaker 1: Yeah. And there's one thing with the word compete and complete. 353 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:22,030 Speaker 1: It's one letter different. And that's the letter L. And 354 00:20:22,390 --> 00:20:25,070 Speaker 1: I just look at that as a love factor, right? 355 00:20:25,630 --> 00:20:29,990 Speaker 1: That we are all needed to fulfill the great commission, 356 00:20:30,010 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 1: that love, that sharing Christ's love with others. There's no 357 00:20:33,260 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 1: need for comparison in the body of Christ. 358 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:40,260 Speaker 2: But so often what leads to comparison is when we 359 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:45,040 Speaker 2: feel unqualified or ill-equipped. What advice do you have for 360 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:49,100 Speaker 2: someone who's feeling unqualified or ill-equipped, even as they're taking 361 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:50,520 Speaker 2: in our conversation today? 362 00:20:50,780 --> 00:20:54,919 Speaker 1: Well, one of my precious women that I met her 363 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 1: at a retreat and we had a lunch together and 364 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:01,840 Speaker 1: I was the speaker and she said, you've really inspired 365 00:21:01,900 --> 00:21:04,859 Speaker 1: me with some things. And I have this vision in 366 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:09,080 Speaker 1: my heart to help women who have had abortions to 367 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:13,330 Speaker 1: get healed. And so she ended up, we started working together. 368 00:21:13,350 --> 00:21:17,189 Speaker 1: And our first session, I said, well, what are the 369 00:21:17,250 --> 00:21:19,790 Speaker 1: things that God has put inside of you? Like you 370 00:21:19,850 --> 00:21:22,550 Speaker 1: have it. She goes, I couldn't think of anything because 371 00:21:22,590 --> 00:21:25,909 Speaker 1: my first assignment is to write a list of 20 things. 372 00:21:26,290 --> 00:21:28,870 Speaker 1: What are your 20 things? She goes, I couldn't think. 373 00:21:29,170 --> 00:21:32,350 Speaker 1: So we had this conversation. Think of all the things 374 00:21:32,369 --> 00:21:36,210 Speaker 1: you've lived through. Think of all the strategies and how 375 00:21:36,270 --> 00:21:40,389 Speaker 1: God met you. Think of all the little ways that 376 00:21:40,410 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 1: you show up in the world that people say, oh, Michelle, 377 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:46,460 Speaker 1: it's just so I love how you do this or 378 00:21:46,540 --> 00:21:48,760 Speaker 1: how you do that. So I think that's my first 379 00:21:49,260 --> 00:21:51,900 Speaker 1: thing is to give them the 20 whys. Give them, 380 00:21:52,460 --> 00:21:54,760 Speaker 1: make your list of all the things that God has 381 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:58,260 Speaker 1: brought you through. God has shown you, you have learned. 382 00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:01,900 Speaker 1: All that's part of the package. And then that's just 383 00:22:01,940 --> 00:22:05,280 Speaker 1: the starting point. Then you need to know how to 384 00:22:05,780 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 1: mold and shape those experiences and to grow them into 385 00:22:10,780 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 1: a logical step-by-step process to grow this ministry. It's not 386 00:22:15,020 --> 00:22:17,240 Speaker 1: that you can't do it. It's just that you haven't 387 00:22:17,260 --> 00:22:20,200 Speaker 1: been shown the roadmap. And that's really what you need 388 00:22:20,220 --> 00:22:23,030 Speaker 1: to stay. And someone cheering you on, you really do 389 00:22:23,109 --> 00:22:23,550 Speaker 1: need that. 390 00:22:23,750 --> 00:22:26,550 Speaker 3: The best athletes in the world will not be where 391 00:22:26,570 --> 00:22:27,570 Speaker 3: they're at if they didn't. 392 00:22:27,410 --> 00:22:30,850 Speaker 1: Have a coach or someone cheering them and helping them. Right, Michelle? 393 00:22:31,580 --> 00:22:34,200 Speaker 2: For sure. And I think it's important to remember that 394 00:22:34,260 --> 00:22:37,450 Speaker 2: God's not going to show us necessarily the whole blueprint 395 00:22:37,570 --> 00:22:40,810 Speaker 2: from the beginning. He's wanting to know, will you take 396 00:22:40,869 --> 00:22:43,990 Speaker 2: that first step in obedience? And he blesses that. And 397 00:22:44,030 --> 00:22:47,170 Speaker 2: then you take the next step in faith and obedience. 398 00:22:47,790 --> 00:22:50,210 Speaker 2: But it goes back to those border bullies that you 399 00:22:50,230 --> 00:22:52,030 Speaker 2: were talking about, because the enemy is the one who 400 00:22:52,070 --> 00:22:53,869 Speaker 2: swoops in and says, who do you think you are? 401 00:22:54,670 --> 00:22:56,840 Speaker 2: Do you really think this can make a difference? Where 402 00:22:56,859 --> 00:22:58,540 Speaker 2: do you think you're going to get the money for this? 403 00:22:58,660 --> 00:23:00,109 Speaker 2: Who do you think is going to listen to you? 404 00:23:00,140 --> 00:23:01,700 Speaker 2: I mean, I could come up with a hundred different 405 00:23:01,740 --> 00:23:05,119 Speaker 2: things that he could throw in our ear to discourage us, 406 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 2: but it all comes back to, but if God's asked 407 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:11,590 Speaker 2: us to do it, it's our responsibility to be obedient 408 00:23:11,830 --> 00:23:13,430 Speaker 2: and then he will bring the harvest. 409 00:23:14,030 --> 00:23:14,350 Speaker 1: Amen. 410 00:23:14,780 --> 00:23:15,180 Speaker 3: Amen. 411 00:23:15,340 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: And you bring up another point there. You need the 412 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:20,879 Speaker 1: wisdom because I know that when you first get this idea, 413 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:23,040 Speaker 1: you want to, I was there. You want to run 414 00:23:23,080 --> 00:23:24,960 Speaker 1: ahead of God and you want to, we're going to 415 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:26,620 Speaker 1: do this. We're going to do that. And it's all 416 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:30,160 Speaker 1: going to happen like next year. Take a breath. Don't, don't, 417 00:23:30,780 --> 00:23:33,100 Speaker 1: don't run ahead of God. That is when we can 418 00:23:33,369 --> 00:23:36,350 Speaker 1: fall and skin our knees, so to speak. We're only, 419 00:23:36,590 --> 00:23:39,790 Speaker 1: I love that you said that, Michelle. We only are 420 00:23:40,170 --> 00:23:42,889 Speaker 1: obliged to do the very next thing God's called us 421 00:23:42,950 --> 00:23:46,270 Speaker 1: to do. And did we do it? That's the thing. 422 00:23:46,310 --> 00:23:49,550 Speaker 1: We want all of this. But did we do maybe 423 00:23:49,570 --> 00:23:53,090 Speaker 1: the one simple thing that God asked us to do first? 424 00:23:53,850 --> 00:23:55,810 Speaker 2: Friends, we're going to take a real short break for 425 00:23:55,830 --> 00:23:58,190 Speaker 2: a brief word from our sponsor. But when we come back, 426 00:23:58,350 --> 00:24:00,730 Speaker 2: I'm going to ask Lynette to help us wrap up 427 00:24:00,790 --> 00:24:04,800 Speaker 2: this episode by sharing her hope-filled perspective about how to 428 00:24:04,859 --> 00:24:08,340 Speaker 2: step boldly into the ministry God created you for. We'll 429 00:24:08,359 --> 00:24:15,939 Speaker 2: be right back. Lynette, how do you define success in 430 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:20,490 Speaker 2: ministry from a biblical perspective? Because I think that's another 431 00:24:20,670 --> 00:24:26,350 Speaker 2: area that gets us entrapped because the world's vision, view, 432 00:24:26,590 --> 00:24:29,889 Speaker 2: definition of success is different from God's. 433 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:33,260 Speaker 1: Well, I think we've been talking about it all along, Michelle. 434 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:37,219 Speaker 1: What did God call us to do? What is that assignment? 435 00:24:37,300 --> 00:24:40,400 Speaker 1: Or I love to say the Esther calling on our life. 436 00:24:40,930 --> 00:24:45,270 Speaker 1: And that is success. If I am working in, maybe 437 00:24:45,290 --> 00:24:49,730 Speaker 1: you're called to teenage girls and you're, well, how could 438 00:24:49,770 --> 00:24:53,490 Speaker 1: I do this? Well, have you even stepped out one 439 00:24:53,570 --> 00:24:56,470 Speaker 1: iota to maybe, you know, a few of them, invite 440 00:24:56,510 --> 00:25:00,649 Speaker 1: them over for a special month or for hot cocoa or, oh, 441 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:04,760 Speaker 1: the big hit would be a chocolate fountain. Okay. Love 442 00:25:04,820 --> 00:25:09,240 Speaker 1: things like that. So Think of creative ideas. That's success. 443 00:25:09,380 --> 00:25:13,620 Speaker 3: It's like you're walking and you're living and breathing in. 444 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:17,060 Speaker 1: That thing that God created you to do. That's success. 445 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:20,980 Speaker 1: No matter what the outcome is, we just need to 446 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:23,500 Speaker 1: know that we're walking in obedience and we got to 447 00:25:23,540 --> 00:25:24,700 Speaker 1: leave the outcome to God. 448 00:25:25,530 --> 00:25:30,090 Speaker 2: But that begs the question in your own ministry history. 449 00:25:30,850 --> 00:25:34,090 Speaker 2: How do you handle seasons of waiting when that growth 450 00:25:34,150 --> 00:25:36,530 Speaker 2: feels slower, maybe even invisible? 451 00:25:36,550 --> 00:25:41,540 Speaker 1: Wow. Well, those are the times where a lot of 452 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:43,379 Speaker 1: those times when you're in the waiting, I call it 453 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: the waiting room, you're really growing and developing. And when 454 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:50,020 Speaker 1: we're a lot of those times, we're not hearing from God. 455 00:25:50,100 --> 00:25:52,260 Speaker 1: Maybe you're like in the beginning, you're like getting all 456 00:25:52,300 --> 00:25:55,830 Speaker 1: these downloads from heaven. And then in those stretching time, 457 00:25:55,869 --> 00:25:58,850 Speaker 1: the wilderness times, it's like, where are you? God, why 458 00:25:58,890 --> 00:26:02,230 Speaker 1: can't I hear you? That's a really great place because 459 00:26:02,250 --> 00:26:06,190 Speaker 1: it doesn't feel great. But that's when the Lord is 460 00:26:06,350 --> 00:26:09,300 Speaker 1: when he draws back. He wants us to press in closer. 461 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:13,360 Speaker 1: Those are those times where we're really diligently seeking. Those 462 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:16,240 Speaker 1: are the times we're fasting. Those are the times we're 463 00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:19,810 Speaker 1: like on our knees. We're desperate to hear him. And 464 00:26:19,830 --> 00:26:22,530 Speaker 1: I was in one of those moments walking my mom 465 00:26:22,570 --> 00:26:24,530 Speaker 1: at the end of life. And I just needed a 466 00:26:24,630 --> 00:26:27,899 Speaker 1: word from him. And all the pressures and I wasn't 467 00:26:28,050 --> 00:26:30,810 Speaker 1: hearing anything. And all of a sudden, this is what 468 00:26:30,910 --> 00:26:33,930 Speaker 1: I heard. And it was after a profound time of 469 00:26:34,010 --> 00:26:37,330 Speaker 1: being on my face. And he goes, honey, you take 470 00:26:37,369 --> 00:26:39,810 Speaker 1: care of my business and I'll take care of yours. 471 00:26:41,390 --> 00:26:43,850 Speaker 1: And I knew in that moment, his business was me 472 00:26:43,869 --> 00:26:46,750 Speaker 1: taking care of my mom. And he did take care 473 00:26:46,790 --> 00:26:50,590 Speaker 1: of my business. He did expand somehow, some way he 474 00:26:50,650 --> 00:26:52,710 Speaker 1: did it. So those are the times we just need 475 00:26:52,730 --> 00:26:56,880 Speaker 1: to press in close to the father's heart and Get serious. 476 00:26:56,980 --> 00:26:59,640 Speaker 1: We need to get serious about it. And that will 477 00:26:59,660 --> 00:27:00,240 Speaker 1: get us through. 478 00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:04,399 Speaker 2: It's important to remember that when growth feels slow or 479 00:27:04,580 --> 00:27:09,950 Speaker 2: even invisible, God is often training us, preparing us, connecting 480 00:27:10,090 --> 00:27:14,090 Speaker 2: dots with other people, with other ministries that we won't 481 00:27:14,210 --> 00:27:17,770 Speaker 2: even be aware of possibly until down the road. And 482 00:27:17,830 --> 00:27:20,130 Speaker 2: it's then that we'll be able to look back and go, Oh, 483 00:27:20,359 --> 00:27:23,300 Speaker 2: that's why God seems silent because he was busy connecting 484 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:26,460 Speaker 2: dots that I would need in the future, training me 485 00:27:26,520 --> 00:27:31,180 Speaker 2: in other areas, introducing me to new people, making openings 486 00:27:31,260 --> 00:27:34,700 Speaker 2: happen in other situations that he would guide me to 487 00:27:34,770 --> 00:27:38,830 Speaker 2: step through. So when it feels slow or the growth 488 00:27:38,869 --> 00:27:41,430 Speaker 2: feels invisible, friend, I just want you to remember God 489 00:27:41,490 --> 00:27:44,679 Speaker 2: is still working even when we don't see it. And 490 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:47,850 Speaker 2: then as we get close to wrapping up this episode, 491 00:27:47,890 --> 00:27:51,170 Speaker 2: can you share a testimony of how God multiplied something 492 00:27:51,290 --> 00:27:52,770 Speaker 2: small that you offered him? 493 00:27:52,790 --> 00:27:59,300 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think that just piggybacking on what you had 494 00:27:59,340 --> 00:28:05,080 Speaker 1: just shared about, we never know the different directions God 495 00:28:05,140 --> 00:28:08,180 Speaker 1: is going to open up a new door, a new relationship. 496 00:28:08,570 --> 00:28:11,410 Speaker 1: And sometimes when we want to push through a closed door, 497 00:28:11,940 --> 00:28:15,080 Speaker 1: God's got that door closed for a reason, right? That 498 00:28:15,180 --> 00:28:18,520 Speaker 1: it's really not going to be fruitful. So a time 499 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:23,500 Speaker 1: that God has really blessed me and multiplied was my yes. Honestly, 500 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:26,850 Speaker 1: going to my first writer's retreat, it opened up a 501 00:28:26,900 --> 00:28:29,730 Speaker 1: whole new world for me that I didn't know existed. 502 00:28:30,109 --> 00:28:33,630 Speaker 1: And it led me to have relationships with these other 503 00:28:33,970 --> 00:28:36,690 Speaker 1: sister friends that led me to the well that led 504 00:28:36,730 --> 00:28:40,450 Speaker 1: me here. Like it just, whenever you show up and 505 00:28:40,710 --> 00:28:43,120 Speaker 1: this year, the Lord gave me this really cool phrase. 506 00:28:43,180 --> 00:28:46,080 Speaker 1: It's show up in the room. And on the days 507 00:28:46,140 --> 00:28:50,320 Speaker 1: of COVID and watching church virtual, every time I go 508 00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 1: into a physical room now, I am earnestly seeking and saying, Lord, 509 00:28:55,880 --> 00:28:58,500 Speaker 1: where can I show up with my yes? And he 510 00:28:58,660 --> 00:29:01,760 Speaker 1: makes those divine connections. I'm praying for someone or having 511 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:06,350 Speaker 1: a conversation. So I think Michelle, the multiplication factor, is 512 00:29:06,610 --> 00:29:10,930 Speaker 1: those relationships. Because you're right, you never know how God's 513 00:29:10,950 --> 00:29:15,300 Speaker 1: going to use one conversation, one yes, one time that 514 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:18,460 Speaker 1: you're tired, but you're going to show up anyways. And 515 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 1: he multiplies our obedience. And it opens doors that we 516 00:29:23,240 --> 00:29:28,010 Speaker 1: may never have had the opportunity before that. So it's 517 00:29:28,250 --> 00:29:29,210 Speaker 1: what a blessing that is. 518 00:29:29,790 --> 00:29:32,400 Speaker 2: I love it when God encourages our heart that way 519 00:29:32,420 --> 00:29:36,220 Speaker 2: to show us we thought something was small, but his 520 00:29:36,300 --> 00:29:39,190 Speaker 2: plans are different and it may not be big in 521 00:29:39,230 --> 00:29:43,660 Speaker 2: the worlds definition of what's big or successful. But if 522 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:47,810 Speaker 2: one life is changed and someone else ends up in heaven, 523 00:29:47,930 --> 00:29:50,930 Speaker 2: because we were at willing to take the time to 524 00:29:50,990 --> 00:29:54,570 Speaker 2: show up, to see them, to have a conversation, to 525 00:29:54,750 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 2: share how God has been good and faithful in our life. 526 00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:02,740 Speaker 2: All of heaven rejoices over that. And that's a small 527 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:05,780 Speaker 2: that I can get super excited about because in the 528 00:30:05,820 --> 00:30:10,290 Speaker 2: grand scheme of things, it's lives being changed. to find God, 529 00:30:10,350 --> 00:30:14,250 Speaker 2: to know God, to have a personal relationship with him. 530 00:30:14,370 --> 00:30:16,710 Speaker 2: So if we can always keep that at the forefront 531 00:30:16,750 --> 00:30:20,410 Speaker 2: of our mind, big masses are wonderful. But sometimes when 532 00:30:20,450 --> 00:30:22,690 Speaker 2: you are sharing the example, sometimes you show up and 533 00:30:22,730 --> 00:30:24,670 Speaker 2: it's a crowd of a hundred and other times it's 534 00:30:24,690 --> 00:30:26,910 Speaker 2: a five. We might show up at a crowd of 535 00:30:26,970 --> 00:30:30,340 Speaker 2: a hundred or a thousand, but there are five there 536 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:34,860 Speaker 2: who need our message. not necessarily the whole crowd. So 537 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:37,500 Speaker 2: will we show up when that crowd is smaller? And 538 00:30:37,540 --> 00:30:41,900 Speaker 2: I think God creates even greater opportunity when it's more 539 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:43,900 Speaker 2: intimate on that one-on-one. 540 00:30:44,250 --> 00:30:44,590 Speaker 3: Level. 541 00:30:44,710 --> 00:30:47,229 Speaker 2: Lynette, this has been a great conversation and I want 542 00:30:47,270 --> 00:30:50,860 Speaker 2: to encourage everybody to get your book, Start Little, Dream Big. 543 00:30:50,900 --> 00:30:54,220 Speaker 2: And we'll have all the information about Lynette, her ministries, 544 00:30:54,340 --> 00:30:56,700 Speaker 2: her book in the show notes that you can find 545 00:30:56,780 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 2: at drmichelleb.com. But as we wrap up, Lynette, if a 546 00:31:00,520 --> 00:31:04,240 Speaker 2: listener or viewer is resonating with our conversation today, maybe 547 00:31:04,280 --> 00:31:06,000 Speaker 2: they've got a dream in their heart and they haven't 548 00:31:06,060 --> 00:31:08,680 Speaker 2: known what to do, or maybe they're starting small, but... 549 00:31:09,300 --> 00:31:13,550 Speaker 2: They're not hearing God. They're not seeing that growth. What 550 00:31:13,590 --> 00:31:16,210 Speaker 2: hope-filled perspective do you want to leave them with today? 551 00:31:16,730 --> 00:31:22,620 Speaker 1: That God never wastes our pain. That the mess that 552 00:31:22,660 --> 00:31:26,840 Speaker 1: you live through, because that's the fire, that's the holy ache, 553 00:31:26,900 --> 00:31:29,900 Speaker 1: that's the passion that will see you through to the end. 554 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:34,230 Speaker 1: If you're in something and you're like, well, maybe I'm 555 00:31:34,270 --> 00:31:36,670 Speaker 1: doing it because she did it or they did it. 556 00:31:37,020 --> 00:31:39,940 Speaker 1: but it's really not your holy ache, go back and 557 00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:42,820 Speaker 1: find that holy ache because God wants to use your 558 00:31:42,860 --> 00:31:47,430 Speaker 1: specific story, your mess, your test, and turn it into 559 00:31:47,470 --> 00:31:50,810 Speaker 1: a message and a testimony because that's going to have 560 00:31:50,830 --> 00:31:55,110 Speaker 1: the real impact. He knew you from the beginning, your 561 00:31:55,130 --> 00:31:57,690 Speaker 1: first breath to your last breath, right? And he knows 562 00:31:57,800 --> 00:31:59,980 Speaker 1: everything in between. So I want to encourage you to 563 00:32:00,540 --> 00:32:03,900 Speaker 1: find your passion and that that starts with finding that 564 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:07,180 Speaker 1: holy egg. And God has worked with you through something 565 00:32:07,480 --> 00:32:10,120 Speaker 1: that is, you have all the raw material you need 566 00:32:10,380 --> 00:32:14,430 Speaker 1: to step forth boldly with courage and confidence, it's like 567 00:32:14,450 --> 00:32:16,930 Speaker 1: I like to say, to do the thing that God's 568 00:32:16,970 --> 00:32:17,610 Speaker 1: called you to do. 569 00:32:18,170 --> 00:32:21,469 Speaker 2: That's beautiful. Friends, I hope that you heard the encouragement 570 00:32:21,490 --> 00:32:24,000 Speaker 2: that's coming straight out of Lynette's heart. She's been there. 571 00:32:24,280 --> 00:32:27,420 Speaker 2: She's started small and now her ministry is having a 572 00:32:27,460 --> 00:32:30,120 Speaker 2: great impact and God wants to do that with your 573 00:32:30,200 --> 00:32:32,440 Speaker 2: yes as well. In fact, I want to close out 574 00:32:32,480 --> 00:32:36,520 Speaker 2: this episode reminding you of Philippians 2 verse 13 that says, 575 00:32:36,620 --> 00:32:39,730 Speaker 2: For it is God who works in you to will 576 00:32:39,970 --> 00:32:44,070 Speaker 2: and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 577 00:32:44,290 --> 00:32:47,450 Speaker 2: He has purpose and plan for you. He's just wondering. 578 00:32:47,730 --> 00:32:50,310 Speaker 2: Will you give him your yes? Will you be willing 579 00:32:50,370 --> 00:32:53,130 Speaker 2: to start small and see what God wants to do 580 00:32:53,170 --> 00:32:56,190 Speaker 2: with that? Lynette, thank you for sharing out of your 581 00:32:56,340 --> 00:32:59,100 Speaker 2: own pain and the purpose that God has birthed in 582 00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:02,600 Speaker 2: your heart. Friends, if there was something in today's episode 583 00:33:02,640 --> 00:33:06,080 Speaker 2: that has encouraged you, that has inspired you, that has 584 00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:09,820 Speaker 2: motivated you, would you consider sharing this episode with someone 585 00:33:09,880 --> 00:33:13,800 Speaker 2: else who needs a biblically-based, hope-filled perspective? It's always a 586 00:33:13,860 --> 00:33:15,700 Speaker 2: joy when we get to spend a few minutes with 587 00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:17,830 Speaker 2: you and I look forward to being with you again 588 00:33:17,850 --> 00:33:21,250 Speaker 2: next week on your hope-filled perspective. Until then, you know, 589 00:33:21,470 --> 00:33:24,610 Speaker 2: it's my prayer for you that you have a hope-filled week. 590 00:33:26,250 --> 00:33:29,610 Speaker 4: Are you or your group looking for a speaker for 591 00:33:29,650 --> 00:33:33,620 Speaker 4: your next event or gathering? Nothing delights Dr. Michelle Bankson 592 00:33:33,650 --> 00:33:36,820 Speaker 4: more than connecting with her audiences and sharing from her 593 00:33:36,900 --> 00:33:41,680 Speaker 4: professional expertise and personal experience to champion others in their journey. 594 00:33:41,980 --> 00:33:44,960 Speaker 4: She has spoken on a wide variety of topics, including 595 00:33:44,980 --> 00:33:48,540 Speaker 4: Hope Prevails, Living the Abundant Life Christ Came to Give, 596 00:33:48,820 --> 00:33:51,600 Speaker 4: The Hem of His Garment, Reaching Out to God When 597 00:33:51,720 --> 00:33:55,460 Speaker 4: Pain Overwhelms, Victor, Not a Victim, Rid Yourself of the 598 00:33:55,530 --> 00:33:58,630 Speaker 4: Poisonous Shame and Self-Defeat in Your Life, Walking in the 599 00:33:58,690 --> 00:34:02,190 Speaker 4: Truth of Our Identity, Hope for the Silent Epidemic, Understanding 600 00:34:02,250 --> 00:34:05,910 Speaker 4: Depression in Children and Teens, and Breaking Anxiety's Grip. How 601 00:34:05,950 --> 00:34:09,750 Speaker 4: to Reclaim the Peace God Promises. Dr. Bankson is willing 602 00:34:09,770 --> 00:34:12,750 Speaker 4: to tailor a message specifically to your group or event. 603 00:34:12,770 --> 00:34:16,819 Speaker 4: Past audiences have included 100 Huntley Street, Life Today, the 604 00:34:16,860 --> 00:34:21,799 Speaker 4: American Association of Christian Counselors, Gateway Church, Roaring Lambs, and 605 00:34:21,860 --> 00:34:24,500 Speaker 4: Fellowship of Professional Women, to name a few. 606 00:34:24,860 --> 00:34:25,120 Speaker 1: Dr. 607 00:34:25,140 --> 00:34:28,739 Speaker 4: Bankson is now accepting invitations for speaking engagements. For more 608 00:34:28,780 --> 00:34:31,920 Speaker 4: information or to contact Dr. Bankson to speak at your event, 609 00:34:32,120 --> 00:34:36,779 Speaker 4: reach out to our staff at info at drmichelleb.com. 610 00:34:40,800 --> 00:34:44,420 Speaker 5: Thank you for joining Dr. Bankson for your hope-built perspective. 611 00:34:44,980 --> 00:34:49,069 Speaker 5: We hope you were encouraged by her authenticity, vulnerability, and 612 00:34:49,120 --> 00:34:52,750 Speaker 5: biblical truths. If you enjoyed today's conversation, why don't you 613 00:34:52,770 --> 00:34:56,060 Speaker 5: take a moment right now open up your podcast app 614 00:34:56,280 --> 00:34:58,540 Speaker 5: and look for the subscribe button right next to our 615 00:34:58,560 --> 00:35:02,220 Speaker 5: podcast profile image. We think this podcast is best enjoyed 616 00:35:02,239 --> 00:35:04,640 Speaker 5: with friends, so tell a friend and click share in 617 00:35:04,940 --> 00:35:07,770 Speaker 5: your podcast app and send a friend our link to 618 00:35:07,810 --> 00:35:10,930 Speaker 5: share hope with them. If you have a comment, question, 619 00:35:11,230 --> 00:35:13,790 Speaker 5: or suggest a topic for a future show, reach out 620 00:35:13,870 --> 00:35:18,570 Speaker 5: to our staff at info at hopeprevails.org. For additional resources, 621 00:35:19,010 --> 00:35:22,480 Speaker 5: information about Dr. Bankson's books or free downloads, or to 622 00:35:22,930 --> 00:35:25,910 Speaker 5: To contact her to speak at your next event, please 623 00:35:25,950 --> 00:35:32,089 Speaker 5: visit drmichelleb.com. Until next time, may you have a hope-filled week. 624 00:35:35,190 --> 00:35:37,569 Speaker 2: I'd like to take just a second to thank the 625 00:35:37,610 --> 00:35:40,540 Speaker 2: team at Life Audio for their partnership with us on 626 00:35:40,600 --> 00:35:44,420 Speaker 2: this podcast. If you go to lifeaudio.com, you'll find dozens 627 00:35:44,480 --> 00:35:48,060 Speaker 2: of other faith-centered podcasts in their network. They've got shows 628 00:35:48,120 --> 00:35:51,080 Speaker 2: about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more.