I’m not Beth Moore and I don’t want to be.
It’s not that I don’t think she’s a fine person (I am sure she is ) and an incredible Bible teacher (I know she is) but I’m called to be the Bible teacher God has called me to be and it’s not Beth Moore.
Years ago I went to a Sunday night Bible study — it was a new study by this vibrant women with big hair and then she opened her mouth — out rolled that Southern (and yes, that IS capitalized) accent. I didn’t know what she was about to (or I should say, fixing to) say, but I knew we were sisters in a way that only Big Hair Southern girls can be sisters — I think it has something to do with the amount of hair products we use.
After watching her teach, I knew there was more to this girl than big hair and a drawl. This girl loved her some Jesus — I mean she LOVED Jesus in a loud & proud way. I didn’t know who she was, and honestly didn’t really care, I just knew I wanted that kind of love for the Lord.
I was at a place in my life where the Lord was working some stuff out — and it was some tough stuff. What I call my ‘in the box’ stuff, because I had tried so hard to put Jesus in the box. If I could just serve on enough committees, have good children, a good marriage and come to church every time the door opens than I’d met all that Jesus asked me to do, right? Sadly, that’s how I thought.
When I walked into that Bible study on that Sunday night, God had prepared my heart to move beyond the box. To live outside of the lines. I was beginning to realize that I could never be good enough — and praise God I was beginning to realize I didn’t have to be. That’s the story of redemption and saving grace.
He saved me and has forgiven me of my sins. I’m a new creation. That was so hard for me to grasp — the grace. That I don’t have to do anything and Jesus will still love me — just the same. Even if I don’t serve on every committee or attend every event. Even if I miss a Sunday morning – He still loves me. And it’s in this redeeming Love that I find the desire to serve Him – in all kinds of ways.
The reality of the grace I’d long lived under was taking root when I first encountered that big hair Bible teacher, Beth Moore.
What I saw in her was someone who loved her Jesus with a passion. That’s what I wanted — not her platform, but her passion.
The Lord has clearly called me to write and speak for His glory — and I serve Him with gladness. But it breaks my heart when people ask me if I want to be Beth Moore — I don’t. I want to be me. Mary, a slightly frazzled lover of Jesus and adventures (as long as I don’t have to sleep on the ground) and I want to be the person God has called me to be.
Personally, I think Beth Moore is doing a mighty fine job being Beth Moore. God’s not looking for me to be her back up.
I share all of this with you because I see so many of us girls trying to be someone else — whether it’s the incredible blog writer, the inspiring Bible teacher, the funny speaker, the charming hostess, the talented seamstress, or the amazing Mom.
Girls, God has called YOU to be YOU! Not a poor imitation of someone else.
He Loves you. He wants you to have the passion for Him. Whether you are called to stand on a platform or to take up tickets –He wants you to do it with a passion for Him
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Where is your passion? Are you living it out or are you imitating someone else’s passion?
Thanks for this message today. I really needed to “hear” it.
Now, I love me some Beth Moore.
But I’m SO GLAD you are Mary R Snyder. Because I love her more.
You rock.
Preach it, Mary! 🙂 We love you. And Beth too.
Hey I was wondering if you or Melinda are available Wednesday to call in to Our Hiding Place (blog talk radio) to share. It’s about “The Two-Gather Factor”The power of coming together in ministry and prayer. Sharing God stories.
Let me know if you have 15 minutes or so(less or more) on 10am MST this Wednesday to share with our listeners.
Hugs!
Darlin’ you said it right! I learned many years ago that who I am is who God made me to be. I don’t compare myself to other women nor do I look to be like them. I pray for them, encourage and love on them but I’m ‘lisa’. I’m who GOD made me to be.
Someone said to me many years ago who heard me preaching..she said, “you should have a ministry like __________”. I said, while I love and respect that person she mentioned; I said to her I’m being who God called me to be.
Comparing or competing is very dangerous and it’s what satan would love for us to do because it takes our focus off of GOD and His purposes for our lives. Building up each other in the faith to be exactly what GOD has called each of us to do is what is God-honoring.
By the way, I think you are one special big haired girlfriend of mine and I love you just the way GOD made you!
Your words here say it all: “Girls, God has called YOU to be YOU! Not a poor imitation of someone else.”
I’m posting this on my FB sister!
This is AWESOME! GREATNESS! THANK YOU!
“What I saw in her was someone who loved her Jesus with a passion. That’s what I wanted — NOT HER PLATFORM, BUT HER PASSION.”
And, as they jumped to their feet, all God’s people said AMEN!
YES, YES, PRAISE THE LORD, YES!!!
Great post Mary!!! Was condemned for being me this weekend, kind of ambushed! But I have to be me and do and say what I believe. Needed to read this today!!
I love this line, “Personally, I think Beth Moore is doing a mighty fine job being Beth Moore. God’s not looking for me to be her back up.”
Preach it Sister. What a great message. I want to be everything God wants me to be and it will not look like someone else. It will be the best version of ME because that who he created. God doesn’t create carbon copies. Excellent post.
In our humanness, we often compare ourselves to one another. And yet God created each one of us with different abilities and strengths.
I love Beth Moore and think she’s an amazing Bible teacher, especially when I learn of her background of abuse. But you’re so right; it’s her passion for Christ that is contagious. And I for one desire more of that!
Mary, I love how you wrote that you don’t want to be Beth Moore.
However, it sounds to me like you’re catching what Beth has …a passion for Christ.
Blessings,
Debbie
Mary, this is *such* a good word. Thank you for speaking up and speaking wisdom to this “youngin” ~ right now, I can’t keep up with ANYONE or even try ’cause I so dern busy with my brood and working on a move. It’s a wonderful, freeing reminder than God has ordained this time for me. And he wants ME to work through it as ME! =)
Just love you to pieces!
rachel
I have found that comparing myself to other has only weaken my strengthens. You’re right about being who God has called you to be, once you do that the pressure leaves.
Great message! I needed this.
In His Grace,
Tammy
I so totally agree with your Miss Mary. If you have a moment, maybe a few more moments, perhaps you could see what God has me doing these days over at Higher Grounds.
With love,
Yolanda
Awesome post! I love what you said about living out your own passion for Him instead of someone else’s passion.
We have to be who He has called us to be, as you said. I can see people having lots of trouble in their ministry and in their lives if they keep trying to mimic someone else.
I am just glad that I just need to be me. I can do that! Thanks for the encouraging words today.
~ Nan
Mary,
This is a great Word from the Lord for all of us serving Him right where He has placed us. You are so right in everything you said.
Blessings to you, and so glad Lisa Shaw linked her FB post here. 😉
Jennifer Walker
Mary, my friend,
What a word!! And one that many need to hear and then really hear again. Over and over I’ve been told, “you teach like Beth Moore”. I realize that people are complimenting me and I do appreciate it. However, what I really want them to see and hear is that I love Jesus with all my heart.
It became very obvious to me in San Antonio at the Siesta gathering that I DO NOT ever want to be another Beth Moore (not that I think I could or would be). All the goofy IDOL worship that she must endure is enough to sicken anyone. I’m sure she hates it.
I just want to bend my knee to whatever God has for ME to do in this season of my calling to speak and write. More than that, I want HIM. I want my walk with Him to deepen every single day, regardless of whether I ever speak another word on another platform. I want HIM.
Leah
Thank each of you for the encouragement. God has called each of us to a very specific walk with Him — and I don’t know about y’all, but I don’t want to miss a minute of it trying to be someone else.
Thank you for speaking the truth to us in love and for reminding us that we are called to be ourselves. It is definitely something we all need to hear from time to time.
I loved what you said – “What I saw in her was someone who loved her Jesus with a passion. That’s what I wanted — not her platform, but her passion.” Amen Sister!
Blessings!
Thank you for this truth! I needed the reminder that God wants me to be ME, no one else!
Blessings!
Great post!!!!
If you were Beth Moore, we wouldn’t really know each other ;).
I’m glad you are Mary R. Snyder – my post-it siesta :-)!
I love you :hugs:
Hurray for Southern Women! I came from Arizona and married me a good ole Southern boy. I may not be Southern but I’m working on it (big hair and all) and quite proud my baby girl is gonna grow up Southern.
Thanks for sharing these words of wisdom. I’ve been trying to explain that same difference to Hubby for a while. I follow the Leader, I don’t follow the followers.
Amen, Sister! God is teaching me that He made me unique and just the way He wants me. He has a purpose for my life. I just need to allow His Spirit to live within and through me in order to work out that purpose.
Praise Him! We don’t have to be anyone but ourselves!
Sheryl
I am so glad you wrote this and I couldn’t agree more! May God bless your ministry and bless you as you bless all of us with your teaching and writing.
Love,
Patty
Mary, this is so well spoken and so true.
Every time someone tells me that I will be “the next Beth Moore” which is often because they see it as the highest of praise, I wonder, just how many women who are just trying to be who God called them to be are compared to someone else, or put on some false track or platform.
NOBODY will ever be “another Beth Moore”!! God has given her a special anointing that few could even handle if they tried. PLUS SHE is Beth Moore!!
God has made each of us unique and gifted for what he desires us to be.
You Mary Snyder are AWESOME, just as all the sisters here are AWESOME. I know, because God says so!!!
Ps 139:14
WhooHooo.
Love you so sweet friend!
Great post, Mary! I think we all struggle at times finding our identity & being online can just magnify that with ALL the amazing people out there. I’ve come to terms with being ME too. And I too, love Beth Moore & her passion for Jesus. I want that too.
Thanks for stopping by & I hope you’ll look into Lovelady again. It’s a great organization.
A great word, my friend. I’m reminded of the Bebo Norman song that says, “It’s all been said before but I’ll say it again, because I know You want me to..”
Keep being you, sister!
A powerful packed message. Thank you so much for sharing and for being Mary!
WOW WHAT TRUTH….AND FROM A SOUTHERN GIRL…..WOW….
It is so true…..we spend half our lives trying to be what we think someone else wants us to be..when our ONLY job is to be what God has called us to be….UNIQUE in our own way (or should I say…in His)
Oh Mary this is so true! The passion is much more important in God’s eyes than the platform! Thank you for this reminder! I need to make this into a plaque and hang it right above my desk! Our flesh and prideful nature clouds the vision God has planted in our hearts!
Blessings to you!
Tara
So true. I just want to B His Girl and I know I am. God has given Beth a big heart to share about Jesus and I love her for that. B