Lessons from Criminal Minds

I am fascinated by the television show Criminal Minds.  I love it! I find myself getting so engaged in the story line and the characters, it's like I know them personally. I also love the idea behind the show - that a team of FBI agents can get into the head of a criminal. They can analyze a situation so deeply that they can "profile" a person to the point of knowing where they go, what they do, how they feel and even what will be their next move.  I like most of the characters too; "JJ" is the sweet, quiet, compassionate one who handles the families of victims with kit gloves. "Garcia" is the technical one who is way out there, but very likable. I guess my favorite though is "Dr.Reid/Reid".  He is a genius with a photographic memory and the confidence to speak out with a boldness that makes everyone stop to listen.  

I grew up with a "Dr. Reid". When I was a little girl, into my teen years, I thought my big brother was the biggest and brightest and smartest of everyone.  I remember hearing my parents talk about how smart he was, or about him being the lead in the school play, or singing a solo for a service, or making straight A's, being in the honor's society - I could go on and on. They were proud of him and so was I. As for me, I can remember my parents talking about how pretty I was. While my brother was working hard for all the accomplishments of his life - I was just born "pretty".  What had I done...nothing.  In high school I guess that is when most of my self-doubt and confidence issues became most noticeable.  

When I went off to college, I met the man of my dreams - and guess what?  He too is a "Dr. Reid"!  Very intelligent! High IQ, attended a high school for the gifted student - I guess you could say definitely above average! In no way am I saying that my parents, brother or husband have done anything to make me have self-doubt or low self-confidence, but it was a growing issue for me. I looked at all the people around me and in my mind I seemed so inferior in everything.

Where in the world am I going with this??? Right here...

Today as I was watching an episode of Criminal Minds a statement was made that caught my attention.  To set it up... "Reid" had been having nightmares and they were affecting his ability to do his job well. He began to think that He didn't need to be doing it because he could cause more harm than good. His co-worker and friend, "Morgan", said to him; everything you've experience in your childhood and your life has led you right here. There are so many other professions you could have taken, but this is where you are. Because of that, a criminal has been caught and a life saved. (Patty's paraphrase)

I'm accused a lot of "finding God in everything"; well I did here for sure. "Reid" thought that experiences in his past were clouding his judgment and keeping him from doing his job well, so he almost gave it up. "Reid" had the academic knowledge, all the right stuff to make a good FBI agent, but he was going to give it all up because a small voice in his head was saying "you can't".  

I too have listened to that voice, have you?  It has said to me you don't have enough education; you don't have enough historical knowledge of the Bible; you're too young; you're getting too old; your past sin and behavior is just too much to overcome; you can't serve Jesus.  Listening to the wrong voice in our head leads to doubt, fear and inferior feelings... but listening to God's voice brings a confidence that only HE can give, a peace that only HE can provide and the knowledge that only HE can teach. 

Act 4:13 says; "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

Self-doubt and little self confidence keeps us from serving alongside Jesus Christ. We throw up excuses all the time as to why we "can't" do something.  The verse above has become one that I go to often because I need reminding that God calls us right where we are, and when He calls - He will give us everything we need to accomplish the task He has called us to do. 

You see, it's easy to look at other people, even TV characters, and see things about our own lives that are inferior, we tend to compare. But God has shown me, and continues to teach me that He has given me the natural abilities and gifts that I need to accomplish the calling He has placed on my life. I may not be a "Dr. Reid" with a photographic memory and an IQ that is off the charts - but I do have compassion for others, I do have the gift of encouragement, and I am a good listener.  Every day I get to use these natural, God-given abilities to serve hand in hand with Jesus.

What natural gifts or talents has God given you...

... the gift of beauty?

... the gift of intelligence?

... the gift of photographic memory?

... the gift of testing well?

... the gift of health?

... the gift of compassion?

How is He asking you to use this precious gift to glorify Him?

Have you said "yes"? 

I choose to say "yes", and I want to speak with confidence and boldness like "Dr. Reid" because I've got something very important to say and I want people to stop and listen! 

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

"If You Meant it, you'll Mention It!"

"If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven."              Matthew 10:32-33 (ncv)

In the book "GASP" by Tony Nolan, he says he is asked often what that verse means... in short his reply, "If you meant it, you'll mention it! ... This is not something that you tuck - away in your heart, treating it like some sort of private thing between you and God. It was a personal thing, but God never intended for it to be private."

I remembered as I read this the day that Andy, my son, prayed asking Jesus to be his Savior. It was at VBS and as soon as the prayer was finished he looked up at me, told me what he had done and immediately wanted to go call his daddy and everyone else he knew!  The excitement of that moment and his decision was real and motivating. He wanted to tell the world! As Andy has grown up physically, he has also grown up spiritually and he still gets excited about “telling the world” that he is a Christian! (Andy, I hope you don't mind me sharing this!)

When I was younger I remember singing a song…

“I’ll tell the world, that I’m a Christian,
I’m not ashamed, His name to bear;
I’ll tell the world, that I’m a Christian,
I’ll take Him with me anywhere.”

Telling the world that I’m a Christian is my ultimate calling in life. Why, because I’ve been called into vocational ministry? No, not at all – it’s because I’m a follower of Jesus. When I was baptized I took seriously the symbolic display of my old life “passing away” and being born a new creation in Christ Jesus.  As I publicly showed my church family that I had given control of my life to Jesus – I was also saying that I’d be taking Him with me anywhere and everywhere I would go. I’m proud to say I’m a Christian and I want to share my passion for Christ with others so maybe they will experience it too.

Yet, there is more to that verse… “But if anyone denies Me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven." 

What does it mean to deny Christ?  Webster says to deny means to declare not to be true.  Peter did it and Jesus even told him before it ever happened that he would.  Peter loved Jesus and said that he would never do that! Yet, he did – three times. 

·         When the conversation got uncomfortable he denied.

·         When it looked like people were going to judge Him, he denied.

·         When He feared he would physically be harmed, he denied.

Can you relate?

I believe we’re called to BOLDLY acknowledge Christ!  Bro. Randy, my pastor, recently said in a sermon – “I’d rather look like a nut to the world than be disobedient to my Savior.”  When we live boldly, acknowledging Christ in our life – we will look, talk, and behave differently. To live boldly for Christ means that we will make decisions that will cause others to shake their heads and ask questions. To live boldly means letting go of “things that weigh us down"; sometimes that might be a person, or music we listen to or TV shows we watch or movies we go to.  If our lifestyle so closely resembles the world that the world can’t see Jesus in us… wouldn’t that be denying Christ? 

I’ll tell the world, how Jesus saved me,
and how He gave me a life brand new;
And I know that if you trust Him,
that all He gave me, He’ll give to you.

Romans 10:9-10 says, “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”

You too can be “born again” and have a life that is everlasting!  God created everything and He found it all to be “very good”. That includes us – people.  God doesn’t demand our love or attention, our commitment or dedication; but He does long for it. He wants us to come to Him out of love and our need for Him to protect us & to save us.  This is a hard, mean, hateful world and trying to walk through it alone must be the hardest thing a person has to do… but it doesn’t have to be.  God never promises when we come to Him the troubles will disappear, but He does promise that we won’t be alone. He picks us up when we fall and He carries us.

I wish I could express this overwhelming feeling I have!  I’m not an eloquent writer; I’m not really  that great as a speaker either – so I’m not really sure how to express my love for Jesus, other than to live my life to glorify God and cause others to wonder and ask me why I do the things I do, why I act the way I act, and why I say the things I say. 

The life I live, the free gift I’ve been given – it’s yours for the asking!

“Oh, tell the world, that you’re a Christian,
Be not ashamed, His name to bear;
Oh tell the world, that you’re a Christian,
And take Him with you anywhere.”