This week's prompt is: Inspire - GO! 

So, last week's prompt was "collect" and I couldn't think of anything, that word was not "inspiring" me to write, so I took a week off. This week at work I spoke with one of our volunteers and she shared that she was going to a Vintage Christmas Collectors Convention. I never knew there was such a thing! She collects old Christmas club premiums, account books, calendars and other advertisements from banks from 44 states, dating back to the 1940's. When I heard that I wished I had spoken to her the week before! She "inspired" me to write about collecting. (I kept it short since it's a week late.) 

Now, this week's word is "inspire". A coincidence? I think not.

What inspires you? I have many things that inspire me, but music plays the biggest part of my inspiration. I listen to music to worship, to relax, to dance, sometimes to write, etc.

Several years ago I had the privilege of going away for an entire weekend by myself to re-connect with God. It was led by My Father's Business and called the Ruach Journey. It was a time to get away, to breathe, ask the Lord what He sees in me and to tap into how God sees me. It was a time to realize how He made me; His Masterpiece. 

Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ "Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]." 

One of the exercises was to listen to a piece of music and to pray. The piece they chose was Aaron Copeland's theme for the Common Man (YouTube clip below). Now, I've heard that before (I have been around concert bands and marching bands for many years), but this time I truly listened and felt the music. God stirred my heart by this majestic piece and for the first time I understood I Peter 2:9 (AMP)

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

I am a daughter of the King and a holy people, a royal priesthood! I saw myself differently and began afresh the journey to a deeper intimacy with Jesus!  

It was good to take a moment to remember, to think of other things and people who inspire me - family, friends, Scripture, the beauty of a rainbow, looking at God's creation, and hearing testimonies of God's work and faithfulness of those around me.

 STOP

(Ok, I admit...I took a bit longer than the "five minutes" this week. Thankful for God's grace... and yours.) 

Take a moment to listen to this piece, does it inspire you? What other things inspire you to be creative, "to produce; to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought; to breathe, inhale"? 

This post is part of Kate Motaung's "Five Minute Friday," which she hosts on the brand new Five Minute Friday website. Kate posts a single word each week and each blogger sets a timer for 5 minutes to write and then posts, with very little editing. This is an exercise in the discipline of writing. Check out this week's postings.  

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