Google it. The action that falls pre Siri, post encyclopedia, which delivers an answer. I for one do not remember a time without some form of a search engine (RIP Ask Jeeves) to fulfill my curiosity. The world of technology has opened up a platform of answers, a platform for discovery, a platform to see into what feels like an infinite a
Eyes For India
mount of perspectives. Before I began this post I Googled the phrase, ‘The Apple of my Eye’, according to Google it means “a person of whom one is extremely fond and proud of”.
I am a single 26 year old with a heart of love to give. Like many, when I hear that phrase, it reminds me of my desire to be the apple of a future lover’s eye. We too often seek out to be that apple for others. Even as I sit here the fantasy of a specific special someone dances through my mind. Thoughts will often present themselves of how I can be sweeter, bolder, more ripe, to be noticed by that person. Beyond Google we have personalized search engines at our finger tips, those not so little things known as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Things that allow us to search into people’s minds, see what they see, dive into their thoughts through a digital screen rather than heart to heart. Google can simplify the actions it takes to discover an answer, while social media can absorb raw relational development. People can become the fantasy of our eyes without knowing their core.
PSALM 15:8 Keep Me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings,
So here we are at post number two, still with no agenda; today’s post began with a simple Google search after a morning at church listening to a sermon on comparison. It got my brain swirling and normally when my fingers would go to paper, they have come to their new home on the key board. Luckily I have lived a life of little comparison. I always prided myself in walking to the beat of my own drum, yet I did however strive to be desired by many. Not just lovers, I always ‘needed’ everyone to like me. I would measure my actions to others’ responses based on calculations made in my mind before my actions ever came into affect. This morning when we discussed comparing ourselves to others, mostly our peers, Michael Miller shown a light on how comparison hinders our potential to be the best versions of ourselves. Living in comparison or trying to be the apple of ones eye keeps us from exalting our calling. The past year of sitting at the Lords feet, more literally sitting in the prayer room of my church in Dallas, Texas, was sparked by a season of wandering. A season of looking to be the apple of the wrong eyes. A season of trying to live out my calling before I understood what God had called me to do. Once I fixated my eyes on Him, our Creator, my chains were broken of this wandering. My entire life changed. I entered into an intimacy with my career like never before, blossoming a confidence and grace with my clients. I was able to find peace in my chase towards Him, knowing that whomever my partner in life is meant to be, he would learn to keep up. HA! It was and is like a radical dance being preformed on my heart.
I feel I am called to bring people to their most confident self. This calling I believe has two parts, which both merry to bring this message full circle. First, my day job by earthly definition is to dress people. I understand what their daily life is like and I fill their closet with clothes to support their routine. On my journey discovering my calling I learned the second part of this calling, the part that goes much deeper than personal shopping. The part of my profession that provides the time of intimacy with the Lord, the talent and platform to communicate what is on my heart and share it with others to help them discover their calling. I have walked through a personal war zone that I brought upon myself. Rather than getting lost in the darkness, I ran back into the Father’s arms and I am proud of that. I understand now that he was always with me in that war zone and he is worthy of my praises. I feel it is part of my calling to share my experiences with others and hold their hand or be their cheerleader throughout their journey discovering their calling; naturally finding them their most brilliant suit of armor to reflect this journey!
It was not until I grew to desire the intimacy with the one that truly mattered, the desire to be the apple of His eye, that I discovered my true confidence, my true calling. Developing pure confidence, truly understanding your core, your calling, sitting at the feet of Jesus, declaring that you are his temple and whatever he needs for you to do, you are willing and ready to do with all your heart, grace and dignity. When we keep our focus on Him, when we long to be the apple of His eye, we become our true self and all relationships blossom from there. Do not let comparison disrupt your core, your connection with Jesus. Do not get caught in that place of longing to be someone or something you are not called to be. I have been blessed with a career where my “boss” is The Creator and in the most materialistic way, I give back to those whom are looking to develop their Suit of Armor for what God has called them to do. That is me. That is Ashley Boucher. That is my calling. What is your calling?
