I am not a cocktail expert. I can, however, serve you a nice draught beer, make a perfect Long Island Ice Tea, or a beautiful Old Fashioned. That’s only because during summer break between college semesters I worked in a busy restaurant as a hostess. We were so busy the bartender taught me how to make some of the more popular drinks so we could crank them out a bit faster. I don’t recall anyone having ever ordered a martini. We didn’t cater to the James Bond sort of crowd. Pity!
Now, Jamie, what has a martini got to do with your usual devotionals?
I am glad you asked!
While reading through some OLD journals I ran across this paragraph.
I’ve experienced a great deal of change in my life over the last couple of years, especially in the last six months to year. Right now I just want a minute to chill where I am. The scripture in my devotion for today is SOS 1:4 “Draw me into your heart and lead me out.” Right now I do not want to “go out” anywhere. I just want to chill a bit and stay in His heart. I know Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray for 40 days. I wouldn’t mind doing that…just on a beach or in the mountains, preferably the mountains because it is super hot right now!! I feel that God has constantly been challenging me and pulling me into new things. I feel like James Bond’s Martini.
I would bet many of us are feeling this way today! Change has never been more certain. This past year has been historical and life changing with unexpected twists and turns, surprises around every bend. I have found myself singing “Tainted Love” while visions of Dan Akroyd wearing a Conehead dance through my mind. Google it, young people!
But God would not have us live in an era of tainted love. He calls us into HIS heart where love is pure and undefiled. So, I continued to read my journal entry. Immediately after the above paragraph I had written words I heard Holy Spirit speak to my heart.
Jamie, you are acting as though you are James Bond’s martini. You’ve been shaken, but you are not stirred. I would rather you be stirred.
Of course I wondered what He meant. In an age before Google, I had no recourse but to call some bartenders. So, I pulled out the yellow pages. Yes! The real yellow pages.
“What is the difference between a shaken martini and a stirred martini?” I asked.
I believe they all thought I was crazy. I could hear the eye roll in their voice. “Well, one is shaken. The other is stirred.” It was the best answer I got. I had obviously not encountered any true mixologists! So, I did what I should have done in the first place, before research Jamie took over. I asked Holy Spirit what in the fatal fire he meant. I listened and pulled out my 325 pound Vine’s expository dictionary and just as heavy Strongs’ along with the equally large Noah Webster’s Dictionary. (Hey, these tools built character!)
When one is shaken they are rattled, upset, frightened, maybe a bit horrified. When one is stirred they are roused and galvanized to action, spurred on, inspired, and agitated from stillness to motion.
The Psalmists wrote several times they would never be shaken because they had built their foundation upon the Rock. According to Hebrews 12:28 we have been given a kingdom that can never be shaken.
This unshakable kingdom is the kingdom living inside us!
So as Paul encouraged Timothy, spurring him into action, I also urge you:
..stir up the gift of God which is in you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind…do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus … who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel… Hold fast the pattern of sound words…in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
I Timothy 1:6-13
We must not hide. God did not create us to hide. He wouldn’t let Adam and Eve hide and He’s not going to let us hide either. He will allow you to rest, to pray, to get alone with Him for a while. But He calls us into His heart and then LEADS US OUT!
So, Let us rise, stirred, lit up, on fire and full of strength! We are unshakable warriors in an unshakable kingdom!
Jamie Lyn's Inkwell 