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Andrew Shearman: When I hit bottom

Yesterday I began a series of interviews with Andrew Shearman.   For some strange reason, it helps us to know that those we look up to have struggled in the same we  struggle.  There’s a mechanism in us that is always comparing our experience with others.  It’s how we calibr…
By Seth Barnes
By Seth Barnes
Yesterday I began a series of interviews with Andrew Shearman.
 
For some strange reason, it helps us to know that those we look up to have struggled in the same we  struggle.  There’s a mechanism in us that is always comparing our experience with others.  It’s how we calibrate our perceptions; it’s how we recognize what “normal” is.

So when Shearman, a man I look up to, talks about having come to the end of himself, somehow I’m encouraged.  I think, “Hey, here’s a man who has it all together, yet, it didn’t play out so easy or wonderful for him.  Maybe there’s hope for a guy like me.” Can you relate to that?  If others struggle, then if you feel like you’re floundering, maybe you’re not such a chump after all.  Maybe you and I still have a shot.
 
We had this and a series of conversations (that I’ll post next week) at a hotel in Dallas.

Comments (10)

  • wowthat’s cool, the I/me thing. I’m writing that one in my journal for referencing/meditating on…wow.

  • Seth, I understand why he is your mentor. We need to hear more from him. This hit me in the heart.

  • I think that “Entrance Fee is Show Up – Annual Subscription is Give Up” is about the most easily preachable summary of sanctification I have ever heard!

  • “having come to the end of himself”

    Yep this happened to me…and it was ugly…and while it was happening I HATED it…because I didn’t see it for what it was…but now I thank Jesus for it everyday, and consider it one of the most beautiful moments of my life!!

    How do you convince people that they want more than Jesus…they want Christ? What about the Christians you are surrounded by everyday…who do have it all together…and don’t want the inheritance…heaven is just fine for them.

    Does God bring every Christian a crisis? How do you walk them through that if you see it happening to a friend…how do you convince them when they are mad at God that they need more of Him…how do you convince the one who knows she needs more of Jesus, but can’t seem to find Him in her pain.

    I am surrounded by all types of Christians at the moment. Ones who are doing just fine w/o anything real…fire ins. Christians. Who actually tell me that they can’t go there with God right now…they have to many control issues…to much reality. I am surrounded by the angry at God Christians who say to me “How dare you say He loves me”. And I am surrounded by the ones who try and look for Him in their pain and can’t seem to find Him.

    It was easy for me. He spoke audibly into my pain, and guided me out of it…pretty forcefully…pretty quickly if you want my opinion. I can’t cause that to happen for them.

  • Thanks for posting that, I’m loving the video blogs. What Andrew said really reminded me that I need to continue lay everything down and let God take care of it. I’m so grateful for the encouragement God brings through this blog, especially because I don’t have a lot of spiritual leaders in my life who are near by.

  • Seth, these video blogs are way cool. I have been reading your blogs now for over a year but the video blogs are way cool. I continue to pray for AIM constantly and for your family. I hope one day I can be part of the AIM family again.

  • hey, I’m glad you guys are liking the video blogs and Andrew in particular. Israel – you know you are permanently a member of our family. you are welcome back any time!

  • I experienced a similar thing.

    Just 30 months ago it was the end of the road for me. I was finished. On my knees, in weakness, I asked God to prove to me whether he was real and if he was real I would follow him.

    Well, he proved to me he’s very, very real, so I followed him and invited him into my life. It’s a long story, but I had a ‘road to Damascus experience’ before I even knew what that really meant.

    I experienced 3 miracles in 3 months. During one of those miracles all of my core beliefs were changed in an instant. That part of the experience is almost indescribable, except to say I came to understand something of the true nature of Christ.

    I thank Christ every single day for what he did and how he opened my eyes to more of his reality.

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Seth Barnes

I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.



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