Yesterday, a friend sent a text with birthday wishes. She said she hoped this next year would be just as good as the last. I promptly replied, "I hope this next year is waaaay better than this last one." Man! I had not been all reflective until then, but this year was tough.
One year ago, on my 26th birthday, I was heartbroken. I left my dinner hurt, feeling completely misunderstood and uncared for. I was so fearful to let go of something that was doing me no good. So, I prayed for rain and prepared my field for two more months, only to find that God would never cause something toxic to flourish in my life.
And that was it. The end of a 2 year relationship on the shallow end. But when I waded out a bit further, I could see it was the end of my life as I knew it. So much would be completely altered from that point - hopes, desires, plans, routines, habits, friendships, residence, employment.
This year was nothing like I pictured it would be. It was full of tears. When I think of those tears... It was full of loneliness.
Yet full of rebuilding and remaking.
Full of redeeming.
Through the changes, God met me. He reminded me what relationship I was still in. He reminded me who I still belonged to. He reminded me what name I should call on when I felt like no one was there. He used His Word - through songs, books, people, scripture.
As I was flying to Oklahoma for a training, avoiding the mounds of pre-work for my summer job, I looked in my kindle to start a new book. There were many unread, since I am a free book hoarder. But God nudged me to begin Trusting God by Jerry Bridges. God has since used that book to comfort and correct me. Every chapter has come at just the right time - for me and others.
Isn't that what this is all about anyway? These crazy changes, this crazy life. Isn't it really all about trusting God?
Something awful happens. We have to trust.
Something beautiful happens. We have to trust.
Something scary and unexpected happens. We have to trust.
And then God uses our trusting to encourage someone else to trust.
I have had some of it all this year. Lots of scary and unexpected, but some beautiful. I left my job, my home, my friends, and my church. The last one was the hardest. I now sit in my new classroom, in a new city, trying to figure it all out. But I trust God.
When I went to Chicago this summer, God gave me this verse - Isaiah 41:10.
Fear not, for I am with you.
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you. I will help you.
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
It stayed scrawled across my bathroom mirror in my new apartment for months. Because the truth is I was afraid. I still am sometimes. I don't know what is going to happen this year. Or today. Part of me is afraid to plan or hope. But then I remember God is with me. God will strengthen me. And I breathe.
I don't know what 27 will hold. It could actually be worse than 26, but I sure hope not. But even if it holds more heartache, more loneliness and more change, I know God will also send the grace, the comfort and the security that is found only in Him. And that will be enough.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
What Do We Do with Racism? Reflection on The New Jim Crow and Current Events
I've been upset lately. About a lot of things. Social ills, if you will. No one's suffering is more costly than another's, but the issue that I have been more consumed with is the state of our justice system, particularly as it deals with people of color.
Certainly there has been quite the commotion in the news and social media outlets about the latest reported, and oft recorded, murder. That occurrence and the subsequent events and injustices that have taken place have just piled on top of my mental laundry of thoughts. My school assigned summer reading books, one of which was The New Jim Crow.
This book details the history of race relations in America and the development of the institution of slavery, the institution of Jim Crow and the institution of another form of legal racial and social oppression. The author proposes that the current system of mass incarceration of black and brown people, mostly men, is the new completely legal way the majority is able to systematically capture and confine a people in an "undercaste". Once this people has been given the brand of "felon" or "criminal", they are legally excluded from the rights the majority deems essential to all citizens - like the freedoms to choose where to live, not be discriminated against when seeking employment (or otherwise), to vote, and more.
The book also explains how the system works - from the political landscaping, to the discriminatory laws, deployment of the local police, trials or lack there of, post-release pariah class, and federal court cases that solidified and validated it all. Above its obvious eye-opening properties, author Alexander hopes the awareness acts as a call to action.
Needless to say, I get angry every time I open this book.
The recent publicized acts of police brutality and discrimination have just illustrated so vividly all of the information outlined across those pages and churning in my heart.
A big part of my unease stems from the fact that I am a teacher of young children. Young black and brown children. Young black and brown children that live in poverty. Young black and brown children that live in the same impoverished neighborhoods police are targeting in the War onThugs Drugs. Young black and brown children that will statistically be the next faces on these cell phone videos floating around Facebook and demonizing portraits highlighted in the news reports.
I have asked many children the age old question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" At 5 and 6, their aspirations echo police officer. They say they want to protect people, save people, help people, take away the bad people. I teach that police officers are some of our community heroes. Is that really true for my students? What have they already seen that reveals the flaws in my classification? What will they soon see?
All-knowing Research shows that people judge black boys to be older than they actually are and assign more responsibility to case studies of black boys engaging in unwanted behaviors. So how long before my students, my little black boys, are stopped, frisked, searched, assaulted, unjustly charged, unfairly sentenced, eagerly locked away and legally discriminated against for the rest of their lives?
I am upset and so so saddened by this. This reality that my middle-class upbringing in an Atlanta suburb shielded me from. The realization that I have taken the cup and drank the juice of poverty and criminality prejudice. The fact that over 60 years have passed, yet the picture looks the same.
This is the state of the world - racism, hate, murder, persecution, oppression, illness, death. What does one do with this? What does the Christian do with this?
That is what I am trying to figure out. But I will tell you what I know.
Jesus was hated, plotted against, hunted, betrayed, beaten, mocked, and murdered, and He didn't deserve that either. He underwent that treatment so that we would not have to be haters, plotters, hunters, betrayers, mockers, and murderers. He offers freedom from our prison of self - the need to feel esteemed by putting others beneath us, the desire to promote our own glory by any means necessary, the fear that elevates self-preservation over equality. He offers hope because He got up with all power and promises an eternity spent in His presence. He offers comfort as He sympathizes with our frailties, identifies in our suffering and strengthens in our weakness.
This isn't a pretty bow. Saying "the gospel" 50 times in your prayer closet isn't going to just make this system of institutionalized hate - or our issue of sin - go away. But somehow believing is the answer. Believing that God cares more about people than we can with our 140 character attention spans. Believing that He desires justice and is the only righteous Judge. Believing that He will judge. Believing and celebrating that He has graciously pardoned me through faith in Christ, because my sin is just as vile as murder and perpetuating racism.
I pray for us. All of us. For salvation and faith.
Amen.
Certainly there has been quite the commotion in the news and social media outlets about the latest reported, and oft recorded, murder. That occurrence and the subsequent events and injustices that have taken place have just piled on top of my mental laundry of thoughts. My school assigned summer reading books, one of which was The New Jim Crow.
This book details the history of race relations in America and the development of the institution of slavery, the institution of Jim Crow and the institution of another form of legal racial and social oppression. The author proposes that the current system of mass incarceration of black and brown people, mostly men, is the new completely legal way the majority is able to systematically capture and confine a people in an "undercaste". Once this people has been given the brand of "felon" or "criminal", they are legally excluded from the rights the majority deems essential to all citizens - like the freedoms to choose where to live, not be discriminated against when seeking employment (or otherwise), to vote, and more.
The book also explains how the system works - from the political landscaping, to the discriminatory laws, deployment of the local police, trials or lack there of, post-release pariah class, and federal court cases that solidified and validated it all. Above its obvious eye-opening properties, author Alexander hopes the awareness acts as a call to action.
Needless to say, I get angry every time I open this book.
The recent publicized acts of police brutality and discrimination have just illustrated so vividly all of the information outlined across those pages and churning in my heart.
A big part of my unease stems from the fact that I am a teacher of young children. Young black and brown children. Young black and brown children that live in poverty. Young black and brown children that live in the same impoverished neighborhoods police are targeting in the War on
I have asked many children the age old question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" At 5 and 6, their aspirations echo police officer. They say they want to protect people, save people, help people, take away the bad people. I teach that police officers are some of our community heroes. Is that really true for my students? What have they already seen that reveals the flaws in my classification? What will they soon see?
All-knowing Research shows that people judge black boys to be older than they actually are and assign more responsibility to case studies of black boys engaging in unwanted behaviors. So how long before my students, my little black boys, are stopped, frisked, searched, assaulted, unjustly charged, unfairly sentenced, eagerly locked away and legally discriminated against for the rest of their lives?
I am upset and so so saddened by this. This reality that my middle-class upbringing in an Atlanta suburb shielded me from. The realization that I have taken the cup and drank the juice of poverty and criminality prejudice. The fact that over 60 years have passed, yet the picture looks the same.
This is the state of the world - racism, hate, murder, persecution, oppression, illness, death. What does one do with this? What does the Christian do with this?
That is what I am trying to figure out. But I will tell you what I know.
Jesus was hated, plotted against, hunted, betrayed, beaten, mocked, and murdered, and He didn't deserve that either. He underwent that treatment so that we would not have to be haters, plotters, hunters, betrayers, mockers, and murderers. He offers freedom from our prison of self - the need to feel esteemed by putting others beneath us, the desire to promote our own glory by any means necessary, the fear that elevates self-preservation over equality. He offers hope because He got up with all power and promises an eternity spent in His presence. He offers comfort as He sympathizes with our frailties, identifies in our suffering and strengthens in our weakness.
This isn't a pretty bow. Saying "the gospel" 50 times in your prayer closet isn't going to just make this system of institutionalized hate - or our issue of sin - go away. But somehow believing is the answer. Believing that God cares more about people than we can with our 140 character attention spans. Believing that He desires justice and is the only righteous Judge. Believing that He will judge. Believing and celebrating that He has graciously pardoned me through faith in Christ, because my sin is just as vile as murder and perpetuating racism.
I pray for us. All of us. For salvation and faith.
Amen.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Will Control
I've been thinking a lot about my will for the past few days. My desires and hopes, the ones I try not to have. No, they're not sinful in and of themselves. But if given too much weight, focus, and worship, they will be.
A few weeks ago, I was leading a Bible study with some teen girls discussing living out faith. I commented how when we worry, we take on weight that does not belong to us, and the stress feels like we're hamsters running on a wheel. We're not getting anywhere. My co-leader wondered if any of us felt like we get on and off that wheel, in what circumstances, and why. I reflected on how I have given my will (and wheel) to God regarding my new job and move. I am trusting Him with the details and have taken my hands off. However, I consistently try to take up the reins regarding my singleness.
That thought has stayed with me and I've wondered why that is the case. Why can I trust God to give me a job, a place to live, a church home and new friends in a new city, but struggle with believing that He knows best regarding my relationship status?
I have also been reading about God's sovereignty. Actually, He keeps teaching me about His sovereignty through scripture, blogs, tweets, conversations... all very sovereignly of course. The message is clear. "I am in control. I control creation, man, powers and situations. I work everything to accomplish my purposes for my glory and your good. Nothing is outside of my control." Nothing is outside of God's control.
This is important truth, but let's back up. God is working things out to accomplish a plan. His plan. There is a plan. There is a plan! And it will come to pass.
God has a will, an agenda. Psalm 33:10-11 states "The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." So what business do I have with a will of my own? What purpose is there in making plans apart from God? What satisfaction can be gained in hoping in the temporary?
If you recall how I started, I said I had been thinking about my will lately. Not only is it unnecessary, but it is harmful. I recently read that we Christians create stress when we wrestle with two wills - God's and ours. We say we want His, but we hold on to our own, leading to disappointment and resentment toward God and what He is doing. We focus on how God will "give us the desires of our heart" but overlook how we are to first "delight in the Lord".
Luke 14:33 says, "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." I can't help but think Jesus meant an all-encompassing "everything". So yes, our physical belongings are free game, but also our preferences, our desires, our hopes, our wills. In fact, our very lives.
The Experiencing God study makes it plain. "Until you are ready to make any change necessary to follow and obey what God has said, you will be of little use to God. Your greatest single difficulty in following God may come at this point of full surrender."
A few things have happened recently to remind me of a particular will or hope I still have as it relates to relationships. As this desire was reawakened, I found myself throwing a pity party. Oh, how unfair it is that God won't give me what I want! Why must I kill my will? Why can't God want to do the things I would like?
Yeah, I went there. But it was no surprise to God.
I was sure of God's sovereignty over me, but not of God's everlasting love for me. I don't know best. God does. I do not know the future. God does. I do not control circumstances and people. God does. I don't even know how many hairs I have on my own head. However, God does.
God does not want to see me miss His best. He alone knows what that is. He alone is the map to get there.
God created everything. He created me. He gave me purpose. He gave His Son to die for me. He offers me intimate fellowship with Him. He has a plan for my life that fits into a larger, glorious narrative of salvation, redemption and relationship. He asks me to give up worry, stress, fear, doubt, and death in exchange for peace, joy, acceptance, contentment, provision, protection, relationship and eternal life. No, this is not fair. I don't deserve any of it. But He lavishes grace.
I can keep stressing over the strain of having two wills. I can turn up at one pity party after the other. I can strive to get what I think is best. However, I am choosing to take George Mueller's advice on how to discern God's voice, "I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter... Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is."
I am not sure exactly what God wills for me next week, tomorrow or even today. But I am aiming to make sure I am open and ready to do whatever He says. This is hard work. And I can only be faithful by God's power and grace. So pray for me.
For you, I pray that you would be reminded frequently of how big God is and how loving God is. I pray you would know He is not one at the expense of the other. He cares for you. He has a best for you. I pray that you would, like me, aim to give up everything, all temporary shadows, to gain everything that is eternal and real. Amen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be blessed!
Miya
A few weeks ago, I was leading a Bible study with some teen girls discussing living out faith. I commented how when we worry, we take on weight that does not belong to us, and the stress feels like we're hamsters running on a wheel. We're not getting anywhere. My co-leader wondered if any of us felt like we get on and off that wheel, in what circumstances, and why. I reflected on how I have given my will (and wheel) to God regarding my new job and move. I am trusting Him with the details and have taken my hands off. However, I consistently try to take up the reins regarding my singleness.
That thought has stayed with me and I've wondered why that is the case. Why can I trust God to give me a job, a place to live, a church home and new friends in a new city, but struggle with believing that He knows best regarding my relationship status?
I have also been reading about God's sovereignty. Actually, He keeps teaching me about His sovereignty through scripture, blogs, tweets, conversations... all very sovereignly of course. The message is clear. "I am in control. I control creation, man, powers and situations. I work everything to accomplish my purposes for my glory and your good. Nothing is outside of my control." Nothing is outside of God's control.
This is important truth, but let's back up. God is working things out to accomplish a plan. His plan. There is a plan. There is a plan! And it will come to pass.
God has a will, an agenda. Psalm 33:10-11 states "The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." So what business do I have with a will of my own? What purpose is there in making plans apart from God? What satisfaction can be gained in hoping in the temporary?
If you recall how I started, I said I had been thinking about my will lately. Not only is it unnecessary, but it is harmful. I recently read that we Christians create stress when we wrestle with two wills - God's and ours. We say we want His, but we hold on to our own, leading to disappointment and resentment toward God and what He is doing. We focus on how God will "give us the desires of our heart" but overlook how we are to first "delight in the Lord".
Luke 14:33 says, "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." I can't help but think Jesus meant an all-encompassing "everything". So yes, our physical belongings are free game, but also our preferences, our desires, our hopes, our wills. In fact, our very lives.
The Experiencing God study makes it plain. "Until you are ready to make any change necessary to follow and obey what God has said, you will be of little use to God. Your greatest single difficulty in following God may come at this point of full surrender."
A few things have happened recently to remind me of a particular will or hope I still have as it relates to relationships. As this desire was reawakened, I found myself throwing a pity party. Oh, how unfair it is that God won't give me what I want! Why must I kill my will? Why can't God want to do the things I would like?
Yeah, I went there. But it was no surprise to God.
I was sure of God's sovereignty over me, but not of God's everlasting love for me. I don't know best. God does. I do not know the future. God does. I do not control circumstances and people. God does. I don't even know how many hairs I have on my own head. However, God does.
God does not want to see me miss His best. He alone knows what that is. He alone is the map to get there.
God created everything. He created me. He gave me purpose. He gave His Son to die for me. He offers me intimate fellowship with Him. He has a plan for my life that fits into a larger, glorious narrative of salvation, redemption and relationship. He asks me to give up worry, stress, fear, doubt, and death in exchange for peace, joy, acceptance, contentment, provision, protection, relationship and eternal life. No, this is not fair. I don't deserve any of it. But He lavishes grace.
I can keep stressing over the strain of having two wills. I can turn up at one pity party after the other. I can strive to get what I think is best. However, I am choosing to take George Mueller's advice on how to discern God's voice, "I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter... Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is."
I am not sure exactly what God wills for me next week, tomorrow or even today. But I am aiming to make sure I am open and ready to do whatever He says. This is hard work. And I can only be faithful by God's power and grace. So pray for me.
For you, I pray that you would be reminded frequently of how big God is and how loving God is. I pray you would know He is not one at the expense of the other. He cares for you. He has a best for you. I pray that you would, like me, aim to give up everything, all temporary shadows, to gain everything that is eternal and real. Amen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a video that has challenged me about my desires for marriage. Helpful if you have a similar will that needs to be conformed to God's.
Here is a song that blesses and convicts me EVERY time I listen to it.
Be blessed!
Miya
Saturday, April 26, 2014
A Worthy Man
I want to be married. I think that is a sentiment many
single women can relate to. However, I am a bit particular about the kind of
marriage I want.
I want to be in a marriage that is life-long, mutually
encouraging. I want this marriage to reveal God’s great grace that He lavished
on us when He chose to love wretched sinners. Undeserving wretched sinners. I
want to be sanctified in my marriage, purified and presented without spot or
blemish.
I envision a marriage where the husband prays fervently
with, for and over his family. He lays himself and his desires down for the
good of the family. He loves me as his own body, cherishing and nourishing me.
He teaches and challenges me spiritually. He holds fast to me, at the expense
of all other earthly relationships.
I envision a marriage where I, the wife, pray fervently with
and for my family. I lay my desires down, and yield to my husband’s leadership,
trusting that he is being led by the Father. I want to follow so badly.
I am accustomed to leading, making plans and following
through. I work every day, have to be the leader in my classroom, come home,
pay bills, get the oil changed, file taxes, make tough decisions that affect my future. I
travel here, meet a friend there, apply to a job here, minister there. Though I
am capable of doing it all, handling it all, managing it all…
God’s design of submission is for our freedom. I long for
the day I can let go, just trust in the leadership God has given me.
As a single, 26 year-old, who loves the Lord and has the
previously mentioned expectations for marriage, dating is hard. Experience has
taught me to be hard, protected, in control. Studying God’s design for women is
teaching me to be soft, quiet, gentle. It is difficult to navigate when and how
to be these things with men. The truth is that most men I meet (single or
otherwise) are not currently meeting the mold I described above. So I long to
be hard. Careful. And untrusting.
When I decide to let down the guards and soften, I get hurt and woefully
disappointed.
So I know that I have these expectations in my mind for what
good leadership looks like. I have an idea of what a good man is like. And I
can be unduly judgmental and prideful. I want to be broken of this. I want my
expectations and ideals to come straight from Jesus and His Word – sprinkled
with grace for the fallenness of this world.
I want to follow so badly. I don’t want to be in charge. I
don’t want to be the (only) voice of reason, truth and holiness. I don’t want
to be the constant reminder to read the Word or pray. I want to be encouraged.
Inspired. Challenged. I want to be reminded I have not obtained the prize. I
want to be convicted of sin and loved to repentance. I don’t want to be the one
aspired to; only Jesus sits in that seat.
I am strong-willed and stubborn. Cement that with a desire
to live for Jesus, and I may never be married. I don’t want to just be married.
I want a godly, Christ-church covenant mystery-revealing marriage. And that
seems to be hard to come by. I want to follow, but not just anybody. And I
won’t follow just anybody. But I will follow a worthy man.
A servant heart.
Humble.
Kind.
Heals with words.
Consistent.
Gracious.
Sacrificial.
Faithful.
Pure.
Truthful.
Above reproach.
Compassionate.
Bold.
Powerful.
Present.
Forgiving.
A refuge.
Loving father.
Holy.
Jesus.
I want to be married. I want so badly to follow a worthy
man. My problem is that I get caught up in the fantasy that it needs to be
human and temporary. Oh! But to bask in the truth that I am already in a
covenant relationship with the only one deserving of my submission. Jesus, who
gave up His status, power, and comfort to be dirty, sick, mocked, beaten, hated
and killed – for me. Jesus, who identifies with my struggles and comforts me
with consistent, ever-present, never-changing love. Jesus, who graciously
forgives me of all my rebellion, disrespect and pride. Jesus, who cares more
for my growth than I do and always convicts and challenges me to be closer,
deeper, better. Jesus, who exposes all of Him and wants all of me, pursues
great intimacy.
My proper response to such a worthy man is to follow. To
drop the walls, let go of the reins, and walk hand-in-hand with the
Trust-worthy One.
Instead of despairing over the seemingly desolate
single-girl terrain, I can rejoice in the relationship and leadership I have in
Christ. And if God decides to send a man that is chasing hard after the image
of God in Jesus, I pray He gives me the grace to see how following that man is
the same as following Him.
Take heart, single ladies. Enjoy the freedom of submitting
to the true Worthy One.
*Please go back and meditate on the attributes of Jesus, our
Worthy Man. Think deeply on how He has shown Himself to be those things in
scripture and in your life. Be blessed!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Marriage Matters: A Single Girl's Thoughts
 |
| Keepsakes |
Tonight my church's Women's Ministry hosted an event called "Marriage Matters". It was a time to fellowship with other women, learn more about God's design for marriage, and wives in particular, and encourage one another through testimonies and transparency.
Well, I'm single.
That was actually my answer to the icebreaker. "My name is Miya. And I'm single."
A couple of years ago at the last Marriage Matters, my answer was a bit different. My perspective and my motivation for going was a little different then as well. Tonight, I prayed before I went that I would have an open, unguarded heart to hear and receive all God might want to say. I prayed that I would not react with bitterness at the large majority who seemed to have something I wanted. I prayed I would enjoy the fellowship of all my sisters in Christ.
In the first 10 minutes, after bluntly stating my answer to the icebreaker, a guest brought me to tears as she asked about the man she had last seen me with. I said, "Yes, he is my ex-boyfriend." It seemed to sting her more than me. Her face contorted, head tilted to the side, as she replied with all earnestness, "I am so sorry. I know how hard it can be to lose a friend..." Her pain reminded me of my own. But I wasn't upset, because she truly was moved by my loss. And a loss it was.
Unguarded heart? Check.
True fellowship? Check.
But boy was I nervous at what the rest of the night would be like.
The talk started.
There was prayer. There was truth. There were testimonies. There were raw questions and heartfelt, prayerful answers.
There was encouragement. And not just for the married ladies.
As we read about God's plan and design for wives, it became clear it is for all women.
Submission
We submit to Christ. Submission issues within marriage just reflect a heart that is unyielded to God himself, the true Lord of our lives. God has created all people to be in relationships with others, in many that have authority dynamics. We are to honor the God-given authorities over us as we honor Him. We do not have to trust in the authorities. We do need to trust in the ultimate Authority. As we rest in Christ's sovereignty, we can surrender control to our husbands, knowing God is truly in control.
Respect
Respect comes from the heart. And whatever is in there... well, it will come out. Spending time with God gives us an ever-increasing view of His love for us. Undeserved love for us. We come to see how He has created us in His image and given us worth. Inherently, we are not worthy of respect. We are hateful, prideful, and selfish at our best. But God comes to us with love, care and the utmost esteem. How ridiculous would it be for us to approach another person with anything less?
Gentleness
A fruit of the Spirit. All believers are called to exhibit this trait. When interacting with others, when being hurt or wronged, when approached with sin, we can be gentle. Not harsh. Not overbearing. Not angry. We can respond to others not out of agitation but out of grace. And that unmerited gentleness may lead them to repentance.
Quietness
Women are tasked with the great privilege of bringing life. Not just biologically, but spiritually and emotionally. Our peace in the midst of trial and turmoil communicates great faith in a great God. We let the world know everything is OK, that God is taking care. Rather than escalating fear, worry and stress, we disperse them with our quiet, peaceful, restful, trusting spirit.
God calls all of these traits precious. They are for Now. Not married Miya somewhere in the great haziness of the future. Now Miya. The Miya that teaches small children. They need my gentleness. The Miya that disciples teen girls. They need my quietness. The Miya that drives in traffic with less-than-lovable motorists. They need my respect. The Miya that loves to be in control. I need submission.
As the married women talked and asked personal questions, some that rang with despair and weariness, they were met with the hope of the gospel. Time after time. But God. But Jesus. Being a godly wife is hard work. And so is being a godly woman... or a godly man. God requires holiness. And He deserves it. But we can't be holy. It is all the work of God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We must run to Jesus. Grab hold of the gospel, and wait patiently for God to finish the work He began. God is faithful to do just that.
I pray that all of the women who attended were richly blessed by the Word, testimonies and prayer. I pray that the truth of God's awesome resurrecting power - that He so graciously works on our behalf - covers, supports and encourages them to hope in our True Husband and our Eternal Marriage.
*Note: The talk was mostly from 1 Peter 3:1-6. Check it out.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
An Icy Revelation
I drive to Greensboro to stay with my friend Thursday night. The ice storm hits and power goes out Friday morning. I was able to go out and bring some food back to a dark, cold, hungry house. We bundle up and chat by candlelight. After seeing the cleared roads and the melting ice and knowing the weather forecast for Saturday, I say and believe that the power will come back on in the morning. Around 1 PM, the power is still off and I decide to leave to go home to get some electricity-requiring things done. A few minutes after I leave, my friend calls and says her power is back on.
I'm sure you read this and think, "So what? I don't get it." However, the Lord used this situation to teach me some things about myself and Him.
After I hung up with her, I felt icky, disappointed in myself. And I wasn't sure why. Was it because I didn't stay long enough to wash my clothes? Was it because I left her to fend for herself?
Not really. I can wash at home. I had stayed with her over 24 hours powerless and I didn't have to. We had a great time, just talking with no distractions. And I honestly did believe the power would be coming back on soon. It was about 60 degrees outside, sunny and gorgeous. But I still felt icky.
The Lord reminded me of something I had studied just last week.
Our actions reflect what we believe.
If I believed the power would be coming back on soon, my actions should have proven that. I should have stayed. Maybe... that wasn't quite it.In my mind, I had reasoned that the power may come back on later - too late for me to get all my work done, eat, shower, etc. and head back home that evening. So it would be wise to go ahead and start home to accomplish my tasks before dark.
Then the Lord reminded me of something I had studied just that morning.
When we believe the Lord said He will do something and it doesn't seem to be working out, clarify what He said and leave the details to the Lord.
But I didn't necessarily think the Lord had said the power would be turned back on. There was nothing to clarify. I didn't hear God say "Stay with your friend." I just thought about the circumstance and made a decision.So what does all this mean? Why did my simple, logical decisions leave me feeling icky, convicted and needing to write this post?
It showed me how far I am from where God is.
I did not disobey God's command. I did not hear God's command. I did not listen for God's command. I did not ask for God's command.I do this all the time. I make decisions, based on what I think, what I see. However, we are supposed to walk by faith, not by sight. These two concepts - faith and sight - are set at odds in 2 Corinthians 5:7.
John 15:5 ends "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." I don't really believe that. I say I do. I try to, but my actions reveal something different. If we truly believed we must depend on God for every single move, action, and decision we make, we would seek God. I would seek God. When He answers, we would then trust Him to work out the details.
The Lord allowed this icky-ness to churn in me until He had shown me my real sin in this. It is not that I left. It is not that I willfully disobeyed Him. My sin is the belief that I don't need Him for everything. That then affects every decision that I make.
Do you believe this lie as well? Do you go throughout your days making plans, making decisions, arriving at beliefs based on the circumstances, never consulting God? Not for the "major" decisions, I am talking about all those little things that happen from one minute to the next.
God has created us for relationship with Him - intimate, personal, all-encompassing relationship. He wants to order our every step and provide our daily bread. He wants to use us to accomplish amazing feats for His kingdom. And He gives us a resurrecting power that saves us and empowers us to be made more like Him and do His work.
First we have to acknowledge we need that power. Then we must rely on it daily.
I am the vine. You are the branches.
If a man remains in Me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit.
Apart from Me, you can do nothing.
I'm pretty sure He meant that. It's time you and I start believing it.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
This is just the beginning
"Forbid that we should ever consider the holding of a commission from the King of Kings a sacrifice, so long as other men esteem the service of an earthly government as an honor."
- David Livingstone
This is just the beginning.
And that makes me nervous... or sad. Uneasy.
Philippians 4:6 tells me to be anxious for nothing, to take my requests to God in prayer with supplication and thanksgiving. I know this. But I also know that this past round was a doozy.
I am understanding more and more that God wants to involve me in His plans. But first He must conform me to His will, move me from where I am to where He is. So He is having me make adjustments. First in my thinking and commitments, then my relationships and more in my thinking and beliefs. And if those weren't painful enough, it seems like the next adjustment is in my circumstances.
I had started to think the worst was behind me. All the other adjustments were going to be easy-peasy.
Then I read about how the adjustments can often be more costly to those around you. I know God will take care of them. I know God will take care of me too. But that doesn't mean it will get easier.
Over the past few months, God has shown me that He loves me. He has comforted me, been my closest friend, loved me deeply and taught me so much.
But He has taught me through pain, loss, loneliness and heartbreak.
I can't help but be a little anxious of what is coming next.
I have to be honest. I have had a pretty easy life. Comfortable. God, however, has not saved me to a life of comfort. He has saved me to a life of sanctification that brings Him glory. If I expect Him to use me for anything worthwhile, I cannot expect to be able to stay the way I am.
So here I go. Taking another step into the unknown, steadied by faith, with a Yes, Lord on my tongue and in my heart.
I'll be praying for grace to sustain and trust to keep me going, thanking God for what He's already done, who He has shown Himself to be, and the honor of His service that He is calling me to. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
- David Livingstone
This is just the beginning.
And that makes me nervous... or sad. Uneasy.
Philippians 4:6 tells me to be anxious for nothing, to take my requests to God in prayer with supplication and thanksgiving. I know this. But I also know that this past round was a doozy.
I am understanding more and more that God wants to involve me in His plans. But first He must conform me to His will, move me from where I am to where He is. So He is having me make adjustments. First in my thinking and commitments, then my relationships and more in my thinking and beliefs. And if those weren't painful enough, it seems like the next adjustment is in my circumstances.
I had started to think the worst was behind me. All the other adjustments were going to be easy-peasy.
Then I read about how the adjustments can often be more costly to those around you. I know God will take care of them. I know God will take care of me too. But that doesn't mean it will get easier.
Over the past few months, God has shown me that He loves me. He has comforted me, been my closest friend, loved me deeply and taught me so much.
But He has taught me through pain, loss, loneliness and heartbreak.
I can't help but be a little anxious of what is coming next.
I have to be honest. I have had a pretty easy life. Comfortable. God, however, has not saved me to a life of comfort. He has saved me to a life of sanctification that brings Him glory. If I expect Him to use me for anything worthwhile, I cannot expect to be able to stay the way I am.
So here I go. Taking another step into the unknown, steadied by faith, with a Yes, Lord on my tongue and in my heart.
I'll be praying for grace to sustain and trust to keep me going, thanking God for what He's already done, who He has shown Himself to be, and the honor of His service that He is calling me to. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
An Anniversary
My mom went to be with the Lord.
I used to have a fear that I would forget her, forget memories. What she sounded like, smelled like.
Now, almost having lived the same amount of time without her as I did with her, I know I have forgotten much. Can't recall daily grind, yearly vacations, or birthday gifts. I'm not sure what her food tasted like or what perfume she wore.
But I do remember
playing in her hair - jheri curl juice and all!
cuddling with her in DEW meetings
talking about how she recently handled my sister's teenage rebellion
finding her sleeping sitting straight up with files all over her lap
(I can't help but smile and even laugh as I write these)
Easter cakes in the shape of bunnies outlined in skittles
that smile - I have it now!
the way she would greet me every morning "Wake up my little princess"
and the day she died. I remember that vividly.
I have gone through many times in my life wishing I had her.
I have mourned over the events I will in the future experience without her.
But she has left with me something greater than presence and even guidance for events.
I remember the way she fasted every week, the way she prayed at night, the way she served in and out of the church, the way she sang praises to God and worshipped, O, she worshipped and the way she read her Bible without fail.
My mother was not perfect. I remember that too.
But she was saved. And Christ made all the difference.
And now, there's me.
No mom. Not her presence or guidance in those life-changing moments.
But God's.
By His grace, I am saved.
And though I still miss her from time to time. And on rare occasions, I still cry.
Her witness in my 14 years with her taught me that my satisfaction can only be found in Christ. Through rejection, rebellion, and abandonment, she remained faithful to the Lover of her soul. Disciplined.
That is what I will remember. That is what I will keep. The practice of coming to God, staying close to God.
I'm so glad I look more and more like her everyday. I love when people say I remind them of her.
But mostly, I want to look more like Him everyday.
Luckily, as Paul said I can hear my mom saying as well, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ."
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Precious Blood
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
I took communion today. And it was amazing.
Not that I haven't taken it many times before. Other times, in fact, I have had grave sin to repent of or deep hurts to release. And, sadly, many more times I took it casually, not even thinking deeply on its meaning.
But today.
I was so excited to find we were going to take communion.
Having repented just that morning to a friend I had wronged, feeling satisfied in Christ and taking this moment very seriously,
I leapt from my seat and grabbed my cracker and juice with a huge smile on my face.
See, just two days ago was Valentine's Day. I've always loved Valentine's Day, even when I was single (like now). I think it's due to my father always giving me something special on the day. And being a teacher only makes it better - parties, cards, candy, cupcakes. It's usually a pretty nice day.
This year was different. Less love from people, yet I was very aware of God's great love for me. This love is incomprehensible. It pierces through my hateful stares, mocking words, and rebellious heart to save me from atop a cross. That broken body is my proof that my Creator, the only true God, the living God, the God of the Bible, loves me. He has and will go to the ends of the earth to love me, to save me. To bring and keep me close to Him.
That's a big deal.
His blood was spilled. It ran down his face, from his hands, his feet, his side. It poured out for me. Over me. To cover me with grace, with forgiveness. With redemption. This blood paid for me.
It's so easy to complain about whatever. It's so easy to wallow in unmet longings, to feel lesser or like we don't measure up... for whatever reason the enemy, the world and our unconformed minds dream up.
But this love. Oh boy! Love shown through a broken body and shed blood. It changes everything. And it has changed everything. Just to sit and think on this love, to linger long with Christ!
The words are true. Oh, precious is the flow. The most precious treasure I have.
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
I took communion today. And it was amazing.
Not that I haven't taken it many times before. Other times, in fact, I have had grave sin to repent of or deep hurts to release. And, sadly, many more times I took it casually, not even thinking deeply on its meaning.
But today.
I was so excited to find we were going to take communion.
Having repented just that morning to a friend I had wronged, feeling satisfied in Christ and taking this moment very seriously,
I leapt from my seat and grabbed my cracker and juice with a huge smile on my face.
See, just two days ago was Valentine's Day. I've always loved Valentine's Day, even when I was single (like now). I think it's due to my father always giving me something special on the day. And being a teacher only makes it better - parties, cards, candy, cupcakes. It's usually a pretty nice day.
This year was different. Less love from people, yet I was very aware of God's great love for me. This love is incomprehensible. It pierces through my hateful stares, mocking words, and rebellious heart to save me from atop a cross. That broken body is my proof that my Creator, the only true God, the living God, the God of the Bible, loves me. He has and will go to the ends of the earth to love me, to save me. To bring and keep me close to Him.
That's a big deal.
His blood was spilled. It ran down his face, from his hands, his feet, his side. It poured out for me. Over me. To cover me with grace, with forgiveness. With redemption. This blood paid for me.
It's so easy to complain about whatever. It's so easy to wallow in unmet longings, to feel lesser or like we don't measure up... for whatever reason the enemy, the world and our unconformed minds dream up.
But this love. Oh boy! Love shown through a broken body and shed blood. It changes everything. And it has changed everything. Just to sit and think on this love, to linger long with Christ!
The words are true. Oh, precious is the flow. The most precious treasure I have.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
My Hope
O my God, in you I trust...
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame...
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long...
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
Psalm 25:2, 3, 5, 21
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Job 1:21
What are you waiting for in your life right now? What are you hoping for? What is your dream, that promise you are holding on to? That desire you feel will make life better? That thing you feel God is holding back for now, but will eventually bless you with?
In reading Job, I see God had given Job wealth, possessions, family, status. He is what we would all call blessed, favored. Then God allows it all to be taken away. Was Job no longer blessed? Was he no longer favored?
Job responds blessing the Lord. In chapter 2, he asks his wife, "Shall we receive good from God and not evil?" Throughout the book, Job petitions God to know why this is happening, but he does not sin. He does not curse God. He does not understand, but he is assured God is right and just.
Paul says in Philippians 4, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
These men knew God as something we don't really. Our hope.
Job was not waiting until God restored him - gave him his cattle back, more children, his blameless reputation - to bless God.
Paul was not waiting to live in abundance or plenty to be content.
Having God was enough. More than enough.
Enough blessing. Enough strength.
We are so quick to set a plan, grab hold to a desire we have and claim it as the thing we are waiting for. The thing we are so sure God means for us to have to enjoy an "abundant life". What we miss in all this waiting and this hoping for temporary things is the abundant life found in God. Right now.
When we accept Christ in our lives, we are graciously reconciled with God. We are adopted into the family of God. We receive a deposit of the Holy Spirit guaranteeing our eternal inheritance, namely God. Because the reality of living in a city of gold where Christ is our light and there is no sin is Not Yet, we wait with all creation for the day we will be redeemed. For eternity with Christ, we wait.
More than watchmen for the morning.
More than watchmen for the morning.
No dream, no hope, no promise is greater than God. We lean into Him. We hope only in eternity with Him. Everything else passes away.
God gave Abraham a promise that He would make him the father of many nations. And those nations would come through his son, Isaac. Plot twists of all plot twists - God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son. But the promise? Abraham had been waiting for this for so many years! He had sinned trying to make this promise speed up a bit. Yet God was faithful and gave him Isaac. But now give it back? Give it up? Kill the promise?
Why would God do this?
To show that the promise means nothing apart from God. We don't hope in things. Things that die. Things that can get stolen, rust, and be destroyed.
We hope in the one eternal Treasure. The true Promise.
Our relationship with God... God's presence buoys us up, not a hope in an earthly event or created thing.
God may give you a promise. God may bless you with something you never want to live without. But it can easily be taken away in this fallen world, and, at times, for our good. So what will you hope in?
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame...
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long...
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
Psalm 25:2, 3, 5, 21
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Job 1:21
What are you waiting for in your life right now? What are you hoping for? What is your dream, that promise you are holding on to? That desire you feel will make life better? That thing you feel God is holding back for now, but will eventually bless you with?
In reading Job, I see God had given Job wealth, possessions, family, status. He is what we would all call blessed, favored. Then God allows it all to be taken away. Was Job no longer blessed? Was he no longer favored?
Job responds blessing the Lord. In chapter 2, he asks his wife, "Shall we receive good from God and not evil?" Throughout the book, Job petitions God to know why this is happening, but he does not sin. He does not curse God. He does not understand, but he is assured God is right and just.
Paul says in Philippians 4, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
These men knew God as something we don't really. Our hope.
Job was not waiting until God restored him - gave him his cattle back, more children, his blameless reputation - to bless God.
Paul was not waiting to live in abundance or plenty to be content.
Having God was enough. More than enough.
Enough blessing. Enough strength.
We are so quick to set a plan, grab hold to a desire we have and claim it as the thing we are waiting for. The thing we are so sure God means for us to have to enjoy an "abundant life". What we miss in all this waiting and this hoping for temporary things is the abundant life found in God. Right now.
When we accept Christ in our lives, we are graciously reconciled with God. We are adopted into the family of God. We receive a deposit of the Holy Spirit guaranteeing our eternal inheritance, namely God. Because the reality of living in a city of gold where Christ is our light and there is no sin is Not Yet, we wait with all creation for the day we will be redeemed. For eternity with Christ, we wait.
More than watchmen for the morning.
More than watchmen for the morning.
No dream, no hope, no promise is greater than God. We lean into Him. We hope only in eternity with Him. Everything else passes away.
God gave Abraham a promise that He would make him the father of many nations. And those nations would come through his son, Isaac. Plot twists of all plot twists - God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son. But the promise? Abraham had been waiting for this for so many years! He had sinned trying to make this promise speed up a bit. Yet God was faithful and gave him Isaac. But now give it back? Give it up? Kill the promise?
Why would God do this?
To show that the promise means nothing apart from God. We don't hope in things. Things that die. Things that can get stolen, rust, and be destroyed.
We hope in the one eternal Treasure. The true Promise.
Our relationship with God... God's presence buoys us up, not a hope in an earthly event or created thing.
God may give you a promise. God may bless you with something you never want to live without. But it can easily be taken away in this fallen world, and, at times, for our good. So what will you hope in?
Friday, February 14, 2014
The Perfect Planner
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:16
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
I read these and rest. I, a planner, completely type-A, task-oriented, rest.
Real rest is rare for someone like me. I have to-do lists, shopping lists, to-make lists... for school, for home, for the short-term, for the long-term.
I like plans, the sense of control and security that come with them. I like to think through the details and cover my bases. I love people this way, by orchestrating elaborate events or gifts. And I feel most loved when people take their time, energy and effort and invest them in a well-executed plan on my behalf.
I suppose that is why I love this aspect of God so much. Not just because I am clearly made in His image, but because it expresses His great care and concern for me.
God is the ultimate planner. He is orderly, logical, detailed, comprehensive.
From the way He sprawled out the heavens, flung the stars, spoke creation, and gently formed man - to the way He set in motion His plan to redeem His dearest ones through the sacrifice of His Son, Himself.
Always thought-out. Never meaningless.
That is also how He approaches us and involves us. God has plans to accomplish His Kingdom purposes, but He chooses to involve us in meaningful ways. That is why I can rest. God's planning tells me I am taken care of, tells me I am loved, tells me He will use me appropriately and will make sure every need is met in the process. I don't need a plan; I need God.
The closer I am to Him, the more I realize I don't need to grasp for control because He is My Sustainer, and His plans are perfect.
What I have said, that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do.
Isaiah 46:11
The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Psalms 33:10-11
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:16
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
I read these and rest. I, a planner, completely type-A, task-oriented, rest.
Real rest is rare for someone like me. I have to-do lists, shopping lists, to-make lists... for school, for home, for the short-term, for the long-term.
I like plans, the sense of control and security that come with them. I like to think through the details and cover my bases. I love people this way, by orchestrating elaborate events or gifts. And I feel most loved when people take their time, energy and effort and invest them in a well-executed plan on my behalf.
I suppose that is why I love this aspect of God so much. Not just because I am clearly made in His image, but because it expresses His great care and concern for me.
God is the ultimate planner. He is orderly, logical, detailed, comprehensive.
From the way He sprawled out the heavens, flung the stars, spoke creation, and gently formed man - to the way He set in motion His plan to redeem His dearest ones through the sacrifice of His Son, Himself.
Always thought-out. Never meaningless.
That is also how He approaches us and involves us. God has plans to accomplish His Kingdom purposes, but He chooses to involve us in meaningful ways. That is why I can rest. God's planning tells me I am taken care of, tells me I am loved, tells me He will use me appropriately and will make sure every need is met in the process. I don't need a plan; I need God.
The closer I am to Him, the more I realize I don't need to grasp for control because He is My Sustainer, and His plans are perfect.
What I have said, that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do.
Isaiah 46:11
The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Psalms 33:10-11
Thursday, February 13, 2014
My Sustainer
Give us this day our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4
O, God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hands upholds me.
Psalm 63:1-8
"Daily bread"
Bread.
Food.
The very thing that gives us energy and strength to move, to live.
Life.
Provision. In every circumstance. Commonplace activities. World-shattering trials.
All that we need.
Guidance.
Comfort.
Care.
Everything my soul thirsts for, my flesh faints for.
All that satisfies.
"Daily bread"
Daily.
Every morning. Every night.
When we need it. When we think we have it all together.
At the start of the difficult. At the end. And all during.
Step by step. Steps that compound to miles, covering days, weeks, years...
He gives what I need when I need it.
He tells me not to be anxious about anything. He tells me He will take care of all those things, because He knows I need them. But first, I must seek Him and His righteousness.
Ultimate satisfaction at every moment of my life.
That is offered to me. I am told to pray this.
Jesus came that I may have an abundant life. Daily.
So what am I waiting for? What are you waiting for?
In Christ, there is no need for waiting or hoping for external (and temporary) desires and dreams. Just living. It is all abundant life with Christ.
Every day, God gives us exactly what we need. Not too much so that we wander from His hand. Not too little that we are blind and unprotected. He provides. He sustains, simply with His presence. I don't need a plan. I need God. Ultimate satisfaction can be ours when we delight ourselves in the Lord.
Trip says,
"I'm a hedonist. I seek my pleasure. Not in sex; He's much better. Not in wealth; He's my treasure. My king offers me satisfaction beyond measure."
Matthew 6:11
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4
O, God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hands upholds me.
Psalm 63:1-8
"Daily bread"
Bread.
Food.
The very thing that gives us energy and strength to move, to live.
Life.
Provision. In every circumstance. Commonplace activities. World-shattering trials.
All that we need.
Guidance.
Comfort.
Care.
Everything my soul thirsts for, my flesh faints for.
All that satisfies.
"Daily bread"
Daily.
Every morning. Every night.
When we need it. When we think we have it all together.
At the start of the difficult. At the end. And all during.
Step by step. Steps that compound to miles, covering days, weeks, years...
He gives what I need when I need it.
He tells me not to be anxious about anything. He tells me He will take care of all those things, because He knows I need them. But first, I must seek Him and His righteousness.
Ultimate satisfaction at every moment of my life.
That is offered to me. I am told to pray this.
Jesus came that I may have an abundant life. Daily.
So what am I waiting for? What are you waiting for?
In Christ, there is no need for waiting or hoping for external (and temporary) desires and dreams. Just living. It is all abundant life with Christ.
Every day, God gives us exactly what we need. Not too much so that we wander from His hand. Not too little that we are blind and unprotected. He provides. He sustains, simply with His presence. I don't need a plan. I need God. Ultimate satisfaction can be ours when we delight ourselves in the Lord.
Trip says,
"I'm a hedonist. I seek my pleasure. Not in sex; He's much better. Not in wealth; He's my treasure. My king offers me satisfaction beyond measure."
Blinded by Dullness
In the midst of this Snowpocalypse, I decided I would try to make some snow cream.
I took my pot outside to collect some snow and saw a few of my neighbors building a large snow man! About 2 hours later, I went back out to see about my pot and look what I found...
They did a pretty awesome job!
I got a pot-full of snow and came back inside, only to find myself blinded by the dullness of my apartment. There seemed to be a haze, blurriness, truly just dullness. A dullness I hadn't noticed before. A dullness I could see through perfectly fine before. But now, rather than the room being clear, the dullness was.
But isn't that just how an experience with God is? When we are placed in His presence and become truly aware of His light and love? All that once was normal and commonplace in our lives is so clearly less-than. Rather than this earth and all we gather with our senses being true, God's Word and perspective is shown to be the Truth.
Sadly, like our physical eyes, our spiritual eyes also become re-accustomed to darkness. So we must remind ourselves with consistent encounters with God through His Word, prayer and the church of the Truth.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Love
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
God Is... Series
I have been holding out on writing this post and labeling it "a series". It seems so committed! I wasn't sure if I would be consistent enough to get people's (i.e. my 1 follower) hopes up on a so-called series and then not deliver more than 2 posts. But since I have made it to 3(!), I will go ahead and commit myself.
I am currently going through the Experiencing God study by Blackaby, Blackaby and King with a couple of friends. This past week, I read a lesson on worshiping God, complete with a gimungous list of "Names, Titles and Descriptions" of God. I only made it through the names of the Father that day. But I was impressed with the desire to share what God was showing me about Himself through these names with you. I want to reflect on and write about 1 just about every day. No legalism though.
I am tagging them all God Is for easy access. It is funny that I actually gave a talk to the women at my church at a prayer event in January about praying the names of God. These posts won't be as teacher-y, but just reflection-y, and maybe a little devotion-y.
I hope it blesses you, even more than it has been blessing me this week. Pray my consistency in the Lord. :)
I am currently going through the Experiencing God study by Blackaby, Blackaby and King with a couple of friends. This past week, I read a lesson on worshiping God, complete with a gimungous list of "Names, Titles and Descriptions" of God. I only made it through the names of the Father that day. But I was impressed with the desire to share what God was showing me about Himself through these names with you. I want to reflect on and write about 1 just about every day. No legalism though.
I am tagging them all God Is for easy access. It is funny that I actually gave a talk to the women at my church at a prayer event in January about praying the names of God. These posts won't be as teacher-y, but just reflection-y, and maybe a little devotion-y.
I hope it blesses you, even more than it has been blessing me this week. Pray my consistency in the Lord. :)
He who reveals His thoughts to man
For behold He who forms the mountains and creates the wind,
and declares to man what is his thought...
Amos 4:13
For the Lord God does nothing
without revealing his secret
to His servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7
My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working. I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son does also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.
John 5:17, 19-20
There is a garage. Sounds of knocking, clanging, banging squeak out. Mingled in - laughter and grunts.
Inside a dad is creating something, some thing created, perfected. Saw dust rises. Tools clang. Nails scatter.
A closer view reveals he is not alone. A son. By his side. Tools in hand. Goggles on. Watching closely, studying the movements of Dad. He watches patiently and Dad points to a loose nail. Knock. Knock. Dad hands him sandpaper. Scratch. Scratch.
To the son, the end result not fully known. But he trusts that Dad knows. So he watches. He copies. He obeys, to fulfill his parts, simple and small as they may seem.
To the dad, fully aware of the creation. Fully aware of the steps, sequence. Fully aware he can do it himself. But so glad to involve the son he loves.
This can be us. This is what our dear Father wants for us, for me. Stay close. Watch even closer, with hands open and heart ready for the next opportunity to be involved in Dad's great work. For the Lord reveals His thoughts to man. What will we do with those precious revelations? What will I do?
and declares to man what is his thought...
Amos 4:13
For the Lord God does nothing
without revealing his secret
to His servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7
My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working. I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son does also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.
John 5:17, 19-20
There is a garage. Sounds of knocking, clanging, banging squeak out. Mingled in - laughter and grunts.
Inside a dad is creating something, some thing created, perfected. Saw dust rises. Tools clang. Nails scatter.
A closer view reveals he is not alone. A son. By his side. Tools in hand. Goggles on. Watching closely, studying the movements of Dad. He watches patiently and Dad points to a loose nail. Knock. Knock. Dad hands him sandpaper. Scratch. Scratch.
To the son, the end result not fully known. But he trusts that Dad knows. So he watches. He copies. He obeys, to fulfill his parts, simple and small as they may seem.
To the dad, fully aware of the creation. Fully aware of the steps, sequence. Fully aware he can do it himself. But so glad to involve the son he loves.
This can be us. This is what our dear Father wants for us, for me. Stay close. Watch even closer, with hands open and heart ready for the next opportunity to be involved in Dad's great work. For the Lord reveals His thoughts to man. What will we do with those precious revelations? What will I do?
Thursday, January 30, 2014
A forgiving God
They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.
-Nehemiah 9:17
It's incomprehensible, this love You have. I turn away. I try and fail. I openly rebel. Yet your love still pursues. Still forgives.
We don't know forgiveness like this on earth. We hold grudges. We can't forget. We build up walls. Trust must be rebuilt. But not so with You.
Slow to anger. Abounding in steadfast love. Gracious. Merciful. Ready to forgive. God is.
-Nehemiah 9:17
It's incomprehensible, this love You have. I turn away. I try and fail. I openly rebel. Yet your love still pursues. Still forgives.
We don't know forgiveness like this on earth. We hold grudges. We can't forget. We build up walls. Trust must be rebuilt. But not so with You.
Slow to anger. Abounding in steadfast love. Gracious. Merciful. Ready to forgive. God is.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
He who forms my heart
He who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
- Psalm 33:15
If You formed it, You know what it needs.
I can trust that You will provide the desires of my heart and change my heart to please You and save me.
You form my heart.
You have my heart.
and observes all their deeds.
- Psalm 33:15
If You formed it, You know what it needs.
I can trust that You will provide the desires of my heart and change my heart to please You and save me.
You form my heart.
You have my heart.
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