"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?' He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do..."
John 6:5-6
In the above verse, Jesus is about to perform the miracle of feeding five thousand men. When Jesus asks Philip about buying food, Philip, out of disbelief, responds that eight months of wages would not be able to cover the cost of a single bite for each individual. God was calling Philip to move, but Philip's worldly point of view caused him to immediately give up. Gratefully, God had a plan. With only five loaves of bread and two fish, He fed each and every one of the men until they were full, then collected twelve baskets full of leftovers!
Too often, I allow worldly fears to influence my decisions. I clearly hear God's call for me to act, yet, like Philip, I hesitate. This hesitation allows fear to flow in, and before I know it, the opportunity has passed me by.
I was recently faced with a circumstance where worldly fear nearly inhibited what was nothing short of a miracle. In early December, my church provided flyers advertising the Christmas services for members to hand out around the community. A friend of mine came up with the idea to make plates of cookies to give to our neighbors while personally inviting them to church.
I was initially against the idea. I was terrified of offending my neighbors who do not practice Christianity. I made the excuse that it was too cold to go deliver plates of cookies and flyers. I feared that as a twenty-something, I would not have credibility with my neighbors. Most of all, I did not believe that cookies and flyers would make a difference. I could hear every single 'no' and pictured every single flyer getting thrown into the trash can. I squirmed in discomfort at the thought of discussing church with my neighbors, some of whom I had not yet met. Thankfully, God provided me with the encouragement of my friend, and I decided that God's work matters far more than my comfort.
God has such a way of knowing exactly what we need and providing it. He knew I needed encouragement to do His work, so He provided. The first few houses received the visit incredibly well. I engaged in some great conversation, and some people seemed to have a genuine interest in attending the services. One neighbor who had recently moved to the area had been praying for a church and was excited to learn that my church fit the desired specifications. Although my fingers and toes were numb, this encouragement was enough motivation to keep pressing on until I had visited all of the houses on my block. I was unsure if anyone would actually accept the invitation, but I was excited that I had begun relationships with some great people.
A couple of days later, I received a 'thank you' card in the mail. The card noted that in several years of living on the street, nobody had ever delivered Christmas cookies. Although a spiritual impact was not clearly acknowledged, I know that a seed was planted, and the avenue was opened for future conversations.
A few weeks after I received the first card, a different neighbor came to my door. With misty eyes, he shared that he was recovering from an extremely rough year, and the invitation to church was exactly what he needed. After decades of not having attended Sunday services, he visited the church for the Christmas services. God stirred in his heart to bring his wife the following week. The week after that, he and his wife brought another family member. God had grabbed hold of his heart and was not letting go. As he left, he handed over a card. The message inside was brief, yet powerful: "Thank you for changing my life."
Of course, I was not the One who changed his life but God working through me. I also realize that even if I had not invited him to church, God certainly could have found another way to reach this man. I want no part of any glory from this story other than to celebrate that God's kingdom is growing. That being said, I am so ashamed to think that I almost failed to move when God was telling me to move. It required the encouragement of a friend to get my prideful self to budge. I cared more about what people thought of me rather than what God thought of me. I focused on my age being a pitfall rather than considering that God's work has no limits. When I am prideful, God has to work around me; But, when I set aside my pride, God has room to do His work through me. Thankfully, God is Sovereign and His plan prevailed regardless of my attitude.
When God tells you to move, move! It doesn't matter how uncomfortable you may feel. Small steps can make a huge impact! They can even change someone's life! Trust that God knows what He is doing. It does not matter if you feel incapable of His request. I get most of my inspiration to write when it is late at night. Once my brain begins to shut down and my own thoughts begin to settle, God's voice becomes more audible. It is when I am at my worst that God is at His best. When I am at my weakest, God is at His strongest. Willingly surrender to Him, and His power will shine through you!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Finding the Quiet Blessings
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..."
Philippians 2:14-16a
A little over a week ago, my alarm clock went off in the morning per usual. However, as I was turning off my alarm, the heat abruptly shut off. After waiting a few seconds, I soon became aware that I would be getting ready for work without electricity. Although I did not realize it that morning, I was faced with a choice at that moment: I could choose to look for the quiet blessings in the circumstance, or I could choose to complain. I hate to admit that my initial reaction was to complain.
I should know by now that complaining rarely changes my circumstances, but it is extremely easy to forget. I was so caught up in frustration that I nearly forgot to look for the quiet blessings. It was not until I went to take a shower that I began to shift my perspective. The sun had not yet begun to peek over the horizon, so despite having a window, my bathroom was pitch black. I had to feel around for the shower door, then the faucet handle, the shampoo bottle, and so on. While I was struggling to complete the simple task of bathing myself, I realized how blessed I am to have sight and electricity. This then led me to the realization that, in the grand scheme of things, I am incredibly blessed to even have access to different soaps and a private shower! It pains me to think that I was complaining about not having electricity for one morning, while many people in the world live without it completely.
One of the concepts I strive to live by is that of 'quiet blessings.' You may have figured it out by now, but quiet blessings are those that are not always the most obvious, but can make a huge difference in attitude when you shift your focus from the complaint to the blessings. Instead of changing your circumstances (which may be beyond your control in the first place), change your perspective. If you have noisy neighbors, instead of complaining about their noise distracting you, look for the quiet blessings: The fact that you have neighbors implies you have a place to call home, and the fact that you can hear them means that you have been blessed with the gift of hearing. If a family member passes away, look for the quiet blessings: Your sadness means that your life has been enriched by this person, while those who huddle around you for support show you that you are loved. No matter the circumstance you find yourself in, there will always be a quiet blessing waiting to be discovered. You might have to search for it, but it's there.
I often think of the quiet blessings as winks from God. Your circumstances might be difficult, but God can always be seen through them. He provides the quiet blessings as if to say, "My child, I know you are hurting, but I assure you- Everything is going to be okay." When you choose to ignore His quiet blessings and instead complain, it's as if you are saying, "God, the place you have me right now is not good enough. I can think of something better. Therefore, my plans are superior to Yours." When you complain, you become your own God.
In addition, complaining delays growth. Until you settle in and accept the circumstances, you are blind to the opportunity God is placing before you. Your mind closes off the possibility of a good result. The mind is extremely powerful. It can be one of Satan's greatest weapons. All it takes is one deceitful thought implanted in your mind to grow into a multitude of destruction. Complaining works the same way; If you begin by looking at a situation as unfortunate or unfair, it will take a lot more convincing for you to change your mind than if you had looked for the quiet blessings from the beginning. If you go into a situation with no preconceived notions, you can trust in and begin to see God's purpose much more easily.
I never realized how important light is until I could not see without it. Now, I must be that light to help others see. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, you will "shine like stars in the universe" when you leave complaints to the wayside. I refuse to let complaints cast shadows over my ability to shine. I have a responsibility to suffer well and live my life in such a way that says, "I honestly believe that God is Sovereign. My greatest plans are inferior to His worst."
Next time you find yourself complaining, press 'pause.' Look for God, and He will reveal Himself to you. You have been blessed with much more than has been lost, and you are responsible for using these blessings to glorify Him. Stand out. Be the example. Be Christ.
Philippians 2:14-16a
A little over a week ago, my alarm clock went off in the morning per usual. However, as I was turning off my alarm, the heat abruptly shut off. After waiting a few seconds, I soon became aware that I would be getting ready for work without electricity. Although I did not realize it that morning, I was faced with a choice at that moment: I could choose to look for the quiet blessings in the circumstance, or I could choose to complain. I hate to admit that my initial reaction was to complain.
I should know by now that complaining rarely changes my circumstances, but it is extremely easy to forget. I was so caught up in frustration that I nearly forgot to look for the quiet blessings. It was not until I went to take a shower that I began to shift my perspective. The sun had not yet begun to peek over the horizon, so despite having a window, my bathroom was pitch black. I had to feel around for the shower door, then the faucet handle, the shampoo bottle, and so on. While I was struggling to complete the simple task of bathing myself, I realized how blessed I am to have sight and electricity. This then led me to the realization that, in the grand scheme of things, I am incredibly blessed to even have access to different soaps and a private shower! It pains me to think that I was complaining about not having electricity for one morning, while many people in the world live without it completely.
One of the concepts I strive to live by is that of 'quiet blessings.' You may have figured it out by now, but quiet blessings are those that are not always the most obvious, but can make a huge difference in attitude when you shift your focus from the complaint to the blessings. Instead of changing your circumstances (which may be beyond your control in the first place), change your perspective. If you have noisy neighbors, instead of complaining about their noise distracting you, look for the quiet blessings: The fact that you have neighbors implies you have a place to call home, and the fact that you can hear them means that you have been blessed with the gift of hearing. If a family member passes away, look for the quiet blessings: Your sadness means that your life has been enriched by this person, while those who huddle around you for support show you that you are loved. No matter the circumstance you find yourself in, there will always be a quiet blessing waiting to be discovered. You might have to search for it, but it's there.
I often think of the quiet blessings as winks from God. Your circumstances might be difficult, but God can always be seen through them. He provides the quiet blessings as if to say, "My child, I know you are hurting, but I assure you- Everything is going to be okay." When you choose to ignore His quiet blessings and instead complain, it's as if you are saying, "God, the place you have me right now is not good enough. I can think of something better. Therefore, my plans are superior to Yours." When you complain, you become your own God.
In addition, complaining delays growth. Until you settle in and accept the circumstances, you are blind to the opportunity God is placing before you. Your mind closes off the possibility of a good result. The mind is extremely powerful. It can be one of Satan's greatest weapons. All it takes is one deceitful thought implanted in your mind to grow into a multitude of destruction. Complaining works the same way; If you begin by looking at a situation as unfortunate or unfair, it will take a lot more convincing for you to change your mind than if you had looked for the quiet blessings from the beginning. If you go into a situation with no preconceived notions, you can trust in and begin to see God's purpose much more easily.
I never realized how important light is until I could not see without it. Now, I must be that light to help others see. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, you will "shine like stars in the universe" when you leave complaints to the wayside. I refuse to let complaints cast shadows over my ability to shine. I have a responsibility to suffer well and live my life in such a way that says, "I honestly believe that God is Sovereign. My greatest plans are inferior to His worst."
Next time you find yourself complaining, press 'pause.' Look for God, and He will reveal Himself to you. You have been blessed with much more than has been lost, and you are responsible for using these blessings to glorify Him. Stand out. Be the example. Be Christ.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Spiritual Gifts in Action
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms."
1 Peter 4:10
I tend to over think. That being said, I often end up with a seemingly never-ending series of questions running through my head: Am I using all of the spiritual gifts that I have been blessed with? Are these gifts being used in the most productive way possible? Am I even aware of all of my gifts or are there any that I have yet to discover? Have I passed by opportunities to discover these unknown gifts?
As much as I would love to have a formula to solve each one of the questions that runs through my mind, no such solution exists. What I do know is I have been called to use my spiritual gifts in service to others. This seems like such a simple concept on the surface; Whatever you do, do it for the Lord. However, there is so much more to consider: How do I know what I am gifted with? How can I use these gifts for God? Is it possible to misuse my gifts? The questions go on and on.
First, I must note that there is a difference between voluntary service and Biblical responsibility. Voluntary service is the chosen application of spiritual gifts, whereas responsibility is the obligation of seeing that the commands of God are lived out. You could help out as a greeter at church on Sunday morning (voluntary service). In contrast, you should look after orphans and widows (Biblical responsibility). According to 1 Peter 4:10, using your gifts to serve others is a responsibility. However, the way in which you carry out this responsibility is a choice that will look different depending on how you are gifted.
Figuring out how you are spiritually gifted requires some experimenting. I recently learned that firmly rolling a lime on a hard surface before cutting it helps loosen the juices from the fibers of the fruit. Hand squeezing a lime that has been rolled allows for juice to be more easily extracted than if the lime hadn't been rolled. Similarly, by testing the waters in various service opportunities to figure out where you are gifted, your service can become more fruitful and passionate. If you do not believe wholeheartedly in the mission of a ministry, your ability to be effective in that ministry is compromised.
Do some research. Find different ways to serve in your church and community. Try those which look appealing to your interests. Step outside of your comfort zone and experiment with service opportunities that might not sound like something you would excel in; The outcome may very well be surprising. Pay attention to what comes naturally and what requires conscious effort, but do not mistake ease for a gifting or difficulty for a lack of gifting. Just as a slingshot given more tension causes a pebble to travel further, the tension of a challenge presents an opportunity for growth. Invest enough time in various opportunities to give your areas of gifting a fair assessment.
Each organ in the human body serves a specific purpose. All of these organs work together help keep the individual alive. Similarly, we have all been given unique strengths and weaknesses, which allows the body of Christ to properly function. Because each piece is essential, do not fall into the trap of comparing your gifts to others'. Countless times, I have been held captive by the fear of not being good enough. This fear stems from using another person's abilities as the standard of comparison. The only standard of comparison I should ever use lies in my pursuit to resemble Christ. In saying this, it is essential to recognize that no spiritual gift is more prestigious than any other. They are all God-given and meant for the same ultimate purpose: to glorify His name.
Once you are able to figure out where God has gifted you, use the gifts! He did not give them to you so you could let them sit on the shelf of your identity and look nice on a resume; He gave them to be used for His glory. If my spiritual gifts were tangible objects, I would hope that they would look tattered and torn from excessive use! Delight in serving the God who delights in you.
1 Peter 4:10
I tend to over think. That being said, I often end up with a seemingly never-ending series of questions running through my head: Am I using all of the spiritual gifts that I have been blessed with? Are these gifts being used in the most productive way possible? Am I even aware of all of my gifts or are there any that I have yet to discover? Have I passed by opportunities to discover these unknown gifts?
As much as I would love to have a formula to solve each one of the questions that runs through my mind, no such solution exists. What I do know is I have been called to use my spiritual gifts in service to others. This seems like such a simple concept on the surface; Whatever you do, do it for the Lord. However, there is so much more to consider: How do I know what I am gifted with? How can I use these gifts for God? Is it possible to misuse my gifts? The questions go on and on.
First, I must note that there is a difference between voluntary service and Biblical responsibility. Voluntary service is the chosen application of spiritual gifts, whereas responsibility is the obligation of seeing that the commands of God are lived out. You could help out as a greeter at church on Sunday morning (voluntary service). In contrast, you should look after orphans and widows (Biblical responsibility). According to 1 Peter 4:10, using your gifts to serve others is a responsibility. However, the way in which you carry out this responsibility is a choice that will look different depending on how you are gifted.
Figuring out how you are spiritually gifted requires some experimenting. I recently learned that firmly rolling a lime on a hard surface before cutting it helps loosen the juices from the fibers of the fruit. Hand squeezing a lime that has been rolled allows for juice to be more easily extracted than if the lime hadn't been rolled. Similarly, by testing the waters in various service opportunities to figure out where you are gifted, your service can become more fruitful and passionate. If you do not believe wholeheartedly in the mission of a ministry, your ability to be effective in that ministry is compromised.
Do some research. Find different ways to serve in your church and community. Try those which look appealing to your interests. Step outside of your comfort zone and experiment with service opportunities that might not sound like something you would excel in; The outcome may very well be surprising. Pay attention to what comes naturally and what requires conscious effort, but do not mistake ease for a gifting or difficulty for a lack of gifting. Just as a slingshot given more tension causes a pebble to travel further, the tension of a challenge presents an opportunity for growth. Invest enough time in various opportunities to give your areas of gifting a fair assessment.
Each organ in the human body serves a specific purpose. All of these organs work together help keep the individual alive. Similarly, we have all been given unique strengths and weaknesses, which allows the body of Christ to properly function. Because each piece is essential, do not fall into the trap of comparing your gifts to others'. Countless times, I have been held captive by the fear of not being good enough. This fear stems from using another person's abilities as the standard of comparison. The only standard of comparison I should ever use lies in my pursuit to resemble Christ. In saying this, it is essential to recognize that no spiritual gift is more prestigious than any other. They are all God-given and meant for the same ultimate purpose: to glorify His name.
Once you are able to figure out where God has gifted you, use the gifts! He did not give them to you so you could let them sit on the shelf of your identity and look nice on a resume; He gave them to be used for His glory. If my spiritual gifts were tangible objects, I would hope that they would look tattered and torn from excessive use! Delight in serving the God who delights in you.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Responsibility in Privilege
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
Luke 12:48b
As I was walking downtown a few mornings ago, I noticed two homeless individuals submerged in a pile of blankets sleeping on the porch of an abandoned building. I instantly realized just how privileged I am. In fact, I have an abundance.
God has entrusted me with this abundance with the intention that I will use it for His purposes. Ever too often, this is not the case. I enjoy living comfortably. I rarely give until it hurts, whether it be time, money, or talents. I always want more, and when I receive more, I remain unsatisfied. I am constantly looking forward to 'the next big thing.' So why do I want more when I fail to correctly use what I have already been given? Because that is what American culture has taught me.
It is way too easy to fall into the trap of the American culture of entitlement. It was a shock to learn that making $34,000 a year (after taxes) puts an individual in the top 1% of the world by income. I may not be in the top 1% of the world and I may not have much compared to the high standards of the American dream, but compared to the rest of the world, I am rich. Odds are, if you have the means to read this blog post, so are you: The poorest 5% of Americans are more wealthy than two thirds of the world.
The constant want for more is taught at an early age. I remember making Christmas lists as a child. I would go through a toy store's catalog and circle every single toy that looked semi appealing. Stuffed animals were my favorite. I could have filled Noah's ark with all of the stuffed animals I owned, but that did not stop me from 'needing' another one every time I was in a store. Why did I need another toy when I didn't play with all of the ones I had? Because the toys I had were old news; I wanted something newer and better. However, no matter how old the toy, its purpose is the same; Toys are meant to be played with. Since I did not see the world from this point of view as a child, the old toys became a waste.
In The Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells of three servants who were entrusted with different amounts of money. The two men who were given more invested their money and doubled their original amounts. The third man, out of fear, buried the money he was given. The master was pleased with the men who invested the money, but scolded the servant who buried his money. This makes me wonder: When God gives you an ability or possession, do you bury it or do you put it to use? If you were in God's shoes, would you think that the resources He has given you have gone to waste? Are you using the abundance that He has given you in the way He has intended? With privilege comes responsibility. God has entrusted you with specific resources, talents, and time. You are responsible for using these provisions to further the Kingdom of God!
In order to fully use your privileges, you must first be aware of which blessings you have been given. Once you are aware of them, you can focus on using these blessings for the benefit of others. It may take some time and effort to realize what you have. I get so used to having certain abilities or possessions that I fail to think of them as special anymore. Full awareness might require some searching. Often while cleaning out drawers or closets, I find long lost treasures that I forgot I ever had.
It is certainly not a sin to take care of yourself. In fact, it is necessary to make sure that you stay healthy and able to do God's work. However, you should not be the main focus; They should be. 'They' may be family members, coworkers, Christians, non-believers, friends, and especially strangers. However you can use your privileges to show others the love of Christ, you should do so.
Start searching for those long lost treasures you have been given. Pray about how you can use them for His glory. Give cheerfully. Own up to your responsibilities. Don't let a single privilege go to waste. God has entrusted you.
Luke 12:48b
As I was walking downtown a few mornings ago, I noticed two homeless individuals submerged in a pile of blankets sleeping on the porch of an abandoned building. I instantly realized just how privileged I am. In fact, I have an abundance.
God has entrusted me with this abundance with the intention that I will use it for His purposes. Ever too often, this is not the case. I enjoy living comfortably. I rarely give until it hurts, whether it be time, money, or talents. I always want more, and when I receive more, I remain unsatisfied. I am constantly looking forward to 'the next big thing.' So why do I want more when I fail to correctly use what I have already been given? Because that is what American culture has taught me.
It is way too easy to fall into the trap of the American culture of entitlement. It was a shock to learn that making $34,000 a year (after taxes) puts an individual in the top 1% of the world by income. I may not be in the top 1% of the world and I may not have much compared to the high standards of the American dream, but compared to the rest of the world, I am rich. Odds are, if you have the means to read this blog post, so are you: The poorest 5% of Americans are more wealthy than two thirds of the world.
The constant want for more is taught at an early age. I remember making Christmas lists as a child. I would go through a toy store's catalog and circle every single toy that looked semi appealing. Stuffed animals were my favorite. I could have filled Noah's ark with all of the stuffed animals I owned, but that did not stop me from 'needing' another one every time I was in a store. Why did I need another toy when I didn't play with all of the ones I had? Because the toys I had were old news; I wanted something newer and better. However, no matter how old the toy, its purpose is the same; Toys are meant to be played with. Since I did not see the world from this point of view as a child, the old toys became a waste.
In The Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells of three servants who were entrusted with different amounts of money. The two men who were given more invested their money and doubled their original amounts. The third man, out of fear, buried the money he was given. The master was pleased with the men who invested the money, but scolded the servant who buried his money. This makes me wonder: When God gives you an ability or possession, do you bury it or do you put it to use? If you were in God's shoes, would you think that the resources He has given you have gone to waste? Are you using the abundance that He has given you in the way He has intended? With privilege comes responsibility. God has entrusted you with specific resources, talents, and time. You are responsible for using these provisions to further the Kingdom of God!
In order to fully use your privileges, you must first be aware of which blessings you have been given. Once you are aware of them, you can focus on using these blessings for the benefit of others. It may take some time and effort to realize what you have. I get so used to having certain abilities or possessions that I fail to think of them as special anymore. Full awareness might require some searching. Often while cleaning out drawers or closets, I find long lost treasures that I forgot I ever had.
It is certainly not a sin to take care of yourself. In fact, it is necessary to make sure that you stay healthy and able to do God's work. However, you should not be the main focus; They should be. 'They' may be family members, coworkers, Christians, non-believers, friends, and especially strangers. However you can use your privileges to show others the love of Christ, you should do so.
Start searching for those long lost treasures you have been given. Pray about how you can use them for His glory. Give cheerfully. Own up to your responsibilities. Don't let a single privilege go to waste. God has entrusted you.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Praising God's Character
Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”
Genesis 21:6
No, you are not experiencing deja vu. Yes, my last post began with this same Scripture. As I was meditating on it, God revealed multiple vantage points. In this wonderful verse, Sarah is praising God after she has given birth at the age of ninety. However, I find it intriguing that instead of saying, "God has brought me a son," she says, "God has brought me laughter." Sarah is praising God for who He is, not what He provided.
I often feel as if my prayers are selfish. I'll admit it; I don't pray for others as much as I should. I often pray for my own needs and wants first. Sometimes I completely forget to thank God and acknowledge who He is and how faithful He has always been. I talk with God about my own life in a much larger proportion than I talk with Him about the lives of those around me. There is a common problem here: I am the top priority of my prayers. However, the two greatest commandments are to (1) Love God, and; (2) Love others as you love yourself. That makes me number two.
I have learned that poor motives usually yields a poor result. When I was in high school, I joined the recycling club for the mere perk of having a permanent hall pass to roam the school during study hall. I could not have cared less about the recycling responsibilities; I just wanted the excuse to have free reign of the school for three hours a week. Because I joined the club for the wrong reason, I did a poor job fulfilling my responsibilities of emptying the recycling bins in the classrooms. They were often overflowing, causing recyclables to be thrown into the trash cans.
Scripture teaches that God examines your motives. James 4:3 says, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." Am I praying for the purpose of getting something from God, or am I spending time with God because I love Him? Am I expecting something from God in return for each good deed, or am I serving Him for who He is and what He has already done for me? If God does not give me what I ask for, will I turn my back and forget about Him? On the other hand, if God does gives me what I ask for, will I turn my back and forget about Him?
Don't get me wrong- you should ask God for help. You should thank God and recognize Him for His specific provisions. You should take note of blessings you receive and attribute them to God. However, if someone asks you why you love your best friend, you will likely say something along the lines of "she is selfless" or "he always knows how to make me laugh." It would be absurd to answer, "I love my best friend because (s)he spends a lot of money on me." You love people for who they are, not what they do for you.
Why not apply the same principle to your relationship with God? Tell Him how much you love Him. Learn about His character. Praise Him for who He is before you present your requests to Him. Pray simply because you want to spend time with Him, not always because you need something from Him. It's time to start examining our motives. We cannot hide anything from God, so why try? If we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that He has already provided much more than we could ever give in return. He has saved us, even when we did not deserve it! How can we possibly neglect to put Him first?
Genesis 21:6
No, you are not experiencing deja vu. Yes, my last post began with this same Scripture. As I was meditating on it, God revealed multiple vantage points. In this wonderful verse, Sarah is praising God after she has given birth at the age of ninety. However, I find it intriguing that instead of saying, "God has brought me a son," she says, "God has brought me laughter." Sarah is praising God for who He is, not what He provided.
I often feel as if my prayers are selfish. I'll admit it; I don't pray for others as much as I should. I often pray for my own needs and wants first. Sometimes I completely forget to thank God and acknowledge who He is and how faithful He has always been. I talk with God about my own life in a much larger proportion than I talk with Him about the lives of those around me. There is a common problem here: I am the top priority of my prayers. However, the two greatest commandments are to (1) Love God, and; (2) Love others as you love yourself. That makes me number two.
I have learned that poor motives usually yields a poor result. When I was in high school, I joined the recycling club for the mere perk of having a permanent hall pass to roam the school during study hall. I could not have cared less about the recycling responsibilities; I just wanted the excuse to have free reign of the school for three hours a week. Because I joined the club for the wrong reason, I did a poor job fulfilling my responsibilities of emptying the recycling bins in the classrooms. They were often overflowing, causing recyclables to be thrown into the trash cans.
Scripture teaches that God examines your motives. James 4:3 says, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." Am I praying for the purpose of getting something from God, or am I spending time with God because I love Him? Am I expecting something from God in return for each good deed, or am I serving Him for who He is and what He has already done for me? If God does not give me what I ask for, will I turn my back and forget about Him? On the other hand, if God does gives me what I ask for, will I turn my back and forget about Him?
Don't get me wrong- you should ask God for help. You should thank God and recognize Him for His specific provisions. You should take note of blessings you receive and attribute them to God. However, if someone asks you why you love your best friend, you will likely say something along the lines of "she is selfless" or "he always knows how to make me laugh." It would be absurd to answer, "I love my best friend because (s)he spends a lot of money on me." You love people for who they are, not what they do for you.
Why not apply the same principle to your relationship with God? Tell Him how much you love Him. Learn about His character. Praise Him for who He is before you present your requests to Him. Pray simply because you want to spend time with Him, not always because you need something from Him. It's time to start examining our motives. We cannot hide anything from God, so why try? If we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that He has already provided much more than we could ever give in return. He has saved us, even when we did not deserve it! How can we possibly neglect to put Him first?
Thursday, January 12, 2012
A Humorous God
Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”
Genesis 21:6
I adore the above verse. Abraham's wife, Sarah, had just given birth to their son, Isaac. Just in case childbirth wasn't enough of a miracle, Sarah was ninety and Abraham was one hundred years old at the time! It all happened exactly as the Lord had promised (Genesis 17:15-17), albeit a humorous situation.
I cannot help but smile when I hear a baby laughing. I am convinced that is how our Heavenly Father feels about hearing His children laugh. Our God is most certainly a God of humor. He gives us laughter and delights in hearing others laugh with us.
Perhaps the time in my life where God's sense of humor has shone through the most was when I decided to get baptized. I was sprinkled as an infant in the Episcopal church, then after a several-year hiatus from attending Sunday services, I became involved with a non-denominational church. Baptism by immersion was a brand new concept to my sixteen-year-old self. I slowly but surely began learning about immersion. I discovered that the original Greek text of the New Testament used the word "baptizo" when referring to baptism, which means "to immerse, to submerge." In addition, I noticed that repentance and baptism are discussed side by side several places in the Bible. I was unable to repent as an infant since I could neither talk nor understand the concept of repentance. Deep down, I knew that I wanted to make my own decision to be immersed; however, I dragged my feet and avoided the topic for several years.
The summer after graduating from college, I attended a bonfire with friends from church. I engaged in conversation with the young adult pastor, which eventually led to the topic of baptism. He asked if I had been immersed, and I truthfully said no. I then began impulsively spitting out the series of excuses I had stubbornly invented to justify my resistance: I did not want to get baptized on a Sunday morning before the entire congregation, and I wanted a friend to 'take the plunge' alongside me. [Looking back, I realize that these were not even halfway decent excuses, and I hope to never again be ashamed of a declaration of faith.] God heard my excuses, and I'm convinced this was the point where He started giggling, excited for what He was about to do.
I will never forget the jaw-dropped expression on my pastor's face. I knew at that point my excuses were about to be proven worthless. The pastor proceeded to inform me that my Bible study leaders, who had been baptized by pouring when they were in elementary school, were going to be immersed after our young adult ministry's service that Thursday evening. When he invited me to take part, I had no choice but to accept the offer! A few days later, I symbolically buried my sins under the water and rose out of the water with a clean slate.
Looking back, I still laugh about how sarcastic God was that night. He took my excuses, crumpled them up, and handed them right back to me. I know He delighted in hearing His daughter chuckle. After all, He has the best sense of humor in existence!
As to not be misconstrued, I absolutely do not believe that any of God's commands are to be taken lightly. He gave us His Word as a guideline for living, not as mere suggestions. However, He never meant for us to think that He is some distant authority figure. He wants to be in loving relationship with us! A relationship that focuses on serious matters 100% of the time is no relationship at all. My boss even jokes around in the office from time to time to keep the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable.
Let loose a bit. Take time to smile about what God has done for you. Look for the humor that He provides from day to day, and spend time laughing with Him. Once you start looking for His humor, you will not be able to miss it! In the famous words of The Joker, "Why so serious?"
Genesis 21:6
I adore the above verse. Abraham's wife, Sarah, had just given birth to their son, Isaac. Just in case childbirth wasn't enough of a miracle, Sarah was ninety and Abraham was one hundred years old at the time! It all happened exactly as the Lord had promised (Genesis 17:15-17), albeit a humorous situation.
I cannot help but smile when I hear a baby laughing. I am convinced that is how our Heavenly Father feels about hearing His children laugh. Our God is most certainly a God of humor. He gives us laughter and delights in hearing others laugh with us.
Perhaps the time in my life where God's sense of humor has shone through the most was when I decided to get baptized. I was sprinkled as an infant in the Episcopal church, then after a several-year hiatus from attending Sunday services, I became involved with a non-denominational church. Baptism by immersion was a brand new concept to my sixteen-year-old self. I slowly but surely began learning about immersion. I discovered that the original Greek text of the New Testament used the word "baptizo" when referring to baptism, which means "to immerse, to submerge." In addition, I noticed that repentance and baptism are discussed side by side several places in the Bible. I was unable to repent as an infant since I could neither talk nor understand the concept of repentance. Deep down, I knew that I wanted to make my own decision to be immersed; however, I dragged my feet and avoided the topic for several years.
The summer after graduating from college, I attended a bonfire with friends from church. I engaged in conversation with the young adult pastor, which eventually led to the topic of baptism. He asked if I had been immersed, and I truthfully said no. I then began impulsively spitting out the series of excuses I had stubbornly invented to justify my resistance: I did not want to get baptized on a Sunday morning before the entire congregation, and I wanted a friend to 'take the plunge' alongside me. [Looking back, I realize that these were not even halfway decent excuses, and I hope to never again be ashamed of a declaration of faith.] God heard my excuses, and I'm convinced this was the point where He started giggling, excited for what He was about to do.
I will never forget the jaw-dropped expression on my pastor's face. I knew at that point my excuses were about to be proven worthless. The pastor proceeded to inform me that my Bible study leaders, who had been baptized by pouring when they were in elementary school, were going to be immersed after our young adult ministry's service that Thursday evening. When he invited me to take part, I had no choice but to accept the offer! A few days later, I symbolically buried my sins under the water and rose out of the water with a clean slate.
Looking back, I still laugh about how sarcastic God was that night. He took my excuses, crumpled them up, and handed them right back to me. I know He delighted in hearing His daughter chuckle. After all, He has the best sense of humor in existence!
As to not be misconstrued, I absolutely do not believe that any of God's commands are to be taken lightly. He gave us His Word as a guideline for living, not as mere suggestions. However, He never meant for us to think that He is some distant authority figure. He wants to be in loving relationship with us! A relationship that focuses on serious matters 100% of the time is no relationship at all. My boss even jokes around in the office from time to time to keep the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable.
Let loose a bit. Take time to smile about what God has done for you. Look for the humor that He provides from day to day, and spend time laughing with Him. Once you start looking for His humor, you will not be able to miss it! In the famous words of The Joker, "Why so serious?"
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Searching For Balance
“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial.
“Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12
I've heard it said that 'anything is fine in moderation.' However, with most things (work, money, alcohol), there comes a point where too much becomes unhealthy. There must be a balance in life, but I sometimes struggle finding that point of balance. Specifically, I find it difficult to find a balance between my desires and God's will. It is healthy to have goals and aspirations, but I must not be so wrapped up in them that I would experience disappointment if God has other plans.
Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." I think that this verse is often taken out of context. People interpret what they want to hear; I'm certainly guilty of it. Popular interpretation of Psalm 37:4 says that God will give me everything that I desire if I trust in Him. I would be lying if I said I never experienced desires of the flesh. I am no less of a sinner than anyone else. God desires His children to be like Him (John 12:26), so why would He grant fleshly desires that might cause us to grow apart from Him?
Instead, I think that Psalm 37:4 refers to the fact that when we delight ourselves in God, His character, His promises, and His sacrifice, our desires begin to line up with His desires. Eventually, we desire exactly what He desires, thus we receive the desires of our hearts.
Here is where I begin to struggle. What if a desire I have is one that may be beneficial to my faith, but it, at the same time, may be a selfish, fleshly desire? A specific example of this is my desire to marry. Being from a family that is not involved in church, there is no dominant spiritual leader in my life other than my Father in heaven. I know that a godly husband (especially a man from a Christ-centered family) would help bridge the gap and continually point me closer to my Savior. However, at what point do I need to let go of my fleshly desire and say, "God, I'm prepared for anything. If singleness is what You have planned for my life, then I'm ready to embrace it!"
Another example comes with making New Year's Resolutions. I have gotten in trouble in the past with having been so set on my own plans for my life that I experienced extreme disappointment when I realized God had something else in mind. Because of this, I've taken on the challenge of trying my hardest to not make my own plans or expectations, and instead be completely open and available to God's plans. However, if I am going to make any sort of an impact on the world, I'm going to have to make a plan of action. I cannot always 'wing it' and expect to be effective. That is not how it works; I have to be intentional.
So where is the balance here? How can I plan but still be available to God? How do I plan enough to believe in my work and its effectiveness, but leave room for the possibility of failure? How can I embrace failure so as to not be disappointed, but, rather, rejoice when God's plan trumps my own?
I think the answer goes back to Psalm 37:4. If I delight myself in the Lord, if I find my joy in Him because of His mercy, because of His justice, and because of His sovereignty, then my plans will begin to line up with His. I believe in His plans. He is sovereign. His plans will prevail.
“Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12
I've heard it said that 'anything is fine in moderation.' However, with most things (work, money, alcohol), there comes a point where too much becomes unhealthy. There must be a balance in life, but I sometimes struggle finding that point of balance. Specifically, I find it difficult to find a balance between my desires and God's will. It is healthy to have goals and aspirations, but I must not be so wrapped up in them that I would experience disappointment if God has other plans.
Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." I think that this verse is often taken out of context. People interpret what they want to hear; I'm certainly guilty of it. Popular interpretation of Psalm 37:4 says that God will give me everything that I desire if I trust in Him. I would be lying if I said I never experienced desires of the flesh. I am no less of a sinner than anyone else. God desires His children to be like Him (John 12:26), so why would He grant fleshly desires that might cause us to grow apart from Him?
Instead, I think that Psalm 37:4 refers to the fact that when we delight ourselves in God, His character, His promises, and His sacrifice, our desires begin to line up with His desires. Eventually, we desire exactly what He desires, thus we receive the desires of our hearts.
Here is where I begin to struggle. What if a desire I have is one that may be beneficial to my faith, but it, at the same time, may be a selfish, fleshly desire? A specific example of this is my desire to marry. Being from a family that is not involved in church, there is no dominant spiritual leader in my life other than my Father in heaven. I know that a godly husband (especially a man from a Christ-centered family) would help bridge the gap and continually point me closer to my Savior. However, at what point do I need to let go of my fleshly desire and say, "God, I'm prepared for anything. If singleness is what You have planned for my life, then I'm ready to embrace it!"
Another example comes with making New Year's Resolutions. I have gotten in trouble in the past with having been so set on my own plans for my life that I experienced extreme disappointment when I realized God had something else in mind. Because of this, I've taken on the challenge of trying my hardest to not make my own plans or expectations, and instead be completely open and available to God's plans. However, if I am going to make any sort of an impact on the world, I'm going to have to make a plan of action. I cannot always 'wing it' and expect to be effective. That is not how it works; I have to be intentional.
So where is the balance here? How can I plan but still be available to God? How do I plan enough to believe in my work and its effectiveness, but leave room for the possibility of failure? How can I embrace failure so as to not be disappointed, but, rather, rejoice when God's plan trumps my own?
I think the answer goes back to Psalm 37:4. If I delight myself in the Lord, if I find my joy in Him because of His mercy, because of His justice, and because of His sovereignty, then my plans will begin to line up with His. I believe in His plans. He is sovereign. His plans will prevail.
This Is My Story
Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man’s behalf!
Psalm 66:5
My existence alone is a miracle. My birth was induced when I stopped receiving nourishment due to a misshapen placenta. Nearly sixteen years later, I began a journey living alongside the One who has now saved me from both literal and figurative death.
My life as a Christian began with music. Shortly after stumbling upon a Christian radio station, one of my high school classmates invited me to church. I recognized the worship music from the radio and instantly connected. My perception of church shifted from being a ritualistic ceremony to being a community who loves God and loves people. I began looking forward to Sunday mornings and entered into a relationship with Christ.
After a year of church involvement, I went away to a secular liberal arts university and suddenly found myself lost in an atmosphere that was quick to give into fleshly desires. I called myself a Christian, but my lifestyle did not resemble Christ in the least. After a series of miracles (which I plan to elaborate on in future posts), God reeled me back onto His straight and narrow path. I am now a young professional doing my best to glorify God in all I do.
I've always been a left brain thinker. I loved my math and science classes in school and never cared for my English or writing classes. In fact, I majored in math and now work as an actuary. Although I've never enjoyed writing as an assignment, from time to time I am inspired to write for fun. It has been an outlet for my thoughts, but I tend to be extremely timid about sharing my writings with others. You can only guess how surprised I was when God began tugging at my heart to begin writing publicly! I am a firm believer that God has a rather large sense of humor, and this is certainly one of His more humorous callings for my life!
However, no matter how humorous the call, I must answer. In fact, I must do better than merely answer the call. Answering a phone call implies agreeing to talk with someone who is initiating a conversation with you about an often unknown topic. Returning a call goes one step further; you now have control of initiating the conversation and committing to the topic. God has called. I can choose to ignore it, or I can choose to return it. This blog is my choice.
how awesome his works in man’s behalf!
Psalm 66:5
My existence alone is a miracle. My birth was induced when I stopped receiving nourishment due to a misshapen placenta. Nearly sixteen years later, I began a journey living alongside the One who has now saved me from both literal and figurative death.
My life as a Christian began with music. Shortly after stumbling upon a Christian radio station, one of my high school classmates invited me to church. I recognized the worship music from the radio and instantly connected. My perception of church shifted from being a ritualistic ceremony to being a community who loves God and loves people. I began looking forward to Sunday mornings and entered into a relationship with Christ.
After a year of church involvement, I went away to a secular liberal arts university and suddenly found myself lost in an atmosphere that was quick to give into fleshly desires. I called myself a Christian, but my lifestyle did not resemble Christ in the least. After a series of miracles (which I plan to elaborate on in future posts), God reeled me back onto His straight and narrow path. I am now a young professional doing my best to glorify God in all I do.
I've always been a left brain thinker. I loved my math and science classes in school and never cared for my English or writing classes. In fact, I majored in math and now work as an actuary. Although I've never enjoyed writing as an assignment, from time to time I am inspired to write for fun. It has been an outlet for my thoughts, but I tend to be extremely timid about sharing my writings with others. You can only guess how surprised I was when God began tugging at my heart to begin writing publicly! I am a firm believer that God has a rather large sense of humor, and this is certainly one of His more humorous callings for my life!
However, no matter how humorous the call, I must answer. In fact, I must do better than merely answer the call. Answering a phone call implies agreeing to talk with someone who is initiating a conversation with you about an often unknown topic. Returning a call goes one step further; you now have control of initiating the conversation and committing to the topic. God has called. I can choose to ignore it, or I can choose to return it. This blog is my choice.
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