Get Over Yourself!

It’s about time we all “got over ourselves;” why do we assume we are the center of the universe? I realize that no one ever will seriously say the world revolves around them because believe me I’m not about to do it either. HA if you think I’m getting up in front of a crowd and informing them that I’m the most important person in the room then you are sorely mistaken, but isn’t that how we are living our lives?

Maybe we don’t verbalize our great love for ourselves but we show it by our actions. We spend a ridiculous amount of money on clothes, food, and cars because we have to take care of ourselves. We pamper ourselves with a day at the spa or a round on the golf course. Don’t get me wrong I love doing these things, shopping is one of my favorite hobbies, but we get so caught up in ourselves that we forget who made us; we forget that the point of our existence is to bring God glory.

I’m reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan, in it he talks about having an abandoned love for God that transcends anything we’ve ever imagined; a love that changes our very thought process so that we are no longer consumed with our lives and our small world but we are able to see who God really is so that we can get a glimpse of His bigger picture. If we, for one millisecond, are able to get a fraction of an idea of who God really is, and I don’t mean the God we have placed in a convenient box that we take out while we’re at church and occasionally in the comfort of our homes, I mean the God who made the world and everything in it; the God who sent His son to die on a tree for past, present, and future sins of the world; the God who gives us the best He has for us simply because He loves us. When we see this God, only then will we realize our smallness in comparison. Not until we’ve realized our nothingness can we ever take our focus off of ourselves and place it on the only One who matters.

By shifting our focus, our lives then begin to look like those patriarchs of the Bible, ones who did whatever it took to follow Christ’s call to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…and love your neighbor as yourself.” Understanding the complexity of who God is helps remind us that our “one woman (or man) show” has no place in His ultimate plan. He allows us each to have a small role but we have to understand that His will is what will be accomplished; love the world like He loves the world.

As I thought about this I began asking myself the tough questions: how much would my bank statement change if I was truly loving those in need, what would my prayers sound like if my mind was on lost souls, would it really be a struggle to make it to church every Sunday morning, night and Wednesday night? I challenge you, whoever God has lead to read this, to question what impact you can have on the people around you. We all have people in our lives that need Jesus but how many times have we shied away from sharing…here’s our chance to show people that unconditional love God has for everyone and isn't that what we're all looking for?

Paying Attention

Do you ever have that moment when you realize that God is totally paying attention to what’s going on in your life? I had one of those moments today. I’ve been a little frustrated lately with the way my life felt as if it were at a stand still. You feel even more pathetic when you see people around you and their lives seem to be right on track. I know it’s not their fault it's just harder for you to stay positive...know what I mean?!

One of my best friends just graduated from college, has an awesome job opportunity, not to mention a new boyfriend who she adores, and while I’m unbelievably happy for her I have been secretly envious; not jealous, because jealousy conveys an idea that I don’t want her to have all these awesome things when that isn’t the case at all, just envious that I can’t have the same blessings. Make sense?! Well anyways, I’ve been looking for the things I’m lacking like a boyfriend, job that uses my skills more, basically some sort of feeling that I have something good going for me.

While I know that I’m very blessed it gets hard to stay positive when it seems like you aren’t making progress and I’ve always been told if you aren’t moving forward you must be falling behind. To get to the point, there is this guy in one of my classes who is attractive and seems somewhat interested by his comments and the fact that I always notice him staring. He is definitely not my idea of boyfriend material but I’ve caught myself drifting toward the idea of seeing what would happen. Dumb idea, of course, but that’s the point that we can easily get to when we are looking to outside sources for contentment. Anyways, we understand the state that I am in at the moment and then today I get this email from an awesome Christian friend who informs me that a guy I’ve thought is “Mr. Perfect” is soon to be moving within 100 miles of here. Now I’m not saying that it was a sign from God that we are meant-to-be because I’m not that delusional, but it was a subtle reminder that I should never lower my standards just because I am lonely or unhappy. God has an amazingly awesome guy for me if I just wait patiently.

Well for those who would say that I’m being too quick to jump to another conclusion, let me just mention that that was not the only little hint from God that I’ve gotten today. As I was checking my email earlier I saw I had an email from the communication organization that I am a member of for school. I get way too many emails from them but I always feel like I have to at least open them, so I open this one and begin reading and this is what it said, “As much as I enjoy instant gratification, I know that sometimes it takes time to achieve the desired result. For instance, I learned to crawl before I walked, to walk before I ran. Therefore, I don't fight time; I recognize that it's on my side. All that needs to happen can happen quickly; it may also take time for the perfect result to appear. So I cooperate with God as the fulfillment of the perfect plan unfolds.” (no clue who wrote this or I'd give them credit)

I’m not sure how much clearer God has to be; I get it, thanks God! He has a perfect plan for my life like He said in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you a hope and a future.” So why do I ever doubt His plan? I will never be happy if I do it all by myself just because I was impatient or thought God forgot. In order to be truly happy I know it has to be His timing, His way, but it is nice, every now and then, to be reminded that He hasn’t forgotten about me.

What's He wanting from me?

I've been looking over "A Call to Die" by David Nasser again because it has such a great impact on me every time I read it. I have been feeling frustrated with my Christian walk because I feel at a stand still; it is as if God is asking more of me and I can't figure out what He wants and if I will be able to handle it. A Call To Die is a great book for those of us who need to deepen our walk because it helps you to understand sacrifice and what our response to His call should be.

When I was reading recently, God showed me one of the coolest/scariest things that we easily forget. “When we say that He is our treasure, He tests us by either giving us those things that compete with Him or He takes them away....either way, in success or failure, our true hearts are revealed and we can grow." This reality terrifies me because I always pray for growth and to draw closer to Him but do I honestly understand what I am asking? This book is all about understanding God's call of dying to our desires and our selfishness but do we ever really understand that? Nasser speaks about "marinating in God's word so that it is forever changing our very identity." When everything is stripped away the question that remains is; "is the cost to follow Jesus too great, do I have the faith that it takes?"

I’ve really been thinking about this question; I mean it’s easy to say “YES” I follow Him but our actions are what speak the loudest. Can I honestly say my response, if He took everything away from me, would be like Job? Would I be content in any circumstance like Paul? These are hard questions but the greatest encouragement I found is from the disciples. When Jesus asked them if they wanted to leave they responded "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God" John 6:68-69. They understood like Jim Elliot says "he is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jesus holds the keys to true contentment and joy, this world has nothing we need. The disciples didn't waste their time on earthly pursuits that mattered nothing to their eternal; as Nasser says, “these things simply are not important to us.” 1 John 2:17 says "the world is passing away and the lust thereof, but he who does the will of God abides forever." As long as we are living for the Lord and bringing Him glory nothing else matters. Honestly what could God ask of me that He hasn't already given for me? Plus whatever He asks for already belongs to Him anyways. If He wants my money, my time, my life, my family, my friends, etc...it doesn't matter He can have it because it is His!

So I guess my response to my hard questions will have to wait until I’m in the situations, but I can prepare myself to respond the right way by drawing closer to Him daily. I can't say that I've had this awesome revelation and I know what He's asking of me but I do understand that if my walk has depth to it then I won't care because I'm already trusting Him and that is enough for now.

Seeking Direction

So I am going to graduate soon and have no idea what is next for me. My newest issue is how we are supposed to know what is in store for our lives. If we could really see what God had in mind for us, how much would it scare us? I mean, just thinking about where I was when I graduated from high school and where I am now, it’s just so crazy how different I am!!

When I graduated I was not very social, and I was really insecure in myself. All I wanted was to go to college to have a good job. Well let me just say that it is not as easy as it sounds. I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to be or do with my life. After taking a year off of school and moving out of my parents’ house, I was no closer to figuring anything out. I wasn’t doing anything and of course I wasn't any happier doing nothing. Now I’m almost 5 years out of high school, back home with my parents, appreciating more who God made me, and I’m a year away from a degree in Communication (I found out I love talking imagine that). But I’m stuck wondering what I’m suppose to do with this new found self-concept. I mean it’s nice to know who you are and that you love something, but where does that leave you?

Well first, I have to remember that none of this changing was on my own, God’s brought me this far. I have changed a lot in 5 years and I probably have a lot more growing and changing to come. Then I have to remember that faith is all He asks for; I just have to have faith in His plan for my life. So that leaves me stepping out on this faith while praying that He reveals what’s next. But I guess that is the whole idea of the Christian life; take one step on faith toward God and He’ll reveal your next. There is this awesome illustration a pastor once said about the Christian life, he said, “the Christian life is like a game of checkers—you make one move and then God makes His.” If I’m making a move toward Him, He’s moving closer to me as well.

Isn’t that what Abraham did on a daily basis? Abraham looked up to God and took one step and God, in turn, revealed the next. He had no clue where God was taking him but he left his home just as God commanded. He was willing to sacrifice his son, even though God had promised to bless him through Isaac. Talk about FAITH! I think that’s the funniest thing about God; He knows that we’ll obey, but sometimes, until we make that big gesture of commitment, we don’t really know what our reaction will be. I know you’re thinking what is she talking about but hang on for a minute. You see, God doesn’t make our decisions but He knows them right—well if He knew that Abraham would obey Him then why make him suffer with the idea that he would have to kill his own son? One of God’s goals was to show Abraham that he would obey Him, no matter what the command. Abraham’s big gesture was his willingness to kill Isaac. God had no intention of making him go through with it, but how else would Abraham have known the true desire of his heart, which was to follow God no matter the cost. Sometimes we need to be reminded that given any circumstance, our desire to follow God will outweigh all others. Plus we know that God always provides aka the lamb for sacrifice instead of Isaac.

All of this to say, I’m left stepping out on faith keeping in mind that God always provides for His children. I don’t know where I’ll be 5 years from now, but it is comforting to know that He’s got it all planned out, all I have to do is trust that He’s going to reveal it all in His time.

Jesus Freaks

I have this new question that I’ve been throwing around in my head for the last few weeks. It’s funny how God works, because I was thinking about this issue but I hadn’t really been discussing it with a lot of people, when a friend, without even knowing, brought up the topic a few days later and then the following morning at church I heard a message that was not on this issue but the pastor briefly mentioned his thoughts on it. I was sure at this point that God wanted me to really dig into this topic and figure out what I believed. So my big question is; how sold out are we called to be?

We are told to “acknowledge Him in all things,” but it’s hard to say if anyone really understands what that means. Some take it to mean that we give thanks in ever small way as often as possible. If this was our interpretation, that would mean we thank Him for that green light that we got on the way home or that discount at the grocery store. Ok, is that really such a bad thing? When I am so focused on praising God for all the good, no matter how small, He is doing in my life it is nearly impossible to be negative. That sounds like a pretty good way to live to me. But what about the ones who take this thankfulness to the extreme, is that ok too? These are the ones who turn others off to church and Christ because they seem crazy and over the top. Is that a good way to show Christ to non-believers? Actually, they aren’t showing Christ at all, because He wasn’t overbearing, instead he sat and ate with the sinners.

Now, like many other believers, I’m confused even more. I don’t think there are many of us who live like we are called to live but I’m not sure where to draw that line either. We are called to be set apart, but, at the same time, we are told to live in this world. We can’t be so radical if we are going to lead others to Christ, but they have to see Him in our lives at all times. So how are we to live? What is that middle ground? These are questions that there aren’t really answers for because it is so subjective. You’re reaction to Christ’s call is different than mine. Every person has to determine in their own lives what it means to “acknowledge Him in all things.” For some, it means listening to only Christian music, while others wear Christ on their clothes, and then there are those who sell everything they have and move to Africa to win as many as possible.

No one can ultimately say what is the right path or the wrong one, the one thing I can say is that we are called to love God and others. When my radical devotion is turning others away from God and His love, then I need to take a step back and really look at who I am glorifying. All our actions, whether great or small, should glorify God alone. If, in every word and deed, God is being lifted high, then I am living the calling and people’s opinions no longer matter.

Making Decisions

This whole issue began after I was talking to my friend the other day about all the decisions in our lives and how much each one truly affects our lives. Well last night, as I was lying in bed having no luck trying to fall asleep, I had this awesome revelation. I was thinking about decisions and how if you make one bad one does that screw up God's entire plan for our life…

I mean, if I made one decision that wasn't exactly what God had in mind for my life, does that mean that I'll never get back on the right path? I don't really believe that's how God works, but then I don't know how I'm suppose to make these hard decisions. I know each choice brings us closer to or farther from God's ultimate goal for our lives, but I'm just wondering if maybe there are detours. Can I get to the original destination just with a few cutoffs and side roads? I believe God knows all our decisions before we make them, and the best illustration of this is in a book I read by C.S. Lewis. In his book, he describes how God views our lives and shows how life is like a parade, we are on the ground watching each float one at a time (aka the present) but God is up above it all, seeing what has already passed and what is to come all at the same time (aka past, present, and future). I love this description because it doesn't show God causing things to happen because we do all have decisions to make, it illustrates how He simply knows the decisions that we will make and what the outcomes will be for each one before we make them. So since He knows what I'm going to do, maybe He creates other opportunities for me to get to my destination, just not in the original design.

I can't even count how many times I have sat agonizing over a decision and never really believing I have an answer from God. It helps, in these times, to know that since I am truly searching for an answer from Him no matter what choice I make He will ultimately bless my life; whether through that good decision or another opportunity if it was the wrong one because I sought Him through it all. I know this makes no sense but in order to make decisions in my life, I'd like to think that each one isn't going to change the entire course of my life because that's way too much pressure! Scripture even shows us that no matter what decision we make as long as we are seeking God He's going to bless our lives. A verse that really seems to back up my theory is found in Proverbs 16:3, it says "Committ to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."

For someone who is still trying to figure out what life has in store for them, it is so encouraging knowing that my life is going to be a success as long as I'm continually looking to Him!

David's Year Away

I heard one of the coolest messages the other day, presenting an aspect of an old bible story I’d never heard. The speaker began the lesson talking about how David was one of the MVPs of the old testament but that he had his issues just like the rest of us; he was an adulterer and a murderer but he was the man after God’s own heart because he was also a humble man who knew who held the keys to his eternity.

Well of course, if you’ve been in church for more than a few years, you’ve heard this story before, but the part of it I don’t remember or never paid attention to, was the fact that David didn’t repent immediately. I guess before I thought that he had just messed up and realized it and then corrected it, but that’s not what happened at all, in fact he doesn’t confess his sin until after the baby is born. It takes 9 months for a baby to be born, so when you do the math you realize that it is almost a year in this sinful state! He lived in this state of distance from God for an entire year which blows me away! How a man so committed to God can get to a point of distance for that long is almost unreal. It was not until his friend Nathan brought it to his attention that he got right with God. I’m sure he knew that he had sinned but he was so caught up in these sins that he couldn’t hear God’s prodding.

Nathan, being the good friend he was, showed David the error of his ways and David then made things right again. Nathan was a true friend because calling someone out on something is one of the hardest things to do; you never know how they’ll react and it could mean losing that friendship. Nathan took that chance anyways because he knew it was what was best for David. But the coolest thing about this realization was that David came back from this distant state and was still referred to as a man after God’s own heart! It’s encouraging to know that no matter what I get myself into, or for how long I stay in that state of turmoil, God will always accept me back and love me just as before and in an even more intimate way because I realize more fully the depth of His love. It reminds me of a Barlow Girl song called Harder Than The First Time. Here are some of the lyrics that show how amazing it is to grow in our relationship with the Lord…

“Was I so blind; how did I not see you? Yet in all this time you never left my side, So for all my life, I will live to know you, So here I am; I’ll take your hand I didn’t see you, but God I want toYou’ve come alive, and I think I’ve fallen harder than the first time”

Lukewarm

Lately I’ve been having a big issue with the standards that Christians are lacking, me especially. Why don’t we hate sin as much as we should? We are told to flee ALL appearances of evil yet we put ourselves in tempting situations daily! I guess we become so desensitized to it that we get to a state of indifference. So how do we stop ourselves from becoming desensitized?

Well I thought about this for a while and realized that we have to begin by relearning what it means to be a Christian before we’ll understand the importance of living this life the way God desires. So the first thing to think about is our definition of the Christian life. We do this by understanding the word standard. When I asked people around me, the consensus for a good definition was a reference or a compass for how things should be. Basically, it is what you choose to live your life by. So, for a Christian, the thing we use as our compass for life is the Bible. But what does that mean? Each person has their own convictions about the issues that the Bible raises, so it is hard to figure out what we use as our example.

Well, more than the Bible alone, our standard is Christ. Christian means little Christ, so every aspect of our lives should immolate Christ. Again we ask what that means, because it is easy to argue that He was perfect so there is no way to live up to His standard. But shouldn’t we, in all ways possible, strive for that mark however far it may seem? That old saying goes “if we are aiming for the sky and miss, at least we’ll be numbered among the stars.” So if we are trying our hardest to live as Christ would, then things will undoubtedly fall into place.

We become more and more like whoever we place ourselves around, so we will obviously become more like Christ; the things that He hates will eventually become detestable to us if we are seeking to be in His presence. For example, I used to hate drunkenness not solely because the Bible says it’s wrong, but because I hated how it changed the personality of the drinker. I would never allow myself to be around drinking and heaven forbid I ever had a drink myself! But it only takes a few times of letting your guard down enough until you finally get to a place of simply not caring. It wasn't like I decided one day to change my beliefs, I just got out of that close fellowship with Christ and my standards changed. I no longer loathed drunkenness like Christ does because I wasn't close enough to Him. I am not about to preach a sermon on drinking because there are not enough clear distinctions in the Bible, but it does say that we are to never let something become our master and alcohol has that ability without us realizing until it is too late. So if we allow something into our lives that the Bible clearly warns against, we are taking away from the example of Christ that we are called to live. How do I sin and immolate Christ? I don’t, that’s called hypocrisy!

So the answer to the question of how we keep ourselves from becoming callous to these detestable things is to draw so close to Christ that we take on His character. I should be sold out to Him because we are called to be set apart and it is as simple as just doing it! God works in awesome ways, because when I really started thinking about this topic, a friend showed me this song that illustrates the reactions I'll get when I'm truly living for Him and how that shouldn't matter because I'm completely devoted to Him. It is an amazing song that is so helpful for those days that are discouraging my Christlike desires…

“Am I foolishness to you, And is it laughable the things I do Can your callused minds see past yourselves to His divine Am I foolishness to you Can I sing about my Maker, And have you not role your eyes Can I weep about my Savior, And the way He died I know it don't make sense, To those who ride the fence But I'm sold out to Christ You call it loosening up, Loosening up I call it spiraling down, Only one thing's the same, Only one thing remains, Jesus Jesus Can I sing about my Maker, And have you not role your eyes Can I weep about my Savior, And the way He died I know it don't make sense, To those who ride the fence But I'm sold out to Christ You're all asleep, You're all asleep You're all asleep oh children But He's all you need, You don't see it no Can I sing about my Maker, And have you not role your eyes Can I weep about my Savior, And the way He died I know it don't make sense, To those who ride the fence But I'm sold out to Christ” Fence Riders by Jimmy Needham