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.
August 26, 2008
July 15, 2008
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.
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.
June 25, 2008
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
