Even secular postmodernists commonly refer to it as karma. It is a concept comfortably accepted and generally applied to any situation in which something bad happens to someone who has made really bad choices. I can see how the theory of Karma could bring about a sense of security and order to suffering people desperately seeking consolation and hope for a more favorable "second round" in a next life.
The obvious drawbacks of this theory are 1) one is always striving without really knowing whether or not they have attained good enough karma to obtain a favorable after life and 2) it instills in the suffering a false guilt that they have brought the suffering on themselves from being horrible people in a past life. This doesn't seem to be comforting at all.
The Bible teaches us a familiar (yet totally different) creed for living in which every action naturally leads to another action (sounds a bit like Newton's law!). In other words, every action, behavior and decision leads to consequences, good or bad. This is not karma, which is a theory intertwined with a belief in reincarnation, but with reaping what you sow. Sow seeds of kindness, and watch the effects of your love bloom in the lives of those you have blessed. But what about those who are choked by weeds that have been planted in their garden of righteousness?
How do we respond when bad things happen to good people? Wasn't it King Solomon, the wisest person ever to live on earth, who reminded us the rain falls equally on the just and the unjust? Reaping what you sow is real, but so is Adam's curse. It is fair to say that Solomon was right when he simplified for us the reality that trouble and suffering don't discriminate. Trouble could care less whether you have a PhD or an 8th grade graduation. Cancer, for example, will attack whether you spent your life helping old ladies walk across the street or were mugging them mercilessly at night.
Suffering wasn't in God's original plan. When we look at sickness and suffering through the eyes of the fall, we still hate suffering but can tolerate it slightly more when we realize it won't stick around forever. Unlike bad karma.
God's word is filled with promises to lean on. When bad things happen even when we have sown righteousness, we have the reminder from Romans 8:28 that nothing can separate us from the eternal love of Christ. If you are currently suffering you might say, "So what? I am still stuck here in this misery. Who cares if God cares"? Ok. You shouldn't totally deny your emotions or you will never grieve properly. But you should show caution so you don't let your mind dwell forever in that dark place, either. The journey should only entail pit stops and not settling in permanently. If you settle in the desert you will only ever be surrounded by sand. Continue on the journey and the desert will one day be in your rear view as you drink from the well of an oasis. Emotions are fickle and they betray us. But God's love lasts forever.
Beloved, the curse seems an unjust punishment, until compared in view of God's overwhelming mercy. Unlike the curse, his love will endure forever--and that's a long time!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Prayer that gets stuff done
What kind of prayers get stuff done? What kind of prayers does God answer? Or, maybe the question should be, "What kind of person does God hear"? I have been reflecting a lot on this lately, in my desire to be more effective when I pray. This is what I have found, according to God's Word.
The truth about prayer is, as long as we are living in Christ (see John 15) , we will know what to ask for and God will gladly answer. God answers the prayers of those who seek God’s way above their own, have confessed all their sins and received forgiveness, have forgiven those who have offended them, and as a result, create unity through their relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ (and all other relationships). Obviously, this is far from an exhaustive list, but I have found several passages about prayer that reiterate these truths. It is also evident He doesn't always answer the way we want Him to, or even at the time we expect Him to, but sees above our realities and into our despair and joy. One of my favorite passages about prayer is this one, from Psalm 66:16-20-
Wow. That is powerful stuff. I meditated the longest on verse 18. The author is so honest. He admits that sin can be so much fun (temporarily) that we can be tempted to cherish it. I have met so many people who have so much fun bragging about their sins that I know they are far from really wanting to change their lifestyle. They are cherishing what has deceived them and unfortunately won't receive answers to their prayers until their hearts become contrite and humbled. Until then, their prayers will only reflect their selfishness. This reminds me of James 5:4, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”.
One other attitude resulting in God hearing and answering our prayers really stands out to me. It wasn't until I was recently reading a book on prayer that I realized that most passages about prayer are connected to how we treat other people (Romans 12:12-13;James 5:13-20; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 4:5-9). Even when we pray in solitude, it inevitably affects others. The more we pray, the more concerned we become about others. Hospitality is born as a result of abiding in Christ.
The truth about prayer is, as long as we are living in Christ (see John 15) , we will know what to ask for and God will gladly answer. God answers the prayers of those who seek God’s way above their own, have confessed all their sins and received forgiveness, have forgiven those who have offended them, and as a result, create unity through their relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ (and all other relationships). Obviously, this is far from an exhaustive list, but I have found several passages about prayer that reiterate these truths. It is also evident He doesn't always answer the way we want Him to, or even at the time we expect Him to, but sees above our realities and into our despair and joy. One of my favorite passages about prayer is this one, from Psalm 66:16-20-
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
Wow. That is powerful stuff. I meditated the longest on verse 18. The author is so honest. He admits that sin can be so much fun (temporarily) that we can be tempted to cherish it. I have met so many people who have so much fun bragging about their sins that I know they are far from really wanting to change their lifestyle. They are cherishing what has deceived them and unfortunately won't receive answers to their prayers until their hearts become contrite and humbled. Until then, their prayers will only reflect their selfishness. This reminds me of James 5:4, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”.
One other attitude resulting in God hearing and answering our prayers really stands out to me. It wasn't until I was recently reading a book on prayer that I realized that most passages about prayer are connected to how we treat other people (Romans 12:12-13;James 5:13-20; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 4:5-9). Even when we pray in solitude, it inevitably affects others. The more we pray, the more concerned we become about others. Hospitality is born as a result of abiding in Christ.
Jesus must have been frustrated with the disciple's question: "How many times should I forgive", because the question in and of itself demonstrated they were still focused on themselves and not the other person. As a result, Jesus taught them using a parable about an unforgiving servant who so easily forgot how his enormous debt had just been forgiven and yet demanded what was owed him.
As I was writing this, I felt the Holy Spirit compelling me to pray: O God, forgive me and hear my prayers. I want what You want-prayers that get stuff done and glorify you as a result!
As I was writing this, I felt the Holy Spirit compelling me to pray: O God, forgive me and hear my prayers. I want what You want-prayers that get stuff done and glorify you as a result!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Humility
Anyone who reminds you of their humility has missed the point. The way I see it, there are two types of people in the world: the strong and the weak. For the strong, humility is often elusive. Many who are naturally strong do want humility, but struggle with the idea that lowliness accompanies it.
The other type of person, the weak, has the tendency to think humility comes rather instinctively. And yet, it is truly elusive for them too. Struggling with a poor self image and self doubt, instinctively assuming others are always better, does not constitute true humility either. Humility isn't a natural human trait. It is supernatural and can only be born from the grace of God.
Humility, as I am seeking to understand it, is strength clothed in frailty. It knows that power here on earth is irrelevant and true Kingdom power (that is, God's sovereignty) is what counts. Kingdom power results from God's authority in our lives, which we haven't earned but received as a gift of His grace. There is nothing weak about humility, which is Christ's strength, clothed in our frailty (jars of clay).
Its strength rests in God's power structure, knowing He is ultimately in control of our reputation. This all sounds very religious, in the manmade sense of the word. Its understanding of humility is born of obligation which attempts to regulate and prove virtues through outward appearances. Predictable religion tries to control humility.It judges people's reactions, challenging defensively any who seem to stray. And yet the legalistic connoisseur barely even practices humility in the pew on Sunday--especially if you mistakenly sit in their spot!
It seems a person exuding true humility, when faced with another's downfall, is painfully reminded of the log in their own eye. They come face to face with their own unworthiness in comparison with Christ. Our dull perceptions of our own sin drives God to frustration. No wonder he so harshly judges the unmerciful servant for his lack of forgiveness towards a small debtor.
As I mentioned before, I would like to think true humility wisely displays its power in the mundane. I remember my husband lovingly rushing to open a door for me when a man selfishly let it slam in my face--and yes, the man saw me standing there (maybe he wanted to get seated first?). My husband's chivalry was laced with a humble grace that made me feel so cherished and resulted in my heightened awareness of how much God loves me. I had a compelling desire to reciprocate humility. His genuine act renewed my awareness of God's graciousness. He also reminded me that he gifted me with a man who regularly displays humble strength.
Perhaps that is the best symptom of true humility: it results in the burgeoning of true transformation in the lives of those who have experienced love firsthand, glorifying God. Someone who feels tenderness desires to reproduce it. Someone who encounters grace feels compelled to pay it forward. I am personally praying that God will help me to increase true humility that inspires and reproduces glory to Him!
The other type of person, the weak, has the tendency to think humility comes rather instinctively. And yet, it is truly elusive for them too. Struggling with a poor self image and self doubt, instinctively assuming others are always better, does not constitute true humility either. Humility isn't a natural human trait. It is supernatural and can only be born from the grace of God.
Humility, as I am seeking to understand it, is strength clothed in frailty. It knows that power here on earth is irrelevant and true Kingdom power (that is, God's sovereignty) is what counts. Kingdom power results from God's authority in our lives, which we haven't earned but received as a gift of His grace. There is nothing weak about humility, which is Christ's strength, clothed in our frailty (jars of clay).
Its strength rests in God's power structure, knowing He is ultimately in control of our reputation. This all sounds very religious, in the manmade sense of the word. Its understanding of humility is born of obligation which attempts to regulate and prove virtues through outward appearances. Predictable religion tries to control humility.It judges people's reactions, challenging defensively any who seem to stray. And yet the legalistic connoisseur barely even practices humility in the pew on Sunday--especially if you mistakenly sit in their spot!
It seems a person exuding true humility, when faced with another's downfall, is painfully reminded of the log in their own eye. They come face to face with their own unworthiness in comparison with Christ. Our dull perceptions of our own sin drives God to frustration. No wonder he so harshly judges the unmerciful servant for his lack of forgiveness towards a small debtor.
As I mentioned before, I would like to think true humility wisely displays its power in the mundane. I remember my husband lovingly rushing to open a door for me when a man selfishly let it slam in my face--and yes, the man saw me standing there (maybe he wanted to get seated first?). My husband's chivalry was laced with a humble grace that made me feel so cherished and resulted in my heightened awareness of how much God loves me. I had a compelling desire to reciprocate humility. His genuine act renewed my awareness of God's graciousness. He also reminded me that he gifted me with a man who regularly displays humble strength.
Perhaps that is the best symptom of true humility: it results in the burgeoning of true transformation in the lives of those who have experienced love firsthand, glorifying God. Someone who feels tenderness desires to reproduce it. Someone who encounters grace feels compelled to pay it forward. I am personally praying that God will help me to increase true humility that inspires and reproduces glory to Him!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Songs of Deliverance
I was reading a beautiful verse to my friend yesterday, and even as the words hung in the air, I heard God's voice clearly speaking to my spirit. The verse, from Zephaniah 3:18, encourages us, saying, "He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
God woos us with his tenderness--which is born from his delight. This delight is a result of his Joy in seeing his creation choose his way over their own. We can sense God's tenderness intensely, once we have accepted and learned from His rebuke.
No one likes being told they are wrong, even when they know it is true. Saying we are sorry and changing accordingly (repenting) is even harder. But God's grace is so much more delicious once we appreciate the cavernous depth of our need. Rebuke hurts, but is tolerable when we bear in mind it is driven by pure love and high expectations. And the Holy Spirit wouldn't convict unless he truly believed we were worthy and capable of better. God created us, so don't you think he knows what we are capable of? This brings me to my next thought, which is God's glorious way out.
When God sings over us, He is strengthening us. His songs are weapons He uses against the enemy. He isn't just singing to sound nice, but to deliver us. When God speaks, things happen. He spoke the world into being. If that is what happens when he talks, imagine what he accomplishes when he sings! He sings over us songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 declares, "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance".
When rebuke comes, remember the pain from your mistake and learn from it. Then, change your reactions to the temptations that sieze you the next time they come. When you are tempted, ask God to deliver you, with a song. And just imagine God's delight as he sings you a tender lullaby, rejoicing over your obedience!
God woos us with his tenderness--which is born from his delight. This delight is a result of his Joy in seeing his creation choose his way over their own. We can sense God's tenderness intensely, once we have accepted and learned from His rebuke.
No one likes being told they are wrong, even when they know it is true. Saying we are sorry and changing accordingly (repenting) is even harder. But God's grace is so much more delicious once we appreciate the cavernous depth of our need. Rebuke hurts, but is tolerable when we bear in mind it is driven by pure love and high expectations. And the Holy Spirit wouldn't convict unless he truly believed we were worthy and capable of better. God created us, so don't you think he knows what we are capable of? This brings me to my next thought, which is God's glorious way out.
When God sings over us, He is strengthening us. His songs are weapons He uses against the enemy. He isn't just singing to sound nice, but to deliver us. When God speaks, things happen. He spoke the world into being. If that is what happens when he talks, imagine what he accomplishes when he sings! He sings over us songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 declares, "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance".
When rebuke comes, remember the pain from your mistake and learn from it. Then, change your reactions to the temptations that sieze you the next time they come. When you are tempted, ask God to deliver you, with a song. And just imagine God's delight as he sings you a tender lullaby, rejoicing over your obedience!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Equality
For me, the issue of equality is not about wanting control. It's not even about rights. It is about living out the greatest commandments. Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. I think most Christians would say they aim to live out the ideals of loving God and "doing to others as you would have them do to you". And yet, history has proven it difficult for many professing Christians to embrace the standard called equality.
I have read slews of historical rhetoric from early American Christians attempting to defend slavery. These men even misused biblical text to "support" their point of view. How can this be?I don't think for a minute they even believed what they were saying. They probably didn't allow themselves to properly reflect on the immorality of their opinion.They were simply -and desperately- trying to maintain a quality of life. Their zealousness was grossly misplaced in an effort to continue a lifestyle where they would retain power, live in comfort, and be happy. Brotherly concern for others? It was weaker than the love they had for themselves.
They cloaked their selfishness in religiosity in order to ease their conscience. Which of these men were willing to open the can of worms implicated by freeing their fellow man as a result of a change of this magnitude? Implications this enormous scared people. As a matter of fact, I believe many people in power are still paralyzed by implications of change, even if a goal is noble.
And this brings me to my concern. Although not nearly as oppressed as the slaves in the south, I still sadly see issues of inequality towards women in the world of ministry. Even among many egalitarian denominations, equality between men and women is unstable. In those organizations that claim equality, I believe leaders agree with the goal of egalitarianism. Most of the men in power would even biblically defend a woman's place in leadership, citing examples such as Huldah, Phoebe, Deborah and Priscilla.
However, the fright of traveling uncharted territory and rerouting stagnant systems necessary towards developing-- especially married women-- for leadership gets in the way (this is an issue our denomination is struggling to address partly due to our appointment structure). Once again, implications create paralysis. Conversations never get beyond, "well, what would we do about..."?
True equality is not an unrealistic ideal. God is creative and he transcends our limits by sharing His thoughts with us. More importantly, he will hold us accountable for what we have and haven't done. And, as with Abraham, he may not show us the next step until we take the first step of faith.
I am personally praying that God will raise up leaders in the church who will allow their belief in equality to override their fear of the implications it will create. Let's get beyond technicalities so as not to squander the gifts he has given the church.
I have read slews of historical rhetoric from early American Christians attempting to defend slavery. These men even misused biblical text to "support" their point of view. How can this be?I don't think for a minute they even believed what they were saying. They probably didn't allow themselves to properly reflect on the immorality of their opinion.They were simply -and desperately- trying to maintain a quality of life. Their zealousness was grossly misplaced in an effort to continue a lifestyle where they would retain power, live in comfort, and be happy. Brotherly concern for others? It was weaker than the love they had for themselves.
They cloaked their selfishness in religiosity in order to ease their conscience. Which of these men were willing to open the can of worms implicated by freeing their fellow man as a result of a change of this magnitude? Implications this enormous scared people. As a matter of fact, I believe many people in power are still paralyzed by implications of change, even if a goal is noble.
And this brings me to my concern. Although not nearly as oppressed as the slaves in the south, I still sadly see issues of inequality towards women in the world of ministry. Even among many egalitarian denominations, equality between men and women is unstable. In those organizations that claim equality, I believe leaders agree with the goal of egalitarianism. Most of the men in power would even biblically defend a woman's place in leadership, citing examples such as Huldah, Phoebe, Deborah and Priscilla.
However, the fright of traveling uncharted territory and rerouting stagnant systems necessary towards developing-- especially married women-- for leadership gets in the way (this is an issue our denomination is struggling to address partly due to our appointment structure). Once again, implications create paralysis. Conversations never get beyond, "well, what would we do about..."?
True equality is not an unrealistic ideal. God is creative and he transcends our limits by sharing His thoughts with us. More importantly, he will hold us accountable for what we have and haven't done. And, as with Abraham, he may not show us the next step until we take the first step of faith.
I am personally praying that God will raise up leaders in the church who will allow their belief in equality to override their fear of the implications it will create. Let's get beyond technicalities so as not to squander the gifts he has given the church.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Dreamers
My elementary report cards are hilarious. Almost all of them say the following: "Hollie is bright...but she has trouble focusing and is usually daydreaming or talking to her friends." I laugh out loud every time I read them (and am so thankful mom kept them all!). Yes. The teacher's comments were right on target-I was, and still am, a total dreamer.
Being a dreamer has served me well! I have probably gained more from my daydreams than from years in the classroom. My best ideas come from my dreams. My creativity is sparked by my daydreams. Also, God speaks to me most clearly in my dreams. When He needs me to learn something that I haven't quite caught onto yet, he corrects me gently through stories in my sleep.
I am amazed how God shares His creativity with us by releasing bits of it through our imaginations. His creativity, forming stories through our lives, increases our ability to thrive within the constraints of our everyday reality. Dreaming throws off restrictions, creating atmospheres which allow anything to happen. God is pleased when we use our imaginations for good. He approves us developing our imaginations through the purity of His word (whatever is pure...noble...think on these things).
Dreams are emotionally charged. They can instill hope, work around existing problems, and allow us to think BIG. Dreams are also a starting point. They catapult us towards change. Long before we are actually ready to accomplish the purpose for which God created us, He plants seeds of excitement by instilling passions and hopes through our dreams.
Dreaming does have a dangerous connotation because it forces us to choose and to act. We can either embrace the dream and move towards realizing it, or safely step back, fearfully avoiding any risks. Anyone who finds themselves at this juncture can remember it is God who invites us into the dream, asking only for our availability. He will bring the dream to fruition. His creativity encourages us to obey. Our obedience releases God's favor, and allows Him to further reveal His grand plot for realizing our dreams.
The world needs more godly dreamers who are willing to seek and risk and obey. I am so grateful for God's unique way of including us in the spiritual realm by instilling dreams within us. Take a moment this week and rediscover the dreamer within you.
Being a dreamer has served me well! I have probably gained more from my daydreams than from years in the classroom. My best ideas come from my dreams. My creativity is sparked by my daydreams. Also, God speaks to me most clearly in my dreams. When He needs me to learn something that I haven't quite caught onto yet, he corrects me gently through stories in my sleep.
I am amazed how God shares His creativity with us by releasing bits of it through our imaginations. His creativity, forming stories through our lives, increases our ability to thrive within the constraints of our everyday reality. Dreaming throws off restrictions, creating atmospheres which allow anything to happen. God is pleased when we use our imaginations for good. He approves us developing our imaginations through the purity of His word (whatever is pure...noble...think on these things).
Dreams are emotionally charged. They can instill hope, work around existing problems, and allow us to think BIG. Dreams are also a starting point. They catapult us towards change. Long before we are actually ready to accomplish the purpose for which God created us, He plants seeds of excitement by instilling passions and hopes through our dreams.
Dreaming does have a dangerous connotation because it forces us to choose and to act. We can either embrace the dream and move towards realizing it, or safely step back, fearfully avoiding any risks. Anyone who finds themselves at this juncture can remember it is God who invites us into the dream, asking only for our availability. He will bring the dream to fruition. His creativity encourages us to obey. Our obedience releases God's favor, and allows Him to further reveal His grand plot for realizing our dreams.
The world needs more godly dreamers who are willing to seek and risk and obey. I am so grateful for God's unique way of including us in the spiritual realm by instilling dreams within us. Take a moment this week and rediscover the dreamer within you.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Productive Pain
Pain is horrible. I try to avoid it at all costs, but it often finds its way back, and when it returns, it returns with a vengence. If I know it's coming, I can at least brace myself for the impact. For years, the idea of intentional pain, the kind you bring on yourself by choosing a Christian lifestyle, kept me at a safe arm's length from God. Since following Him required sacrifice, I was selective in my pursuit. I enjoyed discovering and developing the gifts he'd given me but agreed avoiding the harder challenges was just plain safer.
The problem with my resolve was that pain came along anyway. But it was useless pain and wasn't producing anything in me other than scars. I would hurt, internalizing the pain, and found myself unwilling to do anything else with it. The more I let this happen, the more I realized I was gaining distance between myself and Christ. The greater the distance, the less I noticed the pain. Like the song from the Avett Brothers, I was becoming numb like the old tin man. The God-rejecting culture was becoming less obvious and offensive to me. Then, one day, I was drawn back to the purpose of pain.
Jesus Christ suffered a horrible death, but he kept his eye on the purpose of his pain. He knew his sacrifice was producing something we needed and couldn't ever earn. Then I thought to myself, if Jesus is our example, the incarnate God, then we can learn how to respond to our pain through his. Lesson one: pain is fleeting. It will never last forever. It's horrible, yes, and sometimes nearly impossible to get through, but it will one day be non-exsistent. Lesson two: pain can be productive. What we see as a nuisance, God can convert into beauty. It hurts, makes us cry, leaves scars, but in our weakness we have a God who transforms our tears into testimony. Some pain is unbearable and the tears seem to last forever; with some deep wounds we still wait for the testimony. It's coming, as elusive as it seems.
I am really writing this for myself, because today I experienced an episode of pain that left me breathless. But Jesus, in his tenderness, is sewing me up and creating a deeper beauty in me that wasn't there before. I am so grateful my pain has been productive and wasn't just a taunt to make me suffer.
The problem with my resolve was that pain came along anyway. But it was useless pain and wasn't producing anything in me other than scars. I would hurt, internalizing the pain, and found myself unwilling to do anything else with it. The more I let this happen, the more I realized I was gaining distance between myself and Christ. The greater the distance, the less I noticed the pain. Like the song from the Avett Brothers, I was becoming numb like the old tin man. The God-rejecting culture was becoming less obvious and offensive to me. Then, one day, I was drawn back to the purpose of pain.
Jesus Christ suffered a horrible death, but he kept his eye on the purpose of his pain. He knew his sacrifice was producing something we needed and couldn't ever earn. Then I thought to myself, if Jesus is our example, the incarnate God, then we can learn how to respond to our pain through his. Lesson one: pain is fleeting. It will never last forever. It's horrible, yes, and sometimes nearly impossible to get through, but it will one day be non-exsistent. Lesson two: pain can be productive. What we see as a nuisance, God can convert into beauty. It hurts, makes us cry, leaves scars, but in our weakness we have a God who transforms our tears into testimony. Some pain is unbearable and the tears seem to last forever; with some deep wounds we still wait for the testimony. It's coming, as elusive as it seems.
I am really writing this for myself, because today I experienced an episode of pain that left me breathless. But Jesus, in his tenderness, is sewing me up and creating a deeper beauty in me that wasn't there before. I am so grateful my pain has been productive and wasn't just a taunt to make me suffer.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Getting Real
It takes so much energy to fake it spiritually and yet that is what I so often find myself doing. When I skip my personal time with God, I walk around thinking there must be a sign stamped across my forehead for everyone to see. Then, like an idiot, I totally overcompensate, speaking in spiritual jargon and hoping my hurried morning without acknowledging God won't show itself when speaking to my husband, friends or employees. Sometimes, naturally, I blow my cover. Other times, supernaturally, God is much more graceful than I deserve Him to be.
I really believe he feels more grief than anger. The Bible does say He is slow to anger, and yet we see that by early Genesis, he is already feeling grief at having created humankind! I am so glad he loves us enough to feel something. He is so wonderful and I am so built up whenever He draws me close. When I am taking my time of solitude and seeking God, I remember that He is my breath and I can't live or do anything without Him. Take this Sunday, for instance.
This Sunday I was kneeling at the altar, seeking relief from a difficult and disappointing week, and He spoke to me clearly. My husband was leading a song for reflection and it was about to end. As I began to get up, God said, "Stay with Me longer". Now, the teens from the church were having a food sale fund raiser for the youth retreat following the service and I wanted to make sure they were all set, but I didn't dare budge. I quieted my spirit and let myself go. And he gave me strength. He lifted my spirits and reminded me that He sees my heart. Then I realized what His grief is really about. He knows what we are missing out on when we aren't spending time with Him. He is real and speaks real truths. That is what getting Real is all about.
I really believe he feels more grief than anger. The Bible does say He is slow to anger, and yet we see that by early Genesis, he is already feeling grief at having created humankind! I am so glad he loves us enough to feel something. He is so wonderful and I am so built up whenever He draws me close. When I am taking my time of solitude and seeking God, I remember that He is my breath and I can't live or do anything without Him. Take this Sunday, for instance.
This Sunday I was kneeling at the altar, seeking relief from a difficult and disappointing week, and He spoke to me clearly. My husband was leading a song for reflection and it was about to end. As I began to get up, God said, "Stay with Me longer". Now, the teens from the church were having a food sale fund raiser for the youth retreat following the service and I wanted to make sure they were all set, but I didn't dare budge. I quieted my spirit and let myself go. And he gave me strength. He lifted my spirits and reminded me that He sees my heart. Then I realized what His grief is really about. He knows what we are missing out on when we aren't spending time with Him. He is real and speaks real truths. That is what getting Real is all about.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Image and glam
I was devouring a fashion magazine recently, a guilty pleasure of mine, when I was struck by its hoarding nature. It eggs us on to buy every stitch in sight and exaggerates our need to have bought it yesterday. The leggy girls in the photos, the strategic placement of glossy diamond bangles and ridiculously oversized handbags all seem to be designed to convince us of our have nots.
The brains behind these magazines encourage us to covet what we don't have. Worse yet, they attempt to plant that venemous seed which erroniously teaches us that, unless we have expendable income, we shouldn't even be looking through its pages! Who else would be suckered into buying $1,000 stilettos?
As I teetered dangerously towards the brink of fashionistaville, a spirit dwelling inside me caught me by the tails of my old navy jeans and jerked me back to reality. His reality. The reality that protects us from feeling unworthy, undesirable, and every other un-word ever created by the enemy. His spirit whispers love songs, composed personally for my ears to hear, and reminds me that my image is wrapped up in reflecting His. What a relief. That is a relief because he empowers and reminds me of my haves rather than my have nots. He empowers me to see the dreams I can attain through his limitless abilities.
I found myself re-reading that same magazine with the ability to appreciate the contents for art's sake. I can honestly say that I felt absolutely no sense of obligation to purchase or live up to any of it. My image, how I look to the world, is important. But God gets to decide how that will appear. Now I ask, "How can I reflect Him accurately without looking like a knock-off"?!
The brains behind these magazines encourage us to covet what we don't have. Worse yet, they attempt to plant that venemous seed which erroniously teaches us that, unless we have expendable income, we shouldn't even be looking through its pages! Who else would be suckered into buying $1,000 stilettos?
As I teetered dangerously towards the brink of fashionistaville, a spirit dwelling inside me caught me by the tails of my old navy jeans and jerked me back to reality. His reality. The reality that protects us from feeling unworthy, undesirable, and every other un-word ever created by the enemy. His spirit whispers love songs, composed personally for my ears to hear, and reminds me that my image is wrapped up in reflecting His. What a relief. That is a relief because he empowers and reminds me of my haves rather than my have nots. He empowers me to see the dreams I can attain through his limitless abilities.
I found myself re-reading that same magazine with the ability to appreciate the contents for art's sake. I can honestly say that I felt absolutely no sense of obligation to purchase or live up to any of it. My image, how I look to the world, is important. But God gets to decide how that will appear. Now I ask, "How can I reflect Him accurately without looking like a knock-off"?!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Hope
I wonder. I really do. I wonder at God's goodness, his loving kindness and his tenderness. And then I can't help but sense shame for my distance towards him. I say I need Him and that I love Him. After all, I have dedicated my life to serving Him, saying goodbye forever to designer bags, the latest Camaro (it is such a beautiful car!) and bulging bank accounts. But my my pride makes itself known--unwelcome--like when I forget about God's presence. Like when I take his willingness to be known by me for granted. I hate the pride in me; I don't know where it comes from (uh...scratch that!), but I know that I loathe that part of my nature. I was reading recently a reminder that pride is normal (a word I hate) and loathing it is utterly human-which is proof to me that God didn't design us to be inhabited by it.
"We inherently possess a natural resistance to God" (that is from a bible study I am currently engrossed in). We know he is the best thing that could ever happen to us, that he can open doors and restore hope, that he can offer satisfying intimacy no man or woman ever could. And yet we tend to resist him the way water pushes itself away from oil. But despite my tendencies to avoid him, I know the utter relief resulting from an encounter with God. He soothes and relaxes. He invigorates my soul and increases my ambition to accomplish his plans. He makes me feel hopeful. I love him for that and realize I am on my way. I do love him...and he knows how much!
"We inherently possess a natural resistance to God" (that is from a bible study I am currently engrossed in). We know he is the best thing that could ever happen to us, that he can open doors and restore hope, that he can offer satisfying intimacy no man or woman ever could. And yet we tend to resist him the way water pushes itself away from oil. But despite my tendencies to avoid him, I know the utter relief resulting from an encounter with God. He soothes and relaxes. He invigorates my soul and increases my ambition to accomplish his plans. He makes me feel hopeful. I love him for that and realize I am on my way. I do love him...and he knows how much!
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