Thoughts. Racing, lingering, stirring, awakening. Thoughts carry the potential to provoke one to obtain a deeper understanding of matters, can introduce sin, disaccord and confusion, and if guided correctly will drive one to take action based on convictions. Thinking holds the potential to cultivate tremendous growth and change, but if thoughts merely remain entangled in the recesses of one's mind rather than being acted upon, they are all together worthless. The same can be said for beliefs, knowledge, convictions and desires. To believe, know, and desire something and to live out a life derived from those core values are two contrasting realities. That being said, my heart and mind have been overflowing as of late.
My heart's most desperate longing is to walk life hand in hand with Jesus Christ and truly know and love God with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength and love each person I come into contact with the same love He has shown me. To daily die to myself and have lungs filled with the breath of His life. To live a life free of sin, legalism, selfishness, opinions of others, titles, and pride. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says,
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."
Is Christ's love truly controlling my every thought, word, action? Am I living for myself or am I living a life that is under complete, radical submission to the love and will of Jesus Christ? Although that is my heart's cry, so many times I've fallen tragically short of this calling. I somehow lose sight of why I'm still here on planet earth. I become distracted, ensnared, unfocused and before I realize it, I somehow lose focus on the only true meaning of life. I so oft forget that nothing on this earth matters except my personal relationship with Christ and precious human souls. These things are eternal; all else will burn. When reminded of that, life becomes drastically more simple. Life is so incredibly short. Ephesians 5:15-17 says,
"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. "
This knowledge and awareness, these desires, they are good and right. Although thoughts and desires are good, they are of no significance if fruit is not born as a result. My challenge to myself as well as those reading this blog is to examine your life, but don't stop at that. Are your pastimes, habits, relationships, conversations and attitudes pushing you closer or further from Christ? Are you willing to sacrifice idols that have stepped between you and Him? Remember the shortness of your days. Allow Christ's love to daily control your actions, thoughts, mindset, words. Life is too short to be controlled by anything other than the redemptive, unconditional, radical, passionate love of Jesus Christ. May our lives be more than a flicker.
"What is the secret to great living? Entire separation to Christ and devotion to Him. Thus speaks every man and woman whose life has made more than a passing flicker in the spiritual realm. It is the life that has no time for trifling that counts.”~Amy Carmichael
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
As of late...
Writing is one of the few ways I feel like I can communicate with accuracy. There is something about pen and paper or fingers delicately gliding over keys...or pounding depending on the mood. No words to stumble over or people to impress. No forced smiles, conversation, or empty words. Authenticity. Writing is a window into the mind, heart, and soul of a person. As of late, my writing has been confined to pen, paper, and my thoughts. That's usually the way I like to keep it, but I feel that it is about time that my blog gets a little attention.
The last couple of months have given me opportunity to learn, feel, and grow more than I have in quite a while. Each season of life contains tremendous opportunity to grow, reflect, and change. These months have taught and are continuing to teach me more things than I could possibly express through one blog, so I won't try to. I'll just give a brief glimpse of a couple lessons the Lord is graciously teaching me.
1) Take a good, long, unbiased look in the mirror.
James 1:22-25 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does."
This one has been quite difficult, but beautiful at the same time. The Lord has been gently, graciously exfoliating my heart and revealing to me areas of sin, brokenness, and imperfection. He has allowed me to take a good look at where I've been, where I am, and where He is taking me. He's graciously allowed opportunity for unresolved brokenness to be revealed and healing to begin. He loves me too much to leave me where I'm at. I firmly believe that the more we acknowledge our personal imperfection, all the more beautiful the perfection, grace, and redeeming love Christ becomes. I have earned the title damned sinner, but through His grace and precious blood, I am a saint. Praise Him.
2) Don't conform to the beliefs and attitudes of the world or of those surrounding you. Think and believe for yourself.
Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Being at a Christian university is such an incredible blessing and freedom, but it can also be easy to float along and exceedingly challenging and extremely lonely to personally grow and develop into everything that God has created you to be. I've been convicted of my own conformation in certain attitudes, actions, and expectations. This realization has triggered a desire to delve deeper into the Word for myself, examine my own beliefs, motivations, and attitudes, and reconstruct target areas of my life. It has been a struggle to step back and identify the stagnant areas of my life that have remained unchanging and undeveloped as a result of personal ignorance and sinful nature, but I am so thankful for the growth that is being derived from these enlightened areas.
3) Vulnerability is the currency of any relationship.
If you desire to have deep, meaningful relationship with God, friends, family, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, etc. vulnerability is required. Now don't get me wrong, I am definitely not saying that you should give everyone around you an access key to your inner person and heart. Your personal thoughts, beliefs, past, and heart are an incredibly precious entity and need to be guarded with wisdom. Although they are to be guarded, don't allow paralyzing fear of exposure and vulnerability rob the opportunity of relationships from you. Allow people who prove to be sincere, trustworthy, honest, have your best interest at heart, and are seeking Jesus with everything and above all else into your life. Humans were not created to do life alone. Any human relationship contains an element of risk, but without that risk you will never experience the joy and growth that these relationships can bring. Keep Jesus at the center and you can trust that if/when you do get hurt, He will catch you and work all things together for your good.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Welp, I believe that's all for now, folks. Thanks for reading.
The last couple of months have given me opportunity to learn, feel, and grow more than I have in quite a while. Each season of life contains tremendous opportunity to grow, reflect, and change. These months have taught and are continuing to teach me more things than I could possibly express through one blog, so I won't try to. I'll just give a brief glimpse of a couple lessons the Lord is graciously teaching me.
1) Take a good, long, unbiased look in the mirror.
James 1:22-25 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does."
This one has been quite difficult, but beautiful at the same time. The Lord has been gently, graciously exfoliating my heart and revealing to me areas of sin, brokenness, and imperfection. He has allowed me to take a good look at where I've been, where I am, and where He is taking me. He's graciously allowed opportunity for unresolved brokenness to be revealed and healing to begin. He loves me too much to leave me where I'm at. I firmly believe that the more we acknowledge our personal imperfection, all the more beautiful the perfection, grace, and redeeming love Christ becomes. I have earned the title damned sinner, but through His grace and precious blood, I am a saint. Praise Him.
2) Don't conform to the beliefs and attitudes of the world or of those surrounding you. Think and believe for yourself.
Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Being at a Christian university is such an incredible blessing and freedom, but it can also be easy to float along and exceedingly challenging and extremely lonely to personally grow and develop into everything that God has created you to be. I've been convicted of my own conformation in certain attitudes, actions, and expectations. This realization has triggered a desire to delve deeper into the Word for myself, examine my own beliefs, motivations, and attitudes, and reconstruct target areas of my life. It has been a struggle to step back and identify the stagnant areas of my life that have remained unchanging and undeveloped as a result of personal ignorance and sinful nature, but I am so thankful for the growth that is being derived from these enlightened areas.
3) Vulnerability is the currency of any relationship.
If you desire to have deep, meaningful relationship with God, friends, family, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, etc. vulnerability is required. Now don't get me wrong, I am definitely not saying that you should give everyone around you an access key to your inner person and heart. Your personal thoughts, beliefs, past, and heart are an incredibly precious entity and need to be guarded with wisdom. Although they are to be guarded, don't allow paralyzing fear of exposure and vulnerability rob the opportunity of relationships from you. Allow people who prove to be sincere, trustworthy, honest, have your best interest at heart, and are seeking Jesus with everything and above all else into your life. Humans were not created to do life alone. Any human relationship contains an element of risk, but without that risk you will never experience the joy and growth that these relationships can bring. Keep Jesus at the center and you can trust that if/when you do get hurt, He will catch you and work all things together for your good.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Welp, I believe that's all for now, folks. Thanks for reading.
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