Past, Present, Future.

    For my fifteenth birthday, my mom decided that she really wanted to get me a purity ring.  I thought that it was a really cool idea, so we started looking.  We didn't have to look very hard until we found the perfect one.  I wasn't planning on getting anything super duper nice or expensive, so my mom and I immediately bee-lined  our way to the clearance section in the jewelry department of JC Penny's.  I looked down and saw the perfect one.  Three emeralds (my birth stone), beautiful placement, diamonds.  I immediately figured it was out of our price range.  Then, when we looked at it, we saw that it was on 90% clearance!! Yeah, 90% clearance!!!  We then asked the lady to take it out of the case for me to try on.  It was a perfect fit.  As I held this little ring in my hand, I looked at the inside and saw that there was an inscription.  Between little diamonds placed on the inside, there read the words "Past, Present, Future."  Just like my precious Lord.

    Needless to say, this ring is very, very special to me.  You'll never see me without it. It serves as a reminder of my promise to God, and His promises to me. When I look at it, I'm reminded that Jesus hand picked it out for me and I'm also reminded of His precious promises.  He never changes, He never fails, He is always faithful, His love is unconditional. Hebrews 13:8  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."


  Something Jesus has been teaching me lately is how worthy He is.  No matter how I feel, what has happened to me, or what I think, He is ALWAYS worthy and deserving of my utmost praise and adoration.  Sometimes I'm not going to understand why He lets things happen or what He is doing, simply because He is God and I am not.

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 
   neither are your ways my ways,” 
            declares the LORD. 
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, 
   so are my ways higher than your ways 
   and my thoughts than your thoughts."

   

   When we don't understand what He is doing, His timing, where He is leading or why He is letting something happen (or not happen), we need trust in His promises, His character, and most importantly, His bountiful, overflowing, all-consuming, passionate, unconditional love for us.

   Because of who He is, He deserves our everything.

  Who He is does not depend on our personal circumstances or feelings.  For that, I am thankful.  

  When you aren't feeling anything, understanding anything, or seeing what lies ahead, trust in the One who holds the past, present and future.  Dare to obey Him, to give Him your everything.  See what He can do with a life fully surrendered to Him.

The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man. -D.L. Mood

Lessons Learned...or Being Learned

Hey friends,

  I thought that it was about time I wrote a blog.  There has been so much going on lately.  So many ups and downs.  So much confu1sion and clarity.  Many hard things and beautiful things.  If I put the last 2 weeks in a blog, I think it would turn into more of a novel, so I'll spare you ;)

  Where to start?  Well, I'm here at school, so obviously I'm doing schoolwork.  This semester is going to be my most difficult semester thus far.  I'm taking 18 credit hours, have 3 weekly practicums, and 15 hours of education & psyc activities to fit in.  On top of that, I'm still a Prayer Leader, which I absolutely LOVE, but that also takes time and dedication.  This brings me to my first lesson.

1. The importance of detailed and achievable organization and time management.


  Organization and time management is definitely not natural at all for me.  I've always been the kind of "it'll be fine as long as it gets done sometime, but I'd rather go have fun right now" type.  I'm learning that if I'm ever going to be an effective, productive teacher, friend, missionary, homemaker, and wife, that needs to change.  Change is really hard, but it is so good.  I'm becoming very close friends with my planner and sticky note system and although it is not my nature, I'm learning the benefits of a disciplined life. Among those benefits are better grades, less stress, more "free time" than I expected, more time for ministry, and just being proud of myself for finally sticking to a schedule/planner :)

2.  Jesus is always, always enough and NEVER changes or fails.  His presence commands our utmost worship.


  This week was really hard.  The beginning of the week, I was faced with some really hard things and was just really mad at God to be quite frank. I didn't understand why He lets things happen and why I was feeling so much anger and pain with a depth I haven't felt in years.  Of course, being a stupid member of the human race, I decided I felt like subconsciously blaming everything on God.  In my heart, I knew that I had no reason to play the blame game with God, but I did anyways.  The first night of Spiritual Emphasis Week during worship, I did not have any desire to worship.  God and I talk quite a bit, and I told Him, I'm angry at you and I don't feel like worshiping right now.  BAMMMM.  Then He spoke to me.  Those piercing words of power and authority spoken with the gentleness of a kind father correcting His child.  I sat down and started writing in my journal immediately.  He told me He demanded worship.  He is faithful, He is righteous, He is love, He is grace, He is mercy, He is truth, He is light, He is beauty, He is Creator, He is the Sustainer, He is the Deliver, He is the Healer.  At His name, slaves are freed, captives are unchained, and the promises are fulfilled.  HE NEVER CHANGES.  His Holy presence demands reverence, worship, and awe. No matter what I feel like that day, He never changes and He deserves my utmost praise and worship.

3.  Be bold, yo.
 When is the last time that you did something that you knew God called you to and regretted it?  Still thinking?    I've concluded never.  Sure, following God's lead and stepping out of your comfort zone can be really scary at first, but I've never had a time in my life that I've wished I hadn't after the fact.  By being bold and allowing God to empower you to do things you never thought you were capable of, you can experience His power and the reality of God on a whole new level.  When you surrender an area of your life to Him, you will be amazed at what He can accomplish through.  The past couple of weeks have been scary in that area.  He's asked me to do some really uncomfortable things that I would much rather ignore.  I'm so glad that I didn't.  Even though it has been a scary journey continuing to learn how to be bold and willing to follow His callings and promptings, it has been so amazing.  There is nothing comparable to being used by Him.

4. Singleness is a wonderful, purposeful, awesome season.
  I could go on and on about this one.  It is not a recently learned lesson, but it has been reaffirmed that past few weeks.  I believe that this season as a single young woman has most definitely been the most awesome season of my life thus far.  Being at Liberty, we see many couples who appear to be Siamese twins and seem to require each other for tasks as simple as opening a can of pop.  Okay, that was a little bit of sarcasm, but SERIOUSLY though, some of the couples here are a bit obnoxious. I admit, there are times that I wonder when/if God is going to bring someone into my life who will be my partner in bringing Him glory by our life together, but I'm MORE than willing to wait for His timing. Even though I don't know him,I pray for him and can't wait to be with him, but I know that he is going to be more than worth the wait. On the other hand, some people around here act like singleness is the freaking Bubonic Plague. I can not count the number of Facebook statuses that I've seen that complain about being single, wondering where all the good guys/girls are, wondering when God is going to drop prince charming on their front porch, and are a festering mire of self pity.   Singleness is not a waiting season, a curse, or a time to party hardy.  Singleness is a gift packed with purpose, potential, fun, and beauty.  God does not create seasons of our life designated for sitting around on your rump waiting for Mr./Mrs. Right to come sweep you off your feet.  Our purpose in life is to love God with ALL of our heart, mind, and soul.  We were created to serve Him, be used by Him, and reach the world with the message of His Son, forgiveness, redemption, and hope.  Why wait, what better time than now?  No spouse, no children, and a God to who is willing to use as much of you as you are willing to give Him. Singleness is truly a gift.

 5. Have fun, be crazy, live a little :)
   Tonight was one of the most fun times I've had in a long time.  I got to hang out with one my best friends, Lena, and we had a BLAST.  Just hanging out, talking about life, Jesus, and doing crazy things.  Jesus has blessed me with wonderful, FUN friends.  Don't let work become such a large part of your life that you forget to enjoy the season you're in.  Hang out with friends, do crazy things, live a little.

 

 

     There are many other things I could write, but I'm getting sleepy and you're probably getting tired of reading this, so I'm going to peace out.  Thank you for reading my hodge podge of a blog :)

Made Perfect in Weakness

  Hey friends :)  I just want to say, thank you for reading the things I write.  I truly appreciate the time that you take to read my thoughts and life.

  My God never ceases to amaze me.  His sweet love, mercy, and grace continues to win my heart over and over.  The way He guides me and uses me even when I don't deserve to be used, it honestly takes my breath away.  I'm so thankful for His promise. Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

    Today was the worst and best work day I've ever experienced.  When I woke up today, I had absolutely no desire to go to work.  This is strange for me.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a workaholic or anything, but I love going in to work, seeing the regular customers and my co-workers and also having the knowledge that I'm working to pay off my education.  Normally at work I'm pretty chipper and happy.  Not today.  It's hard to describe, but I was almost depressed this morning?  Now I can look back and see that Satan was attacking me and trying to keep me from the day and mission that God had in store.  When I got to work, the second customer in line was a very rich, but not very nice lady.  Little to say it was not a stellar start to my shift.  During this whole day, I kept on making really, really stupid mistakes.  For example, once I told a customer her total was $3.07.  That was the time. A while later, another very, very not nice customer came in.  She began yelling some not very nice things at me in the store because her check wouldn't process.  Then she proceeded to tell me she would never step foot in our store again.  I bit my tongue before I got out the words, "thank God." After she left I cried.  Yes, a customer made me cry.  This is also a strange thing about today.  I don't cry.  Well, I mean I cry sometimes, like when people die or someone really hurts me, but crying is not something that I do very easily.  At that point, I was so tempted to go punch out and leave.  My attitude was stinky, I had mean customers, and work was the last place I wanted to be at that moment.  Boy am I glad I didn't leave.

     I firmly believe that as the body of Christ we are to be "in the world".  I mean, where does Jesus reach people?  Right where they are.  He doesn't wait to win them until they have stepped in to a building we call Church.  Jesus is where the people who need Him are. He climbs in to the dirty filthy dungeons to release captives from their bondage and slavery to sin.  If we're pursuing Jesus and becoming more like Him, should our lives look any different?

     That being said, I think that secular workplaces can be one of the greatest "mission fields".  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about going and passing out cheesy tracts on break time.  I'm talking about making relationships, getting to know peoples stories, seeing where they've come from and what has made them into who they are.  Knowing someone's heart is much more important than their outward behavior.  Once you get to know someone behind their language, course humor, addictions, you can see the void and pain in their life. There is always a story behind the face.

     This brings me back to my worst and best workday.  Now I'm getting to the best.  It is my heart that my unsaved family, friends, and coworkers would find the same life, love and freedom that I've found in Jesus Christ.  That their eyes would be filled with hope and peace rather than emptiness.  Today I had an opportunity to share the Gospel with one of my friends at work.  This guy thinks he is a pretty tough.  He is super nice, but he is a little rough around the edges to say the least.  During the end of my shift, things started to get kind of slow.  I was still having a rotten attitude and just a plain out not good day.  I was just chilling with him at the registers, then we started talking.  He started pouring out his life to me and how he'd OD'd and tried so many times to take his life but was never successful.  How many times he should have died but didn't and how much he wished he was, to be "free".  Here is where the Holy Spirit kicked into gear big time. I was able to share with him God's protection over his life and the hope that can be found in our Jesus.  That the reason why he wasn't successful was because his life was created with a purpose.  That God loved him and didn't want him to go to hell.  It was the most awesome conversation that I've had at work and I know the words coming out of my mouth weren't mine.  He was so receptive and said he'd think about what I'd said.  Now comes time for more intercession.

     I just wanted to share this story because I was so completely humbled by God's ability to use weak things (me).  Today was probably one of my weakest days.  I didn't feel strong, spiritual, or even friendly today.  In spite of myself, God chose to use me.  Not because of anything that I'd done, but because of what He's done.  I'm so humbled, so thankful.

Praise Your name, Jesus, You make beautiful things out of dust.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Best Kind of Christmas

  Hello sweet friends :) Merry Christmas!!  I was sitting here with a few minutes to spare and just wanted to write down some thoughts about today.  


  The past couple weeks since break has started have been pretty crazy/hectic.  First, I had my teaching practicum which was wonderful, but I ended up catching a bad cold from one of the kiddos.  Right after I got better from my cold, my wisdom tooth became infected and I needed to go on antibiotics and also learned that I'll need to get both of them out before break is over.  During that time I've also been working about 40 hours a week.  My mom also works two jobs and has a busy schedule. Needless to say, there hasn't been to much time to do "Christmasy" things.


   My family definitely isn't one that would be categorized under "traditional".  We're not exactly the sit around the fire place singing Christmas carols, cutting out cookies type.  Now don't get me wrong, I think that some of the traditions of Christmas are wonderful, we keep a few little ones, but that just usually isn't usually my family.  I mean, we just got out un-decorated tree up on the 23rd, haha :)


  The older I get, the more I realize it's not the things or even traditions that matter in life.  The only things of real value in this life are our relationship with Jesus Christ and people.  With all of that being said, let me tell you about today and why is so great.


  Actually, I'll start at last night.  Christmas Eve.  I worked early in the day, but the evening was spent with Mom and my brother, Ben.  I made my awesome potato, ham & cheese soup (one of the few things I take pride in), then we went to the church my brother usually attends while he's home for their service.  It was so wonderful focusing on Jesus and His love and sacrifice.  After that, we drove around and looked at Christmas lights.  This morning,  my mom and I got our first round of FREE sheetz coffee then went to my home church :)  I love my church!!!  The theme of Pastor's message was the names of Jesus, so cool!  After that, my mom and I just talked for a long time about our sweet Jesus who He is and how He loves us, talks to us, intercedes for us.  The list goes on and on.  Amazed.  When we got home, we made our brunch that consisted of rolls, bacon and pineapple, YUM!


  Since then, we've just been hanging out, I've been playing guitar, wrapping a couple presents and listening to music.  I think we're going to watch a Christmas movie then open up a couple gifts later.  I love this.  I feel like this is what Christmas should be, focusing primarily on Jesus and His sacrificial birth and death, then just enjoying family and getting to a few presents whenever we do.  I know it's simple, but I think that's why I love it so much.


  I just wanted to write this to express how thankful I am for this day, Mom and Ben, and most importantly, the gift of Jesus Christ.  Merry Christmas and much love, friends.

Luke 2:8-20 "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

Christmas Break

     Hey again, friends!  This is crazy, two blog posts within days when all semester I've been lucky if I squeeze one out in a month, haha :) (by the way I kind of stole the idea for this blog from a good friend ;) )  I've been blessed with another phenomenal semester at Liberty and I'm so thankful to God for it.  I know that over Christmas break, it is easy to get into the "just chill" mode and slide into neutral for a month, but I really don't want that to be the case for this break or any other time in life for that matter.

     Ephesians 5:15-16 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."

     I want to learn how to live a life in which each second counts, each minute lived in devotion and submission to my Father.  I know that I'm so far from that, but I have faith that through His might, He will accomplish the good work He has started in my life. (Philippians 1:6)

     So, to get to the point of my blog, here is my list of goals for Christmas break.

1. Spend quality time drawing close to God, deepening my prayer life and really studying and memorizing the Word.

2.  Become awesome at guitar,  I know some of the basics, but definitely need quite a bit of practice.

                                                             

3.  READ!  Okay, nerd confession, on my first day back from school, I went to the library and checked out three books.  On my list to read is re-reading A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens), Great Expectations (Charles Dickens) and Forgotten God (Francis Chan) and also reading  Letters from Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (C.S. Lewis) for the first time.

4. Get accepted into Liberty's School of Education, I just completed my practicum now all I need to do is send in my finger prints and submit my application.  I can't wait to be a teacher :)

5. Spend lots of time with my big brother, Ben and my mom and also visit my extended family as much as possible.

6. Get together with my graduating class!  

7.  Spend time with friends.

8.  Get into awesome shape and eat healthier. I WORK OUT!

9.  Prepare for Prayer Groups for next semester, God did so many amazing things this semester, I can't wait to see what He has in store for next.  I seriously miss you all SO MUCH already. Love you girls!!

10.  Figure out what in the world God wants me to do this summer and Fall semester. :/

11.  Hopefully visit Sneeya and Jennah in New York City with Ariel :)

12.  Go to downtown Pittsburgh with my family while the Christmas lights are still up and hopefully visit Samanthajo!!

13.  Get in lots of hours at work and be a light for Christ in my workplace.

14.  Be involved in my home church over break.

15. Keep a weekly blog.

16.  SLEEP! (something college life lacks)

     Well, there it is, my goals for break.  I'm not sure if I'll get everything accomplished that I'd like to, but I think it's better to aim too high rather than too low.  Merry Christmas break friends :)

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years." ~ Abrahan Lincoln

I have one desire now - to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and 

strength into it. -Elisabeth Elliot

Getting Real

     Hey sweet friends :)  It's been a while since I've written a blog, but no time like the present, right?  You see, my problem with blogging isn't running out of ideas, rather stream lining what I want to write about and when I want to write it.  If you know me, you know that I can be a little spaced out and my mind is usually in more than one place at a time, haha.  For instance, right now I'm thinking about blog ideas.  Let me give you a glimpse into the brain of Sarah (scary thought, I know.)  


     Hmm I should write a blog.  What should I write about?  I have about half a dozen blogs started, maybe I should finish one of those? Boring.  This semester has been so great, especially the amazing women on my hall, specifically my prayer group, maybe I should write a blog devoted to them?  Nahhh I think they're too phenomenal, it would turn into a novel.  Hmm it's break now, most of my friends at school are going home.  Maybe I should write one to encourage them in the struggles and challenges they're facing at home.  School.  That reminds me, I'm going to be a teacher. This week I've been doing a practicum with some of the sweetest kids, I just can't wait to be a teacher, I could write about that.  Or, maybe I should pick a spiritual topic like giving as much grace as we receive.  I need to work on that.  Grace, that is my favorite attribute of God.  Maybe I should name one of my children Grace, or maybe not.  I feel like it might make me play favorites because I just love the essence of grace.  Naming children, what in the world am I thinking, I'm not even dating.  Should I be?  Is that a requirement for attending Liberty?  Speaking of requirements for Liberty, I really need to get my School of Education application in.  Wait, what was I doing anyways?  Oh yeah, blogging, what to blog about.


     That is a glimpse of how my brain works, frightening, isn't it?  You're probably wondering, why am I reading this?  Is she ever going to get to the dang blog?!?  Well, hold your horses, I'm about there :)  


     The more I live life, the more I realize that "hard" is not the exception, rather the rule.  Growing up, and even in my first year at Liberty, I felt like I was surrounded by "perfect" people.  Since I've gotten to really know people on a deeper level, I've come to the conclusion that although at times many people have "surface perfection" everyone is faced with their own kind of hard. As I was getting ready to leave Liberty, I started to think about what going home looks like.  For some, it is a place of rest, peace, sweet memories and love.  For others it is a place that is painful rather than peaceful.  There are many reasons why it might be difficult going home.  Maybe this is the first Christmas without a loved one, maybe you aren't going to come back to school next semester, maybe you have unsaved friends and family members, you might just feel worthless, maybe you're going home to a broken family or maybe you're going to be slammed with the memories and temptations from who you used to be.


     Personally, going home isn't always easy for me.  I'm blessed beyond belief to have my mom and brother, but there are certain aspects about being home that are extremely difficult, frustrating and at times painful.  Through the hard times in life, I've learned that you can either get bitter or get better.  It's your choice, plain and simple.  Does that mean it's going to be easy? Heck to the no.  Will God see you through, shape and mold you and use you to do great things in the midst of adversity?  I have absolutely no doubt.


     We serve a faithful God who abounds in unconditional love.  Although everything around us is subject to change, we are promised that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)  


     As you're going home, or have already arrived be encouraged.  These are some verses that have encouraged and uplifted me and I trust they'll do the same for you :)


1 John 5:3-5 "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."


Pslam 37:23-24 "The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand."


Psalm 34:17-20  The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Joel 2:13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Along with those verses, I just wanted to share a reminder of why we are here.  I know it's so easy to get caught up in the day to day and forget the only things that really matter. 1. Our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 2. Who we are taking to Heaven with us.

Matthew 28:17-20 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

I challenge you this break, be bold.  Don't let fear hold you back, rather find out just what God can do with one life fully surrendered to Him.

The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man. -D.L. Moody 

Worship

            Oh man....looks like it's been a while since I've written a blog.  There has been so much going on and so many things I've been learning, I feel like I could write a book based solely on the last month of life.  There have been many ups and downs and valuable life lessons learned.  It seems like there is never a "normal" week in the life of Sarah. The theme of my life has continue to prove itself.  My weakness and His abundant grace, love and faithfulness. 


            There are so many different ideas for blogs going through my head write now. If I could have a week to do nothing but read and write, I would be a supremely happy woman. Needless to say, I don't.  As a matter of fact I probably don't have the time to be blogging right now, but I don't care :)  This isn't anything particularly profound, I'm just going to write about the thing that just hit me during quiet time today.  Also, I'm writing in a different, more casual style so I apologize if I'm a bit scattered, haha.


            Today I started to go through the book of Job.  Every time I read Job I get hit with conviction...BAM.  This time was no different.  You know when you read something and the words nearly jump out of the page at you?  Well, one of those moments just happened.  I was reading the first chapter of Job.  In summary, Satan is talking with God and God decides to brag on His man Job.  Job is a faithful servant of God who is blameless, upright and fears God.  God even goes as far to say that there is no one on the earth like Him.  Satan retaliates and makes the point that God has placed a hedge around Job and everything he has, I mean, what reason does Job have not to love God?  God then gives Satan access to everything Job has, but not Job himself.  Satan then proceeds to leave the presence of the Lord and reek havoc on Job's life.  Job receives news that his oxen, sheep, servants, camels, and all of his children were gone.  Gone. In a short period of time, Job lost pretty much everything.  


           Job's response was very different from what mine probably would have been.   In verses 20-21 of chapter one, Job says "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”


          These words jumped out of the page at me.  His reaction toward God was worship.  This just made me think, what is worship?  


          The Lord is beautiful.  He is worthy of our praise at all times. He is Justice.  He is love.  He is always faithful.  He never changes (Hebrews 13:8.)  He is worthy of utmost adoration, reverence and honor.


          In this passage, Job isn't experiencing a giddy, emotionally high, "I'm in love with Jesus, la la la" moment.  He is experiencing pain, loss and sorrow.  Everything precious has been torn away from him.  I think that is what makes his act of worship so beautiful is that it is coming out of brokenness.  Job's faith leads him to see the sovereign God's hand at work which gives him repose even in the face of such calamity. In the midst of sheer pain and uncertainty, He falls on His face in worship and praises the name of the Lord.  Now, that is worship, that is beautiful. 


         This specifically challenged me because to be honest, lately some things in my life have just been really, really hard.  Even though I've been experiencing "hard", it is nothing in comparison to losing everything.  Every time we face hard in life we're faced with the choice becoming bitter and resentful toward God, or acknowledging His sovereignty and giving Him the worship and praise He is due. 


         Welp, I guess that about sums it up.  I'm going to finish off with some lyrics this passage reminded me of.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read. Peace.  

"And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm"