This post is second of a three-part miniseries based on my jury duty experience.
See part one here
and part three here.
As you may know, I spent the last two weeks doing jury duty. It was an amazing learning experience for quite a few reasons.
Yesterday I wrote about the lessons from getting an in-depth look at our justice system. Not surprisingly, God took this opportunity to teach me a few other lessons, too.
The day I found out I was a juror--and what the case was about--I was honestly kind of scared. "Why me? Why did I get chosen? I don't think I can do this!" I discovered, of course, that I could. My husband had some encouragement for me, and so did my mom, when I called to tell her that I was on the jury (although without any other details at that point).
Obviously, my mom said, I was chosen for a reason. God had a purpose for me to be on that jury. There had been 71 potential jurors at the start. 30 were randomly chosen by taking names out of a jar. Then 14 were picked from those 30. Just before we started deliberation, two alternates were dismissed. I ended up on that jury of twelve people.
I was definitely there for a reason. I just didn't know exactly what the reason was. I still don't know for sure. But I started praying right away, "Lord, let me show someone your love through this experience."
One of the defendant's daughters was there with him, to testify and to support her father. Her name is Maria.
I thought, I can at the very least try to bring a little happiness into this woman's life, considering how incredibly difficult her life has been for the last three years. So every now and then, from the juror's box, I'd catch her eye and give her a smile, and she always smiled back. Not a huge gesture, I know, but I wanted to do something.
Yesterday, after everything was over and I was headed out of the courthouse and home, I ran into Maria just outside the courthouse. She threw her arms around me and kept repeating "Thank you, thank you." She said that when she saw me the first day of the trial she liked me right away. (She happens to have a sister just about my age.) I told her that I'd been praying through the whole trial, and that I knew it had turned out the way it had because God had wanted it to turn out that way. She said she and her family had been praying as well, and I said that I would continue to keep her and her family in my prayers. "God bless you," she said, hugging me again, both of us teary.
I don't know what will become of Maria, her father, and their family. I don't know if anything will come of our brief conversation. I do know that it wasn't coincidence that she happened to be outside the door I always left through. I know that it wasn't coincidence that I ended up on this jury. I also know that that one conversation made the whole two weeks' trial (pun intended) absolutely worth it. If sharing the love of Jesus with that one woman, through smiles, hugs, and prayers, was the reason God had me on that jury, then it was worth every minute.
I got to shake her father's hand, not fifteen minutes after the verdict was read and he put his head down on the desk and burst into tears, then looked up at the jury with a red, tear-streaked face that expressed joy and relief that no language barrier can confuse, and told us "thank you."
I'll probably never see Igor Kozlov again, but being a jury for his trial has changed my life. I can't judge anyone one way or another based on their nationality, their appearance, their job, the language they speak. Only God can judge a person because only he sees the hearts of humans. But what I can do is love everyone with the love of Christ, no matter who they are.
A few hours before I was chosen for this jury, I wrote this post. Little did I know how prophetic my own words would be! God doesn't ask us to travel far away to share his love. In this case, all I did was walk across the street and into a courtroom, and I was privileged to share the love of Jesus with people I never would have met otherwise.
Keep your eyes open today. You'll definitely cross paths with someone who needs a little Christ-love in their lives. Maybe all you can give them is a smile, but maybe that's all it will take to make a difference in their life.
(Just in case you were wondering, sympathy wasn't an aspect of my decision-making regarding this trial. I avoided looking at Kozlov as much as I could during the trial. We looked at the straight facts, and there weren't enough solid facts to convict him. But I will say, I'm glad that we made the decision we did. This man is still going to have a tough life, and I'm happy that we made a decision that will make his life a little less hard than it could have been.)
Linking today with Upward Not Inward/Exceptionalistic/The Fontenot Four, Deep Roots at Home, Raising Homemakers, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
living IN this world, created for eternity
I started reading Ecclesiastes yesterday. It's not a common book read in Bible studies, but I figure, it's part of Scripture, so it must be worth reading!
My favorite passage so far is this one from chapter three (right after the "a time for everything" section):
"What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him." -Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
This is just a beautiful passage, and there's so much in it!
God has made us people with eternal souls--"has set eternity in the hearts of men." So we aren't fully content in this world governed by time, but at the same time our finite bodies "cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." We're not made for this world, obviously. But what does life in this world consist of? Eating, drinking, and working.
That could be a pretty meaningless existence--in fact, that's what the writer of Ecclesiastes ponders throughout the book. What's the purpose in life? What's the purpose to eating, drinking, and working? They're meaningless.
But this passage gives hope:
"That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in his toil--this is the gift of God."
Bingo.
We're not made for this world, but we were made to live in it for a time. And in order that our life here may not be without purpose, God created us for eternity--our lives in this world have an ultimate purpose, that is, to direct others toward eternity. We were all created as eternal beings, but not everyone knows that, and not everyone knows how much God wants them to live with him in paradise for eternity. So that's our purpose here, and we are constantly reminded of it because we can't be completely content living in this finite world.
And while we are living in this world, going about our lives--eating, drinking, and working--God gives us pleasure and satisfaction in that. He doesn't condemn us to a life of bore, a meaningless life. While we are at work pointing people to him, he blesses us and enables us to live a happy life, with the pleasures of food and drink, and the satisfaction that comes from work well done.
What a gift. What a life. What a God we have.
My favorite passage so far is this one from chapter three (right after the "a time for everything" section):
"What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him." -Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
This is just a beautiful passage, and there's so much in it!
God has made us people with eternal souls--"has set eternity in the hearts of men." So we aren't fully content in this world governed by time, but at the same time our finite bodies "cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." We're not made for this world, obviously. But what does life in this world consist of? Eating, drinking, and working.
That could be a pretty meaningless existence--in fact, that's what the writer of Ecclesiastes ponders throughout the book. What's the purpose in life? What's the purpose to eating, drinking, and working? They're meaningless.
But this passage gives hope:
"That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in his toil--this is the gift of God."
Bingo.
We're not made for this world, but we were made to live in it for a time. And in order that our life here may not be without purpose, God created us for eternity--our lives in this world have an ultimate purpose, that is, to direct others toward eternity. We were all created as eternal beings, but not everyone knows that, and not everyone knows how much God wants them to live with him in paradise for eternity. So that's our purpose here, and we are constantly reminded of it because we can't be completely content living in this finite world.
And while we are living in this world, going about our lives--eating, drinking, and working--God gives us pleasure and satisfaction in that. He doesn't condemn us to a life of bore, a meaningless life. While we are at work pointing people to him, he blesses us and enables us to live a happy life, with the pleasures of food and drink, and the satisfaction that comes from work well done.
What a gift. What a life. What a God we have.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
My Purpose for Writing and for Life
I was inspired today to reevaluate my purpose and goals for this blog, and for my writing in general. Why am I writing? About what am I writing? For whom am I writing?
Bottom line, I'm writing to honor and glorify God. I am writing so that you can know my Jesus--the Son of God who is Lord of all.
And within that, I'm writing to encourage, build up, and inspire you--those for whom I write.
I want to write about a lot of things: homemaking, marriage, cooking, life. But I want the good news of Jesus Christ to be the common thread that runs through all of that. God is all-pervading in my life; he's the reason I am alive and he gives me purpose for life. I want my blog to reflect that.
I'm writing for you, and I'm writing for Jesus.
Maybe that sounds kind of corny. But in this little space on the internet, I have a voice, and I can use that voice to serve him: to praise him for who he is and what he has done, and to talk about the good news of his life, death, and resurrection.
I want to share a lot of things with you. I'm thankful for each of my readers, and yes, I hope my readership will grow. But I want that mostly so that I can tell all of you who read these words of mine, that Jesus loves you.
I want you to know that: Jesus loves you. So much. So much that he, the Son of God, came to earth as a human, lived, and died, and rose again, for you. He did this so you can have a relationship with him, have faith in him as your Lord and Savior, and spend eternity in heaven with him.
As a sinful person, I won't always accomplish what I set out to do on this blog. I might focus more on myself than my God. When that happens, I ask that you graciously look past my faults to the perfect God who, by his grace, I do my best to serve.
He has done everything for me, and he has done everything for you. Please rest in the knowledge today that the Creator and King of the universe--loves--you.
Linking with: The Fontenot Four, black tag diaries, There's Just One Mommy, Loved and Lovely
Bottom line, I'm writing to honor and glorify God. I am writing so that you can know my Jesus--the Son of God who is Lord of all.
And within that, I'm writing to encourage, build up, and inspire you--those for whom I write.
I want to write about a lot of things: homemaking, marriage, cooking, life. But I want the good news of Jesus Christ to be the common thread that runs through all of that. God is all-pervading in my life; he's the reason I am alive and he gives me purpose for life. I want my blog to reflect that.
I'm writing for you, and I'm writing for Jesus.
Maybe that sounds kind of corny. But in this little space on the internet, I have a voice, and I can use that voice to serve him: to praise him for who he is and what he has done, and to talk about the good news of his life, death, and resurrection.
I want to share a lot of things with you. I'm thankful for each of my readers, and yes, I hope my readership will grow. But I want that mostly so that I can tell all of you who read these words of mine, that Jesus loves you.
I want you to know that: Jesus loves you. So much. So much that he, the Son of God, came to earth as a human, lived, and died, and rose again, for you. He did this so you can have a relationship with him, have faith in him as your Lord and Savior, and spend eternity in heaven with him.
As a sinful person, I won't always accomplish what I set out to do on this blog. I might focus more on myself than my God. When that happens, I ask that you graciously look past my faults to the perfect God who, by his grace, I do my best to serve.
He has done everything for me, and he has done everything for you. Please rest in the knowledge today that the Creator and King of the universe--loves--you.
Linking with: The Fontenot Four, black tag diaries, There's Just One Mommy, Loved and Lovely
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thankfulness in the Midst of Suffering
Some days, thankfulness does not come easily.
Less than a week ago, twelve people were killed and several dozen more injured in a senseless shooting in Colorado.
A few hours after that occurred, Joshua and I learned that a fellow student from our college had committed suicide. She was twenty years old.
These are only the tragedies that have touched us and been a part of our lives recently. The world is full of evil, pain, suffering, and things that don't make sense.
How can we be thankful in the face of such suffering?
"F" commented on yesterday's post,
Because, despite all the pain, suffering, and confusion, he does make good come out of it.
Suffering is never purposeless.
It may seem that way at times, because we can't always see how God will use it. But we know, we can trust, that he will.
And, we can be thankful because God tells us to be.
There is always something to be thankful for, in every circumstance, because God is present in every circumstance.
So I am thankful.
I am thankful that God is using the Aurora tragedy to provide believers with opportunities to give testimony to God's grace and goodness, even in the face of evil.
I am thankful that despite the fires, drought and heat, few lives have been lost and there is an end in sight.
I am thankful that God is always in control, that he has power over all things including the forces of nature, and that he is a compassionate and gracious God who will provide for his people no matter what.
I am thankful that in my own life, I am so blessed, with an amazing husband, incredible friends, and family (who I get to see in less than four days!!!).
I am thankful for work--30 hours this week! God is so good.
I am thankful for the ways God continually helps to stretch and grow me, to mold me into a person more like him.
I am thankful for forgiveness, because I screw up royally every day. (And that's forgiveness from God and my incredibly patient husband!)
I am thankful for the fact that this world is not the end. If this life is it, where is the purpose and meaning? But God has so much more planned. Give me God!
Linking up with lovely ladies:
black tag diaries; Kate Says Stuff; First Day of My Life; A Punk, a Pumpkin and a Peanut; The Fontenot Four; Live Called
Less than a week ago, twelve people were killed and several dozen more injured in a senseless shooting in Colorado.
A few hours after that occurred, Joshua and I learned that a fellow student from our college had committed suicide. She was twenty years old.
These are only the tragedies that have touched us and been a part of our lives recently. The world is full of evil, pain, suffering, and things that don't make sense.
How can we be thankful in the face of such suffering?
"F" commented on yesterday's post,
"It's so hard to trust that in our pain or struggle something awesome is happening. On the other hand, to think that was it--pain and suffering just 'cause? No way. Give me God!"We can be thankful because God exists.
Because, despite all the pain, suffering, and confusion, he does make good come out of it.
Suffering is never purposeless.
It may seem that way at times, because we can't always see how God will use it. But we know, we can trust, that he will.
And, we can be thankful because God tells us to be.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Thankfulness is to be our constant attitude.
There is always something to be thankful for, in every circumstance, because God is present in every circumstance.
So I am thankful.
I am thankful that God is using the Aurora tragedy to provide believers with opportunities to give testimony to God's grace and goodness, even in the face of evil.
I am thankful that despite the fires, drought and heat, few lives have been lost and there is an end in sight.
I am thankful that God is always in control, that he has power over all things including the forces of nature, and that he is a compassionate and gracious God who will provide for his people no matter what.
I am thankful that in my own life, I am so blessed, with an amazing husband, incredible friends, and family (who I get to see in less than four days!!!).
I am thankful for work--30 hours this week! God is so good.
I am thankful for the ways God continually helps to stretch and grow me, to mold me into a person more like him.
I am thankful for forgiveness, because I screw up royally every day. (And that's forgiveness from God and my incredibly patient husband!)
I am thankful for the fact that this world is not the end. If this life is it, where is the purpose and meaning? But God has so much more planned. Give me God!
Linking up with lovely ladies:
black tag diaries; Kate Says Stuff; First Day of My Life; A Punk, a Pumpkin and a Peanut; The Fontenot Four; Live Called
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Faith and Understanding
There are two different responses to what we experience in life that may be frustrating, confusing, or unexpected.
We can simply trust God,
or try to understand why He is doing (or allowing--there is a BIG difference!) certain things in our life.
Which one is more honoring to Him?
Our God is a big God. It is simply impossible to fully understand Him.
If we spend all our energies in the quest to understand all the whys in our life, we won't have energy for doing anything else...
like putting our trust in Him.
We can't understand God. We shouldn't expect to. However, that doesn't negate the fact that we are required to trust Him unconditionally.
God doesn't ask us to understand everything that happens in our lives. He doesn't ask us to understand Him. There are things about God that are too wonderful for us to know...too big and awesome for our human minds to comprehend.
And that's okay.
But when we do understand, it is not by our own wisdom, but by His.
It is good to be able to understand.
It is essential that we have faith.
Faith in the grace of Jesus Christ, in His redemption for us on the cross, is what saves us.
The next time that something frustrating, confusing, or difficult comes our way,
how will we respond?
Will we seek to understand
or thank God for the gift of faith, that allows us to trust even those things "we do not see"?
Perhaps in His wisdom, God will allow us both faith and understanding...
but we can trust that He will do what He knows is best.
Inspired by this post by my dear friend Sara (and the discussion we had about it).
Linking up today with these lovely women:
New Life Steward; Upward Not Inward; Exceptionalistic; Deep Roots at Home; Raising Homemakers; A Wise Woman Builds Her Home; Women Living Well; The Fontenot Four
We can simply trust God,
or try to understand why He is doing (or allowing--there is a BIG difference!) certain things in our life.
Which one is more honoring to Him?
Our God is a big God. It is simply impossible to fully understand Him.
If we spend all our energies in the quest to understand all the whys in our life, we won't have energy for doing anything else...
like putting our trust in Him.
We can't understand God. We shouldn't expect to. However, that doesn't negate the fact that we are required to trust Him unconditionally.
God doesn't ask us to understand everything that happens in our lives. He doesn't ask us to understand Him. There are things about God that are too wonderful for us to know...too big and awesome for our human minds to comprehend.
And that's okay.
"Then Job replied to the Lord: 'I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted....Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know...." -Job 42:1-2, 3bThis doesn't mean that God will not sometimes allow us to understand His purposes.
But when we do understand, it is not by our own wisdom, but by His.
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." -Colossians 1:9Understanding is an act of the mind. Faith is an act of the heart, a gift God that is ours by the power of the Holy Spirit.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." -Hebrews 11:1
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." -Ephesians 2:9Both understanding of God and His ways, and faith in Him, are gifts that God gives us freely.
It is good to be able to understand.
It is essential that we have faith.
Faith in the grace of Jesus Christ, in His redemption for us on the cross, is what saves us.
The next time that something frustrating, confusing, or difficult comes our way,
how will we respond?
Will we seek to understand
or thank God for the gift of faith, that allows us to trust even those things "we do not see"?
Perhaps in His wisdom, God will allow us both faith and understanding...
but we can trust that He will do what He knows is best.
Inspired by this post by my dear friend Sara (and the discussion we had about it).
Linking up today with these lovely women:
New Life Steward; Upward Not Inward; Exceptionalistic; Deep Roots at Home; Raising Homemakers; A Wise Woman Builds Her Home; Women Living Well; The Fontenot Four
Monday, July 16, 2012
Trusting God's Promises
This is what I have been hearing from God the last few days:
I have chosen you; I have called you; you are Mine. (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 1:4-6)
I know you're not perfect. I've forgiven all your sins; just tell Me about them, and then we'll forget it. (1 John 1:8-10)
No, you're not a failure. I still want you to help carry out My purposes. (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 3:9)
I have a plan for you. It's okay that you don't know all about it yet. I do, and that's what matters. (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 33:10-11)
I know your life is hard sometimes, and you don't always understand why things happen the way they do. I do understand, and most importantly, I have control of everything. Nothing happens without my permission. (Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7)
Trust me. In everything. I'm bigger than all your problems, and I will take care of you. (1 Peter 5:6-7; Romans 8:35-39)
These promises of God are true for you, too.
Read those passages from His words to you. Yes, God wrote the Scriptures with you in mind--and me, and everyone else who has ever lived.
Just trust in his promises. Read these words of God, spoken through Paul to the Thessalonian believers:
I have chosen you; I have called you; you are Mine. (2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 1:4-6)
I know you're not perfect. I've forgiven all your sins; just tell Me about them, and then we'll forget it. (1 John 1:8-10)
No, you're not a failure. I still want you to help carry out My purposes. (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 3:9)
I have a plan for you. It's okay that you don't know all about it yet. I do, and that's what matters. (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 33:10-11)
I know your life is hard sometimes, and you don't always understand why things happen the way they do. I do understand, and most importantly, I have control of everything. Nothing happens without my permission. (Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7)
Trust me. In everything. I'm bigger than all your problems, and I will take care of you. (1 Peter 5:6-7; Romans 8:35-39)
These promises of God are true for you, too.
Read those passages from His words to you. Yes, God wrote the Scriptures with you in mind--and me, and everyone else who has ever lived.
Just trust in his promises. Read these words of God, spoken through Paul to the Thessalonian believers:
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." -1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
God Calls the Unlikeliest of Servants
The book of Judges is one of the most exciting books of the Bible, in my opinion. It's full of battles, bravery, and unlikely heroes. And more importantly, it contains stories about God's righteous judgment, His mercy, and forgiveness.
Many chapters in the book begin with the phrase, "Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord..." Over and over God's people turned away from Him and worshiped the false gods of the people in whose land they were living. Over and over God gave the people over to their enemies because they had abandoned Him. Again and again the people pleaded with God to rescue them, so He sent people to care for them, rescue them from their enemies, and lead them into victorious battles.
Only when God was in charge of the Israelites did they win those battles. And God almost always chose the unlikeliest of people to lead Israel. One of those people was Gideon. He, his family and their people were in a desperate situation. The Midianites had taken over their land, destroyed all their crops and livestock, and forced Israel to flee to caves and hideouts in the mountains for refuge. Israel was so afraid of Midian that when Gideon, the youngest of his father's sons, was given the job of threshing wheat, he had to do it in a winepress in order to not be seen by the Midianites (Judges 6:1-11).
It was this man, who had lost almost everything and living in constant fear, who God called to lead His people.
Gideon was reluctant. He protested that he was too young and weak. He asked where God had been, why He had abandoned His people to Midian (Judges 6:13-15).
God was patient. He reassured Gideon. He gave him instructions, and God also gave Gideon proof and signs that God would do what He had promised. He would save Israel.
And he did. Gideon gathered thirty-two thousand men from the tribes of Israel. In order to make clear that God would save them, not Gideon, God instructed Gideon to pare down the army from the thirty-two thousand, to twenty-two thousand, to three hundred men. Those three hundred were the men God used to rescue Israel from the Midianites.
(The battle story is an exciting one. To read the whole thing, go to Judges chapter seven!)
Gideon and the Israelites are not unlike many believers in God today. We often ignore His laws, and then question God as to why He has abandoned us--when it is not He who has left us, but we who have left Him. Then, when he calls us to serve him, we protest that we are unable, that we need more proof from God that this is really what he wants us to do.
This is exactly what Israel did, and it is exactly what I see myself doing.
I don't always obey God. Then, when I have troubles, I wonder why He's not getting me out of them. It's not that He's turned away from me. It's I who have turned away from Him!
He is gracious, and He still calls me his child. He still has work for me to do. But I question whether or not I can do it.
I'm just a young woman. I don't have much experience in anything. I don't have money to travel anywhere to share the Gospel. I'm not that good of a writer. I fail all the time as a wife.
I protest and find excuses why I'm not qualified to serve God.
Why do I think it's all about me?
God doesn't need me. He has chosen me to serve Him, and to help fulfill His purposes.
He doesn't rely on MY strength to fulfill His will. He gives me HIS strength!
No, Gideon wasn't qualified.
I'm not either.
But that doesn't matter to God. We don't get in His way.
He gives us jobs to do, and then He gives us the means to do them.
All He does is ask that we are obedient. That we listen to Him, and follow His calling.
And we can have faith that He will do what He has promised.
God will take care of us. He will provide for us. It will not always be in the way we imagine. But it will be in the way that God knows is best, and that will bring Him glory.
Have you ever heard this phrase:
"God doesn't call the equipped. He equips those He calls."
That was true for Gideon.
It is true for me.
AND it is true for you.
God has a plan for you. You are someone He has chosen to help carry out His purposes. Whatever He calls you to do, He will enable you to do it.
He is big, almighty, eternal, and all-powerful. We can trust that He will keep His promises...just like he did for Gideon.
Linking with:
Many chapters in the book begin with the phrase, "Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord..." Over and over God's people turned away from Him and worshiped the false gods of the people in whose land they were living. Over and over God gave the people over to their enemies because they had abandoned Him. Again and again the people pleaded with God to rescue them, so He sent people to care for them, rescue them from their enemies, and lead them into victorious battles.
Only when God was in charge of the Israelites did they win those battles. And God almost always chose the unlikeliest of people to lead Israel. One of those people was Gideon. He, his family and their people were in a desperate situation. The Midianites had taken over their land, destroyed all their crops and livestock, and forced Israel to flee to caves and hideouts in the mountains for refuge. Israel was so afraid of Midian that when Gideon, the youngest of his father's sons, was given the job of threshing wheat, he had to do it in a winepress in order to not be seen by the Midianites (Judges 6:1-11).
It was this man, who had lost almost everything and living in constant fear, who God called to lead His people.
Gideon was reluctant. He protested that he was too young and weak. He asked where God had been, why He had abandoned His people to Midian (Judges 6:13-15).
God was patient. He reassured Gideon. He gave him instructions, and God also gave Gideon proof and signs that God would do what He had promised. He would save Israel.
And he did. Gideon gathered thirty-two thousand men from the tribes of Israel. In order to make clear that God would save them, not Gideon, God instructed Gideon to pare down the army from the thirty-two thousand, to twenty-two thousand, to three hundred men. Those three hundred were the men God used to rescue Israel from the Midianites.
(The battle story is an exciting one. To read the whole thing, go to Judges chapter seven!)
Gideon and the Israelites are not unlike many believers in God today. We often ignore His laws, and then question God as to why He has abandoned us--when it is not He who has left us, but we who have left Him. Then, when he calls us to serve him, we protest that we are unable, that we need more proof from God that this is really what he wants us to do.
This is exactly what Israel did, and it is exactly what I see myself doing.
I don't always obey God. Then, when I have troubles, I wonder why He's not getting me out of them. It's not that He's turned away from me. It's I who have turned away from Him!
He is gracious, and He still calls me his child. He still has work for me to do. But I question whether or not I can do it.
I'm just a young woman. I don't have much experience in anything. I don't have money to travel anywhere to share the Gospel. I'm not that good of a writer. I fail all the time as a wife.
I protest and find excuses why I'm not qualified to serve God.
Why do I think it's all about me?
God doesn't need me. He has chosen me to serve Him, and to help fulfill His purposes.
He doesn't rely on MY strength to fulfill His will. He gives me HIS strength!
No, Gideon wasn't qualified.
I'm not either.
But that doesn't matter to God. We don't get in His way.
He gives us jobs to do, and then He gives us the means to do them.
All He does is ask that we are obedient. That we listen to Him, and follow His calling.
And we can have faith that He will do what He has promised.
God will take care of us. He will provide for us. It will not always be in the way we imagine. But it will be in the way that God knows is best, and that will bring Him glory.
Have you ever heard this phrase:
"God doesn't call the equipped. He equips those He calls."
That was true for Gideon.
It is true for me.
AND it is true for you.
God has a plan for you. You are someone He has chosen to help carry out His purposes. Whatever He calls you to do, He will enable you to do it.
He is big, almighty, eternal, and all-powerful. We can trust that He will keep His promises...just like he did for Gideon.
Linking with:
Friday, May 25, 2012
every friendship for God's purpose
I firmly believe that everything in our lives happens for a purpose.
One of my favorite Bible verses is Romans 8:28. For some comparison, here are three translations of the verse, thanks to www.biblegateway.com:
One of my favorite Bible verses is Romans 8:28. For some comparison, here are three translations of the verse, thanks to www.biblegateway.com:
Amplified Bible (AMP)
28 We
are assured and know that [[a]God being a partner in their labor]
all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who
love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.
Footnotes:
English Standard Version (ESV)
28 And
we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, [a] for those who are
called according to his purpose.
Footnotes:
Romans 8:28 Some
manuscripts God works all
things together for good, or God
works in all things for the good
New Living Translation (NLT)
28 And
we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good
of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Footnotes:
My NIV Bible reads, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This is my favorite translation, along with the NLT, because of one thing: Those versions focus on God working. Yes, everything does work out in our lives for good--but it's not because of luck, or some unknown force. It's because of GOD. It's important to remember that we might not understand why he allows certain things to happen. God does not cause evil. Evil is a result of the work of Satan and every person's own sinful nature. However, God sometimes allows evil to happen because through it he can work good. We may not see at the time why certain things happen. We may never know why it was allowed. But we can trust that God worked some good out of it--because he always does.
Specifically today I want to talk about how God brings people into our lives to fulfill his purposes for us. Two dear friends of ours, Joseph and Ruth, are moving away to begin a new chapter in their lives. We've been good friends with them for just over a year: Ruth and I met and became friends in January of last year, and it's gone from there. They and we were engaged at the same time, and we got married just a couple of months before they did. We have that kind of friendship where everyone can be themselves and not feel judged in any way; we all love each other for who we are. We've been there for each other though the first year of our marriages, encouraging each other, praying for each other, and just being there.
It certainly hasn't been perfect. We all communicate in very different ways, and although we learned that and understood it, sometimes that caused misunderstandings between us. But that's what forgiveness is for.
Ruth and Joseph have been an incredible blessing to Joshua and me in so many ways. Just having friends who understand this first-year-of-marriage thing has been a huge gift. We're not as close with any other young married couples around here--although I do hope to become better friends with some other people over the next months.
I believe that God places people in our lives because he has something he wants to tell or teach us or of which we need reminding. With friends like Joseph and Ruth, and my friend Sara, some of those things are pretty obvious. God reminds us that he is always there for us. That he will always provide. That we are precious to him. That we are loved even when we feel most unlovable. That we don't have to hide who we really are. That the way he created us is the way he wants us to be. That he still has so much he wants to do in our lives. That he loves us, more than we could possibly imagine.
I am so thankful for the friends that God has placed in my and Joshua's lives. Some of them are just for a time. Others, I think, will last for years, perhaps even our whole earthly lives. Ruth and Joseph are two such friends. I take great comfort in knowing that, even if we don't see each other very much any more, we have eternity to look forward to--all of us together, in the presence of God.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Five Minute Friday: Awake
Linking up for the first time with The Gypsy Mama.
Five Minute Fridays begin with a given topic (today it's "awake") and the instructions to write, for five minutes only, on whatever that topic inspires.
I didn't want to be awake this morning. The alarm went of at 8:30, late for many people, I know, but we had stayed up a little late last night and I wanted more sleep. The bed was warm, the sheets were soft, my husband was still asleep beside me.
But I got up, eventually, with his encouragement once he woke up. I do every day, whether I like it or not. Whether I want to or not. There's always something to do, somewhere to go, someone to meet.
I spend most of my life awake. But am I really alert? Am I really paying attention to what's going on around me?
Some days I just go through the motions, just do what needs to be done. I want to do more than that. I want to be more than awake: I want to be alive, to be energized, to be eager for every new day, to look for ways to serve others and be productive with my time. I want to see God in everything. I want to embrace every opportunity to do good that He places before me. God has given me this life for a reason: I want to make the most of it. "So as you have opportunity, do good to everyone, but especially those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10, my paraphrase.)
I want to live life more than awake. I want to live it alive!
Five Minute Fridays begin with a given topic (today it's "awake") and the instructions to write, for five minutes only, on whatever that topic inspires.
I didn't want to be awake this morning. The alarm went of at 8:30, late for many people, I know, but we had stayed up a little late last night and I wanted more sleep. The bed was warm, the sheets were soft, my husband was still asleep beside me.
But I got up, eventually, with his encouragement once he woke up. I do every day, whether I like it or not. Whether I want to or not. There's always something to do, somewhere to go, someone to meet.
I spend most of my life awake. But am I really alert? Am I really paying attention to what's going on around me?
Some days I just go through the motions, just do what needs to be done. I want to do more than that. I want to be more than awake: I want to be alive, to be energized, to be eager for every new day, to look for ways to serve others and be productive with my time. I want to see God in everything. I want to embrace every opportunity to do good that He places before me. God has given me this life for a reason: I want to make the most of it. "So as you have opportunity, do good to everyone, but especially those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10, my paraphrase.)
I want to live life more than awake. I want to live it alive!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
I'm Glad to Be Me
I'm thankful for the person I am and for the body God put me in, but I tend to put myself down a lot and have been discontent with myself--my hair, my maturity and responsibility or lack thereof, my skills or lack of them.
My husband is good at encouraging me and making me feel better about myself. That helps.
I've also realized that putting myself down and not being content with myself, the way I am, is really putting God down and not being content with the way he made me to be.
David wrote in the Psalms that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
My Sunday school teacher used to say that "God don't make junk."
Two of our best friends, Ruth and Joe (they're married) told me yesterday that they think my hair is beautiful when it's down in all its wavy, sometimes-frizzy (I think) glory, something Joshua says all the time. And today Joe, who has known me for two years now, said he's enjoyed watching me grow up and mature in that time.
It's one thing for my parents to say I'm beautiful and they're proud of me. I know they mean it, and I take them at their word. But they're a little biased. :)
It's nice to be reminded of my own worth: which comes not from my own self and accomplishments but comes from the single fact that I am a created child of God.
GOD MADE ME.
He also lived, died, rose and lives again for me. For me. Me, Jaimie, with all my failures and mistakes and sorrows and flaws and sins. With all my successes and joys and talents: all gifts from God.
The God who made me.
I'm glad I'm me.
My husband is good at encouraging me and making me feel better about myself. That helps.
I've also realized that putting myself down and not being content with myself, the way I am, is really putting God down and not being content with the way he made me to be.
David wrote in the Psalms that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
My Sunday school teacher used to say that "God don't make junk."
Two of our best friends, Ruth and Joe (they're married) told me yesterday that they think my hair is beautiful when it's down in all its wavy, sometimes-frizzy (I think) glory, something Joshua says all the time. And today Joe, who has known me for two years now, said he's enjoyed watching me grow up and mature in that time.
It's one thing for my parents to say I'm beautiful and they're proud of me. I know they mean it, and I take them at their word. But they're a little biased. :)
It's nice to be reminded of my own worth: which comes not from my own self and accomplishments but comes from the single fact that I am a created child of God.
GOD MADE ME.
He also lived, died, rose and lives again for me. For me. Me, Jaimie, with all my failures and mistakes and sorrows and flaws and sins. With all my successes and joys and talents: all gifts from God.
The God who made me.
I'm glad I'm me.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Why I NEED To Write
It's been a couple of days; I know posting has been sporadic this week. Why? One word: COLLEGE. Between being gone most of each day for classes and work, having home work and work at home (read: dishes and cleaning), and then being exhausted at the end of each day, I literally haven't found time for posting.
However, it is time to start finding time. Because I need to write. In my fiction-writing class this morning, I realized why: I'm a writer, and therefore, writing is necessary. It is also imperative that I write because I need to get better at it, to keep a record of where I've been and where I'm going, and to discover what the Author of my life had in mind when He wrote my story. I know the ending already...but where is this going, God? What do You have to teach me?
Writing is my outlet. It's a way to make some sense of my crazy life and my mixed-up, feminine brain. It's a way to process what I'm learning, which is a lot, all the time. It's a way to ask myself questions, and then answer them later. For example:
Why is it so hard for me to write natural-sounding dialogue? (Note to self: start eavesdropping more. Hear and remember how people talk.)
Why do I almost always write romantic stories? (Must write something more interesting and realistic. About the young woman looking for love who doesn't find it. GAH! Still romantic! No romantic love involved, at all.)
Will I be able to make sense of philosophy? Isn't God the answer to every question of life? Shouldn't it be that easy? (I know it won't be...)
Will I get a poem into the student poetry magazine this year? (Again. PRACTICE.)
Am I going to have time to get bread made this week? To get laundry done? (That just HAS to happen, no matter what...)
How do I love my husband more, and fully, and to the best of my abilities? (God grant me grace!)
This, then, is why I need to write: to figure out for myself the answers (God's answers?) to all my questions. And hopefully, to answer someone else's questions in the process.
However, it is time to start finding time. Because I need to write. In my fiction-writing class this morning, I realized why: I'm a writer, and therefore, writing is necessary. It is also imperative that I write because I need to get better at it, to keep a record of where I've been and where I'm going, and to discover what the Author of my life had in mind when He wrote my story. I know the ending already...but where is this going, God? What do You have to teach me?
Writing is my outlet. It's a way to make some sense of my crazy life and my mixed-up, feminine brain. It's a way to process what I'm learning, which is a lot, all the time. It's a way to ask myself questions, and then answer them later. For example:
Why is it so hard for me to write natural-sounding dialogue? (Note to self: start eavesdropping more. Hear and remember how people talk.)
Why do I almost always write romantic stories? (Must write something more interesting and realistic. About the young woman looking for love who doesn't find it. GAH! Still romantic! No romantic love involved, at all.)
Will I be able to make sense of philosophy? Isn't God the answer to every question of life? Shouldn't it be that easy? (I know it won't be...)
Will I get a poem into the student poetry magazine this year? (Again. PRACTICE.)
Am I going to have time to get bread made this week? To get laundry done? (That just HAS to happen, no matter what...)
How do I love my husband more, and fully, and to the best of my abilities? (God grant me grace!)
This, then, is why I need to write: to figure out for myself the answers (God's answers?) to all my questions. And hopefully, to answer someone else's questions in the process.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
One of My Passions: Homeschooling
No, I'm not a mom yet, but I am a proud veteran of ten years of homeschooling and a homeschool high school graduate! I just had a (facebook) chat with a blogging friend who's a wife and mama and had some questions about homeschooling. I realized I've mentioned homeschooling before, but never wrote about it much. It's high time to share this important part of my life!! Here's my side of the conversation, edited slightly.
My parents' philosophy was that they wanted their children to learn ABOUT the world but not be IN it while learning about it. They wanted to teach their children (my siblings and me) what God says about the world, how we should live, and what we should believe. This is Biblical! In the book of Deuteronomy God says, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about then when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19).
My parents wanted to be the primary influence on their kids, instead of having peers and other non-family be the primary influence. After all, who knows children better than their parents? Who cares about children more than their parents? When parents are in charge of their children's education, they determine what and how their children learn and at what pace. Parents can certainly expose their children to other people, experiences, and places; homeschooling one's children doesn't mean those children have to be sheltered.
In fact, homeschooling provides opportunities for children to have experiences that public school doesn't. For example, I was in a community choir, church choir, and a homeschool co-op group; I visited Hong Kong my freshman year of high school, went on youth trips, had time for a job during the school year in high school, and spent the last half of my senior year in Indonesia
Of course, being sheltered is certainly not necessarily a bad thing. Between media, peer influences, and just the way the world is in general, I WANT my children to be sheltered until they're old and mature enough to handle what the world will throw at them. In a storm, shelter is a VERY good thing.
Just as I wouldn't put my child outside in inclement weather without proper protection and preparation, I don't want my children exposed to "the world" till they're ready to deal with it. Do I ever wish I had gone to a public or parochial school? Never. I am so very thankful that I was homeschooled. Did I "miss out" on some experiences that my regular-schooled friends had? Yes, thing like peer pressure, being away from my family all the time, exposure to drugs, alcohol, sex and violence, etc, etc, etc. My friends went on cool trips. So did I. They were in choir and other school activities. So was I.
I didn’t miss out on the good stuff.
I didn’t miss out on the good stuff.What most people mean when they say they don't want their kids to be "sheltered” is that they don’t want them to not have friends and lots of different experiences. The biggest question homeschoolers get is "What about socialization?" Well, what about it? I interacted with people of all ages for my whole childhood. I became comfortable taking care of little children and having mature conversations with adults. That was better preparation for the real world than spending my childhood surrounded by peers who were just as immature as I was. Some homeschooling parents do their kids a disservice by keeping them at home all the time. That's not a good thing. Smart parents will provide opportunities for their children to make friends, have new experiences, and meet different kinds of people.
If you’re a stay-at-home parent, you’re already “homeschooling.” That means you are your child’s primary influence, not some daycare director and a bunch of other kids.
You're teaching him everything he knows, providing opportunities for him to meet new people and learn about the world around him. You're exposing her to new things as well as protecting her from things that she's not ready to experience. That IS homeschooling.
I’m forever thankful that my parents chose to educate me at home. It paid off in so many ways and was completely worth it. Not only have I had many amazing experiences, but I’ve had opportunities to make lifelong friends, and I got an excellent education and good grades on top of it! I’ve barely touched on the positive academic aspect of homeschooling, but I’ll save that for another post!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thank You.
I promise I wasn't searching for compliments in my post the other day. I really wanted honest opinions and feedback and criticism! However, either I'm doing something right or you're all far too nice. People told me, in comments and emails, that what I write is REAL (my goal!), that the mechanics (grammar, sentence variation) of my writing are good (and this coming from an English professor!), that I am "on fire for God and it SHOWS!" (my biggest goal is to be a witness of Christ), and that I "don't need to change a thing."
Well, shucks, ladies, y'all are too kind. :)
Honestly, I was awed and honored by what you had to say. I am so blessed and encouraged by your words. Not to mention motivated to keep writing!!
I discovered Jon Acuff's Blog the other day, and boy does he have some great things to say about blogging and writing. One post really hit me. He talked about how it matters less how many people look at your blog every day, than it matters how the people who really read your blog are impacted by what you write. If there is even one person a week who is positively affected by one of my posts, then it's completely worth it. My prayer is that God just uses me to be a blessing and encouragement to others. I want to glorify him, and do that.
Well, shucks, ladies, y'all are too kind. :)
Honestly, I was awed and honored by what you had to say. I am so blessed and encouraged by your words. Not to mention motivated to keep writing!!
I discovered Jon Acuff's Blog the other day, and boy does he have some great things to say about blogging and writing. One post really hit me. He talked about how it matters less how many people look at your blog every day, than it matters how the people who really read your blog are impacted by what you write. If there is even one person a week who is positively affected by one of my posts, then it's completely worth it. My prayer is that God just uses me to be a blessing and encouragement to others. I want to glorify him, and do that.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Living Intentionally
I've been thinking about something, and I'm just going to type and see what happens.
I know that God places at times and places in our lives for a reason, or at the very least, he works in our lives to accomplish his purposes even if/when things we do are contrary to his will for us.
I don't have a (paying) job yet--I've been keeping busy at home, and I have plenty of things to do to fill my days. But it's been frustrating, not being able to make money. I've applied at a couple places, and I know I need to apply elsewhere as well.
But it's been making me wonder, am I using my time well, even though I don't have a job? Am I using my time to serve others and by doing so serve the Lord? Am I using extra free time to be in fellowship with him? Am I living my life intentionally, for a purpose, or am I just 'winging it' and kind of flying by the seat of my pants?
It feels like that sometimes, although the days are settling into a routine of sorts. I cook. I clean. I go shopping for groceries. I do laundry every week. I keep the house in order. But that list looks so pathetic when I actually see it written out.
We had friends over last night. We're having some young people from our church here tonight, going to a movie and having them here for games and cookies, one other thing I need to do this afternoon (bake).
I try to have the house in order and myself looking nice when my husband comes home from work.
I don't have many friends in town right now, but I'm trying to keep in touch with the ones that are. We see hubby's family at least once every couple weeks.
So, I'm trying, to have a purpose in life right now, and to glorify God in what I'm doing. My vocation at this moment is to be a wife and homemaker, and although that might seem like a short list of responsibilities, I'm trying to do my very best at them to be a blessing to my husband first and foremost, and everyone else we come in contact with as well.
I feel like I'm defending myself...to myself. Which I shouldn't have to. Maybe I'm just trying to figure out what it is I'm doing and why. But I know that even the in simplest things that I do to serve others, I'm serving God. By loving my husband I'm loving our God who made him and who gave us to each other. Feeding friends is like having Christ at my table. What a blessing, what an honor it is, to serve God in these vocations he's given me!!! Thank you Jesus :)
I know that God places at times and places in our lives for a reason, or at the very least, he works in our lives to accomplish his purposes even if/when things we do are contrary to his will for us.
I don't have a (paying) job yet--I've been keeping busy at home, and I have plenty of things to do to fill my days. But it's been frustrating, not being able to make money. I've applied at a couple places, and I know I need to apply elsewhere as well.
But it's been making me wonder, am I using my time well, even though I don't have a job? Am I using my time to serve others and by doing so serve the Lord? Am I using extra free time to be in fellowship with him? Am I living my life intentionally, for a purpose, or am I just 'winging it' and kind of flying by the seat of my pants?
It feels like that sometimes, although the days are settling into a routine of sorts. I cook. I clean. I go shopping for groceries. I do laundry every week. I keep the house in order. But that list looks so pathetic when I actually see it written out.
We had friends over last night. We're having some young people from our church here tonight, going to a movie and having them here for games and cookies, one other thing I need to do this afternoon (bake).
I try to have the house in order and myself looking nice when my husband comes home from work.
I don't have many friends in town right now, but I'm trying to keep in touch with the ones that are. We see hubby's family at least once every couple weeks.
So, I'm trying, to have a purpose in life right now, and to glorify God in what I'm doing. My vocation at this moment is to be a wife and homemaker, and although that might seem like a short list of responsibilities, I'm trying to do my very best at them to be a blessing to my husband first and foremost, and everyone else we come in contact with as well.
I feel like I'm defending myself...to myself. Which I shouldn't have to. Maybe I'm just trying to figure out what it is I'm doing and why. But I know that even the in simplest things that I do to serve others, I'm serving God. By loving my husband I'm loving our God who made him and who gave us to each other. Feeding friends is like having Christ at my table. What a blessing, what an honor it is, to serve God in these vocations he's given me!!! Thank you Jesus :)
Friday, June 17, 2011
Why Do I Write?
A friend's blog post got me thinking today (thank you Teagan!). I started out this whole blogging thing in order to give myself more encouragement to read my Bible daily. And you know what? I've read my Bible almost every day for the past two weeks (I just leave it sitting open on the couch, and it's the first thing I do after Hubby leaves for work, usually before breakfast dishes!). I HAVEN'T blogged every day the last two weeks. What that means is, I'm finally getting into the Bible-reading habit, and blogging isn't necessarily the reason for it! Thank you Jesus!!
Now, that doesn't mean I can get cocky; this habit is something I'll have to cultivate till it becomes so natural that not doing it would feel weird, like going to bed every night. However, I also want to keep up the habit of blogging. I want to keep writing. I want to get good at writing, and I do want to be noticed, because I'd really like to be a professional writer someday.
But I need to remind myself, every so often, that one of the main reasons I write is for me. It's to give me an outlet for thoughts and opinions, a way to document my life, and practice writing.
The other main reason I write is to use the talents God has given me for his glory. I want my blog posts to reflect His goodness in my life, and for my thoughts-in-words to give testimony to the faith that He has given me. Paul wrote to the Colossians, "Whatever you do, whether in WORD or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17, emphasis mine). I want my whole life, including what I write, to be in the name of Jesus and to give glory to the Father.
That's why I write.
Now, that doesn't mean I can get cocky; this habit is something I'll have to cultivate till it becomes so natural that not doing it would feel weird, like going to bed every night. However, I also want to keep up the habit of blogging. I want to keep writing. I want to get good at writing, and I do want to be noticed, because I'd really like to be a professional writer someday.
But I need to remind myself, every so often, that one of the main reasons I write is for me. It's to give me an outlet for thoughts and opinions, a way to document my life, and practice writing.
The other main reason I write is to use the talents God has given me for his glory. I want my blog posts to reflect His goodness in my life, and for my thoughts-in-words to give testimony to the faith that He has given me. Paul wrote to the Colossians, "Whatever you do, whether in WORD or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17, emphasis mine). I want my whole life, including what I write, to be in the name of Jesus and to give glory to the Father.
That's why I write.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
"Certain of What We Do Not See:" Hebrews 11:1
Faith: a precious, undeserved, and completely free gift, yet it is something I struggle with, a LOT. Especially these last few days, for reasons that don't need to be shared publicly. Suffice it to say that I have been worrying about the future, doubting in God's providence, struggling to understand how he will take care of me, of us, and in short: I have been focused on myself and my little struggles and worries instead of on GOD and how big, powerful, all-knowing and compassionate he is.
He has been sending messages my way a lot lately, through my mom and some other women I don't even know yesterday, and today in church and again through my amazing mother.
The hymns we sang in church today were "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" (he hears my prayers, I can go to him and he is always there for me, no matter what), "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" (God cares for my every need, I am his, and he will guide my life), "Children of the Heavenly Father" (I am his child, he protects me from all harm, nothing will separate me from his love), and most encouraging of all, "We Walk By Faith and Not By Sight." God is always near us, we can rejoice in his promise that he is always there, and we have nothing to fear in this life because we will spend eternity with him.
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." My mom sent me an email this morning that also included 2 Corinthians 4:18: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Today's epistle spoke to me, too, from 1 Corinthians: "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong...He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption." (1:25-26, 30)
I am very often foolish, weak in faith and body. But God is wiser and stronger in his foolishness and weakness than I am ever wise or strong. He gives me strength to have faith- to be sure of what I hope for, certain of what I do not, what I cannot, see. He knows my future. And he holds it in his hands. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'" (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
God has good plans for my future, plans to give me hope! He is there when I seek him, there when I don't, always hearing my prayers, even if I can't feel him.
Faith isn't about feeling. Faith is resting in the knowledge that God is God and I am not, and that is how it is supposed to be. God is there, God is real, God is in control, even when I can't see where my life is going. God loves me and forgives me and blesses me even when I fall away from him and struggle to trust in him. This is grace!
So. Today, I am going to be sure of what I hope for, and certain of what I cannot see.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Vocation: God at Work in Me
With ten minutes till my next class, I just wanted to post part of what we discussed in my last class, Faith and Life. We're reading the book "God at Work" by Gene Edward Vieth, and discussing what vocation means for us.
To me, vocation is the gifts, responsibilities, and roles that God has given me in order that he might accomplish his purposes through me. Those could be the gifts of writing and encouragement, the responsibilites of student and employee, and the roles of fiance, daughter, and friend. In all of these, God works through me to bless others. And in the same way, I am blessed through others' vocations.
A vocation is a means by which God is glorified through me. There are as many vocations as there are people, really, and that's part of how Christians are the body of Christ. One could use the analogy of a machine or a body to envision how each member has their own unique role and job, and they all work together to accomplish God's purposes. As members of the body, I can't do the same things everyone else can, and others can't do all the things I can. But we are each called to do our part as well as we can, by God's grace, and through us his work is done.
For my life, this means doing the best I can at everything to glorify God. I work hard at my studies, I am a good worker at my job, I live my roles as fiance, daughter, sister and friend the best I can. But the wonderful thing about that is, even when I sin and don't do as well as I could, God can still work through me. God's purposes being accomplished doesn't depend on my doing everything perfectly. God can work through me despite me. It reminds me, again, of Romans 8:28: God works ALL things out for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (The word "vocation", incidentally, comes from the Latin word "vocatio" which means "calling".) Even when Satan tries his hardest to accomplish his purposes, God can work through that and use even bad things to accomplish great good. Even though I am a sinful being, God is not bound my humanity and uses me for his work, by his grace.
Today, I am going to remember that I am a called child of God, and I have the honor of serving him through all my vocations, and that God works through me no matter what.
To me, vocation is the gifts, responsibilities, and roles that God has given me in order that he might accomplish his purposes through me. Those could be the gifts of writing and encouragement, the responsibilites of student and employee, and the roles of fiance, daughter, and friend. In all of these, God works through me to bless others. And in the same way, I am blessed through others' vocations.
A vocation is a means by which God is glorified through me. There are as many vocations as there are people, really, and that's part of how Christians are the body of Christ. One could use the analogy of a machine or a body to envision how each member has their own unique role and job, and they all work together to accomplish God's purposes. As members of the body, I can't do the same things everyone else can, and others can't do all the things I can. But we are each called to do our part as well as we can, by God's grace, and through us his work is done.
For my life, this means doing the best I can at everything to glorify God. I work hard at my studies, I am a good worker at my job, I live my roles as fiance, daughter, sister and friend the best I can. But the wonderful thing about that is, even when I sin and don't do as well as I could, God can still work through me. God's purposes being accomplished doesn't depend on my doing everything perfectly. God can work through me despite me. It reminds me, again, of Romans 8:28: God works ALL things out for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (The word "vocation", incidentally, comes from the Latin word "vocatio" which means "calling".) Even when Satan tries his hardest to accomplish his purposes, God can work through that and use even bad things to accomplish great good. Even though I am a sinful being, God is not bound my humanity and uses me for his work, by his grace.
Today, I am going to remember that I am a called child of God, and I have the honor of serving him through all my vocations, and that God works through me no matter what.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
He Forgives, He Loves: 1 John
1 John 1:8-9 is part of the liturgy (which Divine Service, I'm not sure), but it is a beautiful passage of scripture that is really speaking to me right now:
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
I do not claim to be without sin. I know my sinfulness all too well. But God is faithful and he forgives and purifies me! It's interesting that John says that God is just. He is, but if you think about it, forgiving our sins is not the fair thing to do at all. What we deserve is everlasting condemnation. But God also knew a way that he could be just and forgiving at the same time. He sent Jesus, who took our sin and our well-deserved punishment on himself, and put his righteousness on us. So when God looks at us, he sees Jesus and forgives the sins that Jesus already paid for.
John continues in chapter 2, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1-2). This sums up nicely what I just wrote!
When I consider my sinfulness, it is a wonder that God loves and claims me. But he does! John writes in chapter 3, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" We are God's children! Is that not wondrous? God loves us so much, he lavishes love on us (that's a great word), he has made us his children. Nothing could be more amazing.
Today, I am going to confess my sins to God, knowing that he will forgive them, and I am going to remember that he loves me and has made me his own child.
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
I do not claim to be without sin. I know my sinfulness all too well. But God is faithful and he forgives and purifies me! It's interesting that John says that God is just. He is, but if you think about it, forgiving our sins is not the fair thing to do at all. What we deserve is everlasting condemnation. But God also knew a way that he could be just and forgiving at the same time. He sent Jesus, who took our sin and our well-deserved punishment on himself, and put his righteousness on us. So when God looks at us, he sees Jesus and forgives the sins that Jesus already paid for.
John continues in chapter 2, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1-2). This sums up nicely what I just wrote!
When I consider my sinfulness, it is a wonder that God loves and claims me. But he does! John writes in chapter 3, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" We are God's children! Is that not wondrous? God loves us so much, he lavishes love on us (that's a great word), he has made us his children. Nothing could be more amazing.
Today, I am going to confess my sins to God, knowing that he will forgive them, and I am going to remember that he loves me and has made me his own child.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
He's Working for My Good: ALWAYS
I had originally intended to choose a Psalm to write about today, but other things are on my mind.
I'm tired. I think I'm coming down with something. My fiance is sick. I would rather skip classes for the next two days and have break now. I miss my parents and siblings. But (with the spirit of Thanksgiving quickly approaching)-- I have SO MUCH to be thankful for!!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
One of my favorite books ever is "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom. She was a Christian in Holland during WWII, and her family hid Jews in their home to protect them from the Nazis. The Jews they protected all stayed safe, but Corrie, her family and friends were arrested one day when the Nazis raided their house. Corrie and her sister Betsie were able to stay together when they were taken to the concentration camps, and they managed to smuggle in a Bible. Betsie was not strong enough to do physical labor, so she was forced to knit clothing for the Nazis while Corrie did hard manual labor. In the filthy dormitory where they lived, the beds were infested with lice. One night while reading the Bible, Corrie and Betsie came across this passage in 1 Thessalonians. Betsie prayed and thanked God for everything she could think of, including the lice. Corrie protested that she simply couldn't thank God for lice, but Betsie insisted. A few days later when Corrie returned from her work, Betsie met her joyfully. They had been holding Bible studies for other women in the dormitory, and couldn't understand why the guards were leaving them alone. That day Betsie had overheard the guards talking about why they wouldn't go into the dormitories. It was because of the lice. Corrie realized how true it is that we CAN thank God for EVERYTHING, because we can't see how he will work things out.
Paul writes in Romans 8:28, "For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Despite the little frustrations, discomforts, and inconveniences I've been experiencing lately, I know that I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13), and that includes being joyful always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances, because God will work all things out for my good, even if I can't see or understand how.
Also, when I have an eternal mindset- knowing how short and temporal this life is, and how much more there is to life than the physical things- little things like sickness or weariness hardly matter. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "But [the Lord] 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."
It is when I am at my weakest that God can work most powerfully through me, because through my weakness his strength shines all the more. Through weakness, sickness, and trials, God can be glorified in and through me. So with Paul, I can say, "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me"!
I'm tired. I think I'm coming down with something. My fiance is sick. I would rather skip classes for the next two days and have break now. I miss my parents and siblings. But (with the spirit of Thanksgiving quickly approaching)-- I have SO MUCH to be thankful for!!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
One of my favorite books ever is "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom. She was a Christian in Holland during WWII, and her family hid Jews in their home to protect them from the Nazis. The Jews they protected all stayed safe, but Corrie, her family and friends were arrested one day when the Nazis raided their house. Corrie and her sister Betsie were able to stay together when they were taken to the concentration camps, and they managed to smuggle in a Bible. Betsie was not strong enough to do physical labor, so she was forced to knit clothing for the Nazis while Corrie did hard manual labor. In the filthy dormitory where they lived, the beds were infested with lice. One night while reading the Bible, Corrie and Betsie came across this passage in 1 Thessalonians. Betsie prayed and thanked God for everything she could think of, including the lice. Corrie protested that she simply couldn't thank God for lice, but Betsie insisted. A few days later when Corrie returned from her work, Betsie met her joyfully. They had been holding Bible studies for other women in the dormitory, and couldn't understand why the guards were leaving them alone. That day Betsie had overheard the guards talking about why they wouldn't go into the dormitories. It was because of the lice. Corrie realized how true it is that we CAN thank God for EVERYTHING, because we can't see how he will work things out.
Paul writes in Romans 8:28, "For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Despite the little frustrations, discomforts, and inconveniences I've been experiencing lately, I know that I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13), and that includes being joyful always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances, because God will work all things out for my good, even if I can't see or understand how.
Also, when I have an eternal mindset- knowing how short and temporal this life is, and how much more there is to life than the physical things- little things like sickness or weariness hardly matter. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "But [the Lord] 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."
It is when I am at my weakest that God can work most powerfully through me, because through my weakness his strength shines all the more. Through weakness, sickness, and trials, God can be glorified in and through me. So with Paul, I can say, "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me"!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A Light to My Path: Psalm 119:105-112
The entirety of today's passage is great, but tonight it's verse 105 that's really speaking to me:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
I'm in the process of making a really big life decision, and although I have a lot of options I really don't know which direction to take just yet. However, I know that God has a plan for me, like the prophet Jeremiah wrote: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'" (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
God's word has direction for me, like this passage from Jeremiah, and the message I'm getting from this is that I'm to seek God first. And then everything else will fall into place. Jesus says in Matthew chapter seven, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 7:31-34)
Thank you God, for giving me your word and for showing me the way to go.
It's really all about trust and priorities. Is God the biggest priority in my life? Am I trusting him to take care of me? Am I trusting my fiancee to take care of me as well? Is he the second biggest priority in my life?
If those things are in place, everything else will fall into place after them. When I put God first, he will take care of me, and work everything else out as well, as my favorite passage in Romans says: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Today, I am going to get my priorities in order, and I am going to trust in God above all things, and let his word light my path. (Click on the link to hear a beautiful version of Amy Grant's "Thy Word".)
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
I'm in the process of making a really big life decision, and although I have a lot of options I really don't know which direction to take just yet. However, I know that God has a plan for me, like the prophet Jeremiah wrote: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'" (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
God's word has direction for me, like this passage from Jeremiah, and the message I'm getting from this is that I'm to seek God first. And then everything else will fall into place. Jesus says in Matthew chapter seven, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 7:31-34)
Thank you God, for giving me your word and for showing me the way to go.
It's really all about trust and priorities. Is God the biggest priority in my life? Am I trusting him to take care of me? Am I trusting my fiancee to take care of me as well? Is he the second biggest priority in my life?
If those things are in place, everything else will fall into place after them. When I put God first, he will take care of me, and work everything else out as well, as my favorite passage in Romans says: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Today, I am going to get my priorities in order, and I am going to trust in God above all things, and let his word light my path. (Click on the link to hear a beautiful version of Amy Grant's "Thy Word".)
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