"Polly, could you answer the door? Thanks sweetheart. Tell them I'll be right there." I said.
"Mom! Mom! Mom! You've got to hurry, it's Jesus!" she replies. "He's here at our house! Hurry up mom!"
"Oh my gosh! Are you kidding me? Jesus? Here? How do I look? Oh, this house is such a mess!", I reply. "Nevermind. Just open the door."
"Jesus! Is it really you? I can't believe you came all this way. Did I win a contest or something?" I say. "Wow! I'm just in such shock right now. I can't believe you're actually here! So, what are you here for anyways?"
"Well, as you know I've been traveling for quite some time." he replies. "And I was just wondering if I could get a drink of water and use your restroom."
"Of course you can." I say. "Whatever you need Jesus! Can I fix you something to eat? Oh, please don't mind the state of my house. Things have been so busy lately, and I just haven't had time to clean."
"Oh, your house if just fine. I didn't really notice any mess. Just looks likes someone lives here."
He notices me staring so I say, "Sorry Jesus, I don't mean to gush or make you feel uncomfortable It's just that I've never had a celebrity in my own house. In fact, I'm not sure my friends are gonna believe this. Would you mind taking a picture with me?" He nods his head. "Really? You don't mind? Could you sign it too? Wow! Sorry I keep saying that, but I mean WOW! Thanks Jesus." I'm awestruck.
.
"So, what brings you by this way?" I ask.
"Work." he replies. "I've just been carrying this cross around the world trying to share it with all of my children who are in need."
"In need of what?" I ask.
"Anything." he says. "Some need love, hope, understanding, forgiveness, food, shelter, a friend, money, compassion, healing, reprimand, laughter. Whatever they need. I provide."
"No wonder you're tired Jesus. I can't imagine how exhausting that must be."
A moment passes. "Is there anything I can do to help?" I ask.
"Funny you should ask. That's really why I'm here." Jesus says. "Like I said before, I've been carrying this cross everywhere. It's dirty, covered in blood, and my hands are full of splinters. I'm so tired, but I have so much more work to do. I was wondering if you could help me?"
I can't believe what I'm hearing. Jesus wants me! "Sure Jesus. I love that cross. Without it, you would have never come here." I say. "You name it, and I'll do it. I'm a pretty good cook. Would that help? How about money? I think I could scrape up some extra this month."
"Well, actually Leslea, I was hoping you would come with me." he says.
Silence...
"What do you mean come with you?"
"I mean just what I said. I want you to come with me. My cross is heavy, and like I said these splinters hurt pretty bad. I don't need you to carry the entire thing, just pick up the end and follow me."
"Hmmmmm." I contemplate. "Oh man. Jesus, I'm flattered really I am. But, gee. I'm not sure. How far did you say you were going?"
"Throughout my creation."
"That far huh? Well, I'd really need to talk to my husband first. Plus, I just got cast in this muscial. I can't just quit. Those people are depending on me. I actually have a pretty important part. It's also the last nine weeks of school. That means CRT tests are coming up. I can't leave the kids. I have to help get them prepared. Not to mention Polly's graduation and zoo field trip. There's no way I could miss those."
"Oh, I see." he replies.
"I'm sorry Jesus. It's not that I don't want to help. It's just that now's not the best time. Maybe I could do something else to help. I may even have some friends who I could call that would want to follow you." I suggest.
"Oh, okay. Well, thanks anyways. Oh, and thanks for the water. I think I better get back on the road."
"Okay Jesus. I can't thank you enough for stopping by. And thanks again for the picture. I can't tell you how big of a fan I am. I mean, what you did, the sacrifice you made, that was truly amazing. Maybe I'll see you around again sometime."
"Of course you will Leslea. I'm never far. All you have to do is call."
After he leaves. I look down at the picture smiling. It says, "To Leslea. My number one fan!"
Do you love the cross or carry it? How far will you go? What will you risk? Are you a fan or a follower?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Creator
In an effort to get back in gear and running again, I traded in my elliptical machine for a treadmill. As I ran, Luke kept coming into the room and asking for his turn. Finally, when I was done, I told him he could hop on and take a shot at it. I was hot, so I opened the back door and did a little star gazing. Such a beautiful, clear night. Absolutely breathtaking. Sparkling stars, cool breeze, and the smell of coming rain in the air. Doesn't get much better than that. But I managed to pull myself away and turn back around to face inside. I wanted to keep a close eye on Luke. And when I looked at him, I was frozen. Transfixed. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He didn't have a shirt on, only pants. His arms were stretched outwards on each side hanging on to the handles. Every step he took his little musles moved in rhythm. His ribs stretched. His spine turned. His shoulders contracted. And the dimples on his back just above his little tooshy were the sweetest thing of all. And there I stood. Glued to this work of art. Tears welled in my eyes as I thought of my creator. My father who turned a simple cell into my son. As I reflected on that, A star cought my eye. And I lost my breath. Pure awe for my creator.
It's kind of funny and sad at the same time. Most of us live our lives in search of knowledge. We want to know more. More than we knew before, and certainly more than anyone else. What a futile search. Immediately Isaiah 55:8-9 come to my mind:
8: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
9: "As the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thougths higher than your thoughts."
We want to know it all, but we can't. Many scientists, geniuses in fact, devote their entire lives trying to figure out the why and how of the universe. They look for proof. Measureable facts and figures that lead to concrete solutions. But, the final explanaiton eludes them. Because it's too much. We can't understand the thoughts of God who creates the heavens from a molecule. We can't understand the mind of a God who creates live from a single cell. A cell that inherently knows how to multiply and differentiate into complete organisms. But we keep looking for the answers. And eventually our search for knowledge of creation separates us for the masterful hand of our maker.
Psalms 111:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
1 Corintians 1:18-25 tells us this, 18 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. "
If we want to gain wisdom. We have to first understand that we are not capable of understanding. If we want to become wise, we need to walk in a faith that the God who created the heavens and the Earth will provide all the wisdom we need. We are so small, yet our pastor cares for us. He nurtures us, and we grow in His wisdom. And who are we to question a wisdom like that?
It's kind of funny and sad at the same time. Most of us live our lives in search of knowledge. We want to know more. More than we knew before, and certainly more than anyone else. What a futile search. Immediately Isaiah 55:8-9 come to my mind:
8: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
9: "As the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thougths higher than your thoughts."
We want to know it all, but we can't. Many scientists, geniuses in fact, devote their entire lives trying to figure out the why and how of the universe. They look for proof. Measureable facts and figures that lead to concrete solutions. But, the final explanaiton eludes them. Because it's too much. We can't understand the thoughts of God who creates the heavens from a molecule. We can't understand the mind of a God who creates live from a single cell. A cell that inherently knows how to multiply and differentiate into complete organisms. But we keep looking for the answers. And eventually our search for knowledge of creation separates us for the masterful hand of our maker.
Psalms 111:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
1 Corintians 1:18-25 tells us this, 18 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. "
If we want to gain wisdom. We have to first understand that we are not capable of understanding. If we want to become wise, we need to walk in a faith that the God who created the heavens and the Earth will provide all the wisdom we need. We are so small, yet our pastor cares for us. He nurtures us, and we grow in His wisdom. And who are we to question a wisdom like that?
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Auto Pilot
Today was a little strange. Not sure why, but my mood was a little funky. It's kind of hard to explain, but sometimes strange moods can lead to strange events. And today's strange event lead me to some new reflections and realizations.
I did not want to go to school today. I'm not sure why, it was a pretty easy day to tell the truth. I guess I was just homesick. All day long, I wanted be home. I wanted peace, quiet, rest, comfort. But, I was stuck. There was work to do. So, at luch I decided to get away from the noise and eat luch at sonic. I sat in my car with the radio off and just read a book. It was wonderful. When luch was over, I put my car in gear and took off. Auto pilot. Next thing I knew, I was almost to the highway headed home! It was a jarring experience. I had only been driving a few minutes, but my last conscious thought was the fact that it was time to go back to work. So, how did I end up on the highway headed home? I guess my subconscious REALLY wanted to go home! It's kind of funny, and I think we can all relate.
We've all done it. We're busy. we're lost in thought. We're making lists. We're replaying events. We're daydreaming. We're somewhere else. All of the sudden, we're there! Only, we don't remember how we got there, because we were stuck somewhere in between. Practice and habit seem to have taken over. Auto pilot. We're here, but how? Why? I know I've written about how we get too busy and lose focus. But sometimes it isn't just about being busy. We can lose focus just as easily when we're idle. We are flesh. Sometimes, we just want to take it easy. We don't want to have to do the hard work. We want to take the day off, and just rest. We want to go home. Because home is peace, love, comfort, rest, etc. Home is where we are free to be ourselves.
I'm not suggesting that longing for home is a bad thing. But when we get stuck on auto pilot, we allow our subconscious to deliver us to places we are not intended to be. My desire to go home today wasn't the problem. The problem, was that I let it consume me. I let it take me away from where I was. And where I was, was work. There was work to do. But, I wasn't there. I know it sounds strange, but follow me. We are called to be disciples on Earth. I'm not sure if you realized it, but being a disciple was work! It was rough. They were sent to spread the message of Christ in hostile places. They faces sickness, trials, and hardships. I know they were tired. But they didn't let their desires for rest take them away from the work they had to do. They could live in the present, because they lived in faith. A faith that promises rest when we are weary. Rest, when the work is done.
I hope you can see through my mess and hear the message. We all long for home. Not our Earthly homes, but our heavenly ones. But there is much to do before we get there. And, we can't do His work, if we're not present. I was blessed by my little wake up call today. In fact, my afternoon classes went great, and my mood was greatly transformed. I was there, and it's where I was intended to be. And when I got home, I had a greater appreciation for the rest it brought. Work isn't always fun. It's not always easy, and often drains us mentally and physically. But after the work is rest. A rest that is sufficient. A rest that takes away our need for auto pilot!
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.—Ephesians 4:28
Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.—Proverbs 18:9
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
John 9:4
I did not want to go to school today. I'm not sure why, it was a pretty easy day to tell the truth. I guess I was just homesick. All day long, I wanted be home. I wanted peace, quiet, rest, comfort. But, I was stuck. There was work to do. So, at luch I decided to get away from the noise and eat luch at sonic. I sat in my car with the radio off and just read a book. It was wonderful. When luch was over, I put my car in gear and took off. Auto pilot. Next thing I knew, I was almost to the highway headed home! It was a jarring experience. I had only been driving a few minutes, but my last conscious thought was the fact that it was time to go back to work. So, how did I end up on the highway headed home? I guess my subconscious REALLY wanted to go home! It's kind of funny, and I think we can all relate.
We've all done it. We're busy. we're lost in thought. We're making lists. We're replaying events. We're daydreaming. We're somewhere else. All of the sudden, we're there! Only, we don't remember how we got there, because we were stuck somewhere in between. Practice and habit seem to have taken over. Auto pilot. We're here, but how? Why? I know I've written about how we get too busy and lose focus. But sometimes it isn't just about being busy. We can lose focus just as easily when we're idle. We are flesh. Sometimes, we just want to take it easy. We don't want to have to do the hard work. We want to take the day off, and just rest. We want to go home. Because home is peace, love, comfort, rest, etc. Home is where we are free to be ourselves.
I'm not suggesting that longing for home is a bad thing. But when we get stuck on auto pilot, we allow our subconscious to deliver us to places we are not intended to be. My desire to go home today wasn't the problem. The problem, was that I let it consume me. I let it take me away from where I was. And where I was, was work. There was work to do. But, I wasn't there. I know it sounds strange, but follow me. We are called to be disciples on Earth. I'm not sure if you realized it, but being a disciple was work! It was rough. They were sent to spread the message of Christ in hostile places. They faces sickness, trials, and hardships. I know they were tired. But they didn't let their desires for rest take them away from the work they had to do. They could live in the present, because they lived in faith. A faith that promises rest when we are weary. Rest, when the work is done.
I hope you can see through my mess and hear the message. We all long for home. Not our Earthly homes, but our heavenly ones. But there is much to do before we get there. And, we can't do His work, if we're not present. I was blessed by my little wake up call today. In fact, my afternoon classes went great, and my mood was greatly transformed. I was there, and it's where I was intended to be. And when I got home, I had a greater appreciation for the rest it brought. Work isn't always fun. It's not always easy, and often drains us mentally and physically. But after the work is rest. A rest that is sufficient. A rest that takes away our need for auto pilot!
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.—Ephesians 4:28
Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.—Proverbs 18:9
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
John 9:4
Monday, February 14, 2011
Have you heard
It's midnight, on a school night, and here I am. I can't sleep, bcause my mind is stuck in overdrive. So, I'm waving the white flag. I'm going to get it out in pursuit of the peace that follows.
I heard a good sermon today. Maybe that's not the right way to describe it. I didn't just hear a good sermon. It was more than sound waves and vibrations leading to neuron's firing and word recognition. It was more than showing up and receiving the message. I heard it. It wasn't merely a presentation of scriptures meant to teach a lesson. It was real. The words more more than language, they were alive. And they affected me deeply. Enough so, that they have consumed my thoughts all day, and led me here.
The lesson was based on the Sermon on the Mount. I can tell you what the lesson was supposed to be about, but that wouldn't really matter, because it lead me somewhere entirely different. It kind of amazing really. How one spoken word can trasform into something unique to each of us. The spirit within guides us to the place we need to be. And for me, I needed to go back. To the beginning. Not "THE" beginning. But, to the place of my rebirth. Most of you who know me, know that my blessings are infinite. I live a very charmed life. The white picket fence and 2.5 children are more than a fairy tale for me. I live through the gift of Grace. It's easy for me to shout Jesus from the rooftops, because I don't know adversity. So, I go back.
The past...whew...not exactly my favorite place. I, like so many others, made some pretty epic mistakes. Mistakes that scar in places that never show, and seem like they'll never heal. I, like so many others, tried to fill spiritual voids with physical matter. The harder we try to fill those voids, the farther we fall. Deeper into anger, shame, and hopelessness. One of my favorite songs right now is called "Beautiful" by Mercy Me. The opening verse says this:
The days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much
I think we've all been there. In that place of fear and uncertainty. Wanting to reach out, but guarding ourselves from rejection. Today's sermon took me back to the place where I let go. The place where I surrendered my understanding in return for Grace. The place where Christ's love was shared with me. As a recipient of that blessing, how can I not share that same blessing in return. I know this entry is a little scattered. It is certainly a good representation of my head right now! I'm not really sure where this post is leading.But I know that I'm being lead place where I can't sit idly. So often we accept defeat before the battle is waged. We are so afraid of failure or of doing something wrong that we choose to do nothing. We all remember our pasts, and we allow those memories to keep us from being Jesus now. "With all the mistakes I've made, who will ever listen to me?" right??? But that's just it. Because of those mistakes, we can understand the gift of grace. Because of those mistakes, we can connect with others who are living in the same dark shadows where we once lived. Because the love of Christ was shared with us, we can share it in turn. Because we have been forgiven of our pasts, we can help show others the future. We can't wait until we are perfect to share His message, because that day will never come. We can be the hands, and feet, and heart of Christ on his Earth now. We are called to be His disciples now. The present. Here...the place where the past has lead you. Wherever that may be.
I heard a good sermon today. Maybe that's not the right way to describe it. I didn't just hear a good sermon. It was more than sound waves and vibrations leading to neuron's firing and word recognition. It was more than showing up and receiving the message. I heard it. It wasn't merely a presentation of scriptures meant to teach a lesson. It was real. The words more more than language, they were alive. And they affected me deeply. Enough so, that they have consumed my thoughts all day, and led me here.
The lesson was based on the Sermon on the Mount. I can tell you what the lesson was supposed to be about, but that wouldn't really matter, because it lead me somewhere entirely different. It kind of amazing really. How one spoken word can trasform into something unique to each of us. The spirit within guides us to the place we need to be. And for me, I needed to go back. To the beginning. Not "THE" beginning. But, to the place of my rebirth. Most of you who know me, know that my blessings are infinite. I live a very charmed life. The white picket fence and 2.5 children are more than a fairy tale for me. I live through the gift of Grace. It's easy for me to shout Jesus from the rooftops, because I don't know adversity. So, I go back.
The past...whew...not exactly my favorite place. I, like so many others, made some pretty epic mistakes. Mistakes that scar in places that never show, and seem like they'll never heal. I, like so many others, tried to fill spiritual voids with physical matter. The harder we try to fill those voids, the farther we fall. Deeper into anger, shame, and hopelessness. One of my favorite songs right now is called "Beautiful" by Mercy Me. The opening verse says this:
The days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much
I think we've all been there. In that place of fear and uncertainty. Wanting to reach out, but guarding ourselves from rejection. Today's sermon took me back to the place where I let go. The place where I surrendered my understanding in return for Grace. The place where Christ's love was shared with me. As a recipient of that blessing, how can I not share that same blessing in return. I know this entry is a little scattered. It is certainly a good representation of my head right now! I'm not really sure where this post is leading.But I know that I'm being lead place where I can't sit idly. So often we accept defeat before the battle is waged. We are so afraid of failure or of doing something wrong that we choose to do nothing. We all remember our pasts, and we allow those memories to keep us from being Jesus now. "With all the mistakes I've made, who will ever listen to me?" right??? But that's just it. Because of those mistakes, we can understand the gift of grace. Because of those mistakes, we can connect with others who are living in the same dark shadows where we once lived. Because the love of Christ was shared with us, we can share it in turn. Because we have been forgiven of our pasts, we can help show others the future. We can't wait until we are perfect to share His message, because that day will never come. We can be the hands, and feet, and heart of Christ on his Earth now. We are called to be His disciples now. The present. Here...the place where the past has lead you. Wherever that may be.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Finding the Perfect Fit
This morning was nothing out of the ordinary. It happens to me all of the time. But, for some reason, today it made me think. The suspense is killing you I'm sure. Ok, so here goes...I couldn't decide what to wear!!! Laugh it up! Go ahead. I know it's not very dramatic or life altering, but it's something every woman (and man if he admits it) deals with with alarming frequency. I tried on at least 5 different shirts and a few pairs of pants. Nothing I put on made me feel good. I was uncomforable. Each different outfit made me obsess about my tummy sticking out here, my sleeves being too short, it being too tight, or it being too baggy! AARRGGHH!!! I finally did settle on something that I was less than thrilled about wearing. I have to give a special thanks to my hubby for getting Polly ready for school, since I was too absorbed in my own vanity to worry about what she was wearing to school. I know you have all had similar mornings, but why was today different?
I have a new sister in Christ. She is soon to be moving to a new town, and I'm eager to help her get settled into a new church family so she will have the support she needs as she and her family transition. I can't tell you how excited I am to have her as my sister. She's had a hard path, and it was a long road that led her to the foot of the cross. It took a while for her to grasp the concept of grace. She was caught up in the world, and it's consequences. And, she was/is far from alone. We all get caught up in flesh. We want more stuff. We want to feel better. We harbor anger and resentment. And when we succumb to the world, we end up lost. We are unfulfilled. We are constantly searching for "it". The one thing. Only, we don't know what "the one thing" is.
When we're sick and doctors don't know what's wrong, they try different medications until a cure is found. Well, when we're caught up in the world and lost we try a lot of different ways to mask our distress. We feed away grief. We medicated away our emotional pains. We buy enough to hide our sorrow. We work to cover our inadequacies. No matter how hard we try, we find ourselves covered in sin. Filthy. Uncomfortable. We try again and again. New method after new method. But the results never change.
Fact is, no self medication can bring healing. We placate ourselves with temporary relief, but true healing comes from one place and one place only. Our heavenly father. Jehovah-Rophe. The Lord who heals. Remeber that feeling of finally slipping on the perfect dress? The one that feels so good it makes you smile? Not to mention it makes you look great too? The search is over. You can finally rest. Peace. Comfort. Joy. That's what awaits those who clothe themselves in our Saviour. We can stop looking for the magic cure or the perfect outfit, because we are healed. It doesn't take a miracle, or another trip to the shopping mall. All it takes is accepting the perfect love that was poured out to us through the perfect Son. Here are some of my favorite verses about the healing our God provides for His children. And here's my prayer for you all and hope that you find the perfect fit.
Proverbs 4:20-33, Psalm 107:19-21, Psalm 30:2, Isaiah 53:4-5, Psalm 147:3, Mat 9:20-22
I have a new sister in Christ. She is soon to be moving to a new town, and I'm eager to help her get settled into a new church family so she will have the support she needs as she and her family transition. I can't tell you how excited I am to have her as my sister. She's had a hard path, and it was a long road that led her to the foot of the cross. It took a while for her to grasp the concept of grace. She was caught up in the world, and it's consequences. And, she was/is far from alone. We all get caught up in flesh. We want more stuff. We want to feel better. We harbor anger and resentment. And when we succumb to the world, we end up lost. We are unfulfilled. We are constantly searching for "it". The one thing. Only, we don't know what "the one thing" is.
When we're sick and doctors don't know what's wrong, they try different medications until a cure is found. Well, when we're caught up in the world and lost we try a lot of different ways to mask our distress. We feed away grief. We medicated away our emotional pains. We buy enough to hide our sorrow. We work to cover our inadequacies. No matter how hard we try, we find ourselves covered in sin. Filthy. Uncomfortable. We try again and again. New method after new method. But the results never change.
Fact is, no self medication can bring healing. We placate ourselves with temporary relief, but true healing comes from one place and one place only. Our heavenly father. Jehovah-Rophe. The Lord who heals. Remeber that feeling of finally slipping on the perfect dress? The one that feels so good it makes you smile? Not to mention it makes you look great too? The search is over. You can finally rest. Peace. Comfort. Joy. That's what awaits those who clothe themselves in our Saviour. We can stop looking for the magic cure or the perfect outfit, because we are healed. It doesn't take a miracle, or another trip to the shopping mall. All it takes is accepting the perfect love that was poured out to us through the perfect Son. Here are some of my favorite verses about the healing our God provides for His children. And here's my prayer for you all and hope that you find the perfect fit.
Proverbs 4:20-33, Psalm 107:19-21, Psalm 30:2, Isaiah 53:4-5, Psalm 147:3, Mat 9:20-22
Friday, January 21, 2011
Won't you be my love
My desire is to live the love of Christ. But all to often I fail miserably. Look, I know Grace. I am a most grateful recipient. But, sometimes my small little mind just can't grasp the concept of getting something for nothing. So, I try to do more. Because, the more I do, the more I deserve what I get right???? Not only do I expect more from myself, by I project my expectations onto others. I know that's not the way it works, but sometimes it's hard to separate my lack of understanding from the truth. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is right? So here I am. Tired. Broken. Disappointed. Frustrated. Defeated. Angry. Not who I want to be. Not who I am called to be.
Today is Friday. I hit the alarm one time too many this morning. I just couldn't seem to get my engines going this morning. I fumbled through the process of getting ready, and made it to work on time, but my head was definitely not in the game. I was giving a test. That's a good thing, because It meant that I wouldn't have to repeat myself 1000 times, and still have people not hear me! I won't have to get mad because someone didn't have their homework. I wouldn't be rubbing my head or taking deep breaths to release some pressure. It's a test day. An easy day for the most part. I like to play music while the kids test, so I turned on one of my favorite bands. Have you ever played one of your favorite CD's and all of the sudden felt like you heard a song for the first time? Well, that's exactly what happened to me. I heard a song again for the first time. The song is by Mercy Me, and is called, "Won't You Be My Love." Here are some of the lyrics.
When you fall asleep tonight
In your warm and cozy room
Know that I'm awake
And I've got no shelter and no food
I am not alone
My friends are broke and lost
Looking for someone to lead them to my cross
I need your help, I need your help
Won't you be My voice calling
Won't you be My hands healing
Won't you be My feet walking into a broken world
Won't you be My chain-breaker
Won't you be My peacemaker
Won't you be My hope and joy
Won't you be My Love
It hit me like a ton of bricks! Even with all of my efforts, I am failing to share the most important thing of all. God did not ask me to do anything that he didn't do first. He isn't asking me to end world hunger, bring world pease, or cure cancer. All He's asking me to do is love. It sounds so simple, but it's so easy to lose focus. Our vision gets skewed by our own lack of understanding. Just like it's hard for us to accept God's love for the free gift that it is, it's hard for us to love freely. We like to attach regulations and expectations. So our love is no longer free. It is conditional. It is fleeting. That's why this song hit me so hard I think. It reminded me that we are not to share love born of ourselves, but to share the love of Christ. I'm not talking about a gushy, sweet, gooey kind of love. I'm talking about the love of a father. A love that gives everything but expects nothing in return. A love that comforts and heals, guides, and protects. A love that has no cost because it's value is immeasureable.
So, here's the truth. Love really does conquer all. When we allow ourselves to love freely, we are in turn freed from our anger and frustrations. I don't understand it. And that's okay. I just need to accept His love for the gift that it is. And can you imagine a greater gift? A more powerful or precious gift? It's a love that not only stands the test of time, but a love that is timeless. A love that ultimately overcame death and offers life. Not just eternal life, but life now. Hope now. Purpose now. How can we keep a gift like that to ourselves?
Some of my favorite verses/chapters about love: 1 Corintians 13, Colossians 3:14, 1 Peter 4:8, 1John 3:16-18, 1 John 4:8, John 15:13
Today is Friday. I hit the alarm one time too many this morning. I just couldn't seem to get my engines going this morning. I fumbled through the process of getting ready, and made it to work on time, but my head was definitely not in the game. I was giving a test. That's a good thing, because It meant that I wouldn't have to repeat myself 1000 times, and still have people not hear me! I won't have to get mad because someone didn't have their homework. I wouldn't be rubbing my head or taking deep breaths to release some pressure. It's a test day. An easy day for the most part. I like to play music while the kids test, so I turned on one of my favorite bands. Have you ever played one of your favorite CD's and all of the sudden felt like you heard a song for the first time? Well, that's exactly what happened to me. I heard a song again for the first time. The song is by Mercy Me, and is called, "Won't You Be My Love." Here are some of the lyrics.
When you fall asleep tonight
In your warm and cozy room
Know that I'm awake
And I've got no shelter and no food
I am not alone
My friends are broke and lost
Looking for someone to lead them to my cross
I need your help, I need your help
Won't you be My voice calling
Won't you be My hands healing
Won't you be My feet walking into a broken world
Won't you be My chain-breaker
Won't you be My peacemaker
Won't you be My hope and joy
Won't you be My Love
It hit me like a ton of bricks! Even with all of my efforts, I am failing to share the most important thing of all. God did not ask me to do anything that he didn't do first. He isn't asking me to end world hunger, bring world pease, or cure cancer. All He's asking me to do is love. It sounds so simple, but it's so easy to lose focus. Our vision gets skewed by our own lack of understanding. Just like it's hard for us to accept God's love for the free gift that it is, it's hard for us to love freely. We like to attach regulations and expectations. So our love is no longer free. It is conditional. It is fleeting. That's why this song hit me so hard I think. It reminded me that we are not to share love born of ourselves, but to share the love of Christ. I'm not talking about a gushy, sweet, gooey kind of love. I'm talking about the love of a father. A love that gives everything but expects nothing in return. A love that comforts and heals, guides, and protects. A love that has no cost because it's value is immeasureable.
So, here's the truth. Love really does conquer all. When we allow ourselves to love freely, we are in turn freed from our anger and frustrations. I don't understand it. And that's okay. I just need to accept His love for the gift that it is. And can you imagine a greater gift? A more powerful or precious gift? It's a love that not only stands the test of time, but a love that is timeless. A love that ultimately overcame death and offers life. Not just eternal life, but life now. Hope now. Purpose now. How can we keep a gift like that to ourselves?
Some of my favorite verses/chapters about love: 1 Corintians 13, Colossians 3:14, 1 Peter 4:8, 1John 3:16-18, 1 John 4:8, John 15:13
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
