1. They listen to you, and seek to understand you.
2. They say profound things that make you think.
3. They ask you questions that make you think even deeper.
4. They don't push themselves on you.
5. They call you "cheerful" or "friendly".
6. They tease you about being an extravert.
7. They understand your need for space, downtime, and alone time.
8. You don't have to worry that they're upset if you don't talk to them all the time.
9. They don't expect you to be outgoing and bouncing-off-the-walls all the time.
10. They know their stuff - they're not just going to say something off the top of their heads.
11. You can have deeper conversations with them.
12. They are loyal friends.
And the list could go on...but it has to stop somewhere :)
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Seeing As God Sees
I love nature, and I've discovered there's nature everywhere, (you just have to look for it sometimes)! As I went for a little walk this morning, I found a path that lead back into a little wooded area where there was a pond. (Well, at least that's what I will call it). "How neat there's a pond back here! I wonder if I can walk around it", I thought to myself. I tried, but discovered it was more like a muddy dirty swamp than a pond. I looked down at my pants, inevitably they were dirty already. I could continue and get really wet and dirty, but I decided I didn't have the time, nor did I want to get that dirty today. As I finished exercising, I thought of the swampy pond. It has so much potential! A backhoe and some hard work and it could be a beautiful pond with nice trails around it. It's not my job to transform that section of nature though, I don't have the tools, or the skill for a job like that.
My mind couldn't help but turn to my Creator, my Jesus. He too sees the beauty in things. Just as I looked at the swampy pond as the beautiful pond it could become, so Jesus sees my potential and the potential of every fallen child on this mess of a planet we call earth. Jesus could have walked away from the mess, but instead He inserted himself into it, and risked Himself for us. He didn't just get a little dirty, He gave His life because He sees us not as dirty ugly sinners, but as the beautiful children we can become through Him! Unlike my inability to fix the pond, Jesus is God, all powerful, Creator; He has all the resources to do the work that needs to be done! He doesn't just see what needs to be done, He does it! I'm so thankful He never gives up on me, but instead continues to see me for who I can become, and gives me the tools and the life experiences to develop my character. He doesn't leave me to work alone, He does it for me, as long as I'm just as moldable as mud.
I too have a mission. I think of the people I'm here in Mississippi to reach. Some of them look messy in a way. It's not their fault it's due to the hurt, and pain and sufferings caused by sin. There are the ladies on disability who seem to have "no life". There's the boy who spends part of his life with one grandparent, and part of his life with another parent - so different than the family environment I was raised in. There's the older man we met going door-to-door, who when we asked if he enjoyed reading the Bible, he told us he doesn't read very well. It was like culture shock! I mean, we're in America! He's retired and said he'd be happy for us to come back and read the Bible with him. The there's the lady who says she doesn't want to fill out the Bible study guide because her hand shakes when she writes. There's the people who smoke, those with health issues, those who have loved ones who are in the hospital recently diagnosed with cancer, or loved ones who have just passed away. The world is a mess. Is my heart moved with compassion? Do I see people as God sees them? As His children who need the Gospel and who are precious and loved in His sight? It's too easy for me to walk away emotionally from the hurting people, rather than giving my all to the work. It's easy to let people slip who don't look like the "perfect" Bible study contacts - while I'm focused on trying to find or prepare the best Bible studies for each situation. I am reminded, all of these people have some things in common: They are beautiful people created in God's image, they are loved by God, they are open to God's Word.
"Lord give me a heart of compassion to reach people. Give me the vision to see people as You see them! Give me the heart of Jesus that works hard for people whoever they are and where ever they are. Amen."
My mind couldn't help but turn to my Creator, my Jesus. He too sees the beauty in things. Just as I looked at the swampy pond as the beautiful pond it could become, so Jesus sees my potential and the potential of every fallen child on this mess of a planet we call earth. Jesus could have walked away from the mess, but instead He inserted himself into it, and risked Himself for us. He didn't just get a little dirty, He gave His life because He sees us not as dirty ugly sinners, but as the beautiful children we can become through Him! Unlike my inability to fix the pond, Jesus is God, all powerful, Creator; He has all the resources to do the work that needs to be done! He doesn't just see what needs to be done, He does it! I'm so thankful He never gives up on me, but instead continues to see me for who I can become, and gives me the tools and the life experiences to develop my character. He doesn't leave me to work alone, He does it for me, as long as I'm just as moldable as mud.
I too have a mission. I think of the people I'm here in Mississippi to reach. Some of them look messy in a way. It's not their fault it's due to the hurt, and pain and sufferings caused by sin. There are the ladies on disability who seem to have "no life". There's the boy who spends part of his life with one grandparent, and part of his life with another parent - so different than the family environment I was raised in. There's the older man we met going door-to-door, who when we asked if he enjoyed reading the Bible, he told us he doesn't read very well. It was like culture shock! I mean, we're in America! He's retired and said he'd be happy for us to come back and read the Bible with him. The there's the lady who says she doesn't want to fill out the Bible study guide because her hand shakes when she writes. There's the people who smoke, those with health issues, those who have loved ones who are in the hospital recently diagnosed with cancer, or loved ones who have just passed away. The world is a mess. Is my heart moved with compassion? Do I see people as God sees them? As His children who need the Gospel and who are precious and loved in His sight? It's too easy for me to walk away emotionally from the hurting people, rather than giving my all to the work. It's easy to let people slip who don't look like the "perfect" Bible study contacts - while I'm focused on trying to find or prepare the best Bible studies for each situation. I am reminded, all of these people have some things in common: They are beautiful people created in God's image, they are loved by God, they are open to God's Word.
"Lord give me a heart of compassion to reach people. Give me the vision to see people as You see them! Give me the heart of Jesus that works hard for people whoever they are and where ever they are. Amen."
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Learning to Listen
One of the lessons I'm learning this summer is the lesson of listening. All people have problems, they really do. So many people just need someone to be a listening ear for them, and I just happen to be that "ear" at times. It can be hard for me at times it's like, "I just want to talk! I need someone to listen to me!" But I've learned listening is such an important, essential aspect of ministry! I now look at it as a privilege - a privilege to be that person who others are not afraid to open up to. It's amazing that people trust me, see me as a safe person, or whatever it is! As I think of listening I remember, God listens to me - He listens to people period! He listens a lot! He listens to many prayers we have, and He listens to us praise Him - even when the music isn't perfect or beautiful or heavenly! He is my example!
Beyond learning to listen to people, I'm learning to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Being a girl with lots of emotion, I'll admit, I've struggled with this. I've wondered, "How do I know if this is just me thinking or if it is really an impression of the Holy Spirit?" I don't have it all figured out yet, but it seems at the times when I question, or fight back, that it is usually the Holy Spirit! The natural heart is selfish and stubborn! And beyond that, my natural heart is doubtful! I want to be told every detail, and I want to understand things, not follow a simple impression that doesn't make sense. Learning not to doubt, not to try to figure everything out, not to wonder if I'm able, but just to say "Yes", to that impression of the Holy Spirit, is an important lesson God is patiently growing me in.
Sunday I had the opportunity to learn to listen and obey the Holy Spirit. Saturday the pastor's daughter and I had passed out flyers inviting people to the meetings in an area not from the church. We hadn't finished the neighborhood, so I decided to go back Sunday. As I drove there I was strongly impressed I should also invite people on a neighboring street. I decided to work the other neighborhood first though. After finishing it, the impression again came that I needed to do that one road. "But do I have to do it now? I'm hungry and getting tired, I can always come back to it later." But then the Holy Spirit spoke back through my thoughts, "There may be a person there NOW who needs to be invited." And with that I couldn't say no, and leave the street for later.
In just a few houses down the street I came to a house with a big sign that said "Beware of Dog". Now, honestly, I'm not afraid of dogs. But with a big fence and gate up, I wouldn't break through to get to the house. The gentleman who lived there just happened to be outside of his house, and when He saw me, he walked to the gate and we started talking. After inviting him to the meeting and drawing his attention to the fact that we all have problems, and emphasizing how the meetings show that we all have hope in Jesus, He opened up and started sharing with me some of the things he had gone through. He had been a foster child, abused, unloved, went through many different homes. He had been shot at and yet the bullets never hit him, he had almost died at another time as well. He recognized that there must have been a reason his life had been spared, and He saw God as that reason. "I'm not the most religious person, churches are so hypocritical", he told me. I mostly just listened, but as we spoke, some of his Bible questions came up, so I couldn't help but ask "Could I get your contact info and we could get together and go over some Bible studies that answer your questions?" He said he would like that. When I left he told me to keep in touch and to call him. He also asked what church I was with and when I said Seventh-day Adventist and told him it was the one near him, he said "I helped put a beams in that church! I have a relative who is a Seventh-day Adventist." I couldn't help but tell the man that God had sent me to his house today, and that this was no coincidence! I left very thankful that I had listened, and realized that only God could get the glory for that Divine appointment!
What if I had said no to the Holy Spirit? I wonder how many times I have missed an opportunity because my thoughts were focused on self or going in some other wrong direction, instead of being in tune with the Holy Spirit! Pray for me, this is spiritual warfare! And I appeal to you, bring every thought into captivity, and obedience to God (see 2 Cor. 10:5). God is willing to use us ALL as we learn to just listen to the promptings of His Spirit!
Beyond learning to listen to people, I'm learning to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Being a girl with lots of emotion, I'll admit, I've struggled with this. I've wondered, "How do I know if this is just me thinking or if it is really an impression of the Holy Spirit?" I don't have it all figured out yet, but it seems at the times when I question, or fight back, that it is usually the Holy Spirit! The natural heart is selfish and stubborn! And beyond that, my natural heart is doubtful! I want to be told every detail, and I want to understand things, not follow a simple impression that doesn't make sense. Learning not to doubt, not to try to figure everything out, not to wonder if I'm able, but just to say "Yes", to that impression of the Holy Spirit, is an important lesson God is patiently growing me in.
Sunday I had the opportunity to learn to listen and obey the Holy Spirit. Saturday the pastor's daughter and I had passed out flyers inviting people to the meetings in an area not from the church. We hadn't finished the neighborhood, so I decided to go back Sunday. As I drove there I was strongly impressed I should also invite people on a neighboring street. I decided to work the other neighborhood first though. After finishing it, the impression again came that I needed to do that one road. "But do I have to do it now? I'm hungry and getting tired, I can always come back to it later." But then the Holy Spirit spoke back through my thoughts, "There may be a person there NOW who needs to be invited." And with that I couldn't say no, and leave the street for later.
In just a few houses down the street I came to a house with a big sign that said "Beware of Dog". Now, honestly, I'm not afraid of dogs. But with a big fence and gate up, I wouldn't break through to get to the house. The gentleman who lived there just happened to be outside of his house, and when He saw me, he walked to the gate and we started talking. After inviting him to the meeting and drawing his attention to the fact that we all have problems, and emphasizing how the meetings show that we all have hope in Jesus, He opened up and started sharing with me some of the things he had gone through. He had been a foster child, abused, unloved, went through many different homes. He had been shot at and yet the bullets never hit him, he had almost died at another time as well. He recognized that there must have been a reason his life had been spared, and He saw God as that reason. "I'm not the most religious person, churches are so hypocritical", he told me. I mostly just listened, but as we spoke, some of his Bible questions came up, so I couldn't help but ask "Could I get your contact info and we could get together and go over some Bible studies that answer your questions?" He said he would like that. When I left he told me to keep in touch and to call him. He also asked what church I was with and when I said Seventh-day Adventist and told him it was the one near him, he said "I helped put a beams in that church! I have a relative who is a Seventh-day Adventist." I couldn't help but tell the man that God had sent me to his house today, and that this was no coincidence! I left very thankful that I had listened, and realized that only God could get the glory for that Divine appointment!
What if I had said no to the Holy Spirit? I wonder how many times I have missed an opportunity because my thoughts were focused on self or going in some other wrong direction, instead of being in tune with the Holy Spirit! Pray for me, this is spiritual warfare! And I appeal to you, bring every thought into captivity, and obedience to God (see 2 Cor. 10:5). God is willing to use us ALL as we learn to just listen to the promptings of His Spirit!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Prayer
This morning I realized I needed to take more time to pray. There were a lot of little things that had been bothering me that I just needed to work through with the Lord. I knew they weren't big issues, and yet, I had never took time to pray through each one and put them into perspective. Yes, I had been praying, but not enough. I needed over an hour to really pray through everything that was on my mind.
As I brought every little thing before the Lord, wrote in my prayer journal, and thought of Bible verses that applied to things I was dealing with, peace came. God was answering my prayer by helping me put the little things in perspective, and really focus on what was the big issue - I hadn't been focusing on Jesus enough, I had been focusing on self!
As I concluded my time in prayer, I had to bring up one more little thing. I admit, I'm not the most organized person. It bothers me greatly when I get unorganized, I strive for perfect organization, and yet, it's not something that comes naturally for me. I had lost a little pink pad of sticky notes. On the pad of paper I had written a name of someone I needed to call to invite to the evangelistic meetings coming up. As I prayed that God would help me find the sticky note, I thought to myself, "This will take more than just praying! How naïve to think I can just pray about something. I need to stop praying and search everywhere for the paper I've lost!" No sooner had this thought slipped through my mind, my eyes glanced away from my prayer journal, an my hand picked up the little pad of paper I had been missing! The paper had been right in front of me on my desk the whole time I had been praying, I just hadn't thought seen it until I prayed for it! The moment I prayed I would find it, God showed me it was right there in front of me!
Yes, God asks us to work, God asks us to be diligent, and yet, how often is the answer to our prayer so much easier than we think it is! Our problems are nothing to God! In my prayer time, I was also praying for some "big" things too, some things I probably won't get answers to for years, and yet, those things are easy for God to answer too! Just like God knew where my pad of paper was, He also has a plan for my future! He is already working out an answer to all my prayers! God knows the end from the beginning, and at the moment we pray, He is already answering our prayers and working out all things in our future according to His purpose! Praise His name!
As I brought every little thing before the Lord, wrote in my prayer journal, and thought of Bible verses that applied to things I was dealing with, peace came. God was answering my prayer by helping me put the little things in perspective, and really focus on what was the big issue - I hadn't been focusing on Jesus enough, I had been focusing on self!
As I concluded my time in prayer, I had to bring up one more little thing. I admit, I'm not the most organized person. It bothers me greatly when I get unorganized, I strive for perfect organization, and yet, it's not something that comes naturally for me. I had lost a little pink pad of sticky notes. On the pad of paper I had written a name of someone I needed to call to invite to the evangelistic meetings coming up. As I prayed that God would help me find the sticky note, I thought to myself, "This will take more than just praying! How naïve to think I can just pray about something. I need to stop praying and search everywhere for the paper I've lost!" No sooner had this thought slipped through my mind, my eyes glanced away from my prayer journal, an my hand picked up the little pad of paper I had been missing! The paper had been right in front of me on my desk the whole time I had been praying, I just hadn't thought seen it until I prayed for it! The moment I prayed I would find it, God showed me it was right there in front of me!
Yes, God asks us to work, God asks us to be diligent, and yet, how often is the answer to our prayer so much easier than we think it is! Our problems are nothing to God! In my prayer time, I was also praying for some "big" things too, some things I probably won't get answers to for years, and yet, those things are easy for God to answer too! Just like God knew where my pad of paper was, He also has a plan for my future! He is already working out an answer to all my prayers! God knows the end from the beginning, and at the moment we pray, He is already answering our prayers and working out all things in our future according to His purpose! Praise His name!
Saturday, August 30, 2014
His Truth - My Shield and Buckler
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty, I will say of the Lord He is my refuge and my fortress my God in Him will I trust....He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Psalm 91:1-2,4
As I spent time this evening going over those verses, the phrase "His truth shall be thy shield and buckler" jumped out at me. Wow! Just ponder that! HIS truth is a shield and buckler. A buckler is someone who protects. So God's is the One who protects us. One definition for a shield is "a large piece of metal, carried by someone." A shield is something that we carry to protect us. It's something we can hide behind. Not only is God our refuge and fortress, He is also a strong tower we can hide in! He is the One who shields us. So what does this principle look like practically? Let me illustrate with what I was going through today.
I crashed on a bed in a dear church members house who lived walking distance from church. Sometimes you just need a break. I don't like to admit my limitations. The realization of my human weaknesses had really caught up with me. My brain and body said "rest"! And yet I didn't like the reality of having to crash in someone else's house. As I lay there I took time to reciting Bible memory verses from memory. I imagined my Father in Heaven being right there with me saying, "I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10). "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." (Jeremiah 31:3). I'm thank that God loves me the same when I'm not performing as well as I'd like to, when I'm laying down resting, and when I'm feeling exhausted, as He does when I'm busy working. God is my Father who sees Jesus in my heart, rather than just seeing my faults. Just as He said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased", to Jesus, He looks at me as His daughter, who He is pleased in! Those truth's were what comforted me. They were the shield that shielded my mind from becoming discouraged this afternoon when I was at the breaking point.
When I thought, "I can't keep going, I'm pushing too hard...." I knew such thoughts were not truthful. "Lord," I prayed, "I'll give you my all, you are going to have to use me, you are going to have to be the One to do this, and to strengthen me, because I don't have the strength to give anymore!"
God's truth is what gives me the strength to keep going, even when I'm tired, even when I see all my faults and am amazed at how God is still working through me. Rather than getting overwhelmed by feelings of exhaustion, or looking at my weaknesses and saying "I can't"; I look to the promise of God that says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13). "Even the youths shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall, but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:29-30). This is how God's truth becomes my shield and buckler! It's the battle of the mind, it's the mind being able to accept the truth that God's says, even when I feel the opposite! It's realizing that God will carry me through!
Nothing anyone else can do for me - not even the prayers, support, love, or encouragement of my church family, my family, or friends - can be my "safe place", shield, or buckler! My accomplishments, my understanding of things can't be my shield! I'm a young person who covets knowledge. I love learning and I want to understand everything! I've always wanted to be an intellectual person. In my human reasonsing, educaiton would be a great shield to "hide behind"! And yet I'm in a place where I can't trust my education, I don't have enough! And even if I had more, it wouldn't tell me how to reach the hearts of my Bible study contacts! Only God's truth can be my shield, and buckler! As the hymn syas, "Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior". That is where we each need to be! May God's truth be your shield and buckler! In a world that is falling a part, in a world of problems, in a world that has no safe place other than God, may He be our hiding place!
Why God Doesn't Let Us "Have it all Together"
I'll admit it, I've always wanted to be one of those people who "has it all together", and yet, I've failed miserably, every place I go! So here's why I believe God doesn't let us "have it all together". (Oh, and by the way, if you think you have your life all together, or know someone who does I'd like to meet them!)
"Someday maybe I'll "have it all together", I thought to myself. And then the untruthfulness of that statement hit me! As I grow, and learn, God will keep giving me bigger responsibilities and challenges, thus, I will not reach the point where I can say, "I've arrived, I've got this all under control!" As I think of the adults who I look up to - the ones who are serving God with their whole hearts - I realize they have challenges too. I've come to know pastors, teachers, and professors, as friends, and they've helped me realize that they are people too. People who all have their own struggles. (Having said this, I respect them more not less). Some may still have those feelings of being overwhelmed at times, or health challenges, or other trials. We all have problems! The adults I look up to, still can't say "We've arrived". They are having to depend upon God for their strength too. As I grow and learn more, there will still be that desire in me to be a better person.
The lesson is focus. Our focus must be on Jesus, not on ourselves. My focus can't be on me doing things perfect, or even on doing things well. It can't be on me having the strength to keep going, or on my failures. It's not about me, it's about relying on Jesus!
I believe that Satan is doing everything he can to try to distract, and to discourage His workers. But why does God allow it? God allows trials to come upon us, He allows us to fail, He allows us to see our weaknesses, so that we will turn to Him, and learn to depend upon His strength. It is then that God can say to us, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9). And we can say as Paul said, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10). Then we will be able to say, "That was GOD working - NOT me!"
People are watching us. They are watching to see if we can still hang onto our faith and our Christianity, even when we are going through difficult things. For example, I have a dear friend who is going through a divorce. She didn't deserve it. She was faithful, she did all he could, he was unfaithful. She holds no resentment for the abuse she has experienced. When I see all the work she does in the church, and as a church school teacher; I see her kindness and thoughtfulness, and I realize, "That is Christianity!" That is what I want to have! That is how the Gospel works, it enables us to keep giving to others, keep encouraging others, even when we have a lot of our own difficulties to deal with! It's a Gospel that forgives, and doesn't grow bitter. It's not a Gospel of prosperity that says, "You do this and everything will work out". It's a Gospel that reaches us in our issues, not a Gospel prevents issues from coming upon us!
God can use our challenges to help us reach others. You see, it's not us reaching down to others. Our failures and weaknesses and the trials we go through enable us to reach out to others in a way that we never could have if we "had it all together". Those who haven't experienced hardships are too far removed from the reality of the toughness of life to really help people who are hurting. If you've never hurt, you can't empathize with those who are hurting. Herein I believe is the reason God allows us to suffer. That way when we reach out to others we can say "I've struggled with that sin too, I've been through a similar difficult experience, but here is what Jesus has done for me, He can do the same for you!" In this way, we give Jesus ALL the glory, because we don't have a perfect life to pride ourselves in! We are no better than those we are reaching out to!
I believe that is what Paul meant when He wrote the following words:
"Someday maybe I'll "have it all together", I thought to myself. And then the untruthfulness of that statement hit me! As I grow, and learn, God will keep giving me bigger responsibilities and challenges, thus, I will not reach the point where I can say, "I've arrived, I've got this all under control!" As I think of the adults who I look up to - the ones who are serving God with their whole hearts - I realize they have challenges too. I've come to know pastors, teachers, and professors, as friends, and they've helped me realize that they are people too. People who all have their own struggles. (Having said this, I respect them more not less). Some may still have those feelings of being overwhelmed at times, or health challenges, or other trials. We all have problems! The adults I look up to, still can't say "We've arrived". They are having to depend upon God for their strength too. As I grow and learn more, there will still be that desire in me to be a better person.
The lesson is focus. Our focus must be on Jesus, not on ourselves. My focus can't be on me doing things perfect, or even on doing things well. It can't be on me having the strength to keep going, or on my failures. It's not about me, it's about relying on Jesus!
I believe that Satan is doing everything he can to try to distract, and to discourage His workers. But why does God allow it? God allows trials to come upon us, He allows us to fail, He allows us to see our weaknesses, so that we will turn to Him, and learn to depend upon His strength. It is then that God can say to us, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9). And we can say as Paul said, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10). Then we will be able to say, "That was GOD working - NOT me!"
People are watching us. They are watching to see if we can still hang onto our faith and our Christianity, even when we are going through difficult things. For example, I have a dear friend who is going through a divorce. She didn't deserve it. She was faithful, she did all he could, he was unfaithful. She holds no resentment for the abuse she has experienced. When I see all the work she does in the church, and as a church school teacher; I see her kindness and thoughtfulness, and I realize, "That is Christianity!" That is what I want to have! That is how the Gospel works, it enables us to keep giving to others, keep encouraging others, even when we have a lot of our own difficulties to deal with! It's a Gospel that forgives, and doesn't grow bitter. It's not a Gospel of prosperity that says, "You do this and everything will work out". It's a Gospel that reaches us in our issues, not a Gospel prevents issues from coming upon us!
God can use our challenges to help us reach others. You see, it's not us reaching down to others. Our failures and weaknesses and the trials we go through enable us to reach out to others in a way that we never could have if we "had it all together". Those who haven't experienced hardships are too far removed from the reality of the toughness of life to really help people who are hurting. If you've never hurt, you can't empathize with those who are hurting. Herein I believe is the reason God allows us to suffer. That way when we reach out to others we can say "I've struggled with that sin too, I've been through a similar difficult experience, but here is what Jesus has done for me, He can do the same for you!" In this way, we give Jesus ALL the glory, because we don't have a perfect life to pride ourselves in! We are no better than those we are reaching out to!
I believe that is what Paul meant when He wrote the following words:
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power, may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed..." 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
Thursday, August 21, 2014
True Love
There's a paradox I've come to think of recently on the topic of love. It is this: That many people with so called "loving relationships", such as friends, and family, can still be unhappy. The deepest most wonderful relationships they have with one another can still leave them feeling unloved and un-fulfilled. The other paradox, is that one who has been hurt and treated unlovingly and unfairly, can forgive, and still live a happy fulfilled life without necessarily having the advantage of being loved by other people.
The simple, and yet profound truth is that, no matter how perfect a human's love for you is - no matter how close you are - their love is not what fulfills you. Human love is imperfect. The closest human relationships - the most loving - are not truly loving apart from God's love. Human love will disappoint. Your best friends, your family, your spouse, those you love to spend your time with and those who have shown you love in the most tangible ways, will all disappoint you at one time or another. Their love is imperfect. Only God's love can truly fulfill us.
There is one relationship that will make all other relationships work, without which, every relationship will fall into mediocrity. In our world today we see many examples of broken relationships, hurt, arguments, you name it. Why? Because of sin. Yes, simply from sin. Sin separates loved ones. Selfishness is sin. Selfishness leads to unhappy relationships. The extent that you can experience healthy, loving relationships with others, is the extent that you are willing to be broken, and give up your selfishness. The one relationship that makes relationships work, is having a deep relationship with God. Every relationship has the potential for deeper love and fulfilment, by Christ becoming the center of that relationship.
Having said this, the simple truth is, no matter how close, how fulfilling a relationship is, it is imperfect. Even a person who loves God cannot love you perfectly. Their love for you only comes from God, if it comes from anything else, it is not true love, but infatuation. Human love fails. People make mistakes. People fail. People say unkind things. Christians fall short of the glory of God, they don't always show us love. So how do we love them? The key is that when we are fulfilled in God's love for us, we won't be looking for the fulfillment of being loved by someone else. God's love is the basis for how we can love others, even when they fail us. So, what if the other person has treated you in very unloving way? That is okay! Because you are loved by Someone who is infinitely more loving than the person who is hurting you right now! You are a child of God!
The beauty of God's love is that it is not based on our love for Him. "Only by love is love awakened." In our relationships with people, we can question, "Does that person really love me? Will we still be friends, or was it just something that lasted temporarily?" or "Was that love or infatuation?" With God, we will never have to question His love for us!
Too often in my life and my relationships, I'm looking for the end result. Where is this headed, are these relationships worth investing in? In our walk with God, we know the end result! If we accept His love, and live according to His law of love, we will live eternally with Him and rest in His love! "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life....no height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39. The only thing that can separate us from God's love is our choice to reject him.
In our relationships with others, we don't know the end result. The only security we can have in our relationships with others, is as those relationships are Christ-centered, and draw us closer to Him! So, here's how it works with our relationships with others, we don't wait to love the other person until we see if they love and care for us. We give, and give, and share God's love, not because they love us, but because we love them. We can only receive this type of love from God. The natural heart only loves those who will love in return. But Jesus said, "For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? For sinners also love those that love them." (Matthew 5:46, Luke 6:32). In a small group Bible study, one of the church members shared how they were discussing the same topic in church. The question had come up, "How far do you go with this principle of loving your enemies?" Is God asking us to love even those who have wronged us? Would God go so far as to ask us to even love a murder?" Truly only God can give us a love that is that forgiving, was the conclusion! My mind went to a story of a woman who had been imprisoned for her faith in God. Years later she went back and told him that she forgave him. Only God could give that type of forgiveness!
Love isn't just a happy feeling. Love is a principle that compels you to treat people in a way that God would have you treat them. It spurs you to action. You can't sit around saying oh I love this person I love this person, that gets you no where in any type of scenario! Love expresses itself by deeds of kindness that you show to others. If you wait for the perfect person to show kindness to, then your love is conditional. What if I don't feel totally loving, do I still show love? Yes. Here is where I often struggle, I want my heart to be in something, I don't want to do it if my heart isn't in it. But, even when you don't feel loving, still do it. Show the act of kindness. And as we do this we can pray that God will change our hearts, to truly love the person we are showing kindness to. And God is totally able to do this! He is in the business of changing hearts! As you do right, and pray, God will change your heart. Don't wait to feel that your heart is changed, go forward in faith that God is changing your attitude towards that unloving person!
True love loves because God loves. True love doesn't love because it wants to be loved. True love doesn't love because it is loved by another person. True love loves because it is love. God is love. That is how God loves. It is who He is, and when Christ is in our hearts, he will change us that we can love too. True love can only love because it is loved by God. We don't love others because they treat us nicely. We love them because our hearts are overflowing with the love of God, and we just have to share it with someone else. We love even the people who have hurt us the most, because that is what the One who gives us love would do! Jesus, the source of love, said to those who hated him to the point of murdering him, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." He is our example.
So my challenge to anyone who may read this, (and a challenge to myself as well), is simply to grow in God's love. Grow in God's love to the point where others can't hurt you. Yes, they may disappoint you, yes it may hurt that they did something unkind, but it doesn't have to get you down because your fulfillment comes in Someone's love that is so much deeper! That Someone is Christ; Who gave Himself for sinners - sinners that didn't show love to Him! That love enables, compels, and transforms. It enables us to live our lives in a Christ-like way; It compels us to share it with those who don't understand His love; and it's this love that transforms our characters and fits us for Heaven! Let God's love enable, compel and transform you today!
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