You'd think I'd know that by now, that I would trust Him and count on Him . . . instead I panic, freak-out, find myself all sweaty and crazy and then I begin to rant and rave. And then, God steps-in, faithfully doing what He has said He would do . . . granted, it was the 11th hour, but He did it . . . and because of when He did it and how (which, by the way, He did it in His perfect timing and way - as usual!) He gets ALL the glory.
We began Bible study this last week (the 17th) and I was all crazy because the study wasn't ready, and every time I'd sit down to write, it just wasn't there. So, finally, in complete desperation (which is probably where I need to be all the time anyway), I fell flat on my face Saturday night, and cried out "GOD!!! I need you!!! You want me to lead this study!!! You want us to learn how to Passionately Pursue You . . . but, I kinda need to get this done! I'm freaking out here!!!" Then, a quote I had written down in my notes for the study came to me (I think it's from AW Tozer - probably his book "The Pursuit of God" one of my FAVORITES!) "Our teachers have done all the seeking for us." WOW!!! Then God speaks gently (yet firmly) to me, "Andrea, you cannot passionately pursue me FOR them! They need to learn to do it for themselves!!"
And I began to realize that part of my irritation with all the books and Bible studies out there is the fact that the writer does all the seeking, digging, praying, learning, etc. for the reader . . . we are a generation of disciples who don't even know how to dig into and consume God's Word for ourselves. That's scary!!! Especially since it's not that hard. We don't need to go to a Bible college, or have a degree in theology - God has made His Word and His truth accessible to each and every one of us . . . we have so many tools and translations at our fingertips, and yet we consistently fail to use them . . . to even know HOW to use them. And I, as a teacher and writer, was adding to the problem.
From that point it flowed! Instead of adding my own thoughts and commentary, I am trying to discover how to guide the ladies into a study of God's Word in which they listen to God and what He is telling them. Because the fact is, your walk with God will not look like mine. Of course, there are many common factors, but I may have easily and quickly learned a lesson that you are struggling with. And something that may seem so obvious to you, may be so difficult for me to understand. Our relationship with God will be as unique as we are - and that's a BEAUTIFUL thing!!! So, I feel like my job as a teacher is not to tell you what I think it means, but to give you the tools to discover what God has for you to learn. Of course I still share my thoughts in my message, and my journey (ups, downs, goods, bads) with anyone who is willing to listen, but I don't want ANYONE to rely on what I think it means! I don't want ANYONE even following me (if you find yourself following me, let me warn you - YOU'RE FOLLOWING THE WRONG PERSON!!! We are to follow and pursue God alone!).
Isn't God glorious?? I praise Him for His faithfulness, His love, and the fact that constantly pulls me up out of the mud and shares His life with me!! Seek Him today, friend, and take some time to discover what He is just waiting to tell you!!!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
Passionately Pursuing God
I am currently in the process of writing a Bible study entitled "Passionately Pursuing God: Living a Life of Solitary Purpose." Basically it's about how we need to simply pursue God in all that we do - work, play, leisure, etc. And when we do, we run head-on into all that God has planned for us. I think we have a tendency in this culture to run after our dreams and visions and ideas, and hope that God tags along . . . and I just don't think it works out nearly as well that way.
However, I have to tell you that I am in a really strange place in my life - I could really, really, REALLY use your prayers!! I feel . . . lost . . . that's just the best way to describe it. Just lost. I'm beginning to wonder if this is really what God had in mind for Christian living - looking and living like everyone else, for the most part, with a little of Jesus sprinkled on top. A perpetual calendar of work, Bible studies, books to read, church attended, and some service thrown in. All while we maintain our really nice houses, our top-notch cars, and our fashionable wardrobes (for which we have to work hard to stay in shape so we look good in those clothes). Hey, I'm not pointing fingers at anyone except myself here. And as I write yet another Bible study (all while being guilty of the above), I have to wonder if I am just adding to the MASS of (dare I say useless??) information out there - we spend so much time reading books and doing Bible studies, when, perhaps, we should just be reading the Bible and living the life! I don't know . . .
And honestly, what REALLY does it look like to passionately pursue God?? Am I really in a position to write anything relevant on the topic?? Am I TRULY pursuing God in ALL that I do?? Somehow I doubt it. I mean I do all the typical things (the things all the books say I should do) - pray, study, journal, fast, etc. etc. etc. But when I read the gospels, and really look at Jesus and the example He set for us, I find a man that - while relevant - lived a life completely different from those around Him. I feel like I take the parts of Scripture I like, the parts that work for me here in the life I'm living, and over-contextualize the other parts . . . for example: Jesus told a man that he had to be "born again" to enter the kingdom of heaven. True - I believe it and teach it. However, Jesus told another man that he had to give up everything he had to enter the kingdom of heaven . . . now, here I like to really evaluate the scene, and talk about how this man's stuff was his god . . . yet, I can truly say the same about most Americans I meet. Stuff is our god . . . yet, somehow, we skip over the whole "give up everything" (and He meant to LITERALLY give it all to the poor!!!) and make it mean that we really need to just put God at the top of our list above our stuff, and that will suffice. But will it? Now, I am not suggesting that we ditch context, as context is indeed important, I just think we like to OVERcontextualize to make it irrelevant (or perhaps just a little less relevant) to our own lives, and therefore easier to stomach. I tend to use context as an excuse, at times, to ignore the hard fact that Jesus has truly, literally, in every way called us to be different, to live differently, to not be of this world . . . . and I have to say that I do not think my life looks anything like that.
Honestly, I'm not sure what a life lived like that would really look like here-and-now . . . I wish I could say I did.
So, what does all that mean??? I don't know . . . I wish I did. I'm just in this tumultuous place of really questioning "Christianity," in general, as it seems to be right now (or at least how it seems to be in my eyes). It just feels so . . . stale, so unadventurous, so . . . un-Christlike. I could be wrong - I probably am (I think I'm wrong more times than not), but I can't help but wonder at all this information that we perpetually have to ciphon through . . . I have to tell you that I am SO TIRED of Christian books . . . yet here I am adding yet another pile of paper to the cycle of information that we wade through, yet never seem to really put into practice. And, again, by "we" I mean ME.
And, you know . . . it could be that it's just MY life that is stale and unadventurous and un-Christlike, and once-again, I am finding a way to blame someone else - "Christianity." Again, I think that I am the guiltiest of all, here.
I wonder if God ever just wants to scream at me from the heaven's and say "Stop reading about it, and START LIVING IT!! Start loving your neighbor - YES, your LITERAL neighbor!! Start taking care of the poor, the orphans, and the widows - yes, I really mean the poor people, the kids without parents, and the women who are left alone with no one to care for them!!!! Teach by setting an example, Andrea, not by putting mere words on a page - I already have a lot of those . . . . "
Hmmmm . . . . I don't know. I just don't know . . . I'm not sure this really helped. I think I'm more lost than ever, now. Sorry.
However, I have to tell you that I am in a really strange place in my life - I could really, really, REALLY use your prayers!! I feel . . . lost . . . that's just the best way to describe it. Just lost. I'm beginning to wonder if this is really what God had in mind for Christian living - looking and living like everyone else, for the most part, with a little of Jesus sprinkled on top. A perpetual calendar of work, Bible studies, books to read, church attended, and some service thrown in. All while we maintain our really nice houses, our top-notch cars, and our fashionable wardrobes (for which we have to work hard to stay in shape so we look good in those clothes). Hey, I'm not pointing fingers at anyone except myself here. And as I write yet another Bible study (all while being guilty of the above), I have to wonder if I am just adding to the MASS of (dare I say useless??) information out there - we spend so much time reading books and doing Bible studies, when, perhaps, we should just be reading the Bible and living the life! I don't know . . .
And honestly, what REALLY does it look like to passionately pursue God?? Am I really in a position to write anything relevant on the topic?? Am I TRULY pursuing God in ALL that I do?? Somehow I doubt it. I mean I do all the typical things (the things all the books say I should do) - pray, study, journal, fast, etc. etc. etc. But when I read the gospels, and really look at Jesus and the example He set for us, I find a man that - while relevant - lived a life completely different from those around Him. I feel like I take the parts of Scripture I like, the parts that work for me here in the life I'm living, and over-contextualize the other parts . . . for example: Jesus told a man that he had to be "born again" to enter the kingdom of heaven. True - I believe it and teach it. However, Jesus told another man that he had to give up everything he had to enter the kingdom of heaven . . . now, here I like to really evaluate the scene, and talk about how this man's stuff was his god . . . yet, I can truly say the same about most Americans I meet. Stuff is our god . . . yet, somehow, we skip over the whole "give up everything" (and He meant to LITERALLY give it all to the poor!!!) and make it mean that we really need to just put God at the top of our list above our stuff, and that will suffice. But will it? Now, I am not suggesting that we ditch context, as context is indeed important, I just think we like to OVERcontextualize to make it irrelevant (or perhaps just a little less relevant) to our own lives, and therefore easier to stomach. I tend to use context as an excuse, at times, to ignore the hard fact that Jesus has truly, literally, in every way called us to be different, to live differently, to not be of this world . . . . and I have to say that I do not think my life looks anything like that.
Honestly, I'm not sure what a life lived like that would really look like here-and-now . . . I wish I could say I did.
So, what does all that mean??? I don't know . . . I wish I did. I'm just in this tumultuous place of really questioning "Christianity," in general, as it seems to be right now (or at least how it seems to be in my eyes). It just feels so . . . stale, so unadventurous, so . . . un-Christlike. I could be wrong - I probably am (I think I'm wrong more times than not), but I can't help but wonder at all this information that we perpetually have to ciphon through . . . I have to tell you that I am SO TIRED of Christian books . . . yet here I am adding yet another pile of paper to the cycle of information that we wade through, yet never seem to really put into practice. And, again, by "we" I mean ME.
And, you know . . . it could be that it's just MY life that is stale and unadventurous and un-Christlike, and once-again, I am finding a way to blame someone else - "Christianity." Again, I think that I am the guiltiest of all, here.
I wonder if God ever just wants to scream at me from the heaven's and say "Stop reading about it, and START LIVING IT!! Start loving your neighbor - YES, your LITERAL neighbor!! Start taking care of the poor, the orphans, and the widows - yes, I really mean the poor people, the kids without parents, and the women who are left alone with no one to care for them!!!! Teach by setting an example, Andrea, not by putting mere words on a page - I already have a lot of those . . . . "
Hmmmm . . . . I don't know. I just don't know . . . I'm not sure this really helped. I think I'm more lost than ever, now. Sorry.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Abortion Ticker
If you check out the right hand side of my blog, you'll notice an abortion ticker. I know that this is a "hot topic" for some, for many different reasons . . . I am pro-life, as I would imagine you can guess, but let me go a little deeper with you regarding my heart in this issue.
It is true that I mourn the loss of life, but I know that child is resting in the sovereign hands of their Creator, so that always brings me peace in that regard. I actually mourn more for the woman who made the choice - for me, this ticker actually represents all the women who have been fooled, forgotten, and left for "dead" themselves.
I grieve so deeply for these women for so many reasons . . . most of them did not come to the choice of having an abortion easily. We often talk about using aborion as "birth control" and I am sure there are those out there who just get them, feel no remorse and go on with their lives (and what a trgedy that they have gone so far as to feel nothing in regard to the decision - I mourn their loss of innocence). Yet, most of these women have made this choice because they have been convinced by the enemy of their souls that they have no other choice. They walk into the clinic feeling as though they have the weight of the world on their shoulders, and somehow they feel that this will relieve their burden. All will be better when it is done . . .
Then, they walk out the back door feeling even worse, for Satan then turns the tables on them. He goes from convincing them that they have no other choice and that everything will be OK, to letting them know what a failure they are, what a wretched person, a murderer, etc, etc. I have yet to meet a woman who has had an abortion who hasn't been completely ruined by the choice. As each year passes and the due date comes and goes, they consider the age their child would have been, wondering what they would have been like - how they would have looked, what they would have liked, what color their eyes and hair might have been, what kind of personality, etc. The burden lays heavy on their hearts, getting heavier with each passing year - the enemy has them right where he wants them. They begin to assume that everything that goes wrong in their life is a result of this choice, sure that God is now out to get them (after-all, isn't that what most Christians would like for them to believe - that there is grace and mercy for us, but not them??)
I believe the most unfortunate part of this whole thing is that they end up feeling that there is nowhere they can go to talk about it. They cannot go to someone who is pro-choice, for surely they will just blow it off as no big deal, and wonder why they feel so bad about exercising their "right." While going to someone is pro-life is completely out of the question, for surely they will be blamed and judged and looked-down upon, finding no empathy or sorrow, no healing or forgiveness, no grace, mercy, or compassion. They feel stuck with their pain, completely alone.
So, when I consider myself pro-life, I am thinking as much (if not more) about the life of the woman making the choice, as I am about the child. When we pray about this matter, I believe we really need to take the time to think about the women, and all they are going through. We must pray for the mom and the baby, and even when the baby is gone, we must STILL be there for the mom, showing her that Christ is the only One who can truly help them heal from the great loss they have suffered!
It is true that I mourn the loss of life, but I know that child is resting in the sovereign hands of their Creator, so that always brings me peace in that regard. I actually mourn more for the woman who made the choice - for me, this ticker actually represents all the women who have been fooled, forgotten, and left for "dead" themselves.
I grieve so deeply for these women for so many reasons . . . most of them did not come to the choice of having an abortion easily. We often talk about using aborion as "birth control" and I am sure there are those out there who just get them, feel no remorse and go on with their lives (and what a trgedy that they have gone so far as to feel nothing in regard to the decision - I mourn their loss of innocence). Yet, most of these women have made this choice because they have been convinced by the enemy of their souls that they have no other choice. They walk into the clinic feeling as though they have the weight of the world on their shoulders, and somehow they feel that this will relieve their burden. All will be better when it is done . . .
Then, they walk out the back door feeling even worse, for Satan then turns the tables on them. He goes from convincing them that they have no other choice and that everything will be OK, to letting them know what a failure they are, what a wretched person, a murderer, etc, etc. I have yet to meet a woman who has had an abortion who hasn't been completely ruined by the choice. As each year passes and the due date comes and goes, they consider the age their child would have been, wondering what they would have been like - how they would have looked, what they would have liked, what color their eyes and hair might have been, what kind of personality, etc. The burden lays heavy on their hearts, getting heavier with each passing year - the enemy has them right where he wants them. They begin to assume that everything that goes wrong in their life is a result of this choice, sure that God is now out to get them (after-all, isn't that what most Christians would like for them to believe - that there is grace and mercy for us, but not them??)
I believe the most unfortunate part of this whole thing is that they end up feeling that there is nowhere they can go to talk about it. They cannot go to someone who is pro-choice, for surely they will just blow it off as no big deal, and wonder why they feel so bad about exercising their "right." While going to someone is pro-life is completely out of the question, for surely they will be blamed and judged and looked-down upon, finding no empathy or sorrow, no healing or forgiveness, no grace, mercy, or compassion. They feel stuck with their pain, completely alone.
So, when I consider myself pro-life, I am thinking as much (if not more) about the life of the woman making the choice, as I am about the child. When we pray about this matter, I believe we really need to take the time to think about the women, and all they are going through. We must pray for the mom and the baby, and even when the baby is gone, we must STILL be there for the mom, showing her that Christ is the only One who can truly help them heal from the great loss they have suffered!
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Season of Giving??
I have been thinking a lot about how we "kick-off" the Season of Giving with a day - a single day - called Thanksgiving. Funny. We spend one day being thankful, and then a whole month asking and whining for more stuff . . . . seems backwards, doesn't it? Seems we should spend a whole month being thankful for all we've been given, and a day, nay a mere moment thinking about what we might want.
How did it get here?? How have we gotten so far off course??
I saw the Nativity Story movie the other day, and I was so enthralled with seeing the reality (or at least this version of it) of what Christmas truly is all about. I was moved by the emotion of Joseph trying to find a suitable place for Mary to give birth, by all he gave up for a woman he barely knew and child that was not biologically his; I was moved by Mary's faith, her honesty, her youth and innocence; I loved that God's plan probably made Joseph and Mary wonder if they were on the right track. But most, I was hit by the fact that God bore His soul that night - He gave His very heart to us in Jesus. Like those moments when you see a man cry who never cries, I believe that the birth of Christ was a very vulnerable, intimate moment for God. Like finally revealing yourself for all you are to someone you are not sure will accept you. God gave us His all, and we spend our time "celebrating" with wish lists, spending sprees, and ingratitude that we didn't get exactly what we wanted . . . . . oh we talk about how "Jesus is the reason" but I have never really seen anyone whose celebrations and all they do at Christmas truly reflects the depth and magnitude of that reality. I wonder what it would look like . . . . I have no idea . . . .
Oh! I'm not pointing my finger at you anymore than I am at me - I'm as guilty as anyone, if not more so. I LOVE Christmas! I love giving gifts, and getting them; I love the decorations, and the parties, and the food . . . . this is what has made me stop and really consider how I have come so far from what Christmas really is. Yet, for all that I am, I cannot figure out how to turn the ship . . . I guess the best way to turn a ship is to turn the tide. I'm afraid it will take a mighty strong current to turn this ship around . . . .
Not that I have any suggestions - just thinking out-loud. Sorry!
Thanks for listening. Thanks for considering. And Merry Christmas!!
How did it get here?? How have we gotten so far off course??
I saw the Nativity Story movie the other day, and I was so enthralled with seeing the reality (or at least this version of it) of what Christmas truly is all about. I was moved by the emotion of Joseph trying to find a suitable place for Mary to give birth, by all he gave up for a woman he barely knew and child that was not biologically his; I was moved by Mary's faith, her honesty, her youth and innocence; I loved that God's plan probably made Joseph and Mary wonder if they were on the right track. But most, I was hit by the fact that God bore His soul that night - He gave His very heart to us in Jesus. Like those moments when you see a man cry who never cries, I believe that the birth of Christ was a very vulnerable, intimate moment for God. Like finally revealing yourself for all you are to someone you are not sure will accept you. God gave us His all, and we spend our time "celebrating" with wish lists, spending sprees, and ingratitude that we didn't get exactly what we wanted . . . . . oh we talk about how "Jesus is the reason" but I have never really seen anyone whose celebrations and all they do at Christmas truly reflects the depth and magnitude of that reality. I wonder what it would look like . . . . I have no idea . . . .
Oh! I'm not pointing my finger at you anymore than I am at me - I'm as guilty as anyone, if not more so. I LOVE Christmas! I love giving gifts, and getting them; I love the decorations, and the parties, and the food . . . . this is what has made me stop and really consider how I have come so far from what Christmas really is. Yet, for all that I am, I cannot figure out how to turn the ship . . . I guess the best way to turn a ship is to turn the tide. I'm afraid it will take a mighty strong current to turn this ship around . . . .
Not that I have any suggestions - just thinking out-loud. Sorry!
Thanks for listening. Thanks for considering. And Merry Christmas!!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Disciple??
What does it really mean to be a disciple of Christ? I have been pondering and wrestling with this question for a while now. What does it mean to really follow God? To pursue Him?
Does the Bible outline it completely? Or are there aspects that are unique to each person? Are there some common qualities and actions that should mark each and every disciple? I think there are, most definitely . . . but what are they?
I don't know . . . I really don't know . . . I mean, I have my ideas and theories, but are they Biblical? I just don't know . . . I really don't know much at all.
I just know God.
I suppose that's all each of us really needs. We need to let that relationship with Him drive everything in our lives. . . the way we walk, talk, live. We need to be the "Shadow" of Christ, mimicking His every movement.
But again, what does that mean? This all feels so ambiguous and undefined. Oh, I know that people have tried to define it. And perhaps they have, for themselves. But somehow it always fall short. Yet we keep looking, because we are a people that wants 5-steps to this, and 9-sign of that.
I just don't think there is a set formula . . . none at all. And that is really the thrill of it, the joy, isn't it? That is what makes each and every one of us special.
Does the Bible outline it completely? Or are there aspects that are unique to each person? Are there some common qualities and actions that should mark each and every disciple? I think there are, most definitely . . . but what are they?
I don't know . . . I really don't know . . . I mean, I have my ideas and theories, but are they Biblical? I just don't know . . . I really don't know much at all.
I just know God.
I suppose that's all each of us really needs. We need to let that relationship with Him drive everything in our lives. . . the way we walk, talk, live. We need to be the "Shadow" of Christ, mimicking His every movement.
But again, what does that mean? This all feels so ambiguous and undefined. Oh, I know that people have tried to define it. And perhaps they have, for themselves. But somehow it always fall short. Yet we keep looking, because we are a people that wants 5-steps to this, and 9-sign of that.
I just don't think there is a set formula . . . none at all. And that is really the thrill of it, the joy, isn't it? That is what makes each and every one of us special.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Success and God
I know some very "successful" people - people with power, wealth, position, etc. and these people seem to have it all together. They are people who have fought their way from the bottom up, and have overcome problems and issues and fears to become positive, happy, and . . . . well . . . . successful.
I have to admit this is a bit disconcerting for me. I have been taught to believe that only Christ can bring freedom, and He is the only way to get over our problems, etc, etc . . . I'm sure you've this too - even on this blog!! Yet, here are some people who have overcome major addictions and fears all on their own (or so it seems). So I sat down with God and just asked Him "How?" How can these people, through "positive thinking" or other eastern religious acts, how can they have this freedom and success that I thought was only possible from Him. Basically, I was asking (yes, I had the audacity) "why "Jesus," if we don't necessarily need Him in this process?"
His response went something like this:
"You know, Andrea, life with Me isn't about greatness - it's actually about servant hood and humility. And freedom and all that stuff is awesome, and something I want for you, but that's not what this is all about - sure, it's a great benefit and by-product, but is not all I am after. This thing is all about simply being in a relationship. What you have and they don't, is that you know Me - we talk and walk and live life together. No amount of positive thinking, overcoming fears or addictions, or freedom can produce that. That's what it's about - getting to know Me, and you do that by following Me. . . and the more you hang out with Me, the more you'll begin to act like Me, and that produces things that will change the world! Not money, power, success or any other such nonsense, but love, compassion, mercy . . ."
So, these great people may overcome and achieve, but ultimately they are the ones missing out. They are missing out on the most amazing relationship ever! They are missing out on the opportunity to truly change the world!! But, God has a way of coming into the lives of people who have it all together, and messing things up . . . I think I'm ready for God to mess up my life, and take me down the path few dare travel.
Will you join me?
I have to admit this is a bit disconcerting for me. I have been taught to believe that only Christ can bring freedom, and He is the only way to get over our problems, etc, etc . . . I'm sure you've this too - even on this blog!! Yet, here are some people who have overcome major addictions and fears all on their own (or so it seems). So I sat down with God and just asked Him "How?" How can these people, through "positive thinking" or other eastern religious acts, how can they have this freedom and success that I thought was only possible from Him. Basically, I was asking (yes, I had the audacity) "why "Jesus," if we don't necessarily need Him in this process?"
His response went something like this:
"You know, Andrea, life with Me isn't about greatness - it's actually about servant hood and humility. And freedom and all that stuff is awesome, and something I want for you, but that's not what this is all about - sure, it's a great benefit and by-product, but is not all I am after. This thing is all about simply being in a relationship. What you have and they don't, is that you know Me - we talk and walk and live life together. No amount of positive thinking, overcoming fears or addictions, or freedom can produce that. That's what it's about - getting to know Me, and you do that by following Me. . . and the more you hang out with Me, the more you'll begin to act like Me, and that produces things that will change the world! Not money, power, success or any other such nonsense, but love, compassion, mercy . . ."
So, these great people may overcome and achieve, but ultimately they are the ones missing out. They are missing out on the most amazing relationship ever! They are missing out on the opportunity to truly change the world!! But, God has a way of coming into the lives of people who have it all together, and messing things up . . . I think I'm ready for God to mess up my life, and take me down the path few dare travel.
Will you join me?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Jesus Now
Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it?? I'm getting into the groove of life, with my daughter being back in school, as well as my teaching an evening Bible study at my church . . . I will begin teaching a morning study tomorrow, as well. It's exciting, and I am just in love with the ladies who attend!! What a privilege to serve them.
So, I just read a book entitled "Something Beautiful for God," a book about Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta . . . it was amazing!! The woman's joy and beauty are truly what we are looking for in this world - a joy and beauty from God, alone. And I have to say that between this book and another entitled "The Irresistible Revolution," I have had a lot of food for thought these days - heavy, heavy food - the kind that sits in your gut and takes a while to digest.
I've been wanting to start processing through these thoughts right here with you, but have just had trouble figuring out where to start, and how to express it all. My world has been a bit shaken up by God, and it is good - oh so good!
One of the comments the author made in "Something Beautiful For God," was basically that we spend so much time trying to get to know the "Jesus of history," yet this term is really an oxymoron, since Jesus is now . . . He is always now. Coupled with the story of love and sacrifice of Mother Teresa, this made me start thinking about how we do tend to spend most of our time getting to know the Jesus of the Bible (not that this is bad), and no time getting to know the "Jesus of now." The Jesus in the homeless man walking down the street with no shoes; the Jesus in the woman with a drug addiction and 5 neglected children; the Jesus in the cranky store clerk; the Jesus in the crazy woman on the bus; the Jesus in our neighbor, our family, our friends, our enemies. We need to get to know the Jesus around us, through Whom all things have their existence, and all people their life. The thing is, we can't get to know this Jesus through donations, or prayer, or even just looking at them and pitying them . . . we only get to know this Jesus through face-time, one-on-one face time. We need to be willing to get our hands dirty, sacrifice our time, our love, ourselves. We need to be willing to get to know these people, see their worth and beauty, and in-turn get to know the Jesus in them who gives them their worth and beauty.
It's hard . . . I wish I could tell you to follow my example, but to be honest, I'm scared . . . I'm scared to dive in, get involved, and abandon all. I don't know why - maybe because it's not necessarily easy, and it's definitely not all about me and my comfort and my needs and my desires. It will mean sacrifice and tears and tiredness and possibly heartbreak and failure, and yet why wouldn't I be willing to give so much for my Jesus?? Why, indeed . . .
Lord, give us the strength and courage to step out with You, to meet You in those around us. We are afraid to do so, yet we are more afraid of missing out on what You have for our lives. Please, hold our hands, guide our steps, and fill our hearts with Your lavish love, that we would then be able to pour it out again! We love you!
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." - Jesus
So, I just read a book entitled "Something Beautiful for God," a book about Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta . . . it was amazing!! The woman's joy and beauty are truly what we are looking for in this world - a joy and beauty from God, alone. And I have to say that between this book and another entitled "The Irresistible Revolution," I have had a lot of food for thought these days - heavy, heavy food - the kind that sits in your gut and takes a while to digest.
I've been wanting to start processing through these thoughts right here with you, but have just had trouble figuring out where to start, and how to express it all. My world has been a bit shaken up by God, and it is good - oh so good!
One of the comments the author made in "Something Beautiful For God," was basically that we spend so much time trying to get to know the "Jesus of history," yet this term is really an oxymoron, since Jesus is now . . . He is always now. Coupled with the story of love and sacrifice of Mother Teresa, this made me start thinking about how we do tend to spend most of our time getting to know the Jesus of the Bible (not that this is bad), and no time getting to know the "Jesus of now." The Jesus in the homeless man walking down the street with no shoes; the Jesus in the woman with a drug addiction and 5 neglected children; the Jesus in the cranky store clerk; the Jesus in the crazy woman on the bus; the Jesus in our neighbor, our family, our friends, our enemies. We need to get to know the Jesus around us, through Whom all things have their existence, and all people their life. The thing is, we can't get to know this Jesus through donations, or prayer, or even just looking at them and pitying them . . . we only get to know this Jesus through face-time, one-on-one face time. We need to be willing to get our hands dirty, sacrifice our time, our love, ourselves. We need to be willing to get to know these people, see their worth and beauty, and in-turn get to know the Jesus in them who gives them their worth and beauty.
It's hard . . . I wish I could tell you to follow my example, but to be honest, I'm scared . . . I'm scared to dive in, get involved, and abandon all. I don't know why - maybe because it's not necessarily easy, and it's definitely not all about me and my comfort and my needs and my desires. It will mean sacrifice and tears and tiredness and possibly heartbreak and failure, and yet why wouldn't I be willing to give so much for my Jesus?? Why, indeed . . .
Lord, give us the strength and courage to step out with You, to meet You in those around us. We are afraid to do so, yet we are more afraid of missing out on what You have for our lives. Please, hold our hands, guide our steps, and fill our hearts with Your lavish love, that we would then be able to pour it out again! We love you!
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." - Jesus
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