When I was a little kid growing up in church, we always had "song time" after the service and before Sunday School. I used to see them as cheesy, stereotypical Sunday School songs that everyone who went to VBS had probably heard (and memorized) at least once in their life. But looking back now I realize that there was a lot of truth in them. As simple, and catchy as all get-out, as they were they contained immense knowledge that I still carry with me today. For example...
Molly and I spent the day together on Tuesday. It was a beautiful, sunny with a high of 45 and she had the day off from work. On our way to her eye appointment we were just goofing off and she started singing "This is the day that the Lord has made" in this crazy voice. (If you don't know it, these are the words to it at least: "This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it," and it's at this point where, for some reason, the singer realizes the key is impossibly high, so as a little kid the only way to reach it was to scream it as loud as possible, "FOR THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE." This is the part that she chose to sing.)
So we had a good laugh and started talking about something else, as all conversations usually go, putting this moment of hilarity behind us.
Well, all-in-all it ended up being a pretty stinky day and by 9 PM we were both tired and emotional and felt like the day was a waste. At dinner, Molly said something about how the day felt pointless and after a moment of silence that song just popped into my head, and I started singing "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Let the record show that I had completely forgotten that that very same song had ever come out of Molly's mouth, and that there was no prompting for me to start singing this song. I didn't even want to be singing it. I, in no way, felt at all that the day should be rejoiced in.
But that just made it all the more powerful.
Regardless of whether or not I subconsciously remembered our moment from earlier in the day, we were both struck dumb by how God used that simple song to remind us of hope. Even though it might not have been our ideal day, it was a day to be alive, to trust Jesus and to love Jesus, and to rejoice in a life-giving God who does not abandon his people. And though I might not have hope in worldly things, I have hope in life through Jesus Christ.
Psalm 118:21-24
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
I wrote this instead of an essay.
Legend has it that there is this particular group of a few extraordinarily brave souls. Souls so brave that they are willing to face even the darkest, coldest, and most enduring enemy known to mankind. Last week, those brave souls ceased to be legend to me and became reality. Journeying from the far land of Florida Gulf Coast University, a group of extraordinary students came to face the dreaded Winter of 2014 in Syracuse, New York. Braving the--blah, blah, blah...it's really, really cold out and we have lots and lots of snow and they're from Florida where it's sunny and not cold.
Last week was FGCU's spring break. And what did this group of lovely individuals decide to do for their spring break? Come to serve the city of Syracuse. While everyone else was heading their direction, they were headed ours, and spent an entire week sharing the gospel and just being Jesus to the city. Pretty cool, huh?
On Thursday they came to campus and I had the opportunity to meet and hang out with a couple of them, and we spent some time on campus in prayer and conversation.
Things that happened that day:
1. "Mom, I made new friends today!" I had no idea who these people were a week ago. They literally didn't exist in my mind. And then BAM. Friends. How does that happen? Jesus. And their willingness to be freezing cold and surrounded by grumpy northerners who haven't seen the sun in 4 months. It was a much needed reminder that we are unified in the Gospel and under a powerful God. Plus they're just really great, and even when I got way too comfortable with them too quickly and showed how not normal I am, they took it in stride. So that's great.
2. They brought the sun with them! It was so beautiful out the day they were on campus. I didn't even button my coat or wear gloves.
3. (#realtalk) I realized how little I actually care about the campus and the city. I treat it like garbage. Oh sure, I'm really grateful to be at a good university and to have lots of friends and get a good education. But God has put me in this place for a reason, and it's so easy to get stuck in the little bubble of college that we forget there is a bigger world out there. SU always talks about having a "global perspective," whatever that means, but what about the needs of the people just minutes away from us? I think we spend too much time talking about how to help people instead of putting aside our big plans and just loving them simply. Am I thankful for the city of Syracuse? No. Do I want to be? Yes. And last week was a real kick in the butt in making me think about how I can do that, and how I'm NOT doing that (boo).
And regardless of whether I'm in Syracuse or Albany, I always want to ask myself how I can love the place that I'm in right now?
(Side note) In reading my bible, I'm learning a lot about how Jesus taught, and I'm finding that it's pretty simple: ask questions. The disciples and pharisees and everyone was always asking him questions, and rarely does Jesus give them a straight answer. Instead, he asks them a really poignant question in response, and more often than not it makes them realize the answer themselves; it makes them THINK.
I still always want answers from God, "Should I do take this job? How do I love this person? Why is this happening? What do I do now?" But I also realize that He's not going to just write down the answer on the piece of paper in front of me. So I've started to asking myself questions, and I've started ANSWERING them. How many times have I asked God, "How do I love him/her/them?" And instead of looking at how Jesus did it, or even thinking of ways that I can do that and literally writing them down, I just expect God to do it for me. God does a lot of things for me, but like Jesus' questions, He more often than not gives me the opportunity to figure it out for myself. You learn a lot better than way.
So. Hopefully that challenges you. And I hope that I can challenge YOU too by asking:
"How can you love the place that you are in now?"
Last week was FGCU's spring break. And what did this group of lovely individuals decide to do for their spring break? Come to serve the city of Syracuse. While everyone else was heading their direction, they were headed ours, and spent an entire week sharing the gospel and just being Jesus to the city. Pretty cool, huh?
On Thursday they came to campus and I had the opportunity to meet and hang out with a couple of them, and we spent some time on campus in prayer and conversation.
Things that happened that day:
1. "Mom, I made new friends today!" I had no idea who these people were a week ago. They literally didn't exist in my mind. And then BAM. Friends. How does that happen? Jesus. And their willingness to be freezing cold and surrounded by grumpy northerners who haven't seen the sun in 4 months. It was a much needed reminder that we are unified in the Gospel and under a powerful God. Plus they're just really great, and even when I got way too comfortable with them too quickly and showed how not normal I am, they took it in stride. So that's great.
2. They brought the sun with them! It was so beautiful out the day they were on campus. I didn't even button my coat or wear gloves.
3. (#realtalk) I realized how little I actually care about the campus and the city. I treat it like garbage. Oh sure, I'm really grateful to be at a good university and to have lots of friends and get a good education. But God has put me in this place for a reason, and it's so easy to get stuck in the little bubble of college that we forget there is a bigger world out there. SU always talks about having a "global perspective," whatever that means, but what about the needs of the people just minutes away from us? I think we spend too much time talking about how to help people instead of putting aside our big plans and just loving them simply. Am I thankful for the city of Syracuse? No. Do I want to be? Yes. And last week was a real kick in the butt in making me think about how I can do that, and how I'm NOT doing that (boo).
And regardless of whether I'm in Syracuse or Albany, I always want to ask myself how I can love the place that I'm in right now?
(Side note) In reading my bible, I'm learning a lot about how Jesus taught, and I'm finding that it's pretty simple: ask questions. The disciples and pharisees and everyone was always asking him questions, and rarely does Jesus give them a straight answer. Instead, he asks them a really poignant question in response, and more often than not it makes them realize the answer themselves; it makes them THINK.
I still always want answers from God, "Should I do take this job? How do I love this person? Why is this happening? What do I do now?" But I also realize that He's not going to just write down the answer on the piece of paper in front of me. So I've started to asking myself questions, and I've started ANSWERING them. How many times have I asked God, "How do I love him/her/them?" And instead of looking at how Jesus did it, or even thinking of ways that I can do that and literally writing them down, I just expect God to do it for me. God does a lot of things for me, but like Jesus' questions, He more often than not gives me the opportunity to figure it out for myself. You learn a lot better than way.
So. Hopefully that challenges you. And I hope that I can challenge YOU too by asking:
"How can you love the place that you are in now?"
Friday, February 28, 2014
I sat at a desk and smiled at people
I am constantly amazed by God's ability to use my total inadequacy for His glory, and how much He encourages me and I don't even know it.
Exhibit A.
I spend all this time being so self-conscious. Like, SO SELF-CONSCIOUS. I feel like I'm terrible at everything and am never really certain if I've done a good job, and this week in particular has been very challenging. For some reason, all of my insecurities have been magnified times a million, and I've been battling with these crazy lies flying around my head. Every once in a while I'll just think something terrible like, "Wow. My laugh is so horrible. I should really try to work on that." WHAT. Who cares what my laugh sounds like? Or, "I am so terrible at conversation. I bet I'm that girl that everyone tries to avoid talking to." I can't even confidently say that's a ridiculous statement, that's how much I believe it's true.
Anyway, ridiculousness aside, I realize that these things are lies, and that God doesn't really care if my laugh sounds like the tinkling of fairy bells or if I can flawlessly carry on a conversation. But I still have to rely on Him completely every time I look in the mirror in order to see myself the way that He wants me to see myself. I have to be in constant prayer, and vigilant about where my thoughts wander because it is so easy to spiral out of control when I start to believe the things I tell myself instead of the things God tells me. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9a).
I don't need a skinny body, beautiful teeth, and nerves of steel. Those things won't make me "happy," and more importantly they have nothing to do with my salvation. God has already given me everything that I need. He has given me His grace. He has called me into a relationship with Him despite far greater shortcomings than what I look like and sound like. He provided me with His guidance, His peace, His love, His joy, His LIFE.
And I spend all this time and effort wishing I was "perfect."
Well, I'll tell you what, if I was not the infinitely weak being that I am, who Jesus is and what he did for me would mean nothing. My weakness displays Jesus' perfection perfectly, because it displays the enormity of his sacrifice; the enormity of his love. And there is nothing that I can do or not do to change that. Isn't that great?
Exhibit B.
My main job on campus is just a work study job in an office in the Law School. It often consists of scanning, copying, filing, cleaning--a typical office job. And I really enjoy it. Plus, I have this incredible opportunity to be a light to these ladies that I spend 60% of my week with, and to all of the people that I come into contact with on a regular basis--other students, my fellow work studies, professors--but I don't always feel like I do a very good job of that. And I am still constantly asking God to use me to make a difference in that place while simultaneously doubting that I could because of my insecurities.
Well, this week, even as I was struggling a lot more than usual, God used my job to encourage more than usual.
It was just a little thing. One of the ladies was out sick for a couple of days so there was only one other person in the office with me, and she was a little overwhelmed. I stayed a little later than usual and tried to be as helpful as possible, but didn't really feel like I did a good job of doing anything more than sitting at a desk and smiling at people occasionally. Then I came into work today, and the first thing I was told was that one of the professors had talked me up to my supervisor about what a great job I did while she was gone. Let me repeat: I SAT AT A DESK AND SMILED AT PEOPLE. When I told my supervisor how surprised I was, I laughed and said, "I don't even know what I did! I just sat here," and this is what she told me: "Well, you talk to them. You treat them like human beings."
This was Jesus. Because I literally, 100% not kidding, sat. at a desk. and smiled at people. And that made a difference to someone.
_______________________________
1 Corinthians 12:9-10
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Exhibit A.
I spend all this time being so self-conscious. Like, SO SELF-CONSCIOUS. I feel like I'm terrible at everything and am never really certain if I've done a good job, and this week in particular has been very challenging. For some reason, all of my insecurities have been magnified times a million, and I've been battling with these crazy lies flying around my head. Every once in a while I'll just think something terrible like, "Wow. My laugh is so horrible. I should really try to work on that." WHAT. Who cares what my laugh sounds like? Or, "I am so terrible at conversation. I bet I'm that girl that everyone tries to avoid talking to." I can't even confidently say that's a ridiculous statement, that's how much I believe it's true.
Anyway, ridiculousness aside, I realize that these things are lies, and that God doesn't really care if my laugh sounds like the tinkling of fairy bells or if I can flawlessly carry on a conversation. But I still have to rely on Him completely every time I look in the mirror in order to see myself the way that He wants me to see myself. I have to be in constant prayer, and vigilant about where my thoughts wander because it is so easy to spiral out of control when I start to believe the things I tell myself instead of the things God tells me. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9a).
I don't need a skinny body, beautiful teeth, and nerves of steel. Those things won't make me "happy," and more importantly they have nothing to do with my salvation. God has already given me everything that I need. He has given me His grace. He has called me into a relationship with Him despite far greater shortcomings than what I look like and sound like. He provided me with His guidance, His peace, His love, His joy, His LIFE.
And I spend all this time and effort wishing I was "perfect."
Well, I'll tell you what, if I was not the infinitely weak being that I am, who Jesus is and what he did for me would mean nothing. My weakness displays Jesus' perfection perfectly, because it displays the enormity of his sacrifice; the enormity of his love. And there is nothing that I can do or not do to change that. Isn't that great?
Exhibit B.
My main job on campus is just a work study job in an office in the Law School. It often consists of scanning, copying, filing, cleaning--a typical office job. And I really enjoy it. Plus, I have this incredible opportunity to be a light to these ladies that I spend 60% of my week with, and to all of the people that I come into contact with on a regular basis--other students, my fellow work studies, professors--but I don't always feel like I do a very good job of that. And I am still constantly asking God to use me to make a difference in that place while simultaneously doubting that I could because of my insecurities.
Well, this week, even as I was struggling a lot more than usual, God used my job to encourage more than usual.
It was just a little thing. One of the ladies was out sick for a couple of days so there was only one other person in the office with me, and she was a little overwhelmed. I stayed a little later than usual and tried to be as helpful as possible, but didn't really feel like I did a good job of doing anything more than sitting at a desk and smiling at people occasionally. Then I came into work today, and the first thing I was told was that one of the professors had talked me up to my supervisor about what a great job I did while she was gone. Let me repeat: I SAT AT A DESK AND SMILED AT PEOPLE. When I told my supervisor how surprised I was, I laughed and said, "I don't even know what I did! I just sat here," and this is what she told me: "Well, you talk to them. You treat them like human beings."
This was Jesus. Because I literally, 100% not kidding, sat. at a desk. and smiled at people. And that made a difference to someone.
_______________________________
1 Corinthians 12:9-10
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Haven't I seen you before?
I'm not new to the blogging world, I've had a couple other blogs mostly just for the sake of having a yearly goal to stick to. And I sort of feel like they were failures.
My first one was a 365 day photo blog, and it was mostly great. I was glad that I did it; I wanted to challenge myself and I think I was successful in that. But also it made me hate my camera and sometimes I felt like I thought about blogging my days more than I just enjoyed my days being...days. It was a relief when it was over.
The second one was another 365 blog, this time centered around praising God for his blessings, and done with a friend. We alternated days and sometimes fell behind and sometimes got ahead of ourselves, but both stuck to our guns and finished out the year. Another challenge completed, and with a much better approach. It forced me to seek out God daily and to look at things with his eyes, so to speak, instead of my own. But then it was over. And just like that I felt like I "wasn't allowed" to share those praises anymore.
So this third attempt is an open-ended attempt at my second attempt. Make sense?
As much as I sometimes feel silly when I blog, I also think it's a cool opportunity to share what God is doing in my life on a wider scale than my roommate and bible study. It's a cool opportunity to reach out to people (you) with the things that I experience in the hopes that they (you) can relate to them as well. Maybe I'll be an encouragement. Maybe no one will care. Maybe I don't care if no one cares. (Maybe I actually care a whole lot). Whatever the case may be. I want to praise God and I want everyone to know how AWESOME He is. I love Him, I love Him and I don't care who knows it! (Elf fans represent!)
So.
Things you should know about this blog before we go any further:
1. It's title is "Daring to Dare" after a quote from C.S. Lewis' A Horse and His Boy. Aslan tells the terrified horse, Bree, to come to him, to be near him: "Do not dare not to dare." That really struck me recently. I want to live my life daring to be near to God. It can be really scary to trust Him, and it can be really hard to live a Christian life, but I do not dare not to dare because I know that it is worth it.
2. Sometimes the way I write is annoying. You probably figured that out with all of the parentheses. I just feel like I have a lot of funny things to say and I want to simultaneously say serious things also. Sorry not sorry.
3. I'm actually sorry.
4. It's not a 365 day blog. Thank goodness. It's just a blog-whenever-I-feel-like-I-want-to-blog-something-cool...blog.
5. I am wildly embarrassed by this. I don't like attracting attention to myself and I feel like I'm all, "Oh look at me! I have so many important things to say!" But that's not what I want at all! I actually think that what I have to say is totally pointless, BUT what God has to say is really important. So boom, self. I just got served.
Here goes nothing!
My first one was a 365 day photo blog, and it was mostly great. I was glad that I did it; I wanted to challenge myself and I think I was successful in that. But also it made me hate my camera and sometimes I felt like I thought about blogging my days more than I just enjoyed my days being...days. It was a relief when it was over.
The second one was another 365 blog, this time centered around praising God for his blessings, and done with a friend. We alternated days and sometimes fell behind and sometimes got ahead of ourselves, but both stuck to our guns and finished out the year. Another challenge completed, and with a much better approach. It forced me to seek out God daily and to look at things with his eyes, so to speak, instead of my own. But then it was over. And just like that I felt like I "wasn't allowed" to share those praises anymore.
So this third attempt is an open-ended attempt at my second attempt. Make sense?
As much as I sometimes feel silly when I blog, I also think it's a cool opportunity to share what God is doing in my life on a wider scale than my roommate and bible study. It's a cool opportunity to reach out to people (you) with the things that I experience in the hopes that they (you) can relate to them as well. Maybe I'll be an encouragement. Maybe no one will care. Maybe I don't care if no one cares. (Maybe I actually care a whole lot). Whatever the case may be. I want to praise God and I want everyone to know how AWESOME He is. I love Him, I love Him and I don't care who knows it! (Elf fans represent!)
So.
Things you should know about this blog before we go any further:
1. It's title is "Daring to Dare" after a quote from C.S. Lewis' A Horse and His Boy. Aslan tells the terrified horse, Bree, to come to him, to be near him: "Do not dare not to dare." That really struck me recently. I want to live my life daring to be near to God. It can be really scary to trust Him, and it can be really hard to live a Christian life, but I do not dare not to dare because I know that it is worth it.
2. Sometimes the way I write is annoying. You probably figured that out with all of the parentheses. I just feel like I have a lot of funny things to say and I want to simultaneously say serious things also. Sorry not sorry.
3. I'm actually sorry.
4. It's not a 365 day blog. Thank goodness. It's just a blog-whenever-I-feel-like-I-want-to-blog-something-cool...blog.
5. I am wildly embarrassed by this. I don't like attracting attention to myself and I feel like I'm all, "Oh look at me! I have so many important things to say!" But that's not what I want at all! I actually think that what I have to say is totally pointless, BUT what God has to say is really important. So boom, self. I just got served.
Here goes nothing!
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