Diamonds in the Rough

It seems that of all the beautiful and admirable objects in the world, diamonds are at the top of the list. It is amazing how such a small stone can be valued so highly. Many admire the beauty of diamonds in their jewelry, but no one knows the story behind them. Each one, as it shines forth in its luster, has a history of being hidden, shaped, and cut into what is now a beautiful and rare diamond.  Its appearance wasn’t always such.

 

It is interesting how a diamond becomes a diamond. They begin as one of the more common elements, carbon. This element’s simplicity and commonality makes it even more amazing that it can be formed into one of the world’s most valued and sought after gems.  A diamond does not start out as a diamond.  As a matter of fact, when we see a diamond in the jewelry store on display, we can be assured that when it was found, it was 1-3 billion years old. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? It is this unseen process of billions of years that makes a diamond unique and highly valued.

100 miles hidden below the earth’s surface diamonds are being formed. With the perfect amount of pressure, time, and heat, carbon is formed into a diamond. The heat must reach 752 degrees Fahrenheit and 435,113 pounds of pressure must be applied to it per square inch in order for the diamond to be formed. There are man-made machines that can create this kind of heat and pressure to form a diamond. These are much more flawed then the true diamonds formed by nature. These flawed diamonds are used for industrial purposes and can’t be sold for jewelry because of their many flaws. There is no diamond like the ones that are created through time, pressure, and heat in nature. Take away one of these and you have a flawed diamond, and probably no diamond at all.

 As true with diamonds, so it is true with us that time, pressure, and heat create something beautiful in the end. Many want to try the “man-made” diamond and become beautiful without the time that is needed. It just will not happen. In God’s wisdom and perfect ways, He takes time to create something in us that is unflawed. It is worth it to him to take the long route and get the real deal then to get in a hurry and have a flawed diamond. For this to occur, it takes our cooperation. It takes patience, perseverance, and endurance through lots of hard knocks, pressure, and having to wait on God’s timing instead of ours. Many give up along the way because things aren’t happening the way they want or in their timing. All along, God is shaping and changing us. Each diamond has its own story and so do we. Although the same ingredients of heat, pressure, and time all create the same incredible gem, each diamond and person is unique in story.

 During the years and decades of shaping us in hidden places, He is creating something beautiful out of something very simple and common. Although some think differently, everyone is ordinary. Everyone is common. There is no one that stands above anyone else. Some have money. Some may be beautiful. Some may be in a high position of authority. Whatever their life looks like, all people are considered ordinary and common whether they realize it or not. God delights in taking the simple, ordinary people and making them into extraordinary individuals. Everything God touches is beautified, enhanced, and perfected.

 Diamonds weren’t always diamonds, and you and I will one day be quite different than what we are today. We can also say that we are not what we used to be. It’s a gradual change and transformation just like the simple element of carbon turning into a diamond.  Just like humans can’t create the perfect diamond, only God can create the perfect situations, storms, and blessings that will transform you through the years.

 Often times, all we can see is the heat, pressure, and time. We don’t like it. We don’t understand it. For those who persevere and allow God to make them into what He desires, they will become someone that displays a different nature than when they began the journey. As stated at the end of SS, she was found leaning on her beloved. No longer did she trust in herself, but through all life’s journeys, she became mature in Him.

 Of all the unique characteristics a diamond has, one of the most admirable is that it is transparent. It is the truly rare transparent diamonds that are rated flawless, meaning they don’t have the slightest imperfection. As we allow God to change us through heat, time, and pressure, we become flawless in the sense that we begin to walk in His nature and character. We carry traits that are similar to His, such as humility.  We are transparent about our weaknesses and do not show forth more than what we are.  We honor others above ourselves and don’t complain about being last or sitting on the back seat while others seem to be seen and chosen over us. We take the last seat gladly and we don’t grumble or complain.

 As time goes by, we learn to love the seasons of hiddenness because of what it produces in us. If it wasn’t for a diamond being hidden 100 miles below the earth’s surface for billions of years, it would not become what it is. God uses hiddenness to teach us about living before His eyes only. When people overlook us, speak wrongly about us, treat us with injustice, etc., it can be an opportunity for us to realign our motives to where we are living before His eyes only. If no one sees us correctly through God’s eyes, it is ok. We are confident because of the hidden time spent with God and what that created in us. Having seasons where God hides us reveals pride in our hearts of wanting to become something before people instead of living to please Him alone. Throughout our lives He will bring great success only to bring us back into hiding as a way of protecting us from the potential pride in every one of our hearts.  If no one sees our success or acknowledges us, will we be ok with that? If we allow God to train us through seasons of hiddenness, we will be ok with that because our success is not measured by the standards of other’s opinions, but only by what He thinks of us. We no longer strive for other people’s assurance and acceptance, but are rooted and grounded in the love of God.

 If you are feeling the heat of life, be encouraged. If you are in a season of waiting, be encouraged. If you seem hidden and unseen by others, be encouraged. It is God who creates every part of our life to bring transformation. His agenda and motive is to mold and shape you into something beautiful. As the years and decades unfold, you will begin to carry His nature and character, which is far more valuable than any gold or diamonds. You are a diamond in the rough.

 Isaiah 45:3

I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God who summons you by name.

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

The Next Chapter

I haven't blogged in such a long time!!! It's a very different and new season for me in my life. I'm not even sure where to begin. What a year of change it has been! Last year at this time I had quit my teaching job in Norman and didn't have a clue what God had ahead of me. I, with an incredible team of people, spent three years doing a bus ministry to kids. Looking back I can see God's wisdom in preparing me for what I'm doing now, as well as planting seeds in every little heart that we were able to speak into. I think about those kids a lot. Although it wasn't an easy decision, I knew in March of last year what the Lord was speaking to me. I panicked when He began to whisper into my heart that it was time to quit my teaching job. I panicked because He wouldn't tell me what was around the corner.  I totally went out on a limb and trusted Him with my gut feeling that it was time to quit my job. A month later, the opportunity arose to come back to Ada and work with the church that I previously attended. When I look back at what the Lord did in my heart during the 7 years in Norman, I am very thankful. I think the biggest thing He put in me was a desire for commnity outreach to especially (but not limited to) children. So here I am. Back in Ada!

When I moved to Ada from Arizona in 1998, I had no idea what God was about to do in me. I had just graduated highschool and I decided I wanted to follow in my sisters' footsteps and attend East Central University. The next seven years were very important in my life. The Lord became very real to me and I experienced His love in a way that I never had before. My view of God as being harsh and disappointed most of the time was exchanged with the truth of what He is really like. I felt His gentleness and love towards me and it changed me. It made me hungry for more and, because of my college schedule, I was able to give a considerable amount of time with the Lord, which did wonders in my heart and life that I never knew existed.

So today as I think about the last time I lived in Ada, I believe this next season will be very different. It was so important that He changed my view of what the Father's heart was towards me. I often miss the time I had back then to spend with Him, but I know that times and seasons change. I sometimes want to go back to that time when His presence was so real to me and I hungered for Him more than anything. I know God saw what was ahead and I knew He saw that I needed to have a better understanding of His love towards me if I was to speak about Him to children who so desperately needed the love of a good Father. He was preparing me for the work in Norman, and Norman was preparing me for the outreach that will be done here in Ada. I am so busy now, but I know that I am right where He wants me doing exactly what He wants me to do!

Life is very interesting and sometimes you don't see the purpose behind a season in life until it is over. I look back upon my time in Norman with a thankful heart. I also look forward to what God is going to do in Ada. For this time, it won't be just about Him and I only, but rather bringing people into the embrace and love of God that I so desperately needed. I have a long ways to go and I'm sure not perfect, but I can say with confidence that He has changed me quite a bit. I long for that same change to happen in other people. There's nothing like feeling His love and knowing that it's real and not something you've just heard for so many years growing up in church.

Thank you, Lord, for the change in times and seasons of our lives and how you decide when one ends and another begins.

Living as God's Treasure

Our greatness and success before God are not defined by what we do, but rather who we are. Others will try and define you by outward accomplishes, but there is a greater standard. Its in how God sees you and who u r to Him. The person who grasps this knows fulfillment in just being the One God loves. It doesn't mean God doesnt want us to be successful in other ways, because He does! But the standard we look to is not the standard others place on us. We must know our place in the heart of the Father and recognize when others opinion of our success is different than God's. We may not ever have a huge house and a fancy car, but we are the treasure of His heart and nothing can take that away from us. We may not be the most beautiful or the best at a certain talent or occupation, but we are number one to Him. When we know this, really know this, we dont have to seek it anywhere else. There is great fulfillment in just being His!

This morning when I was laying in bed refusing to get up, the Lord said something very powerful to me. It may not mean much to you, but for me it was huge (and very very sweet of Him). He took me way back to elementary school (way back, indeed) and helped me remember something that I hadn't thought of in years. I remembered perfectly a moment while running out to recess when a boy fell into me. He arose angrily and said "get out of my way, you fat pig." I remember clearly how those words made me feel. Now u have to understand something. I have not thought about this moment in years. Probably since elementary school. I obviously don't need therapy because of it. Yes, that boy should be ashamed of himself for sure, but I'm ok after 20 years! Yet, the Lord was so sweet to not only remind me of it, but to tell me He remembered that day and saw in my little heart how it crushed me. It may not be a big deal to me now, but it is and was to God. He cares about everything, friends! And it's His goal that we would know more and more the treasure we are to Him. He wants to break the lies and labels that have been placed on us by others so we can have happy hearts just knowing we are so so special to God. It feels really good to not have to strive anymore.

Learning to Lean on God - Understanding His Desire to Be Involved in Our Daily Issues

It’s in how we perceive our identity before God that defines how we live our life before Him. For instance, if we think He is a dictator and we have no effect on what occurs in our life, our relationship to Him in prayer will be little or nothing. Why would we want to talk to a God that sees us as robots? If, on the other hand, we see Jesus not as a far off dictator, but more as a “friend that walks closer than a brother,” our life before Him will look very different. How involved is God? And how much do we contribute to what He does and doesn’t do? How much does He want to be involved in this thing called life anyways?

The fact is, He wants to walk alongside us. The very reason behind creating us is that God would have a partnership with us. It’s the very thing we crave as human beings – intimacy. It is the joy we have when we are among friends, the feeling we get when we are among safe people, and the ability to swing wide our hearts and share what we want with someone without any fear of being rejected. That part of you and I is a part of the very heart of God. He longs for this kind of relationship with you and I. This is what He wants and this is what we are made for. Partnership and friendship with Him. Just to know that He cares about the smallest things that worry us should be a reminder of His desire to lift the things that bother us. We aren’t meant to walk through life alone. Although people are a gift from Him in our lives, it’s impossible for another person to know every part of you. Yet, God not only knows you, but is “familiar with all your ways.” (Psalms 139) Yes, we need others and it is no accident God has set certain people in your life, there will never be another that can understand you like He does. Your spouse can’t, your parents can’t, your best friend can’t, and you can’t even know yourself like He knows you! One of His names is “Counselor” because He knows exactly what you need and when you need it. He knows this because He knows you so well.

What do you lean on in tough times? Usually it’s something that will make us feel better for a moment. We are people made for pleasure and it’s human nature to turn to something that will help us “feel better.” It helps us to forget about things for awhile and we can hide behind whatever it is we are leaning on. For every broken heart, every disappointed person, and everyone who feels like giving up, there is one strong enough to hold you up during the darkest of times. Just go ahead and lean on Him – His shoulder is very comfy and quite safe. Stay there for awhile and don’t be afraid to pour your heart out to Him. He holds all of our tears in a bottle and He wants to hear everything you have to tell Him. I’ve wetted His shoulder plenty of times, and I always feel better when He gently picks up that heavy thing I had been carrying only to exchange it with His peace and love. Lean into Him when you have nothing else to give and He will carry you.

Tonight I feel His heart for us. Maybe you are carrying a really heavy load right now and you feel like the pressure is never going to give. His heart towards you is one of compassion. He is really good at walking with weak people through difficult situations. Actually, He is an expert at it. I would not say it if I had not experienced it for myself. The hardest part is learning to not try and fix everything on our own. Not only will it give us a nervous breakdown, but we just can’t do it. If that’s you, begin to see God not as a far off dictator but as a caring Father whose heart is so close. He is so very near to you! Lean in, friend!

Refusing to Live as Victims of our Pasts

One thing that is so incredible about God is that our past really is forgotten. It’s deleted from His memory forever. Unfortunately, we often struggle with forgetting it ourselves. Many people, often without anyone else knowing it, live in the shame of the past when God wants to call us out and bring us into freedom. We don’t have to live in the shackles of yesterday’s pain, mistakes, or failures. Hopefully here are a few practical things that will be helpful if you or someone you know is dealing with it.

One thing we must know is that although God forgets our past, He does not forget us. He knows exactly what you have gone through, whether other people do or not. He knows every detail and is willing to walk us through to where our past doesn’t control us anymore. The fact is, God really cares about us. This includes every part of our lives, from the smallest to the greatest details. This fact, in and of itself, can bring such relief to know that God understands us. He knows why we are angry, bitter, resentful, etc. There is nothing that is too far for God to not restore. Relationships may or may not be restored, but He can restore the inside of us to where we are no longer victims. We just aren't meant to live in slavery to our pasts.

Many emotions are felt when the past tries to rule over us. Fear is one of the greatest. When you sense fear, it’s important to know it’s not coming from God. Recognizing who God is and what He is like will help us to know the source of our emotions, etc. There is no fear in His love. Perfect love drives out all fear, and His love is perfect. So when we are bound up by fear (whatever that looks like in your life), God wants to break that off so you can walk in peace and confidence in God. It might be a fear of what people think or a fear that your past will influence your present or future. You don’t have to walk in it. God has something better.

Something else that we have all had to deal with is the huge issue of forgiving ourselves and forgiving others. Unforgiveness really does hurt you more than anyone else. It’s not worth holding it in to where it brings damage to your own life. The damage manifests in different ways and will eventually destroy other relationships in your life as well as yourself. Bitterness is a very ugly thing. Again, God wants us to know that He sees what has happened, He knows the details, and He isn’t apathetic about the wrong things that have been done to us. At the same time, He is committed to us living in freedom. Forgiveness is necessary for that to happen. It may not happen overnight, and you may have to keep forgiving until it’s a reality in your heart. God, overtime, really will work in our hearts to forgive those who have wronged us. Don’t feel bad if those old feelings of anger arise again. Deal with it, forgive them again, and go on. Don’t let it fester to the point where it ruins you. And don’t give up with the process. It may take time. And then there is the issue of forgiving ourselves. There is nothing worse than knowing you have made a mistake at the cost of someone else. It is normal (and probably a little bit healthy) to feel the seriousness of our mistake. God wants us to deal with it and go on instead of holding it against ourselves. There is nothing freer than to let go and forgive yourself or someone who has wronged you. Holding onto it will only bring disaster in your own life.

Lastly, I think the most important way of overcoming things of the past is to know how God sees us. I know I write about this a lot, but I think the subject is so important for all of us. We must know that our identity is not in our past. We must know that God sees us in a different way than those who are familiar with us in our lives that may only see us in the perspective of the past. I can’t tell you how freeing it is to have people’s opinion of you not matter because your identity is in how God feels about you, not others. You can forgive easier because you are “rooted and grounded in the love of God.” (Ephesians) No longer are you looking and searching for people to fill that void of helping you to feel significant. Your significance comes from the Lord in knowing you are loved and cared for by Him. His love covers a multitude of sin and there is absolutely no shame in His presence. Without hanging our heads, we can look straight in His eyes, so to speak. We must know who we are in God to have victory over our pasts and other voices that surround us. Even those that are closest to us sometimes are the ones that are too familiar to see who we really are in God. He wants to show you who you really are in Him, and you will really start to like yourself if you don’t already. No longer will the memories and thoughts from the past stop you from being who God wants you to be.

I hope this is helpful to someone out there. If your past is trying to haunt you, try answering these thoughts and questions:

1. What emotions/feelings do you have when dealing with your past? Anger? Unforgiveness? Bitterness? Etc… Being aware of our feelings is important. You may want to journal or talk to someone you can trust about it. Just don’t let it stay in there. Being aware that you are angry, etc is the first step to being free.

2. Have I forgiven the person(s) who wronged me? Have I forgiven myself? Have I tried to forgive, but just can’t seem to? If so, commit to asking the Lord to help you to forgive. Don’t give up on the process. Remember, it may take time.

3. Am I filling my mind with who God says I am (reading helpful books, positive relationships, other resources)? If not, commit to setting aside a part of your day or week to prayer and other helpful ways of connecting to God.

4. Be aware of words that you are speaking out of your mouth about the situation (words about yourself, words about others, etc). You may need to stop talking about it with certain people so you can gain perspective and move on. Surround yourself with people that are positive who can help you get out of it, instead of staying in the negativity. Our words really do matter. Being around people that help you, not hurt you, may be the most important thing of all.


Love ya’ll!

Do You See Him Smiling At You? A Story of Mercy

Life is full of new beginnings. Can you imagine how dull it would be if it weren’t. We would not appreciate the blossoming beauty of spring flowers if it weren’t for the winter season in which it all seems to disappear. There is something very moving about that which was seemingly without glory to all of a sudden burst into something beautiful. Yet, a few months later, its glory will once again fade.

I think we can learn much from this type of occasion. We can learn much about mercy and redemption. It seems that religion without a true reality of who God is would put the yoke of perfection on us which would drive any human being to either becoming an angry, judgmental, or mean person or cause them to go to the opposite side, which would be to condemningly give up because of their constant falling short. But I believe there is a secret in understanding His mercy in new beginnings.

It is the one who has been forgiven much who loves much. It is the one who has tried and failed, only to rise up and try again who has the Lord’s attention. David, a leader who failed miserably by giving into an affair, was called a man after God’s own heart. Yet, God saw His willingness to try again and was overwhelmed by the simple fact that David didn’t give up when life got nasty. We can learn much about His mercy and love for us when we ponder about new beginnings and we will have many in our life simply because our lives really are like a roller coaster. Up. Down. Up. Down. A bit of consistency might help, but it doesn’t seem to be this way for anyone I know. It really is all about not quitting or giving up. Sooner or later, life gets nasty. The nastiness may look different for everyone, but no one can escape it. No one. That should reassure us that we aren’t alone and also teach us the importance of having each other to walk through life with. No one is meant to be alone, especially when they are struggling.

The Lord invites us to share of His mercy. Yet, many are not willing to take of it because they know they don’t deserve it. So they stand at a distance quite possibly with the thoughts of “I have tried that life before and I failed. Miserably” or “I’m not even going to try it because I know I can’t do it.” And it’s true, we can’t in and of ourselves. Little do they know that it is this same story of mercy that is written on every one of our lives. He really does long for friendship with us and hopes that we will one day, even with all of our short comings, come a little closer and finally taste of His love. Those who do are pleasantly surprised and delighted by how He stoops so low and brings us so high by honoring us with His love and care. Isaiah 57:15 “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” He does live in a high and holy place, yet He longs to stoop low to wherever you are in life. You may have tried and failed miserably, but He is a God of new beginnings and His mercy is brand new to every one of us. It’s hard to understand and comprehend because we aren’t used to being treated this way. He, indeed, treats us differently than we have ever been treated before. He longs to honor you, to bring you close to His side, to listen to you, and love you.

So, let’s all learn the lesson of the spring blossoms. Life may be ever so inconsistent, and even our own hearts being the most difficult thing to train, but His love is ever so consistent and willing to give a fresh breeze of mercy to lift you out of your despair and defeat. As you look upon all the glory spring time was created to show us, I hope you see Him smiling at you.

1 John 3:21 “If our hearts do not condemn us we have confidence before God.”

Knowing Our Worth Before God

God's heart is so big. He has room enough in His big heart for all of us. We were meant to feel as though we belong and that we have a home, so to speak. I believe one of the saddest things on earth is for someone to not have a home. It is a place of safety, security, and provision. This is what He promises us. There is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling than for someone to feel a part of a family. To feel like we are taken care of and protected and to know we are loved and cared for. He has our back in this big ol world. He really has our back!

Oh how I long to know Him more. And to know that there is a love greater than what we have experienced! The more our hearts taste of Him it's as though we have barely began! He longs to bring into His love every person feeling alone in this world. I think we would be shocked at the number of people who feel it. Even those who are surrounded by others often feel it. We were made with the desire to be known and heard. We want to be listened to instead of going through life like a gerbil on a wheel. We were made for deep friendships and relationships because that's who God is and that's what He loves. He is about community. He is about family! We were made to feel so secure about ourselves and full of worth because of our value before God. The Father wants to speak His worth into our hearts so we can overflow with His love to others. Most of all, we can love Him in return and love others a whole lot better. That's who He is and what He does --He brings worth and value to who we are.