It seems I am in an inward tug-a-war as I realize the battle between knowing truth in my heart and actually walking it out. I would tell anyone that I am completely uninterested in religion, yet I unknowingly walk in it most of the time. I can talk the talk nicely, but I want to see my life as it really is, not as I think it is, covered in mere religious words and ideas. I think everyone would agree no one needs or wants anymore religion. I really want to know and experience Jesus. If it is possible for a heart to encounter God in such intimacy, than I want to be a candidate. With a bit of fear and trembling, I'm asking that a bull's eye be placed on my heart and that God would find a place in my heart that He can relax, enjoy, and find rest. I want to stop caring so much about religious duties and begin caring about God Himself. May we be those that honestly care for God -- what is really on His heart! Things that we care for are cultivated. Whether it's the main things in life, such as our families, or smaller less important things like yard work or gardens, we give our time and energy to making sure those things are in tact. It is no different with God. He really wants us to cultivate friendship with Him and be those that carry His heart to others.
I add "with a bit of fear and trembling" because, though I don't know a lot about the subject, the invitation to friendship with God is more than what I once thought it was. I think about whom the Lord called His friends throughout the Bible and I realize the life lived in friendship with God is one that is costly -- at least with the perspective of earthly things. It is laying aside what we think we deserve or need and with joy in our hearts sharing the thoughts, burdens, and cares that the very God of the universe carries in His heart. This is a daily struggle for me personally as I encounter nearly every day the selfishness in my heart as to what I think I need or deserve. If only I would lay aside temporary things to carry the perspective of heaven in my heart so much so that I die to what I want, think I need, and believe I deserve. It is truly a narrow path that many in the Western world criticize and call unnecessary. Yet to God, it is a life lived in wisdom and an invitation to greatness in His Kingdom. We lay down our lives to gain Him. We say yes to a life of being poor in spirit, of being desperate for His touch on our hearts, spending our energy for the sake of others, and being willing to carry His heart for the poor and forgotten of the earth. Although foolish to many, I would think that those who find this place in God would begin to believe that the temporary pleasures of this earth are as nothing compared to encountering true pleasure that flows from God's heart to those who hunger for Him. Bitterness has no root in them because they walk the way of tenderness, forgiving others and walking in humility and love. Jesus, be the love of our hearts -- that we would not walk in religion, but in real encounters with you.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Singleness
I have found that even though people seem to be getting married later in life, being single in our culture is not the most popular choice. And, by all means, it shouldn’t be. Yet, there are many who struggle with the idea of singleness and who long for the husband or wife that God has prepared for them. It is true that there are both positive and biblical ideas about the topic of singleness, but it is clear that it is not for everyone. For those who are waiting for their mate, it can be a difficult and lonely time full of questions and concerns about God’s timing. I am certainly one that can talk about the issue of singleness since this is the path that God has put me on up to this point in my life.
I want to encourage those, who like me, are on the path of singleness. Whether you are young and have many years ahead of you for God to bring your mate, divorced, or older and have never been married, I want to speak what I believe is the heart of God to you…an encouraging word, so to speak.Like all of you, I know friends and family who decided to get married in their early 20s. I loved watching the excitement of having the fist child, purchasing a home, and celebrating yearly anniversaries. I loved the conversations about the child’s first words, their first day of school, and the first friends they made. I love all of the mothers in my life and have the highest respect and honor for my friends and family who are one. It is a God-given gift and responsibility that is just incredible.
I love that God’s plan for our lives is not set in stone and we are not all wedged out of the same “cookie cutter” so to speak. His plan for each of us is so unique and precious to Him no matter what it may look like to us. We often wonder why our lives can’t fit into a mold to look like a certain somebody’s that we know. But to God, it is precious in His eyes no matter what our circumstances are because He is the one writing the book about your life. We aren’t the author – He is! Because of this truth, it takes much trust and dependence on knowing that God sees us, is aware of His timing for our life, and, even though we are at times tempted to ask Him, cares about our needs and wants (as long as our wants and needs fall within the boundaries of His will).
Whether you are single or married, that is not the most important issue. There is something much deeper that God wants to give us. Contentment. To be content in every situation and circumstance is of much worth in God’s eyes. The topic of being content can cover every issue in our lives and goes far past just being single or married. In talking with a friend the other day about the difficulty of waiting for her mate, she finished with this statement, “These issues I am so concerned about are nothing in the light of eternity.” That is so true! At the same time, God cares about our needs and desires and has a time clock that is important to Him to bring about each stage in our lives to completion. Take advantage of the period of waiting – God can work a beautiful inner quality within you that will help you throughout future seasons in your life.
Therefore, whether you are single or married, I encourage you to find contentment in every circumstance, to set your mind and heart upon eternal things, to be a peacemaker in all areas and relationships of life, and to be servant hearted before God and others. Is it not true that our first and most important desire should be to please God? It is not in doing things that pleases Him – it is in the quiet inner trust that makes us aware of God’s eyes upon us and allows us to enter into His peaceful rest and assurance of His marvelous love. Place your needs, desires, and wants on the back burner and begin to walk with the humility of pleasing God with an attitude of meekness in every relationship and season of waiting. In doing that, I promise that you will get God’s attention.
I want to encourage those, who like me, are on the path of singleness. Whether you are young and have many years ahead of you for God to bring your mate, divorced, or older and have never been married, I want to speak what I believe is the heart of God to you…an encouraging word, so to speak.Like all of you, I know friends and family who decided to get married in their early 20s. I loved watching the excitement of having the fist child, purchasing a home, and celebrating yearly anniversaries. I loved the conversations about the child’s first words, their first day of school, and the first friends they made. I love all of the mothers in my life and have the highest respect and honor for my friends and family who are one. It is a God-given gift and responsibility that is just incredible.
I love that God’s plan for our lives is not set in stone and we are not all wedged out of the same “cookie cutter” so to speak. His plan for each of us is so unique and precious to Him no matter what it may look like to us. We often wonder why our lives can’t fit into a mold to look like a certain somebody’s that we know. But to God, it is precious in His eyes no matter what our circumstances are because He is the one writing the book about your life. We aren’t the author – He is! Because of this truth, it takes much trust and dependence on knowing that God sees us, is aware of His timing for our life, and, even though we are at times tempted to ask Him, cares about our needs and wants (as long as our wants and needs fall within the boundaries of His will).
Whether you are single or married, that is not the most important issue. There is something much deeper that God wants to give us. Contentment. To be content in every situation and circumstance is of much worth in God’s eyes. The topic of being content can cover every issue in our lives and goes far past just being single or married. In talking with a friend the other day about the difficulty of waiting for her mate, she finished with this statement, “These issues I am so concerned about are nothing in the light of eternity.” That is so true! At the same time, God cares about our needs and desires and has a time clock that is important to Him to bring about each stage in our lives to completion. Take advantage of the period of waiting – God can work a beautiful inner quality within you that will help you throughout future seasons in your life.
Therefore, whether you are single or married, I encourage you to find contentment in every circumstance, to set your mind and heart upon eternal things, to be a peacemaker in all areas and relationships of life, and to be servant hearted before God and others. Is it not true that our first and most important desire should be to please God? It is not in doing things that pleases Him – it is in the quiet inner trust that makes us aware of God’s eyes upon us and allows us to enter into His peaceful rest and assurance of His marvelous love. Place your needs, desires, and wants on the back burner and begin to walk with the humility of pleasing God with an attitude of meekness in every relationship and season of waiting. In doing that, I promise that you will get God’s attention.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
