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.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Living as God's Treasure
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
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!
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!
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