Recently, I was doing a Bible study with one of the young women in our church. We were studying the basics of faith and Christianity. When we got to the chapter that described the Church and its mission, I was extremely frustrated. As we were talking, it started to dawn on me that the American Church as a whole has got this thing all wrong. Don't misunderstand me, I don't think all churches miss the mark when it comes to what its supposed to look like. However, as a whole I was increasingly frustrated at the Biblical definition of the church as compared to our definition.
Let me start by saying, the American church has begun to look like a social club, with social ideas, and motto's. It has begun to have crazy requirements and rituals. It has become picky and choosy. It kind of sounds like a sorority. You have to pledge a certain set of values, you have to meet certain requirements, and you have to perform certain rituals. It has become easier for people to say "Why bother if I can't possibly meet those standards?" When people walk into to the church, often they are confronted with the same old cliques. The same feelings of inadequacy that often can be found in the high school cafeteria. Eek. This may seem extreme for me to be saying. Honestly, I love my church and I love the people in it. As a minister it is often easy not to see where the church has fallen short but it only took a couple Biblical examples for me to realize...we are missing it.
As me and my friend sat studying the Bible, she told me a little bit about when she worked as a nanny for many Jewish families. She talked about how reverent they were towards their faith, she told me how close knit they were, and she told me how they shared everything. That reminded me of the culture that our faith was born out of.
Acts 2:42-47 "42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
In Jesus' time, this is how people were. They weren't concerned about what people looked like, how much money they had, what their background was. They were all Christians. They showed a different example then what was in the world. They didn't allow the negative aspects of their society or there outward circumstances to form their church, they allow the love of God to. They recognized the importance of fellowship, of staying together, of not letting stuff separate them. I'm sure that everyone wasn't perfect and that not everyone got along all the time. However, they had purpose and focus. So lets break this down.
First, they studied the Word of God, did communion, and prayed. In the church we usually have this one down. We go to church every Sunday and hear the message preached, we pray, and worship together. Of course we remember by celebrating communion. However, often the message and its purpose stops as we walk out the church doors. The things we learn and the sacrifice we remember stays at church, while we go on living our lives the way we want to. No surrender or acknowledgment of God in our everyday lives. Down in verse 46, it says they met together everyday. They spent time at the temple everyday to do these things. Now I get that we can't all be at church everyday and we don't all have those kind of schedules. Yet we need to maintain these things in our lives and in our families every day.
Next, they shared with one another. They were generous, they were compassionate, and they helped met each other's needs. They came together to help the widows and orphans. They were focused on taking care of one another. That is what the people around them recognized the most about these Christians. It wasn't just the great preaching or music or the teaching, it was the way they took care of each other. They didn't pick and choose who they were going to care for. They saw the need, they pulled together, and they met it. Are we doing this in our churches? Do we come together in one accord and ask sincerely, what are the needs of the people in our church and in our community? How can we meet these needs? Some people have the financial ability. Some people have the educational ability. Some people have the time. Everyone has something to offer. If we could just come and work together.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 "12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
Lastly, they hung out. They simply got together and enjoyed each other's company. They were not alone in their faith. They spent time getting to know one another. They probably laughed, sang, played games, watched each other's kids. They didn't go at it alone. They didn't say things like "I love that person but I don't really like them." They shared in each other's struggles and triumphs. They did life together. I've heard that phrase a lot recently. They embraced and lived life together as one body. I know not all personalities mesh, and I know that cultures often collide and misunderstand each other, but we are not just personalities and not just cultures. We are Christ followers. That should be the glue that binds us together. Not just because we agree all the time or because we like each other all the time. We love Jesus. That should be enough of a reason to cast all the other stuff aside and embrace one another. That should be the prerequisite to this club. When people who don't know Jesus see us like this, they will want to be a part of it.
Verse 47, says that people were added to the church daily. That's not a couple members a year. That's thousands of members every year. We need the amazing power of God through prayer and His word. We need to see signs and wonders. I would also venture to say that we need to get the practical life stuff down. People shouldn't be afraid to be who they are when they walk into church on Sunday. They shouldn't have to say things like, "when I get my life together then I'll come to church" we need to be transformed into a Church that accepts all and even more than that accepts each other.
God bless! Go and change your Church!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Blind spot
The first new car that Bill and I ever bought, that required a car payment, was our PT Cruiser. It was electric blue and I loved it. It was reliable and we put a lot of miles on it until we sold it last year. I don't have anything negative to say about the car, except that it had the worst blind spots. I cut off a bunch of people, on accident. Whenever I looked behind me to check my right side it was nearly impossible to see anything. I couldn't get an accurate view of what was going on behind me. It was scary on the highway, it was nerve racking in traffic, and it made driving the car a little risky.
I've been thinking a lot about blind spots in life. Lately I have analyzed our lives in ministry. I have begun to realize that people have spiritual weaknesses that can cause extremely risky behavior. It can be something that they are totally unaware of. It can be something they chose to ignore. It can be something that they downplay because they don't think it is a big deal. A lot of the time, the only way to see over the obstruction is to take a good hard look inside.
It takes courage and faith. Let's face it, no one wants to admit what their weaknesses are, whether they are big or small, major or minor. The reality is we all have them. One of mine, is when I have had a breakthrough in my life. I have worked really hard and finally accomplished something, or have seen a big challenge through. It is when I sit down feeling victorious and accomplished that I let my guard down. I rest too long, thinking that the feeling of accomplishment will last forever. Then, I open my eyes and realize that I missed something. I could have kept going and accomplished more. I could have started something new while in that moment of elation. I'm not saying its wrong to rest after a huge battle is won. Its just that being ready to get up and go at it again is where I seem to falter. I always realize after the fact and feel like kicking myself. I couldn't see the value of riding that wave of success.
So how do we deal with blind spots in our lives? How can we overcome these areas that seem to trip us up? How can we avoid a traffic hazard?
First, I think honest prayer is essential. Its hard to ask God to show you something about yourself. Coming to God about our weaknesses is not always easy. We want to present ourselves to God with no faults. Often we forget His grace and mercy. It is also a form of confession. Admitting to God that we don't have it all together. Confessing that we need Him to show us where we might be falling short. It can be painful, because God WILL answer this prayer. He will show you where you need to change. In fact, He wants to show you so that He can give you the power to change it. That's the best part, He won't show you your mistakes and then leave you alone to deal with them. He'll show you His grace and help you to make it right.
Romans 8:26 says "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us." You don't have to deal with yourself alone.
Next, ask someone you trust. The Bible says that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Its a metaphor for how friendship works. The ability to ask a close friend what they think is risky. You are putting trust on the line. However a true friend can give you a clearer view of what you may not see (Proverbs 27:6). It's like having someone ride shotgun with you. If someone was in the front seat next to me while I was driving the cruiser, I could always ask them to double check that blind spot. I knew that they could see what I could not. It helped me to avoid many a collision. Make sure you have those kind of people in your life. God will use them to answer your prayer to Him. Proverbs 27: 9 says "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."
Lastly, you need to be able to admit you have those areas that can derail you. After asking God, after asking a friend, its up to you to say "Yeah, I need to change that." The ball will end up in your court. You can choose to deal with it, to make an effort to be aware of that part of yourself, or you can ignore it. I've witnessed both scenarios. When people decide to ignore it, its tragic. Mistakes are made, wrong paths are chosen, and choices have negative consequences. When people adjust, no matter how painful or difficult it may be to face, they grow, they avoid pitfalls, they become better. Song of Solomon 2:15 talks about catching the small foxes that spoil the vineyard. You have to get rid of the little things that nip at you. The small or large issues that hold you back. They keep you from growing, from bearing good fruit. From being a whole, successful person.
So what's your blind spot? Do you have any idea? Are you willing to find out? If you want to see your life transformed, begin by asking these questions prayerfully. That is a good place to start. Its not just about surrender its about recognizing who you are. Be blessed! God has so much for you, get on your knees and find out what it is.
I've been thinking a lot about blind spots in life. Lately I have analyzed our lives in ministry. I have begun to realize that people have spiritual weaknesses that can cause extremely risky behavior. It can be something that they are totally unaware of. It can be something they chose to ignore. It can be something that they downplay because they don't think it is a big deal. A lot of the time, the only way to see over the obstruction is to take a good hard look inside.
It takes courage and faith. Let's face it, no one wants to admit what their weaknesses are, whether they are big or small, major or minor. The reality is we all have them. One of mine, is when I have had a breakthrough in my life. I have worked really hard and finally accomplished something, or have seen a big challenge through. It is when I sit down feeling victorious and accomplished that I let my guard down. I rest too long, thinking that the feeling of accomplishment will last forever. Then, I open my eyes and realize that I missed something. I could have kept going and accomplished more. I could have started something new while in that moment of elation. I'm not saying its wrong to rest after a huge battle is won. Its just that being ready to get up and go at it again is where I seem to falter. I always realize after the fact and feel like kicking myself. I couldn't see the value of riding that wave of success.
So how do we deal with blind spots in our lives? How can we overcome these areas that seem to trip us up? How can we avoid a traffic hazard?
First, I think honest prayer is essential. Its hard to ask God to show you something about yourself. Coming to God about our weaknesses is not always easy. We want to present ourselves to God with no faults. Often we forget His grace and mercy. It is also a form of confession. Admitting to God that we don't have it all together. Confessing that we need Him to show us where we might be falling short. It can be painful, because God WILL answer this prayer. He will show you where you need to change. In fact, He wants to show you so that He can give you the power to change it. That's the best part, He won't show you your mistakes and then leave you alone to deal with them. He'll show you His grace and help you to make it right.
Romans 8:26 says "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us." You don't have to deal with yourself alone.
Next, ask someone you trust. The Bible says that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Its a metaphor for how friendship works. The ability to ask a close friend what they think is risky. You are putting trust on the line. However a true friend can give you a clearer view of what you may not see (Proverbs 27:6). It's like having someone ride shotgun with you. If someone was in the front seat next to me while I was driving the cruiser, I could always ask them to double check that blind spot. I knew that they could see what I could not. It helped me to avoid many a collision. Make sure you have those kind of people in your life. God will use them to answer your prayer to Him. Proverbs 27: 9 says "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."
Lastly, you need to be able to admit you have those areas that can derail you. After asking God, after asking a friend, its up to you to say "Yeah, I need to change that." The ball will end up in your court. You can choose to deal with it, to make an effort to be aware of that part of yourself, or you can ignore it. I've witnessed both scenarios. When people decide to ignore it, its tragic. Mistakes are made, wrong paths are chosen, and choices have negative consequences. When people adjust, no matter how painful or difficult it may be to face, they grow, they avoid pitfalls, they become better. Song of Solomon 2:15 talks about catching the small foxes that spoil the vineyard. You have to get rid of the little things that nip at you. The small or large issues that hold you back. They keep you from growing, from bearing good fruit. From being a whole, successful person.
So what's your blind spot? Do you have any idea? Are you willing to find out? If you want to see your life transformed, begin by asking these questions prayerfully. That is a good place to start. Its not just about surrender its about recognizing who you are. Be blessed! God has so much for you, get on your knees and find out what it is.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
New Title new year
Okay, so I have had a major case of blogger's block. Looking for an identity, and trying to figure out what to write about. I always have a lot going on in my head. Usually I'm pretty random. This is apparent in the frequency of my writing and the subjects I choose to write about. I'm not going to make a new resolution that the trend is going to change. I'm a bipolar blogger. With all that said, I still love writing and sharing. My goal is to write every week. I want to encourage, to tell stories, to share my crazy life, to share my opinions, and most of all to share my faith.
The previous title, Ministry, Motherhood, and the USA was a great start for me, because those are all my main focuses. As I thought about it however, I really wanted a different title. For weeks I have been going over different titles. I researched other blogs and what the author's chose to name them. I couldn't come up with anything original. Nothing was really setting right with me. Even the title I did change it to Transforming Erica, seemed, weird. So sitting here I went to the edit screen and thought well I'm going to leave it blank for now until I get something good. Unfortunately, I couldn't just leave it blank, the screen wouldn't let me. So I typed 'work in progress' in the Title bar. Almost like its under construction. Then as I looked at it, I realized, that's pretty much it. That is my life and my journey. So I decided to go with it. I am a work in progress and in fact we all are. It is a journey that takes many turns, many ups, and many downs. It never really ends. We never stop growing or moving or changing. So that's it. The new title. I hope you stay tuned! Its going to get exciting!
The previous title, Ministry, Motherhood, and the USA was a great start for me, because those are all my main focuses. As I thought about it however, I really wanted a different title. For weeks I have been going over different titles. I researched other blogs and what the author's chose to name them. I couldn't come up with anything original. Nothing was really setting right with me. Even the title I did change it to Transforming Erica, seemed, weird. So sitting here I went to the edit screen and thought well I'm going to leave it blank for now until I get something good. Unfortunately, I couldn't just leave it blank, the screen wouldn't let me. So I typed 'work in progress' in the Title bar. Almost like its under construction. Then as I looked at it, I realized, that's pretty much it. That is my life and my journey. So I decided to go with it. I am a work in progress and in fact we all are. It is a journey that takes many turns, many ups, and many downs. It never really ends. We never stop growing or moving or changing. So that's it. The new title. I hope you stay tuned! Its going to get exciting!
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Hard to Believe
Let's be honest. It's hard to be a Christian. It's always been hard. If its not one thing its the other. Facing persecution, accusation, unbelief, hopelessness, brokenness, self, its hard. Period. As I observe many people that I have known or been acquainted with, I get it. How can people believe in something they can't see, when everything around them is so messed up? There are plenty of reasons to question and a myriad of excuses.
It's true people can be rich, strong, influential, successful without God. People do good things without God, can be nice without God, and giving without God. Humanity as a whole can be a lot of things. I have found in my observation that everyone has a breaking point though. A point where they look up to the sky and shake their fist at Him or bow a knee and surrender. In that moment, there is an acknowledgement that there is a God. That we alone are not in complete control of our lives. In that moment the atheist will choose to stop believing in Him or someone will embrace faith and believe.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11.1). If you don't believe in God, you will never see Him. Jesus told Thomas that those who believed without seeing would be
blessed (John 20:29). People ask for a sign all the time, sometimes God gives that sign. In my own personal experience it doesn't happen if I don't believe. If my motives are a desire for proof before belief than most of the time, I get nothing.
God has proved His existence for thousands of years. He doesn't have to keep on proving Himself. The ball is in our court. Do we choose to believe in a God who created the world, sent His Son, or not. Do we choose to live life with hope for eternity or live life hopelessly striving for nothing. Can anyone prove there is nothing after death? I think not. I'd rather take a chance and believe that there is and live my life to that end. The alternative is a scary thought. Eternity disconnected from my Creator. Disconnected from truth and life.
About 10 years ago, I was at work and a bunch of coworkers were discussing the release of the movie "The Passion of the Christ." I wept through the entire movie. As we were discussing the film one of my coworkers was talking about how good the movie was and was pretty overwhelmed by it. Towards the end of the conversation she made a comment that will always stick with me. Let me preface this by saying she wasn't a religious person or a believer. She said if all that the Bible says is true and that movie was correct, then we are all screwed (she used an expletive). The power of the truth in that moment hit her and she realized that there was a very clear choice to be made. To believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God and that everything He said and did was true or to take the chance that it wasn't.
I know that being a Christian is hard. I know that it seems like there are lots of rules and regulations. Honestly there is really only one thing.
Faith is a choice, a choice every person must make.
It's true people can be rich, strong, influential, successful without God. People do good things without God, can be nice without God, and giving without God. Humanity as a whole can be a lot of things. I have found in my observation that everyone has a breaking point though. A point where they look up to the sky and shake their fist at Him or bow a knee and surrender. In that moment, there is an acknowledgement that there is a God. That we alone are not in complete control of our lives. In that moment the atheist will choose to stop believing in Him or someone will embrace faith and believe.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11.1). If you don't believe in God, you will never see Him. Jesus told Thomas that those who believed without seeing would be
blessed (John 20:29). People ask for a sign all the time, sometimes God gives that sign. In my own personal experience it doesn't happen if I don't believe. If my motives are a desire for proof before belief than most of the time, I get nothing.
God has proved His existence for thousands of years. He doesn't have to keep on proving Himself. The ball is in our court. Do we choose to believe in a God who created the world, sent His Son, or not. Do we choose to live life with hope for eternity or live life hopelessly striving for nothing. Can anyone prove there is nothing after death? I think not. I'd rather take a chance and believe that there is and live my life to that end. The alternative is a scary thought. Eternity disconnected from my Creator. Disconnected from truth and life.
About 10 years ago, I was at work and a bunch of coworkers were discussing the release of the movie "The Passion of the Christ." I wept through the entire movie. As we were discussing the film one of my coworkers was talking about how good the movie was and was pretty overwhelmed by it. Towards the end of the conversation she made a comment that will always stick with me. Let me preface this by saying she wasn't a religious person or a believer. She said if all that the Bible says is true and that movie was correct, then we are all screwed (she used an expletive). The power of the truth in that moment hit her and she realized that there was a very clear choice to be made. To believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God and that everything He said and did was true or to take the chance that it wasn't.
I know that being a Christian is hard. I know that it seems like there are lots of rules and regulations. Honestly there is really only one thing.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
The Doubter
Doubt. Its an extremely powerful thought pattern. It lead to fear and creates in us uncertainty. It puts us on a track of circular thinking that never gives us an answer. We can try to disprove it or try to calm it. Those thoughts just creep back in. Doubt causes a battle in us that makes it hard to believe in anything.
From a biblical perspective, I often wonder if Thomas was really a doubter because he didn't believe in God, or because he just didn't believe the people around Him. If it was the latter, then I certainly can relate. Based on the failures of people and the mistakes made in the church over centuries, its no wonder people doubt the reality of God. Through human error, and lack of understanding, humanity's doubtful view of an Almighty God is valid. Not only that, but Christian's (myself included) often allow those doubts to influence their faith.
Faith is not based on proof. Although there is enough evidence out there for the existence of God, Jesus, and His work throughout the world. Faith is stepping into an unknown place with all the hope within you because even though you can't see something...you KNOW it's there.
I know God is real. That is why when I screw up I feel terrible and when I don't change, its even worse. . The breath in my lungs is my hope that the next moment is another chance to change. Sometimes, I wonder if God is just going to throw in the towel and let me go, but He doesn't.
The reality is Thomas wasn't considered a doubter because he didn't believe his peers, or because he didn't believe in God, He was considered a doubter because he didn't believe in what he couldn't see or feel. Seeing is believing right? The only problem with that is, if everything I see around me is what I should believe in, then eek, what's the point.
I might not have all the answers. I might not know the details of how God created the world in 7 days, or why people die painful deaths, or how the Bible was written by so many people and yet still rings true. But I know this, that God is real. I see Him in the way He protects my children. I see Him in the love I share with my Husband. I see Him in my best friend who struggles with a terrible sickness but still refuses to give up on Her savior. I see Him in those who choose to stand for Him when no one else will. God is real and He shows it when we truly believe in Him. Doubting may seem easier. It may come easier but it leaves us empty and afraid. Giving our hearts and minds a chance to believe is what opens our spirits to the possibility that God is there.
From a biblical perspective, I often wonder if Thomas was really a doubter because he didn't believe in God, or because he just didn't believe the people around Him. If it was the latter, then I certainly can relate. Based on the failures of people and the mistakes made in the church over centuries, its no wonder people doubt the reality of God. Through human error, and lack of understanding, humanity's doubtful view of an Almighty God is valid. Not only that, but Christian's (myself included) often allow those doubts to influence their faith.
Faith is not based on proof. Although there is enough evidence out there for the existence of God, Jesus, and His work throughout the world. Faith is stepping into an unknown place with all the hope within you because even though you can't see something...you KNOW it's there.
I know God is real. That is why when I screw up I feel terrible and when I don't change, its even worse. . The breath in my lungs is my hope that the next moment is another chance to change. Sometimes, I wonder if God is just going to throw in the towel and let me go, but He doesn't.
The reality is Thomas wasn't considered a doubter because he didn't believe his peers, or because he didn't believe in God, He was considered a doubter because he didn't believe in what he couldn't see or feel. Seeing is believing right? The only problem with that is, if everything I see around me is what I should believe in, then eek, what's the point.
I might not have all the answers. I might not know the details of how God created the world in 7 days, or why people die painful deaths, or how the Bible was written by so many people and yet still rings true. But I know this, that God is real. I see Him in the way He protects my children. I see Him in the love I share with my Husband. I see Him in my best friend who struggles with a terrible sickness but still refuses to give up on Her savior. I see Him in those who choose to stand for Him when no one else will. God is real and He shows it when we truly believe in Him. Doubting may seem easier. It may come easier but it leaves us empty and afraid. Giving our hearts and minds a chance to believe is what opens our spirits to the possibility that God is there.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
When I Grow up I want to be just like Abigail
So, I want to start this post off by saying that the last couple weeks I have been on a slippery slope. I recently wrote a post about how becoming a housewife was not so bad. In it I expressed my struggles with being lazy and how I felt God has really helped me to overcome these issues. Well, the last couple weeks, I began to let myself go a little. Now just to give myself a little grace, it has been really busy. My husband went away for a weekend. Then we went away together for a retreat. We were faced with a major home repair, and it's been a little overwhelming. That being said, I started to revert a little backwards. Taking more time for myself then I needed and putting the important needs of my home on the back burner. The result of course was frustration. Looking around and saying "I'm back here again?" This time I was faced with a decision to drown in a pool of pity or to simply get back up and start again. I had to put my priorities in order and remember that God helped me before and He will help me again. I say that all to say that I stopped blogging for a few weeks because I was out of sorts and wasn't really focused on writing. Now I'm back and actually very excited to keep sharing life with you.
The title of this post is the real reason why I wanted to write tonight. So here goes. I don't really see myself as a super discerning, or wise person. I believe that with age and life experience I have learned a lot and have grown in leaps and bounds in the common sense department. (Common sense hasn't always been my strong suite). For the most part I struggle in these important areas.
I read recently something on Facebook that said something like "20 ways to know you are Mentally Tough." When I read that, I was encouraged that I was okay in certain categories but overall not mentally muscular. Now before you all go thinking I'm being hard on myself, please hear me out. This introspection is not to tear myself down but rather to recognize what I should pray for and what God wants me to become.
Recently, I have begun to pray specifically for something from God. I have asked Him to make me a wise person. I literally have thought about Solomon and how He asked God for wisdom above all. Wisdom may not come naturally for me, but in reality it doesn't come naturally for anyone, because it comes from God. The bible literally says that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Yesterday, as I was reading my devotions, I came across the story of Abigail. (1 Samuel 25) It tells the story of a woman who was so wise that she saved her family and had the foresight to avoid a major disaster. She was brave, she was humble, she was strong, and she was discerning. As I read her story I realized that this was who I wanted to be.
I am constant work of God. I want to be totally willing to change and be transformed. I don't want to stay the same or settle for a mediocre existence. I want to realize that I have potential and will always be clay in the hands of God. I don't want to harden myself. I don't want to buy the lie that I will always be this way. I want to be pliable and changeable. God wants us to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Only He can help us realize that. I'm so encouraged that I'm a work in progress. That I will be wise, I will be discerning, and when I grow up I will be like Abigail.
The title of this post is the real reason why I wanted to write tonight. So here goes. I don't really see myself as a super discerning, or wise person. I believe that with age and life experience I have learned a lot and have grown in leaps and bounds in the common sense department. (Common sense hasn't always been my strong suite). For the most part I struggle in these important areas.
I read recently something on Facebook that said something like "20 ways to know you are Mentally Tough." When I read that, I was encouraged that I was okay in certain categories but overall not mentally muscular. Now before you all go thinking I'm being hard on myself, please hear me out. This introspection is not to tear myself down but rather to recognize what I should pray for and what God wants me to become.
Recently, I have begun to pray specifically for something from God. I have asked Him to make me a wise person. I literally have thought about Solomon and how He asked God for wisdom above all. Wisdom may not come naturally for me, but in reality it doesn't come naturally for anyone, because it comes from God. The bible literally says that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Yesterday, as I was reading my devotions, I came across the story of Abigail. (1 Samuel 25) It tells the story of a woman who was so wise that she saved her family and had the foresight to avoid a major disaster. She was brave, she was humble, she was strong, and she was discerning. As I read her story I realized that this was who I wanted to be.
I am constant work of God. I want to be totally willing to change and be transformed. I don't want to stay the same or settle for a mediocre existence. I want to realize that I have potential and will always be clay in the hands of God. I don't want to harden myself. I don't want to buy the lie that I will always be this way. I want to be pliable and changeable. God wants us to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Only He can help us realize that. I'm so encouraged that I'm a work in progress. That I will be wise, I will be discerning, and when I grow up I will be like Abigail.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Why so offended?.
Why does everyone get so offended? I've just been observing lately, how offended people get over things. They could be big issues like race, or religion, or politics. Sometimes they are little issues, like preferences, or attitudes, or small mistakes. This week, I was faced with this very thing. I had a situation at work and I got pretty frustrated, offended. I literally had to go to the bathroom in the middle of my shift, pray, and breath. For the most part, I try to let things roll off. It is not worth holding on to worthless stuff. However, I'm certainly not above getting burned. Definitely not above getting angry.
The more and more I have thought about this, I realize that people hold on to offences like they hold onto good memories. Just as easy at it is to remember all the good times, they just as easily recall all the wrongs done to them. It makes people bitter, until all the good starts to get overshadowed by a constant need to find something wrong in everything.
It's horrible. In our culture, people think they have a right to be offended. A right to freak out when something bad happens to them. A right to blame something or someone. Constantly feeling slighted, or treated wrongly, until it becomes the norm. We stop seeing the good in people and just hold on to the possibility of getting hurt.
Being offended and holding on to unfairness is a trap. I want to offer freedom to anyone who will listen. I know that its hard to forgive when you get hurt. I know its not easy to let go when you feel wronged and your american sense of justice must find a solution. We can think of all the reasons why we are offended. We can find lots of ways to justify our feelings, but in the long run its just a sad waste of precious time. Time to be focusing on the good in life. Time to embrace the good in people.
Offense leads us down a path riddled with bitterness, pain, stress, and anxiety. It doesn't help us, it doesn't answer the need for justice, it doesn't make us feel better. It just makes us bitter. You know what they say about bitterness. Its like drinking poison and hoping the other person will get hurt.
Freedom begins when you release the need to hold on to all of the stuff that has bugged you or offended you. If you have to take a long hard look inside so that you can let go then do it. I want to tell you all a quick story from the bible that is a perfect example. It can be found in Genesis 37-50.
Joseph was a young man that had everything going for him, he was most loved by his father and was extremely spoiled. This offended his older brothers and out of their offense they got rid of him by selling him into slavery. For years Joseph served in his master Potiphar's house until he was accused of immorality with the master's wife, which was a lie. He was thrown in prison. At this point, the list of reasons he should be offended was pretty long. He was betrayed, falsely accused, and wrongfully convicted. I'm sure during this time he was upset. The bible never talks about Joseph being a complainer or cashing it in because he was upset. Eventually he became an upstanding prisoner and in doing so had an opportunity to talk to the king. Through this exchange he was lifted out of an impossible situation and put in a prominent position of leadership. Years later, his brothers were in deep need, they came to Eygpt for help. Joseph was the very person that they were to come in contact with. Joseph knew them right away even though they did not recognize him. At that point, I'm sure the years of pain came rushing back and at first he treated them harshly. He had to deal with how he was wronged. What he did was amazing. Eventually he revealed himself to them and was able to forgive them. This is what he said in Genesis 45:8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God..." He was able to see past any offense and any difficulty in life to recognize that God was in control all a long.
That is an extremely short version of the story but here is my point. This man had every reason to be offended and mad and frustrated. Instead of holding on to that he kept going. He didn't waste his time. He did all that he could with what he had. As a slave he became a master in his owner's house. As a prisoner, he became a leader, the one who watched over them. All of these difficult experiences were opportunities for him to have a big chip on his shoulder. Somehow, by the grace of God, he didn't allow that to happen and it helped him to accomplish amazing things.
Being offended can simply hold you back. Keep you from being the best person you can be. Keeping you from truly loving and truly living. Let it go today. Please read the story of Joseph and allow it to put into perspective a life lived forgiving.
The more and more I have thought about this, I realize that people hold on to offences like they hold onto good memories. Just as easy at it is to remember all the good times, they just as easily recall all the wrongs done to them. It makes people bitter, until all the good starts to get overshadowed by a constant need to find something wrong in everything.
It's horrible. In our culture, people think they have a right to be offended. A right to freak out when something bad happens to them. A right to blame something or someone. Constantly feeling slighted, or treated wrongly, until it becomes the norm. We stop seeing the good in people and just hold on to the possibility of getting hurt.
Being offended and holding on to unfairness is a trap. I want to offer freedom to anyone who will listen. I know that its hard to forgive when you get hurt. I know its not easy to let go when you feel wronged and your american sense of justice must find a solution. We can think of all the reasons why we are offended. We can find lots of ways to justify our feelings, but in the long run its just a sad waste of precious time. Time to be focusing on the good in life. Time to embrace the good in people.
Offense leads us down a path riddled with bitterness, pain, stress, and anxiety. It doesn't help us, it doesn't answer the need for justice, it doesn't make us feel better. It just makes us bitter. You know what they say about bitterness. Its like drinking poison and hoping the other person will get hurt.
Freedom begins when you release the need to hold on to all of the stuff that has bugged you or offended you. If you have to take a long hard look inside so that you can let go then do it. I want to tell you all a quick story from the bible that is a perfect example. It can be found in Genesis 37-50.
Joseph was a young man that had everything going for him, he was most loved by his father and was extremely spoiled. This offended his older brothers and out of their offense they got rid of him by selling him into slavery. For years Joseph served in his master Potiphar's house until he was accused of immorality with the master's wife, which was a lie. He was thrown in prison. At this point, the list of reasons he should be offended was pretty long. He was betrayed, falsely accused, and wrongfully convicted. I'm sure during this time he was upset. The bible never talks about Joseph being a complainer or cashing it in because he was upset. Eventually he became an upstanding prisoner and in doing so had an opportunity to talk to the king. Through this exchange he was lifted out of an impossible situation and put in a prominent position of leadership. Years later, his brothers were in deep need, they came to Eygpt for help. Joseph was the very person that they were to come in contact with. Joseph knew them right away even though they did not recognize him. At that point, I'm sure the years of pain came rushing back and at first he treated them harshly. He had to deal with how he was wronged. What he did was amazing. Eventually he revealed himself to them and was able to forgive them. This is what he said in Genesis 45:8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God..." He was able to see past any offense and any difficulty in life to recognize that God was in control all a long.
That is an extremely short version of the story but here is my point. This man had every reason to be offended and mad and frustrated. Instead of holding on to that he kept going. He didn't waste his time. He did all that he could with what he had. As a slave he became a master in his owner's house. As a prisoner, he became a leader, the one who watched over them. All of these difficult experiences were opportunities for him to have a big chip on his shoulder. Somehow, by the grace of God, he didn't allow that to happen and it helped him to accomplish amazing things.
Being offended can simply hold you back. Keep you from being the best person you can be. Keeping you from truly loving and truly living. Let it go today. Please read the story of Joseph and allow it to put into perspective a life lived forgiving.
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