In the midst of busy weeks, filling out my planner like its no body's business, and forgetting to breathe along the way, I find it REAL easy to forget what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I feel like it can be so easy to get caught up in the motions like some pointless little robot when we neglect our ability to take a step back to relax and look at the big picture, if you will.
What am I doing here?
What is my purpose?
What is my heart's deepest desire?
What are my passions?
Who am I living for?
What is my motivation?
Whenever I first learned about Christianity, I thought that it was more like what we now call "legalism." I thought it was about believing Jesus died and rose again but treating it as a fact rather than an amazing, life changing truth. Through learning from others and my own messed up thinking, I mistakenly thought that if I didn't cuss, engage in underage drinking, have sex with my boyfriend, rebel from my parents.. you get the picture.. I was "clean." I was "worthy." If I read the Bible occasionally, I was good. If I volunteered at my church, I was good. If I could memorize John 3:16 and had the ability to recite it in front of my friends, I was fine.. I didn't need to hear more about Him. If you told me I did, in my defense I would most likely say, "Go find the homeless dude on the street - homeboy needs WAY more help than I do. He's the one getting money from people to buy alcohol."
Woah, woah, woah. I'm pretty sure that's not what Jesus said. At all. In fact, Jesus has quite a different viewpoint on this.
First off, we're ALL sinners. And we're never clean. Sucks to suck, right? But think about it: no matter HOW hard you try to be perfect, to respect your elders everyday, to love your neighbor (yes, this includes your enemies) as yourself, to never think "bad" thoughts, to never steal (even if you jack your friend's bracelet without asking.. guilty), you're never gonna be able to do it. Don't believe me? I challenge you to go for an hour without sinning.. then we'll talk.
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
- Isaiah 53:6
So how do I cope with this truth?
That's when the legalistic crowd (including pretty much every other religion aside from Christianity) will most likely tell you to volunteer at your church, to work with the homeless, to work on cleaning yourself up.. I can tell you this doesn't work from past experience. If you don't believe me, I again challenge you to try it. Once again I will give you the option to contact me.
Jesus says.. go with it!
You're flawed. You realized it! We're all messed up. It's comforting that that statement included "we're all".. not so comforting once you realize the claim. Rather than go against it, I vote you go with it. Then you pray. Not some scripted prayer - pray what you feel. Pray what's truly in your heart. Ask God to move in your life. Give Him time - he'll do it. I'm not saying you should sit in your sin and chill.. I'm saying that you should look for passion in your life. Look for Christ.
"Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
- Matthew 9:13
That's the God I want to worship. Funny how Jesus tells us to do the EXACT OPPOSITE of other religions. He knows we are flawed - that we're doomed for failure on our own. No matter how many freaking self help books you read, no matter how much money you give to the homeless, no matter how many times you volunteer at your church, no matter how many Bible studies you join, if there's not an inward motivation - an inward feeling that is not of your own (can I get a Holy Spirit?), what's the point in even going through with the actions? Sounds a little bit like LEGALISM if you ask me.
I find it SO comforting that in order to experience God's presence in prayer, I don't have to freaking go through the innumerable Old Testament ways of cleansing myself.
Jesus made intercession between God and man so that this wouldn't have to happen.
SO.. next time you find yourself going through the motions, forgetting why you're here on Earth and your purpose in life, go back to Him. Do less; not more. Focus on the things you are truly passionate about and seek to glorify God in. Cut out the rest. Do it.
I challenge you.
February 26, 2012
February 21, 2012
[just breathe]
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
-Psalm 46:10
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- John 14:27
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
- Matthew 6:33-34
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
- John 16:33
Happy Tuesday!
February 19, 2012
[home, sin, and everything in between]
I got back today from a lovely trip to Fort Worth/Dallas. I got to see Ben Rector for the second time in the last 2 months (he gets cuter every time) and Needtobreathe for the first time ever at House of Blues on Thursday night.. yay for skipping my Friday class. Even though I was gone from Norman for 3 whole days, it felt like a real short weekend unfortunately. Oh well. ALSO, on an unrelated note (I'm not really good at the whole tying things in if you've noticed) I realized that Norman is my home now, meaning it was good to go back to Fort Worth, but I missed Norman quite a bit. Finally, after 3 and a half years of going to school in Oklahoma, I finally feel like I live here. And the best part - this is my last semester here.. that was sarcasm if you couldn't tell. I really like Norman.
And moving on . . .
This morning I went to a different church than I usually go to when I'm home. I'd been wanting to try it out for a while now, so I finally did today. This morning the preacher quoted Simone Weil (some philosopher dude):
"Every sin is an attempt to fly from emptiness."
Spot on.
So sin means to miss the mark right? An offense against moral law.. an immoral act. Take your pick.
So I started thinking about it.. SO true. I never thought about sin that way. I thought about sin as rebellion. I thought about it as a trait of the imperfect.
but never did I ever think about it this way.
So, let's do a little experiment. I'm going to pick a few sins that I constantly engage in:
1. Gluttony
2. Gossip
3. Worry
OH HEY..
1. gluttony: when I overeat (specifically chocolate covered raisins and/or Dove dark chocolate after a long week), I am legitimately hoping the freaking candy will soothe me. I overeat chocolate.. because I feel empty. Not my stomach - myself in general.
2. gossip: when I gossip, I am intentionally putting someone else down in order to make myself feel better.. because I feel empty.
3. worry: when I worry, I am not believing that my God is strong enough to lead me through my circumstances. If I were satisfied, I wouldn't worry. But I worry.. because I feel empty.
Funny how that works out. Mr. Weil, you seem like a very wise man.
And moving on . . .
This morning I went to a different church than I usually go to when I'm home. I'd been wanting to try it out for a while now, so I finally did today. This morning the preacher quoted Simone Weil (some philosopher dude):
"Every sin is an attempt to fly from emptiness."
Spot on.
So sin means to miss the mark right? An offense against moral law.. an immoral act. Take your pick.
So I started thinking about it.. SO true. I never thought about sin that way. I thought about sin as rebellion. I thought about it as a trait of the imperfect.
but never did I ever think about it this way.
So, let's do a little experiment. I'm going to pick a few sins that I constantly engage in:
1. Gluttony
2. Gossip
3. Worry
OH HEY..
1. gluttony: when I overeat (specifically chocolate covered raisins and/or Dove dark chocolate after a long week), I am legitimately hoping the freaking candy will soothe me. I overeat chocolate.. because I feel empty. Not my stomach - myself in general.
2. gossip: when I gossip, I am intentionally putting someone else down in order to make myself feel better.. because I feel empty.
3. worry: when I worry, I am not believing that my God is strong enough to lead me through my circumstances. If I were satisfied, I wouldn't worry. But I worry.. because I feel empty.
Funny how that works out. Mr. Weil, you seem like a very wise man.
February 16, 2012
[snow in February]
this was supposed to be posted on Monday, but I just finished it.. soooo pretend like it's Tuesday.
long time no.. post?
I have been missing blogging, and although I have no particular subject on which I would like to focus on, I decided to post anyway. Sorry I'm not sorry if this post is a little incoherent and/or jumpy. Also, it's most likely going to be a bit hurried because this girl is sitting in her PJs and has class at 11:30.. oops. Read on..
This morning I woke up to a nice layer of snow at the Bob Marley house.
It was wonderful. So this week has the potential to be one of the best weeks I've had in a long time. Snow on Monday + Valentine's Day outing with wonderful people + [give or take two quizzes on Tuesday] + Valentine's Day strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese icing + Needtobreathe & Ben Rector + Fort Worth to see my lovely family. Does it get any better?
SUBJECT CHANGE - don't quit reading.. I already told you this post would be jumpy.
Do you ever feel like this new age of "relativism" where anything goes is starting to sweep the nation? Well I do. And sometimes it gets to the point in which one has a hard time separating fact from feelings.
relativism (n.): Relativism is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid, and that all truth is relative to the individual. This means that all moral positions, all religious systems, all art forms, all political movements, etc., are truths that are relative to the individual.
Like, I'm sorry, but who let homegirl Nicki Minaj onstage at the Grammy's last night with that beyond creepy exorcism act? When did that become okay? If you're going for the "shock" factor, Nicki, you got it. If you're going for the "you're a creep" factor, you got that one too. Straight nailed it. I just am not really sure why one would want to include something like that in their act - thousands (probably millions, actually) of people, teenagers, etc. are watching you for your talent (that is what the Grammy's are all about, right?), and THAT is what you want people to see? Anything does NOT go.
So just because something (like Nicki's little act) "feels" wrong to me, how do I know it's wrong? Feelings for me, unfortunately, a lot of the time do not go hand in hand with truth. Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, uses the example of the fact, faith, feeling train.
long time no.. post?
I have been missing blogging, and although I have no particular subject on which I would like to focus on, I decided to post anyway. Sorry I'm not sorry if this post is a little incoherent and/or jumpy. Also, it's most likely going to be a bit hurried because this girl is sitting in her PJs and has class at 11:30.. oops. Read on..
This morning I woke up to a nice layer of snow at the Bob Marley house.
SUBJECT CHANGE - don't quit reading.. I already told you this post would be jumpy.
Do you ever feel like this new age of "relativism" where anything goes is starting to sweep the nation? Well I do. And sometimes it gets to the point in which one has a hard time separating fact from feelings.
relativism (n.): Relativism is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid, and that all truth is relative to the individual. This means that all moral positions, all religious systems, all art forms, all political movements, etc., are truths that are relative to the individual.
Like, I'm sorry, but who let homegirl Nicki Minaj onstage at the Grammy's last night with that beyond creepy exorcism act? When did that become okay? If you're going for the "shock" factor, Nicki, you got it. If you're going for the "you're a creep" factor, you got that one too. Straight nailed it. I just am not really sure why one would want to include something like that in their act - thousands (probably millions, actually) of people, teenagers, etc. are watching you for your talent (that is what the Grammy's are all about, right?), and THAT is what you want people to see? Anything does NOT go.
So just because something (like Nicki's little act) "feels" wrong to me, how do I know it's wrong? Feelings for me, unfortunately, a lot of the time do not go hand in hand with truth. Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, uses the example of the fact, faith, feeling train.
Wait, wait, wait..
but why do I even have these feelings?
Romans 2:14-15
14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
That's a case for a Creator if I've ever seen one.
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis states :
"If no set of moral ideas were truer or better than any other, there would be no sense in preferring civilized morality to savage morality, or Christian morality to Nazi morality. In fact, of course, we all do believe that some moralities are better than others... Very well then. The moment you say that one set of moral ideas can be better than another, you are, in fact, measuring them both by a standard, saying that one of them conforms to that standard more nearly than the other... You are, in fact, comparing them both with some Real Morality, admitting there is such a thing as a real Right, independent of what other people think, and that some people's ideas get nearer to that real Real than others."
Sorry for being philosophical, this was just on my mind.
In other news, I woke up from a dream this morning that I was 32 and single.. it was interesting.
January 16, 2012
[freaking out]
why.......
do I always freak out?
do I act as though I do not know my Maker is in perfect control over my life?
do the things that I spend time worrying about turn out to be completely fine?
COOL, Laura, real cool. Maybe because I'm a girl.. maybe because I'm human.. most likely because I want to be in control.. because I think that I have better plans for my life than my Creator.
so obviously that's a lie, right? Yes. How can one even possibly think that they know themselves and their life goals better than THE omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, powerful, beautiful, King of Kings, LORD of Lords who put themselves (along with the whole world, of course.. I mean we're talking sunsets, mountains, oceans, continental divides, galaxies, sounds, thought, tornadoes, earthquakes) into creation?
Probably because I'm sort of ignorant at times. Okay, REALLY ignorant.
So, today I was completely convicted over not trusting in the Lord's plans. I'm not going to go into the situation, but if you feel like you have been convicted of distrust before, feel free to read on.
"Come to me, and rest in My loving Presence. You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials. As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you - now and always. Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! Instead, come to Me, and relax in My Peace. I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust."
THAT was my devotional this morning from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling. And somehow it went PERFECTLY with my morning - funny how that works out sometimes..
As if that was not enough, the suggested reading was from Joshua 1:5, 8-9
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Solid.
Time and time again humankind ( --> ME <-- ) turns away from God and His plans in false belief that we know better than Him.. a bit conceited, right? BUT He loves us.. doesn't make sense, right? We don't feel worth it. We don't feel adequate. We don't feel enough for a perfect, loving Savior. But He thinks we are.. and that, my friend, is what matters.
When Jerusalem was unfaithful (much like the human race nowadays) and engaged in detestable practices even when they had been clearly taught what to do and who to follow, God had righteous anger. Jerusalem was seeking out alliances with pagan nations and adopting their customs. If you're a mother or a father and your child knowingly disobeys, you have the right to discipline and be upset. God goes about his righteous anger by destroying the city for turning from the one, true God. To make an impact, sometimes one must go to extremes, right? Even though God saw Jerusalem as "more depraved than they [Sodom]" (P.S. - that's a lot of depravement, if you will), THIS is what the Lord says.
Ezekiel 16:59-60
"I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you." ..... aka JESUS
Now that's comforting. Just a little food for thought.
Tomorrow is the first day of my last semester of college. Crazy how time goes by. I am excited/scared/trying so hard to sit still and TRUST. There are a few things that are different this semester (sucks that I suck at change), but that doesn't mean it can't be good, right?
It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be boring, it's not going to be completely blue skies and butterflies.. but wouldn't it be boring if it was? And after all, these situations bring us closer to Him. Hellooooooooo Spring 2012!
do I always freak out?
do I act as though I do not know my Maker is in perfect control over my life?
do the things that I spend time worrying about turn out to be completely fine?
COOL, Laura, real cool. Maybe because I'm a girl.. maybe because I'm human.. most likely because I want to be in control.. because I think that I have better plans for my life than my Creator.
so obviously that's a lie, right? Yes. How can one even possibly think that they know themselves and their life goals better than THE omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, powerful, beautiful, King of Kings, LORD of Lords who put themselves (along with the whole world, of course.. I mean we're talking sunsets, mountains, oceans, continental divides, galaxies, sounds, thought, tornadoes, earthquakes) into creation?
Probably because I'm sort of ignorant at times. Okay, REALLY ignorant.
So, today I was completely convicted over not trusting in the Lord's plans. I'm not going to go into the situation, but if you feel like you have been convicted of distrust before, feel free to read on.
"Come to me, and rest in My loving Presence. You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials. As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you - now and always. Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! Instead, come to Me, and relax in My Peace. I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust."
THAT was my devotional this morning from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling. And somehow it went PERFECTLY with my morning - funny how that works out sometimes..
As if that was not enough, the suggested reading was from Joshua 1:5, 8-9
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Solid.
Time and time again humankind ( --> ME <-- ) turns away from God and His plans in false belief that we know better than Him.. a bit conceited, right? BUT He loves us.. doesn't make sense, right? We don't feel worth it. We don't feel adequate. We don't feel enough for a perfect, loving Savior. But He thinks we are.. and that, my friend, is what matters.
When Jerusalem was unfaithful (much like the human race nowadays) and engaged in detestable practices even when they had been clearly taught what to do and who to follow, God had righteous anger. Jerusalem was seeking out alliances with pagan nations and adopting their customs. If you're a mother or a father and your child knowingly disobeys, you have the right to discipline and be upset. God goes about his righteous anger by destroying the city for turning from the one, true God. To make an impact, sometimes one must go to extremes, right? Even though God saw Jerusalem as "more depraved than they [Sodom]" (P.S. - that's a lot of depravement, if you will), THIS is what the Lord says.
Ezekiel 16:59-60
"I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you." ..... aka JESUS
Now that's comforting. Just a little food for thought.
Tomorrow is the first day of my last semester of college. Crazy how time goes by. I am excited/scared/trying so hard to sit still and TRUST. There are a few things that are different this semester (sucks that I suck at change), but that doesn't mean it can't be good, right?
It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be boring, it's not going to be completely blue skies and butterflies.. but wouldn't it be boring if it was? And after all, these situations bring us closer to Him. Hellooooooooo Spring 2012!
January 10, 2012
[rainy but yummy]
Today in the Fort, it is cold and rainy outside. This type of weather makes me want to eat, sleep and watch movies - all of which I do not have time for today.
This morning I tried out Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins - they are healthy AND delicious. Perfect for breakfast or a late morning snack - however, I am no knowledgeable chef, so you can plan to eat them whenever you want.
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins
Yields: 18 muffins
1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 large bananas)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
6 tbsp peanut butter (use Bee's Knees.. it's THE best)
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 large eggs
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tbsp applesauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup whole wheat oats
Canola Oil Cooking Spray/some type of cooking spray/muffin liners
(Obviously, my family is down with Wal-Mart's Great Value brand..)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners or spray with Canola Oil. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir together with a fork to blend. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, brown sugar, eggs, banana, peanut butter and buttermilk until smooth. Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix just until incorporated and fully blended. Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After cooled, decorate with peanut butter "icing" and a banana slice.
"Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained." - C.S. Lewis
This morning I tried out Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins - they are healthy AND delicious. Perfect for breakfast or a late morning snack - however, I am no knowledgeable chef, so you can plan to eat them whenever you want.
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal MuffinsYields: 18 muffins
1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 large bananas)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
6 tbsp peanut butter (use Bee's Knees.. it's THE best)
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 large eggs
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tbsp applesauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup whole wheat oats
Canola Oil Cooking Spray/some type of cooking spray/muffin liners
(Obviously, my family is down with Wal-Mart's Great Value brand..)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners or spray with Canola Oil. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir together with a fork to blend. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, brown sugar, eggs, banana, peanut butter and buttermilk until smooth. Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and mix just until incorporated and fully blended. Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After cooled, decorate with peanut butter "icing" and a banana slice.
Listen to this on repeat while you bake - I promise it will make it better.
"Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained." - C.S. Lewis
December 28, 2011
[TRUE fulfillment]
so, today I was taking my dog Chee for a walk/letting him stop every five seconds to go to the restroom and/or smell around for other dogs. Near the end of our stop and go walk, we walked in front of this house:
If you can't tell from the picture, one of the houses in our neighborhood has their Valentine's Day decorations up.. including a heart wreath.. a "Happy Valentine's Day" flag.. and pink and red flowers.. on December 28.. REALLY????? So maybe I'm overreacting, but I cannot honestly think of one single legitimate reason why one would need to put up Valentine's Day decorations when:
a. if you weren't aware, Christmas was less than 5 days ago
b. we still have New Year's to celebrate
c. we are supposed to focus on the HERE AND NOW
So maybe something really bad happened during the holiday season one year and this person doesn't feel the need to remember this OR something really good happened on Valentine's Day and they are so ready to remember that.. I don't know - that's not what I'm focusing on. I'm more concerned about what was running through this person's brain if they are rushing into Valentine's Day for no purpose other than the pure excitement of the upcoming holiday.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, July 4th, Halloween..
Obviously, holidays are great. They're worth celebrating - if they weren't, we most likely wouldn't have the holiday. BUT whatever happened to taking one thing at a time - living in the moment - celebrating the here and the now? Are we possibly moving on to the next big thing in an attempt to fill ourselves with what the previous big thing was unable to do?
Unfulfilled.
At the beginning of every big season, event, whatever.. there is always such a big emphasis - a big, anxious feeling. Most of the time (in my case, at least) this emphasis is a bit too large.. okay completely over sized.
On past birthdays I've found myself getting upset over the fact that I didn't get exactly what I wanted.. REALLY, Laura? I know, I know.
One Christmas wasn't as good as the last one because it just didn't "feel" like Christmas..
This Valentine's Day wasn't as great because my date didn't plan anything spectacular..
Why do we always put so much emphasis on events, people, things, places that are bound to let us down?
Unfulfilled.
I don't think I'm only speaking for myself when I say that time after time I have found myself deeply unfulfilled with the things of this world.
- Heidi Montag was unsatisfied with herself after her multiple cosmetic surgeries.. TEN, to be exact
- Billy Bob Thorton has been divorced 5 times.. Elizabeth Taylor, 7 times
- Jennifer Lopez said she wouldn't come back for another season of American Idol unless she received more than her previous season's salary of $12 million
Not even the people who Americans seems to idolize - the multi-million A-listers who literally posses ALL the material things they could ever desire - are fulfilled with what they have. That's saying something.
Could there be a reason why we keep coming back to this lack of fulfillment time and time again?
Could it be because we are placing our hope in the wrong things?
PSALM 37:4.. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
notice that God didn't tell us to delight ourselves in holidays, riches, people, or things.. In fact, he has something different to say about those..
EXODUS 20:4.. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
no - he doesn't just mean gold or wooden idols. Anything that is worshipped higher or delighted in more than the Lord is considered to be an idol.
HEBREWS 13:5.. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
This seems easy to understand AFTER I buy another shirt in the same color.. AFTER I eat my second dessert when I'm completely full.. AFTER I get all of the things on my birthday wish list
..and I'm S T I L L not content.
But why can't I understand it BEFORE I do all of those things? It would save a lot of time and money, ya know?
because I'm stubborn. I'm stuck in my own ways. My eyes are bigger than my stomach. I'm empty and looking for fulfillment.
Well it's a GOOD thing my Creator already knows that about me and sent himself as my sin substitute to die on a cross so that I may overcome my sin in his victory of death.
This holiday season I have been trying (and failing many a time, as expected) to live in the here and now - to focus on JESUS and the reason for the season - to center myself on relationships and love.. while not putting too much emphasis on one single thing other than Jesus. It's a hard balancing act, I will admit - but I can honestly tell you that I've found this little high beam act WELL worth it.
C.S. Lewis said, "If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world."
a. if you weren't aware, Christmas was less than 5 days ago
b. we still have New Year's to celebrate
c. we are supposed to focus on the HERE AND NOW
So maybe something really bad happened during the holiday season one year and this person doesn't feel the need to remember this OR something really good happened on Valentine's Day and they are so ready to remember that.. I don't know - that's not what I'm focusing on. I'm more concerned about what was running through this person's brain if they are rushing into Valentine's Day for no purpose other than the pure excitement of the upcoming holiday.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, July 4th, Halloween..
Obviously, holidays are great. They're worth celebrating - if they weren't, we most likely wouldn't have the holiday. BUT whatever happened to taking one thing at a time - living in the moment - celebrating the here and the now? Are we possibly moving on to the next big thing in an attempt to fill ourselves with what the previous big thing was unable to do?
Unfulfilled.
At the beginning of every big season, event, whatever.. there is always such a big emphasis - a big, anxious feeling. Most of the time (in my case, at least) this emphasis is a bit too large.. okay completely over sized.
On past birthdays I've found myself getting upset over the fact that I didn't get exactly what I wanted.. REALLY, Laura? I know, I know.
One Christmas wasn't as good as the last one because it just didn't "feel" like Christmas..
This Valentine's Day wasn't as great because my date didn't plan anything spectacular..
Why do we always put so much emphasis on events, people, things, places that are bound to let us down?
Unfulfilled.
I don't think I'm only speaking for myself when I say that time after time I have found myself deeply unfulfilled with the things of this world.
- Heidi Montag was unsatisfied with herself after her multiple cosmetic surgeries.. TEN, to be exact
- Billy Bob Thorton has been divorced 5 times.. Elizabeth Taylor, 7 times
- Jennifer Lopez said she wouldn't come back for another season of American Idol unless she received more than her previous season's salary of $12 million
Not even the people who Americans seems to idolize - the multi-million A-listers who literally posses ALL the material things they could ever desire - are fulfilled with what they have. That's saying something.
Could there be a reason why we keep coming back to this lack of fulfillment time and time again?
Could it be because we are placing our hope in the wrong things?
PSALM 37:4.. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
notice that God didn't tell us to delight ourselves in holidays, riches, people, or things.. In fact, he has something different to say about those..
EXODUS 20:4.. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
no - he doesn't just mean gold or wooden idols. Anything that is worshipped higher or delighted in more than the Lord is considered to be an idol.
HEBREWS 13:5.. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
This seems easy to understand AFTER I buy another shirt in the same color.. AFTER I eat my second dessert when I'm completely full.. AFTER I get all of the things on my birthday wish list
..and I'm S T I L L not content.
But why can't I understand it BEFORE I do all of those things? It would save a lot of time and money, ya know?
because I'm stubborn. I'm stuck in my own ways. My eyes are bigger than my stomach. I'm empty and looking for fulfillment.
Well it's a GOOD thing my Creator already knows that about me and sent himself as my sin substitute to die on a cross so that I may overcome my sin in his victory of death.
This holiday season I have been trying (and failing many a time, as expected) to live in the here and now - to focus on JESUS and the reason for the season - to center myself on relationships and love.. while not putting too much emphasis on one single thing other than Jesus. It's a hard balancing act, I will admit - but I can honestly tell you that I've found this little high beam act WELL worth it.
C.S. Lewis said, "If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world."
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