Will You Embrace or Crumble?

"You have what you have for a reason

It might not be what you want

And it might not be change as you want

However you have what you have because it's what's need to help you grow."

 

 

 

I couldn't think of any other ways to put this or state it because I feel this statement speaks for itself. I wish I could think of another way but truth be told I think it's clear as it comes. That statement in itself has been what God's been teaching me in my life. And to be honest with you my life has never been what I imagined or planned. If it had been I wouldn't have chosen a broken heart, lack of a father, loosing my grandma my senior year of college or various transitions taking place at once as I finish my last semester.

 

In fact no one wishes hardship but it's with hardship that we learn the reality of our faith. And that's where the Father has brought me back today  through a sermon  on following. God showed me this through the marble illustration that the pastor did today. He talked about Matthew 7 which covers many things but one of the most familiar parts of the passage brought a new perspective to me today. I have heard it said like many of you that the path is narrow and the wide equals destruction but never really letting that sink in until  the Pastor used the marble illustration talking about how scattered we can be as humans and if we're not careful we will  miss the true foundation and will crash which is what he demonstrated by knocking all the marbles down as they flew down the stage.

The point of it was many will say they have served and told others about God but how many of us can say , " Knew." This stung with me because thinking back in a sweep over look I had to realize that God didn't just want me to know Him in the good but to " KNOW" him thick and thin. This is major because as I mentioned hardships can define a lot for us.
It also brings in adversity in rather will choose to follow or will back down. It's so hard to pin point all this but when I put in a snap perspective of the statement shared above it really traces back to " Embrace what you have." And when you embrace what you have then you'll stand and you won't be trying to put things back together or become as scattered because you have chosen to remain in Him.
That is what I would conclude and  also a reminder that our focus has to go deeper then words. So, I ask this question to both of us, " Will we take the narrow or wide?" " Is His commands just knowledge or will we practice it?"

 



Yank Back the Whip and Let Your Body Rest & Be

 This season in my life has been very unusual. My heart has been  felt like a race horse on the go. And my emotions have felt like a whip beating my heart around and around. However, in the past couple of weeks I have realized there are some life lessons to be accepted.

Lesson #1
You are not in Control

This one seems like it should be a no brainier but  in many ways it's harder then it seems. However, in this season I have felt like my heart is in two places. It's been sad/ frustrated because I've had to invest more time in my Internship and my Work Study. And it's been hard because even though I don't consider myself academic I miss crossing back / forth in see  my class mates. I don't get to interact as much as I would like. It's also my last semester. So, I've had to accept what I'm able to do. Therefore, I've come to realize I need to stop trying to structure life and let God do His job.

Lesson # 2
" Don't let your feelings take over, you'll end up getting hurt. Let God take over, you'll be protected"

 I 'm not even sure how to even justify this lesson any clearer. This lesson says enough in one clear sentence. It's also something a friend of mine on campus shared with me. I 've come to realize how much feelings can be good but also damage you. Especially because I am one to live out of my heart more then my mind.  This  one really hits home with just the fact of trying to decided what I need to do in life but even more in general. And it's important to identify because feelings can keep us from being obedient to God. I share this one because so often instead of obeying God at times I fall under this one because of my fear but I need to realize I am protected.

Lesson #3
The Father's Word is the Final Seal

The Father's Word is the Final Seal. Ha! That one says soo much because  when you think about life there are billions of voices trying to tell you how to do your life. And if your like me you can trip up over words because maybe your child like personality of approval comes out. However, we have to remember God has only given us one body and we need to take care of it. Therefore, in  making this personal  this has been the wrap up of over all that I have to slow down. This means it's ok to simply sit down and eat a pop tart. I know that sounds funny but it's so easy to get on the go thinking this is how I need to spend my time with the Lord , scripture, scripture scripture. And not that it's bad but He's not expecting us to be  super mega Christians, He just wants us.

So, my heart is that as I reflect and share God would use this to share with those who are need of encouragement but also  sometimes it's good to know that we're not the only human struggling. Therefore , may this be what it is ! Much Love