Servants of the Lord

It's so easy to forget what we're here for. I do it all the time. I get caught up in what's going on in my life and totally forget the most important things.

We were made for God by God. We were made to be servants. To spread His word, to adore Him (in the fraction we are capable) in the way He adores us.

The definition of servant: a devoted and helpful follower or supporter: a tireless servant of God. 
"A tireless servant of God" was actually used in the definition as an example.

To be a servant is to be devoted, to be helpful, and to be tireless.
How often am I actually devoted and tireless as a servant of God? Most of the time, I don't even know what that looks like.

The truth is, we were made to serve Him. That is our purpose of being put on this earth. He knew that when He thought of us. When we let things that are in our lives get in the way of this true purpose--of this calling--we better be prepared to lose them. God will not let anything stand in the way of His purposes. No matter how painful it may be, He knows what is better for us, and if that means taking something that we're clinging to, He will do it.

"And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant..."
Isaiah 49:5a

"You are my servant in whom I will be glorified."
Isaiah 49:3

"...I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth."
Isaiah 49:6b

He wants us to be His light to the world: through our actions on this earth, through worship, and through spreading His word.

Come, magnify the Son: Savior of the world, the hope for everyone. 
-Spirit Fall, Chris Tomlin

What Goes Unnoticed

I've been really noticing hurt lately.

Not just in myself, but in those around me. 

How can something so big go so unnoticed? I mean, someone could be hurting so much, but no one would ever know. It's so upsetting to me. It goes unnoticed partly because people put up a front. But I think it's mostly because no one takes the time to ask.

The other day, one of my friends asked me how I was doing. I said "alright," but I had actually had a pretty crappy day. Instead of just accepting that though, my friend kept pushing through. I really appreciate that. They weren't overbearing, but at the same time I got the chance to sort through how I was feeling, which was really helpful. 

Why can't we all do this? So many people are just wishing for someone to ask and truly care how they are. How many people have a front they put up? Acting funny, being standoffish, asking all about how you are so that the focus will stay off them? Just think about it. Look around you, even, and I guarantee you'll see it in the faces that are there. 

God wants for us to be there for each other. That's the whole reason He created community: so that we can listen to each other and build each other up and pray for each other. And not only that, but caring for people is one of the things that lets God's light shine through us.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

-John 13:35

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Idols.

So what happens when learning reaches a dead end?

This past week has been slightly hard for me in the learning department. I just felt like I was being stagnant, not continuing to grow like I so desperately wanted.

I guess that's why God provided me with the reason it is happening.

This weekend Katie and I stayed at my sister's house in Chicago. It was so much fun! But, the part I want to talk about is what I learned at church--which was the answer I'd been looking for.

The speaker at church talked a little about idols. He said to ask yourself these questions:

What do you find yourself talking about most?

What dominates your thoughts?

Whatever your answer is, that is probably an idol in your life. Well, there it is. I knew right away what my current idol is.

This idol has definitely been standing in the way of my growth. When all you think about is something other than God, how can you grow IN God?

And, when I'm not growing in God, that gives Satan a chance to attack my mind and make me feel really insecure in who I am.

I'm not exactly sure how to go about removing an idol from my life, but I'm thinking this might help:

"...we know that 'an idol has no real existence', and that 'there is no God but one.' For although there may be so-called gods in heaven and on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"--yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."

-1 Corinthians 8:4-6

The things that stick out to me in that are:

-idols don't really exist.

-there is only ONE God.

-all things are from Him.

-everything, us included, exists FOR Him.

So how could He not be my utmost thought? I guess it's a human flaw. But I want to fight it. I want to keep growing.

The truth is, the gospel show s us the emptiness of our idols, and it shows us how fulfilled we can truly be through God. YES.

Please Be My Strength

Such a beautiful song.

Please Be My Strength

I've tried to stand my ground
I've tried to understand
But I can't seem to find
My faith again

Like water on the sand
Or grasping at the wind
I keep on falling short

So please be my strength
Please be my strength
'Cause I don't have any more
I don't have any more

I'm looking for a place
Where I can plant my faith
One thing I know for sure

I cannot create it
And I cannot sustain it
It's Your love
That's keeping me

Please be my strength
Please be my strength
I don't have any more
I don't have any more

And at my final breath
I hope that I can say
I fought the good fight
Of faith

I pray your glory shines
This doubting heart of mine
And all would know that You

You are my strength
You are my strength
You and You alone
You keep bringing me back home

Oh, You are my strength
You are my strength
You and You alone
Keep bringing me back home

It's You and You alone
Bringing me back home

Grace that is unrelenting.

Its crazy how He is breaking me down. Seems to me that I can’t get through any Cru/Campus House service without being totally mind-blown and/or crying these days. It’s a great thing, though.

First of all, Cru the other night was wonderful. I was really hit with a truth in my life: I was just living to be one of those people who get married, have a nice job, have kids, etc. And while all those things are great and I DO want them, that is not what I should be living for. I need to be living for the One who gave it all for me. How can I not? He has given me everything, so why have I not been giving Him everything in return? Until I can glorify God through things like a husband and family, I am going to glorify Him through my life as it is now.

Secondly, Campus House hit me with some serious truths this morning. Sometimes just hearing the power of the gospel is enough to take a person down. Ladies and Gents, it did. I mean with the gospel, the control I try to take on my life is confronted. If I just let go, I can experience an amazing freedom. Something I most definitely need to work on. Most importantly, I learned that the gospel doesn’t gloss over my past and pretend it didn’t happen. It saves me from it. And although it won’t just go away, and my struggles won’t go away, through the gospel [aka Jesus dying for me so that I don’t have to feel the guilt of imperfection] I can be healed and fight my past from overcoming me.

Knowing all that, it just makes me want to immerse myself in Christ even more.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Let Love EXPLODE

Hello, friends.

The first week of classes has come to a close.

Since coming back to school, it's like I'm experiencing a brand new life. I have changed so much lately.

It's like God has given me the strength to finally be ME. I am able to come out of my shell now and be who I truly am. There is a transformation working in my heart and it is definitely one of the things I am most thankful for so far this year.

The other is my amazing friends. I feel so blessed to have so many people in my life that care for me. AND they were willing to forgive me for my less-than-enthusiastic attitude I had about everything last year. It's so awesome to be surrounded by a community of believers that are able to lift me up, give me advice, and most importantly give me love.

God has forgiven me for all of my past. It is the most freeing feeling. But, even though I know I'm forgiven, sometimes my past likes to come back and mess with me. It's scary sometimes, because although I know all these things are forgiven, it doesn't mean that my sinful nature can't come back. That is probably one of the things I fear most in my life. Satan can really get me down with the thoughts of my past sometimes.

God has so much grace for me and is continually challenging me. What a wonderfully blessed life I get to live.

"Let love EXPLODE and bring the dead to life. A love so bold to bring a revolution somehow."

^Such a good line. I'm gonna let His love explode in my life.

Amazing Compassion

Man. I'm just in astonishment right now at God's forgiveness.

I mean, seriously. He took ALL our sins on that cross. Every. Single. One. Not just some and not just someone else's.

I read in a book a new perspective on this. The author said that when Jesus was on that cross, He was relentlessly taking the blame for our sins. His father, who loved Him more than anyone, was filled with reproach and rebuked Him for every sin that He did not commit. Stealing, lying, cheating, sexual immorality, judging, you name it...He took the blame.

I think of the guilt and shame I feel after I do something I know is wrong. I can't even imagine feeling that shame and guilt AND every other possible sin's shame along with it. How did he do it? I'm absolutely amazed.

Thank you, Jesus, for taking compassion on us and atoning for all our sins.