On my way to the Linguistics building multiple times a week, I cross a path over a small stagnant stream (it probably has a name unbeknownst to be). It's surrounded by tall old growth trees and an abundance of foliage but it looks absolute dead! The murky, unmoving water shaded by a canopy of trees provides no life. I've never seen a duck anywhere near it, nor any squirrels coming up to it for a refreshing splash (do they even do that??). The so-called-stream is merely a pit of water fostering growth of algae, fungi, and other gross substances. Dark. Rank. Lifeless.
Earlier this year I was struck by fear, What if that's me? Do I appear dead in my faith to others? Have I become a complacent, unmoving, stagnant Christian so far away from the head water supply that I simply sit in the shade and sulk? God, don't let this be me!
Now, I don't often walk on this path when in bad weather (I take the paved way and stop for a coffee of course), but one day I was running late and needed to use the short-cut. As I carefully made my way down the hill toward the stream I suddenly stopped, remembering my recent comparison of this stream to a stagnant Christian. Today the water was different; I noticed movement! The soft splashing of raindrops from above vibrantly shot countless ripples throughout the water. It was alive, moving, and beautiful even on the rainy day. In fact, it needed an overhead source of water for the stagnant stream to move!
I'm not always a fan of rain, but today it was lovely! Then I was struck again, When I am stagnant, God sometimes uses painful processes to refresh me. Sunshine is nice, but rain causes movement.
God has often used uncomfortable and even painful circumstances in my life to re-ignite my heart for Him, similar to the rain bringing movement to the stagnant water (alright, it's not the best analogy... but it kinda works, right?) So embrace the rain- and find refreshment in our Lord's faithfulness.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Accept love
Today I have been overwhelmed by the immense amount of love poured out on me! My family and friends have gone above and beyond to make my 20th birthday a special day =).
In the midst of all the attention, of which I'm not a fan, I've found myself almost discouraged and saddened... so weird, right?? I couldn't explain it for the longest time, but something finally clicked. God just reminded me of something very important: it's okay to accept love! The fact that I feel undeserving of the love doesn't discount its reality. Also, refusing to accept love (fully) is not an act of humility but an offensive gesture toward the one striving to show love!
So many times I've even pushed away God's love with the misconstrued notion that I'm doing the right thing and living humbly by not accepting it. Or I'll "accept" it but continue in a heretical mindset of seeking to prove my worth by performing good deeds, acts of service... anything to prove to myself and others that I deserve to be loved. But I don't. And that doesn't even matter!!!! GOD IS LOVE; he loves me for who HE IS, not for what I have done.
(this reminds me of one of my currently favorite songs by JJ Heller: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgGUKWiw7Wk)
One of my favorite passages to share with others at the end of cards, emails, or random notes is Ephesians 3:17-19: "... And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how WIDE and LONG and HIGH and DEEP is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." How often do I let that verse sink into my soul, especially when it's paralleled to 1 John 4:8, "God is love"?
Do I deserve God's love? Absolutely not
Should this prevent me from accepting His love? Absolutely not
We can humbly, boldly, and unashamedly accept the love of God (and others), not as a means to appeal to our personal feelings, but as a declaration of His perfect character, ultimately bringing Him glory.
In the midst of all the attention, of which I'm not a fan, I've found myself almost discouraged and saddened... so weird, right?? I couldn't explain it for the longest time, but something finally clicked. God just reminded me of something very important: it's okay to accept love! The fact that I feel undeserving of the love doesn't discount its reality. Also, refusing to accept love (fully) is not an act of humility but an offensive gesture toward the one striving to show love!
So many times I've even pushed away God's love with the misconstrued notion that I'm doing the right thing and living humbly by not accepting it. Or I'll "accept" it but continue in a heretical mindset of seeking to prove my worth by performing good deeds, acts of service... anything to prove to myself and others that I deserve to be loved. But I don't. And that doesn't even matter!!!! GOD IS LOVE; he loves me for who HE IS, not for what I have done.
(this reminds me of one of my currently favorite songs by JJ Heller: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgGUKWiw7Wk)
One of my favorite passages to share with others at the end of cards, emails, or random notes is Ephesians 3:17-19: "... And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how WIDE and LONG and HIGH and DEEP is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." How often do I let that verse sink into my soul, especially when it's paralleled to 1 John 4:8, "God is love"?
Do I deserve God's love? Absolutely not
Should this prevent me from accepting His love? Absolutely not
We can humbly, boldly, and unashamedly accept the love of God (and others), not as a means to appeal to our personal feelings, but as a declaration of His perfect character, ultimately bringing Him glory.
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