I just want you to know something- it's okay to put off homework and sit in God's presence. It's okay to enjoy God more than Netflix. It's okay to worship God instead of worrying about whatever. It's okay to treasure Christ more than this earth.
It's okay. It's actually better.
A few days ago I told someone that my illness wasn't a curse and that I can't say I would take it back. I wouldn't take it back. Don't get me wrong- it still sucks. But Jesus is better.
I'm busy. I'm a full-time student, have a job, and am on leadership for two different groups on campus. I get it; everyone has commitments. I tend to think I can do it all. But Jesus is better.
Jesus is better than whatever person you may be currently obsessing over.
Jesus is better than a perfectly run event.
Jesus is better than straight A's.
Jesus is better than making money.
Jesus is better than a lifetime of not passing out.
Jesus is better than whatever earthly thing you want to put in the blank. I promise you!
Jesus is forever! Everything else is so very temporary.
In case this all sounds a little too familiar, it's with good reason. Martha struggled with her busyness in Luke 10. I struggle with my busyness now, and I know I'm not alone. Truth be told, I told feel guilty about any of my activities. They are all good things. But they are secondary! Time with my God is crucial, is beautiful, is enthralling, is rebuilding, is awe-inspiring. It's first. At least it should be.
God is more beautiful than anything on this earth. Because no matter how beautiful something here on earth is, it's only a small representation of the fullness of God. Every good thing is from Him. Every good thing reflects His majesty. All the good things we have here should point us to Christ, not take away our time with Him.
Luke 10:38-42 (ESV):
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
I knew the other day when I realized that I could no longer regret my illness that God had called my heart Martha. He's teaching me to be Mary, to not worry or stress and just to sit at His feet. Serving should come out of an overflowing of an abundant relationship with Christ. It's not a replacement.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
And Then God Created the Internet
Okay, so chances are you won't find that sentence in the Bible no matter how long you look. There's a lot of bad stuff on the internet. There's bad stuff trying to distort everything God created. But there's still good to be found.
Nature is beautiful even if it does house spiders and snakes and other creepy-crawlers.
Unity and relationships are good even despite arguments.
The internet is good despite the fact that there's a lot of junk to be found.
I feel like I have hit the blogging world with full force. Since I started writing, I have also started reading many many MANY blogs. So many are so good! Full of grace, full of beauty, full of JESUS! And the internet reaches so far! I have never left the country. I have never even left my little corner of the country. But my God story has. I found out today that my blog is being read by people in America, Russia, Serbia, Germany, Canada, France, UK, Cambodia, and Malaysia. That blows my mind! My God story has covered more ground than I physically could have in the same amount of time- its crazy!
I don't understand it but at the same time I do. I have said for awhile now that there is purpose in my story, there is purpose in this illness, there is purpose in my struggle. And on top of all that- God lets me share it! With NINE different countries so far. I have been trying to wrap my brain around this since I realized it earlier this evening. God is so truly amazing.
I have no idea really who actually is credited with creating the internet or why. But I do know that God was sovereign over it. The start of the internet was no shock to my God. And now His name is being made known through it.
Does anyone else think this is just simply amazing that God can and will use even the nastiest of mediums to call His children? To encourage His children? To unite His children?
AHHHH its just so awesomely wonderful!
If you just pay attention, God will blow your mind and amaze you. I promise!
Nature is beautiful even if it does house spiders and snakes and other creepy-crawlers.
Unity and relationships are good even despite arguments.
The internet is good despite the fact that there's a lot of junk to be found.
I feel like I have hit the blogging world with full force. Since I started writing, I have also started reading many many MANY blogs. So many are so good! Full of grace, full of beauty, full of JESUS! And the internet reaches so far! I have never left the country. I have never even left my little corner of the country. But my God story has. I found out today that my blog is being read by people in America, Russia, Serbia, Germany, Canada, France, UK, Cambodia, and Malaysia. That blows my mind! My God story has covered more ground than I physically could have in the same amount of time- its crazy!
I don't understand it but at the same time I do. I have said for awhile now that there is purpose in my story, there is purpose in this illness, there is purpose in my struggle. And on top of all that- God lets me share it! With NINE different countries so far. I have been trying to wrap my brain around this since I realized it earlier this evening. God is so truly amazing.
I have no idea really who actually is credited with creating the internet or why. But I do know that God was sovereign over it. The start of the internet was no shock to my God. And now His name is being made known through it.
Does anyone else think this is just simply amazing that God can and will use even the nastiest of mediums to call His children? To encourage His children? To unite His children?
AHHHH its just so awesomely wonderful!
If you just pay attention, God will blow your mind and amaze you. I promise!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Identity
"Hi, my name's Dorothy and I pass out."
That used to be a common greeting for me. It was informative, and the looks on people's faces were funny. I liked it. "Hi, my name's Dorothy and I don't pass out" doesn't have quite the same effect. Yet here I sit, conscious for 10 weeks and 1 day. Quite frankly- I don't know how you people do this! Being conscious is exhausting!
I may pass out again sometime. I'm not saying it will never happen again, but for right now at least- I don't pass out. There goes half my greeting.
Honestly though, it never should have been my identity. Sure a lot of people know me because of it, but they also know me by my hair. That doesn't mean I have to introduce myself as a ginger. There are a lot of things that are part of me- I'm a young woman, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a niece, an aunt, a Troy student, an aspiring interpreter, the list goes on.
Truth is I should only be defined by one thing. I am God's. I am in Christ because He mercifully and graciously saved me. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3: 28). All that matters is that I am in Christ.
That is the only safe thing to define myself by. Things will change. Someday I'll be an old woman, I may lose relationships, I won't be in college my entire life. I will always be saved by Christ. He bought me, He saved me and He is changing me and growing me. He will always be my strength.
That used to be a common greeting for me. It was informative, and the looks on people's faces were funny. I liked it. "Hi, my name's Dorothy and I don't pass out" doesn't have quite the same effect. Yet here I sit, conscious for 10 weeks and 1 day. Quite frankly- I don't know how you people do this! Being conscious is exhausting!
I may pass out again sometime. I'm not saying it will never happen again, but for right now at least- I don't pass out. There goes half my greeting.
Honestly though, it never should have been my identity. Sure a lot of people know me because of it, but they also know me by my hair. That doesn't mean I have to introduce myself as a ginger. There are a lot of things that are part of me- I'm a young woman, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a niece, an aunt, a Troy student, an aspiring interpreter, the list goes on.
Truth is I should only be defined by one thing. I am God's. I am in Christ because He mercifully and graciously saved me. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3: 28). All that matters is that I am in Christ.
That is the only safe thing to define myself by. Things will change. Someday I'll be an old woman, I may lose relationships, I won't be in college my entire life. I will always be saved by Christ. He bought me, He saved me and He is changing me and growing me. He will always be my strength.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works."
(Psalm 73:26-28)
"Hi, my name's Dorothy and I belong to Jesus."
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