Yes, I'm talking 'bout me.
Yes, after 23 yrs, I just realized [realize: 1. to grasp or understand clearly 2. to make real; give reality to] this week that, the only way I'm able to talk with God, learn from God, be near to God is, because Jesus has given me passage into His presence that I did not qualify for (think concert... no money, no ticket, your favorite artist singles you out of the crowd waiting outside, pays your way in, VIP, and chats it up with you before and after, like you're old friends).
See Romans 5.
Two weeks ago, without my knowledge, I was signed up for spiritual boot camp ;) By The Man Himself- couldn't stand how out of shape I was any longer! "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8
It goes down like this: an acquaintance of mine comes to stay with us for a few days (to my knowledge, just needing a roof over her head). Right away, the Lord begins to reveal how selfish and awful my heart is. So immediately, I shaped up and am a stronger more beautiful person today for it :)
...ha, if only. I pulled the whole, "who are you to tell me" attitude, the "this is my life, don't come in here...," and even whined and whined about the discomfort, asking Him if we could PLEASE be finished. I was not prepared to have someone dropped into my life, who would act dependent on me. I'm single for goodness sake! Let me enjoy it!
But, I couldn't get away from the lessons He intended to teach me. Every time I looked at a cross, this is what I heard:
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command..."
I could write pages and pages more on the past two weeks and what He's been trying to drill into me, but here's a poem-y thing to sum it up instead ;)
i am a child, stubborn and resistant,
an idiot who focuses on the "sacrifice" You ask i give,
when on the other end there's a promise that You're sure to give.
But do I see it?
Do I see the good?
Nope.
Too busy asking why and if i could.
It's too much- what You expect of me!
...but Your burden is light and Your yoke is easy
Words from the mouth of a Man who cannot lie.
Cast your cares on Me!!!
Then WHY am i still carrying them?! (A: 'cause i'm a stubborn idiot who won't let go)
What a foolish child i see when i look into this mirror set in front of me.
Refining fire you've brought,
so i can be cleaned.
When the 3 stood in front of that blazing pit,
did they whine and cry,
"we can't handle this!
Surely we'll melt.
Surely we'll die" ?
No.
'Cause they listened to Your words and knew the Power standing by.
They should've died
They would've died-
couldn't take the heat.
But things don't make sense with You and we make it through these feats.
Not 'cause we did [do: 1. to perform (an act, duty, role, etc.) 2. to execute (a piece or amount of work)],
as if we worked and we perfected.
But simply, we believed The One who has sent us
and kept us
The One who is faithful and true and is walking me through.
What does He follow up Isaiah 55:11 with?
"You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever" (vs.12-13).
<3
Yep, it's gonna be worth it.
Press on, my friends.
Carry on, Jesus.
Here's a bonus for ya- listen to it! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49x_h4CbZxs
Yes, after 23 yrs, I just realized [realize: 1. to grasp or understand clearly 2. to make real; give reality to] this week that, the only way I'm able to talk with God, learn from God, be near to God is, because Jesus has given me passage into His presence that I did not qualify for (think concert... no money, no ticket, your favorite artist singles you out of the crowd waiting outside, pays your way in, VIP, and chats it up with you before and after, like you're old friends).
See Romans 5.
Two weeks ago, without my knowledge, I was signed up for spiritual boot camp ;) By The Man Himself- couldn't stand how out of shape I was any longer! "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8
It goes down like this: an acquaintance of mine comes to stay with us for a few days (to my knowledge, just needing a roof over her head). Right away, the Lord begins to reveal how selfish and awful my heart is. So immediately, I shaped up and am a stronger more beautiful person today for it :)
...ha, if only. I pulled the whole, "who are you to tell me" attitude, the "this is my life, don't come in here...," and even whined and whined about the discomfort, asking Him if we could PLEASE be finished. I was not prepared to have someone dropped into my life, who would act dependent on me. I'm single for goodness sake! Let me enjoy it!
But, I couldn't get away from the lessons He intended to teach me. Every time I looked at a cross, this is what I heard:
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command..."
How did my lovely heart respond?
"...GOD! You're asking too much! I'm just trying to live my own peaceful life here! ugh. You meant what You said about actually loving my neighbor as myself...? :/" Lucky for me, God is determined and is a very patient, long-bearing teacher. Regarding His instructions He says, "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" Isaiah 55:11.
Oh. That verse applies to me too.
I could write pages and pages more on the past two weeks and what He's been trying to drill into me, but here's a poem-y thing to sum it up instead ;)
i am a child, stubborn and resistant,
an idiot who focuses on the "sacrifice" You ask i give,
when on the other end there's a promise that You're sure to give.
But do I see it?
Do I see the good?
Nope.
Too busy asking why and if i could.
It's too much- what You expect of me!
...but Your burden is light and Your yoke is easy
Words from the mouth of a Man who cannot lie.
Cast your cares on Me!!!
Then WHY am i still carrying them?! (A: 'cause i'm a stubborn idiot who won't let go)
What a foolish child i see when i look into this mirror set in front of me.
Refining fire you've brought,
so i can be cleaned.
When the 3 stood in front of that blazing pit,
did they whine and cry,
"we can't handle this!
Surely we'll melt.
Surely we'll die" ?
No.
'Cause they listened to Your words and knew the Power standing by.
They should've died
They would've died-
couldn't take the heat.
But things don't make sense with You and we make it through these feats.
Not 'cause we did [do: 1. to perform (an act, duty, role, etc.) 2. to execute (a piece or amount of work)],
as if we worked and we perfected.
But simply, we believed The One who has sent us
and kept us
The One who is faithful and true and is walking me through.
What does He follow up Isaiah 55:11 with?
"You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever" (vs.12-13).
<3
Yep, it's gonna be worth it.
Press on, my friends.
Carry on, Jesus.
Here's a bonus for ya- listen to it! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49x_h4CbZxs
