Dear Beautiful,
I know what goes on inside that head of yours. I might not know specifics, since we have very different lives, families, experiences. But in general, as a teenage girl in 2011, I know what those thoughts are. They go through my head, too.
You think nothing you do is ever good enough. You're always disappointing someone -- your parents, your friends, maybe just yourself. You don't measure up. You'll never be able to do anything right, or at least right enough to set you apart and get you noticed.
You don't think you're beautiful. It doesn't matter how many people tell you you're gorgeous -- they're your friends, they have to say that. And if one of them actually criticizes you, it hurts more than anything; after all, who would know better than they? Maybe you even make disparaging comments about your appearance so that you can hear other people contradict you. A stranger's compliment means more than anything the people who know you best could ever say. If warned that a guy only liked you for your looks, you might even be delighted. If your looks are enough to attract, without all that "personality" junk, that would mean you're pretty gosh-darn gorgeous! But somehow, not even that affirmation would be enough to convince you of your beauty.
You want a problem. Maybe you don't know it, and maybe your "problem" is genuine. But when the people around you struggle, they get attention. And however subconsciously, you want a problem so that you'll need that help and attention. You feel absolutely horrible for wanting this attention that others desperately need; but somehow, you can't help it. Your "problem" might be as subtle as self-pity over how you are always helping others, and no one even thinks that you might need help.
And all of this can come back to a very human, very feminine need: To be loved. Really, truly loved. We girls want and need it so badly that when the potential of that love occurs, we either throw ourselves into it without a thought, afraid of losing it, or hang back, fearing it's too good to be true.
And naturally, we think this love will come in the form of a guy.
It's only natural that we think this. After all, "Someday my prince will come" has been fed to us since the age of two. Our prince would come, transform us from rags to riches, and we'd live happily ever after. Everything would be solved by this one magical man. So of course, we look for him. We become self-conscious. After all, what if that magical man meets you on a bad hair day when you didn't have time to do your make-up? Would the entire course of history change because your mascara was neglected that morning?
We begin looking in the craziest places for this guy to appear. "Well, he's not exactly what I've pictured... But I can change him! He's cute, and he likes me! How often does that happen? He must be the one!" Or maybe he doesn't even like you in that way...but if you can just become a little prettier, if you can just do a little more to catch his eye, he'll realize what a gem you are...and he'll become "the one."
And all the while, we're silently screaming, "See me. Notice me. Think I'm worth something. Give me a reason to get up in the morning. Love me."
By the time we graduate high school, our hearts are no longer whole. They've been held out to anyone -- everyone -- freely. You hope this gift of your heart will be enough. That someone will accept it. And perhaps it has occasionally been accepted -- and then handed back, battered and bruised, leaving you even less to offer the next passer-by.
Instead of meeting that deepest need of your feminine heart, pursuing a guy's attention has actually made that need deeper. But no matter how many times a crush fails to satisfy you, you somehow still think the answer to all your problems can be solved by a boy.
You know what's coming now. I'm going to tell you that your heart's desire for love and attention cannot be met by a guy. It can only be found in Jesus Christ.
"I know," you say, "I've heard it a million times. But Kendall, I'm sorry, I've tried to let God be enough. And He's not."
Maybe you wouldn't put it that bluntly. But admit it: At some point in your life, the "Jesus thing" didn't work for you. You tried seeking Jesus, but that wasn't enough. God's love was not enough. I mean, think about it: He loves everyone. He thinks you're beautiful, but He made you; He has to think that. He can love you across time and space, but He can't reach out and tangibly take your hand or give you a hug. It's almost...commonplace. Not special.
Not enough. You need God...and something else.
May I suggest something? It's not comfortable. It's not nice. It's not what you want to hear.
You don't have room for God.
I've tried seeking Him, you say. How much time per day do you spend diving into His Word? Pouring your heart out in prayer? Allow me to venture a guess that it's not as much time as you spend on Facebook or texting your friends. (And I'm guilty of that too.)
I've tried to let His love be enough, you say. Have you allowed Him to strip away everything else in your life that's distracting you from His overwhelming adoration? Have you sat silently at His feet, allowing Him to restore life to your aching heart?
I can't reach out and touch Him, you say. Can't you? He stated that whatever you do for the least of these around you, you do for Him. Haven't you ever seen Christ in the face of a child in Sunday school? Haven't you ever felt Him in the hug of a loving friend? Have you ever asked to see through the eyes of Jesus?
He loves everyone, you say. Yes. He loves you perfectly. Uniquely. He designed you just the way He wanted you, to accomplish a specific purpose on this earth. He is incredibly in love with you, with your heart, with your life. If you were the only one He would have saved, He still would have given His life for you. And He knows every single little thing you've ever said, done, or thought. He knows what goes on inside your mind in the middle of the night -- the things that no one else will ever know, nor would you want them too. He knows all that; and He still loves you.
If you truly want to be satisfied by this glorious God, sweet girl, you need to seek Him with your entire heart. The attention you crave must be forgotten. Any needs to be told you're beautiful in the world's eyes must be laid to rest at the foot of the cross. To have the deepest longings of your feminine heart satisfied, you must stop trying to satisfy them with anything else.
Let this world fade away. Allow Him to tear down your idols. And I promise -- when He becomes all you want, He becomes all you need.
You cannot seek God while this world fills your heart. Empty yourself; and then fill. Fill to overflowing. Pour out your life at Jesus' feet, and then be filled beyond all imagination with a love that will never leave you wanting more.
And then one day, you will experience a love story like no other. As you fall more in love with Jesus, you'll fall more in love with this man; and as you fall more in love with this man, you'll fall more in love with Jesus. He'll think you're gorgeous without any make-up, on a bad hair day, because it's the glowing, whole heart that is consumed with love for a beautiful Savior that attracts him. He'll love your eyes and your smile because they're yours, not because the world has decided that they meet some fickle, ever-changing criteria of beauty. His passion for Christ will inspire you to greater passion, and your passion will do the same for him.
And it all begins with coming to Jesus and making the decision to follow wholeheartedly. It means ceasing to live by the world's standards, forsaking all, and embracing a new meaning of beauty. It is a radical emptying of self, determining to live only for the applause of heaven.
You have the opportunity to be radiant. Will you let it slip through your fingers, continuing in a pattern of pain, heartbreak, and an ever-growing need for acknowledgment and affection? Or will you seize this opportunity, and become a shining example of God's pure power?
"Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord." ~Psalm 45:10-11 (emphasis added)
I am praying for you.
In His Love,
Kendall
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I Have Decided
If you ever want your heart broken, go to www.sixbillionsecrets.com.
Actually, I'm not sure I can condone that. This website contains so much pain, so much despair, that it is anything but uplifting. The cutters; the people who have never believed they're beautiful; the abused; the wounded; the abandoned; all come here to spill their secrets to the world, anonymously. And I cannot, for the life of me, understand why...
...until I see the number declaring the hundreds of people who have "liked" this secret. Who have noticed it. Who have in some small way affirmed this person's pain, and given them a reason to believe they can go on.
This generation is dying. This is a generation that screams silently, that openly declares its feelings to everyone with internet, yet cannot personally tell closest friends and the people who need to hear these stories.
This is a generation that is dying to be seen. To be noticed. To be loved.
This is not written to those people, although I have much I could say to them. But they don't need my words. Words can do very little against such deep pain. I will not tell them to turn away from themselves, although I do believe that pouring one's life out for others is an incredible way of healing.
This is written to those of you whom Christ has made strong. This is a call to stand; to notice; to fight. Millions around you are dying; yet how many of us take the time to notice? How many of us wrestle in prayer for the souls of those whom Christ calls Beloved? How many of us, even though we have been rescued and have every reason to spend our lives for others, are still focused on our own problems?
Christianity is to be a bold forsaking of self. It is to be a relentless pursuit of Christ; and a continuous laying down of our own desires to fulfill His call to reach the least of these around us. It is not a name. It is not an activity. It is not something to be taken lightly. It is passionate.
So come to life! It's what you were meant to do! Stop focusing on the problems in front of you. You have been eternally snatched back from hell -- do you realize that? You did nothing to deserve the great love you have received. You have been promised eternal joy in the presence of the Most High God! Your needs pale in comparison to the aching need of this joyless generation. So rise, shine, for your light has come (Isaiah 60:1). You were made strong for a reason: You were made strong so that you could be poured out for the weak.
Become Christ's prayer warriors. Become His hands and feet. You have already been given all you need for this life. So go, and share it with a dying world. Regardless of what they think of you, stand for your God. Even if you are mocked, never cease to share the hope you have been given. We will not always know what effect our words have; all we can determine is whether or not we will speak when He says, "Speak," whether or not we will go when He says, "Go." Be a part of reviving the bold spirit of true discipleship. Say with the hundreds of heroes of Christianity, "I have decided to follow Jesus. Though none go with me, still I will follow.
"No turning back."
Actually, I'm not sure I can condone that. This website contains so much pain, so much despair, that it is anything but uplifting. The cutters; the people who have never believed they're beautiful; the abused; the wounded; the abandoned; all come here to spill their secrets to the world, anonymously. And I cannot, for the life of me, understand why...
...until I see the number declaring the hundreds of people who have "liked" this secret. Who have noticed it. Who have in some small way affirmed this person's pain, and given them a reason to believe they can go on.
This generation is dying. This is a generation that screams silently, that openly declares its feelings to everyone with internet, yet cannot personally tell closest friends and the people who need to hear these stories.
This is a generation that is dying to be seen. To be noticed. To be loved.
This is not written to those people, although I have much I could say to them. But they don't need my words. Words can do very little against such deep pain. I will not tell them to turn away from themselves, although I do believe that pouring one's life out for others is an incredible way of healing.
This is written to those of you whom Christ has made strong. This is a call to stand; to notice; to fight. Millions around you are dying; yet how many of us take the time to notice? How many of us wrestle in prayer for the souls of those whom Christ calls Beloved? How many of us, even though we have been rescued and have every reason to spend our lives for others, are still focused on our own problems?
Christianity is to be a bold forsaking of self. It is to be a relentless pursuit of Christ; and a continuous laying down of our own desires to fulfill His call to reach the least of these around us. It is not a name. It is not an activity. It is not something to be taken lightly. It is passionate.
So come to life! It's what you were meant to do! Stop focusing on the problems in front of you. You have been eternally snatched back from hell -- do you realize that? You did nothing to deserve the great love you have received. You have been promised eternal joy in the presence of the Most High God! Your needs pale in comparison to the aching need of this joyless generation. So rise, shine, for your light has come (Isaiah 60:1). You were made strong for a reason: You were made strong so that you could be poured out for the weak.
Become Christ's prayer warriors. Become His hands and feet. You have already been given all you need for this life. So go, and share it with a dying world. Regardless of what they think of you, stand for your God. Even if you are mocked, never cease to share the hope you have been given. We will not always know what effect our words have; all we can determine is whether or not we will speak when He says, "Speak," whether or not we will go when He says, "Go." Be a part of reviving the bold spirit of true discipleship. Say with the hundreds of heroes of Christianity, "I have decided to follow Jesus. Though none go with me, still I will follow.
"No turning back."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Unlikely Mission Field
It's inspiring. It's heartbreaking. It tells stories of hearts broken and lives remade. It's time-consuming. It can make some smile. It makes others weep. It can be uplifting or oppressive. It can be en enormous waste of time, or it can be a way of radiantly reflecting Christ and reaching out to serve others.
It's Facebook.
When Facebook first became popular, I was hugely confused about what was so great about it. I updated my status around once a month. I was a boring Facebook user.
As I got older and began to lose contact with more of my friends, I began to see the utility of Facebook in staying connected to people I would otherwise probably never hear from. Many of my friendships have stayed alive because of Facebook. Now, it has become one of my greatest areas for ministry.
The following is my "Facebook philosophy" -- the "policies" I have adopted so that rather than being a distraction and poor use of my time, time on Facebook can become a way of reaching out to others and encouraging them.
Facebook can be an incredible opportunity for ministry. After all, how else do you have contact to so many people in a single day? So long as we use it wisely and selflessly, I am convinced that God can easily work through Facebook to bring people to Him. I challenge you to consider how you can use a social network for His glory. You may end up blessing people without ever knowing it!
It's Facebook.
When Facebook first became popular, I was hugely confused about what was so great about it. I updated my status around once a month. I was a boring Facebook user.
As I got older and began to lose contact with more of my friends, I began to see the utility of Facebook in staying connected to people I would otherwise probably never hear from. Many of my friendships have stayed alive because of Facebook. Now, it has become one of my greatest areas for ministry.
The following is my "Facebook philosophy" -- the "policies" I have adopted so that rather than being a distraction and poor use of my time, time on Facebook can become a way of reaching out to others and encouraging them.
- Discover Spirit-led prayer. Most of us spend much more time on Facebook than we need to, simply because we have "nothing better to do." It should take no more than five or ten minutes to get all of your "Most Recent" posts read. Then, instead of spending time playing games or creepily stalking peoples' profiles, ask God to open your eyes to the people who need prayer. I used to pray for every single person who appeared on my news feed by name whenever I would read their posts. While I no longer do that, as it actually increased my time spent online, this habit was a wonderful time of learning to discern God's voice. Many times, something specific would come to mind for certain individuals. God still uses status updates to draw my attention to someone who needs prayer -- even if their status is as simple as, "Chocolate ice cream is delicious."
- Take advantage of messaging. I don't mean chat; I turn my chat off. But you have the opportunity to reach and encourage people with the click of a button. Send encouraging messages. Let somebody know you're praying for them. You never know how God is working; I've often gotten messages back saying that was exactly what that person had needed at the time. [Note: This does not mean you should send messages willy-nilly. Ask God if there is someone who needs an encouraging word, and if He brings no one to mind, send nothing.]
- Don't post negative statuses. Two hundred and nineteen of your "friends" do not need to know your most intimate struggles. They don't need to know how much you hate your parents. Your post-break-up depression does not need to be posted for every person you know (or don't know) to read about. Thoughts of self-harm are intended to be shared with parents or another trusted adult, not with that one guy you met at that camp that one time. If you would not tell every single one of your Facebook friends in person, don't post it on Facebook. It comes off as a poor, selfish cry for attention; and far too often, it gets the desired reaction in the form of comments from well-meaning friends.
- Don't be too open. You are a complex individual with unique circumstances, emotions, and reactions. The moment you declare every single thing you feel on Facebook, you lose your intrinsic mystery and become a much less fascinating person. Even if it is a positive experience, don't share every detail of your personal life with all these people. I rarely share my emotions on Facebook unless they are generic feelings of praise, gratitude, love, etc. Even when I am privately discussing the way God is working in my life, I do not give specific examples. Try to keep some of that old-fashioned distance and reserve in the way you write your status messages. I seriously doubt you would truly want hundreds of people knowing the inner workings of your heart; and yet, many of us unwittingly post them daily (and in great detail).
- Be encouraging. If you can't post something nice, don't post it at all! Whenever I've found myself wanting to post something less-than-positive, I come to realize that it is simply because I want the attention. I want people to feel sorry for me. But here are more than 200 people who do not need any more negativity in their life, especially from someone who claims to have the joy of the Lord as her strength. If anything, they need a word of encouragement from Jesus Christ. So more often than not, I end up posting things that weren't written by me at all. They are quotes from people far wiser than I; and they end up crazily blessing people when I least expect it.
Facebook can be an incredible opportunity for ministry. After all, how else do you have contact to so many people in a single day? So long as we use it wisely and selflessly, I am convinced that God can easily work through Facebook to bring people to Him. I challenge you to consider how you can use a social network for His glory. You may end up blessing people without ever knowing it!
Friday, December 31, 2010
A Different Kind of "Going On"
There is a phrase that is used these days that absolutely tears at me. It is so indicative of the mediocrity and brokenness that Satan asks us to accept. He whispers, "Life is terrible. It can't get any worse (or could it?), and you can't feel any better...so you might as well just deal with it."
And we nod, lift our heads, brush off the dirt, and say resignedly, "And life goes on."
And yes: life goes on. It does. The circumstances that tear us down will soon be only painful memories, and the people who hurt us will soon move out of our lives. In some ways, the recognition of this fact is admirable. There is something in it that says, "No, I will not let these things break me. I will continue to fight and live and go on, and realize that I won't always feel like this." It refuses defeat.
But at the same time, it refuses healing.
Jesus did not die so that you could accept your pain and carry it with you for the rest of your life. He did not rescue you from a life of misery just so that you would "deal" with your heartbreak by pushing it to the back of your mind. He does not stand with open arms, able to carry the entire weight of the entire world's sin, waiting for you to come to Him, just so you can say, "Nah, it's okay. Life goes on. I'll get over it."
No, my friend, you are made for more! So much more! Your God did not design you to accept brokenness. He did not create you for a life where crack after crack forms in your heart and you simply try to ignore it and forget the pain. He shaped you so that you would be whole. He does not want you to muddle through a mediocre life, pushing yourself back up time and again thinking that's the only way life can be -- you might as well deal with it. No! Your God made you more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. You are to live victoriously. Passionately. Fully. You were not made to settle, you were made to want Jesus' best. He did not give up all so that you would settle for a life less than that!
Our God can calm a raging storm with a word. He heals the lame. He restores sight to the blind. He brings the dead to life. And He wants to take your heart, that has died one tiny piece at a time, and breathe His life into it. He desires disciples who are completely alive!
"And He who is seated on the throne said, 'See! I make all things new'" (Revelation 21:5). Come, fall at the feet of your God. Do not do it flippantly. Do not do it just for show or to make yourself feel better. Do it with a deep desire to be made completely new, completely alive. Come to be made strong, and to fall head-over-heels in love with a God who is strong to save. Come to discover victorious life in Christ. Come; worship; seek the heart of God. And as you lose yourself in His beautiful heart for you, yours will be raised to life. And life will, again, go on -- but it will go on with a strength and power that you could never have imagined.
And we nod, lift our heads, brush off the dirt, and say resignedly, "And life goes on."
And yes: life goes on. It does. The circumstances that tear us down will soon be only painful memories, and the people who hurt us will soon move out of our lives. In some ways, the recognition of this fact is admirable. There is something in it that says, "No, I will not let these things break me. I will continue to fight and live and go on, and realize that I won't always feel like this." It refuses defeat.
But at the same time, it refuses healing.
Jesus did not die so that you could accept your pain and carry it with you for the rest of your life. He did not rescue you from a life of misery just so that you would "deal" with your heartbreak by pushing it to the back of your mind. He does not stand with open arms, able to carry the entire weight of the entire world's sin, waiting for you to come to Him, just so you can say, "Nah, it's okay. Life goes on. I'll get over it."
No, my friend, you are made for more! So much more! Your God did not design you to accept brokenness. He did not create you for a life where crack after crack forms in your heart and you simply try to ignore it and forget the pain. He shaped you so that you would be whole. He does not want you to muddle through a mediocre life, pushing yourself back up time and again thinking that's the only way life can be -- you might as well deal with it. No! Your God made you more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. You are to live victoriously. Passionately. Fully. You were not made to settle, you were made to want Jesus' best. He did not give up all so that you would settle for a life less than that!
Our God can calm a raging storm with a word. He heals the lame. He restores sight to the blind. He brings the dead to life. And He wants to take your heart, that has died one tiny piece at a time, and breathe His life into it. He desires disciples who are completely alive!
"And He who is seated on the throne said, 'See! I make all things new'" (Revelation 21:5). Come, fall at the feet of your God. Do not do it flippantly. Do not do it just for show or to make yourself feel better. Do it with a deep desire to be made completely new, completely alive. Come to be made strong, and to fall head-over-heels in love with a God who is strong to save. Come to discover victorious life in Christ. Come; worship; seek the heart of God. And as you lose yourself in His beautiful heart for you, yours will be raised to life. And life will, again, go on -- but it will go on with a strength and power that you could never have imagined.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Our Greater God
If you've never experienced them, college applications are an extremely stressful process. It's not so much the deadlines or the essays or all the times you have to shout to your parents, "Wait, where did you go to college?" It's the money. Sitting down with your dad to add up the tuition, fees, room and board of all the schools you want to go to is not exactly encouraging. "You can totally go to this school, Kendall! You just need to earn $3,000 this summer, okay?"
Yeah. Not so happy...until I realize that my God is so much bigger than tuition. Something that may seem far too large to overcome is absolutely nothing to Him. While I sit around fretting that I'll have to go to my second-choice school, He gently whispers, "Have you forgotten who I AM?" Even if I do end up going to my second-choice school, I have every confidence that I will be attending His first choice. When we are in hot pursuit of the Almighty, He doesn't decide to give us second-best.
The God who calmed the waves and conquered death and keeps this entire world in motion is bigger than any circumstances. Paul said that neither death nor life, angels nor demons, the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of Christ. If Paul were alive today, I don't think I'd have the courage to walk up to him and say, "Um, you forgot one teensy-little thing. I think it's too big for God."
"And what's that?"
"Er...college tuition. I mean, you guys didn't really have college back when you wrote that... So I would totally understand if that just didn't cross your mind."
Paul was a fun-loving, sarcastic man, so at this point he would probably be laughing at me. I don't think I'd be willing to do that.
Amy Carmichael wrote, "If I cannot catch 'the sound of noise of rain' long before the rain falls, and, going to some hilltop of the spirit, as near to my God as I can, have not faith to wait there with my face between my knees, though six times or sixty times I am told 'there is nothing,' til at last 'there arises a little cloud out of the sea,' then I know nothing of Calvary love."
Our God will come through for us. Perhaps not in the way we expect. And certainly not if we're running as fast as we can in the opposite direction. But if we have the faith to trust Him, and praise Him for the rain even before it falls, there is no length He will not go to in order to bring His perfect will to pass. Let us wait patiently on our God to answer our prayers, in His own time, in His own way; and let us not cease to pray until He answers. Let us look at our circumstances and smile, remembering a God who brought three men out of a fiery furnace not only burn-free, but without the smell of smoke hanging upon them.
"The heart set to do the Father's will need never fear defeat." ~Elisabeth Elliot
Yeah. Not so happy...until I realize that my God is so much bigger than tuition. Something that may seem far too large to overcome is absolutely nothing to Him. While I sit around fretting that I'll have to go to my second-choice school, He gently whispers, "Have you forgotten who I AM?" Even if I do end up going to my second-choice school, I have every confidence that I will be attending His first choice. When we are in hot pursuit of the Almighty, He doesn't decide to give us second-best.
The God who calmed the waves and conquered death and keeps this entire world in motion is bigger than any circumstances. Paul said that neither death nor life, angels nor demons, the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of Christ. If Paul were alive today, I don't think I'd have the courage to walk up to him and say, "Um, you forgot one teensy-little thing. I think it's too big for God."
"And what's that?"
"Er...college tuition. I mean, you guys didn't really have college back when you wrote that... So I would totally understand if that just didn't cross your mind."
Paul was a fun-loving, sarcastic man, so at this point he would probably be laughing at me. I don't think I'd be willing to do that.
Amy Carmichael wrote, "If I cannot catch 'the sound of noise of rain' long before the rain falls, and, going to some hilltop of the spirit, as near to my God as I can, have not faith to wait there with my face between my knees, though six times or sixty times I am told 'there is nothing,' til at last 'there arises a little cloud out of the sea,' then I know nothing of Calvary love."
Our God will come through for us. Perhaps not in the way we expect. And certainly not if we're running as fast as we can in the opposite direction. But if we have the faith to trust Him, and praise Him for the rain even before it falls, there is no length He will not go to in order to bring His perfect will to pass. Let us wait patiently on our God to answer our prayers, in His own time, in His own way; and let us not cease to pray until He answers. Let us look at our circumstances and smile, remembering a God who brought three men out of a fiery furnace not only burn-free, but without the smell of smoke hanging upon them.
"The heart set to do the Father's will need never fear defeat." ~Elisabeth Elliot
Friday, December 24, 2010
You're Beautiful
I sat down to write about how beautiful my God is. But my heart is too full for words. All I want to do is worship this amazing God. All I want to do is give Him every part of me. I can't even begin to describe all He's done for me. He quite literally turned my life around and took it in a direction I never would've imagined for myself. He's been so much more than enough. And even though I've just succeeded in writing a paragraph about how amazing He is, my words right now don't seem nearly enough for how much He's done for me.
So, I kinda want to know: What are some of your amazing God stories from the past year? How has He changed you? How has He saved you? What has He done for you, and what has He led you to do for Him? At this time of year, when we tend to take for granted that He came as a baby to live a perfect life and die for us, what is it that brings you to your knees in amazement?
And yeah, I really truly want to know. So leave a comment on this post, or on the Facebook link, or send me a message, because I want to be astounded by how He's working in your life. So then we can worship Him together.
I love each and every one of you, and I pray that you are learning to discover the glorious riches of the love of Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas.
So, I kinda want to know: What are some of your amazing God stories from the past year? How has He changed you? How has He saved you? What has He done for you, and what has He led you to do for Him? At this time of year, when we tend to take for granted that He came as a baby to live a perfect life and die for us, what is it that brings you to your knees in amazement?
And yeah, I really truly want to know. So leave a comment on this post, or on the Facebook link, or send me a message, because I want to be astounded by how He's working in your life. So then we can worship Him together.
I love each and every one of you, and I pray that you are learning to discover the glorious riches of the love of Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Ordained Praise
Satan loves pity parties. You may think you're the guest of honor, but it's really him. He thinks they're the greatest things ever. Pity parties are the perfect time to sneak up behind you and whisper in your ear every single little insecurity you've ever had. They're the perfect time to distract you from everything you know is true. And what he really loves about them is that they make you feel helpless against it. You don't see a way out of this self-pity and all the hurtful thoughts it brings; so he convinces you that it's not even worth trying. Or if it is worth trying, he warps what you believe about how to fight against it. Pretty soon, we have eating disorders; cutting; depression; suicide. Most commonly, we hate ourselves for feeling this way -- and thus begins the vicious cycle of self-pity.
And oh, Satan just gives a gurgling giggle of glee. The absolute best lies come out during these times. One of the main ones: This isn't a pity party. I'm hurting, and I want to mope about it, okay?? Yes. We hurt. And Satan loves to convince us that it's absolutely okay to dwell on that pain. And that even if it's not okay, there's really nothing we can do about it. After all, if we're not thinking about it, how are we ever going to get better?
LIES, I tell you, lies! Absolutely, we should not deny that we're hurting. (That's another one of the things he likes to convince us to do... Golly, I don't like him.) But do you know what we are supposed to do with all that pain? With all those broken pieces?
"Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you." ~1 Peter 5:7
"Arise, cry out in the watches of the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord." ~Lamentations 2:19
"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." ~Psalm 8:2
The first two state exactly what we should do when confronted with pain: Dump it. Not on your friends, although of course you can ask for prayer. But they cannot heal you. So please don't expect them to. No, cast everything on God. For He cares for you. He knows everything that's going on already, but there's something crucial about you actually coming to Him and talking about it.
And finally, my personal favorite response when Satan's lies start to creep in: Worship. Praise. This should not be that kind of worship like, "Oh my gosh, God, life is really horrible. Please make it better." That's supplication. That's the kind of intercession that your friends can be doing for you. That's also included in the "casting your cares" part. But once those cares are cast, leave them, and just start worshiping. Praise Him for who He is. Praise Him for His promises. Completely disregard your circumstances, and just worship! He is worthy, and whatever is going on in your life does not change that fact. Satan cannot stand it when you worship God -- especially in the face of pain.
These are a few "worship methods" that my mom and I have come up with and shared over the years. Of course, they're not original, but they are effective, and we go back to them over and over again.
Well -- there isn't one. So no matter how much you don't want to, get with your King and praise Him. Even if it doesn't feel real, even if it doesn't feel true, He'll help you. As you pour out your worship before Him, He will fill you up with Him. And Satan will run away as fast as possible from the powerful presence of God.
It's sometimes not easy -- but it's simple. So worship, my friend. Be astounded by the beauty of your God. And forget all of that pain you hold inside; for as you praise Him, He heals you. And when He heals you, you won't be able to keep from praising Him.
And oh, Satan just gives a gurgling giggle of glee. The absolute best lies come out during these times. One of the main ones: This isn't a pity party. I'm hurting, and I want to mope about it, okay?? Yes. We hurt. And Satan loves to convince us that it's absolutely okay to dwell on that pain. And that even if it's not okay, there's really nothing we can do about it. After all, if we're not thinking about it, how are we ever going to get better?
LIES, I tell you, lies! Absolutely, we should not deny that we're hurting. (That's another one of the things he likes to convince us to do... Golly, I don't like him.) But do you know what we are supposed to do with all that pain? With all those broken pieces?
"Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you." ~1 Peter 5:7
"Arise, cry out in the watches of the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord." ~Lamentations 2:19
"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." ~Psalm 8:2
The first two state exactly what we should do when confronted with pain: Dump it. Not on your friends, although of course you can ask for prayer. But they cannot heal you. So please don't expect them to. No, cast everything on God. For He cares for you. He knows everything that's going on already, but there's something crucial about you actually coming to Him and talking about it.
And finally, my personal favorite response when Satan's lies start to creep in: Worship. Praise. This should not be that kind of worship like, "Oh my gosh, God, life is really horrible. Please make it better." That's supplication. That's the kind of intercession that your friends can be doing for you. That's also included in the "casting your cares" part. But once those cares are cast, leave them, and just start worshiping. Praise Him for who He is. Praise Him for His promises. Completely disregard your circumstances, and just worship! He is worthy, and whatever is going on in your life does not change that fact. Satan cannot stand it when you worship God -- especially in the face of pain.
These are a few "worship methods" that my mom and I have come up with and shared over the years. Of course, they're not original, but they are effective, and we go back to them over and over again.
- Journal. Satan cannot hear your thoughts; and if you try to pray in your head, you're much more likely to get distracted by those lies still being shouted at you from that despicable, mean, horrid...you know.
- Pray out loud. Same dealio as the journaling. And specifically, pray that God would banish the Evil One!
- Read scripture out loud. Particularly Psalms. Psalms of thanksgiving are the absolute best.
- Sing! This is my favorite (for those of you who know me, that's not a surprise...) I sit at the piano or pull out the guitar and just repeat the same worship songs over and over. OR I pull out my iPod (or open YouTube) and sing along. These songs usually have nothing to do with the precise lies I'm hearing at the moment. They're just songs telling God how absolutely great He is. And Satan really doesn't like being reminded of that...
Well -- there isn't one. So no matter how much you don't want to, get with your King and praise Him. Even if it doesn't feel real, even if it doesn't feel true, He'll help you. As you pour out your worship before Him, He will fill you up with Him. And Satan will run away as fast as possible from the powerful presence of God.
It's sometimes not easy -- but it's simple. So worship, my friend. Be astounded by the beauty of your God. And forget all of that pain you hold inside; for as you praise Him, He heals you. And when He heals you, you won't be able to keep from praising Him.
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