Pages

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Free

I remember it like a photograph. I was about 15 or 16 years old, sitting in the balcony at church during a Sunday morning service. I was enjoying a moment of worship with the Lord when suddenly I had what I believe was a divine revelation. And it was this: "It really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of me! In Gods' presence I am completely free to be myself."

This was something I had heard said before, but in that moment I truly understood it and the freedom I felt was like nothing else. I was surrounded by people, some friends and some strangers, and I felt for the first time that it really didn't matter what their opinions about me were. It didn't matter if they thought it was strange that I raised my hands in worship, or didn't like my voice, or if they thought I was uncool or ugly. It didn't matter because God was the one I was designed to please.

Galatians 1:10 says, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

This verse doesn't just demonstrate that we as believers should focus on pleasing God rather than man. It also says that if we are trying to impress others we are not a servant of Christ! Wow. This is not just an instruction for us, but also an encouragement. If you say that you are a servant of Christ, then you are no longer bound to the approval of other people - you are free!

You are free to be yourself, with all your strengths, weaknesses, quirks and habits. You are free to snort when you laugh, where sweats to the grocery store and tell cheesy jokes. You're free to raise your hands in worship or fall to your knees in humility before the Lord. You are free to share your faith with others and not worry if they will believe, or even if they'll think you're insane. You are free! But the catch is this, when you slip back into pleasing man, it means you aren't serving Christ! It is actually an act of disobedience. So being yourself is not simply an encouragement and calling, but a command.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

More Thoughts on Holding Back...

So I wonder what the bible says about this topic other than "guard your heart"? In terms of church and getting involved I think it is clear that we as believers are members of the "body of Christ". It is also clear that if one part suffers, the whole body suffers with it. If I'm holding back, as apart of the body, it will indeed affect the rest of the body. Its as though one part - my part- has been injured.

Back in September I threw my back out for the first time ever. It was a sign that I am indeed getting older and can't bounce back quite a quickly as when I was 16. Because of that one part of my body being strained, the rest of my physical being suffered. I was unable to sit, walk or run comfortably and was in so much pain I found it hard to concentrate on anything else. Only through rest, massage and chiropractic work was I brought back to full health. Had the injury not healed, I would still be affected today.

When I was in Australia working at the church, I was injured immensely. And now my injury, if not healed by God, could be a detriment to the rest of the body of Christ. Wow! The last thing I want is for the enemy to steal anymore from me, or any other believer because of the painful experience I had there. I don't want the hurt caused by those relationships to continue to hinder myself and others. And yet if I don't let go, forgive, and move on whole-heartedly, this is exactly what will happen. My injury will drag down the body I am apart of.

And so the answer is clear; "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it..." (1 Corin. 12:26) My holding back will affect more than just me.

Monday, February 08, 2010

What Holds Us Back?

Sometimes I have trouble fully committing. In many areas of life I have a tendency to hold back, at least a little. I hold back some of my effort, thought, care, or heart. I hold back in terms of committing time or sometimes emotion. Don't get me wrong, I think it is important to have boundaries, but I can also see the danger in not fully embracing life - giving life a "side hug" because its safer and more comfortable. I know the bible calls us to "guard our heart" but are there times when God asks us to lay it all out there and hold nothing back?

One example of this for me is getting involved at church. I've experienced all levels of involvement at various churches. I've been through all the extremes, from being a passive Sunday morning observer, to an active plan, speak, sing and serve every Sunday morning and 3 or 4 nights of the week attender. In fact last year at this time I was volunteering at a church in Australia and was so involved that I actually lived in the church building. There wasn't a prayer meeting that went on without my attendance for 6 months. I was preaching every few weeks, in the worship band, planning outreach events, attending bible study and even baking and cleaning. And in the end of that experience I got burned - burned so bad I didn't think I'd ever recover.

Since being back Alex and I have found a new church to call home, a place where we see God's love in action and feel drawn to be apart of it. And though this place is loving, accepting, real and honest - I'm scared to death of committing. So I go on Sunday mornings, and I sporadically attend a house group and connections class, but there is something in me that holds back. Something that causes me to say, "I just don't feel like going". Something that keeps me from wanting to use my gifts. Something that makes me sit back passively and not really get involved.

And that's where I'm at. I can't end this post with a verse or a hopeful thought because I don't have the answers. I just know that I'm holding back and that its leaving me unsatisfied.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

DREAMING BIG


Well lately I've been writing more than I have since I was in University. And I'm really enjoying it. If fact I have an article that will be published in "Susie" magazine this summer so that's pretty cool (www.susiemagazine.com). This will be my first publication and I'm really looking forward to getting more of my writing out there. I've loved writing ever since I was in Jr. High. I remember starting to write my first devotional book when I was in grade 8. I never did finish it, but I've started working on another one, and it'll happen eventually.

Presently I'm working on an article called "Dream Big", the same title as this blog. It's sort of a life slogan/message I feel God has given me to carry. The idea that there is so much more to life that all we could ask, dream or imagine when we're following God. So I thought I'd include the article here. It's still a draft, but here goes.

Dream Big
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
“Dream Big!” These two words make my heart race because I believe they have the potential to change your life. God spoke these words to me several years ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about them since. They are words full of potential, excitement and hope. They are powerful words. In fact, every once in a while I see these words splashed across university promo posters or magazine ads for department stores. In fact the other day while shopping at Costco, I was shocked to see a book by Oprah entitled “Dream Big”. Not only was I shocked, but also disappointed because I believe these words deserve so much more. When the world says “Dream Big” it means dream about the big house you could have, or the beautiful things you could fill it with. Or maybe, dream about being on the Oprah show one day, because then you’ll really have arrived. But the idea of “Dreaming Big” wasn’t thought up by humans who are trying to inspire and motivate other humans. This idea represents a promise God gave us through his word, over 2000 years ago.
Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do “immeasurably more” than all we can ask or imagine! We serve a God who enables us not only to dream big, but to actually see the fulfillment of big dreams in our lives! But how? I wish I could give you a ten-step program of how to make all your dreams come true, but I can’t. I can only repeat the steps God outlines for us in the bible, because His words are trustworthy and true. Here are a few of His truths that can guide us as we work towards our big dreams.
Step 1: Allow God to plant HIS dreams in you.
Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The first step to seeing your dreams come true is asking God to give you HIS dreams for you. I used to think this verse meant that if I spent enough time reading my bible and praying (delighting in the Lord) He would return the favor by giving me everything I wanted. I’ve since discovered that when we delight in God, he actually plants HIS dreams for the world, in us. Take some time to ask God what His dreams for you are. And believe me His ideas will be way better than the ones you could’ve thought up on your own!
Step 2: Be faithful in the little things.
Matthew 25:23: "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Once God has planted His dreams in us, we often have to wait to see them fulfilled. However, this doesn’t mean we sit around watching TV, checking our Facebook pages and waiting for our Big Dream to come knocking. It means we look at our present circumstances - the “little things” God has put in front of us- and treat them as though they are our big dreams. Your school, friends, family and job are all things God asks you to be faithful with. Treat these things with as much importance and value as if they were your ultimate goals and God promises He will “put you in charge of many things”.
Step 3: Go after intimacy with God.
Matthew 22:37: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." In the end, nothing else matters besides knowing God. How well do you know Him? Do you realize His heart longs for you? Do you know He is jealous for you? Do you know He wants to speak to you? And most importantly, if you met him today, would you recognize Him? The greatest fulfillment we will ever experience, now or in eternity, comes by loving and being loved by God. There is no greater satisfaction than what we will feel when we see the unveiled face of our Creator, Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I think these lines from Hillsongs United say it well: "Though I have not seen him, my heart knows him well". Does your heart know him well? Take some time today to hang out with God. Tell him that you love Him and allow him to love you back.
Chasing after our dreams is part of the adventure of this life. However we are called to worship the dream-giver, not the dream. Let's not forget that as we pursue the abundant life God has promised us.