Life Contemplations

My Pinterest board these past two months has been full of everything that could possibly be considered "giftable." I even saw one post about how to "Regift on a Budget." I don't mind regifting, and I have done it in the past, but it just struck me as funny that people had to budget it. Isn't it free? Don't you already own what you are giving? 

Anyways, now that the New Year is coming, I am seeing a lot more of a pin that I actually really like and find relevant to life. Every time something good, exciting, surprising, or impressionable happens, you write it down on a piece of paper and put it in a jar.  You are supposed to do this all year long and then on New Years Eve of that year, you go through and reread all those papers. 

The thing I like about it, is that it's a creative way to reflect on how much you have changed over the year. It shows that we had 365 more days and a jar or two full of experiences. It is the best reminder that although some days are absolutely insane, there will always be at least one thing to be thankful for.

I know I could tie this into Jesus coming and dying on the cross, and all that jazz, but I won't. Although that is one amazing thing to be thankful for everyday, especially on the days that feel like a Three Stooges episode. 

I actually want to focus on the fact that life is crazy. Life is absolutely insane. It is the most structurally unsound roller coaster that exists, but is still open for rides. It is hard work and it never goes how we planned. Even this post is going in a different direction than I originally intended. But it's okay. It's okay, because God is the operator of the roller coaster, and this blog is about the wonderful things He is doing in my life, not the completely mental things I try to do with my life.

And that is the very best thing to focus on every day. How has God provided for me today? What ways  did He bless me beyond what I could even ask or think of? When did He carry me, balance me, or drag me kicking and screaming (that would be the completely mental times I referred to above)? 

So, starting January 1st, I am going to try to write down at least one way God has provided, blessed, and carried me everyday. Anything and everything, big and little. There are already a lot of things that are coming up in 2013 that I am super blessed with, and times that I know He will have to pick me up and carry me. But that's the beauty of it. Not only do I already know that I will fail, but I KNOW that He WILL bring me through. Will you join me?

Glory Contemplations

It's back to school time! I personally really enjoy this time of year. The weather is so nice. You can wear jeans and sweaters, or shorts and t-shirts or any combination thereof. Plus, we get to settle down into a wonderful routine of class, study, eat, drink hot cups of coffee or cocoa and study some more....
Oh...am I the only one who enjoys that? Well, it is the time of year to go apple picking and leaf jumping. Is that what non-nerdy people do?

As I was thinking about my schedule for these next few months, I realized that I could easily get carried away doing my own thing and not necessarily being Christ-focused. Most of what I am doing this fall will be things that I certainly feel are what God has for me to do right now, which is great. However, I need to keep in mind that what I am doing is for God and His glory, not for anything else. Even when I do something well, it is because of God's blessing not anything of me. This is something I need to think of as I am making decisions or simply living out daily life. I don't know about you, but this is sometimes hard for me. It is hard for me to think that doing the dishes can glorify God. Or nailing a new song on the cello is because of a talent that God gave me. That is a new mindset for me, and, to be honest, one that I have a hard time applying to the "little" or boring areas of life.

I hope that you all have a blessed start to school, or whatever fall is bringing to you, and enjoy this lovely weather!

Beauty

This one is going to be very short.

This week I started a new hobby. It is REALLY fun. Part of this time-disappearing act is looking at a lot of pictures. Pictures of pretty much anything. So, I have been looking at a lot of flowers, valleys, mountains, oceans, and Ireland. :) I have always loved being outside, but now I am noticing beautiful things everywhere.

As much as all of that is pure fun, I have had one thing about God emphasized for me. God is BEAUTIFUL. He is purer than the ocean foam. He is brighter than the sun. He is more joyful than a child with ice cream. And, yes, He is more peaceful than an Irish landscape. He is beautiful.

Procrastination Contemplations

If someone asked me to describe myself in one word, I would probably say "procrastinator". I procrastinate ALL the time! It really is terrible, but somehow I have managed to make it through most of my life this way. Two weeks ago I realized that school ended in a few weeks. This is when panic mode hits. I had a few papers to write and a couple tests to take by the end of that week. Had I known about them all semester? yes. What had I done about it? nothing. 

As I was thinking about how I was going to plan my days so I could get that stuff done in time, I realized school isn't the only area I procrastinate in. What about devotions, or spending meaningful time with God? Do I only do it Saturday night so I could say I did devotions before the new week starts? Or do I wait until I "really" need God? haha. That last one sounds funny. Some people think of God as an acquaintance. You know, someone you keep up just enough of a relationship so it's not awkward if you need to ask them for help someday, but nothing too serious. Others think of Him like someone they should spend time with, but just never get around to actually doing it, kinda like my schoolwork. 

But how many of us are aware of how much we truly need God? We need Him all the time. Every second. We need Him simply to exist. He is our literal source of life. Seems like He is around a lot more than an acquaintance, huh? Why do we ignore this? Why do we think that getting ten more minutes of sleep is more important than reading our Bible or talking with God? Why do we watch movies at home alone instead of spending time fellowshipping with our fellow believers? We act like someone who is sitting next to the Fountain of Youth, exercising, eating fruit and veggies, and otherwise living a healthy life, but never partaking of that life giving juice. How stupid are we?

Service Contemplations

"...He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." John 13:4-5, 13-15.

The Bible is full of examples of service, but this is one of my favorites. I like this one so much because this act of service brought such a life changing view into my heart. All throughout Jesus' ministry, He spent time teaching hundreds, healing dozens, and feeding thousands of people. Every one of those is an amazing, wonderful thing for Him to do. Because Jesus was willing to put others before Himself, many of these people's lives were changed forever. 

However, Jesus didn't just serve large groups of people, or just the important people. He also helped the lowly, nobodies. He served in ways that may not have been told all around the community, or the country, or the world, and He was perfectly okay with that. The passage above shows us one way that Jesus served "quietly". He washed the disciples feet. He didn't line up all the people He had spoken to that past week or month and sit them down and wash their feet. He washed His disciples feet. Just the twelve of them. That's it. 

Mark 5 tells us about Jesus and the possessed man of the Gerasenes. Jesus crossed the sea and, ultimately, was asked to leave after helping one person. ONE. Woah... It was worth it to Jesus to spend time and energy crossing the sea to save one person - time and energy He could have used to show thousands of people that He was God. Rather than spend time with hundreds of people who had already had signs and could figure out He was God, but had not, it was more important to Him to go where He knew ONE person would believe. 

Are we pwilling to do the same? Are we willing to spend time and energy serving in ways that probably won't be talked about and praised by all those our life? If God called you or me to serve as the cook at an elementary school instead of going to Africa, would we be ready and willing? 

I just have one more thought. Some people are called to go to Africa, or to speak to groups of thousands of people...in the future. But what about now? Are we okay to serve in quiet ways until God decides we are ready for something more?

 I say the time is now. Today is the day to serve. You are as ready today for the tasks God has given you as you will be ten years from now for the tasks you will face then. Go wash those dishes with a smile. Toss a football with your son, or dance around the kitchen with a broom while your siblings are laughing at you. Do your best at school, or work, or whatever you are doing TODAY, and do it because this is what God has asked of you today. Sweet, quiet service. 

Valentines Day Contemplations

Valentines Day, or Singles Awareness Day if you prefer, has come and gone. If you were out at all on the 14th, then you probably saw the usual mob of men at the grocery store, the perfect place to pick up chocolate and flowers. The long held tradition of giving flowers to that special person requires that they do so. And, ladies, who doesn't appreciate some chocolate now and then? But I have a question...is Valentines Day really just about that one special someone, or could there be more? 

I think that the answer is along the lines of there is a Special Someone, but there should be more. I know a lot of people spent the few days before Valentines, figuring out what that perfect little gift was for their "friend". I am at a point in my life where I don't have a particular male friend that I value in a different way than my other friends, and honestly, I am thankful for that. I have many reasons, but there was one that really stuck out to me this week. Valentines Day brings along thoughts and wishes of being loved and appreciated. Sometimes those wishes are fulfilled by the opposite gender. However, sometimes, I believe many times, there is only one way those wishes can be completely filled. 

Jesus. God. The Lord and SAVIOR. 1 John 4:8 tells us that love is an attribute of God. God is love. Love is God. To love is to imitate, to act in the image of God. And since we were all created in the image of God, distorted as it may be at times, we still have the longing, the wish to fulfill who we are. When we love someone with all our heart, and they reciprocate that same love, there is a joy and peace that comes no other way. Now, when we love God with all our hearts, there is a joy and peace that surpasses even the earthly imitation of love. I say when WE love God, because God already loves us. There is no doubt in my mind about that. God is love, therefore He cannot, not love. 

All that to say, I think that the Special Someone we should be focusing on is Jesus. He displayed the ultimate form of love for us when he died on the cross, and took our punishment. There was no reason for Him to do that. He lived a perfect life. He did not deserve to die, just as we don't deserve to live. But because He LOVED us, He did it anyway.

I said that I thought there should also be more. Now, don't get me wrong, I think the most important thing is to love God with all our hearts and to live like we do. One we to live like we love Him, is to love others. We are commanded to love. Valentines Day offers a great opportunity to do just that. This particular holiday is all about showing love. But I think we should show love to all the people we appreciate in our lives...and the ones we have a hard time appreciating. 

I just have one more thing to say. Singles Awareness Day is also a fantastic thing, if you look at correctly. If you happen to be single, like me, take Paul's life as an example. Live every day to serve God. Chances are you won't be single forever, and when you're married, your services will take on a different look. Now, I am NOT saying that married people can't serve God. That is very very far from the truth. I am just saying that single people have the freedom to serve God in a unique way that they may not have later in life. Don't waste these days that God has given you. Don't look at Singles Awareness Day and pity yourself because you have no "Valentine". Jesus is your Valentine. Also, take it as a challenge. A challenge to live for your true Valentine. A challenge to spend your life, no matter what your marital status, for Christ.