Running Over...

Luke 6:38

^"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

Giving is a part of who I am. I don't mean that in an arrogant way, or as a pat on my back. I believe that as Christians we are supposed to give as we are able to give, and sometimes we should give even when we don't feel like it or think that we can.  I also believe that Luke 6:38 is true. I experienced that this weekend...

Friday night I went on an overnight trip with several ladies from church. When I first started planning this trip I secured hotel rooms in Knoxville with certificates that we sometimes trade with other hotels. As our group of attenders grew it ended up that one room was going to have to be paid for, but only at the employee rate which is really cheap. I decided that rather than going back and telling the ladies that the rooms were going to cost, I would just pay for the one room no big deal. Then it ended up that I drove some of our group to the event. Really, these two things were no big deal to me. As the leader of our GNO life group, I wanted to do it. I wanted to ensure that everyone had a great time without worry about details. 

But true to His word, the Lord blessed me with more than just the message that Beth offered. At dinner Friday night one of the ladies paid for my dinner. Later that night while trying to check in one of the ladies heard me trying to explain to the desk clerk about paying for one of the rooms and later she put money in my pocket for the room saying, "this is non-negotiable". When the conference was over the next day another member of our group presented me with a beautiful devotional journal by Beth Moore as a token of appreciation for planning our trip. Then when we stopped for lunch another lady paid for my lunch. 

I did this, I give, without the expectation of anything in return. I do it because I believe I am supposed to and because I often  feel it is the Lord leading me to do so. I pray for opportunities for the Lord to use me to be a blessing to other people. These ladies were a tremendous blessing to me and really proved that God will bless us in our obedience to Him. They proved that you cannot out give God. 

I hope they know that the gestures that were done for me over the weekend were not in anyway expected, but are greatly appreciated. I even argued with a couple of them, and then got the lecture about just saying "thank you". I want each one of them to know that  they are a far bigger blessing in my life than I may ever be to them, I cherish their friendship, and look forward to all that God has in store for us.

Pondering these things...

Luke 2:19 "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart"

I cannot even begin to imagine what Mary must have been thinking, much less feeling, as she watched people from all over come and worship her Baby Boy. It must have been unimaginable, unthinkable that those things which had come to pass had happened to her. Do you think she was overwhelmed, or amazed?

If she was anything like me, I believe it was both. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by all that I have to get done and the things that I feel called to do; and, at the same time I am amazed by what I have already seen God do, amazed by what He is doing.

However, that doesn't keep me from getting in His way. So many times I take what I feel like the Lord has said to me,and immediately jump in to "make things happen". Like God needs me to help Him accomplish His will for my life. Now it does require obedience on my part, but really...

Do I have to jump on the band wagon of dating sites (which, by-the-way, really do nothing for a girl's self-esteem) or ask people to set me up or worse, well, we don't need to go there...Why can't I just wait for the Lord to send me the person He has for me? Why can't I trust Him to fulfill my loneliness...to bring me the perfect partner that He has for me?

What about my career? The Lord has done some amazing things and giving me great opportunities where I am, so, why can't I be happy with those things in this moment without always trying to figure out what is next? I believe that my call is to teach. That has been confirmed, but maybe teaching is supposed to start where I'm at rather than me waiting until I get a certain degree, or an invite into full time ministry. Perhaps I should worry more about being a good leader where I am rather than worrying about the leader I am going to be.

See, Mary didn't run out and try to make things happen herself. She didn't wonder around going "what will I do" or make a big deal about what was taking place. She simply heard the Lord, was willing to follow His lead, and waited on Him. Not only did she see His glory, see His words come to pass, but she got to be the mom of our Savior.  She had great things to ponder, to think about because she was obedient, and waited on the Lord.

Our callings and purposes for life won't ever be as great as Mary's, but the Lord certainly has great things in store. May we all, especially me, be willing to do more listening, and to be more obedient so that we will certainly have great things to ponder. 

I've Got Plenty to Worry About Myself

"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things" Romans 2:1

It is hard to be a Christian in society today. It seems that identifying with Christian principles and beliefs is becoming more and more politically incorrect. And, if one dares to stand up for what they believe, they are called all manner of names and stereotyped. I wonder sometimes if we have not entered into a contest to see who can call the most names and/or who can pass the most judgment...which to me is really sad.

But even so, I happen to be one of those Christians who believes the Word of God. I do not believe that it is an ancient book that cannot be applied or used today. I believe that the things God calls sin are sin. But it does not mean that I am judging those who believe differently than me. 

Two of the things that He calls sin are judgment (see opening Scripture) and hatred of one another. John 13: 34-35 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

I strive everyday to be the kind of person that I believe God would be pleased with. I fail miserably some days, and the days when I do get it right are scattered with mishaps and things that I could have done differently. I don't mean that I live in condemnation, but that I have enough to worry about when considering the "plank" in my own eye (see Matthew 7:3, also vs. 1-2 for more on NOT judging). 

The prequel, if you will, to the opening scripture that I used is Romans 1:18-32. In this passage you find just about everything that God calls sin. Homosexuality is among these, but what I should be more concerned with is disobedience, unforgiveness, envy, not loving the way I should, and the list could go on.

We should all strive everyday to live with more love, deeper examination of our own lives, and without judgment. So, to my friends who are gay, and the others that do not agree with me, let's agree to disagree, but still treat each other with respect and love, not judgment and hate.

PS - for two awesome posts about the Chick-fil-a debate checkout jenhatmaker.com and perrynoble.com.