Monday, September 26, 2011

actions speak louder

do i pray with confidence, approaching the throne knowing my King is victorious?
do i live without fear, knowing that satan will be vanquished and nothing can hold Him down?
do i serve with selflessness, knowing that everything for the least of these is for my Redeemer?
do i love without restraint, knowing i am compelled by His love?
do i speak with boldness, knowing that i have the Truth on my side?

do i seek without distraction, knowing only One thing matters in this world?

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

the potential of nothing

Hannah, a name meaning grace. the first girl in Rudder High's C lunch that i sat with. she's the one in the corner, the amazing artist who seems quiet at first but has the best things to say. the one who is so non-judgemental it's insane. she's that girl who most people put into a stereotype that she breaks by being open and sweet. Hannah, the girl brave enough to move from kentucky and start her senior year in a new state, a new school, entirely alone. who people have gravitated to so naturally that after 6 weeks in school she went from lunches by herself to surrounded by twelve other ragtag kids who love her. you know, that one girl who loves deadmou5 and anime and took the time to tell me all about it. that girl.
Hannah, a name meaning favored by God. she's become my friend over the past month. we've bonded over cafeteria food and awkward prying questions, over loved ones in kentucky and wanting a better music scene in town. by God's hand, definitely nothing i did, she looks forward to seeing me at lunches. she came to a dodgeball night for young life because she knew it would make me happy. her heart is so sweet- this girl came to club because she wanted to give me a fighting chance at proving to her that younglife isn't all that bad. within the first five minutes of club her desire to bolt through the door was overwhelming. she found me in the club room and shouted "if i didn't love you i wouldve already left." and there went a punch to my heart. my friend Bex gave an incredible club talk over the prophecies of the Bible coming true. she told the kids how we leaders followed Christ because we believe in Him and His Truth. Hannah, a name meaning grace, muttered "i didn't know this was a religious thing." Bex asked what the Jesus meant to the kids and Hannah, said "nothing."
the Lord of all means Nothing.
the punches kept on coming and my heart broke for my friend.

After club i asked Hannah what she thought. she told me if she could leave before the religious stuff then she would come, but she just felt so rude. even though she was blindsided by a talk of God, she still wanted to make me happy. the lengths she would go to for a friendship is incredibly touching. she continued saying that this whole "religion thing" wasn't for her. i told her no pressure, that religion thing isn't for me either. i drove her home and surprised her by saying "see ya wednesday!"
Hannah, favored by God, does not believe. monday night showed me how nothing i do can change this. my Lord, my Savior, is the only one who can wrap her heart in His hands and say "This is where I belong." all i can give is the love my Christ gave me, unconditional and unwavering. all i can do is try to glorify Him in everything i say and do. i can't be chased away, i can't be talked down. my friend is going to get the most hugs, high fives, smiles, and invitations to hang out that she's ever gotten in her life. my God showed me the potential of that "nothing". from nothing He can create everything. from nothing He can move mountains and perform miracles. from nothing He can grow a glorious faith.
Hannah, it's a name covered in prayer from all over the country. it's a name for those favored by God, covered in grace. it's a friend that's dearly loved and being called by the Savior. it's the name of everything except for nothing.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

faith in the face of Greatness.

what do you see when you envision Christ? i see a Father, a Friend. a compassionate Healer who never fails to forgive and wrap me in His arms. i see only mercy and lovingkindess. my Jesus is all these things, He is the suffering Servant who came to take our burdens.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature
of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

My mind always focuses in on the first part. how my God came into our broken world and took everything we threw at Him. somehow i have managed to overlook the second half of this description. the other day in evans library, i was caught off guard when the Lord unveiled His face for a brief moment, and i saw Him. i felt His nearness more real than anything in this world. i was left on my knees, humbled and craving Him to the point of tears. what a glorious moment. what a glorious God. Here is what He showed me:

Yes, Jesus came to the world as a servant, humbled and led to the slaughter like a lamb. but where is He now? my King is enthroned at the right hand of the Father. He is a Savior, a Warrior, a Lord, ready for the day where He comes back and annihilates satan. our Conqueror is the one who kicked death in the teeth and said "Not today!" He holds the power to answer prayers, to ruin our plans, to build up nations and to move mountains. Jesus our King and Lord, is the one that inspired the great faith of Hebrews 11. go-grab your Bible right now, google it, call up a friend to read it to you. let it sink it.

HE is the cause for those displays of astounding confidence in our Lord. how can i not believe? how can i not follow? when i hear Him beckoning, how can i not run and scream "Send ME!"? He will rule this world one day-Satan flees in the face of His light. how can i ever have doubts, how can i let my insecurities hold any weight? MY JESUS IS KING. HE IS BIGGER THAN ANYTHING OF THIS WORLD. how often i forget that! He will literally destroy every tear, frustration, sadness, and doubt at the end of time. He already cast away every sin of mine. why do i not live like it? my Savior is greater than anything on this earth, truer than any lie, and bigger than any fear. that majesty, that might, is what empowers me. my Lord alone is enough to inspire faith great enough for Hebrews 11. there is nothing greater than my God.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3. this is the Truth. this is my Conquering King, my Enthroned Lord, and my Jesus. it is my focus, my heart's desire and my life's goal. here is where my faith is put. nothing can hold back my God. nothing can hold me back from chasing Him. let the reign of our Lord invade this earth.