It’s so hard to blog when every day that I’m here, it’s information overload. I can never pick just one thing to talk about so I keep putting it off. I thought at first that I would rehash one of our lectures so I could share with you some of the knowledge I’ve gained, but I’ve begun writing it four times now, and can’t seem to find the words. Instead, I think I’m just going to share some personal revelations that have really encouraged me in my growth this past month.
The first thing I want to share is something that is such a simple concept in theory, but so incredibly deep the more I learn about it for myself.
God is all about relationship.
I know I mentioned that in one of my previous posts, but the more time I spend with Him, the more I’m understanding what that means. Do you know God wants to talk to you every day? Even in the little things. He is eager to have conversation with you! I always thought of Him as this distant ‘figure’ that is way out in the universe somewhere, looking down on me and stretching His big hand down to help me out now and again. But He is not distant at all! In fact, the bible tells us that His Spirit is IN us. How much closer can you get? Talk to Him as you would a friend – He already knows everything about you anyways. Open up and share with Him how you feel or what you’re thinking. Ask Him questions, go for walks with Him, see what he thinks about where you should shop for a pair of shoes –He is way better at knowing where the bargains are then I am! He’s not an angry or controlling God – the bible tells us that “God is love”. What does love look like? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not proud or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or angry; it does not delight in what is wrong, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. This gives us a huge insight into God’s character and what He’s like. God is patient and kind – he doesn’t jump on us as soon as we make a mistake, or speak harshly to us when we mess up. God is not envious or boastful - He does not get proud or throw our faults and failures back in our face. God does not force us to do anything – although He has set commands for us, He allows us to choose whether we are going to follow them or not. He doesn’t want to control us like we’re just His puppets, He gave us free will when He created Adam and Eve. God is not irritable or angry. In fact, Psalm 86:15 says “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and ABOUNDING in steadfast (or unmovable, unshakable, unconditional) love and faithfulness”. You don’t have to be afraid that God is some tyrant that is waiting to smite you as soon as you do something wrong. The bible talks about God as our FATHER. He loves us as His children – if you are a parent, you understand what that kind of love looks like. You would lay down your life for your child – which is what God did when He sent Jesus to die for us so we could have freedom and restore that broken connection that sin caused between us and God. He does not delight in wrong doings - He hates evil and wants us to hate it too, because He knows how much better life can be if we choose to walk in His goodness. He delights in the truth, which means He never lies to us – all the promises in the bible are true and firm. We don’t have to question whether or not He is going to do something that He has said He would. His word is our assurance. God bears all things - He does not reject us when we screw up. He is not a God who only wants to deal with part of you – He wants you to bring ALL your fears and failures to Him so that He can cleanse you. Nothing you can do or say will faze Him or deter Him from loving you. God believes all things – He does not judge you as others might, because unlike people, God sees your heart. I know that for me personally, I just dealt with something this week with a few people on my team and an issue of trust that had been broken. It was frustrating because someone had falsely accused me of something without having proof to back it up. When I promised that it wasn’t true, they didn’t believe me. I left angry, hurt, and discouraged, saying to God, “Why can’t you help me convince them that what they’re believing is a lie?” and God just assured me that HE knew the truth and that was all that mattered. God hopes all things – what is the craziest thing you could ever imagine doing in your life? Do you know God’s hopes and dreams for you far exceed what you just thought of? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). Isn’t that exciting? That God wants to do something with me that is far greater than I can ever imagine?! Also, God endures all things. Aren’t you glad that God doesn’t give up on us? I sure am. I have messed up far more times than I can count, and yet God takes me back. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect – He takes us as we are, but wants to form us into who we can become; who we were created to be. God does not abandon or neglect you – you don’t have to hold back your baggage or insecurities from Him because He is willing to lighten our load if we’ll let Him. That’s one thing I’ve really been realizing lately. I’ve always been someone who likes to carry my own load and hates allowing myself to be vulnerable to anyone. But God has gently reminded me that He is much more powerful than I will ever be and is more than capable of taking my hurts and enduring my pain. He says “cast your burdens unto me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest”. Isn’t that reassuring? That God cares so much for us that He WANTS to carry our load. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling pretty humbled right now that God, the creator of the universe, has such a deep love for me personally that He would carry my pain.
Do yourself a favour and take just 10 minutes to think about what I said. I know it’s a message that some of us have heard many times in the past, but really concentrate on the depth behind it. Focus on each word or characteristic and what they look like to you – then remember that those qualities are perfected in God...
God who is love.
I'll leave you with that for now. Later I will try to share some other things that have burried themselves in my heart lately.
Cheers!
What a wonderful message of truth!
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