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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
I remembered the words of a friend and fellow runner while I was running today, "Some days you'll feel strong and some days you'll feel weak." Today was a weak day for sure! I was tired, grumpy, and just plain uncomfortable, but I ran anyway. I moved a little slower, but I was still moving! I just kept putting one foot in front of the other until my 2 mile route was finished. There was no elation, no affirmation, no fanfare, just me and my running shoes pounding the sidewalk step after tedious step.
God reminded me of the verses in Hebrews 12 as I ran. My life is analogous to my runs. Some days are filled with joy, gratitude, words of affirmation, and just plain feeling good about everything, and some days aren't. Some days it is hard to get out of bed and put one foot in front of the other, but I do it. God knew there would be hard days. Otherwise, He would not have said to run with PERSEVERANCE. On days that I am strong, running is easy and joyful and fun and it doesn't require perseverance...I enjoy every step and I can't believe it when I reach the end of my driveway. On days when I am weak, I need to fix my eyes on Jesus while I am running and while I am "running the race marked out" for me. It would be amazing if there were always people cheering me on as I run, both literally and figuratively, and there are definitely encouragers along my way. I am choosing to fix my eyes on Jesus. His affirmations will fill me up to overflowing and keep me running the race marked out for me so that I can encourage others who just happen to be running the same direction!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
God loves ME!
I grew up singing "Jesus Loves Me" and I believed it. Why is it so hard for me to grasp that God loves ME now that I'm an adult? I am a goal-oriented, people-pleasing, all-or-nothing kind of girl who tries with everything in her to make sure that the people around me are happy. I have a hard time imagining that God or any person would love me with all my imperfections. Fortunately, God sees me through eyes of grace and forgiveness and my imperfections are covered by Jesus' victory at the cross. And He allows people to love me in spite of my imperfections too!
Here is the truth: I am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14) God made me with these traits that I consider to be imperfections. I am so different from the people that I admire, but that doesn't mean that God made them right and He messed up on me. God doesn't make mistakes! Is there room for growth and improvement in me? ALWAYS...I'm human! As I am writing this, I am realizing why I am so tired...I'm trying to change God's work of art...His masterpiece...ME! He made me this way and then put me with people who will sharpen me as iron sharpens iron...and I am so thankful for those people, by the way. Do I need purification as gold in a fire? Absolutely, but I don't have to throw myself into the fire if I will let God be the Master Refiner of my life.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well! (Psalm 139:14)
Here is the truth: I am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14) God made me with these traits that I consider to be imperfections. I am so different from the people that I admire, but that doesn't mean that God made them right and He messed up on me. God doesn't make mistakes! Is there room for growth and improvement in me? ALWAYS...I'm human! As I am writing this, I am realizing why I am so tired...I'm trying to change God's work of art...His masterpiece...ME! He made me this way and then put me with people who will sharpen me as iron sharpens iron...and I am so thankful for those people, by the way. Do I need purification as gold in a fire? Absolutely, but I don't have to throw myself into the fire if I will let God be the Master Refiner of my life.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well! (Psalm 139:14)
Thursday, April 4, 2013
No more fear!
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline (sound mind)." 2 Timothy 1:7
I hit my breaking point with fear on Palm Sunday weekend. I was overcome and overwhelmed by choking, irrational fears. I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone! I knew that I had to deal with fear once and for all. As I prayed, God showed me that fear has been a constant companion in my life. It was like a cloak that covered my entire being (think Jedi type). My words had given power to fear as I would claim "I am just so fearful" or "I am used to responding to things with fear". I knew how to function with the cloak of fear on my back...I've been doing it my whole life...but I reached the point that I didn't want to wear that stinkin' cloak anymore!
God revealed so much to me that weekend about myself and my fear habit. I saw that I had been living like fear had power over me and I needed to live like fear is under my feet. God showed me that He could rip the cloak of fear in two just like He tore the temple veil when Jesus was crucified. The hard part is choosing to live with fear under my feet every minute of every day. I'm in the habit of responding to certain situations in fear, but I have to learn a new and better way. When I feel fear trying to cover me up again, I remind myself that God gave me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. And sometimes, I actually stomp on the floor like I'm stomping on that old cloak laying there. I have to choose to leave that fear laying on the ground and walk away from it instead of picking it up and putting it on again.
God is changing the way that I think and respond. My part is to choose every minute to leave fear behind and walk in God's power, love, and self-discipline. Is it a battle? Absolutely, but one that is worth fighting and one that will end in victory!
I hit my breaking point with fear on Palm Sunday weekend. I was overcome and overwhelmed by choking, irrational fears. I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone! I knew that I had to deal with fear once and for all. As I prayed, God showed me that fear has been a constant companion in my life. It was like a cloak that covered my entire being (think Jedi type). My words had given power to fear as I would claim "I am just so fearful" or "I am used to responding to things with fear". I knew how to function with the cloak of fear on my back...I've been doing it my whole life...but I reached the point that I didn't want to wear that stinkin' cloak anymore!
God revealed so much to me that weekend about myself and my fear habit. I saw that I had been living like fear had power over me and I needed to live like fear is under my feet. God showed me that He could rip the cloak of fear in two just like He tore the temple veil when Jesus was crucified. The hard part is choosing to live with fear under my feet every minute of every day. I'm in the habit of responding to certain situations in fear, but I have to learn a new and better way. When I feel fear trying to cover me up again, I remind myself that God gave me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. And sometimes, I actually stomp on the floor like I'm stomping on that old cloak laying there. I have to choose to leave that fear laying on the ground and walk away from it instead of picking it up and putting it on again.
God is changing the way that I think and respond. My part is to choose every minute to leave fear behind and walk in God's power, love, and self-discipline. Is it a battle? Absolutely, but one that is worth fighting and one that will end in victory!
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