Ignorance is Bliss?

Why the ignorance? Why the self absorption? We pray for opportunities to share God’s love, but from the moment we wake up our thoughts engulf our wants. Our want to sleep in, our want to have a new shirt to wear, our want to not have to work today…the wish list is endless. I know I’m so very guilty, aren’t we all? It is a daily battle. Opportunities from God surround us and we will see them if we just shift our focus.

One opportunity that I had last week along with a few friends from Immersed was a cookout with homeless in the community. It was so much fun. Of course, the best part was not the food but the fellowship we are called by Christ to have with the mission field surrounding us. There was a great turnout and it was awesome to see familiar faces from the last time I was out. It’s amazing how powerful community is and how much communication is a necessity to its quality. It’s easy to donate money or items to organizations, but there is no substitution for relationship. Honestly, how are they expected to see Jesus when we don’t seize opportunities to develop relationships? How are we to grasp the need if only try to help from afar?

The scary part is how many so called followers of Christ are missing it. Scripture tells us that our action toward the least is as to the Lord (Matthew 25:34-46).

As we left we drove passed a few people walking to wherever they would sleep for the night. Gary asked where we thought they may be headed? It made us think twice about what we headed for that night. Hot showers, dry beds and roofs over our heads…the things we don’t think twice about in the midst of our complaints. I want to challenge all who may read this, as well as myself, to not just endure life, live it.

"Don't be afraid to see what you see." -Ronald Reagan
I believe as a Christian I need to be more afraid to turn away.

I also want to say a special thank you to Ivy for making Immersed what it is, relationship not religion. Thank your for not being a Christian just by title, but in the way you live. Thanks for seeing the need in this community of believers and nonbelievers AND meeting it. As I move in the next few weeks know I will miss it, but will carry it with me in whatever the future holds.

The Horizon

Many times we allow hopes, desires and expectations to crowd our lives and heavy our hearts and minds with worry. These things are meant to inspire us not burden us. If we let go, we release ourselves from the burdens of tomorrow that we are not meant to carry. It is not about giving up on our dreams, but about freeing ourselves from unrealistic and premature longings. Hopes and desires that pour from our relationship with God actually fuel our small steps that carry us through the bigger picture. The future may not be what we expect, but He promises those who love and seek Him the desires of their heart. He is faithful even though we often stumble. Our peace is not found in what we know, but Who we know. He is the hope that provides us the ability to persist through an uncertain world. He is The Answer to all that is. We are equipped with all we need to fulfill the opportunities that lie in this moment.

"Peace be still and know that I am God."

"I don't know what the future holds or what lies beyond my horizon. The years ahead are just out of sight. Well, I think sometimes that you hide them so that I'll walk by faith not sight. So, I'll take your hand, holding tight." -Vicky Beeching

"Seizing divine moments is not simply about opportunity; at the core it is about essence. It's about the kind of life you live as a result of the person you are becoming...the moment you're in right now waits to be seized." -Erwin Raphael McManus

A Purposeful Walk

I was reading Matthew's account of Peter walking on water today. Often I consider this passage for strength through troubled times, but I'm coming to realize that life's greatest storm is life itself. Daily life is full of distracting winds. I've been sinking in them and my mindset is at the center of it all. Anything that takes my focus away from Christ is a wind. Whether it comes in the form of a light breeze or a mighty rush, when my eyes shift from His to distractions I feel my life taking on the waters of this world.

I want to and know that I need to make changes in my life. Although the big picture lies in His hand, I've seen glimpses of God's plan for my life. I am called to faithfully pursue the dreams He gives me. Yet, many days I find myself overwhelmed.

Each time I have the opportunity to step out of the daily routine and I have brief opportunities to serve in elements my passion lies my dreams are rekindled. As I return to my daily world resentment quickly takes root toward my current surroundings. I know God wants me to be passionate about my daily life and I can only be true to this if my focus is set on Him alone. Circumstances are not the source of joy and purpose, but if given room they are the distractions that break me down. I feel God is opening my eyes to this reality more each day. I pray Lord, hold my heart and keep it true.

I need to stop fighting the winds and circumstances through my own strength and look to God, knowing His promises are true. If I give room to the winds in my life my steps will drift from the mark set before me. He will always pull me up when I call out, but I long to keep my eyes locked on His so I am always ready for the blessings and plans found only in Him.

"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:29-31)

Our lives have purpose. Are we living with purpose? God is calling to us each day to be the center of our pursuit.

Written: October 6, 2007

Stars in the Sky

I love NYC, but when I am there I miss more than anything seeing clear night skies full of countless stars. I am amazed every time I look up at them and am reminded of God's greatness. I don't have words to explain how much these moments mean to me, how they impact me, or how they humble me. I'm not good at using words to capture the fullness of these stilled moments in time.

Obviously, the lights of the City create too much artificial light for the human eye to see much beyond. This simple concept is what sparked my thinking. The same is exactly true in regards to why God is someone who may be out there, but not real to so many. Even many Christians go through their lives in this manner. Things of this world become our world (our life), and the more "buildings" we build, the dimmer God becomes. Yes, He is still there, but we can't see Him. He hasn't moved from us. We are the ones that take the steps away, making Him seem non-existent. Even if we look up in desperation, we wonder where He is when we need Him. The lights of our "buildings" continue to blind and surround us.

Are we to run to the desert? Leave this world behind? We are not called to withdraw, but to go where the need is. We need to be amidst the "buildings". We just need to turn off the lights from these buildings (our buildings), one at a time. As we do, His reality is revealed to us and we see a world in need. When this world darkens we see beyond. We see God surrounds us. He holds us in His hand. We are small, but not alone.

These thoughts unite with the command to walk by faith and not by sight. No matter how great, sturdy or tall the things of this world appear; none of it will last. Nothing before our eyes is eternal. Even the sturdiest of what our sight holds will be destroyed one day. For New Yorkers and Americans everywhere, 9/11 opened eyes to this reality as two of the most solid structures in the city came crashing down. The truth is that the rest of what we see will one day follow and then we will be left with what is real. God.

Do we learn? We may pause and reflect. Many even seek and find God in the moment as this world stills, but then we build new buildings that we believe will be sturdier. Our eyes become clouded once more. It's a cycle that will not end until God reveals the truth to the distracted eyes and faith becomes sight, once and for all, for His children. Until that day I pray and cry to You Lord, "Cover my eyes now, so my heart may finally see (Barlow Girl)."

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (II Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)."

Look above and beyond this temporary world. God is with us and He made us for more than this. Whether we choose to walk by faith or not does not alter the reality of truth.

Written: October 3, 2005
Revised: March 15, 2007