Last night, my friend helped me clean out my kids' toys and books. Their rooms were over run with things they just don't play with any more, but for some reason, I had a hard time choosing what to toss. They toys were kind of easy: anything broken, or not age appropriate, or things they just don't really find interest in any more. But the books, now those were a challenge to weed through! Why? Because I love books. Words on a page are simply fascinating to me! I love stories, poems, and knowledge in all of its many forms. I want my children to embrace that same love for the written word.
Then I had a thought: What am I teaching my children? When we hoard anything -be it books, toys, food, money, or ourselves- we are not living life the way it was intended by God that we should. God never cared about how much a person had, but He was concerned with how much they gave. It's great for my kids to have toys and books, but by accumulating masses of each, I was simply teaching them the art of overindulgence.
Our society has sadly embraced the concept that more is almost enough, and less is just pathetic. However, the old adage "less is more" should really make a comeback. After I finished in their rooms, I went to my own bookshelves and began to clear them out. I saved my reference books and books pertinent to my education and chosen field, as well as those that my husband enjoys or that I have yet to read. I also saved the fiction the I love to read over and over. The rest? Those are on their way to new homes and new people who can enjoy them. I've done this in most every room in my house in the last year, and gotten rid of so many things that I am nearly embarrassed to think about it. But it's an ongoing process because life is an ongoing process.
Part of living abundantly is understanding that the abundant life has an abundant absence of clutter. Part of living with abandon is knowing how to abandon the things that are broken, no longer needed, or just not pertinent to where God wants me. It's time to clean out more than the shelves and toy bins; it's time to clear out the memories of the past that are clung to with bittersweet nostalgia, the emotions of hurt and anger and pride caused by some offense that is just too hard to move beyond, and the dreams that were not inspired by God. Clearing out the physical home you live in is important, but it's merely symbolic of the freedom one can gain if they but clean out the home of their heart ... the home of their Savior who desires to dwell there!
The musings of a mom who strives to live a life yielded to God through His grace alone & who has been liberated from the restraints of her past.
A Life of Minimum Integrity
Yesterday during worship I was so excited to worship God. I had had a thought on our way to church that I know was from the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart. He kept whispering, "To whom much is given, much is required." I've always heard that verse, and figured I understood it. After all, it's fairly simple, right? But I knew God wanted me to understand more. All of the sudden it hit me.
Lately I have been contemplating my past, and not its highlights. God has been walking me back through the dark times, and even had me share my testimony with people I would not normally share parts of it with. It's been somewhat humbling, somewhat overwhelming, and somewhat scary as I think about my children and pray they don't go that way. As I thought about where I started, where I went, and where I've gone since then, it was very clear. To whom much is given, much is required. I have been the recipient of much grace, of much mercy. Therefore, out of the abundance I have received, so must I begin to live abundantly.
I shared an amazing, if abstract, vision that someone wrote (you visit it here) about a month ago. In there is a line that says the army of God gave up a life of minimum integrity long ago. As I was worshiping, God was calling me to worship Him more. I was to worship in proportion for what He had done for me. It was exhausting, because I poured myself out, worshiping with not only all of my heart, but all of my strength. I felt like a Bride dancing with her Beloved! And then He began to whisper in my ear, "There is so much more that I have for you. I have given you much, but it's not all there is. Are you willing to step away from the standard of minimum integrity and embrace the idea of abundant living?"
Wow. I'm not sure I still totally understand what God was asking me. But I've been praying about it, thinking about it, and have captured it in my journal. There are so many things in my life that I do "right." I make sure I give God His time, my family their time, and do my jobs as wife, mom, student, teacher, etc. But apparently there is more. Minimum integrity isn't enough. Doing what is supposed to get done is important, but God wants more from me now. It's not about getting by, it's about having the kind of relationship with God that allows me to fling out my heart with abandon, spinning wildly with arms outstretched and dance in the rain of His grace.
I know this was more of a personal journal entry than a devotion, but I wanted to ask you to contemplate today all that God has given you. Then, ask yourself if you are worshiping Him in a way that reflects how much you love Him and how grateful you are for His love and mercy. Lastly, look at your life. Are you living with minimum integrity, or are you pushing the bar and running toward Him with abandonment today?
Lately I have been contemplating my past, and not its highlights. God has been walking me back through the dark times, and even had me share my testimony with people I would not normally share parts of it with. It's been somewhat humbling, somewhat overwhelming, and somewhat scary as I think about my children and pray they don't go that way. As I thought about where I started, where I went, and where I've gone since then, it was very clear. To whom much is given, much is required. I have been the recipient of much grace, of much mercy. Therefore, out of the abundance I have received, so must I begin to live abundantly.
I shared an amazing, if abstract, vision that someone wrote (you visit it here) about a month ago. In there is a line that says the army of God gave up a life of minimum integrity long ago. As I was worshiping, God was calling me to worship Him more. I was to worship in proportion for what He had done for me. It was exhausting, because I poured myself out, worshiping with not only all of my heart, but all of my strength. I felt like a Bride dancing with her Beloved! And then He began to whisper in my ear, "There is so much more that I have for you. I have given you much, but it's not all there is. Are you willing to step away from the standard of minimum integrity and embrace the idea of abundant living?"
Wow. I'm not sure I still totally understand what God was asking me. But I've been praying about it, thinking about it, and have captured it in my journal. There are so many things in my life that I do "right." I make sure I give God His time, my family their time, and do my jobs as wife, mom, student, teacher, etc. But apparently there is more. Minimum integrity isn't enough. Doing what is supposed to get done is important, but God wants more from me now. It's not about getting by, it's about having the kind of relationship with God that allows me to fling out my heart with abandon, spinning wildly with arms outstretched and dance in the rain of His grace.
I know this was more of a personal journal entry than a devotion, but I wanted to ask you to contemplate today all that God has given you. Then, ask yourself if you are worshiping Him in a way that reflects how much you love Him and how grateful you are for His love and mercy. Lastly, look at your life. Are you living with minimum integrity, or are you pushing the bar and running toward Him with abandonment today?
Take Note: Everyday Simplicity Is Pretty Profound
Sometimes we worry about things so much, or get overwhelmed with the constancy of the day to day. Sometimes we look at life and ask, "Is this really all there is?" Sometimes we wonder what might have been, what could be, or what should have happened. But... how often do we simply ask how we might better appreciate what is?
God is the I AM. He's not I WILL BE, He's not I WAS, and He's not I COULD HAVE BEEN. Not only does this name speak to the eternal character of God, but it also clues us in to His philosophy of existence, if you will. God understood that whatever, wherever, whomever, or however we are, we needed to know that GOD IS. If we are sick, God is our Healer. When we were lost to sin, God was our Deliverer. When we get lost in our fears, God is our Peace. When we are lonely and unloved, God is our Beloved. When we are in need, He is the Provider.
We are called to be like God. How can we do this? To me, it means that God understands the beauty of the moment. Yes, He is a big picture kind of a thinker in that at Creation, He knew every day of life that would exist. However, He also provided for each day as it existed. When He sent manna to the Israelites in the desert, it was enough for the day. When Jesus gave His sermon on the mount, He encouraged to not worry about tomorrow, but to trust God for today. Sometimes, we just need to be ... be today, be here, be present in the life we are living now.
Today was a very mundane day. Nothing out of the ordinary really happened, nothing vastly different from any other day I might live. But it was special. It was full of tailor made blessings that spoke volumes of love to my heart from the King of my Heart. Why? Because I opened myself up to seeing the beauty in everyday simplicity. I challenge you: examine the mundane to find the magnificent. It's well worth it!
To live ... To die ...
For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.
The words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians have become oft quoted words in the Christian faith. But, what do they mean? Is it truly possible to think that way?
To live is Christ. That seems simple enough to understand. Every breath, every heartbeat, every passion should be wrapped up in Him. My life should be based on the Word, which we know from John 1 is not only Scripture, but Christ Himself.
To die is gain. This is where it gets a little dicey to me. I understand that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, as Paul also shared. I comprehend that when I die, I get to spend eternity with my Beloved and do nothing but lavish praise on Him for the rest of my existence. I am so excited that someday I will see Him clearly and be able to fall at His feet, to sup at His table, and to sing "holy, holy" around His throne with the angels and the elders. But I struggle with embracing this wholeheartedly because I worry about leaving my awesome hubby and my precious kids.
How do we, as humans and as Christians, embrace this truth that Paul imparted? I think it's important to because when our mindset is that of Paul's, we don't worry about reputation or struggle with compromise. We understand that no matter what, our goal is God and our life depends on Him. Paul walked with abandon because of the grace God extended to Him, and I want to walk that same way.
The words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians have become oft quoted words in the Christian faith. But, what do they mean? Is it truly possible to think that way?
To live is Christ. That seems simple enough to understand. Every breath, every heartbeat, every passion should be wrapped up in Him. My life should be based on the Word, which we know from John 1 is not only Scripture, but Christ Himself.
To die is gain. This is where it gets a little dicey to me. I understand that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, as Paul also shared. I comprehend that when I die, I get to spend eternity with my Beloved and do nothing but lavish praise on Him for the rest of my existence. I am so excited that someday I will see Him clearly and be able to fall at His feet, to sup at His table, and to sing "holy, holy" around His throne with the angels and the elders. But I struggle with embracing this wholeheartedly because I worry about leaving my awesome hubby and my precious kids.
How do we, as humans and as Christians, embrace this truth that Paul imparted? I think it's important to because when our mindset is that of Paul's, we don't worry about reputation or struggle with compromise. We understand that no matter what, our goal is God and our life depends on Him. Paul walked with abandon because of the grace God extended to Him, and I want to walk that same way.
It's been a while...
Hi everyone~
It's been two and a half weeks since I was in the blogging world. I had to take a week off during finals because I was having migraines from so much time in front of the computer. Then, my family needed some of my time, after losing me to finals. I want to thank those of you who stopped by and left comments or sent e-mails of encouragement; they meant a lot!
God has been doing some great things in my life and in our home. I know that He is moving on my heart and speaking to me in some very exciting ways about some very exciting things. Also, about two months ago we felt God's leading to attend a little church down the road. That has also been a wonderful growing experience for all of us; the kids are flourishing, my husband is very excited, and I am learning so many new things about the Bible. In addition, my personal study time has felt like I am being romanced by God; I love that woos us, calls to us, and desires us!
I hope you are each having a blessed season right now, and am looking forward to catching up with all of my favorite blogs!
It's been two and a half weeks since I was in the blogging world. I had to take a week off during finals because I was having migraines from so much time in front of the computer. Then, my family needed some of my time, after losing me to finals. I want to thank those of you who stopped by and left comments or sent e-mails of encouragement; they meant a lot!
God has been doing some great things in my life and in our home. I know that He is moving on my heart and speaking to me in some very exciting ways about some very exciting things. Also, about two months ago we felt God's leading to attend a little church down the road. That has also been a wonderful growing experience for all of us; the kids are flourishing, my husband is very excited, and I am learning so many new things about the Bible. In addition, my personal study time has felt like I am being romanced by God; I love that woos us, calls to us, and desires us!
I hope you are each having a blessed season right now, and am looking forward to catching up with all of my favorite blogs!
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