Thursday, September 13, 2012

Sideways


Have you ever been walking along and through some unfortunate turn of events you find yourself flat on the ground.  Maybe you slipped on some ice.  Maybe you tripped.  Whatever happened…

…there you are…

…laying flat…

This doesn’t happen often; at least I hope it doesn’t.  When it does, often our mind scrambles for answer, “How did this happen?”  Even if we know, we ask.

Sometimes it is less sudden.  Sometimes it is sickness and we lie there, in bed, longing for a time when we felt better.

Sometimes we can get up…sometimes we it takes time…sometimes we can’t get up without help…and sometimes…we can’t get up at all.

                I think in the spiritual sense, I have been sideways recently.  I can’t really figure out what happened, or how, but I feel like I have found myself on my back and wondering what happened.  Much like a person who has suddenly fallen and lies there grasping for an answer, I felt that spiritually.  Wind knocked out of me, I just kind of lay there taking in this new perspective of what I am seeing and wondering how did this change.  Instead of a path in front of me, I see the sun breaking through the trees.  For a moment, it feels almost paralyzing.

I know I should get up, but think I just kept laying there for a bit trying to get my bearings.

                Since I am the type of person that likes to figure things out on my own, try as I might, I have found that I can’t get up on my own every time.  I need some help.  I need to get on my feet.  I have my part to play, but that doesn’t mean I can do it alone every time.

I don’t like that…

…at all.

                I had a little help this week with some perspective straightening enlightenment from some well spoken gentlemen.  I kind of feel like they sat me up, and maybe even stood me back on my feet.  However, as my line of sight has changed back from the sky breaking through the trees to the path in front of me.  I have realized that I need help.  I can’t do this on my own. 

Even relying on myself alone to walk with God is something I know I need help with…I can’t do it alone.

For me to be the man I know I am to become I must desperately depend on God.

                For me to be the man I know I am to become I must have others who believe in God’s plan for my life to pray with me for clarity and discernment as I walk this path.  When I fall, they help me up, in fact they pray with me for clarity so that I may not fall in the first place. 

Intercessors.

I don’t like being sideways.  Sprawled out on my back and wondering what happened?  What went wrong?  I don’t want to be there, and mostly, I don’t want to stay there.

                How are you?  Are you sideways?  Maybe something knocked you down, or you slipped.  How long have you been there?  Figuratively speaking, reach your hand out for some help.  Ask for prayer believing that things can and will change.  Don’t stay sideways.  It isn’t how we were designed to be.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Grow #1: "Why is God Important to You?"

We are going through a series at FUSED called "Grow."  This is the first attempt at a follow-up vlog to go along with our lesson. 

Focal Point:  For God to be important to us, we must experience Him in a truly loving, truly gracious, truly saving way!

Scripture:  John 3:16-21, Psalm 103:10-12, John 4:1-42

Challenge;  How have you felt His love today (or recently)?  How have you experienced His grace today (or recently)?  How have you felt His "saving" (a daily God-is changing and growing me) today?

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Undesired Handprints


Have you ever watch concrete set up?

I mean, not sat there the ENTIRE time it was drying…

…but I think you know what I mean.

There is often caution tape draped around it, a few boards making sure it stays in place, and everything is set up in just the right way so the concrete is allowed to set up and become the solid substance it is supposed to become.  

Then some kid comes by and puts a hand print in it.

Why?

Because they know it will set up with the handprint in it, and they will be immortalized…kind of.
Is the concrete ruined?  Not necessarily, it may be able to carry out its function, but there is definitely a difference in what the plan was.

If our lives are a lot like concrete, and we aren’t quite firmed up yet, what is leaving its mark on our lives?

Some things are good, some are terrible, and some things bring fullness, while others suck the life right out of you.

Does the imprint define you?  Does it change who you are?

I have found that it seems far easier for many people to let the bad things change them and the good things have little to no lasting imprint on them.  We let the terrible things in life ruin us.

Is it even possible to find something good in the bad?

A lot of times, I tend to run off with how much better my life is as I experience God.  It is never my intention to come across that I never have any bad times.  What I hope to communicate is that even in the tough times, there are lessons to be learned.  In those lessons, I can learn to appreciate so much in my life and rely on a strength beyond my own and in that have a greater and deeper experience with God. 
 
Crazy, right?

Maybe, but I can tell you that I am who I am because of the impressions that have been made in my life (both good and bad).  He has taken those situations as a master potter and shaped and molded my life into something that I consider beautiful.  It may seem common to others, but to me, my life is precious because He has shown me that my life is precious to Him.  Through the tough times, through the hurt, He has shown me that the impressions that I don’t necessarily want don’t ruin me…they shape me… and He can work in that and will as I turn those situations over to him.  

I don’t know what it is that is pressing itself into your life now, I don’t know if it is wanted or not, but I do know you have a choice.

Let it rule you for the worst, or let it shape you for the better.

He wants what is best for you.  He has eternal perspective.  He knows what is best.  Let Him work through this time, whether it is good or bad.  Let’s step back and see what He can do in this.

You aren’t ruined.  There is still a lot of life to be lived, too much to let something rule you.