learning to live with a heart stayed on Jesus
Work.
This early morning, my thoughts lead me to reflect on those times when our work, our efforts, no matter how well intentioned or focused, dedicated or talent filled, only result in nothing. You know? When you’ve been steadily hard at work but just spinning your wheels? After hours upon hours, months and months of diligent effort? Doing all you know how to do in your current situation and yet nothing comes of it? What then? Continue reading
Anticipation.
With desire, there comes a point in your life when you’ve been waiting for something so long that you grow increasingly, out and out weary of anticipation.
How many times have you found yourself in a situation where you have a desire you really, really want to come into being?
To finally receive an outcome that you are really hopeful will (or won’t) happen?
Maybe awaiting the results from a recent test or trial you just went through? Or are still facing?
Or hoping against hope that you’ll find your recent disappointment isn’t really the end of the story, but, dear God, there must be an alternate ending with something of redemption, something good? Continue reading
Today, I read an article someone posted on Facebook on the topic of “How True Art Points to God.” As I started pondering on what I just read, I discovered some interesting food for thought.
I believe the art that truly points to God really comes from a heart that is rooted and saturated in Him, abiding in Him. It’s just the overflow of the relationship. It doesn’t have to try hard to have a “Christian” message, and it certainly doesn’t mean that those who claim the name of Jesus automatically make Christian art. It flows from the well of a deep relationship with Christ that is seasoned by His Word and led by the Spirit of God. It’s that same Spirit that overshadows us, so to speak, and delivers a message well beyond us to what is truly good, lovely, holy, and directs our hearts toward God. Continue reading
This is the second post in a 4-part series. Read part 2: Frustrated Desire and Faith.
A few minutes into my heart-to-heart with the Father about those pesky missing lace curtains, I remembered God’s specific word that morning:
“Make room…for Me to move.”
I reflected some more on this instruction from Him. Then, I found myself telling my weakness to God, declaring His truth, and expressing my gratitude regardless of how I felt at the time. I confessed my inability to imagine a better circumstance than what I had originally planned. I declared by faith that I believed what He said. I thanked Him for even telling me ahead of the disappointment!
Then, I looked up at my semi-clad window with my unfinished vision of what could be, sighed, and decided to release it to Him. God knows better than I do and has better in store; otherwise, He would not have said so. I thanked Him for allowing this chain of events and using silly lace curtains to draw me to Himself.
And slowly along the way, I found comfort in Him. Continue reading
