We live in a complicated, ‘stuff’ driven world. More is better and accumulating only the best makes you better than the rest. Reaching social successes and possessing professional (or personal) power prove our worth. And image implicates us all along the way...
Ever wonder why some Christians give something up during Lent? Maybe you do. Is it tradition, the special marking of a season or truly the sacrifice of something significant to signify our Savior’s ultimate sacrifice?
Maybe it’s presumptuous, but I’d venture to say perhaps some take ‘giving up’ for Lent a little too far…too far from its spiritual intent, to be exact.
Maybe ‘giving up’ has become more self-serving than Savior seeking.
Living well—it’s really a matter of your heart and soul, you know. Because if you really want results, you’ve got to DO differently every day with some discipline. And to behave diligently and differently you’ve got to start with your heart. You can white knuckle your wants and wish old habits away for only so long until the honeymoon ends you’re right back to where you began.
My everyday intentions often end up getting lost in the pace of running from place to place and working wildly to cross tasks off the list on my countertop. Yeah, the list looks peaceful, even productive, with carefully drawn lines marking my to dos complete.
It feels good, doesn’t it? Making a day’s aspirations into accomplishments?
(This piece was written for aNew Season Ministry...and posted here for you to hear...)
Do you remember when the time between school starting and Thanksgiving seemed like ages? Or how the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas crept by as you awaited that magical morning with anxious anticipation?
Things aren’t always what they seem.
You can’t judge a book by its cover.
What you see isn’t always what you get.
Cliché? Perhaps. But true.
In fact, I wonder what you’d think of me if you met me in person. Does my writing lead you to who I am in my heart? Does my life reflect the values I teach in my home? Am I honoring the inner essence of me with what shows on my exterior?
Do you ever ask yourself those questions? Or is it just me thinking, again, deeper than I should be?
We have a choice to make every day. Will we walk with Him or without Him? Will we bring Him into our worlds, words and actions? Or will we hastily make our way through the day, hoping things fall into place, unconscious of His calling.
That’s right, our mundane days hold purpose and calling even if it’s just from our own kitchens or the way we talk to our toddlers and teens. So, yeah, every day the Spirit aches for us to choose His way as we muddle along hopefully singing His song.
What piece of your heart will the world hear today?
Will it be a gift of expressed gratitude you're giving away?
Or maybe a kind, helping hand to someone who's gone astray?
You've got something to give. Even on days you feel like you’ve lost all your luster or week’s that have worn you weary, you possess priceless pieces of your heart that are meant to be given away.
Lately I feel like I’m living on a limb, teetering and balancing as I walk along not knowing which side of the tree I’ll fall on. With a recent past filled with pain yet purpose and a present promising a new season of heart-saving hope, I step cautiously.
I wonder if God’s calling me to yet another cliff.
Because when He says jump, the only thing to do is close your eyes on the edge of the cliff and trust. Free fall, knowing He’s used any pain and purpose of your past to prepare you for the present moment.
