Life lessons
Usually, I am a man that won't write something down without inspiration. I like the feeling of knowing what I am trying to communicate, and watching the Holy Spirit just pour it out from me. I pray this this would be such a post as I also strive to be a man of my word, and promised my good new friend, Sheryl that I would have an update for her by the end of the day. Let's see what happens.
Last week was spring break. The whole spring break set-up was an ugly mess. Adam and Ashley had wanted to set up something and our group, myself included, was very split on what, where, with whom, ect ect. In fact, the reason those that came ended up coming was probably not because of the location, or the rest vs responsiblity aspect, but I hope, as it was with me, because of the amazing hearts of those that were coming. When it came down to it, for me, I didn't care if we went on a cruise, on a tug-boat, stayed at the beach, or went to Iceland, I just wanted to be with my friends, my family. All that to be said, we had a really great group. 10 or so of us, including such classic favorites as Adam, Ashley, Jenna and Carly and wonderful new favorites such as Rachel, Sterling, Sheryl, and Andrew all piled up in three cars and headed out to my lake house in Virginia. For some, it was a first time up to the Lake House. I got to hang out with them the most I feel. I read Sheryls livejournal entry on the matter, and was so encouraged by the refreshing appreciation for the beauty of the mountains, and the breeze, and the stars. It is described the way only a true veteran of the beauty, or a child who is seeing it for the first time came do. Living up in the mountains, the glory begins to fade away as appreciation dwindles. My prayer is that in all things relating to the glory of the Lord always appear new. For those of you up on that mountain with us, remember the sense of His presence as He swept through the leaves, and romances us with painted skies and starry nights.
For the rest of the trip, we were something closer. 'Friends' doesn't ever seem to do justice that which has been brought together by the Lord, and family is too broad. The only word I can see to describe that which He does through us, is the beautiful term, smeared through thousands of years of sinful smudges, known as the Church. We became the church to one another. We lived together, we praised Him together, we offered counsel as areas of pain from the past surfaced, we laughed at goofballs and screen doors and girls that can't read well. We LIVED life together. For this reason, we must press on in the cause of the Gospel. To tell the WORLD that the old system of do good, get good, is no more and that on ONE specific point in time, God decided to do something about it by entering into the world, suffering as a man, and making it so that no longer do we have to be separated from Him, both in life and death. And the best thing of it all, is that it was His choice, made in LOVE with us. Now imagine a world full of people that live in that knowledge. They are free to be goofballs, dance randomly, fall down, run into walls, all the while knowing that it will be okay, because the Eternal has made them that way and loves them. That is truly a cause worth dying for.... especially because we believe in Resurrection :-p
Personally, I have been taught a lot, mostly through experience of trial and error, the pain that can be caused aside from knowing that are you loved completely by a completely good God. It really does filter into your relationships. For instance, if I didn't realize I was fully loved, I wouldn't know what I was worth. I would think I deserve less, or that people are right to be wrong to me. Then, if someone were to try to treat me the way I deserve to be treated, would I be able to trust THEM? No, I would think to myself, 'You aren't worth being treated right, so in a matter of time, this person will catch on, and do the same." That isn't fair to me, or that person. It has just been interesting to watch this play out and give me a more full understanding of this. Here is the cure:
Let yourself be loved. You were made in the divine image of the Most High. What could possibly be worthy of more honor or respect? The answer: Nada.
I just want to see people transformed by this, that's all. Something takes place in the hearts of people that don't look away from the stars, realizing that you are where you are, going through what youre going through, for a greater good.
Last week was spring break. The whole spring break set-up was an ugly mess. Adam and Ashley had wanted to set up something and our group, myself included, was very split on what, where, with whom, ect ect. In fact, the reason those that came ended up coming was probably not because of the location, or the rest vs responsiblity aspect, but I hope, as it was with me, because of the amazing hearts of those that were coming. When it came down to it, for me, I didn't care if we went on a cruise, on a tug-boat, stayed at the beach, or went to Iceland, I just wanted to be with my friends, my family. All that to be said, we had a really great group. 10 or so of us, including such classic favorites as Adam, Ashley, Jenna and Carly and wonderful new favorites such as Rachel, Sterling, Sheryl, and Andrew all piled up in three cars and headed out to my lake house in Virginia. For some, it was a first time up to the Lake House. I got to hang out with them the most I feel. I read Sheryls livejournal entry on the matter, and was so encouraged by the refreshing appreciation for the beauty of the mountains, and the breeze, and the stars. It is described the way only a true veteran of the beauty, or a child who is seeing it for the first time came do. Living up in the mountains, the glory begins to fade away as appreciation dwindles. My prayer is that in all things relating to the glory of the Lord always appear new. For those of you up on that mountain with us, remember the sense of His presence as He swept through the leaves, and romances us with painted skies and starry nights.
For the rest of the trip, we were something closer. 'Friends' doesn't ever seem to do justice that which has been brought together by the Lord, and family is too broad. The only word I can see to describe that which He does through us, is the beautiful term, smeared through thousands of years of sinful smudges, known as the Church. We became the church to one another. We lived together, we praised Him together, we offered counsel as areas of pain from the past surfaced, we laughed at goofballs and screen doors and girls that can't read well. We LIVED life together. For this reason, we must press on in the cause of the Gospel. To tell the WORLD that the old system of do good, get good, is no more and that on ONE specific point in time, God decided to do something about it by entering into the world, suffering as a man, and making it so that no longer do we have to be separated from Him, both in life and death. And the best thing of it all, is that it was His choice, made in LOVE with us. Now imagine a world full of people that live in that knowledge. They are free to be goofballs, dance randomly, fall down, run into walls, all the while knowing that it will be okay, because the Eternal has made them that way and loves them. That is truly a cause worth dying for.... especially because we believe in Resurrection :-p
Personally, I have been taught a lot, mostly through experience of trial and error, the pain that can be caused aside from knowing that are you loved completely by a completely good God. It really does filter into your relationships. For instance, if I didn't realize I was fully loved, I wouldn't know what I was worth. I would think I deserve less, or that people are right to be wrong to me. Then, if someone were to try to treat me the way I deserve to be treated, would I be able to trust THEM? No, I would think to myself, 'You aren't worth being treated right, so in a matter of time, this person will catch on, and do the same." That isn't fair to me, or that person. It has just been interesting to watch this play out and give me a more full understanding of this. Here is the cure:
Let yourself be loved. You were made in the divine image of the Most High. What could possibly be worthy of more honor or respect? The answer: Nada.
I just want to see people transformed by this, that's all. Something takes place in the hearts of people that don't look away from the stars, realizing that you are where you are, going through what youre going through, for a greater good.