EXAMPLE:

I am an example of what The Lord does in this world.

My testimony or life story does not contain an epiphany moment in which I finally realized that Jesus was real and I wanted Him in my life. I simply believed since I was a kid. I have had moments of realization in my walk with God and some really radical shifts in my thinking but I could not give you a defining moment in my life where I accepted that Jesus is my savior. For a long time I wished that I did have a moment, I felt like my story needed a magical turning point, or some kind of crazy turnaround. But as I have matured more in my faith I realize that I am also blessed to not have a defining moment, I just accepted my faith as a child. I have known The Lord for a long time and have had a great walk with Him for many years. I am an example of what The Lord does in this world. One woman that goes to my church said this after sharing her story and it hit me that we are all examples of His work. Every story, every moment points to the work that God has done in our lives.

I started thinking about how I am truly an example of the transformation of death to life, even without a defining moment. Every day The Lord makes an example out of me, He brings darkness into light and leads me along His path. In Him I am an example of finding joy in pain. His grace for me is an example of His great love. His unfailing faithfulness that has beautifully broken me is an example to the world that He is good. 

Because of the life that The Lord has given me I no longer have to strive to ‘set a good example’, my life is an example. My world is transformed because I now let my savior live my life and that is the best example I could ever set for my friends. When I look at my life through this lens I can’t help but be filled with gratitude that I have been chosen to be an example of light that shines in the darkness.

SWEET TO THE SOUL...

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul.

Sweet to the soul, does anything sound better? Reading that sentence gives me a sense of relief, like a heavy weight has been lifted off of my shoulder, like I just finished a long race.

Tetelesti- the exact word that Jesus said right before he died on the cross- “it is finished” When I think about these words the same feelings rush over me, relief, peace, and unbounded joy. My longing to be with my creator has been fulfilled and nothing is sweeter to my soul. Everyday I get to wake up and be fulfilled because of his faithfulness. He satisfies every part of me. The fact is, it really is finished. But what is “it”? The answer: everything. I spend most of my day running around doing stuff-usually Young Life, I do contact work, I meet with other leaders, I lead a small group, I work really hard at making everything work for the kingdom. I get so busy and rushed that I often forget that it is all finished, the work has been done. My God is sovereign over all things. He is sovereign in my past, when I thought that I was too far-gone. He is sovereign over my life in the present, He knows how I am feeling and is working in me. He is sovereign over my future; He knows what job I will have, the man I will marry, and what I am going to do next summer. All of my worries are broken down by the truth- it is finished. The sweetest song to my soul is the fact that my Father is in control, He holds me, and I will forever be satisfied in Jesus.

SHARPER:

As I sit still, it feels like there is literally a sword in my chest, a result of stress. My life has been a whirlwind of busyness since I have arrived at college. Year after year I pile on more “stuff” that I believe is not on option to give up, therefore my days are packed with good things. It is truly wonderful- when everything is going well. But throw in a broken heart and a stressful living situation and everything seems to fall apart. I feel empty, I feel that my emotional capacity is at zero, and so I turn to The Lord. He restores me. It does not feel this way at this point, but I trust in His unfailing faithfulness. All throughout my life I went to Christian camp, and every year there was a theme and a verse that we all memorized. One year, when I was in late elementary school we memorized Hebrews 4:12.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

At that point in my life it was just another verse, I didn’t understand what it meant. I had a visual of what a sword would look like going through my body, and a ghost of my body (my knowledge of a spirit). But as I sit and feel the sword in my side I have a deeper understanding of this verse. The Lord is constantly reminding me that it is not about me, that I can’t do it on my own, that I need Him, only Him. Therefore, I need to die to myself so that He can live in me. Sacrifice is not without suffering and pain. I am emotionally and physically suffering, His sword is penetrating me and cutting away all of the things that I hold on to, that are worldly desires of my heart, not of His. It is painful, but I trust Him. I trust that His plan, His love, His life for me is greater than I can imagine. So I am still, or am trying to be still. I want to let The Lord work in me. I am staying in the pain because of the hope of a better life in Christ. But being still is not really in my skill set and right now it is not only uncomfortable, but also literally painful. So I ask my Father to enter in, to still and quiet my soul that I may be painfully tuned to joyfully sing His praise.  

GOODNESS:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, and leads me beside tranquil waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His names sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever.” Psalm 23

I want every part of me to be good. I want to put good into my body, I want to be good to my body, and I want to be outwardly good. Now if I want my entire life to be good shouldn’t that translate into my whole being? I am so thankful that The Lord has filled my cup. I am full. But, He doesn’t stop there- He fills me to overflowing with all good things! I want to show that to the world. I want to drip Jesus. I want goodness to overflow and seep out of my pores, because He is my whole life. I want my life to show the love of Christ and represent the gospel. I want to love people well. I want good. I get excited because when I think of living my life out of this overflowing river of life my whole being shifts because I accept that I have all of this goodness, this peace, this patience, this faithfulness, this self-control, this gentleness, this love, and this joy. All of this The Lord has graciously given to me and all I can do is look to Him, and live with my eyes focused on the one who restores my soul.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME.

I want to live knowing this is true and believing that the Holy Spirit in me overflows me with His goodness. I don’t want to put a lid on it. I want to let it aggressively rush over me so that I can be drenched in the kingdom.