I am not a surfer – never have been – never even played one on TV. But, I AM amazed and inspired by the story of a young surfer named Bethany Hamilton. My tween-age daughters have fallen in love with her story, and we just finished watching her movie, Soul Surfer, for the third time.
Each time I’ve watched the movie, I’ve been struck by different aspects of her story, but this time, the quote at the end of the movie really caught my attention. Bethany says:
“Life is a lot like surfing. When you get caught in the impact zone, you need to get right back up because you never know what’s over the next wave. And if you have faith, anything is possible….anything at all.”
Again, I’m not a surfer, but as I understand it, the impact zone is the place where the waves break or flip over and crash back into the ocean. It’s not a place where you want to be. If you get caught there, chances are, you’re going to get tossed around and pretty banged up. The waves just keep coming, and if you don’t get out, you’ll use up all your energy just trying to stay above water and end up too exhausted to keep going.
As I see it, you have three choices when you’re in the impact zone:
(1) You can stay where you are and hope for the best. Given the potential consequences, this doesn’t seem like a very good plan.
(2) You can turn around and try to make it back to shore. On the surface, this seems like a pretty good idea. Just get out of there and get back to safety. However, if you’ve ever been in the ocean, you know that it’s hard to out-run the waves. They have a way of catching up with you and knocking you down again. So, you may make it back to shore, but when you get there, you haven’t really accomplished much and you may actually be in worse shape than you were before you headed out.
(3) You can dive under and swim out a little further. This may seem like a dangerous option since it’s taking you away from the seeming safety of the shore, but once you get past those breakers and into the open water, you can see what’s on the horizon, and you’ll be ready to catch that perfect wave and ride it all the way in to shore.
Sometimes life can throw us into the impact zone. But, that’s not the time to quit. It’s not the time to give up, turn around, and walk away. Everything in you might be screaming, “I can’t take it anymore! I can’t deal with all the things that are coming my way right now. It’s just too much!” Take a lesson from the surfers... Don’t give up - keep pressing forward. Go a little deeper. Dive in, kick for all you're worth, and head for the open water. You can do it. And, there’s sure to be a promise waiting for you out there just beyond the horizon. As Bethany said, “… you never know what’s over the next wave. And, if you have faith, anything is possible… anything at all.”
“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4: 12-13
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Steve Jobs, were you ready?
Steve Jobs. Creative genius. Technology innovator. Gone much too soon at the age of 56.
It’s amazing to look at what he accomplished during his life. And, it’s sad to think of what else he might have done had he been given the privilege of living another 20 – 30 years.
As a technology product manager, I’m amazed and inspired by Steve Jobs. He was able to find that sweet spot where every product that he created delighted its user. We all strive for that, but few of us ever get there.
By all accounts, he was a happy man. He loved his job. He had a wonderful family. He had overcome obstacles that enabled him to enjoy his success even more. He seemed to have it all. And, his loss has been felt deeply around the world by people who never knew the man but were touched by his technology.
By his own admission, Steve believed in himself and followed his own intuition – religiously. That belief was at the core of his success. But, the question that has haunted me since his death is whether or not he believed in something bigger than himself – an Almighty Creator – the God of the universe.
Steve believed that death was the great “reset” button – clearing out the old and making way for the new. But, did Steve understand that death is not the end? It’s only the beginning. His 56 years here on the earth were just a blip when compared to eternity.
As I listen to all of the tributes, I can’t help but wonder whether he had the important things in order. There’s a cartoon making its way around cyberspace showing Steve Jobs at the pearly gates waiting for St. Peter to find his name and telling him that there’s an app for that. It’s a funny cartoon, but it made me wonder... When Steve stepped out of this life and into eternity - when he heard God’s voice - how did he respond? Did it go something like this?
Steve, did you know me?
I created the iPhone and the iPad.
But, did you know me?
I changed the way the world interacts with technology.
That’s great – but, did you know me? Really know me?
I was a good man – just ask anyone…
But, did you know me?
I don’t know how Steve answered. I hope and pray that it was yes.
What will your answer be?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” - Matthew 7:21-23
It’s amazing to look at what he accomplished during his life. And, it’s sad to think of what else he might have done had he been given the privilege of living another 20 – 30 years.
As a technology product manager, I’m amazed and inspired by Steve Jobs. He was able to find that sweet spot where every product that he created delighted its user. We all strive for that, but few of us ever get there.
By all accounts, he was a happy man. He loved his job. He had a wonderful family. He had overcome obstacles that enabled him to enjoy his success even more. He seemed to have it all. And, his loss has been felt deeply around the world by people who never knew the man but were touched by his technology.
By his own admission, Steve believed in himself and followed his own intuition – religiously. That belief was at the core of his success. But, the question that has haunted me since his death is whether or not he believed in something bigger than himself – an Almighty Creator – the God of the universe.
Steve believed that death was the great “reset” button – clearing out the old and making way for the new. But, did Steve understand that death is not the end? It’s only the beginning. His 56 years here on the earth were just a blip when compared to eternity.
As I listen to all of the tributes, I can’t help but wonder whether he had the important things in order. There’s a cartoon making its way around cyberspace showing Steve Jobs at the pearly gates waiting for St. Peter to find his name and telling him that there’s an app for that. It’s a funny cartoon, but it made me wonder... When Steve stepped out of this life and into eternity - when he heard God’s voice - how did he respond? Did it go something like this?
Steve, did you know me?
I created the iPhone and the iPad.
But, did you know me?
I changed the way the world interacts with technology.
That’s great – but, did you know me? Really know me?
I was a good man – just ask anyone…
But, did you know me?
I don’t know how Steve answered. I hope and pray that it was yes.
What will your answer be?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” - Matthew 7:21-23
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Tip of the Spear
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Powerful words - made even more powerful when you realize that they were spoken by a man who was later martyred for his faith – a man who lost his life at the end of a spear wielded by the very ones that he was trying to help.
Jim Elliot is one of my heroes. His journals (referenced in the book Shadow of the Almighty) give insight into the heart of a man who was completely committed to a cause. He knew the task would not be easy and he knew that there would be opposition. But, he was willing to face the battle in order to fulfill his part in the Great Commission. He was sure of God’s leading and protection even in those last moments when he lay dying on a beach deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle.
You see, we are all engaged in a battle. It’s usually not a physical battle like Jim faced (although it can be). Instead, it’s a spiritual battle being fought in the heavenlies. It’s a battle between good and evil – a fight for the souls of the peoples of the earth. It’s a movement to see God’s kingdom established here as it is in Heaven. And, when we push into new territory, the enemy doesn’t like it, and he pulls out the big guns to try to protect his stronghold.
Missionaries like Jim are at the frontline of this battle. They are the scouts sent out ahead to blaze the trail and break new ground. They live their lives at the tip of the spear. Not everyone is called to lead the charge, but everyone IS called to take part in the battle. We can pray – for God’s protection and for the success of their mission. We can give – to insure that they have the provision that is needed to complete their task. And, we can go – to come alongside them, even for a short time, to provide help and encouragement and to help sustain them in the fight.
Are you ready to take your place in the battle?
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms… Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." – Ephesians 6:11-12, 19-20
The following video provides some powerful commentary around what happened when Jim Elliot and his four colleagues (Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Nate Saint) met the Waodani people.
Now I See It Well - God's Leading and Protection
Jim Elliot is one of my heroes. His journals (referenced in the book Shadow of the Almighty) give insight into the heart of a man who was completely committed to a cause. He knew the task would not be easy and he knew that there would be opposition. But, he was willing to face the battle in order to fulfill his part in the Great Commission. He was sure of God’s leading and protection even in those last moments when he lay dying on a beach deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle.
You see, we are all engaged in a battle. It’s usually not a physical battle like Jim faced (although it can be). Instead, it’s a spiritual battle being fought in the heavenlies. It’s a battle between good and evil – a fight for the souls of the peoples of the earth. It’s a movement to see God’s kingdom established here as it is in Heaven. And, when we push into new territory, the enemy doesn’t like it, and he pulls out the big guns to try to protect his stronghold.
Missionaries like Jim are at the frontline of this battle. They are the scouts sent out ahead to blaze the trail and break new ground. They live their lives at the tip of the spear. Not everyone is called to lead the charge, but everyone IS called to take part in the battle. We can pray – for God’s protection and for the success of their mission. We can give – to insure that they have the provision that is needed to complete their task. And, we can go – to come alongside them, even for a short time, to provide help and encouragement and to help sustain them in the fight.
Are you ready to take your place in the battle?
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms… Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." – Ephesians 6:11-12, 19-20
The following video provides some powerful commentary around what happened when Jim Elliot and his four colleagues (Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Nate Saint) met the Waodani people.
Now I See It Well - God's Leading and Protection
Sunday, May 22, 2011
New Beginnings...
I watched this week as a friend of mine went through the birth of her first child. Her experience was so much like mine, and it’s brought back so many memories of when my first daughter was born. One of the strongest memories that I have is from the day that we brought her home from the hospital. She fell asleep in her car seat and stayed asleep as we carefully removed her seat from the car and brought her into the house. We set her carrier in the middle of the floor, and then we just looked at her and looked at each other and basically asked, “Now what???” What were we supposed to do with this tiny little human that had suddenly been committed into our care? Should we wake her up? Should we leave her alone? Should we move her into the pack-n-play that was waiting for her in the living room or take her up to the cradle that was waiting for her in our room? We realized at that moment that we really didn’t have a clue how to be parents. In spite of all the books that we’d read and the advice that we’d been given, we had no idea what to do next. It was a bit of a helpless feeling to realize the magnitude of the responsibility that had been given to us and to feel this fierce love and desire to protect and provide for this child while at the same time acknowledging the fact that we were not sufficient to get the job done within the scope of our own limited knowledge and abilities…
Fast forward a couple of years and we were blessed with a second lovely daughter. By the time she was born, we felt like we had the parenting thing pretty much figured out. However, from the very beginning, nothing worked the same way with daughter number two. I would try all of the tricks that I had learned with daughter number one, but to no avail. We really had to start from scratch to learn what worked for our second daughter. The transition to having two children was really much harder for us than the initial transition to being parents of one. But, over time, we got the hang of things, and we began to feel comfortable again with our role as parents.
Fast forward to May 2011. In just five days, we will bring our first daughter home from her last day of elementary school and officially become parents of a junior high student. Yikes! Right now, I’m feeling much the same way I did on that first day we brought her home from the hospital. I keep asking myself, “Now what??” When I think about the challenges that will likely lie ahead for our daughter and our relationship with her over the next few years, I feel overwhelmed and I’m afraid that I don’t have what it takes to love her and nurture her and guide her down the rocky road that we know as the "teen years". Just like on that very first day, I realize that I really don’t have a clue how to be the parent of a (pre)teenager.
However, there is one important difference between that first day and this one. I’ve come to understand that it’s OK to ask “Now what?” I’ve learned that the Heavenly Father that formed my beautiful daughter in the womb also has a perfect plan for her life (Psalm 139:13-16). He has plans to prosper her and not to harm her – plans to give her a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). And, He has entrusted her into my care in spite of the fact that He knew that I would mess up and make mistakes along the way. I’ve learned that Proverbs 3:5-6 applies not only to my life but to my daughter’s life as well. If I acknowledge Him, He will give me the wisdom I need to shepherd her as He directs both of our paths.
So, I’m thankful for new beginnings. They are times of transition and times of change. They can bring great joy. But, they can also bring great fear and great anxiety. We just need to remember that, ultimately, God is in control, and He will help us walk through those transitions and come out stronger on the other side if we’ll just let Him.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." -- Proverbs 3:5-6
Fast forward a couple of years and we were blessed with a second lovely daughter. By the time she was born, we felt like we had the parenting thing pretty much figured out. However, from the very beginning, nothing worked the same way with daughter number two. I would try all of the tricks that I had learned with daughter number one, but to no avail. We really had to start from scratch to learn what worked for our second daughter. The transition to having two children was really much harder for us than the initial transition to being parents of one. But, over time, we got the hang of things, and we began to feel comfortable again with our role as parents.
Fast forward to May 2011. In just five days, we will bring our first daughter home from her last day of elementary school and officially become parents of a junior high student. Yikes! Right now, I’m feeling much the same way I did on that first day we brought her home from the hospital. I keep asking myself, “Now what??” When I think about the challenges that will likely lie ahead for our daughter and our relationship with her over the next few years, I feel overwhelmed and I’m afraid that I don’t have what it takes to love her and nurture her and guide her down the rocky road that we know as the "teen years". Just like on that very first day, I realize that I really don’t have a clue how to be the parent of a (pre)teenager.
However, there is one important difference between that first day and this one. I’ve come to understand that it’s OK to ask “Now what?” I’ve learned that the Heavenly Father that formed my beautiful daughter in the womb also has a perfect plan for her life (Psalm 139:13-16). He has plans to prosper her and not to harm her – plans to give her a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). And, He has entrusted her into my care in spite of the fact that He knew that I would mess up and make mistakes along the way. I’ve learned that Proverbs 3:5-6 applies not only to my life but to my daughter’s life as well. If I acknowledge Him, He will give me the wisdom I need to shepherd her as He directs both of our paths.
So, I’m thankful for new beginnings. They are times of transition and times of change. They can bring great joy. But, they can also bring great fear and great anxiety. We just need to remember that, ultimately, God is in control, and He will help us walk through those transitions and come out stronger on the other side if we’ll just let Him.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." -- Proverbs 3:5-6
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Breadcrumbs
Do you remember the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel? There are lots of aspects to the story, but the part that I’ve been thinking about recently is the breadcrumbs. You see, when Hansel and Gretel were forced to go into the woods, Hansel left a trail of breadcrumbs to help them find their way back home. Of course, the breadcrumbs were eaten by the forest animals and the story took a nasty turn, but let’s just ignore that part for a moment… The idea that I want to focus on is the fact that the breadcrumbs provided a trail marker – a path – a reminder that was meant to help the children find their way back home.
The first part of this year has been pretty eventful – not always in a good way – and I’ve had a few opportunities to question God. Sometimes I’ve wondered where He was leading us and other times I’ve wondered if He might have just forgotten about us altogether. In my heart, I know that He will never leave us or forsake us. But, when faced with uncertain circumstances, my thinking and my emotions don’t always line up with my heart. Sometimes I feel far away from God, and sometimes I wonder if I can even remember how to find my way back to that place of faith and peace and comfort that can only be found in the arms of my Heavenly Father. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve stayed away too long and forgotten the way back home…
But, over the past couple of weeks, we’ve experienced amazing protection from a couple of potentially dangerous situations, and we’ve seen provision for some financial concerns that had been weighing heavily on our minds, and we’ve seen several other things happen that made us go “Hmmmm…” Some might say that it was just lucky coincidence, but I believe that it was God leaving breadcrumbs for me –unexpected reminders of how much He cares – little things that let me know that He had already gone before me to prepare the way – tidbits that were carefully dropped at just the right place and just the right time to gently lead me back home to the loving arms of my Heavenly Father.
If you’re struggling today – if you feel like you’re lost and can’t find your way back home – look for the breadcrumbs that God has left for you along the way. They may be tiny, and they may be hard to recognize in the darkness of the woods, but I’m sure that they are there. Let them draw you back to that place of faith and relationship with the One who knows everything about you but still loves you unconditionally and is waiting with open arms for you to come back home to Him…
The first part of this year has been pretty eventful – not always in a good way – and I’ve had a few opportunities to question God. Sometimes I’ve wondered where He was leading us and other times I’ve wondered if He might have just forgotten about us altogether. In my heart, I know that He will never leave us or forsake us. But, when faced with uncertain circumstances, my thinking and my emotions don’t always line up with my heart. Sometimes I feel far away from God, and sometimes I wonder if I can even remember how to find my way back to that place of faith and peace and comfort that can only be found in the arms of my Heavenly Father. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve stayed away too long and forgotten the way back home…
But, over the past couple of weeks, we’ve experienced amazing protection from a couple of potentially dangerous situations, and we’ve seen provision for some financial concerns that had been weighing heavily on our minds, and we’ve seen several other things happen that made us go “Hmmmm…” Some might say that it was just lucky coincidence, but I believe that it was God leaving breadcrumbs for me –unexpected reminders of how much He cares – little things that let me know that He had already gone before me to prepare the way – tidbits that were carefully dropped at just the right place and just the right time to gently lead me back home to the loving arms of my Heavenly Father.
If you’re struggling today – if you feel like you’re lost and can’t find your way back home – look for the breadcrumbs that God has left for you along the way. They may be tiny, and they may be hard to recognize in the darkness of the woods, but I’m sure that they are there. Let them draw you back to that place of faith and relationship with the One who knows everything about you but still loves you unconditionally and is waiting with open arms for you to come back home to Him…
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Loneliness and Community
Loneliness – It’s a strange emotion. Some people equate loneliness with being alone, but I sometimes feel the loneliest when I’m in a crowd. Some people think that loneliness is a terrible thing, but I believe that occasionally feeling lonely can be a good thing.
I’ve been thinking a lot about loneliness this week. My husband was away for an extended trip out of the country with very limited ability to communicate with us here at home. When he’s away on these trips, I usually experience a range of emotions. Sometimes I just feel alone. When I’m the only one here to take responsibility for household issues and childcare issues, it can be hard – and without him, I feel alone, like I’ve been left to fend for myself. I have an incredible network of friends and family who are here to help me, but sometimes, I just can’t shake that feeling of being left alone to deal with it all.
This trip was a little different for me. Things ran fairly smoothly on the homefront (which isn’t always the case). I didn’t feel so alone. However, this time, I did feel profoundly lonely the whole time he was gone. I just couldn’t escape the loneliness. I was missing that connection that I have with him that has come from years of sharing all of the ups and downs of life together.
In my case, I was lonely – and I knew why. And, I knew that when my husband came home, much of my loneliness would go away. In my case, loneliness wasn’t such a bad thing. It reminded me how much I love my husband and how important that relationship is to me.
But, sometimes loneliness is symptomatic of a bigger problem. Sometimes loneliness can be overwhelming – and it can lead to sadness and depression and a host of other issues. And, based on some of the things that I’ve seen and heard recently, loneliness is becoming something of an epidemic in our society. Our youth pastor made a great observation on his blog this week after spending the weekend at camp with our teens. He said, “I was amazed to see how this generation that is so connected (via mobile phones, social media, etc) can also be so lonely.” That is such a true statement! In fact, I believe that Facebook and Twitter can actually contribute to a feeling of loneliness since they provide the illusion of friendship and connectedness without the accompanying emotional connection that is also needed and desired.
The truth of the matter is that we were created for fellowship. Adam was created to fellowship with God in the garden. But, after surveying the situation, God also created Eve because He said that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). There is a place deep within each of us that desires relationship – that desires to be understood and accepted just the way we are. I think that this is one of the reasons why community is so vital to us as believers. It’s one of the reasons that the church – in spite of all of its problems – is so important. It’s one of the reasons why we need to love our church and strive to be a church that truly loves others.
If I hear someone at church saying that they don’t feel “plugged in” or don’t feel like they’re really “a part” of the community, I’m the first one to encourage them to take a little action and find some opportunities to get involved. However, as the church, I think that we also have a responsibility to make sure that we don’t leave people sitting in the shadows just outside the realm of true fellowship. You never know what’s going on in someone’s heart or their life. That cheery exterior could be hiding a deep and profound loneliness that can only be soothed by meaningful relationships.
There is a verse in Psalms that I love, and I’ve always thought of it in the context of adoption. But, I think that it can also be applied to the church. It says: “God sets the lonely in families.” (Psalm 68:6a) Imagine what a difference we - as the church - could make if we really took that verse to heart…
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
I’ve been thinking a lot about loneliness this week. My husband was away for an extended trip out of the country with very limited ability to communicate with us here at home. When he’s away on these trips, I usually experience a range of emotions. Sometimes I just feel alone. When I’m the only one here to take responsibility for household issues and childcare issues, it can be hard – and without him, I feel alone, like I’ve been left to fend for myself. I have an incredible network of friends and family who are here to help me, but sometimes, I just can’t shake that feeling of being left alone to deal with it all.
This trip was a little different for me. Things ran fairly smoothly on the homefront (which isn’t always the case). I didn’t feel so alone. However, this time, I did feel profoundly lonely the whole time he was gone. I just couldn’t escape the loneliness. I was missing that connection that I have with him that has come from years of sharing all of the ups and downs of life together.
In my case, I was lonely – and I knew why. And, I knew that when my husband came home, much of my loneliness would go away. In my case, loneliness wasn’t such a bad thing. It reminded me how much I love my husband and how important that relationship is to me.
But, sometimes loneliness is symptomatic of a bigger problem. Sometimes loneliness can be overwhelming – and it can lead to sadness and depression and a host of other issues. And, based on some of the things that I’ve seen and heard recently, loneliness is becoming something of an epidemic in our society. Our youth pastor made a great observation on his blog this week after spending the weekend at camp with our teens. He said, “I was amazed to see how this generation that is so connected (via mobile phones, social media, etc) can also be so lonely.” That is such a true statement! In fact, I believe that Facebook and Twitter can actually contribute to a feeling of loneliness since they provide the illusion of friendship and connectedness without the accompanying emotional connection that is also needed and desired.
The truth of the matter is that we were created for fellowship. Adam was created to fellowship with God in the garden. But, after surveying the situation, God also created Eve because He said that it was not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). There is a place deep within each of us that desires relationship – that desires to be understood and accepted just the way we are. I think that this is one of the reasons why community is so vital to us as believers. It’s one of the reasons that the church – in spite of all of its problems – is so important. It’s one of the reasons why we need to love our church and strive to be a church that truly loves others.
If I hear someone at church saying that they don’t feel “plugged in” or don’t feel like they’re really “a part” of the community, I’m the first one to encourage them to take a little action and find some opportunities to get involved. However, as the church, I think that we also have a responsibility to make sure that we don’t leave people sitting in the shadows just outside the realm of true fellowship. You never know what’s going on in someone’s heart or their life. That cheery exterior could be hiding a deep and profound loneliness that can only be soothed by meaningful relationships.
There is a verse in Psalms that I love, and I’ve always thought of it in the context of adoption. But, I think that it can also be applied to the church. It says: “God sets the lonely in families.” (Psalm 68:6a) Imagine what a difference we - as the church - could make if we really took that verse to heart…
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Follow
“Where you go, we will follow… Where you go, we will follow…” I was happily singing those words at the top of my lungs right along with the David Crowder Band, when I distinctly heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “Really?” I stopped singing, and my response was, “Of course – I want to do Your will – I want to follow You.” I heard the voice again: “Really? Will you REALLY follow me? Wherever I lead? Without question?” I wasn’t so quick to answer this time, because if I’m honest with myself, I know that my first answer wasn’t entirely true. My intention – my desire – has always been to follow. But, I’m not so sure that I’ve lived up to that goal.
Over the course of my life, I’ve had lots of dreams and plans. And, I’ve prayed about those plans, and I’ve tried to hear God’s voice. But, so often, as I’ve started down a particular path, I’ve run ahead and then stopped only to say to God, “Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I’ve got this now.” And, I’ve taken off without even looking back.
I don’t think that I’ve veered too far away from God’s plan, but if I’m truthful, I’m not sure how quickly I would adjust my course if God suddenly told me that I needed to make a sharp right turn.
The thing is, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to really question the value of what I’m doing with my life. There was a point when I thought I had all the time in the world. But now, when I look at my life, I’m starting to think more about my legacy than what lies ahead of me. I’ve got a wonderful husband, beautiful children, and an all around great life. But, what impact have I had on my world? How many people have I influenced for the Kingdom of God? And, what am I really willing to sacrifice in order to follow wherever God leads?
Those are the questions that haunt me when I stop long enough to listen…
Over the course of my life, I’ve had lots of dreams and plans. And, I’ve prayed about those plans, and I’ve tried to hear God’s voice. But, so often, as I’ve started down a particular path, I’ve run ahead and then stopped only to say to God, “Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I’ve got this now.” And, I’ve taken off without even looking back.
I don’t think that I’ve veered too far away from God’s plan, but if I’m truthful, I’m not sure how quickly I would adjust my course if God suddenly told me that I needed to make a sharp right turn.
The thing is, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to really question the value of what I’m doing with my life. There was a point when I thought I had all the time in the world. But now, when I look at my life, I’m starting to think more about my legacy than what lies ahead of me. I’ve got a wonderful husband, beautiful children, and an all around great life. But, what impact have I had on my world? How many people have I influenced for the Kingdom of God? And, what am I really willing to sacrifice in order to follow wherever God leads?
Those are the questions that haunt me when I stop long enough to listen…
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