Just Keep Swimming

It's probably no shocker to many of you that one of my favorite passages is Hebrews 12:1-3, which says: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who suffered such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

Even though I love to apply this passage to running, and I often do, I know it's not really talking about physical exercise here.  It's talking about the race we must endure in our daily lives as we strive to be like Christ - the grueling uphill marathon where the finish line seems impossible to reach.  Each day we are meant to push onward towards the goal of leading a faithful life and following God's commands.

So often I fall short in this race - I slip up and stumble, and there are days when I don't think I have the energy to get back up.  But these words remind me that I have to persevere to the end, even when...no, scratch that, especially when I feel like giving up.  They remind me that Christ suffered through so much more just so that I could have the chance to run this race, and it's the least I can do to keep moving forward.  I don't have to be the fastest one out there, but I do need to keep going.

I've had this passage memorized for a while, but it wasn't until recently that I really noticed the words "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."  Before we can even think about running the race God has set before us, we have to get rid of all the sin that weighs us down.  How can we expect to get anywhere without letting go of the things that slow us down?  The race is never easy, but it certainly becomes a lot less difficult when we don't allow sin to interfere and trip us up.

The difficulties we encounter along this race are not without purpose.  Romans 5:3-4 gives me a glimpse of what can be gained by persevering in the race when it says: "...but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope."  I take joy in the fact that enduring through these hardships now will only make me stronger and give me hope.  It's great to know that not only do I have a reward at the finish line, but the journey is a reward in itself.

So when you feel like you're drowning in what life has to throw at you, remember the encouraging words of Hebrews 12:1-3 and set your heart on what Christ has promised is waiting for you at the finish line...and "just keep swimming."

(here is where I give props to Disney for using Dory, you guys own everything...please don't sue me)

Lift Up Your Eyes

All too often, I find myself forgetting God's greatness and supreme sovereignty.  I start to let things in this earth worry me, and I so easily lose sight of the fact that God is greater than each and every thing that troubles me.  I know - that's a pretty major oversight on my part, but somehow I still manage to overlook the obvious and I let my wayward thoughts affect me.  

It's during these times that I find comfort in God's ultimate power.  One of my favorite bible passages lately has been Isaiah 40:29.  It says:

"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:

   Who created all these?

 He who brings out the starry host one by one

   and calls forth each of them by name.

 Because of his great power and mighty strength,

   not one of them is missing."

These words remind me that God is the keeper of every single star in the universe - He's not about to forget about me.  I need to sit back and put my faith in the great I AM, for I know His great power and mighty strength will never fail.  When I lift up my eyes, I realize that God is so much greater than what I'm going though.  He's got things under control; my job is only to sit back and have faith in Him, and that, I can handle.

So if you start to feel the world weighing down on your shoulders, lift up your eyes.

Mercy Me has a great song on this, called "You are I AM."  It's really powerful, and if you haven't heard it yet, I would encourage you to listen: http://youtu.be/2JI4CPfuLW0

Shine

One of my favorite songs lately is "Shine" by the Newsboys (http://youtu.be/givCI1M9Rh0).  It reminds me to show others God's love and "let it shine before all men, let 'em see good works, and then, let 'em glorify the Lord."  But for a long time I thought this meant I had to be doing some sort of religious activity like praying, worshiping, or Bible study.  Don't get me wrong, all of those things are wonderful ways to serve the Lord, but I've come to realize they're not the only ways we can reflect His greatness.  We can shine each and every day in ways that appear simple, trivial, or mundane.

A few months ago, a woman came up to me and asked: "Are you the girl who I see running every morning?  Bless your heart."  And I thought: Lady, what are you blessing me for?  I'm just a runner, not Mother Theresa.  I'm not running for any greater cause, just to stay in shape and because I enjoy it.  Yet she acted like I was doing something really special.  I totally didn't get it.  A few days later, I was approached by a girl at the gym who told me: "I hope you know that you're my hero."  Again, I was at an utter loss for words.  When I told this story to one of my friends, he told me: "I think it's because they see your strong faith."  Huh.  I had never considered that.  This was when I realized that people can shine for Christ in everything they do; they aren't limited to a certain set of God-glorifying activities.  Those around us can see that we as Christians are different-that we are filled with a hope that sets us apart from the rest.

Do you have a certain talent or ability, like singing, dancing, baking, sports, writing, etc.?  Or maybe something you just like to do?  Use it.  Show others around you that your heart is set on things above-not only when you're at church, but in every moment of your life.  Run with enthusiasm and a smile every day.  Dance like an idiot to your favorite praise music.  Sing, while your friends and coworkers around you complain.  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." (Colossians 3:23).  If you do, people will take notice, and you will "shine before all men." There is no limit to the number of ways God can use you for His glory.

So go ahead, be different.  Shine.

"You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
- Matthew 5:14-16

Thankful for Godly Fathers

Happy Father's Day, everyone!

Our speaker in church today talked about how we should be grateful for our godly fathers, if we have them. As I sat there and listened, I began to realize just how much I owe my earthly dad.  I learned a great deal from his example.  Sure, he taught me things like how to throw a softball, shoot a gun, and use a hammer.  But what I really owe him for is how he taught me how to live a godly life through his example.  He brought us to church almost every Sunday, read devotions before our family meals, taught me to pray, was a church leader, and took every opportunity he could to expose me to God's Word.  Even someone as slow as me had to learn something from an example like that.

One of the greatest lessons he taught me was how to love.  He put up with all my antics, my tomboy stage (which I'm not sure I've entirely grown out of...), and the constant stream of sarcastic comments that flew out of my mouth.  No matter what I did, he loved me through it all.  It makes me sit back in awe when I realize how much greater our heavenly Father's love is for us.  We sin against him every single day, we deny him, ignore him, and disobey him.  And yet, He loves us with an unfailing, unfaltering love.  And just like our earthly fathers, he looks on us with pride when we obey him.  When you give your Father's Day card today, take a moment to say a little prayer thanking God for all he has done for you.  Take some time to make Him proud.

To close, I'd like to take my own advice and thank my heavenly father for the godly father he gave me.  I'm so grateful God blessed me with an earthly father who had the courage and strength to teach me to live for the Lord.  I honestly don't know who I'd be without you, Dad.

Proverbs 23:24:
"The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him." (NIV)




(p.s. My Star Wars obsession is totally your fault, Dad. ;P )

God Hears

Have you ever prayed and prayed, only to become frustrated when you fail to see your desired outcome?  It makes you wonder if God isn't listening.  Maybe He really isn't paying attention to you at the moment.  I mean, after all, the guy has a lot on his plate.

Genesis 16 shows just how wrong we are when we doubt God's ability and desire to hear us.  It's the story of Hagar, the servant of Abraham's wife Sarah (who were at the time called Abram and Sarai).  For those of you who don't know the story already, Sarah was unable to bear any children, so she gave her Egyptian maidservant Hagar to Abraham as his wife with the hopes of building a family through her.  After Hagar discovered she was pregnant, she began to despise Sarah.  Sarah in turn started to mistreat Hagar (I'm imagining an old school catfight here...), until finally Hagar fled into the desert.  I have to admit I'm rooting for Hagar at this point.  She's been abused and unfairly treated; the poor girl deserves a chance to escape.

But God had other plans for Hagar.  While she was out in the desert, an angel of the Lord came to her and told her to go back and submit to her mistress Sarah.  He promised that she would be blessed with more descendants than she could count.  "Then the angel of the Lord said to her: 'You are now with child and you will have a son.  You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery'" (Genesis 16:11).  The word "Ishmael" literally means "God hears."  Hagar wasn't crying out to God for help (at least, the passage doesn't specify that she was), but he heard her anyway.  Hagar was then blessed for listening to God and obeying his command.  She was trying to run from her problems, but only when she turned around and followed God's instructions did her situation improve.

Hey, wait a second...I think there's a lesson there.  Perhaps the reason we don't think God hears us is because we're not willing to listen to Him.  We are so focused on our wants and desires that we ignore what we know God is asking us to do.  By turning back to God and obeying his commands we will be blessed.  Remember that your relationship with God is a two-way street.  Sometimes it's your turn to listen to what He wants you to do.

Like he heard Hagar, God will hear you.

I love the book of Romans.  I'm especially fond of the 12th chapter, which inspired the name for this blog.  Paul's words:  "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer," are just as applicable to us today as they were to those living nearly 2000 years ago.  They outline the essence of how we are to live each day as followers of Christ.  Even though I've read them time and time again, I'm still finding new ways to apply them in my daily life.

Joyful in hope - There is no greater hope than that of Jesus and the salvation he brings. Why would we not shout for joy?  When the world around me or my own sinful nature try to bring me down, I find myself clinging to the hope I have in Christ Jesus.  I remember that His blood has washed our stains away.  We were dead in our transgressions and sins, but by God's grace we can truly live for eternity.  Now that's something to be happy about!

Patient in affliction - This is a tough one for me.  I've never had much use for that patience stuff, and every time I see it mentioned in Scripture...well, I'll admit - I cringe a little.  God really wants me to sit around and wait?  But every time I struggle with this, I eventually come to realize God has a significantly better grasp on time than I do (being the master of the universe and all).  He knows what I need and when I need it, and His timing is perfect.  It's not easy, but during times of affliction, I remember to remain joyful in hope.  It certainly helps pass the time.

Faithful in prayer - This is the bit that ties everything together.  It is a vital component to having an intimate relationship with God.  And most of us know it's essential, but be honest - do you pray?  I'm not talking that quick little: "Thanks for this food. Amen." you snap off before chowing down at lunch.  I'm talking about that shut-out-the-world, totally-focused, praising, talking, listening, heart-wrenching kind of prayer.  The kind where you sit down and tell God all the things that are on your mind, even down to the most seemingly minute detail.  It's this kind of quality time with the Lord that makes being joyful in hope and patient in affliction possible.  It doesn't matter if you don't always have the right words - just pray.

Here's the link to Romans 12: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012&version=NIV.  If you haven't already (and hey, even if you have), I would encourage you to read it; it's a truly beautiful chapter with some very important reminders about how we should be leading our lives in this world.

And don't forget to always be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."