February is FLYING by-WOW!! Finally feeling adjusted back to Gainesville life after time at home and abroad! Man is it sweet to be back. The community here is GOOD ya’ll. I’m pretty sure I know the greatest people on the planet? It’s up for discussion. But I think the most exciting thing of this month is THE WINTER OLYMPICS!!!!!! I am OBSESSED! Whether it’s their work ethic, incredible athleticism or just knowing I could NEVER go 70 mph down a black diamond slope-I’m slightly addicted (Example A: when I watched women’s hockey which I know nothing about until 2 am). It has been a definite highlight (seriously considering going to volunteer-yea it’s a thing- in the 2020 Olympics in Japan-join me!). Anywaysssss- spiritual life. What’s new. What’s good. SO MUCH! First off- praise our Father who continues to teach us about His character. I am so thankful for that. It’s a life of learning. Because we humans forget. But our Father knows us and I am continually amazed at all that He is showing me through the Word, the church and His creation. Praise God! This month has been a WAR between truth and lies. With lies seeming to get the upper hand way to often. It is an oddity being aware of Spiritual warfare and seemingly being “stuck” between flesh self and the truth of the redeeming gospel. It is enough to make you crazy. My thought life has run rampant this month. It’s like I can’t take in enough biblical truth/scripture to outweigh the other thoughts. It goes a little like this (bout to get PERSONAL-bear with me) “Wow I really don’t like how my body looks right now. I don’t get it. I’m working out way more this semester. I’m trying to get more sleep. I eat pretty well. What’s wrong with me?” “So if you’re going to fail your physics test after studying for days than you’re really just not smart. Because who spends hours working on something and then still fails? That doesn’t add up. What’s wrong with me?” “If my grades aren’t better this semester there is no way I am going to PT school here. It’s 70/1000. Grades other than A’s don’t cut it. What’s wrong with me?” “It’s ok that you’re single now. But what about in five years. When all your friends are married. Is it still ok? What’s wrong with me?” And all the questioning. It’s from the enemy. And man does it work to ATTACK our identity. We can see this pattern of Satan going all the way back to the garden. He is not original. He is not a creator. He does not speak truth. He is a deceiver, a liar, and a QUESTIONER. He first ASKED Eve “Did God really say ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” And then Eve answered with God’s words. And then the Serpent gave Eve the wrong answer, saying “You will not certainly die”. And just like that Eve is entangled in deceit and commits the first sin against our Father, as she ate from the forbidden fruit. And church how similar is this to our daily struggles? I KNOW it’s similar to mine. To my fears, doubts, and insecurities. To the whispers that QUESTION my very identity in Jesus Christ. So what changes? How do we quiet the lies? How do we combat this in DAILY warfare? ”Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes….and put on the sword of the Spirt, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11,17 Remember that armor we are commanded to put on. Yea, friends- that’s where things change. And with words of deceit-we combat those with words of truth- the Sword itself. A sweet friend of mine shared an image at Bible Study a month ago and man has it wrecked me. But man has it stuck with me. I think it relates oh so well with understanding the battle we’re up against and how we let lies flood in. Here it goes. Jesus and you. At a table. It’s intimate. It’s a meal for the two of you. He’s at one end. You’re at the other. There’s a fire going. And man does Jesus love you. And as you sit there He is there affirming you. Speaking truth over you. It’s beautiful. But then someone knocks at the door. And you being the people person you are let them in. Surely Jesus won’t mind them coming to your dinner. They pull up a chair. And they also begin talking to you. Affirming you. Telling you stories. Dividing your attention from Jesus, whom your dinner was with. Jesus hasn’t stopped talking. But it is a little harder to hear. To pay attention. And the knocks keep coming. The chairs keep coming. Eventually a loud roar of voices are coming at you. All with affirmations. All with their own “truth”. Jesus remains at the end. At this point His words can’t be heard. But He hasn’t stopped talking. After hours and hours, you make eye contact with Jesus. You set your eyes on him. Focus on him and hear him say- “Jessica- this dinner is for me and you. These “people” need to go. I am first. I am jealous for you. I died for you. I love you. The chairs- they must be burned. Not just moved away. Not the “people” kicked out of them for someone else to fill the spot. No, they must be burned.” And as the chairs are thrown in the fire, the noise dwindles. And once again you can hear the voice of your Savior speaking LIFE over you. No longer the confusion, no longer the false truths. No longer the fleeting good things. Just Jesus- with His perfect, absolute, truth. WOW RIGHT?!?! So what things are at my table? PEOPLE- lots and lots of people. Performance (in crossfit, in school, in the little every day things). My future (grad school, marriage, summer plans). Man ya’ll there are a lot of chairs at my table. But let me be clear- these aren’t bad things in my chairs (come on a 7 am workout is just what your body craves). BUT because I’m seeking them for affirmation and validation-that’s when they’re dangerous. That’s when they question me and that’s when I sin. And how like it of Satan’s character to take GOOD things and have them question us. So bringing it all back.. friends where are we getting our VALIDATION from? What are we letting AFFIRM us? Who are we letting tell us who we are? Who is defining our IDENTITY? Who are we letting join us at the table meant for Jesus? What voices are we letting drown out our Savior’s? Friends let’s burn some chairs. And hear the words of the very one who knitted us together in our mother’s womb define us, affirm us and fill us.
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AuthorI LOVE JESUS, GRACE, PEOPLE, PUNS, TRAVEL, ADVENTURE AND THE FLORIDA GATAS Archives
October 2016
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