I'm watching my wonderful man set up his blog right now, enjoying seeing him overthinking his URL and title. He's such a thoughtful guy. Everything about him says so. I don't think I've ever seen him do something thoughtless. I'm sure he has, I just haven't seen it. Yet.
Today we talked more about passion. One thing specifically was the fact that in Acts chapter two, Luke writes: "They devoted themselves to..."
He looked at the church and could see what they devoted themselves to. As Christians, we're meant to be a visible light on a hill. That means that the world should be able to look at us and see what our values and our passions are.
I look at Luke, and I can see that he values thoughtfulness. He's never told me that. He might not even realize that it's something that he values so much. But I can see that about him. I don't think he TRIES to be thoughtful. I think it's something that he's decided (maybe subconsciously, but it was a choice) is important to him, and because of that, it shows through his actions.
I want other people to look at me and be able to tell what's important to me, not because I say anything, but because of the way that I act. I want people to look at me and know that I value a hunger for God. I want them to be able to see that worship is something I'm passionate about. I don't ever want someone to ask me what my values are or what I'm passionate about. My actions should speak louder than I could if I tried.
Yesterday, I was hanging out with God, talking to him about what my current passions are. I made of list of things I think are important to me, and then I asked Him what things He thinks I think are important. Of course, there were things on my lists that I wasn't happy about- things I realize I need to work on replacing for Kingdom values rather than cultural ones. I was a bit bummed out for a minute, and then I asked God what He wanted me to work on first. Much to my surprise, what He told me wasn't included on my paper. He reminded me that it isn't about the things I do, the things I say, or even the values I have- it's about my relationship with Him. The thing He wants me to invest in isn't self-improvement. He wants me to invest in our relationship.
Do you know why our relationship with God is more important than our current condition? Well, I don't KNOW, but I have a theory:
Maybe first, I need to say something else, though. I think a lot of times, we try to change our behavior (or the behavior of others) hoping that one we change our outsides, changes on the insides will follow. We think that changing habits will change our minds, that changing behavior will change our hearts. Well, I disagree. Our insides define our outsides. God commands us to love others because He first loved us. Our love for others is an outpouring of the belief that the God of the Universe loves us. Our internal beliefs define our external actions. Therefore, if one wants to change a behavior, one needs to start inside and know that the internal change will produce external results. Our outsides are proof of our insides. If I tell you I'm a strong believer in recycling, but I don't recycle, then you know I'm not actually a believer in it. If I make it a point to recycle, then without me having to tell you, you can see that I believe in recycling. See? So... back to my question: Why is our relationship with God more important than our current condition? I think it's because only God can change our insides, which determines our outsides. Plus, God isn't interested in perfect people. He's interested in people who are passionate about Him. How can we be passionate about God if we don't have a relationship with Him? How can we hope that God will work in our hearts if we haven't let Him in to do that?
Before I came back to LA, someone texted me and told me that God had told them to tell me that growing in my relationship with Him would shine more than my personality. Does that seem a bit weird to anyone else? I sat there for a while wondering how something internal and private like my relationship with God could shine more than something external like my personality. But, you know what? My growing relationship with God, and my growing passion for Him, will become evident through my actions. Why? Because my passion for God will dictate what's on my outside.
Alright. Well. Two essays in a row.. that's a little brutal for you guys. I hope you're doing alright, hanging in there. Thanks for reading(:
-Ash
Oh yeah, so Luke's blog link is at the top of my page now... He totally copied me with the whole "adventure" thing. I guess it was a pretty great idea(;
Inspired thought…
ReplyDeleteThe entire Bible is good for you, but you won’t get much out of it unless you know Jesus Christ.
To understand the written word, you need to know the Living Word.
If you read the Bible without an appreciation of Christ, you may end up in a wrong neighborhood.
It is like blindly following directions without an appreciation of the city. Could get you lost.
Let’s look at a man who had a problem. He believed that God gives us good gifts only to take them away again.
Yup, I am talking about Job. Job had this one really baaad week when his livestock were stolen, his servants were slain, and his kids were killed when a house fell on them.
In his mind, Job reasoned God was behind his loss for he said: “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21)
If there was ever a scripture that has led people astray with regards to God’s character, it’s this one.
Anyone who has suffered loss has probably heard this verse. It’s often quoted at funerals. We even sing songs about it, “Blessed Be Your Name” – but it is NOT scriptural!
For some strange reason people seem to find comfort in believing that God is responsible for their loss.
Hold on, before I go off down this path let’s give Job props for saying that whatever happens in life, he’s going to praise the name of the Lord.
He’s a believer come rain or shine; but, Job still said some dumb things about God.
BTW: Later on in the story Job would come to regret his choice of words saying “I spoke of things I did not understand” (Job 42:3) like the Lord takes away!
But the question remains: Does God really give and then take away?
ReplyDeleteBack to our original premise. The picture we have of God needs to be patterned around Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the “radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of his being” (Heb 1:3).
To get a good understanding of God’s character, we need to look to Jesus, not Job.
Can you imagine Jesus stealing, killing or destroying? So how is it that some people think that God was responsible for Job’s loss?
Let’s look at what Jesus said: “anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9)
Jesus came to reveal God as the Great Giver. Have you been given something good and see God as your source? You were right!
He gave it to you: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
A little Law & Order:
ReplyDeleteIf you have suffered loss, like Job? He lost his health, his wealth, and his family. The temptation may be to blame God for your loss, as if God had a change of heart.
But wait He does not change like shifting shadows. He is an extraordinary giver.
“God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty – never canceled, never rescinded.” (Romans 11:29, MSG)
So if God is doing the giving, who is doing the taking?
Back to Jesus (words in RED):
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
There is the line! No confusion about these two roles. One is a giver, the other is a taker.
If you have been given something good, then give thanks to God.
But if you’ve been robbed, don’t blame God. He’s not behind your loss.
We are slow learners. From the beginning of human history the devil has been trying to steal everything God gave us and yet there are still some who say, “God is the thief!”
WRONG!
God gave us authority over this planet and the devil took it.
God gave us freedom and the devil somehow got us to choose slavery.
God gave us eternal life, health and glory; we lost it all thanks to the fall. Jesus took back what the devil stole! Jesus even had the last line: It is finished! Or “In your face, you lose devil!”
Chance versus grace
If you think that God gives and takes away, then you’ve missed the point of Jesus. Jesus came to reveal a generous Father and to destroy the work of the Thief (1 John 3:8).
Jesus came that we might have life to the full.
If you think that God gives and takes away, then you have more faith in chance than grace. Chance says what you have today may be gone tomorrow. It’s all in the dice!
If you’re healthy now, chances are you’ll be sick tomorrow.
If you’re prospering now, chance are poverty’s waiting just around the next corner.
When disappointments and hardships come, don’t be surprised, it’s the way it is. It happens.
Just throw in the towel and say, “I knew it was too good to last.”
The world accepts the principle of “give and take away,” but God just gives and gives and gives.
Correction, there are things God will take away from you – if you let him:
Your sin,
Your shame,
Your sickness,
Your worries
Your fears.
He takes away those things that harm us and only gives us good things that bless us.
Job or a David?
Both Job and David were robbed. Both were greatly distressed and surrounded by foolish men who gave bad advice.
Unlike Job, David did a very Christ-like thing and took back what was stolen. Why did David fight back when Job quit? We are told that David “encouraged himself in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6).
In his pain David considered God’s goodness and realized that God was not behind his loss. He understood that it was not God’s will for him to suffer and, so strengthened, he fought back and prevailed!
If David was there with Job, he would say, “Job, God didn’t kill your kids! He didn’t steal your livelihood and make you sick. You’ve been robbed! The devil is the culprit. Don’t sit there in the ashes and cry about it, get up and fight! Are you a warrior or a weakling? Are you a victor or a victim?”
We will never see victory if we think God is behind our suffering.
If we think God is robbing us we won’t even resist.
We’ll let the devil dance and destroy our families while singing “He gives and takes away.”
Can’t imagine Jesus doing that.
We have been incapacitated by uncertainty which is really just another name for unbelief.
Don’t look at Job to understand God, look at Jesus!
Remember, John 8:32 – You will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
Be free and know God is the giver of all good things.
Akhil
Ashley, now that was a lot - but I am so filled with His spirit. I am a new creation as are you. Radical. Healed and free!!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep wrriting, I'll keep reading -
Dad! That's really awesome! I love that. I might repost that so more people can read it. If that's okay with you. I love hearing your thoughts... I can't wait until you can go preach again(: I love you a ton. You are an inspiration and an incredible spiritual leader(:
ReplyDeleteThese words are not mine. re-post and reach others!! Can't wait to see you at Thanks-giving!! Dad
ReplyDelete