I was speaking to a friend a few weeks ago about her Godstory. The thing she kept saying was, “He speaks through music to me. Not just Christian music, but all types of music.”
This got me thinking about music and what it says. This week, I am going to write about some unexpected messages I have heard in songs. Check back for more…
Filed under: fellowship, switch | Tags: gospel, life, students, switch, truth
I have been having a few conversations lately with this guy and a few other leaders from this place about our ministry and our students. He asked a good question today,
“If you knew this Wednesday was the last time you had with the students at Switch, what would you do? Would you do something differently?”
It made me think. What are my priorities? Am I more concerned about comfort than leading? Do I care more about them liking me than I do about sharing the truth? I don’t think I like the answers.
The truth is, I tiptoe around things too often. I often get so worried about my relationship with students that I don’t want to offend them. The problem is, the truth is offensive. Christ offended. He loved wholly, but he did offend. In fact, our very faith is offensive. We worship a God that came to earth to be condemned and executed as a criminal. That isn’t easy to swallow.
Truth offends. It hurts because it has a way of cutting into all of those dark spots where deception and sin lurk. It hurts to hear that you are wrong, even when you already know. The truth offends but it also sets free. It is my duty (and my blessing) to show these students the way to their freedom in Christ. For them to be free, they must be told the truth.
Oh, and go see Patrick’s thoughts here.
So, what is your focus? What would you do?
I received some not so great news last week from the doctor. Nothing is “wrong” with me; I just have to start taking care of myself. I am sure that I can do better, but I also know that I am not huge on self-discipline (especially with food!). So, I am trying to be healthy, make better food choices, and be a more active person.
I don’t like talking about weight goals or clothing sizes. I know that is the easiest way to measure success, but it doesn’t seem like the best focus for me. I am not unhappy with how I look right now. Sure, I have flaws and do not look like I did 10 years ago, but who cares?
I care that I am tired everyday. I care that my hair is thinning because I am not meeting my bodies nutritional needs. I care that I have a headache 3 or 4 days out of the week. I care that I can go 3 days and not eat a true serving of fruits or vegetables.
It isn’t about appearance. It is about life. I cannot do all the amazing things God has for me if I do not take care of the body He made just for me! I don’t want to miss that blessing because I was zoned out on my couch, exhausted.
So, share tips, recipes, or kicks in the pants!
Filed under: life, switch | Tags: betrayal, change, changing lives, God, heartbreak, life, single
I never planned to still be unmarried at this point in my life. In fact, in my plans, my wedding would have been a few months ago. I intended to start a new part of my life with someone I had known since I was in junior high. I intended to be together, faithfully, until the day I died. Little did I know, that was not his plan. I was betrayed by someone I loved more than I thought possible. To make that worse, he was not the person who confessed that betrayal to me. In reality, my hurt was minor. I know there are people in this world who have survived worse. I thank God everyday that I was allowed to see the true side of the man I was planning to marry BEFORE I took my vows. I am grateful that I did not have to deal with the heartbreak of raising children with him. Still, I mourned the life I had planned to have. I mourned the man I thought he was, the man I wanted him to be.
I am not reliving these memories out of sadness or bitterness. See, he intended to hurt me. He intended to break my heart, but I follow a God who can create amazing things from heartbreak.
See, I am not the first person to be betrayed. In Scripture, we read of many betrayals. I was just reminded of the betrayal of Joseph by his own brothers. Now, I am in no way saying that I am anything close to Joseph. But my eyes rested on one verse in his story…
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20
No, I am not saving a country from a famine, and I have not been placed in the halls of power. I am, however, saving lives. See, if I had not been left broken, I would not have turned to God for strength. When I chose to return to where God wanted me to be, I began slowly to move into a place of saving lives. My ex intended harm, but God knew where I needed to be. I am now able to pour into students’ lives. See, I may not be feeding them (sometimes, I am!), but I am showing them the love of my God. I get to be a part of changing their lives. I honestly do not think this would be the case had I been able to have the life I thought I wanted a year ago. I will be forever grateful that God knows better than I do. I have never been happier. More importantly, I am able to be a part of God saving these kids. I’m in awe!
It is undeniable that there are people in this world who intend to hurt you or cause you pain. So, what have you gained through the pain?
