“God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love.”
― Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.”
― William W. Purkey
PSALM 105-106
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare his praise?
3Blessed are those who act justly,
who always do what is right. (106:1-3)
ROMANS 15
1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”a 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jewsb on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
JOURNAL
It is so tempting at times to place my hope in "worldly" success and security. Believing that if I just live my life the way God asks then I will be protected from heartache and rewarded with security and good times.
The reality is that this just isn't true. While I know that there are "good things" that have happened in my life that demand divine intervention as their explanation. I still look around and look back at my own life and realize that there are also times when divine intervention seems glaringly absent. Why? What is the formula? What do I need to do to ensure safe delivery of all those I love to a blessed tranquil life and an eternity of peace and joy?
The answer is that I can only live the life I'm given. I can only embrace the moments I am blessed to receive. That's it! Nothing more! I fear turning that over, I fear letting go and trusting. My mind ventures to an almost panic to protect and control.
So why hope? Why trust? Why put my hope in a God that cannot be depended on to fulfill my earthly hopes and dreams? I can only look at scripture and realize that there is something greater...It is the hope that drove Paul and the disciples forward despite the warnings. It is the voice that comforted Elijah. It is the courage that moved Moses to stand up to Pharaoh. It is the peace that filled Stephen before he was stoned. It is the dream that guided Joseph through prison. Ultimately it is the love that guided Christ to the looming Cross and it is this love that wraps it all in the goodness of God...regardless of the earthly outcome...there truly is something greater!
Oh wow...I am a mess, I am delusional and fearful, yet God you are still there. It is the only thing that can pry my hands off the illusion of control. You give me hope despite my fear, you give me joy in the midst of my panic, you even forgive me after callous, careless sin. Why? The answer is right here in the pages of this ancient book...because you love me.
1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,a
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
PSALM 23
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