Relentless

I was reading through the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Exodus the other day. It's a story I've read and hear hundreds of times, yet something new struck me: God's relentless pursuit of Pharaoh.

Eleven times, God instructs Moses and Aaron to go before Pharaoh and ask to let his people go. The question though, is why eleven? God could've easily killed Pharaoh or his son the the second time, even the third.

But why so many chances? So many chances to listen to the voice of God. So many chances to obey the Lord -- He is clearly in charge. So many chances to repent and worship.

And he said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God. (Exodus 8:10 ESV)

This phrase, "that you may know" is repeated so many times throughout the story. God actively reveals Himself to all people. 

Some listen. And others harden their hearts. 

This story is comforting, especially when thinking about people who do not have a relationship with God.

But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. (Exodus 9:16 ESV) 

Because God pursues us. God pursues us relentlessly. He desires that His name be exalted. He gives us second chances. 

It is also comforting because it reminds me that many people who do not know God have actively chosen to resist Him, despite all the signs and the evidence. Like Pharaoh  it is not a matter of knowing God, but a matter of God's Will vs. My Will. A great battle in which you alone can decide who wins. 

Choosing God's Will means infinitely more joy, more peace, and more love than you can even imagine. 

((Exodus 7-9))

Via 

Live. Surrendered

Surrender. It's handing your life to God and saying this is yours.

Its not something you decide once when you become a Christian. It's something you must decide every.single.day.

For people like me, surrendering is not easy. It involves saying scary things like...

I can't do everything on my own, I need your help God 
I'm prideful and want to take glory for myself; yet I choose to glorify You Lord. With my whole life. 
God, I trust You; I sincerely trust You
May I be a living sacrifice to You, O Lord
I'm not perfect
I will follow you Lord, wherever you might take me
Obedience will be my love language to you God

Surrender is your choice. Surrender and let God use you for the work of his kingdom!

Be part of something bigger than yourself, your image, your stuff.

For His Glory

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Alright, I’m going to take on a mini-series that might be a little touchy. Actually, I wouldn’t really consider myself qualified to write about this but I’m going to take a shot at it—body image and eating issues. Maybe I’m crazy but I feel like this issue is not talked about enough; yet, I have yet to meet a girl who hasn’t struggled with this issue at least to some degree. Why I think this is a problem—well the first is obvious and I’m sure we’ve all heard about the impact that media has on girls and their own body image. But another problem in my opinion is that eating issues are historically not addressed as sin problems in the church – whether it be gluttony and overeating or food deprivation or simply making food and health an idol.

I want to look at the Biblical issues that underlie food and body image problems and try to sort out what God has intended for eating and health.

                Today, I want to start with motivation. Why do girls try everything under the sun to try to look a certain way – dieting, extreme exercise, and the list goes on.  I’m convinced that the root of the issue is pride. We want to look a certain way because we want people to look at us—our motivation is glory and that glory is for ourselves.         

                Hm, sounds like a problem to me. Especially if I call myself a Christian whose purpose is to reflect the glory of my Lord.

                Once our motivation is correct there is only one way that we will be truly transformed into reflecting the glory of God. And just a hint – that transformation is not a physical one (at least not at its heart.) We are transformed by gazing upon the face of God himself.

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. — 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Not going to lie – this is definitely one of my favorite verses ever because it can be applied to basically every area of my life. When I look into the face of my savior – when I know him – his attributes, his character – I am automatically transformed. He molds me into his image.

                So when we think about transforming our minds about eating and body image it starts and ends with Christ. With gazing upon his face and letting Him transform us from inside out. Until we look at eating with this perspective, we will never be truly changed. 

Rest

Even when I’m busy, my soul rests in the Lord. Finding those little moments is key. Prayer and meditation when I’m walking to class or driving to work. Worshiping God with my everyday activities --  even washing the dishes and doing homework.  Casting my cares upon Him. Taking every thought captive to His glory. Remembering that just a few words of encouragement to a friend or coworker can make all the difference.

I’m not saying you should be too busy or overcommitted on purpose, but we all have those times. And we can serve Christ through them.

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." ((Romans 8:5-6))

Overwhelmed

I’ll be honest here, I’m overwhelmed. I have to keep reminding myself that God’s grace is sufficient. I don’t do well under pressure. Planning is not my forte. I’d rather just let it happen…apparently that doesn’t work when you’re trying to get married. On one hand, I think it’s wonderful that friends and family are coming to celebrate one of the greatest days and decisions of my life – I want to glorify God by showing family and friends what Jordan and I believe Scripture teaches about marriage. And I really do think it is an incredibly important day and I want to give it the time and care that is due. Yet at the same time, I am disheartened by what “weddings” have become – often selfish and materialistic. I would rather spend hours of time and energy on preparing for marriage than preparing for the 5 or 6 hours of my wedding day. So while I don’t want to downplay the importance of the event, I also don’t want to get caught up in the little things.

The important things are that Jordan and I are getting married,  that we will be able to celebrate with our friends and family, and that we will bring honor to the Lord in not only the celebration of our marriage but in our marriage itself.

I think sometimes I’m too hard on myself. I’m not going to be able to please everybody and I keep reminding myself of that fact.

So my readers, could you please pray for me. Pray that I would be able to enjoy this wonderful season of being engaged and planning a wedding and preparing for marriage. Pray that I would have grace under pressure, a grace that flows from the grace that God has poured out so generously on my life. And pray that I would remember that my priority is to glorify God.