Sounds kinda silly, doesn't it?
I had the pleasure of spending the day at Valleyfair with some wonderful students from youth group and spent a large portion of the day with three girls in particular. While on one of the rides, Extreme Swings, as we are waiting for the staff to complete all their checks, I had a conversation that was something along these lines:
Rachel: Funny how much trust we put in these rides...
Me: I know, right?! We get on these rides without even thinking about it or questioning whether they'll break down or malfunction, but yet sometimes, I hesitate and struggle with trusting God (you know-creator of the universe, King of Kings, Lords of Lords....yeah him) with stuff going on.
Rachel: Well, at least if something does happen, we know where we're going! (Way to look on the brightside!)
The ride continued and was amazing.
Later on that day, I was waiting to go on the Rip Cord with two other students. While we are in our harnesses, waiting for our turn and watching this guy drop from the tower and free fall, we had a conversation that was something along these lines:
Wyatt: Times like these are when you ask yourself-what am I doing?! This is a stupid idea!!!
Me: Times like these are when you say to yourself-You only live once!!!
Both of these thoughts really stuck with me through the day. (Who knew Valleyfair was so spiritual and thought provoking!?) :)
I was convicted that I easily place my trust in other things (often myself) and question whether God really has my interest in mind. I know in my head that He does, but my trust level and desire to control does not always reflect that.
I also go a little overboard of people pleasing and caring what other people think, but I'm right...I only live once! So who cares?! As long as I'm pleasing God, what else matters!?!?!
"Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" Well said, Dr. Seuss, well said.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
"Calm My Anxious Heart"
I've been reading this book as of late, by Linda Dillow, which I highly recommend. Especially if you tend to be a control freak who tries to figure out how everything is going to work out or happen. Or if you worry about the silly things in life, or really if you worry at all. Not that I would ever do any of those things...;)
This book couldn't have come at a better time really. If any of you have talked with me in the last few weeks, you know that I recently started a new job and it has been a bit of a struggle. I often struggle with wondering and knowing if I'm where God wants me to be. I've been known to justify what I want into saying, "Yep, this happened, it must be God's plan." ie: I was offered this new job, so clearly, it's what God wants. Then, I start and feel overwhelmed and have new-job-stupidness feeling and say, "God, is this really where you want me?" Sometimes, I analyze everything too much and suck at being content with where I'm at for that given moment in time. Hence, reading this book at such a perfect time.
So today, Linda asked the question: Are you going to judge God by the circumstances you don't understand or judge the circumstances in the light of the character of God?
Really Linda!? Thinking about that makes me even more frustrated with myself...I know God well enough to know that His plan is good (see Jeremiah 29:11), not to mention perfect (see Romans 12:2), and someday, I will look back and laugh that I'm having this struggle. It's foolish really when I think about it. She also talks about how we "play catch with God." We throw Him the ball and trust Him initially with (insert worry/problem here), but then we take it back and think we have to "help" God (because that makes sense, right!?), when we have to give Him the ball and LEAVE IT THERE.
So often I focus on my circumstances rather than the character of God.
"Contentment comes from a proper relationship to God, not from a response to the circumstances." (Thanks for the reminder, Linda!)
In Isaiah 41:10, God says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
So what am I worrying about?! Goal for the week: focus on God, not my circumstances. And stop playing catch with God.
Simple, right? :)
This book couldn't have come at a better time really. If any of you have talked with me in the last few weeks, you know that I recently started a new job and it has been a bit of a struggle. I often struggle with wondering and knowing if I'm where God wants me to be. I've been known to justify what I want into saying, "Yep, this happened, it must be God's plan." ie: I was offered this new job, so clearly, it's what God wants. Then, I start and feel overwhelmed and have new-job-stupidness feeling and say, "God, is this really where you want me?" Sometimes, I analyze everything too much and suck at being content with where I'm at for that given moment in time. Hence, reading this book at such a perfect time.
So today, Linda asked the question: Are you going to judge God by the circumstances you don't understand or judge the circumstances in the light of the character of God?
Really Linda!? Thinking about that makes me even more frustrated with myself...I know God well enough to know that His plan is good (see Jeremiah 29:11), not to mention perfect (see Romans 12:2), and someday, I will look back and laugh that I'm having this struggle. It's foolish really when I think about it. She also talks about how we "play catch with God." We throw Him the ball and trust Him initially with (insert worry/problem here), but then we take it back and think we have to "help" God (because that makes sense, right!?), when we have to give Him the ball and LEAVE IT THERE.
So often I focus on my circumstances rather than the character of God.
"Contentment comes from a proper relationship to God, not from a response to the circumstances." (Thanks for the reminder, Linda!)
In Isaiah 41:10, God says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
So what am I worrying about?! Goal for the week: focus on God, not my circumstances. And stop playing catch with God.
Simple, right? :)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
T minus three months, three weeks and one day
What is going to happen you may be asking?! Well, let me tell you!!! I will be boarding a plane to Gabon, Africa to go on a little adventure! :)
I've had this blog for awhile and as you can see, I'm not a very consistent blogger and tend to just ramble sometimes... anyhow.... my intentions are that I will post sporadically to update those who are interested on how things are going in the next few months as I prepare for my trip. I also figured I could use this for those who are wondering specifically how they can be praying and then if I have internet access while I'm there, I can just update, rather than trying to make sure I get everyone's email address.
For those of you who are wondering why/when/where/how/etc I'm going, let me fill you in... Last fall, I decided I wanted to do some sort of short-term missions trip (see previous post) and have always wanted to go to Africa (It's on my bucket list in fact...). So my associate pastor suggested I look into missions opportunities through my church (The Christian and Missionary Alliance). It just so happens that the Alliance has two sites in Africa and they needed help! I fly out October 1st and return October 18th and will jump back into work the next day-can't wait! I'm hoping to do/see some medical missions stuff, but am willing to do whatever I can to help, serve and love. As I prepare and think about what will happen, I often question why I'm going...I find myself asking God, "Do you realize who I am??? There are other people who are much more capable for this kind of thing!!!" (You know, because God needs my input...) Two quotes that are great encouragement as I prepare are the following:
1. God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. AND
2. God's work, done is God's way and God's timing, will never lack God's resources.
I love that I don't have to know everything, be perfect or know the answer to every question. God can use a sinful, foolish human like myself to bring Him glory and honor. And it's not what I'm doing, but what He's doing through me. God will give me exactly what I need and at the exact time that I need it.
I've had this blog for awhile and as you can see, I'm not a very consistent blogger and tend to just ramble sometimes... anyhow.... my intentions are that I will post sporadically to update those who are interested on how things are going in the next few months as I prepare for my trip. I also figured I could use this for those who are wondering specifically how they can be praying and then if I have internet access while I'm there, I can just update, rather than trying to make sure I get everyone's email address.
For those of you who are wondering why/when/where/how/etc I'm going, let me fill you in... Last fall, I decided I wanted to do some sort of short-term missions trip (see previous post) and have always wanted to go to Africa (It's on my bucket list in fact...). So my associate pastor suggested I look into missions opportunities through my church (The Christian and Missionary Alliance). It just so happens that the Alliance has two sites in Africa and they needed help! I fly out October 1st and return October 18th and will jump back into work the next day-can't wait! I'm hoping to do/see some medical missions stuff, but am willing to do whatever I can to help, serve and love. As I prepare and think about what will happen, I often question why I'm going...I find myself asking God, "Do you realize who I am??? There are other people who are much more capable for this kind of thing!!!" (You know, because God needs my input...) Two quotes that are great encouragement as I prepare are the following:
1. God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. AND
2. God's work, done is God's way and God's timing, will never lack God's resources.
I love that I don't have to know everything, be perfect or know the answer to every question. God can use a sinful, foolish human like myself to bring Him glory and honor. And it's not what I'm doing, but what He's doing through me. God will give me exactly what I need and at the exact time that I need it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)