...the tough get going. This is phrase that I'm sure most people have heard, and almost as many have said at one point or another. But where do the "tough" go?
Is it possible that maybe we have the quote all wrong? Maybe it should be said, "when the going gets tough, the tough tough it out." Because really, does it not take more strength to stay and press through whatever situation you're faced with, rather then to turn and walk (or in some cases run) away?
So, the challenge comes, will I be part of a complacent generation & society, who rather then facing trails & tribulations in the face decide to leave? Or, will I take a stand, stay where I am and do something to bring about change?
Maybe it's time to redefine "tough"
11.1.11
NEW
It's amazing how at the end of the past few years I seem to have an anticipation for the upcoming year, believing that it will be better then the past year. This attitude seems to be common as I face new challenges, struggles, situations and circumstances, hoping that maybe next year will be easier.
Recently I came across the following:
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
And so, as I face a yet another year, I have great faith in His faithfulness. I know without a doubt that this year will be full of new challenges and struggles, but I also know that it will be full of new blessings, grace, strength, peace & love.
Recently I came across the following:
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
And so, as I face a yet another year, I have great faith in His faithfulness. I know without a doubt that this year will be full of new challenges and struggles, but I also know that it will be full of new blessings, grace, strength, peace & love.
3.1.11
commandments
Recently my thoughts have been on the commandments, both the 10 Commandments & what Jesus says are the two most important Commandments.
About a month ago I was part of a conversation with a woman who commented on how her "children know the 10 Commandments; they know what's right and wrong." Although, at the time I was quite impressed (I know the 10 Commandments, I'm not sure I could quote them verbatim and, I'm also 24, not 8!), I can't help but think perhaps something is missing.
While it's good for us to be aware of what is right and wrong, there must be a reason as to why Jesus seems to care about loving God & loving others more then we care about rules & laws.
The problem I think is that really loving people can get messy. At times its as though you're put in positions of having to choose sides. Or, perhaps when you choose "loving" over "judging" you become the one being judged for "condoning" or "enabling".
The truth is, it's much easier to stick to the 10 Commandments. They're straight forward. The law is black & white, as opposed to unconditional love, which I believe is gray, as it cares not about whether what you're doing is classified as "black" or "white".
If Jesus could love in spite of the rules being broken, somehow I must be able to as well. Unfortunately, more value is often placed on the rules then on people, which is where Jesus shows us an opposite way of doing life. People are important, and who they are is not tied up in what they do.
Although I believe living right is important, I'm fairly confident that loving God & loving people has even greater importance. As a result 2 greatest commandments that have been written in red, will be the 2 commandments that I focus on keeping.
About a month ago I was part of a conversation with a woman who commented on how her "children know the 10 Commandments; they know what's right and wrong." Although, at the time I was quite impressed (I know the 10 Commandments, I'm not sure I could quote them verbatim and, I'm also 24, not 8!), I can't help but think perhaps something is missing.
While it's good for us to be aware of what is right and wrong, there must be a reason as to why Jesus seems to care about loving God & loving others more then we care about rules & laws.
The problem I think is that really loving people can get messy. At times its as though you're put in positions of having to choose sides. Or, perhaps when you choose "loving" over "judging" you become the one being judged for "condoning" or "enabling".
The truth is, it's much easier to stick to the 10 Commandments. They're straight forward. The law is black & white, as opposed to unconditional love, which I believe is gray, as it cares not about whether what you're doing is classified as "black" or "white".
If Jesus could love in spite of the rules being broken, somehow I must be able to as well. Unfortunately, more value is often placed on the rules then on people, which is where Jesus shows us an opposite way of doing life. People are important, and who they are is not tied up in what they do.
Although I believe living right is important, I'm fairly confident that loving God & loving people has even greater importance. As a result 2 greatest commandments that have been written in red, will be the 2 commandments that I focus on keeping.
14.12.10
servanthood
servant
-noun
1. a person employed by another, especially to perform domestic duties.
2. a person in the service of another.
Without a doubt I'd say the best leaders are the best servants. There's really nothing that compares to servant leadership. It seems as though nothing speaks louder to followers, then seeing a leader place value on the simplest and smallest of jobs by being willing to do it themselves. That doesn't mean that a leader necessarily DOES those jobs, but you can tell when there's a willingness of heart to do whatever it takes - even if it's emptying garbage's, cleaning toilets, or sharpening pencils.
I think it's easy to look at leadership positions and see them as glamorous. Often times there comes fame with being a leader (maybe not always fame for doing good mind you!), and in some cases fortune as well...who doesn't want that? However, we often overlook the attitude behind it all, as well as journey that it took to get there.
As I think about leading/following, I can't help but compare it to employer/employee's as well. How many of us are currently employee's but really can't think about anything but the day when we will be employer's? We think if we were to be in the corner office that suddenly things would be SO different, however if we're REALLY honest, could we even handle the corner office? We sit back waiting to catch a big break, thinking that someday someone higher up the ladder will take notice of us...what are they supposed to notice? For the most part we are being extremely lazy, WAITING, rather then DOING the work required of us.
Christmas is coming, & as the birth of Christ is celebrated I can't help but remember, "He came to serve, not to be served..." (Mark 10:45)
And so, yet again, my attitude needs to be checked. If Jesus, the Savior of the world, the King of Kings, Mighty God, could serve, then certainly I can...and I'm pretty sure a smile wouldn't hurt either.
-noun
1. a person employed by another, especially to perform domestic duties.
2. a person in the service of another.
Without a doubt I'd say the best leaders are the best servants. There's really nothing that compares to servant leadership. It seems as though nothing speaks louder to followers, then seeing a leader place value on the simplest and smallest of jobs by being willing to do it themselves. That doesn't mean that a leader necessarily DOES those jobs, but you can tell when there's a willingness of heart to do whatever it takes - even if it's emptying garbage's, cleaning toilets, or sharpening pencils.
I think it's easy to look at leadership positions and see them as glamorous. Often times there comes fame with being a leader (maybe not always fame for doing good mind you!), and in some cases fortune as well...who doesn't want that? However, we often overlook the attitude behind it all, as well as journey that it took to get there.
As I think about leading/following, I can't help but compare it to employer/employee's as well. How many of us are currently employee's but really can't think about anything but the day when we will be employer's? We think if we were to be in the corner office that suddenly things would be SO different, however if we're REALLY honest, could we even handle the corner office? We sit back waiting to catch a big break, thinking that someday someone higher up the ladder will take notice of us...what are they supposed to notice? For the most part we are being extremely lazy, WAITING, rather then DOING the work required of us.
Christmas is coming, & as the birth of Christ is celebrated I can't help but remember, "He came to serve, not to be served..." (Mark 10:45)
And so, yet again, my attitude needs to be checked. If Jesus, the Savior of the world, the King of Kings, Mighty God, could serve, then certainly I can...and I'm pretty sure a smile wouldn't hurt either.
22.11.10
Learning to Trust
Recently I've been in a place where I've had to just trust God. As I've been struggling to give up control and allow God to be in charge, I've been thinking about this whole thing of trusting.
In my case, trusting God means trusting that He is in control, and that whatever happens is ultimately best for my life (even if things turn out differently then I'd like).
The craziest thing about trusting God right now, is that ultimately I have no other choice. I'm essentially stuck in a waiting game, I've done all that I can do. There is no other option, & yet for some reason it's still so hard to trust that God is in control.
Perhaps our Western culture has ruined us from a life of allowing God to have total control. We've been taught and trained to look out for ourselves. We all work to be self-sufficient, needing no help or hand outs. The problem I find is that no matter how hard I try to control everything all by myself, ultimately I'm not capable.
And so, here I am, once again quoting Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG), because I know that my being anxious and worrying does nothing at this point, I just need to trust.
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
In my case, trusting God means trusting that He is in control, and that whatever happens is ultimately best for my life (even if things turn out differently then I'd like).
The craziest thing about trusting God right now, is that ultimately I have no other choice. I'm essentially stuck in a waiting game, I've done all that I can do. There is no other option, & yet for some reason it's still so hard to trust that God is in control.
Perhaps our Western culture has ruined us from a life of allowing God to have total control. We've been taught and trained to look out for ourselves. We all work to be self-sufficient, needing no help or hand outs. The problem I find is that no matter how hard I try to control everything all by myself, ultimately I'm not capable.
And so, here I am, once again quoting Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG), because I know that my being anxious and worrying does nothing at this point, I just need to trust.
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
3.11.10
Redemption
It seems over the past few weeks (possibly even months) that "redemption" has been a common theme. Whether it's in conversations, e-mails, DVD's, sermons, or children's ministry curriculum, this topic keeps coming up.
I can't help but think that perhaps it's because God's heart is for redemption, and He really just wants us (or at least me!) to "get it."
If you look throughout the Bible, it's plain to see how God's heart is to redeem His people back to Him. Ever since sin entered the world, a plan has been set in motion for redemption to take place. In fact, the whole gospel message is redemptive.
The question then comes, why this recurring theme?
Perhaps because I sometimes lose sight of the big picture, and what the Big God Story that I'm apart of is all about. Perhaps it's because this plan isn't only played out in my life, but in the lives of those I encounter. Perhaps because redemption is much bigger then praying & believing in Christ.
God's heart is for redemption. Between people & Himself. Between people & people.
I can't help but think that perhaps it's because God's heart is for redemption, and He really just wants us (or at least me!) to "get it."
If you look throughout the Bible, it's plain to see how God's heart is to redeem His people back to Him. Ever since sin entered the world, a plan has been set in motion for redemption to take place. In fact, the whole gospel message is redemptive.
The question then comes, why this recurring theme?
Perhaps because I sometimes lose sight of the big picture, and what the Big God Story that I'm apart of is all about. Perhaps it's because this plan isn't only played out in my life, but in the lives of those I encounter. Perhaps because redemption is much bigger then praying & believing in Christ.
God's heart is for redemption. Between people & Himself. Between people & people.
21.9.10
be good.
Being a twenty-something, I realize there are still many things for me to learn. However, in these twenty-something years, I think that I've gained quite a bit of knowledge and experience from several situations and seasons I've found myself in. I'm more then willing to admit that I'm not an expert in many areas, and yet there are a few things that I'm fairly convinced I have a pretty good grasp on...
Being someone who works with people on a daily basis, and in particular with children one thing that I'm quite certain of is that people will be as good as you expect them to be, or as bad as you allow them to be.
This isn't an earth shattering realization, and probably the best example of this can be seen in my own life. When expectations are placed on me to do/act/be/create/achieve etc. I more often than not will come to the party. However, when there are no expectations I will be exactly what I'm allowed to be.
In the end there should be absolutely not surprises. When clear expectations are in place, they will be respected and met...it may take a couple of tries, but ultimately that's what we as humans do.
And so being the twenty-something that I am, I know that I need to expect something of myself. I need to expect that I will be kind, loving, gracious, forgiving, generous, welcoming, faithful, patient...my list can go on and on and on. Ultimately my expectations of myself are to be good and to do good.
What about you? What guidelines (or lack thereof) are in your life?
Being someone who works with people on a daily basis, and in particular with children one thing that I'm quite certain of is that people will be as good as you expect them to be, or as bad as you allow them to be.
This isn't an earth shattering realization, and probably the best example of this can be seen in my own life. When expectations are placed on me to do/act/be/create/achieve etc. I more often than not will come to the party. However, when there are no expectations I will be exactly what I'm allowed to be.
In the end there should be absolutely not surprises. When clear expectations are in place, they will be respected and met...it may take a couple of tries, but ultimately that's what we as humans do.
And so being the twenty-something that I am, I know that I need to expect something of myself. I need to expect that I will be kind, loving, gracious, forgiving, generous, welcoming, faithful, patient...my list can go on and on and on. Ultimately my expectations of myself are to be good and to do good.
What about you? What guidelines (or lack thereof) are in your life?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)