A Higher Calling

"Sometimes I would like to ask God, why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world, when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid He might ask me the same question." -Anonymous

Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act. - Proverbs 24:12

Ok...I'm sick and tired of pretending I'm only one person and can't do "much" for others in this world particularly for the poor and needy. God has opened my eyes this past year, and the poor and needy, the ugly and the last weigh heavy on my heart. Sure, I can ignore it and it will mostly go away as I go about my days seeking what I want and how I can get more... more stuff, more money, more time for myself, more clothes, more organizing, more food, more ideas???! ahhhh!

God, who has blessed me with much, does not want me to keep seeking and seeking for myself (or maybe those few other people in my life who are easy for me to bless)...but isn't that what I do? What we do? Sure, I'll buy this stuff and to curb my guilt I'll give a few bucks to the missions offering at church. Who are we kidding? Is that the kind of sacrifice that God wants from us? That He has called us to? Just a few easy dollars, minutes, prayers here and there for the suffering?

I am reminded of the passage in Mark 12 that describes the widow's offering of a mere two copper coins (equaling one penny). Verse 43 says, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed OUT OF THEIR ABUNDANCE but she OUT OF HER POVERTY has put in EVERYTHING she had to live on."

Are you giving simply out of your abundance just like everyone else, or can you truly say at the end of the day that everything God gave you, you gave away?

Ignorance is bliss at times, and it is easier to live our lives pretending that there are no poor, no needy, no orphans, no widows, no starving, no sick... James 1:27 so beautifully says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

My resolution: to truly give of myself this year, in big ways and small ways, across the globe and across the street, and to actively seek to love like Jesus and be His hands and feet. (wow...that rhymed!)

God, give me grace as I step out in faith trusting You to continually work through me, sanctifying me. You are great Father, and I want to live for You. I now know that I do not need to do anything to gain your love, acceptance or blessing; all has been finished on the cross, and You are my heavenly Father who loves to pour our Your love and grace on me no matter what I do. I pray that I would never cease to cling to the cross savoring all that You have done for me. Thank you for choosing me and laying down Your life for mine. How wondrous You are. You amaze me. This year, Lord, help me to remember Your promises, Your truths. Help me to live simply, and to continually meditate on things above, things of You. No matter how I feel, what my circumstances are, or where I am, I pray that I would always give thanks and rest in Your glorious grace. Thank You Father. I love you.

JOY: Fleeting Feeling or Humble Choosing?

“Fullness of joy is discovered only in the emptying of will.” 

                                     –Ann Voskamp One Thousand Gifts

All this time I thought I had to protect my joy by controlling the things of this life- what happens and what doesn’t happen. I kept my hand tightly closed trying to shield my joy from all that is bad in this sin-cursed world. I plan my day and manipulate people and things so that I can experience some joy in this day. I don’t simply take what the Lord gives and turn upward in a whisper of thanks. That’s too simple minded, too freeing, too… joyful. I opt to respond with complaining, self-pity, and misery. Yet, by doing that, aren’t I killing the one thing I was seeking? Joy?  Ann Voskamp  writes, “Only self can kill joy… the demanding of my own will is the singular force that smothers out joy- nothing else.”

It is my pride that shatters my joy and closes my hand in attempt to control what in this life is good enough or orchestrated well enough to give me joy…as if the world is here for me. I offer God a closed fist in reply to His gifts as if they are not good enough attempting to shield my heart and protect my joy. It is as if my prideful self is saying, “No Lord, this is not good enough for me. I know what I need, and this is not it.” It is a resounding “No” to His doings, His plans.

But is there light, joy, in a closed fist? Doesn’t it make more sense that, when fists are laid open, receiving all God gives in this life with thanksgiving, that joy, light is found? It is in surrender, in dying to self (Luke 9:23), in humbly receiving all that God gives, good or bad with a resounding “Yes”. It is found when the heart speaks 'Thy will be done.' After all, who am I to label what is good and what is bad? Does not the Lord give me what I need to make me more like Him and I then give Him the glory He so deserves? 

Romans 8:28-29 so clearly says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” 

All that the Lord gives in this life is with a purpose and is always and forever making me more like Jesus Christ. Isn’t that good news? What more could I ask for? That is why, whatever I face in life it should be with joy and thanksgiving because I know that the Lord has purposefully brought it into my life for good and to make me more like Him. Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Only true joy is found in Jesus. Joy is not a feeling that comes when life goes well. Joy is a choice. Paul commands: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4)

What are you choosing? I challenge you to live life with joy by opening your hand, your heart in humble surrender to everything the Lord gives and thanking Him for the opportunity to become more like Him.

The Journey Begins!

Well, I officially created my first blog, and this is my first post! I hope to use this blog to archive some exciting happenings in our family over the next couple of years, Lord willing. I want this to be a place where I share my thoughts, family events, pictures, and new things I've been learning and trying. I was going to use a journal to do this, but I thought that I'd give this a try! Hopefully I will be able to keep you posted on a weekly basis without it consuming large amounts of time out of my day.


Thank you for coming along on this journey with me and God bless!