Love GOD, Love People

Your kindness draws us to your throne of grace...

I’m realizing more and more how much power people’s words have over me.

I long for that affirmation, “Oh, you’re good at this!”, “Oh, you’re so this!”, “Oh you’re so that!”. But when people do affirm me in Christ’s love, I find myself not being able to receive it with an open heart. I start to cringe and feel so uncomfortable...

But when I hear words of mockery, criticism, gossip. I drink it in...I let them define who I am. It’s so easy to say with my mouth, “Lord Jesus, you are the only one that can define who I am. I am secure in my identity in you.” But in reality, I am swayed by these simple words.

Lord, please help me to look to you always. Help me to listen for your voice. Help me to find confidence in the ways that you see me. And I thank you for knowing all of me and yet loving me to the fullest.

My heart is the wick

Your love is the flame

I want to burn for your name

These past months, I feel like the enemy has cast such a darkness over our lives--whether it's our personal struggles or all of the tragedy and injustice that has been happening in our school, in our nation, in our world...Just so much darkness. Even today, I got a message from my mom that a dear family friend had lost his battle to cancer and went to be with the Lord. Even though I didn't know him well, there was a grief that weighed down my spirit. As I was crying out to God, all I could really say to Him was "WHY?" Why, God, is there so much suffering? Why, God, is there so much darkness and pain? Why, God, why?

But that's when an overwhelming peace just flowed over me. In His gentle grace, He reminded me of the hope that we have in Him--the hope that burns like a flame in our hearts. We have this hope because He has already won the battle on the cross. He is victorious over all things--even when these issues seem to loom over us like mountains. God is bigger. He is greater.

Today was a reminder to continue to let the flame burn within our hearts. No matter what the enemy does, to let the fire burn brighter and brighter--for this flame is the hope we have in the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings.

Jesus tells us to love our enemies; my flesh says to hate them.

Jesus tells us to encourage others; my flesh says to gossip.

Jesus tells us not to judge others; my flesh says to point fingers.

Jesus tells us to forgive; my flesh says to stay bitter.

Jesus tells us to give selflessly; my flesh says to be selfish.

Jesus tell us to be pure and holy; my flesh says to lust.

Jesus tells us to GO; my flesh says to stay in my comfort zone.

Lord, I constantly find myself at war with you. I know that you call us for greater and better things, but I seem to settle for the junk food that is laying on the ground. Lord, would you give me the strength to fight this good fight--not fight to live, but fight to die.