precious pages :)

Nothing I love more than living under your consistency.

Your consistency is so beautiful.

When I don’t..

When I don’t want to dress up When I don’t want to be artsy When I don’t feel beautiful When I don’t want to go outside When I don’t feel positive When I don’t want to talk about it When I don’t want to go with your plans When I don’t fulfill my words When I don’t reply to your messages When I don’t answer your calls When I don’t move in quiet and gentle spirit When I don’t want to go out of my comfort zone When I don’t accomplish anything right

When I don’t trust your promises When I don’t have faith in your plans When I don’t want to love

I heard you said firmly, “Beloved, I’ll still stay with you.”

How did you manage to stay when it was so easy for you to escape? With that, no one expressed commitment better than you did.

Your consistency is beautiful. It is so manly.

When I’m..

When I’m being truly madly unreasonable When I’m being more than what you can handle When I’m being the annoying kid who sends nonsense endless emojis When I’m being demanding as ever When I take too many photos When I’m being the crybaby at coffee shops When I buy too many books that I don’t even have time to read When I say yes to almost everyone at everything When I have to admit that I’m wrong When I’m being the endless chatter that I am

I heard you said lovingly, “Beloved, go ahead. I’m all ears.”

I know that you are serious in knowing me when you choose to shut up and listen. You understand what I want, but more than anyone, you exactly know what I need.

You make me forget of my craving to “get there” and make me love the moment of “being here.” You satisfy me.

Your consistency satisfies me.

When..

When the world is too cruel.

When a prayer is unanswered for years. When waiting becomes colorless.

When words become too familiar and it can’t heal anymore.

When people choose schedules over relationships.

When small talks become more valuable than deep ones.

When serving becomes a routine instead of a pleasant offering.

When going to church becomes a show and relationship becomes an act.

When everybody screams I’m an accident.

When fear shouts louder than faith.

When I lost track and can’t find my way back.

You whispered with that still small voice, “Beloved, tomorrow’s another day.”

Indeed, I will find you when I seek you wholeheartedly.

And if breaking my heart means experiencing the consistency of your love, then let it be shattered a thousand times over.

How can I not trust to the one who is true with his words?

Your consistency builds trust.

Your consistency makes me quit thinking that you will love me more if I faked it.

Suddenly, I don’t need to overthink. You saw me. You held my hands. You stayed. You loved me.

You are the kind who doesn’t know how to walk away.

I regularly jump at opportunities to share my faith, whether it’s in the line at the supermarket, with the next door neighbor or an encounter with a complete stranger on the street. As I share stories I often have people saying things like; “Wow! That’s brave of you, I’m not sure I could go up to a complete stranger like you do”. Chances are, you possibly already have and it’s not as scary as it may seem.

Have you ever posted to social media, or made a comment on someone’s feed? Silly question really, if you’re reading this it’s a high probability you have. Social media is the new (or not so new) public square, where you’re speaking to every friend or follower, and their friends, followers and beyond.

Over the past months I’ve been scrolling through my Facebook feed and reading countless articles with loads of comments. Most of the time, rather than getting involved I’ve been a bystander.

A huge majority of the posts I’ve seen have been from professing Christians, and to be honest, I have felt so sad to see the types of responses that are written.

I’ve been trying to view the posts and comments from the perspective of someone on the outside of Christianity. Don’t get me wrong here, I am a fully committed follower of Jesus who is passionate about seeing people saved, but it’s good to take a step back sometimes and try to imagine what things look like from the “outside”. What I’ve seen is a barrage of opinionated comments, quotes of scriptures, statements, bickering, shooting others down, slandering people and ministries… and yes there’s been truth, but the truth has been lost because the posts are rarely spoken in love.

Do you stop to ponder your motives before you engage online? Do you ask yourself questions before engaging? Questions like:

Is my response loving and kind?

Is my response drawing people to Christ or away from Christ?

Am I building a bridge or a barrier?

Am I spreading slander or being an encourager

Like our daily actions with our colleagues, acquaintances and friends, our words are also being watched. Not just by our Christian brothers and sisters but by people that don’t yet know the loving embrace of the Father.

Have we given thought to the possible multitude of people who could be reading our posts or comments? Each one of us is a disciple maker and every day people are being disciple by our actions and words. The question is how are we doing this? Are we drawing people to the Father or pushing them further away?

Have you posted, commented, and given your opinion online? Were your posts, comments or opinions carefully thought through?

So are you ready for “The Love Test”?

Start with reading the verses below and then answer, for yourself, the questions in The Love Test below…

1 Peter 3:15 -16 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Proverbs 12:18 “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”

THE LOVE TEST

Do your posts or comments line up with the above scriptures?

Are you helping to bring down the walls or barriers, to lead people to Jesus?

Are you speaking in love, gentleness and respect?

Do you respond to negativity with love?

Do you leave opportunity for people to ask questions?

If you answered “no” to one or more of the above questions, can I urge you to take some time to step back, reflect and pray. Our Father God is the best communicator and He guides us into all truth — John 16:13. We all need to take time to consider, what God is saying, and out of that, then determine how we should respond.