Good Sunday Afternoon Everyone!
I hope everyone is doing well. I wanted to give an update on what the Lord is doing in my life day in and day out but especially how He spoke to me this morning at church. I am going to be all over the place but I promise it will all come together by the end (ok, maybe I hope rather than promise).
Before I dive further into that, I did want to say my t-shirt sales were a flop! I did not sell enough for them to be printed BUT I did want to give those who tried to make it a success a HUGE thank you! Your support has not gone unnoticed and I appreciate your attempts to make it a success (you should not be charged). I still truly believe that the Lord called me to go on this trip and He will provide one way or another.
News flash: I started my first bible study a few weeks ago with a group from our church. Definitely didn’t ever think that would be a reality. The series is called “Transformed” and the key verse throughout the study has been Romans 12:2 (ESV), “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (emphasis by me). Please just sit and marinate on that simple truth for a little bit. Really, stop and think about it. Write it down.
I don’t want to get into a rant about this world and society (not just politics) but I would be lying if I stated that turning on the news was not absolutely frightening and discouraging. This world is conforming into a nightmare. This world has veered so far from the truth. This world is running on ego, selfishness and greed. We are lost. The big question is, can we be found?
Quick side note: For those of you, who have not kept up with my story, let me remind you that I am still very new to Christianity. I don’t claim to know much but I do have child-like faith that comes from experiencing unfathomable grace and I latch on to the simple truths that are easy to understand.
I just started another study, “Seamless” with a wonderful friend of mine, to teach me the story of the bible. I have only just started this study but something powerful struck me. In, Genesis 3:9, God was walking in the garden, after Adam and Eve had sinned. This was the sin, which ultimately separated humanity from God, and God asked Adam, “Where are you?” Remember God is all knowing. He knew exactly where Adam and Eve were. He knew they were now lost because they had sinned. And even though they had sinned, he cared enough to ask, “Where are you?” See where I am going with this? See what I am alluding to? If not, hold on we will come back to it.
I have been honest throughout this whole process and I will continue to be. Don’t let me fool you by making you think I read about the beginning of the bible and did not think in my head, this is absolutely ludicrous. My old thought of there is no way this crap is true came back with a vengeance. A talking snake, seriously? People living for 900+ years, really? Insert simple truth: God can do the immeasurable, the unfathomable and the incomprehensible. I sat and prayed for the Lord to help me see the truths and understand what in the world this is all about.
Back to church this morning. I told you everything would come full circle at some point. The sermon was on our vocational health, yes that would be work. Exciting, huh? Now, we did talk about work, being a good employee, etc but I latched onto the part about the purpose for our life. Probably because I ask that question about 50+ times a day. What is my purpose? Why am I here? What do You want me to do? Guess what? I never get a direct answer.
I do know a couple things though, that I DO NOT want to conform to the pattern of this broken world and that I HAVE been transformed by my relationship with the Lord. And through my transformation, I hope and pray that I can help you come to know the Lord and that transformation happens in your life as well.
God has a plan for each and every one of us. Listen and live out his intended purpose, whatever that may be. No one person’s plan is going to look the same as the other. This doesn’t mean that it is going to be easy. You may (probably) will be met with discouragement, disapproval and doubt from friends and family. But do not hold back because of other people’s thoughts…Proverbs 29:25 (ESV) “The fear of man lays a snare (trap), but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” But also remember, Colossians 3:23 (ESV) “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
I love what I do professionally as a physical therapist and I would like to think I work heartily at it. However, I also know that God has more in store for me. I don’t know what it looks like. But for now, I do know that we have a relationship and He has opened my heart. I know He has not done that for me to stay quite. Yes, all of this is somewhat “taboo” in our society to talk about these days. Yes, it makes me feel vulnerable and uncomfortable to think I may be looked down upon or even befriended by those who do not agree with me. But the relationship I have with Lord is and will be far better than any relationship I will ever have in the flesh. He has transformed my mind and soul and I refuse to conform to this society by not sharing the good news.
Going back to our society and the message I heard this morning at church….We are broken. We are lost. Back in the beginning, the Lord loved us and cared about us enough to not only ask, “Where are you?” after humanity sinned, but to also send His one and only son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, to provide us with undeserving mercy and grace. I believe He is still asking, “Where are you?”
I wish for just a second our society would stop all of this crap and forget about whose side everyone is on. Stop pointing fingers at everyone and take responsibility for yourself. We are ALL people, human beings, which were created equally and beautifully in the eyes of God. WE, humans, are the ones who mess things up. The only way to try and fix it is to turn back to the truth of God and take responsibility for ourselves. Here are two really simple but important truths that most people have heard but obviously don’t live by: Matthew 33-37-40 (NIV) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That is what God asked of us. What if everyone wholeheartedly believed these simple truths and walked them out on a daily basis?
Main point of this all: The only “REAL CHANGE (transformation) happens with a CHANGE (transformation) OF THE HEART.” Our hearts are in the wrong place right now and I pray for every individual’s heart to be transformed. I pray for everyone to come to know the loving relationship that can be established with our Lord and Savior. I pray for peace, love and understanding amongst our nation and all nations.
I am still hoping and praying that I will be going on the World Race to share the good news in October. I still have a daunting amount of fundraising that needs to be done; so I ask if you feel inclined to donate please do so! My first goal is $5,000 to go to training camp in August. Every little bit counts. I love you all and thank you to all have supported me through this transformation so far. Thanks for stopping by.
