Ah, it’s so brilliant, so simple!
As odd as it sounds, this blog is about a book. An ordinary guy, a fisherman to be exact, wrote a book about his life and how it connects to a deep revelation He got from the Lord. His name is Jack Frost, and he is no longer living on this earth. I am convinced that he just lived his life and didn’t think anything of it, until one day, God dropped a bomb on Him and enlightened him with a deep understanding. Then, maybe he wanted to write about it because it was so powerful and life-changing, and as he was writing the book, he realized that his life and things that he actually experienced, were perfect images and examples that connected to the revelations he received. In my mind, he was sitting on his couch attempting to write it all down, but would mess up because he was trying to use big words or make it sound “Christiany.” He would throw paper after paper into the garbage and eventually, he just gave up. But then, God revealed how simplicity and stories from his life would do the trick, and that intellectual vocab, proper grammar or sentence structure, or beautiful alliterations weren’t necessary. The MEAT was what mattered most, not the dressing that adds spice or something a little extra nice. So, hats off to you Mr. Frost, thank you for just living your life and answering a call when God asked you to write down your thoughts and experiences. Thank you for not dressing it up and for keeping it simple, because the simplicity is what drives the message home. Your book changed my life, and I am only on chapter five! Well done.
I know you are dying to know the name of his book that is in the process of blowing my mind.. ;)So here it is: Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship.
-A little side note: I am a nerd. I am a huge nerd when it comes to reading about the Lord or Christian Living or whatever. Some people, well most girls actually, enjoy Pride and Prejudice, and light and fluffy romance novels, but not me. I read to get closer to God and that’s it. I read to obtain knowledge and learn more about Him. I read to get different perspectives and tools to strengthen my walk. Before the race, I was reading up to four books a month. Soaking up everyone’s stories, adventures, advice, wisdom, and knowledge like a sponge starving for thirst. But ever since I left for the race, I haven’t had the desire to read anything except the Bible. A bunch of people on my squad have read amazing books that I will most likely read when I get back, but I have just felt a strong apathy for reading ever since I have been on the field. I think reading is part of my oxygen. It breathes life into my spirit. But, for some reason I didn’t have the desire to breathe in that way. Why not? Better yet, why wouldn’t God want me to breathe in that way?
Eurkeka, after four months of wonderment and confusion, I think I found the answer finally!!!
For about a year and a half now, ever since I have been brought up out of the “desert” and out of my dry season, I have been seeking “water” and wisdom. Ever since I have chosen to be firmly planted and rooted back in Him, I have been growing rapidly. I have been hungry for His fruit and His nourishment. I have been seeking counsel, cutting off the bad branches, clinging tightly to Him, and bursting up out of the ground.
During college, life got real and it hurt immensely. All the crap that happened around me and to me revealed that I wasn’t deeply rooted in the Lord. SO, a dry season was needed. It was needed for my roots to dive deep and seek out water to nourish them. But not just any water would do. I needed His water that would satisfy and quench my thirst. With everything turning to chaos, I was forced to dig deep, real deep, and fast, in order to survive and not be swept away. Once I did, I got a taste of the goodness and just soaked it in slowly. I began to crave whatever it was that was nourishing me, so I dove into books, prayer, counseling, and the Word in order to find it. I hungered for intimacy with my Savior and for relationship with the One who saved me.
That hunger caused me to grow. But this time around, I began to grow not only in knowledge
and maturity, but also in depth. My roots continued to dig deeper and wrap tighter to the Vine. That was the difference. I grew up, like an oak tree does, but I also grew deeper into Him. Somewhere in this process though, I began to grow more in knowledge than in relationship. I hungered to know more OF Him rather than to KNOW Him intimately. I was seeking intimacy by reading about God and reading about His character and love and amazingness, rather than experiencing it for myself.
Ever since I have been on the field, I have been experiencing it for myself. I have been living my own story rather than reading about other people’s. He has drawn me away from the pages of adventure and exhilaration into a life filled with that and so much more. Instead of reading about His love, grace, peace, understanding, goodness, and all that jazz…I am feeling it and seeing it. I am so grateful that He wouldn’t allow me to settle with just “knowing” about Him, but instead called me to travel the world WITH Him and to walk intimately with Him by my side so He can show me for Himself.
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After not reading for the first four months, I was finally released to pick up a book again…
As I was raised up to squad lead, the alumni squad leaders asked us to read a book as we entered in to this new season. I was STOKED. I thought, “Yes, I can’t wait to be a little nerd and read and journal about my thoughts and take notes that I will have with me forever.” No lie, that’s what went through my head. Naturally, I felt a release from the whole not reading thing. I would have part of my oxygen back! Finally, I could begin to soak in more knowledge in addition to reading the Bible.
When I started reading it though, it rocked my world, not because of the things it says for you to DO or learn, but for the lack of things you need to DO. The whole book is about being a son and daughter of the Most High King. As I read it, the book kind of came alive and God really spoke to me through it. As I dove into the pages, He gently yet powerfully shook my core.
~~~Ironically enough, the ONE book God has called me to read has to do with NOT growing, with NOT doing anything, and with NOT striving for knowledge and wisdom. The message was received loud and clear…but it threw me off guard a little…
“Um…I don’t understand what this book is telling me to do. How do I grow in my faith and get closer to you? What do I need to DO?”
NOTHING. Just allow My love to consume you and receive it.
“….no really, I am here God, all I want to do is grow closer to you and obey your will…”
Yes, I know. That’s great and I love that about you, but that heart posture isn’t necessary for me to LOVE YOU.
“Hmm….I don’t know what to do with that.”
Exactly, don’t do anything.
“I am not comfortable with that. I have to do something for you, you are amazing and I just want to serve you and walk with you.”
Britt, you are my daughter. Your existence alone is enough. I love you for who you are, not for what you do or don’t do. Just rest in that.
“Well that kind of rocks my world…”
Why? Because it’s so simple? Because there’s nothing you can do to earn that position or relationship? Because there is nothing you can do to gain or lose my love?
“Yea! What did I do to deserve that intimacy and relationship with you?! What did I do to deserve that love?”
NOTHING. You don’t deserve it. Welcome to a deeper understanding of my LOVE and GRACE. Just accept it and rest in it. Let it consume you. Let me give you freedom and receive your inheritance that I have been preparing for you.
“……”
So that’s about where I am right now.
BLANK. BLOWN. JAW OPEN. LIGHT BULBS GOING OFF IN MY BRAIN. PEACE. WONDER. AMAZEMENT. HUMILITY. THANKFULNESS.
These words best encompass my insides right now
I have realized that this race is my journey with God. My intimate, personal, and lovely walk with Him that is just for the two of us. He wants me to experience His love. He wants ME to know for myself, and not just read about it. I was/am constantly seeking counsel and wisdom and just want to please the Father. That is all GOOD, but there comes a time when we have to stop and rest in the fact that we are HIS. So, for the first four months, He stripped me of the desire to read about how to grow and live life, and just called me to actually LIVE IT, and to live out my own story rather than reading about everyone else’s. He is allowing me to grow by doing, to learn by making mistakes, to find intimacy with Him by talking to Him and walking with Him, rather than just reading about it. Whoa. What a concept 😉
This book opened my eyes to the beauty and simplicity that lies in our adoption to our Father. The God of the universe, the Creator, the Most High King, has chosen to adopt us into His family and to prepare an inheritance for us. This inheritance provides safety, comfort, confidence, warmth, love, grace, peace, abundant life, and a HOME. A permanent home in His embrace and in the heavens awaits us. All we have to do is receive it. We have the opportunity to live life, here on earth, as if we were in heaven with Him. Our Father is waiting with His arms open. The more that sinks in, the more I find rest and security. The God of all things, who is absolutely perfect and mind blowing, loves me and calls me His own. I am His daughter, His beloved daughter who He desires to bless and spend time with daily. 😀
Is your mind blown now too? Is your jaw open?
Read the book 😉 I’m tellin ya, just read it.
Sending you love from Ukraine…here is my lovely and weird family: D Squad
(photo cred- robin brooks!)
