Rejuvenation

You know those days, when everything turns out the way it was supposed to turn out? Every song that is randomly played on shuffle speaks straight to the core of you. You smile at every face that you pass on the sidewalk for no apparent reason. Even the shoes on your feet provide the right amount of support and cushion, making every forward-moving step feel like you're walking on air. Yes, I have had one of those glorious days.
Last night at Axcess, Shea spoke on holiness. Holiness is usually not a term that I would use to describe myself. If I were to stand in front of my class and declare that I was a believer and that I was also holy, they would probably look at me like I was some crazy, Christian lunatic who needs to sit down and stop making a fool of herself. The first picture that pops in my mind of someone who declares them self holy, would be of a pompous individual who think of himself as "holier than thou". That should not be the case for those who are called to be fishers of men. We are holy because He is holy, for we are a reflection of our God (Leviticus). So, the question is, how do we go about becoming holy in the sight of God without becoming legalistic?

All of my life, I have been raised that I must not cheat, steal, lie, drink, cuss, etc. But the true question is, why? Why not go cheat and steal? Heck, I would love to make an A over a B- any day, or be able to download free music off the internet. That's not so bad, is it? According to the scriptures, we (the body of Christ) are to be blameless in the sight of ALL men, for it is not proper among saints (Eph. 5:3). Shea said the coolest quote last night. He said, "Our lives are meant to give the telling of the gospel". How are we supposed to do this without becoming self-centered and losing sight of the true reason that we live this way?

In Ephesians 5:10, Paul says "and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord". Ahhhh, sigh of relief. Even Paul knows that becoming holy is a process, a slow process. We cannot expect ourselves to wake up one day and sin no more, struggle no more, be tempted no more. It isn't possible because of our sinful nature, passed down from Adam. We must make the most of our days, and learn what pleases the Lord. How do we do this? The simple, but obvious way, reading His will, the holy scriptures. Once we read the word, obedience must follow. It's one thing to recognize our sin and to know that we must fix bad habits, but it's another to succumb to His will and obey fully. This part isn't the easiest part for me. I know that there are habits that I need to break, but I also know that these habits give me shallow satisfaction that I don't want to live without right now. Lord, have mercy on me, for I am a sinner.

All in all, hearing this message last night was just what my soul needed to hear. I left church feeling rejuvenated and revived, with a spirit full of hope and love for His body. We cannot expect to live a holy life alone, without the accountability of one another. It is so vital for growth and refinement. I am so incredibly thankful for Christ putting amazing, Godly people in my life that I know that I can run to in times of hardship. He has blessed me immensely, therefore I must make the most of my days. He has called me to that, for I am a saint in His holy kingdom!

How cool is that?

Our daily bread

Sitting at Art Six, my favorite cafe and relaxation spot, I am troubled by how quickly time flies. Life is divided into multiple chapters that come and go, and before we have time to relish the moment that we are in, we are quickly spun into the next era of our livelihood. I have been praying that the Lord would teach my heart to be content with all walks of life, because I am so easily enticed by the thought of the next walks of life. God is so good and restores my restless heart by reminding me that we are given His daily bread and that I am granted another breath to breathe. I pray that God would give me the peace of living in His grace every day, and to thank Him for all of His daily blessings. At 5 o'clock in the evening, He has already blessed me more times than one. The ability to hear and to see and to touch and to taste are all blessings in themselves. How often do we take them for granted? I am able to witness the glory of God everyday in ways that many can not. Lord, have mercy on me, for I am a sinner.

I approach life as one great adventure. The Lord Almighty is my captain, I am his soldier that does as He commands. For me, life is not to be tainted as one dull, mundane experience that we must sluggishly suffer though. Life is to be swept up and embraced with every muscle and every heartache and every dream that He himself wishes upon us. Why live in fear or in the safeness of our home? Whom shall I fear with Him by my side! Praise be to God, oh my soul!