Perfection Not Required

     When you are looking at having a relationship, or friendship, with someone, what qualities do they need to have?  Of course, being friendly and nice are something you look for. Common interests are a big factor too.  And though perfection is a lofty goal, I don't think many of us limit our circle of friends to the ones who are only perfect (and who wants to have perfect friends, anyway?).   But think about this: they need to be available.  It is pretty hard to be friends with someone who is never available, both time wise and emotionally. 
     God is the same way.  He made himself available to us, and he doesn't require us to be perfect, but to just make ourselves available to Him.  Way back, before Jesus died, there had to be a sacrifice and a mediator (priest), then Jesus became the perfect sacrifice so that we could openly have a relationship with Him.  "There is no difference, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.  God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood." Romans 3:23-25
     The thing is, it's really easy.  God created us to fellowship with, and gave us minds of our own (because, come on, how much fun can you really have with an imaginary friend that you control?).  When Adam and Eve sinned (ate from the tree that God told them not to) they were no longer perfect and they needed to make a sacrifice of atonement to cover their sin.  Then God sent His son, Jesus, who lived a sinless life to be a final sacrifice.  That sacrifice was made for you, but you have to accept it.  A gift you never open, never take out of the package, is never going to benefit you!  "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10  Nothing else is required of you! 
     No real, meaningful relationship is developed by following a list of rules.  God wants you to get to know Him, and wants to know you.  The amazing thing of it is that the more you get to know Him the more you will understand and get to know yourself!  There will be a purpose for your passions!  He is available and waiting.

It's Gonna Be Wild

     If someone asked you what the heart's function was, I am sure your first response would be "it pumps blood", and you would be correct.  But think about this: the heart also has to receive blood.  It has specific chambers that receive blood, and specific chambers that pump blood back out to the body.  To complicate things further: it receives de-oxygenated blood on one side, sends it to the lungs, receives the oxygenated blood back from the lungs, then pumps it back out to the body!
     In the same way we need send that unlovely blood we receive to God and allow ourselves to be refreshed and renewed before we send any love back out.  Isn't that how it always is?  We get home from a long day at work- or it's the end of the day and we have worked hard at home!- and all you can do is grouch and snap at everyone.  There is no motivation to do much other than serve yourself. 
     It is so sad how guilty people feel about asking for things for themselves.  God doesn't want to just use you to get to other people.  He loves you for who you are and who He created you to be. When we are full of His vision of us, have experienced an intimacy with Him, and know how much He loves us, then we can love others .  Your heart won't have to work hard, because the flow is natural! 
     The lyrics of "Come Away" really hit me hard this morning:



Come away with me, Come away with me
It's never too late, it's not too late
It's not too late for you

I have a plan for you
I have a plan for you
It's gonna be wild
It's gonna be great
It's gonna be full of me

Open up your heart and let me in

 

     Let Him in today, receive His love and rest in His arms.  Go away with Him, if even for a few minutes.  Your love isn't going to lose any element of you, but be oxygenated and energized with His love.  And you will feel better!  Be heart healthy and open up your heart.

All the Small Things

     My oldest, Aowyn, starts kindergarten tomorrow.  I have never been a super sentimental person in the sense that I cry over little things (but I do SAVE every little thing!), and I don't anticipate tears to appear tomorrow.  We have made it through a year of preschool and a few weeks of summer school without them.  :)  But I am super excited (and this excitement is matched by hers!).  Anyway, as I was putting a picture of Aowyn's preschool graduation in a book to send to my grandma, I was thinking about how these small milestones rarely mean much to other people.  I always scoffed (internally) at people who made a big deal about their babies starting school, but now I find myself in the same position.  Sure, starting school doesn't seem as big an accomplishment compared to graduating high school, or college, but it is worth celebrating.
     I think that this attitude flows over into other areas as well, and we need to change it.  Someone getting up and receiving an offering, or welcoming people may not seem like a big deal, but God celebrates and rejoices over those little milestones.  Blogging may not seem like much, but it may be the beginning of writing books.  Playing a guitar and singing in a gym (with only the exit lights on!) for some fellow interns may not seem like an impressive setting or audience, but it can develop into leading a prayer group or congregation, and someday stadiums and conferences full of thousands.
     You may not care that my daughter is beginning to read and making friends, but she influences those surrounding her.  She is learning and growing.  And no matter what you do, you are learning and growing, and your circle of influence is expanding.  And God sees that and is applauding you! 
     Encourage people in the small things.  Some may grow and others may not seem significant, but they are all important.  "Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be."  Job 8:7
     "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin." Zechariah 4:10  What little things can you appreciate and rejoice in today?  Keep it up!  Start taking steps towards your dreams.  And know that God is excited about those steps, even if they aren't a big deal to others.  He is excited to see you begin!

His, Mine or Ours?

     The other day I was at work and I almost said "this just isn't my day", but something made me stop.  I started thinking about whether it should even be my day to begin with, or if I should be declaring that it is my day no matter what is going on?  Everyone know the verse Psalms 118:24 "This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."  And I think I like the Amplified version a little better, it says: "This is the day that the Lord has brought about..."
     If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?  When you delight yourself in the Lord, He gives you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).  The Lord God, Who has shown and given us light, He has illuminated us with grace, freedom and joy (Pslam118:27)!  Obviously God wants us to succeed and has our backs. 
     On Sunday we sang "Arms Open Wide" and the 3rd verse says "Take my moments and my days, let each breath that I take be ever only for You oh God.".  He has brought us to this day, and the key to having victory in your day is joining with Him and giving Him the glory.  I would much rather give Him the glory for a good day than fail in my own strength.  It is no fun doing it on your own! 
     So, this day that God has made, He has given it to us!  It IS your day and He has given you the keys to the kingdom, so make good use of them!