Service

There is a growing trend among our generation of believers. One that is purposeful and shows the true beauty of Christ. Serving our poor, our weak, our oppressed and marginalized. This work is the kingdom of God here on earth. It's Gods dream for not just America but the whole world. I see daily examples of servant leadership among my friends. The hard part of this work is when we start to see these people we are helping not as a project, but as a human.

A human who is flawed. One that might not live up to your expectations. When their gratefulness is not great enough. When they start to expect it from you. When they don't behave in the way that fits your mold. These are the times that we tend to just give up. To walk away and say, "well I tried my hardest but they just don't want it bad enough."

Did Jesus ever walk away because you didn't want it bad enough? I struggle with this on a daily basis. Serving God and setting down my ego. We are not in the business of changing hearts or minds. That is the business of our Savior. So lets see our business for what it is. Serving others and showing Christ's love as it has been shown to us.

Jesus illustrates us and his kingdom in the parable of the sower.

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. Matthew 13:19

In what ways do we not understand the kingdom? Do we take scripture and twist it to fit our ideas of what our world should look like? Do we want to live a life of selfish desire instead of a life filled with God?

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Matthew 13:20

This is my struggle. I am filled with joy and receive the word, but in times of trouble I fall away. When it gets hard I rely on my own self rather than Jesus. Selfishness rears its ugly head and I don't want to move forward loving others. I want only to love myself. What is the root of my existence? Will I choose to be rooted in Christ or have no roots at all?

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. Matthew 13:22

Living for the American dream. What our world calls success. This chokes us out. We become unfruitful. We do not have love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. What we have is a whole lot of dead.

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13: 23

Jesus help me be the person that hears the word and understands it. Help me to sow seeds that produce crops so vast I won't fathom the harvest in my lifetime. Help me be obedient to serve as the Holy Spirit leads me, bringing your kingdom to earth. Let me not grow weary, but continue to run the race you set before me. Loving God and Loving people.

Mothers

The moment that we breathe
Whether you wanted us or not.
Something stirs inside your heart
 It is over before you start.

We learn your heart, your joys, your depth.
Your hurt, your pain, your wrath.
 We learn strength and grace and keeping on,
 And the most important, how to laugh.

At times you don't know what to say
Or how to make it right.
 But knowing that you stand behind us
That's enough to stay in the fight.

You struggle through those little years
 Piles of diapers, lack of sleep.
 Most everything that shines is dirty
 And when you close your eyes, you weep.

We fail. We fall. We get back up,
Because it's what you taught us how to do.
We want to run before we walk,
 Down a path you would not choose.

 The hard part is trusting God.
 Knowing that you did your best.
 Letting go of what you cherish most.
Taking refuge in His rest.

Thank you for doing the hard things
 In each and every second.
We would not be the people God planned
 Without your guidance, love and affection.

 So when it's hard and you think you can't
 Know that you are loved, cherished and blessed.
 By these people that started out so small
Who know their mother is the very best.

Free

Christ died to set us free. Not to lead us into another form of bondage. Not so we could follow another set of rules, but so we could be free from every yoke of sin and death. Free to follow where Christ leads. Liberated. 

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Living in freedom means living in the power of the Holy Spirit. Following and listening for the spirit to guide your life. That seems like a hard concept. Especially in our world of self reliance. 

We like the check boxes and the list of rules. How foreign a concept to not follow a list. If A happens then you do B. We get to see the progress of how good we are. Our empires grow and we see the result of our actions in motion. 

To follow Christ is a totally different concept to this world. Christ does not give us a list of boxes to check. He daily gives us acts of service in love. Service is messy. It is hard. You do not see instant results. You see tears, anger, hurt, betrayal, frustrations and then ultimately the beauty in following Christ. There are no hard set rules. People look at what you are doing and it makes no sense. How do you allow this to happen to your children, family and home. 

 God is bigger than anything we can comprehend. He knows everything and we know very little of our circumstances. I can make the decision to listen when the holy spirit leads and every time my outcome is glorifying to God. 

He does not cause harm or confusion. 

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. Galatians 5:7-10

Choosing to say yes to God in a world that is all about self can be so tough. Most of the time people think you are not doing the right thing. Then you will question if you are doing the right thing. God calls each of us to His kingdom. He has a different Yes for everyone. 

Standing firm in Christ and what the cross did for our freedom will ultimately lead to justification.