Are You Listening?
In a world that is so loud, are you listening?
Tag: hurt
Take It Away
DISCLAIMER: I wrote this blog post years ago…7 to be exact. Crazy how things have come full circle. The fire looks a little different these days, but the message still holds true. I hope this brings you some hope right now. “Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious …
God’s Presence Our Comfort
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Have you ever heard the question: If God is so good, why do bad things happen? Me too. It’s a tough one. It really is. We can come back with all the Christian-y answers, but that doesn’t always satisfy. So, what do we do with this messy part of our faith.
We keep telling our story even when our story is ugly. We keep showing up because God’s goodness, His holy presence is not equivalent to our comfort.
themessymingling.com
Part of our faith is believing even when life is hard. A huge part of believing in God is not connecting our belief to our circumstances. I follow a family on Instagram who has literally been put through hell on earth this past year. Their story has garnered a lot of attention. With any Instagram following, some of that attention is negative. One thing they said was that they would not allow their pain and anguish be a reason for disbelief.
I couldn’t have said it any better. Jesus tells us in the Book of John that we will experience hardships. He doesn’t try to hide it. He doesn’t avoid the realities of living our lives. He follows it up, however, with a promise; the one promise you can hold onto when life goes south.
Take heart!
John 16:33
God’s presence is not tied to our comfort. He is there no matter what life throws at us. Our comfort is in Jesus not life. Our rest is found in God’s holy presence that is promised to us in John 16:33. He has overcome. He is victories even when we feel defeated.
So, the next time bad things happen, because they will happen, take heart. He has overcome the world.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
Take a Hike, 2018
Oh, 2018. I could write an entire blog post just about the bad things that have happened this year. Floods. Illness. Death. It seems especially difficult on the back side. But, there is a part of me that wants to hold onto you for a …
Victim or Victory
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4 Are you living from a place of victory or victimization? When someone or something wrongs you, where do you stand? Where do you …
Olive Branch
“When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.” Genesis 8:11
You don’t need to be a Bible scholar or even a Christian to know the story of Noah. Some people were making poor choices and living life according to their desires. Noah begged God to give these people a chance, so He did; time-after-time again-and-again. The people didn’t change so God sent a flood. Noah built the ark when there was no rain or need for a gigantic boat. The earth flooded and Noah, his family, and all the animals (Even the snakes and mosquitoes. Why, God?). Every once in awhile, Noah would send a dove out to see if there was dry land. Finally, the dove returned with an olive branch.
The olive branch symbolizes peace, hope, and renewal. When the dove returned with the branch, Noah knew the flood was over and a new life was about to begin.
When we talk about the Church, I think of the olive branch. The Church isn’t a building or a place we attend. It is not something that only serves us and our needs. We are the Church. You and me. And the olive branch? That’s our ministry.
The problem with the Church is that it is filled with people. People are messy. Life happens and hurts occur. Most of us want retribution and accountability. We want those that hurt us to be held responsible for what they have done to us. Yet, we were created to be the olive branch.
Who is trying to give you an olive branch that you have denied? Who is trying to bring peace back to your relationship but you are waiting for them to pay their penalty? Who do you need to give an olive branch to? You need to relinquish the desire for payment and usher in peace. We do so by accepting or handing over the olive branch.
You see, the Church isn’t a place. It isn’t a building. It’s not something that solely gives to us and fills our needs. The Church is you and me in action giving love and grace at all times; especially when it is undeserved.
The olive branch symbolizes the Church: hope when all hope seems lost. It is a symbol of new beginnings and fresh starts. The olive branch shows love and mercy even when they are totally undeserved.
We search and search for the right church. We run from the church because there are too many hurts in that space. What we don’t realize is that the church is made up of people. That we are the Church and the olive branch is our gift.
Relinquish the desire for punishment. Let go of the need for others to be held accountable before you can love them again. Be the olive branch and you will be the Church.
Love & Blessings,
Meg
Take Me To Church: Flashback Friday
I was sitting at Starbucks typing away and doing some research when a party of four sat down next to me. It was crowded and the tables were close. The two couples chatted about general life stuff for the first ten minutes or so. Yes, …
