Bible Journaling

God’s Beautiful Symphony – Wait On Your Cue

Christian lifestyle, encouragement, lifestyle, Worship

“He has made My mouth like a sharp sword,
In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me;
And He has also made Me a select arrow,
He has hidden Me in His quiver.”

Isaiah 49:2

I read this verse the other day in my devotional and I thought it was pretty cool. But it wasn’t until I watched the sunrise the next morning, that it really hit me.

The context of this verse is Isaiah prophesying the word of the coming Messiah, aka Jesus. So yes, technically this verse is not about us, however, as I read in my devotional, I was able to see how we too can have this same mindset when it comes to our unique purpose.

It is clear that we all have different plans in life based on our different aspirations, circumstances, and interests. But have you ever wondered if you got to the field too late? Like there are already so many talented people doing the same thing you thought God “called” you to? And maybe God no longer has a need for you to enter the game? Yeah, well same.

But then there was the sunrise. As I sat in that sand, still rubbing the tired out of my sleepy eyes, I finally saw it. I saw this verse come to life right before me as I watched God’s beautifully orchestrated creation take turns in doing what God called them to do.

The waves were calm, barely crashing as the horizon began to light up. As a bright light filled the background of the light blue sky, the clouds began spreading out, making their glorious appearance from the edge of the sea stretching out to the top of the sky like a flower blooming ever so gently. And just as the sky began getting brighter, the clouds parted and made way for the rising sun. As it subtly moved higher and higher, it began lighting up the water, clouds, and awestruck faces of those watching it. And just when it seemingly reached a resting spot, the waves began their roaring as the light glistened off its surface.

And just like that, all of creation was working in unison to glorify God in their own unique ways. Each one, waiting for their cue from their creator and once directed to go, they held nothing back.

Far too often I see christian’s viewing one another as competition. And sadly, I catch myself doing the same as my doubt in a future of writing overwhelms me the moment I see another faith-based author rising in the ranks. But God tells us that we were each uniquely designed for His glorious plans that He created before Adam’s first breath.

So my dear friend. As we replicate the life of Christ and share His love to the world, we ought to replicate His mindset as well. Jesus was confident in who and what God called Him to be and do. But He was also humble in His waiting. He did not allow the waiting to make Him weary. Instead, He used that time to ensure He was prepared as an arrow available for its archer.

We see it in the life of Jesus. We see it in the beauty of creation. And we ought to strive to see it in ourselves. Humility in knowing our place, but confidence in knowing our God and His perfect timing.

If the waves roared, the sun rose, the wind blew strong, while the clouds covered the entire sky all at the same time, it would be quite chaotic. The waves would distract the watchers from the rising sun behind it. The wind would throw sand around in a messy manner. And the clouds would cover the sun trying to push through their thick and fluffy bodies. It would begin to look more like a hurricane than a sweet sunrise.

When we try to rush God’s cue for us, the beautiful symphony He is orchestrating will turn into a hectic disaster and result in only our hurt.

You are loved beyond measure. And if God cares enough to organize the plans of the clouds, waves, and sun, then He most certainly cares enough to organize the plans for your life. Like Jesus, you too have a unique purpose that God prepared before time began. It may not be to save the world like Christ, but it is definitely important enough to wait on His guidance.

Let the Lord be your director when everything around you seems to be questionable. Rest in His quiver that He so delicately hides you in as you are being prepared for your mission.

I belong to You… – My commitment to Jesus & New Tattoo

christian, Christian lifestyle, encouragement, lifestyle

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The moment that girls began stressing about the brand of their jeans, the smoothness of their hair, and how much attention they could get from the guys around them, was the same moment I felt as though I lost all sense of belonging.

Growing up, I was content with who I was. I didn’t know Christ but my young thoughts never ran deep enough to see how unstable the foundation of my identity was. That was until I began hearing the whispers and the giggles of the boys and girls around me as I would walk through the halls of my school.

Belonging. What a simple word yet so complicated to find in one’s personal life.

For years after I gave my life to Christ, the struggle of never feeling like I “fit in” loomed over me like a heavy cloud, blocking any vision of hope. I lived every day surrounded by people, but feeling so uncomfortable and lonely inside. In my head, if I could just buy the right clothes, get my hair to be straight enough, or know when to talk and when to stay silent, I could maybe, just maybe, find a sense of community. A group of people who loved me and thought I was cool. But that group never came.

I am not saying my friends were not good friends or my family lacked in comforting me. I’m saying that regardless of who I met, I was never fulfilled in the way I longed to be. I never felt like I could be myself without carrying the massive weight of my fear of judgement.

During my years of attending church and youth group, I heard over and over again of how personal and authentic our relationship with God should be, but it wasn’t until I hit a deep low in the summer of 2019 that my eyes were opened to what it meant to be a CHILD of God. A chosen, beloved, and redeemed child of the most genuine and compassionate Father.

For the first time in my life, as I fell to my knees during worship, I realized who I was and what I was made for BECAUSE of WHOSE was. It was as though God sat directly beside me, giving me a big hug while I balled my eyes out in front of all of the other students at church camp that summer.

“I belong to you” was now the joyous statement I could proclaim without an ounce of doubt. And the deeper I thought about my identity, the more I found truth in that surrendering.

Iron bell Music has a song with that very title. And by the mercy of God, I am reminded of the walls that crumbled, the chains that broke, and my heart that was lifted into the perfect hands of the Father on that random day at church camp when I broke down in a way I never had before. It was no longer tears of pain, emptiness, anger, and confusion that would flood my eyes every night. It was tears of fulfillment, humility, peace, comfort…and belonging.

After experiencing so many days of joyful belonging in Christ, I realized that this is a statement of surrendering that I NEVER want to let slip my mind for even a minute. My loving Father has done a miracle in my heart. He brought a healing I never thought was possible. And so I am delighted to share with you, the beauty of His grace in my life and cant wait to testify it to every open heart I meet as everything I do, from my heart to my hands, flows from remembering His goodness.

I am not of this world. I was never made to be filled by the brokenness it brings. And even though I may struggle in finding genuine community, I don’t have to feel empty or lonely because I can rest assured that I will always fully belong to my beautiful Heavenly Father.

Unapologetic Praise – Worship without Worry

christian, Christian lifestyle, encouragement, Worship

How often do you allow your heart to be fully expressed through your body?

Often times when people gather as a congregation for a worship service, there is a wide range of feelings and expressions going on. Some sing as though they are pouring out their heart to Him with hands raised and eyes closed. Some jump for joy as they try to sing through their smile that goes from ear to ear. And some stand in place as they softly sing out the words, intently soaking in the moment.

As someone who has attended multiple different denominations of churches, I have begun to realize how legalistic some congregations view worship.

“You shouldn’t raise your hands because there is an unspoken agreement that it’s weird. You shouldn’t clap while bopping too much because you look immature. And don’t even get me started about moving your whole body at once in an excited dance while shouting the lyrics…”

It genuinely breaks my heart that this is the way in which some churches raise their congregation. Now I completely understand that people have different ways to show their surrendering to God, but I do not care what denomination you are or how long you’ve been a Christian…it is never your place to judge another person’s way of singing and worshipping God.

Scripture tells us time and time again that we ought to sing (Psalm 146:2), lift our hands (1 Timothy 2:8), dance (2 Samuel 6:14), clap (Psalm 47:1), bow (Nehemiah 8:6), etc. when we worship and praise God. But more importantly than deciding your form of worship is making sure that whichever way you choose to go about singing and praising, remains genuine and true. Your outward expressions should be a reflection of your inward submission to God.

God designed us to worship Him. Our bodies were made to glorify His name in every possible way. And the way in which you worship should be unapologetic.

A few weeks ago, I saw the movie about Elvis. It was so good. However, the way he was treated by society hurt me as it reminded me of how many times I have been in a worship service and seen members of the church scoff or mock another because of their actions. Elvis was a shock to the music industry because he moved like no other. The music, that which his passion came from, seemingly rushed through every vain in his body, preventing Him from holding back His enthusiasm.

Far too often I feel as though many of us allow fear of judgement or confidence in our intentions stop us from fully pouring out our heart to God. We may mean every word we say, but a small 20% of our attention deep down is focused on keeping our arms by out side until someone next to us lifts theirs, or until the chorus starts where you know many others will join you.

Dear friend, God did not give you a spirit of fear. He intricately crafted you to proudly worship Him. Isaiah 43:21 says, “The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” Do not allow the enemy to plant worry in your mind when God already swiped you clean of sin’s grasp.

One of the many things I love about God is that He is a God of all nations. Whether you have been out of the country or not, I am sure you have met others or heard of people groups that are completely different than you. And if you ever had the experience of celebrating anything with them, you can tell their music is often much different. If the diversity of humanity alone isn’t astonishing to you, I don’t know what could be. Their food is different. Their clothes are different. And yes, their worship can often be different as well.

But that does not mean they are wrong in any way. 1 Chronicles 16:23 says, “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.” God knew there would be difference. And much like our need to seek joy in the differences/changes of life, we too must seek joy in the difference among ourselves.

Worship is for the clapper. For the shouter. For the soft singer. For the dancer. For the hand raiser. Dear friend, worship is for ALL. As the rocks cry out in silence, the birds chirp in glory, and the mountains bow in reverence, may you have the confidence to let worship be what flows through every inch of your body, beginning in your heart.

Pursue a life of unapologetic praise. And tell the enemy that because of the victory Christ already claimed, you will worship without worry forever and ever, amen.

What a beauty and gift it is to be free and ourselves in front of the Father. Here are some verses to encourage you as you learn to fully express that which flows through your heart:

2 Samuel 6:14  And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.

Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!

Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!

1 Timothy 2:8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

Psalm 95:6 Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Psalm 47:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long.

Exodus 15: 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”

Nehemiah 8:6
Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Cultivating Change – Our God is a God of New Beginnings

christian, Christian lifestyle, lifestyle

“Time grows the seeds that are planted, watered, and fertilized. Plant beauty, grow beauty. Plant thorns, grow thorns. Time will allow for either.”

I have been reading this book for the last few weeks and I came across this incredible quote. Recently, the topic of change and its necessity in our lives as Christians has been discussed a lot. When the rug is swiped out from under your feet and all you knew has become far from being the norm again, what is the seed of change you begin to plant?

Is it bitterness towards those who hurt you? Is it emptiness from the loss? Is it denial and ignorance towards difficulties?

OR…is it compassion towards your enemies? Hope in God’s ability to turn grief into glory? Or confidence in the victories God has already claimed He won?

When that moment of inevitable change in our life comes, we cannot allow ourselves to sulk or grow angry in the difference, rather rejoice in our God of new beginnings.

Before I evaluate the circumstance I just experienced, I try to remind myself of the circumstance between me and God. I sinned. A LOT. Meaning, I straight up disobeyed God a billion times over, each time basically stabbing Him in the heart. Yet what did God do? Well based on my alive and healthy body sipping a matcha latte as I write this, He sure didn’t give up and smote me. Rather, He allowed me to be made knew. He gave me a restart. And He allowed me live the rest of my life free from the bondage of my past. He planted a seed of freedom in my heart and every day since, He has not failed to cultivate it kindly so that the harvest I produce is the fruit of a free and beloved child of God.

Once I force myself to remember my compassionate God’s reaction to me doing everything He DIDN’T want me to do, I then look back and think about my circumstance with the people or life that did everything I DIDN’T want them to do. And that heavy feeling from the bitterness I initially had has turned into conviction.

My friend, I know genuinely wanting a desire for change that is biblical is not easy nor appealing in most cases. It feels so much better to take the judgement of others into your own hand and justify yourself in the process because our heart longs for instant gratification. But what happens after you tell off the person who hurt you? Or you seclude yourself in your room for months, sulking about the past? Or you have grown a mixture of numbness and fear towards difficult circumstances to the point where you are constantly running from things or kicking them under the rug in hopes of their disappearance? From someone who has done all three of these and so much more…the good feeling never lasts.

God designed our hearts to not only be loved, but to express love. We were crafted so that we may connect with others and build a community of respect and care towards one another. But too often, we lose track of who we were made to be and how we were made to act.

Ephesians 6:12 states, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Our enemy is not really other humans. And for those who have a habit of collecting all the blame…your enemy is not really yourself either. Hurt may be inflicted on us by people or even ourselves and our mistakes, but we cannot allow our emotions in the heat of the moment be what guides us. God seeks for us to do one thing; honor Him in all circumstances.

The book I have been referring to states:

“We must speak with honor in the midst of being dishonored. We must speak with peace in the midst of being threatened. We must speak of good things in the midst of a bad situation. We must be obedient to, trust, and believe God and let Him boss around our contrary feelings.”

If there is one thing I encourage you to pursue with all your heart (in light of your full pursuit towards God of course), it is to learn how to say no to your heart and flesh. The world will tell you, “do what your heart desires”, but scripture tells us to deny ourselves because any foundation besides Christ is as unstable as shifting sands.

So when situations arise that seem to flip your world upside down, remind yourself of the One you live for. Dive so deep into God’s truth and guidance that your feelings of bitterness and such have no chance of growth because they are so overwhelmed by the compassion, grace, and forgiveness you allow God to fill you with.

There is a perfect Gardener who wants to give you free seeds that will produce the absolute best for your future. He offers them to you daily, but it is up to you to accept His seeds and take the time to cultivate them. As you do, He remains there alongside you so that in your times of weakness, you can rely on Him to keep you steady. That Gardener’s name is Jehovah Shammah; the Lord is present. (Ezekiel 48:35)

What a beautiful gift it is to live with the opportunity to start fresh. Today can be Day 1 of a new beginning, one that God promises to be present during if you allow Him.

But much like the process of cultivating a seed, cultivating change will take watering, waiting, tilling, and consistent attention. And that means any seed. Love or bitterness.

So, which gardener will you get your next seed from…the enemy, filling your heart with anger and pride or Jehovah Shammah, wanting only the best for you?