Tag Archives: child of God

Loving and Following Jesus

Love in Lyrics

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lyrics

I don’t know about you but God often speaks to me through music. I believe it is one of the easiest ways for Him to reach the deepest parts of my heart. I tend to be very “left brained” – analytical, logical, and rational. God created that part of me, but He needs to move and speak through my right brain – where imagination, creativity, and emotion reside. Music does that. Perhaps that is why I am a certifiable concert junkie. If you continue to read, you will hear about many lessons learned through concerts. This past weekend was no different.

I was tired from a busy week at work and from speaking at a retreat the previous night. I was up early to attend a meeting that had lasted into the afternoon. A large part of my wanted to stay at home and fall asleep on the couch. Especially since I didn’t have a ticket or anyone to go with me.  But something (my money is on the Holy Spirit) said to go.

I’m a pretty confident person and I’m used to going places alone, but there was something about walking into that auditorium alone I was dreading. So as I hurried through the parking lot towards the building, I asked God to provide someone to sit with. I had no doubt I was going  to know many people at the concert – the challenge was going to be locating them! I approached the ticket booth, wondering if there were even any tickets still available. Upon inquiring, the lady looked up and said, “Yes, we just had someone turn in a free ticket. Here. Enjoy the show.” Huh, well, that was unexpected.

I scanned the packed bleachers. I walked in front of them a few times wondering where in the world I should even attempt to find a seat in the sea of humanity before me. And just as panic begin to set in, I spotted a family from church and I took a chance. “May I sit with you guys?” And prayer number two was answered with a warm, “Of course!” I’d been doubly blessed before the concert even began.

If you are honest with God about the things that concern you and then step out in faith, He’ll resolve those concerns. Often He’ll provide in unexpected ways, and He’ll provide more than you even expected. And that is when God’s blessing and love poured out through the lyrics and spoke to me in a way I could have never expected – deep, real, and healing.

“Then you look at this prisoner, and say to me, ‘Son, stop fighting a fight that’s already been won.” (Big Daddy Weave, Redeemed)

Tears began to fall. I was a prisoner to sin. I try to fight it on my own. Jesus has already won the battle and therefore, God calls me His child.

“Bring your love to life inside of me. Why don’t you break my heart til it moves my hands and feet.” (Big Daddy Weave, Love Come to Life)

When I am able to believe that I really am God’s daughter, it moves me to behave like it. I no longer do good things as a way of trying to earn love. No. I know I am loved and therefore do good things. True loves moves me to action. Knowing I am God’s daughter allows me to act like it!

“Yours will be, the only Name that matters to me, the only One who’s favor I seek. Yours will be the only Name that matters to me. Yours will be the friendship and affection I need, to see my Father smiling on me.” (Big Daddy Weave, The Only Name)

Any good thing I do is for His glory and to hear my Heavenly Father say, “Well done!” Everything else pales in comparison and ultimately fades away.

“There are no words, no phrase I could create, there is no melody I could make. How do you sing about a love so deep, without feeling like you missed something. I could try but I could not explain. His kind of love, is reckless for us, His kind of love will never give up. til the whole world knows how far he went to show His kind of love.” (Group 1 Crew, His Kind of Love)

And no matter how many times I fail, God’s love doesn’t. He continues to pursue me no matter how many times I reject him. He continues to love me no matter how my times I curse Him. He continues to trust me to do His work, no matter how many times I fail Him.

“I won’t give you more than you can take. I might let you bend but I won’t let you break. I’ll never let you go. Don’t you forget what He said.” (Group 1 Crew, He Said)

And when life seems to hard to handle, God promises to be with me always. He won’t let me go. And He’ll even carry me if that’s what it takes.

How do we change from trying to find value in the things of this world to truly believing our worth is as a beloved child of God? It doesn’t work to just close your eyes and hope it happens. It doesn’t work to just try harder. No. Transformation happens through new experiences. And that’s what will talk about in future blogs…

In the meantime, when have you experienced God’s provision, His Spirit, and His grace in a powerful and transforming way?

Identity in Christ

Learning to Boast

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I grew up in the Midwest, but I moved to California to attend graduate school. I have to admit that it was quite a culture shock to go from cornfields to concrete, from rolling hills to mountains and beaches, from blue skies to smog, and from 2 lane country roads to 12 lane highways – with traffic stopped in both directions! But there was another more subtle difference, one that I didn’t pick up on right away. Students begin to compete for practicum placements in the second year of my graduate program. During these interviews, I noticed how bold many of the students were in answering questions. They had no hesitation in proclaiming their many accomplishments. It seemed brash at best and arrogant at worst. I was more subtle in my answers and often downplayed my accomplishments. This was what I was taught to do. I’d walk away believing I had interviewed well but would rarely get the placement. Thankfully, one of my professors, who was also a transplant from the Midwest, took note. She pulled me aside and explained that I was experiencing a major cultural difference. In the Midwest, humility is highly valued and appearing proud is avoided at all costs. She explained that this is not so on the West Coast. What I was interpreting as brash, was really students advocating for themselves. She challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and to do the same.

It seems like when it comes to accepting our identity in Christ, it can feel a little like bragging or boasting. It can feel selfish and prideful to even begin to think of ourselves as anything but horribly sinful people. It’s so easy to forget that God created us and called us very good. Therefore, if you do not love and accept yourself, you are actually in disagreement with God because He loves and accepts you! It is so important to accept God’s love and in doing so learn to love yourself, not in a selfish way but in a way that simply affirms God’s creation (you) as good and right and beautiful. Just like my interviewers couldn’t know about my real talents and abilities until I told them, a hurting world can’t know of God’s love until you tell them through the way you love others. And you cannot give away love that you haven’t truly accepted for yourself. See, our confidence does not come from our own abilities or achievements. No, our confidence comes from our identity in Christ and what God does through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And one last thought… anytime we don’t shine as brightly as God intended us to, we are robbing Him of glory due Him. Any shine we have is simply a reflection of His glory. So let’s learn to shine brightly and boast, not about our own abilities, but about God’s grace and goodness. Let’s accept how much God loves each and everyone of us and confident share that love with others!

Identity in Christ

You are Royalty!

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crown

I can remember when I first realized that I was good at school. I knew the answers to questions the teacher asked and loved it when my name was called and I’d receive praise for responding correctly. In kindergarten, I had dreams of becoming a doctor like Doogie Howser, a TV show about a child prodigy who becomes a doctor as a teenager. (This dream quickly evaporated when I realized I was not going to be going to college by age 12.) I found affirmation in pleasing adults. It felt good to be known for being smart, being a good student, and for being “a good kid”.

But there was a problem. The grade on the paper didn’t continue to satisfy. Making sure I always earned “As” was stressful – I remember crying when I saw a “B” on my report card (as if a B was going to ruin my life somehow). Plus, my grade was often out of my control at some level. For example, once in 5th grade, I was given an F on an assignment because my teacher thought I had cheated (I hadn’t) and no amount of arguing could change her mind. Since I based my identity on being right, I felt threatened and insecure whenever I was wrong. I’d argue with anyone who challenged me, and frankly, no one likes a know-it-all. Adults didn’t always give me the affirmation I wanted or thought I needed. They couldn’t fill the emptiness I felt inside. And being known as the “goody-two-shoes” wasn’t always fun either. Sometimes I longed to know what it would be like to take on another reputation – just once. I could never do enough, have enough, or be esteemed enough to feel ok or secure or fill the emptiness inside. I don’t think I’m alone.

One of the biggest reasons we experience so much pain, insecurity, and loneliness in life is because we forget our true identity as God’s beloved. Our accomplishments, accumulation, and accolades describe us, but they should never define us. And there is another problem that chasing these things as a way to find identity causes – regret. And regret shouldn’t define you either. What defines you comes from the inside and radiates out. That which is outside of you is too untrustworthy, too likely to change, too uncontrollable. But frankly our insides can feel that way too. That is, until you join your heart to the One who made it. When you give your heart back over to Jesus, your insides become much more secure and stable. Through Jesus, you are adopted as God’s child. You become part of His family. He is the King of kings. He is the Lord of lords, and if you are His, then you are royalty. Living in that truth allows you to live with confidence, freedom and with a kind of security that no accomplishment, no amount of accumulation, and no accolade can ever provide.

Matthew West has a fabulous song that points to this truth. Perhaps you’ve heard it. If not, I hope you enjoy!

How have you tried to define yourself? Sports? Popularity? Name brand clothes? Being the class clown? Is it wrong to seek accomplishment, to accumulate things or titles, or to receive accolades? What would it look like if we lived as if we really are royalty, children of the One True King?