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mundane no longer has a place

Contintment

lake and mountain under white sky

Discovering God- Part Two

by Caroline on category , , , , , 
“For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth, I have relied on You. You brought me forth from my mother’s womb.” Ps 71:5,6

Sincerely Serving

Before I walked away from the God of religion, I was faithfully going through all the “right” motions, doing everything I had been taught to serve Him wholeheartedly. I had been told what He expected of me, and I was determined to do it to the best of my ability. Despite my sincere desire to please Him, an emptiness remained. 

I was exhausted from working hard to serve God through my actions, trying to be godly without relying on Jesus—unaware that I could never be enough without the covering of Christ’s blood. Jesus’ words in John 15:5, “… apart from Me, you can do nothing,” were just words from a memory verse. 

Although I had learned about Jesus, I knew nothing about experiencing Him. Using my previous snorkeling analogy; nobody had told me that there was more than the beach, encouraged me to dive into the water, or provided me with the proper gear. I grew up in a religious culture that taught me to trust those around me because that was how things were and how they had been passed down. But I wasn’t truly living. I had yet to discover Jesus as the only way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

“Jesus answered: Don’t you know Me . . . even after I have been among you such a long time?” John 14:9

Using Shortcuts

Reflecting on my past with a clearer perspective, I realize I used religion as a shortcut. I tried to rely on the doctrine given to me to please God. This pursuit aimed to achieve salvation through obedience rather than recognizing my need for grace and a Savior. With this religious shortcut, I bypassed a genuine relationship with the Father, which can only be established by accepting the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, this religious shortcut neglected the reality of experiencing the Kingdom of God in the present through life in the Holy Spirit. 

Discovery

By focusing my attention on the unaltered Word of God rather than on religious rules, God has opened my eyes to see who He truly is. This has required a significant level of openness and surrendering my beliefs. It has demanded a willingness to let go of what I once considered the truth to embrace the words found in the Bible. To discover God, I have had to accept that I do not fully understand who He is. I’ve learned that the only way to see Him is to approach Him with humility and a desire to know Him alone, through Jesus. 

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31

Making Jesus Lord

I have learned that if we are committed to being disciples of Jesus, we cannot follow anyone else. Elevating anyone’s words above the Word of God turns them into an idol. As I began to recognize this, I saw how idolatry had impacted my life. I knew the teachings of my church, but I didn’t know them from the Word of God. As I began to seek, I realized I held many beliefs, but I couldn’t articulate them beyond reciting what I had been told. I didn’t know the  Holy Spirit as my only teacher (John 14:26). 

If you are in a place where you have never questioned what you were raised to believe, and you continue to go through the motions faithfully, I can relate—I was there. But perhaps, like I did, you sense that something deeper and more life-giving is waiting to be uncovered. Something feels amiss, and I encourage you to consider that maybe God isn’t who you think He is. 

Consider

I am not asking you to renounce your religion but rather to release it as a distraction from personally discovering God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Too often, the shortcuts created by religion lead us to follow a set of rules and doctrines based on the founder’s interpretation of scripture, causing many of us to follow without seeking God for ourselves. My purpose in writing this is to encourage you to personally discover Jesus through a simple shift in perspective that can transform everything! 

I want to be the voice of a friend encouraging you not to settle for religious complacency but to develop your faith by seeking God through Jesus and nothing else. Bowing at the foot of the Cross every day in surrender is where we begin to experience life to the fullest (John 10:10)! Grow from your roots and lean into all that God has in store for you. 

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63

Waking Up

It wasn’t until I acknowledged my frustration and dissatisfaction that I could leave behind the only God I had known to discover a God I could truly experience. Stepping away opened me to new perspectives, an authentic life, and freedom in Jesus. By letting go of the pretense that I had it all figured out, I am learning to be taught by the Spirit. And He has revealed to me that it’s only in God’s Word that I discover who He is.

I now understand what Paul meant when he said in Romans 7:6: “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” When we surrender everything to God, including our beliefs about who He is, we begin to live the life He created us for.

Discovering Purpose

In 1646, The Westminster Shorter Catechism recorded this question, “What is the chief end of man?” I love the answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” From this perspective, every moment becomes an opportunity to reflect Jesus’ purpose: “that the world may know that I love the Father and I do exactly what my Father has commanded me…” (John 14:31).

Whether you’re searching for a God you don’t yet know or building on lifelong roots, keep seeking Him. Seeking God involves creating space for quietness and stillness and dedicating our time and energy to pursuing Him through His Word. As you listen for Him more, you will begin to recognize the tones of His voice. Life will start to feel less overwhelming, and you will begin to walk in anticipation of discovering the most authentic version of yourself as you come to know the One who created you. Here, you will find your purpose. 

Come on!

Join me on this adventure, and God will not disappoint you! Start with ten to fifteen minutes daily in His Word. In my last post, I mentioned a Bible reading plan for the gospels; that’s a great starting point. When you’re ready to dive deeper, I’m using this Bible reading plan that guides readers through the entire Bible in a year. Of course, the specific plan you choose doesn’t matter; what truly matters is dedicating time to reading the Bible. It’s the only way to discover the realness of God for yourself. If you’re not doing this already, today is the perfect day to begin! 

I can relate to every lyric of this song, listen here…🎶

Living John 14: The Completion

by Caroline on category , , , , ,

For the last ten days, I’ve shared my declarations and prayers corresponding to John 14:22-31 on Instagram and Facebook daily. This summary is meant to be read as a response to these verses. I hope you have joined me on this adventure, and I pray this exercise has helped you build on the reality of abiding in Jesus. (If you haven’t been following along, you can click here to start from the beginning.)

Begin

Read John 14:22-31, and then use the following words as a framework to build your response to Jesus’ words.

Verse 22

I have to acknowledge this reality; not everyone will see You. This gives me courage and peace in holding onto what I believe. Just because others don’t understand doesn’t make it any less real. Jesus, please keep showing Yourself to me. 


Verse 23

Jesus, I love You, and I know the Father loves me. Therefore, I hide Your Words in my heart. I keep them because they are my Guide in this mixed-up world. I have experienced enough to believe that You and the Father abide in me. 

Verse 24

I understand that regardless of what people call themselves, if they are not keeping Your Words, they don’t love You—a compass for Truth, Your Truth that comes only from the Father. 

Verse 25

Being present with You, Jesus, has changed everything for me. As I sit with You, I learn the sound of Your voice; keep speaking to me.  

Verse 26

The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, teaches me. Everything I know and believe has come from Him alone. Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, You are my only Teacher. And I claim Your promise that as I abide in You, You will bring to my mind the Words You have spoken, as I need them to glorify You.

Verse 27

Jesus, Your Peace has become my anchor. The things of this world don’t come close, so today, I chose to rest fully in Your Presence and Your embrace—this place where my heart is still and free. 

Verse 28

Jesus, I love You, so even when I don’t understand the circumstances, I will rejoice because I believe You have ascended to Your Father in Heaven, and You are coming back for me. I trust that there is more than what I can see. 

Verse 29

Jesus, I believe that Your Words are Truth, and I have Peace resting in You, no matter what the future holds. 

Verse 30

Jesus, only through You abiding in me can I withstand the prince of this world—the prince of everything evil and dark. Because I am filled with You, he has nothing in me.

Verse 31

Jesus, I lay everything down at Your feet again today so that the world may know that I love the Father. And, as Your Spirit has taught me, even so I do. I am ready; use me. 

Making it Real


What do these final words of John 14 prompt you to declare or pray back to Jesus? Are you beginning to internalize and apply them to what is pressing on you today? As you have been soaking up these words, I pray they are starting to feel like a love letter from Jesus to you. He spoke these words so long ago so they could change your life here and now. That’s the whole point of spending time in the Word and sitting quietly with Jesus—to create a space where He becomes real.

As you discover Him and His words sink into your soul, you will find moments are no longer mundane. Every breath, every second, and every challenge becomes a chance to lean in and let Jesus hold You, to let His Holy Spirit speak to you, a chance to see the Father. From this place, you will begin to see another Kingdom. A Kingdom that will never be shaken. As you become grounded in this reality, the Peace of Jesus will be yours.

Just the Beginning

Determine to make internalizing God’s Word a daily habit; this month in John 14 is just the beginning! Use this as a framework, but make it your own. God has laid John 14 on my heart to reveal Himself to me. I pray that what I have shared has given you a glimpse of what it means to abide and a desire to learn more for yourself. Consider: What does God want to use to reveal Himself to you today?

Living in the Reality of John 14

by Caroline on category , , , , ,

Declaring the Truth I have Discovered

The words of John 14, spoken by Jesus to His disciples long ago, are no longer just words to me. Through them, He speaks to my heart, and I’ve been learning to receive them, to internalize them, and to speak them over my life. As we are in another month with 31 days, I encourage you to read John 14 daily. I have internalized Jesus words spoken in John 14 and responded to them with a decalaration and prayer. Last week, I began sharing the day’s declaration and prayer corresponding to the verse on Instagram daily. This summary of last week is meant to be read as a response to the corresponding verse in John 14. I hope that this exercise inspires you to discover with me the realness of abiding in Jesus. 

Begin

Read John 14:1-7 and use these words as a framework to build your own response to Jesus’ words.

Verse 1

Jesus, I believe in God, and I believe in You. Today, I refuse to give fear, worry, and anxiety a place in my heart. 

Verse 2

Jesus, I believe that You are preparing an eternal paradise for Me. This world is not my home. 

Verse 3

Jesus, I believe You are in heaven preparing life beyond anything I can imagine and are coming back to take me there, to be with You forever. Knowing this, I have hope and comfort in this upside-down world. 

Verse 4

Jesus, You’ve shown me the way and already given me everything I need to experience this eternity. But I must choose daily to seek, search, and receive. 

Verse 5

Sometimes, I forget and complicate things; Lord keep teaching me. 

Verse 6

Jesus, I know You are the only Way to the Father. You are Truth and Life, the great I AM. 

Verse 7

From now on, I have no excuses not to know the Father. Through You, I have seen Him; I can know Him. 

Join in daily

I will continue sharing each day’s declaration on Instagram @discovering_sunrise; I would love to have you join me on this journey!

rock in between grass and flower

Out of My Hands

by Caroline on category , , , , ,

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it…

Joshua Becker

Minimalism has taught me the art of letting go. I’ve learned the necessity of release to move towards something better. This outlook has changed every aspect of my life. And now, I am learning the most challenging surrender: my will. Encompassed in my will are all of my “supposed to be’s,” these plans I make, and how I think life should go.

Circumstance

I hadn’t planned for my sweet dog to have an invasive tumor forcing its way through his skin, tight and breaking, slowly stealing his health. I don’t want to be in this place where I feel torn, where I’m trying to determine the best care for him, attempting to plan now for an unknown future. This echoes many circumstances where we run through scenarios and create hypothetical futures trying to make the “right” decision. It becomes paralyzing; we become trapped in analysis and worry.

Compass

As I kept thinking about my dog, praying for God to intervene, I realized how much my mind had spiraled. My heart was troubled—so far removed from the peace I crave (John 14:1, 27). This Peace is my compass. His way is rest and peace; if that’s not how I feel and the way isn’t clear, I am learning to wait for direction (Ps 27:14 and Ps 62:4-8) and rest in Him (Ps 46:10). 

Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. Psalm 31:5

Determining to let go, I discovered Psalm 31:5. I’m learning to let the One who has redeemed me carry my burdens. Each time I begin to worry, I recommit my spirit, will, and everything I hold dear to the One who is greater than me. He is God, and I am not (Hosea 11:9).

Release

This is where the battle for our will is fought. The Enemy knows this and is relentless. He is always there whispering doubt, pressing in, heavy. Therefore, I must learn to surrender control to my Father again and again and again. I must choose to completely surrender my will and rest fully in His embrace, where He promises to hide me in the secret of His Presence (Psalm 31:20), the place the world can’t see (John 14:19,20 and 2 Corinthians 4:18), where we find soul rest. In John 16:33, when Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble…” He promised us His peace for these places where everything is spinning around us; our circumstances don’t have to overtake us (John 14:27).

Even Here

Wherever I am, He is, and soul rest is possible (Ps 139:10-12). It’s these ugly-beautiful places where we see God turn ashes to beauty, morning to dancing, praise for heaviness, gray to color, vibrant, we come alive (Isaiah 61:3) and discover joy, as Jesus promised (John 15:11). When we stop clinging to what we think “should be” or “could have been” and accept the place we are, we can find true freedom in surrendering all to Christ. The miracle here may not be that my dog receives healing but that through surrender, I can enjoy the moments I have with him without worrying about what’s next. In the middle of tail-wags and tears flowing, it’s here that I rediscover the blessing of moments right in front of me (Ps 138:3).

Open Hands

This type of surrender cannot coexist with worry. Just as complaining and gratitude cannot share breath, neither can worry and surrender. Let not your heart be troubled, believe (John 14:1). Jesus is giving us His template, His strategy: complete surrender of every thought, ache, desire, worry, and scenario. Jesus taught this to his last breath (Luke 23:46).

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46

Full Submission

This is where the battle is fought: our will. I can cling to control, or I can surrender to My God—The Almighty Father who says to me, “Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name: you are Mine…(Isaiah 43:1)…I will go before you… I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places (Isaiah 45:1-3).

God keeps teaching me it’s worth releasing my control to His Sovereignty. Today, if you are in a hard place, lean in. Don’t fight; I’ve learned that it’s in the darkest places we discover who He can be to us. Exchanging worry for that soul peace of Jesus (John 14:27) is worth it every time.

Discovering John 14: The Completion

by Caroline on category , , , ,

John 14:29

Several years ago, as I began to use minimalism to remove layers from my life, I began to uncover free time. I started using this time to treasure hunt in the Bible. I found more than recordings of ancient history; I discovered God’s character and plan to restore His relationship with His creation. Before, I had rushed past verses, not realizing how the Old Testament was so connected and deeply interwoven with prophecies about Jesus’ first and second arrival to earth. In this verse of John 14, Jesus asks His disciples to dare believe that He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, and in His resurrection, He promised them confirmation. He tells them that the words He has spoken about the future will come to pass, just as those spoken by the prophets long ago were fulfilled in Him. This gives us so much hope in a world filled with uncertainty. Jesus promised it, and we can trust Him; He is coming back!

John 14:30

I had never considered Satan as the prince of this world before immersing myself in John 14 and hearing Jesus refer to him this way. This explains so much about the pain and disruption we see all around us and feel within; we are living in Enemy territory. His scheme is to disrupt the relationship between humanity and our Creator. Jesus has been teaching that He is in the Father, the Father is in Him, and the Spirit of Truth dwells in us—this is what it means to abide. To be filled so wholly and entirely with the Presence of God that there is no space for the prince of this world. With these words, Jesus gives us His strategy: leave no room for the Enemy. Abide.

John 14:31

I can’t think of a better declaration for this year! “But that the world may know that I love the Father.” Purpose. Every word and action of Jesus was an act of worship to His Father, evidence of His love. His life was an overflowing of this love, and His death, the final proclamation of it. Jesus understood the purpose of His life because of His relationship with His Father; this is the only way we will discover direction and purpose for our lives. It all begins with a relationship, in the quiet place where we learn His voice and commands. And from here, when we submit our will and let go of control, we declare our love for the Father. As Jesus concluded this conversation with His disciples, He followed it with another statement, “Arise, let us go from here.” Like His disciples then, we are not meant to stay in the upper room, where it’s comfortable and safe. Therefore, let’s go out and declare to the world that we love the Father!

Reflecting

If you have taken the time to meditate daily on John 14, I pray that your relationship with Jesus has deepened as you’ve absorbed His words. I hope you’ve read them in a new way that changes how you see the world and your present circumstances. A way that helps you release control and rest more fully in Him.

Keep Seeking

As we move into another new month, I encourage you to build on this momentum of daily treasure hunting. I love John 15 through 17, where Jesus builds on many of the concepts from John 14 in these final chapters before His death. I am learning; this is only the beginning of learning to abide—in all things!

Learning to Abide: Thirty-one Days in John 14

I’ve added a page on the menu where you can easily find this series; you can find it by clicking here. You can also still find the daily posts on Instagram @discovering_sunrise.

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Good News!

by Caroline on category , , , , , , ,

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.

Helen Keller

We’re hosting another Good News Party!

We will use John 14 as a jumping-off point to talk about how we can allow these words of Jesus to become real in our lives. To explore together how we can learn to let go of our fear, worry, anxiety, and need for control and overcome them by claiming His promises of peace and joy in our everyday lives!

We would love to have you join us this Saturday beginning @ 10:15!

Email me at discoveringsunrise@yahoo.com for details and directions

Love Overflowing

by Caroline on category , , , , ,

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.

Mother Teresa

Making Space

The most loving thing we can do for those we love is to stop looking to them for fulfillment. When we remove this pressure from them, we open a part of our hearts for God to fill. The One who created us, the only One who knows us in our entirety and loves us without limit. He is the One waiting to fulfill us, but we only expose this place when we let go of our expectations of others.


If you reflect on the last time you fought or felt frustrated with someone close to you, did you perceive they owed you something? Anything? Gratitude, affection, attention, praise, time—was there something deeper underneath? This misaligned expectation creates the illusion of love and, therefore, disappointment. People we love will always let us down, not because of their faults but because we have placed a responsibility on each other that God did not design us to carry. The Enemy quickly pressures us into thinking we have to be everything to everyone and, in turn, expect this from others. It’s not until we start to look up and realize we receive our fulfillment from God that we will experience true love, peace, and joy. (John 15:9-12)

Shifting My Perspective


A friend introduced me to this concept as she told me, “If we go to someone else to fill a need before we first go to Jesus, we are operating in the flesh. Before we turn to the earthly, our spirit must be filled from above.” I recognized this was powerful, so I resolved to unpack it later. I’m thankful I did because she was right. The deeper I dig, the more Biblical truth I uncover in this mindset.


As I’ve spent time with this, I am adding, being filled from the Spirit is our highest calling; we can’t reach out to others if we are not filled first. Only once I receive fulfillment from the Holy can I extend a hand to the earthly. Any fulfillment we receive in relationships is a blessing overflowing, not the purpose. (John 15:4,5 and Psalms 1:2,3)

Freedom in Letting Go


I must admit that I am operating in the flesh when I feel let down by others. Otherwise, I will give the Enemy a place to slide in and take a foothold on my perspective. Every moment, it is essential that I look above for fulfillment as Jesus did (John 14:30). If I want this truth to transform me, I must first acknowledge where I’ve been self-centered in my relationships. Where I’ve placed conditions on love and where I’ve been holding onto expectations. Love isn’t about receiving; it’s about contribution. When I align my actions with this truth, I receive freedom! When my sole purpose becomes to overflow the love of Christ, I am free to love without expectation. I become free to uncover joy in each moment.

Practical Truth


I previously discovered a possible connection between joy and loving unconditionally (read that post here). I continue to explore these beautiful life applications as I sit with the Father. God’s Word is teaching me that He is the only One that can truly fulfill me. As I learn to accept His unconditional love, I am learning to better love others. I have uncovered more peace and joy as I embrace this thinking and walk in this truth. This is just another piece supporting this connection, another discovery I had to share!


🎵 Andrew Ripp, For the Love of God 🎶

And… SAVE the DATE: February 25th

We plan to have another Good News Party! I’ll update as we get closer.

Good News!

by Caroline on category , , , , , , , 
"And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

 Romans 10:15 NLT

Unsettled

I woke up solving tomorrow’s problems and re-living yesterday’s mistakes. Feeling unsettled, I listened to a meditation titled, Be Still My Anxious Heart, attempting to redirect my focus and focus my perspective as I stretched my awakening body. As the words of Jesus, recorded in John 14, filled my ears, I felt my Lord speak to my soul. “Let not your heart be troubled….” I needed this today….” Believe in God, believe also in Me.” I knew I needed more, so settling in with my blanket and coffee, I opened my Bible to John 14:1. “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in Elohim, believe also in Me.” As I read the verses, letting each sink in, I felt the weight I had picked up that morning lift. 

Connecting

For months, there have been two words that God has been establishing in my heart. Ephphatha—discovering openness (Mark 7:34) and Abide—discovering God’s Presence in our everyday lives (John 14:17). These concepts grew more profound as I realized this chapter in John brought both together. 

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever.” John 14:16 KJV. The Comforter to abide with me. I love the designation Jesus uses here. Not only is Jesus teaching me to abide in Him, but I am also learning to remain open so His Spirit, His Comfort, can abide within me. This verse connects Abide to Ephphatha.

I penned my thoughts as this discovery became real that morning, “It’s all connected. Beautifully connected. Father, your freedom floods my soul in the darkness this morning. Your peace covers me like the soft pink rolling over the night sky—the words of Your Holy Son spoken to me. ‘Peace I leave with you…not as the world giveth…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ John 14:27 KJV”

 My initial contemplation of, What if I read these words daily and take them to heart? Became, I am going to begin every day with these words for a month. As I flipped back through the chapter, I noted that John 14 has 31 verses. Perfect.

Sharing

It’s been seven weeks since I began reading John 14 daily. Each day after reading the chapter, I spend time on the subsequent verse, treasure-hunting for the application for that day. Reading John 14 daily affected me so positively, that when I completed the 31 days, I added John 15 to my daily reading. I have filled pages with so many thoughts and discoveries. I want to share the realness of this discovery with everyone I know; the peace and freedom I have felt from resting at Jesus’ feet. We don’t have to do life alone!

Celebrating

Part of Ephphatha that God is planting in my heart is to open our home to be a place where others can join us in excavating life applications from God’s Word and sharing discoveries. So, we are throwing a Good News Party on October 15th beginning at 10:15am!

Weather permitting, we will gather outside under the trees, and around a campfire. We want to provide a place where we can learn from each other and encourage each other as we discover how to get into God’s presence, remain open, and abide in everyday life. With so much pressing in on all of us daily, we want to provide a respite, a place to reset and recharge. A place to discover or be reminded we have Good News to celebrate! We would love to have you join us this Saturday! Please contact me for details at discoveringsunrise@yahoo.com. 

I am learning that the best adventures begin when I step out into the unknown places where I feel Him leading. Therefore, I choose to obey when God tells my heart to throw a party with an open invitation. (John 14:31)

I look forward to sharing this adventure with all of you! 

Perspective 🎶

The Belly of Hell

by Caroline on category , , , , ,

Recently, as I sat watching someone I love languish in pain, helplessness attempted to creep in. When I arrived home from the hospital for a quick respite, I read Jonah, and the concept of the “belly of hell” became real to me. It refocused me to the place of thanksgiving. I felt helpless, and it’s right there, where we have nothing left; God asks us to lift our hands in a hallelujah. And as gratitude floods the soul, our perception changes; a shift that can only happen in this place.

The belly of hell. Whether physical, circumstantial, relational, or psychological, this place of desperation is never when or where we expect.

“Out of the belly of hell cried I, And thou heardest my voice.” Jonah 2:2 KJV

I was searching for more, something different than the race I’d been living, but I didn’t know what it was. The discontent led me to minimalism, intentionality, and self-awareness. I was making positive changes, but my focus was misplaced. Unaware, I had replaced the noise of consumerism and chasing stuff with the clutter of “being” and “doing” through my own strength and intentionality. I had created empty spaces that were beginning to reveal a more profound emptiness. As I began to use some of my newly discovered free time in stillness, God listened to my cry when I didn’t even know I was crying out (Jonah 2:2). He answered me in the physical interruption of my life. As I battled Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Babesia, I began to hear God’s whisper.

I can still smell the crisp spring air as I recall mustering up the energy to wander the trail to clear my mind. As I forced movement of my broken-down body, the song “Space to Speak” permeated into my soul. In my quest for control, I didn’t yet realize that I was fleeing from God’s presence (Jonah 1:3), but there, in my brokenness, I was learning to make space for Him.

Cultivating a New Perspective

I discovered this thanksgiving concept several years prior as I read “One Thousand Gifts.” I was a master of negativity, even the little things I found to complain about with one barrage of “ugh” after another. This book opened my eyes to how I was looking at life, and I became more intentional in acknowledging blessings and embracing what was before me. Learning to give thanks was a start, but still, I was vomiting tiny particles of negativity over beautiful everyday moments.

Regardless, I began to enact the discipline of giving thanks. I didn’t have illustrations yet like the “belly of hell,” but I learned one choice at a time to give thanksgiving. And the more I practiced, the more I realized that gratitude and negativity can not exist in the same breath. We are given opportunities repeatedly to cultivate this, and practicing is essential to giving thanks when it hurts. I learned that sometimes we give praise because it is an overflowing of the thanks we feel in our hearts, and sometimes we give thanks despite the circumstances because this is what we have learned to do. Either way, there is a peace that comes with giving thanks in all things.

As I recently unpacked the story of Jonah, I discovered the realness of Jonah’s experience. Amid his daily routines and plans, Jonah heard God’s call to “Go” (Jonah 1:1,2), and instead, he ran, attempting to flee from God’s Presence. Fleeing from the presence of God. How many times do we try to do this in a day? Do we flee from His presence with the perpetual motion we insist on keeping? Do we flee from His presence when we lack intentionality? When we finally stop moving at the end of the day and turn on a show, stare at a screen, or grab a drink, numbing our minds? Do we flee when we pick up our phones instead of interacting with the human next to us?

Back to Jonah…

As the storm pressed, waves crashed, and the safety that Jonah had chosen for himself began to dismember; he was forced to acknowledge that God meant what He said when He said, “Go.” Jonah’s attempt at escaping the presence of God was only going to lead to death. “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” Jonah 2:8 NIV. When he realized the imminent destruction of all those around him, he demanded they throw him into the raging sea. He chose to die instead of fleeing anymore from his Creator.

There in the “belly of hell,” Jonah acknowledged his position and the position of God. When he cried out in his lowest moment, God heard him. In stillness, God saved him, allowing him three days and three nights to contemplate his situation. And amid this janked up circumstance, Jonah chose to praise Jehovah. “…but I will sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of thanksgiving.” Jonah 2:9 KJV

Go

God longs for our stillness and the sacrifice of the voice of thanksgiving. In every circumstance. Like Jonah, once I got to this point of acknowledging my nothingness and need, I had nothing left but a hallelujah. And this beautiful moment of praise changed my heart. Giving thanks changes us, and getting into God’s presence transforms us. Letting go of our worthless idols opens us up to God’s grace and mercy. Every moment matters. If the soul tells you something is off, listen. Be willing to embrace your belly of hell, whatever it might look like, because it might be the very thing that brings you into the life-saving presence of the Life-Giver.

“All my words fall short, I’ve got nothing new, how could I express all my gratitude…So I throw up my hands and praise You again and again ’cause all that I have is a halleleujah…” 🎶Brandon Lake- Gratitude

Sunrise

by Caroline on category , , , 
All you see is gray, darkness lingering at the crust of the earth
Another hopeless day of "drudging through the drudgery" without purpose
A sigh escapes your heavy heart.

All you see is pink, pushing through shades of lavender as the darkness ebbs away
The sun's rays, no longer held captive to the horizon
Another day to be alive, moments no longer lost to monotony
A deep inhale and praise escapes from your soul.

Which direction will you choose to face at sunrise? 

Be inspired to choose joy as you listen here

Treasure Life.

✕