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mundane no longer has a place

Faith

Choosing Trust over Confusion

by Caroline on category , , 
"In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be put to confusion." Ps 71:1 KJV

Isn’t this Satan’s plan, to put us “to confusion”? The harder life presses, the more we lose our footing and confidence, the more we focus on our circumstances and abilities, and the more lost and helpless we feel. Potentiating a cycle of overwhelm, we soon forget the power we hold and Whose we are, and we’re trying to carry it all, and satan smirks; This is perfect. 

But, we have the antidote to his scheme, “In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.” I must put this on repeat in my consciousness, and it must frequently escape my lips, each time gaining depth in my heart, making it real, becoming my mantra, more than an ancient prayer. “In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust. Let me never be put to confusion.” Never. I will claim this, again and again, to solidify it in my soul. Speaking aloud, “Satan, get out of here. You are wasting your time. I chose to trust in the Lord my God.” There is power in this declaration.

So whether you can relate as a parent or a student with a new school year beginning or as you navigate other circumstances of your life, let’s remember, when overwhelm and confusion seem like the only option, we have another choice. We have something powerful to hold onto; we can confidently choose trust over confusion. 

Discover for Yourself

This is the part that really matters. Your can’t hand everything that you are white knuckling to a stranger. Get into the Bible, treasure hunt for yourself. Get to know the One who created you. I promise, It’s all so cliché, until it’s not.

1 Peter 5:5-8 (This one, in the KJV, says “care” not “cares” as I had always read it. Does this mean we are meant to hand Him each worry as it arises, instead of picking up one after another and then finally feeling so overwhelmed that then, we hand it to Him? And, in verse 8 Peter calls out the devil in his scheme!) Psalm 37:3-5, Psalm 55:22, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 12:22-31, John 14:27, Hebrews 13:5 and 6, Isaiah 40:31, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:1, Joshua 1:9, Philippians 4:4-7.

Spending time in God’s Presence, changes everything…

A friend shared this song with me this week, perfect reminder 🎶 click here to listen 🎶

crop barista putting signboard with open inscription on glass wall

Ephphatha

by Caroline on category , ,

Do You Know Why You Believe What You Believe?

church sign

Highway Epiphanies

As I read these words on a church placard the other day, I was able to answer, I do. This realization prompted me to complete this post that has been evolving for months.
I don’t often culminate the words scribbled in my journal into a completed blog post. Sometimes the magnitude of what I am uncovering paralyzes me; how do I condense it into a 2-minute read? So, I keep filling pages and procrastinating. And God keeps me stirred and restless, and I know I can’t keep sitting with all of these ideas bound in my pages.

So, as I read that church sign, I felt compelled to share the abstract version of what could be volumes. As I learn to set aside my preconceived notions and discover anew through openness, I am developing my personal beliefs and finding healing and growth. I choose to treasure hunt in an ancient living book, and as I see it all, as if for the first time, I am learning who God really is and who He created me to be.

Seeking

Often, my discoveries begin with a quiet place, an open mind, a Bible, and a good cup of coffee. And sometimes, it takes a church sign to bring it all together.

(Mark 7:32-35) Along the Sea of Galilee shore, waves ripple against boats, fishermen’s voices penetrate the air as they clean their boats and their catch, while seagulls squabble over the cast-out remains. A growing number of people are pressing in to hear the next word from the man who is causing a stir; maybe see firsthand, a supernatural event. The clamoring of the crowd escalates as someone pushes a man through to Jesus. Amid the chaos, this man hears only the deafening quiet of silence that suffocates him. He was brought here; the only sounds coming from his mouth are the groans of an untamed tongue. He is trapped in the prison of his body, unable to express the emotions deep within, misunderstood, an outcast. And then, Jesus reaches out and leads him away from the crowd.

Jesus as a human with spit and hands; Divinity reaching out. But before the Creator of the universe changed this man’s life in that holy instant, He paused, looked up, and said, “Ephphatha” with a deep sigh. Jesus, in the dirt, feeling his pain, the agony produced by years of ostracism; it was here that He offered healing. Here alone with Jesus, the first uttered syllables that reach this man’s ears come from Jesus’ lips, “Be opened!”

Living Wholly

Ephphatha. Living open, with intention. Willing to identify our stance on ideas, ways of doing, thinking, being, and living. Open to change and discovery. Open to getting alone with Jesus and developing our own beliefs and values. If we spend our lives closed, living as if we have it all figured out, we prohibit growth and grace.

I know “why I believe what I believe” because they are, my beliefs.

More to come…

Nothing Else, Cody Carnes 🎶

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

Can Love Do That?

by Caroline on category , , , ,

Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.

St. Augustine

Almost daily, I fill journal pages with thoughts and concepts that flood my mind as I treasure hunt through the Bible. Ideas discovered in words that used to be just Bible verses, becoming treasures, leading to new ways of looking at life and living. Regularly, as I excavate, themes emerge, and I begin to assimilate; it’s all connected. These uncovered concepts change how I perceive every moment, and I feel compelled to share. 

I had to explore the probability that we can experience untethered joy by loving unconditionally. 

Can unconditional love lead us into joy? Truly living in each moment, without a single concern for the next. What if everything we did was for the good of the other person? Unconditional love. 

This conjured up feelings of angst and concern; wouldn’t this lead to being taken advantage of? But didn’t Jesus tell us, if someone asks for your shirt, give Him your jacket too? Or if someone asks you to walk with them one mile, walk two. (Matt 5:40,41) The “what if” is removed from the equation if I take this to heart. This frees us to stop worrying about “what if it’s not fair, what if I don’t get my share, what if they don’t even notice my sacrifice.”

Instead of acting self-protectively, unconditional love intentionally seeks ways to give beyond ourselves. There is a layer of anxiety and stress attached to worrying about “what’s in it for me,” could I really release this? What if we took control of the situation, determining ahead of time that we would hold the other person’s best interest ahead of our own? What if we didn’t have “toes to get stepped on”? What if no one could take from us more than we were hoping to give? Freedom in this intentionality. 

Another level of learning to trust my Heavenly Father is unearthed here. Replacing my ulterior motive buried deep within, with the kind of trust that can actually let go and trust Him to take care of me. I can only trust Him fully once I recognize His unconditional love for me. Laying all our shortcomings and selfish purposes at the feet of Jesus is where we begin to accept unconditional love. Acknowledging that we have received what we don’t deserve enables us to give unconditional love to others (Ephesians 2). As I breathe this in, letting the pieces connect, I recognize I can’t overflow with joy without first letting go of all selfish ambition (Philippians 2:3-5). It’s all connected. 

Frequently the opportunity to apply this concept arises. And even though I know it, my flesh still fights, claws digging in protectively. There will always be that dark voice whispering, You can’t actually love unconditionally; you’ll be taken advantage of, or you’re not capable of loving like that….” And then the voice of Jesus breaks through, “Love them like I love you. I died for you. Not in some hypothetical or historical story, I actually spread out My arms and endured physical torture and darkness, for you. Love them like that because of Me. Not of your own might, but by My Spirit, that now lives within you.” And I must acknowledge that it’s only through God’s power that I can release my ambitions and enable His unconditional love to flow through me. Again and again (John 21:22, Philippians 2:3,4, 2 Corinthians 3:5 and 4:6,7). 

Acknowledging that we do not have the power to love like that is the only way to liberate His power. Jesus gave us a promise to claim, “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24. To receive, we must ask for the ability to love unconditionally and the wisdom to discern when to establish boundaries (Matthew 5:43-47 and Matthew 10:14). 

Each time I walk in this, choosing to align my actions with His teaching, I find unimaginable freedom that floods my soul. Freedom to enjoy each interaction without looking how to spin it to my advantage. The freedom to love deeper because I am looking for ways to fulfill the other person. The product of soul freedom is joy. 

 I don’t believe that it is coincidental that joy follows directly after love in Galatians 5:22. Living every moment grounded in love will only have one result, joy overflowing. And when we can live in this world with joy overflowing, only then can others begin to comprehend the depth of the love of God. It’s not our sermons or our theology that draws people to Jesus; it’s our joy.

  “…so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them”, John 17:13. This kind of joy is contagious. And Jesus commission becomes natural, “As You sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world” John 17:26. Sent into the world to be overflowing vessels of joy. 

I encourage you to explore living, loving, and interacting unconditionally; you just might discover joy.

Listen and smile: Believe- Jimi Cravity

Undeserving

by Caroline on category ,

It had been a weird day at work. As I zoned out at the stoplight, I was replaying events in my mind, solving future problems, reading bumper stickers, noting my phone lighting up, background music playing. And then, a prelude of sounds shook me out of the vacuum of distraction. A thud, the crushing of metal, the breaking of plastic, and I realized my brain and right foot had had a miscommunication. And I was to blame.

As she jumped out of her vehicle unharmed, she smiled at me as I peeled myself out of mine, the quick turn of events humbling me. She began asking questions and calling the police, and I was thankful for her lead. She was so pleasant about it all. Grace.

The police officer arrived with a humored smirk on his face, “What happened?” he asked, unable to entirely hold back his amusement. Without a good answer, I sheepishly joined him with a grin. I observed how he was just so kind. Grace.

I limped home, apologizing to Shimmer (yes, my truck has a name) for the undeserved punch in the face and dreading seeing my husband. I arrived home before he did; therefore, I promptly made a latte to greet him at the door. (Of course, gifting of the latte is the typical procedure for welcoming him home from work.)
As he walked in the door and gladly accepted the drink, he asked with a wink, “How bad is it?” and proceeded to hug me. Grace.

Somebody was supposed to yell at me, tell me what an idiot I had been, at least been frustrated and annoyed at the disruption I had caused, but all I got was grace. This giving of grace is salvation, displayed in real life. We don’t get what we deserve. We gain freedom where there should be chains. We get forgiveness where there should be condemnation. He brings life when there should be death.

I was the recipient of so much grace, and it left me feeling humbled, grateful, and so blessed. I want to hang on to this feeling. The feeling of unworthiness is a beautiful reminder of the grace God extends to me every moment through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. I will continue to accept His grace and any bestowed upon me by His disciples. And I will remember next time when extending grace is up to me to give it freely.

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Spirit is Life

by Caroline on category ,

“You can never give another person what you have found, but you can cause him to have a desire for it.”

Oswald Chambers

Soul Life

“‘He has set me free, Living’ ” words my Grandma penned at the bottom of Romans 7. Living. When was the last time you stopped to consider what living means to you? Really living. Are you surrounding yourself with what brings life to your soul? Stop and think about what stirs you deep inside. Makes you feel alive. Causes you to completely lose all track of time and place. Try to harness this feeling for just a moment.

Now allow yourself to consider that this feeling is God. Have you ever thought that God isn’t church, isn’t doctrine, isn’t books, isn’t anything you have perceived? God is Spirit. Spirit is Life. What if feeling alive is actually feeling God? What if doing the thing that makes you feel most alive is worship? If we spend our lives so busy that we never take the time to consider what truly lights us up, we can miss out on ever discovering who God is to us.

As I pour through the pages of the Bible, I note every time I come across another name for God. The list keeps expanding. If God was the same for each person, He would only have one name. But instead, the characters of the Bible, as they experience God for who He was to them, each gave Him the name most fitting. This leads me to the conclusion that my God is not your God. He’s the same entity but very different to each of us. Have you ever looked at a picture, listened to a song, read a book, and taken away something completely different than the next person? What if this is what it’s like to experience God?

Contemplate

What if you spent your life angry at someone else’s God because you just couldn’t understand how He could allow… fill in the blank? Or, what if you spent your lifetime “worshiping” someone else’s God in the way they worshiped and missed out on ever feeling worship and experiencing God? Both scenarios are so tragic but so real. I know because I lived the latter.

I could recite all of the stories, sing all of the songs, rehearse all of the doctrine, and I knew God and Jesus. But I didn’t realize my God and my Jesus. All of the foundational gifts that my parents gave me were so important in giving me a place to start, but they were foundational. And I almost stopped at the foundation, assuming this was it. But I wasn’t living. I was far from living. Going through the motions and living without intention left me empty and tired. If you have read through my blog, I have exposed events that have made me who I am today. But, these details are only meaningful if they help me convey to you, “Look how good my God is, He loved me too much to leave me there!” God, the one I share as my story unfolds, is My God.

Are you open to discovering who Your God can be to you?

Listen here: My Jesus 🎶

Not Today Satan, Not Today

by Caroline on category , ,

“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.”

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

Yesterday morning, my attempt to wake up slowly, while sipping a warm cup of coffee next to my husband and the fire, was thwarted. As we laughed about it last night, my daughter recounted the incident, as she had observed from the other room. “Suddenly, I heard a weird noise, followed by Dad questioning, as if afraid of the answer, ‘What did you do?’ Mom made a strange sound; I wasn’t sure if she was laughing or crying. Then, silence.” Thrown into that unexpected moment, I had a choice to make.

Calling him out

I am a Warrior. Every day a battle. Though this battle may appear only against the flesh, evil lurks behind. Satan poised in the flesh, as a shattered french press, demanding boss, screaming baby, defiant teenager, difficult spouse, polarized politics, the media, reactivity. Satan will use anything he can. Always there, he is ready to test our faith and values, ready to steal our peace, and shake our confidence. Therefore, the awareness of his scheme can produce within us, a determination to fully equip ourselves, to be prepared for whatever he throws our way.

Getting ready

God has not left us to face these conflicts alone. We can fight with Truth, wrapped securely around our waists. His Righteousness, we can hold tightly to our chests—the promise of Salvation directing our thoughts to Christ and His sacrifice for us. Our hands and feet His, always ready to spread the gospel of Peace. The Evil One has burning arrows always prepared to strike, but our faith in God lends a Shield of protection. A shield against negativity, always ready to turn us back to see Jesus and to give thanks. Time spent daily in God’s Word equips us with His Spirit, flowing through us, arming us like a sword.

Accepting His partnership

We don’t have to do this life alone! Every day is a new opportunity to be open, live fully, untethered by worry and frustration. Day by day, I’m learning, its in the big and the little things, that God promises to give us all that we need for every situation; It’s just up to us to acknowledge our need, and gracefully or not, accept His out-stretched, nail-scarred hand.

Stepping Out of the Cyclone

by Caroline on category , , , ,

“In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.”

Dave Hollis

Reflection

Before the first bands of light crept into the black sky on Saturday morning, I immersed myself into the lyrics of the song, “Something Heavenly” by Santus Real. As I reflectively went back in time, I began to write…

Eight years ago today, something shifted within me. Eight years ago today I also awoke in the darkness, but in contrast, today I awoke in peace. That morning the sound of the weather alert, wind and rain, and a sense of urgency to take shelter, broke the sleepy silence; in that moment something inside me stirred. As I hunched in my basement, beneath a roaring train, holding my 5-year-old to my chest, I knew what really mattered.

I see now, the restoration of our home is only a glimpse of the renovation God has done in my heart—renovation leading to restoration. That morning, as the tornado stripped away our roof, my heart’s first layer also became exposed. The realization struck me, we aren’t meant to live, tucked neatly within our four walls and behind picket fences; with the chaos hidden inside. I have since, removed layer, after layer, after layer, of my life, I am now on the other side of the destruction. We have removed not only physical possessions, but also expectations, commitments, debt, and consumerism. I have surrounded myself with what really matters, and what remains, is peace.

Urgency

How do I portray this? My heart aches to share what I have discovered. I see it around me, many in the cyclonic life; the swirling around of everything, except for what truly matters. Let it fall apart. Let the roof come off of your house. I would do it all again in a second. Be willing to be exposed, and real. It’s underneath it all where we are alive. All of these things we think are life are only a semblance that we have constructed. Overfilled schedule and lives are tearing families apart. In a rush to create life, we are losing it! Our society has it all wrong. They tell us- go, go, go– do, do, do –work, work, work – and this becomes a shell of life.

I discovered soul guidance, hidden in Isaiah 30:15, where God tells His people that it is “in quietness and trust ” (NIV) where strength is found. In the King James Version He says, “In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Over and over again He urges us to stop; “…but you would have none of it”, He says. Although He discouraged their constant motion, they still said, let’s get our horses, let’s fight, let’s run, let’s go…. and like so long ago, He is still longing for us to stop and find our strength.

Stillness

If we clear the chaos even for just a moment, we will hear Him say, your strength, your sanity, your life, is right here with Me. Right here, in the quiet place. But this quiet place, we must create. Quiet and stillness won’t just happen like the inevitable silence that comes immediately after the passing of a tornado. Creating silence feels scary, I know, I’ve been there, but it’s necessary to begin cleaning up.

You can’t begin restoration in the middle of the cyclone of life. First, the roof, your first layer, must be torn off. And then, when the silence ensues, you have a choice to pause for a moment and decide, is where I’ve been worth rushing back to? Sit in that silence a little while and listen to your soul. Is it time for a shift in direction? Time for a cleanout, a cleanup, or a major renovation? This choice is yours, and it’s worth considering.

Movement

So, embrace the chaos of your life, and use it as a warning signal; alerting that that you can’t go on this way. Get in the driver’s seat and be intentional with your time and energy. Life is going to just keep happening, with or without your input; but with intentionality you can end up where you thrive. Surviving may be part of the process, but it’s not the end-point. Be brave enough to live, and start forging your path through the destruction toward what really matters.

Be Inspired – “Say I Won’t” by MercyMe

What if Your Story Didn’t Stay Hidden?

by Caroline on category , , , ,

All I know is I was blind, but now I see…

Heart open and torn, able to feel joy and pain; where I once was numb.

Presence, stillness, and peace; where rushing and worry resided.

Conviction where indifference stood.

Life changed. My life, completely altered.

Tossed and anchorless, controlled by waves of circumstance, emotion, reactivity; now grounded.

Once slave to debt and consumerism; to obligation- to more, more, more…where now there is contentment.

I was living my own death sentence; His death for me in vain.

His beautiful gift of salvation, I accept; with my face to the ground, muddy tears confessing, His blood washing away what used to be!

I accept, hope eternal raised from the dead; I’ve been set free! I feel the freedom, sweet release, I’m bound no more, His saving grace.

Like the blind man, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

I was blind, but now I see!

No turning back…no turning back. 

"When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him.' So they called to the blind man, 'Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you.' Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 'What do you want me to do for you?' Jesus asked him. The blind man said,  'Rabbi, I want to see.' 'Go,' said Jesus, 'your faith has healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and follwed Jesus along the road." Mark 10:47-52 NIV

When Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” will you have an answer?

What’s your story?

Exposed, and This is Who I Am- Part Two

by Caroline on category , , ,

Every person has an outlook on life; he is seeking his highest joy. Outlook determines outcome…If life is to be rich and meaningful, then our joys must be the highest possible and Jesus tells us that the highest joy possible is to see God.

Warren Wiersbe, Live Like a King

A Constant Practice

I didn’t expect it to take me almost three months to write this follow-up post, misled into thinking I first had to complete my quest to address every single item in the dreaded closet to continue. Again, as I have sorted through so many things, I recognize this is a continual process. Not something to be completed, but a constant evaluation of what I allow to remain. I have rediscovered that learning to live intentionally involves so much more than just getting rid of stuff.

Retrospect

I frequently moved during my childhood; therefore, I spent a lot of my time packing and unpacking items, yet I don’t really remember them. As I went away to college, I took only essentials, leaving excess left behind. I never returned home to appreciate boxes and drawers filled with what I had abandoned.

Although the items left behind no longer held value to me, I just accepted them back into my household, box by box, as I entered adulthood. Instead of intentionally addressing the items, I began to reinforce the habit of thoughtlessly keeping and collecting things, placing value and sentiment onto lifeless items. I was unknowingly creating idols. Giving lifeless items importance, allowing them to steal my space, and hold me down, ultimately allowing them to steal my freedom.

Shifting to Intentionality

Breaking this cycle requires determining the reason for keeping or removing each thing. As I strive to live intentionally, I have to contemplate what I really want out of life? I know my resolution- Freedom. To be free of stuff, free of idols. Desiring to live open and honest and free, my actions, aligning with my values. Leading me to a place to establish a home to nurture family, and growth, and relationships. Home, a place of respite and a place to give my daughter wings to fly- experiencing life without managing stuff. To give each of us the ability to go anywhere, untethered, free.

It’s the fear of leaving the comfortable that held me back for so long. But, as I grow spiritually, I realize this fear is beginning to fade. Because of frequently practicing letting go, I was recently able to experience significant growth. I had an item, which I was more attached to than I had realized.

My Bible, which I had received from my Mom 22 years ago, had played a substantial part in building my relationship with Jesus; full of sentiment and built-in devotionals, my favorite verses marked, and well-worn pages. My Bible, which I thought was an integral part of my connection to Christ. And then, God asked me to give it away. Let go. Follow Him. And I did. The freedom and the growth I have experienced, already reaching so far beyond what I could have imagined! He tells us- Give- Store your treasure in heaven- Come- Follow Me… Trust Me.

Centrifugal Motion

Everything I have must continually be evaluated for purpose, recognizing changing circumstances. I can use each thing to learn from and share or allow it to become an idol. Treasure in heaven can not coexist with treasure on earth. The more I release back to Him, the more freedom I feel. The more I learn to trust, the more alive I become! Experiencing a taste of heaven in the midst of earth. Trusting Him has nothing to do with our bravery and sacrifice. It is the full acknowledgment of what He can do in our lives and what He has already done. We must take ourselves out of the equation, or else we will miss the point. I want nothing in my life that I can not let go of, in trust. He has shown me the beauty and the peace of releasing the comfortable.

Yes, our outlook determines the outcome —every day, a new opportunity to reevaluate what is truly important. I am learning I have to acknowledge, anything that takes me away from what really matters is only a distraction. Anything that takes away from peace in my soul, and time with God or His purpose, is an idol.

Through the removal of things from my life, I have discovered who I am. As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect…”

There is only one relationship that really matters, and that is your personal relationship to your personal Redeemer and Lord. If you maintain that at all costs, letting everything else go, God will fulfill His purpose through your life.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Treasure Life.

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