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mundane no longer has a place

Intentionality

Discovering Identity

by Caroline on category , , ,

I smiled as this sign came into view a couple of months ago. I could relate; the phrase epitomized my motivation to share my story and compelled me to stop and capture it. Relatable then, but becoming even more personal recently.

Beautiful Breaking

Over the holidays, I experienced a moment of breaking. Doing and trying to be everything to everybody somehow has a way of surfacing during times that are supposed to be filled with peace and joy…the irony of it built up and overflowed from my soul. I found a quiet place and surrendered; as I wept, all that escaped from my lips was, “Lord, I’m a mess….” In this moment of despair, His voice whispered to my being, “Yes, Child, but you’re My mess.” And as I realized that His arms were the arms that held me, He made me conscious of my nothingness while simultaneously lifting me into the awareness that I’m His Child, a child of “the Most High God….” (Luke 6:35)

And at that moment, He realigned my identity.

Taking Root

A word from an ancient scripture has been taking root in my spirit. “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1

In my previous blog post, I asked, What if life isn’t about what we do but who we are?

Who Am I?

Pausing to answer the question, Who am I ? takes time, effort, and courage. So much of our identity by default lies in what society tells us is essential, our parents’ expectations, our GPA, social status, and career—internal voices constantly echoing external pressure, you’re not good enough, you’ll never measure up. The Enemy loves to keep us discouraged, overwhelmed, and exhausted. 

The Enemy’s Strategy

I’ve seen two systematic strategies used by the Enemy in my life and in the lives of those around me. The first to keep us so busy and overwhelmed that the thought of self-discovery seems selfish and unrealistic. And second, (he always has a backup plan) if we do make the time to look inward, he wants us to keep our focus on ourselves. Preoccupied with our competence or incompetence, and looking inside ourselves for strength and healing. This is where he wants us to stop. But, I’ve learned, as constructive as it is to look inward, stopping there is an empty place. Again, there’s another layer. When you look beyond yourself to a Holy Creator God that knows your deepest thoughts and desires— you will find fulfillment and your true identity. (Psalm 139:13,14)

 I keep discovering the gravity of getting acquainted with God’s voice, so we can recognize Him in our moments of desperation. As feelings of unworthiness swept over me that day, Satan would have preferred that I kept reeling in my insufficiency. The last thing he wanted was for me to realize my need for stillness and quiet and my acknowledgment that I was a mess was his next best option. But, his plan was shattered as I heard the voice of my Father. 

Grounded in The Cross

I’m discovering the more I learn about myself, the more I see my need for grace and a Savior. As the cross of Christ becomes my identity, I realize this is where I want to stay grounded. I want everything in my life to overflow from this place.

It’s from that place we develop preparation for Satan’s attacks. Preparedness for when he whispers, you’re a mess. The ability to counter with, Yes, but I’m a mess that He died for, a beautiful mess; the Enemy has no retort for this truth.

So today, I encourage you to uncover who He created you to be and walk boldly in this discovery. 

It’s worth making time today to dance to this song as you sink into this truth!

Ben Fuller, Who I Am 🎶

More treasure hunting- Uncovering our identity in Him 

John 15:11-19, Isaiah 54:17, Matthew 10:27, Psalm 19:14, Psalm 94:19

 

Discovering the First Thing

by Caroline on category , , ,

Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.

D.L Moody

“First thing first, all my desires reversed…” What if this is how to begin this year? No goals, resolutions, or plans of our own. What if we start with what has a lasting impact, by determining our values, and aligning our actions?

This Beautiful Life

Underneath it all is life. Breath and lungs and heart pumping life substance throughout. Underneath all is the core of our being. Soul. Hopes, dreams, anticipation, and expectation; do they ultimately steal our nows and ability to be? This moment. Not recreating the past or manipulating the future. Just now. This breath. This heartbeat.

Our future is not guaranteed. Do setting goals for this hypothetical existence just set us up for disappointment? Without goals, would there be regrets if I just evaluated time spent as it is passing, living in the now, with intentionality? These are questions I learned to ask. And as I began to contemplate, I wondered, have I been asking the wrong question? What if life isn’t about what we do but who we are?

Beyond goals and resolutions and unknown futures, I discovered an alternative focus.

Identity

Who am I? If I strip it all away. Apart from family, relationships, status, and career. Beyond flesh and lungs and heart pumping–soul. Where does my identity lie? The question is, “if everything changed around me, and nothing went as planned, would I remain?”

Where does your identity lie? What distracts you from answering this? What holds you back from being this? What if instead of piling on more to-do’s, we discovered what’s beneath by stripping away excess?

Over the past several years, I have learned to ask myself this question, “Who am I?” I have learned to keep asking and to keep digging, and to keep pulling back layers.

Who am I underneath it all? To answer this, I had to uncover what is truly important. To align my actions with my values, I first had to discover what my values are—I credit The Minimalists for introducing me to this concept. This worksheet of theirs is one of the tools I have found to be vital as I identify and evaluate my values.

Implementing

I have done this for the past four years instead of setting goals and resolutions. Then throughout the year, I examine my values to ensure my daily actions are aligned.

As you reflect on the efficacy of your past resolutions, consider whether it is time to take a chance and consider a new approach.

Would life be more interesting and enjoyable if you remained flexible? If you allow yourself to experience the moment’s beauty without manipulating the outcome? If you remain true to your values yet realize there may be more than one way to get there?

I can relate if you’re three days into the year and already have broken resolutions. I’ve been there. So, I dare you to dig behind them. What is your “why”? Do your core values shape it? Ask the essential questions, then be flexible about how your time unfolds while focusing on the purpose behind the action.

I challenge you to permit yourself to let go of your resolutions. It takes effort and intentionality to evaluate continually, but I have determined it is worth it.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12

I began this post with lyrics from THIS SONG. As I have learned to prioritized my values, I've uncovered a life with meaning and purpose, and everything changed.

Living Open

by Caroline on category , , , ,

“The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.”

Is 50:4, 5

Discovering Ephphatha

Even though Open the Gate was all I knew, I had to follow the call in my heart. I knew it was unconventional, but I am learning that the deeper I go with God, the more mysterious life becomes while congruently becoming simple and joy-filled. As I continue to read John 14 daily, He is teaching me to Abide. And I’m learning that abiding is related more to being open and receiving Him, than my “doing.”

Following

Initially, as I began to feel His discoveries build, my heart heard, Write, share your story as it unfolds with Me, so I started blogging. And more recently, I felt Him pushing me further out of my comfort zone; Open the Gate. That’s all I knew.

Next, as bizarre as it may sound, God gave me October 15. I committed. With their gracious support, I shared with my family and decided something was happening here on that date. It wasn’t until a couple of days before the 15th that I read a verse that makes me smile every time, “How beautiful are the feet of them who bring the Good News…”. That’s when I saw the alignment of Romans 10:15 and the date 10-15, realizing we were to open the gate to invite others to celebrate the Good News. And as we did, I knew God was stretching me.

Growing

I’m a planner, but I handed this gathering to Him and left the invitation open without RSVPs. I am also an introvert, and I knew inviting others and sharing what I had been discovering would require me to speak to the group, which seemed terrifying. Therefore, I unknowingly began to resort to a survival technique I had developed in college.

To survive college presentations, I learned how to present my information while hiding behind what I call a “presenter persona,” disingenuous at best, but an introvert’s survival. So, once I understood the gist of what we were doing, I began composing my presentation. As I did this, I felt unsettled. The words I wrote were genuine and heartfelt, but sharing them in the manner I was planning, didn’t feel aligned. And then, the morning of our party, God laid on my heart, share your story. 

Where do I even begin? I pondered as I flipped open an old journal and read:

“January 7, 2015 ‘Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; also trust in Me.’ John 14:1” God, this feels aligned. I continued reading, “Trust is the antithesis of stress” (quoted from One Thousand Gifts) and “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow. Romans 15:13”

And then, the subsequent quote I had jotted down from the same book, “Belief is a verb something you do…The work of trusting love. Intentional and focused. Sometimes, too often, I don’t want to muster the energy. Stress and anxiety seem easier…are stress and worry evidences of a soul too lazy, too undisciplined, to keep its gaze fixed on God?… If authentic, saving belief is the act of trusting, then to choose stress is an act of disbelief…atheism. Anything less than gratitude and trust is practical atheism.” Whew. 

I then turned to another entry, written as I was acknowledging how different I was beginning to feel through being intentional with God and spending time in His Presence. He was changing me, and I was craving to authentically share it. On April 15, 2015 I wrote, “…start small. My own heart…like a ripple effect. I want Him to use me…the ‘greats’ in the Bible weren’t all preachers and priests. They were everyday people living out faith in the real world. I want this to be my story.”

As I internalized this that morning, He reminded me, just overflow. He was using this to teach me, maybe more that it did had to do with my sharing with others. He reminded me to stop trying and doing, be. Remain open, trusting, Ephphatha. 

I continue to realize, the more I think I understand what God is trying to teach me, the more He turns it upside down and says, “Now look again, in My Presence.” It’s like doing a headstand, and as the floor morphs into the ceiling, you are transported into a different place. This new perspective, I discover every time.

Celebrating

God knows I have so much growing to do, and He is stretching me again. So in faith and an overflowing of all He has done, we will open the gate again this Saturday (November 12). Providing a place to share our stories and celebrate the beauty and wonder of learning to live a more full life, Abiding in Him. 

(If you would like details, contact me at discoveringsunrise@yahoo.com)

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 🎶

Making Space for Purpose

by Caroline on category , , , , , , ,

We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness.

Oswald Chambers

As I began the daily devotional of My Utmost for His Highest, that opening line seized me. Oswald Chambers, goes on to write, “Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them. Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease. The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God.”

Six years ago this week, my journey into minimalism began. As my husband spent the week in the boundary waters, I spent the week discovering the excess in our home. I was unaware real life was waiting for me underneath it all. I had no expectation of uncovering peace, purpose, and freedom; all I knew was something had to change. 

Reevaluating

My husband is there again, and I have spent the week remembering and analyzing. Although I have experienced so many benefits from minimalism, I have allowed one obstacle to remain. Unreviewed sentimental items. These things taunt me each time I walk through the garage. Things, taking up mental space, creating clutter, and keeping me from moving forward. Things, creating a disturbance, holding me back from the freedom I know awaits.

It’s not having sentimental items that bothers me, it is that they are un-curated. This unintentionally goes against everything I believe in. These things keeps me from beginning meaningful projects, because I feel I need to address them, before moving on. So this week I have resolved not to accommodate anything in my home without intention. Having a home completely free of clutter is not the end game. The purpose, is to free up time and space. To create a place where we can follow our passions and experience meaningful activities and contribution, unencumbered by stuff.

Digging Deeper

Determining what is worth keeping requires careful review of every card, letter, photograph, item. Reading the words and internalizing the sentiment takes time and effort. Intentionality, simple but far from easy. 

So much self discovery in determining what is worth holding onto.  Evaluating whether or not to keep something, requires knowing the purpose for keeping it. I have to ask myself,  “Is this worth my time and energy to store/scan/manage?” Finding the balance as I reflect that years have passed and those times have merged into a beautiful present.

But, as I recover those words from boxes, I remember. I don’t want to forget the words of affirmation from my parents building a strong and sturdy foundation. I don’t want to forget the nervous excitement of that first note, high-school banter, from the man who now steadily walks by my side as life unfolds. The joy, the pain, the heart swelling and overwhelmed with love and affection; the emotions associated with reading those words. I realize it’s not the words, but the person, who had an overflowing in the soul and had to express it, that I want to remember.

As life moves forward, I don’t need those written words to tell me how they feel, I have life experiences to reveal this. It’s in doing life together, roots grow deeper. Although I know I don’t need these things to connect me to my past, I chose to keep a few, the ones that still make me smile when I read them. Why? Because I have a meaningful relationship with the one who wrote them. 

Remembering

I read John 14 last week, and I’ve read it again every day since. I realize reading these words of Christ over and over are like rereading a love letter. The words an expression of love, hope and promise for the life I can build on Him, anticipation of something more. Like the words from those I love, these words of Jesus hold so much meaning because of my relationship with Him. His words are alive and relevant because I choose to experience life with Him. I believe Him when He says in verse 6, that He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Reading these words again and again, to remember.

I don’t want to forget the chaos and clutter where now there is calm and peace. My life has changed so much in the last six years. Gratitude floods over me as I acknowledge my God who loved me too much to let me just exist. I am filled with praise as He keeps me stirred and restless, with a peaceful anticipation of what comes next. As I pursue living with intention, I am reminded over and over, that it’s only in letting go of the past that I can move forward and flourish.

This week I have found renewed purpose. A reminder of the importance of questioning the purpose of everything I allow to remain; allowing only things that supplement my life, not distract from it. I must ask with everything, “Does this move me toward my purpose or hold me back?”

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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.

Treasure Life.

✕