Weakness

Some people say that Christianity is just for those who are weak, those who need a “crutch”, and those who need the faith in order to feel like they have purpose and meaning in their life.

Surprisingly, these remarks are completely accurate.

I am weak. I need someone who is always there to lean on, and someone who is always there to pull me back up. I need something bigger than myself and this world to put my faith and trust in. I need Jesus, I need the Gospel, and I need the truth. WE ALL DO.

God doesn’t need us (although He wants us), but we sure do need Him. God gave us the opportunity for eternal life by sending down His only son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Jesus gives us life, and through Him, we can breathe. In John 14:6, Jesus says “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the only way to God, and like I said before, WE ALL NEED GOD.

I would also like to touch on a different kind of weakness. Not only do I need God to give me life, but I also need Him in the sense that I can’t do everything on my own; I need Him to carry me when I fall. Sometimes I get caught up in all of life’s demands and literally crumble to the ground. I say things like:

“I can’t do this.”

“I am not physically or mentally able to meet these demands.”

“I am not strong enough.”

But at these moments, it always helps to think about how we don’t have to do it all on our own because God is right there with us.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Also one of my favorite reminders is this: That God’s strength and power overcomes my weakness.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest in me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

My main takeaway from this is simply the essential concept that we tend to all forget from time to time – we need God because we are weak. We need Him to give us life, and we need Him because we are simply not strong enough to do it on our own.

Christianity, belief in one true and holy God, isn't just for those who need an “emotional crutch” it is for those who realize their weakness and their incredible need for a Savior. 

Hope

As believers in Jesus Christ, we put our faith, trust and HOPE in the Lord. This gives us a unique quality that makes us “stand out” amongst others. With the Holy Spirit and this matchless hope inside of us, we become different than many people in our workplaces, our schools, or even our own homes and neighborhoods. People are able to look at us and our actions and hopefully say: “There is something different about him/her. I like it. I want to know what it is.”

Paul talks about this hope in Ephesians. In his letter to the Ephesians, he writes: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints –Ephesians 1:18. As Christians in today’s world, we are able to read Paul’s letters, learn about the truth, and acquire this hope in Jesus that gives us eternal life.

I’ve heard many people talk about this topic before; that as Christians, our hope comes from something far beyond anything in this world. Our hope comes from Jesus Christ. I know this to be true, but my question always is: Am I actually living this out? When others see me, do they see Jesus?

There are many ways to let the light of Christ shine through me. Really listening to someone or going out of my way to do a good deed are just a couple ways. And I am sure you can think of ways in your own life as well. It is important to remember that it doesn’t have to be anything huge, but just the way you go about your day and the words you say are ways to let Jesus’ light shine.

Remember to put your faith, trust and HOPE in Jesus each and every day, and I pray that others may see where your hope is coming from and ask you, “You have something different and I like it. How can I get what you have?”

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Remember to Breathe

Most days I feel like I am swimming, trying to keep my head above water. I try to meet every demand and every task to the best of my ability. I do just enough so I can keep from drowning.

But for the past couple weeks, I kept thinking about how I want to do more than just tread water every week, I actually want to swim somewhere.

So, I decided to make goals for each week. “Small strokes” so that by the end of the week, I feel like I have moved in more areas than just my usual day-to-day demands. These goals are as simple as “talk to someone new every day” or “have 15 minutes of quiet time before bed.” Simple things that like this help me to thrive in the small ways too.

I have one more thing to add to this very short and simple post: On weeks where it feels like you are in the ultimate race, trying to get everything done that you need to, remember to do one simple thing – breathe. Remember to settle down and to refuel so that you can keep doing the things that God wants you to do. God calls us to find peace in His presence.

Be still, and know that I am God.

What “small strokes” will you take this week? What will you do to remind yourself to breathe? 

Where is Home?

I really like the home and community I grew up in. When I was little, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Now as a college student, I have somewhat moved from my home (although not too far), and my new home is the college campus, which I also really like. I am extremely grateful to have these two great places as part of my life.

But which one is really home? My home where I grew up is so familiar and where my family lives, but starting college made me leave this home and get used to another. Even when I come back home, it is a little different than it used to be growing up, coming home is temporary. So, is the college campus my home? It’s hard to call a dorm room a home, and it is also hard to call a campus with more than 50,000 people a home. Yes, it is where I live and work and go to school, but the word “home” has so much weight and meaning to it (for me at least), and it would be weird to say that I share my home with thousands of other people.

So how about when I grow up and have my own home with my family…Will that feel like home?

I think many places can have sprinkles of a home-like- feeling, but there is only one true home for all of us, and that is with Jesus Christ. We were made to be with Him in heaven, so I think that is why we can’t completely feel at home in this world.

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. – Philippians 3:20

So on days when I just don’t feel like I fit here, or when I miss living at my house with my family, I hold onto this truth – that I am at home with Jesus.

Letting go is LIVING!

Surrendering your life to the Savior is no small task, but it is the very best decision you could ever make.

Letting go of your worries, your plans, your life will actually allow you to feel more in control and at peace because you will trust that God has a special plan for your life.

Letting go will allow you to gain even more – a little contradictory I would have to say. But what you will gain is this – the true feeling of God’s presence, His grace, and His gentleness.

If you want to truly “live life to the fullest” while you are on this Earth, you need to just let go.

I would like to be able to say that because I have fully surrendered and let go, I have gained and experienced all these things. And this is partly true. My passion to follow God’s plans and love like Jesus has allowed me to gain experiences that could not have come about by my work alone. These experiences range from meeting new people and building a relationship with them, to working a new job and finding opportunities on campus. I have learned to trust God and His plan, but ultimately, I have not been able to fully let go of my life. There is a part of me that still wants to control everything. And this is the point that I would like to get across – that letting go of my worries, my plans and my life is something I struggle with. It’s not easy whatsoever. And generally for many of us, it isn’t easy – it is actually quite difficult!

So what can make the task easier?

I came across this passage in Hebrews 12 and it reminded me why we “run this race” of faith, why we persevere to follow Jesus daily and struggle through the idea of giving our life completely to Him.

Hebrews 12:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

We do it because Jesus gave his life so that we may live. And whenever we are having trouble with anything in our faith, when we are having trouble letting go, we can rest on this truth and look to Jesus as our one true strength.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.