Consumed

My family loves to "firepit".  There's nothing quite like it.  Countless conversations have occurred around the fire that will forever be etched into my heart.  In those moments, I can't help but be mesmerized by the flames.  I am in awe of the beauty of the blaze.

Our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 13:15

Consume:  To destroy, absorb, engross.

Oddly enough, that's what I so desperately want.  For the Lord to consume me and to destroy anything in my life that may be keeping me from growing closer to him. I want him to burn away all my doubts, my fears, and my anxieties. Destroying my pride, my frustrations, my bad attitudes and my disappointments.

God desires a heart that truly worships him and him alone. A heart totally consumed by him.  And because of God's saving grace, there is something inside of me that wants to give him every ounce of my being.  To bring glory and honor to his name.  To reflect him and his beauty in everything that I say and do.  I want a heart that is undeniably set on fire by him and for him.

As I worship him in spirit and in truth, I can't help but be mesmerized by his flames.  I am in awe of the beauty of the blaze that consumes my life.

Heavenly Father, consume our hearts today and always.  Burn within us an intense passion for you. 

In Jesus' name, amen. 

Listen: Set a Fire by Will Reagan & United Pursuit. 

Confess the mess

Somehow telling God about our struggles is easier than having to reveal them to another person.  God sees... God knows... everything. Nothing can be kept hidden from him. Nothing surprises him.  To admit having done something wrong to God feels safe.  We can trust him with our mess.  But to confess our sins to another person is a totally different story. 

Acknowledging our sin, our slips and our mess is the first step to healing. To confess our faults and failures to another person is where it all begins.  Confession brings healing in a way that excuses cannot. Laying down the pride and keeping short accounts.  It's not easy.  But we must remember, not one of us are perfect. Not one of us have the right to judge one another.

Therefore, confess your sins 

to one another

and pray for one another,

that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous man

has great power in its effects.

James 5:16

We are to find someone we trust when we are facing personal struggles.  Someone whose prayers have great power simply because they seek the Lord's will, not their own. Someone who will always support us and point us back to the One who is able to do the impossible.  

Confession is a scary and difficult step, but a step in the right direction.   Having to believe not only in our hearts what is right, but to live it out in our actions. Doesn't it bring such a sense of relief when it's all out in the open? So don't keep it in.  Let the walls of unconfessed mess begin to fall.  Let the healing begin.

"Sparks will fly as grace collides".  -Tenth Avenue North

Listen:  Healing Begins, Tenth Ave North

Contentment

Contentment. Satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more.

We live in an insatiable society.  Have you ever bought something new only to find that the next big thing just came out and you immediately lose the joy and excitement of what you have? We are left empty and longing for more. This can be said for many different things in our lives.

We spend so much time admiring the other side.  The grass always seems to be greener there... maybe it's because we are too busy looking to see what's on the other side, that we are missing out on the opportunities and blessings that have been placed right in front of us.

It's time to stop living in the "if I only had that, then I could...", "if I were only this, then I would..." mentality and start living in the here and now.  Taking a moment to look at where God has us, what he has given us, and who he has uniquely created us to be for such a time as this.   

It's ok to make plans. To write down goals. To pray that our wants and desires line up with God's will for our lives. But until we allow him to satisfy the cravings of our hearts, we will continue to keep peeking on the other side... hoping... wishing... wanting. 

For I know that the Creator of this world loves and cherishes me more than I could ever fathom. He knows my heart and the longings that lie within. He knows what I need. And I trust that. So I delight myself in Jesus.  Longing for only more of him in my life.  And as I spend more time in his presence, I find true contentment. The grass is greener on my side after all. 

Listen: The More I Seek You, Kari Jobe

For I have learned in whatever 

situation I am to be content.

Philippians 4:11

People pleaser

I carry a lofty weight upon my shoulders. The weight of making everyone in my life happy.  Hi, my name is Allison, and I am a people pleaser.

There is nothing wrong with making people feel accepted, included and loved, but if we stretch ourselves too thin in the process, we are actually doing more harm than good. The inability to enjoy the moment because we are too busy thinking about all of the things we could be doing for others is unhealthy and downright exhausting.

What if in our efforts to please someone, we find that we have drained every ounce of our being?   Maybe it's time that we take a look at the driving force behind the pleasing. 

For am I now seeking

the approval of man or of God?

Or am I trying to please man?

If I were still trying to please man,

I would not be a servant of Christ. 
Galatians 1:10

There is not a verse to be found where the Lord commands us to make everyone happy.  Jesus simply says, "Love one another, just as I have loved you". John 13:34
The happiness of others does not lie in our hands.  We are to love each other, but to go above and beyond what is necessary time and time again, we will begin to feel the lofty weight upon our shoulders. A weight that was never ours to carry.

I am not saying that we should lead selfish lives. Quite the contrary. I believe God wants us to ask Him how he would want us to love and serve others.   Our greatest joy will come from serving the Lord.  That's where we will find fulfillment.  That's where we will find freedom from the people pleaser mentality... simply because it's Him alone that we are aiming to please.

Expectations

Expectation: To be filled with anticipation and confidence that something hoped for will happen.

Have you ever gone to watch a movie that you had high hopes for only to leave feeling disappointed?  I have found that the best movie experiences I have ever had are when I don't have any expectations at all.  I simply show up and enjoy the show.

Life is full of expectations.  Every single person carries with them hopes and dreams.  Some expectations are met and may go above and beyond what we had ever hoped. While some may let us down; and if we are not careful, those expectations may lead us down a path of shattered dreams.

It is important to clearly communicate what it is that we expect... from ourselves, from our spouse, from our children, from our family and friends, from our boss and coworkers... the list goes on.  This allows for frustration, miscommunication and any expectations that may be unrealistic or unattainable to be snuffed out.

So how do we handle unmet expectations?  With grace.  It helps to keep in mind that all have fallen short. That none of us are perfect.  There is only one person in this world that I am certain I can place my highest expectation and never be disappointed.  It's not in myself, in others, or in my circumstances. It's in Christ alone.

My hope is built on nothing less.

And my God will supply 

every need of yours

according to his riches 

in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Listen: Cornerstone by Hillsong

Be someone's friend

If either of them fall down

one can help the other up.

But woe to him who is 

alone when he falls

and has not another to lift him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:10

 

Be someone's friend today. Ask God to show you who that may particular person may be.  Pray for an opportunity to encourage and speak life into their hearts.  

This is my commandment

that you love one another

as I have loved you. 

Greater love has no one than this,

that someone lay down his life

 for his friends.

John 15:12-13

Shout it out

Praise the Lord, all nations!

Extol him, all peoples!

For great is his steadfast love toward us,

and the faithfulness of

the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 117:1-2

I love it when scripture has exclamation points.  I like that the authors reflect strong feeling and high volume.  So yes, I will too.  Praise the Lord!  Thank you, Jesus!  Seriously, thank you.

Thank you for the way you love me!

Thank you for your faithfulness toward me!

Thank you for the grace you extend to me!

Thank you for the price you paid for my life!

Thank you for the cross!

Thank you for not staying dead!

Thank you for conquering death, hell and the grave!

No one else has ever gone that far. That's a pretty big deal, right?!  So, I'm going to go ahead and just say it.... better yet,  I'm going to shout it out...
Hallelujah!!! Praise the Lord!!!

Shout to the Lord, all the earth;

break out in praise and sing for joy!

Psalm 98:4

Listen: Rooftops, by Jesus Culture

Dare not compare

Not that we dare to classify or

compare ourselves with

some of those who

are commending themselves. 

But when they measure themselves by

one another and compare themselves

with one another,

they are without understanding.

2 Corinthians 10:12 

The lives of others may inspire me; however, their successes or lack thereof, is not what determines or defines my self-worth or value. Nothing steals my joy and contentment quicker than the pitfall of comparing myself with others.  It leaves me feeling inadequate, insecure and discontent. Jealous. Envious. Bitter. And sometimes it's even the other way around.  Feeling superior. Thinking of myself better than others. Judgmental.  Either way, it's a dangerous and destructive path.  Neither one of which God has chosen for me.

God has paved a road for each one of us to follow that is completely different than anyone else's.  We do not know all of the curves, the ups, the downs, the twists and turns that the other person has had to walk to get them to where they are today. Nor do we know where God will call them to... and what gifts, talents and abilities will be given to them in order to help them along the way.  Knowing that helps me understand how useless it is to compare myself with others.

So what is at the root of comparing?  Possibly the need for approval and acceptance from others?  If that is the case, then it is time to stop comparing and start looking for approval from the only One who is worthy to give it.

Whatever you do,

work at it with all your heart

as working for the Lord, not for men.

Since you know that you

will receive an inheritance

from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24

And as we live our lives pleasing Him and Him alone, I believe we will be too preoccupied to compare. It's in him that I find true joy and satisfaction. He's enough.

Listen: Christ is Enough, by Hillsong Live