Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. (Colossians 1:10) 

If you were to be tried as a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? This question has haunted me most of my life. While it’s true that good works do not save us, there should be a notable difference between the way Christians and non-Christians live their respective lives. 

Primarily, love should guide everything that we do as believers: how we talk, act, and think. Love motivates us to be kind to one another. It helps govern our words and actions in a distinct way that separates us from non-believers.  

But what do we do with our love? Do we keep it to ourselves, or only love those who can love us in return? Perish the thought. The way we show love to others provides evidence that our lives have been touched by a heavenly Father who first loved us. When Christ resides in our hearts, His love prompts us to demonstrate that love to others. 

When I left my second abusive husband, I was a woman on a mission with three immediate goals in mind: 

1. Completing my degree; 
2. Changing my name; and  
3. Going on a mission trip. 

I desperately wanted to do something with my life – something impactful and demonstrative to make up for lost time. While I completed these goals in the reverse order, I took steps to fulfill each of them almost immediately. The satisfaction I felt in achieving these accomplishments is hard to quantify – yet I knew I had so much more to do, so many more goals to fulfill. 

I recently met another goal – face-on – serving as a Salvation Army bell-ringer at Christmas-time. Yesterday, I completed my first shift. I dressed warmly, in a festive new dress with Santa-heads on the skirt, a pretty black crinoline underneath, and black leggings. With Christmas music playing on my Pandora app, I connected my power bank to my phone and a BlueTooth speaker – ready for action. 

When I arrived, I learned that the kettle, bell, and apron had not yet been dropped off at the location. While waiting for my kettle, an older man approached me, wanting to donate. “I don’t have my kettle yet,” I informed him, with a laugh. 

“That’s okay,” he said, as he opened his wallet and gave me a dollar. I asked him if I could take our picture to commemorate the first dollar received, and he agreed. “I’m Carlton,” he told me, and the two of us chatted together for the next 35 minutes while waiting for the kettle to arrive. 

We talked about how blessed we both were, and how we both believed God treated us better than we deserved. Had my kettle been ready, I would not have had the opportunity to talk to this amazing man who brightened my day. Incredible how perfect God’s timing is when we least expect it. 

A few minutes after Carlton left, my kettle arrived, and I took another photo to send to the organizer. Carlton drove by, honked his horn, and waved as I put my kettle in place and added his contribution to the container. 

For the next two and a half hours, I danced to music, rang my bell, and wished everyone passing by a “Merry Christmas.” I hugged all the children, with their penny donations, and the elderly contributors who told me how much they loved my skirt. I thanked everyone who donated with a “God bless you,” and another “Merry Christmas.” By the time my shift was over, my kettle and heart were overflowing, in equal measure. 

Isn’t that how God’s love is? The more we give, the more we get in return. 

Ring a bell. Stand up for the weak and defenseless. Donate food to the hungry. Help serve a meal or paint a shelter. Give a hug to someone who is hurting. Listen when people are talking to you. Share the love of Christ from the core of your being down to your fingertips. Be His hands and feet. 

Matthew West’s song, “Do Something” perfectly embodies this sentiment:

I’m so tired of talking about

How we are God’s hands and feet

But it’s easier to say than to be

Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves

It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”

Well, I don’t know about you

But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire

I don’t want a flame. I want a fire and

I wanna be the one who stands up and says

“I’m gonna do something.” (1)

We all have the power to make a difference by demonstrating simple acts of love to the hurting world around us. The evidence of our Christianity is inside each of us, just waiting to come out. After all, they will know we are Christians by our love!

Reference: 

West, M. (2012). Do Something. [Recorded by Matthew West]. On Into the Light. [Music album]. Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3) 

Some of life’s fiercest blows hit us outside the punching ring, apart from the battlefield, and separate from the courtroom. Sometimes, the hardest hits we take are those we face emotionally – disappointment, rejection, fear, heartache. My tender heart still feels the sting of such things, in spite of my best defenses.

As one who loves deeply, I can attest to all the emotions it represents – both the euphoric and the debilitating. Love has given me both a desire to dance in the daytime and mourn in the moonlight.

And that’s okay. While I could stand with a few less earthly sorrows, I have grown through each experience. I’ve learned empathy for those who have lost jobs, been homeless, survived violence, suffered betrayal, endured physical pain, lost a loved one, and rebuilt their lives from scratch.

In God’s mercy, He has walked me through all these challenges to elevate my comprehension of the otherwise incomprehensible heartache of others. I understand anxiety, despondency, and rejection because I’ve been there. I’ve lived these emotions. I’ve felt the sting of pain in more areas of my life than even I’d care to admit.

Nevertheless, I know that if God chooses affliction for me, it will always be for His purpose.

I recently started volunteering in our local women’s shelter, where those fleeing domestic violence situations can safely reside. While I’ve only worked in the “clothes closet,” thus far, I’ve spoken to the coordinator about my desire to do more.

While sorting, hanging, and organizing shoe and clothing donations is valuable, I fervently aspire to speak to the women themselves. I advised the coordinator that I’d like to share my story of victory in overcoming this same type of life. I’ve traveled light-years, after all, since leaving my former spouse – with little more than a duffle bag of clothing.

Unlike these women, I was extremely fortunate – with formidable resources – when I fled. I had a car, a job, money in the bank, a network of allies, and a fierce belief that God was with me. I stayed in a hotel for a while, with points donated from friends, and then at a lovely beach condo, rented by a vendor for his own, frequent in-town business. I even stayed in a corporate apartment for a week, where I’d placed short-term business guests at the consent of the property owners.

When I eventually found my apartment, my first purchase was a futon to sleep on, then a table, chairs, and kitchen equipment from my local thrift shop. I often joked that I lived in the apartment that Goodwill built. I’ll never forget the joy I felt from my ultimate splurge – a real bed. It was like heaven on earth. I still delight in sleeping on it to this day.

While my apartment was sparse for months, I will always savor the liberty and sense of accomplishment I felt with each acquisition for my home. Knowing I could get up in the middle of the night and raid my fridge without judgment was tantamount to winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Each new-found freedom represented a supreme triumph and testament to God’s power and grace over my life.

I hope to imbue that same sense of strength and victory to the women at the shelter. The coordinator is connecting me with the woman who conducts their group sessions, so I can speak to the residents about hope, planning for a better future, and preparing for job interviews. I want to help them practice answering interview questions and instill the confidence they need to move forward and into a brighter tomorrow – without regret or the stigma of failure.

In God’s sight, we are more precious than diamonds. He has promised, “to bestow on [the heartbroken] a crown of beauty instead of ashes.” I look forward to sharing that assurance with every woman I’m privileged to meet. Such a pledge has given me strength and resolve to conquer any challenges that come my way – no matter how formidable they may seem.

Don’t listen to the lies of the devil, beloved. Do not let him overpower you. Wear your crown of beauty as a symbol of His love and victory. You are, after all, more valuable than gold. 

May these words of my mouth and this mediation for my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) 

We make decisions every day – both conscious and unconscious – that determine how our days will go. We choose what to wear, what to eat, and what to say to the people whose lives intersect our own. We all have a choice to be content or to complain, to be friendly or reticent, to work hard, or to muddle through. 

We also have a choice concerning how involved we want to be with God. Most people desire Him only in small doses – as in an hour on Sunday mornings. 

But what about the other 168 hours remaining in a week? Removing 8 hours a day for sleep – which most of us never get – and roughly 10 hours a day for work – including our daily commute and lunch breaks – still leaves 78 hours a week to potentially spend with God. Truthfully, though, when was the last time you gave Him more than 5 minutes of your day? 

But what benefit is there in developing a relationship with God? 

Charles F. Stanley once said, “Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.” (1) 

What do we hope to accomplish in life? Do we want to climb the corporate ladder, or earn an increase in pay? Do we want a bigger house, newer car, fancier clothes to wear? Are we hoping for the esteem of our colleagues, or are we improving our education to earn a few more letters on our signature lines? 

While none of these things are ignoble, they will all be forgotten one day. The only thing lasting in life is what we do for and on behalf of Jesus. And faithful service only comes through surrender and intimacy. The more we love God, the more we want to serve Him by serving others. 

To impact our world, we must be intimate with God. Divine intimacy, then, must be something we strive for every day. 

Two years ago, I bought my first Daily Bible. This year, I’m working through my second. Daily, committed Bible reading has been life-changing to me. God speaks to me through HIs Word. His wisdom, His guidance, His love, and provision come shining through the scriptures. I listen to sermons every morning, but reading HIs Word, myself, brings me closer to His side in a more intimate way than anything a minister could ever invoke. 

I also strive to keep His message foremost in my thoughts by listening to contemporary Christian music. These songs – such as what I embed at the bottom of each of my posts – keep me energized, encouraged, and enthusiastic for Christ. The lyrics speak to my heart and resonate in my mind all day long. 

Music, meditation, and ministry embedded into my daily life help keep me focused on His mission. The positivity and love I absorb by placing these three pillars at the forefront of my life help me impact the world around me. My intimate relationship with God helps me better demonstrate love, service, and dedication to others. 

Seek God. Serve others. Sacrifice your will to Christ. If you’re willing to put these three principles into action, you can impact the world around you. Start today, and you’ll see a difference in your brighter tomorrow. 

Reference: 
1. Stanley, C.F. (2014). Life Principle 1: Our Intimacy With God. [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.intouch.org/Read/life-principle-1-our-intimacy-with-god

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLsp5BA-v8M

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 37:18)

I know a thing or two about being brokenhearted, walking away, and starting over. It’s gut-wrenchingly painful, fraught with heartache and fear. Still, there’s strength in doing so and peace that settles in, thereafter. 

How many of us stay in bad relationships because we are afraid of the unknown and inevitable loneliness that follows? I spent years in one bad relationship after another. My experience with “love” has been: 

1. Betrayal and violence
2. Control and demoralization
3. Low prioritization
4. Beautiful words without commitment

But isn’t love much more than that? By Biblical standards, yes. It most definitely is. 

By worldly standards, I’m not so sure. I’d like to think so, but I have yet to find the same. 

For me, love is a verb, not a noun. I love with my words and actions. If you need me for anything, I will be there – in the middle of the night, during the work-day, on weeknights and weekends. I love without expectation of receiving anything back. 

But, one day, I’d like to be truly loved, in return – not just in words, but in action and commitment. 

Am I not worth it? Is anyone? Should there be a reason for someone to love us? 

There wasn’t for God. God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, even while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), when we reject Him (Isaiah 53:3), and even when we are more consumed with ourselves than Him (Isaiah 49:15). What a perfect example of love God is! 

And so, I will continue to love others as Christ loved me. I may do so without ever finding genuine and lasting love, in return, but that’s not going to stop me from showing His love to the world around me. 

After all, we are called to be His hands and feet (Romans 10:15). Who am I to hold back the love He’s given me to show others?

Whether I am to receive it in return is up to God. For now, though: 

“I’m walking away from the trouble

Walking away on the double

Cutting the ties, leaving behind the old life

I’m walking into a brighter light

Finding it all in You this time

I’m crossing the line, fixing my eyes on paradise

I’m walking away.” (1)

For now, I’m walking straight into the arms of Jesus – to the only one who will never let me go.

Reference: 

1. Lowry, J., Mattson, C., Mosley, S. & Ingram, J. (2013). Walking Away [Recorded by Unspoken]. On Unspoken. Centricity Music.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21) 

By nature, we all strive to control our existence. Why wouldn’t we? Life feels chaotic when we lose control of the world around us – whether through decisions we’ve made or by random acts that affect our health, wealth, and well-being. We long to control not just our own lives, but oftentimes, the lives of those around us. What we seldom understand is that surrender doesn’t always signify defeat, but more often, great victory. 

As Christians, we’re called to relinquish our inner selves – not just in part, but in full, abject surrender. It’s only through total acquiescence to God that we can grow, improve, and find real happiness.

Over time, this concept has proven itself to me over and over again. 

I tried for years, for example, to obtain employment where I am now. I tendered resume after resume, including countless applications, for any number of positions – interviewing four times over as many years. With each interview, I felt that I had done well, but walked away, praying, “Not my will, but yours, Lord. Show me what I should do.”

Praying such a prayer took a tremendous burden off my shoulders. I gave the end-results to God before knowing what those results would be. I knew then as I do now that God has a purpose for everything, and sometimes, that purpose is to walk us through and keep us in circumstances where we aren’t happy. 

And that’s okay – as long as we’ve surrendered those circumstances to God. 

While waiting for my current position to come along, I stayed in a role that consumed me. I worked 12-hour days – taking work home, each weekend – on a modest salary, in high-stress positions, with little room for anything less than perfect performance. There were times when I felt as if I was a contestant on a never-ending episode of “Jeopardy,” with no acceptable wrong answers. (1) I strived to keep everyone happy at all times with an ever-increasing workload and little gratitude for a job well done. 

In one particular instance, while traveling abroad with responsibilities for my supervisor’s entire schedule – including waking her up, and keeping the never-ending sweet tea brewed and stocked in the refrigerator – I suffered a near melt-down, after a particularly stressful day.

I was exhausted, dismissed from my immediate assignment for not making the tea in time for after-lunch meetings, and left alone at 11:00 pm while waiting for others to meet and discuss the next day’s activities. I had barely eaten, still had homework to complete – as I was finishing my bachelor’s degree at the time – and felt utterly alone in the world. 

After ranting to a team member who finally showed up at the meeting and having her tell me that she didn’t care, I walked through the darkness to my room and made a vow to myself that I would find another job, as soon as possible. Staring up at the stars outside my window that evening, I cried out to God and begged Him to give me strength. 

The next morning, I surrendered my will to Him, again – telling God that I would stay in a dark place if He needed me to remain and be the light. 

And so I stayed. 

What I later came to realize was that there was a purpose in my staying where I was. I committed myself, in spite of the emotional and physical stress, to do whatever God wanted me to do. During that time, I heard countless people tell me how much they appreciated my positivity and encouragement in an environment where little of those traits were exhibited.

Behind the scenes, I prayed for grace, every single day – yet on the outside looking in, my peers and supervisor saw someone who was humble and committed to doing whatever was necessary to take care of others. 

But how could I do so? 

It was only through complete and utter surrender to God’s will that I could be the person that He needed me to be for the people that needed me. It was not by my strength alone that I walked through the fire of damaging relationships and uncaring employers. My entire existence is evidence of God’s grace. I am nothing without Him.

On the day that God granted me my new position with another employer, I could only smile and say, “Not my will but yours, Lord!” My new role pays more, has better benefits, and allowed me to purchase a home of my own. I could have never done so in my old position. 

Nevertheless, the waiting kept me humble and resolutely reliant on His power and provision. I have grown through my deference in ways I could never have, had He immediately resolved my conflicts. Patient humility and dedicated servility have made me who I am today. 

In His time, in full submission, God eventually gave me the desire of my heart and then some. I can now say with complete assurance that God’s plan for me surpassed anything I could have come up with on my own. 

Isn’t that just like God? We can never out-give Him! He always has more in store for us if we willingly surrender everything we have to Him.

Reference: 

1. McCarthy, K. (Director). 2019. Jeopardy [Television Series].

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again.” (Jeremiah 31: 3-4)

We all have the opportunity to learn and grow through our experiences. Some of us choose to defy that concept – opting to stay wounded, giving up hope for anything more than heartache.

Others, like myself, choose to allow pain to mold us into stronger, more resilient beings. Nothing is ever wasted with God.

That’s not to say that growth is painless.

The truth is, I’ve not heard a lot of affirming words from people in my life. Past relationships made me feel worthless and rejected rather than loved and accepted. Such history makes it difficult for me to receive compliments to this day. Such frivolities seem like empty words to me, with no substance or veracity.

Nevertheless, God continually reminds me that I am worth more. I look back only to grow, not to rehearse or empower past heartaches.

God makes me formidable; He gives me hope for tomorrow and strength for today. His love restored my soul and “built [me] up again.” I no longer listen to the lies of the devil that told me I didn’t deserve anything more than the destructive relationships I had. I know such assertions are wholly false.

God completed me as He whispered the promise that He will always love me for who I am – flaws and all.

And so I remind you, too, beloved, not to look back. We can’t move forward when we’re always looking in the rear-view mirror.

God will build you up, again, if you’ll only open your heart and soul to HIm. He is, after all, the only one who can ever truly restore you completely.

Most of all, let love guide your life. (Colossians 3:14)

Any number of things can motivate us: pride, hunger, anger, jealousy, greed, power. But what about love? How often do we let love guide our thoughts, words, and actions? 

I’ve always been driven by love. I love my family, friends, home, job, friends, boss, co-workers, my kitties – you name it. I love it. It used to drive my ex crazy. “You love everybody,” he’d say. “It’s ridiculous.” 

In my mind, love is anything but ridiculous. Love is what gives life meaning; it makes us strong; it gives us purpose. As Christians, especially, we are called to love one another. As John 13: 35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” 

In the past, I let my love for my spouse consume me. I did everything I could to demonstrate love in hopes of receiving an equal portion in return. That never happened. How could it when my motivation was all wrong? I truly believed that if I loved hard enough, I would earn love, back. 

How very wrong I was. 

Love is not something we can earn, nor should it be something that drives us to receive the same. Sure we can work to achieve it, but if we do, that “love” is conditional, not pure. 

Of all the types of love that exist – brotherly, romantic, familial – the greatest love is agape. Agape love is the kind of unselfish love that expects nothing in return. It’s the love that God feels for us; it’s the love that He demonstrated when He gave His Son to die on a cross for our sins. Agape is the kind of love we should exhibit to one another. 

Pastor David Jeremiah explains agape love like this: “When the love of God captures your heart, what you discover is, you’ve got too much for just yourself, and you’ve gotta let it spill over into the lives of others.” (1) I couldn’t agree more. 

Every living thing on earth needs love – plants, animals, people. Yet, few of us ever receive the kind of love that we need to thrive. We, as Christians, have been given supernatural love through Christ Jesus. We are called to love one another. We are called to demonstrate Christ’s love on earth. We are commissioned to be the hands and feet of Christ so that everyone that sees us sees Christ in us. 

Are we living that way? Does love emanate from our pores and latch on to everything we touch? Imagine how much better the world would be if we all demonstrated true love for one another. Imagine how much better our own lives would be if we stopped worrying about whether someone loves us and concentrated on loving them.

Our motivation needs to change. Love needs to be the guiding force in everything we do. 

Listen when people speak to you. Show compassion when others are hurting. Demonstrate radical kindness. Put the needs of others before your own. I’m not saying you should be a doormat. I spent too many years of my life as such and can testify that nothing good can ever come from that. 

I’m saying, learn to practice agape love. Let it guide, motivate, and humble you. I promise your perspective will change. When you practice agape love for others, your heart will be filled to overflowing in return. 

Let the love of Christ fill your soul, then let that love seep into everything you do. You can make a difference in the world by practicing this one simple rule: let love be your guide.  

You may be surprised at how your existence will change as a result. It certainly has mine.

Reference:

Jeremiah, David. (2019) Selfless love. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.davidjeremiah.org/television/weekend?date=2019-11-10

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story – those He redeemed from the hand of the foe… (Psalm 107:2)

It took me over two years to get up the nerve to initiate this blog. I wanted to; I needed to, but I was afraid to begin. I am a survivor. My story needs to be told. A friend told me to create an anonymous site – but that didn’t seem right. If I was going to tell the tale, I needed to own it. Please allow me to explain.

I’m a survivor of not one but two abusive marriages. The first was physically abusive. The second was emotionally and psychologically destructive. The latter may have been worse than the former as the psychological abuse controlled my perception of reality – both in how I perceive myself and the world around me.

I’ve been desperate for love my whole life. I was always the outcast. Picture Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie trying to fit into downtown Detroit. (1) That was me.

I moved from Papillion, Nebraska to Baltimore County, Maryland, in the 6th grade. My braided pigtails and duct-tape wrapped saxophone case garnered me neither street-cred nor acceptance. Time didn’t do much to help me fit in, either. I was a total misfit. No prom date. No seat on the bus. Total rejection across the board.

I was essentially pushed into a physical relationship with the first person that took a liking to me. He wanted to sleep with me; that’s all. I thought it was love; it was no such thing. I became pregnant at 19 and essentially married the man who treated me so poorly.

It only got worse: physically, sexually, emotionally. I kept hoping he’d love me. He didn’t. I tried to be everything he wanted. I never could be. When I asked for more, he got mad and strangled me. I stopped asking for anything.

With the help of friends, I eventually left – after spending 14 years in a debilitating marriage. I took out a restraining order and prayed that all would be well.

Still desperate for love, I married the next man who told me he loved me. He turned out to be a Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: incredibly kind, at first – until he gained control of every aspect of my existence – then cruel and demoralizing. If you’ve seen “Sleeping with the Enemy,” that was my life. (2)

As long as I was “perfect” – kept a spotless house, stayed quiet, avoided friendships, never saw my family – including my children – things were “good.” I lived in a huge house, went out to eat regularly, and was “rewarded” with expensive jewelry.

If I talked about work, rejected any of the ways he hurt me in the bedroom, wanted to see my family or kids, or dressed in a way he didn’t like, Mr. Hyde would come out. Dishes would fly, dinner was thrown out, my belongings were destroyed, accusations were made, and I was told, in no uncertain terms, how selfish and arrogant I was.

When the verbal barrages ended, I was physically pushed out of the house with the door locked behind me. I spent the night with my dogs, in the garage, in the garden, on my deck, in my car – wherever I could.

The next morning, when he’d leave, I’d rush in and change my clothes to prepare for work. I’d plaster on a smile and pretend that my life was perfect. It wasn’t. Everyone – including the pastor where I worked and my family – believed that I was happy. I was – when I was away from him. I became an expert at compartmentalization.

At home, I walked on egg-shells, waiting to be told what I’d done wrong next – how much of a disappointment I was.

Still, I had God. I clung to God. God was always my salvation.

God lifted me up and told me that He loved imperfect me. God told me I didn’t have to be faultless and that it was okay to be happy. God told me I had value and that I should share my value with others.

It took a dear friend telling me that I was putting my husband above God and that it was okay to leave before I was finally able to do so.

The church doesn’t tell women that. The church says, honor your husband and stay married forever. The church never talks about abuse or control. The church never says that women shouldn’t be treated like doormats or punching bags. On such matters, the church’s silence is deafening.

And so I stayed. I stayed because I thought that’s what Christian wives do. They take it.

Since leaving for the second time, I’ve grown stronger in my faith and more dedicated to sharing God’s love with others.

Only recently, did I decide to let down my guard and start a blog. I wanted to reveal part of my past and encourage others to believe that God loves them unconditionally, no matter what anyone on earth says.

My final revelation? After I left for the second time, I changed my entire name. I needed a complete and total fresh start. I wanted no memory of those who had ever hurt me. I am brand new in Christ, and I wanted my name to reflect that.

Sara Victoria Christiansen is my chosen name, not my birth name. It means victorious, Christian daughter of the King. God loves me and gave me the ultimate victory. My name signifies who I am today.

Sara literally means Hebrew princess. Sarah was also the only woman in the Bible whose name was changed by God.

Queen Victoria was the longest-reigning monarch in Great Britain. She survived seven attempts on her life. I’m blessed to have only had a few.

I will never again let anyone or anything keep me from living as God’s beloved. The devil would delight to see my past destroy me. I won’t let him.

Instead, I now live a joyful life, as Christ intended me to. I am filled with the love of Christ and have made it my mission to share His love with others. When people ask me how I can always be so happy, I am quick to tell them, “It’s Christ in me, that you see.” My former self is gone. I now live to emanate God’s love.

My message to you, dear reader, is this. Never forget how much God loves you. Even if everyone on earth makes you feel inadequate, you will never be that. God made unique you for a special purpose. Don’t ever let anyone define who you are. You are flawless in Christ.

God sent His beloved Son to die on the cross for your sins. If you believe in Him, you can be saved – from despair, from heartache, from spiritual death. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. His love can break through any barrier, any sorrow, anything that controls you.

No matter how deep your scars are, His blood will restore you and make you flawless.

References:

(1) Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House on the Prairie. Harper and Brothers. September 19, 1935.

(2) Sleeping with the Enemy. Directed by Joseph Ruben. 20th Century Fox. February 8, 1991.

The joy of the Lord is my strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you felt joyful? Not happy. Not content. I’m talking pure, unadulterated joy – the kind that fills your heart, makes you want to sing, then spills out into a feeling you can hardly contain. Have you felt joyful lately? Have you ever felt that way? 

My life verse has always been Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Joy is my super-power. I strive to not only be joyful but to spread joy wherever I can. One can’t exist without the other. When I feel God’s joy, I am strong; and I am strong because I feel God’s joy in my life. 

But where does joy originate? Sure, lots of things can make us happy – love, friendship, the beauty of the world around us, the comfort of someone who cares about us. Even chocolate chip cookies can make one happy. Trust me. I speak from experience on that one! 

Joy is different. Joy can only come from above. It’s a feeling I get when I feel close to God – when I’m worshipping Him. I feel His presence in music and in the beauty of the world around me. 

I felt that joy yesterday, as I traveled to spend the day with one of my best friends. The praise music I was listening to, the beauty of the sky as I drove, the sun shining down on me, and the magnificence of the low-country terrain around me, all culminated in a feeling of joy that was hard to contain. I sang along with the music and raised my hands in praise as I drove along the interstate, then onto the smaller highways that took me across the beautiful Broad River, near Beaufort, SC. 

Joy is more than a feeling – it’s a choice we make every day. We can let the burdens of life pull us down and divert our minds away from God’s grace, or we can find joy in the every day. 

Sure, my morning commute may take me longer than I’d like to, some days – but I get to listen to additional praise music when that happens, and extend my enjoyment of the sunrise. 

Yes, my job can be stressful – but I have a job when others don’t, and I work with amazing people. 

And, of course, my yard might require a lot of hot, sweaty work to maintain – but I have a beautiful piece of property that I can sit in and enjoy once the labor is complete. 

It’s all about perspective. Joy is a choice we make – a conscious perspective to focus on what is good, rather than what pulls us down. Life will continuously throw negativity your way.

Don’t let it. The choice is yours. Choose the right perspective. 

For me, I choose JOY!!

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. (Deuteronomy 4:39)

Is it just me, or do the skies seem to weep on the days when we are most sad? 

Here in Savannah, it’s been an inordinately dry autumn. Until this past week, we’d not experienced much rain. 

That all ended on Tuesday, as Tropical Storm Nestor moved into our area. Ironically, Tuesday was the same day that my workplace diminished by hundreds in a massive corporate layoff. 

I couldn’t help but be struck by the fact that the skies turned dark and the rain started to fall, just as many of my coworkers were learning the news that they would no longer be employed. It was as if the heavens, themselves, were crying with the rest of us. 

Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever attended a dry funeral and some of my worst days happened when it was raining. The rain, in these cases, always served as a reminder to me that God is with me during my times of sorrow. 

As inevitably as the rain falls, however, the sun always returns, thereafter – oftentimes, appearing to be more brilliant and beautiful than it was before the storms. I wonder, would we appreciate sunny skies if we never saw the clouds? I don’t think so. 

While we’re quick to blame God for not protecting us from our trials, only He knows the lessons He is teaching us as we walk in the rain. Even if our difficulties only serve to remind us of our frailty and need for a sovereign God, our heartaches have a purpose. 

The next time it rains on your parade, or you step in a mud puddle after hearing bad news, don’t let it add to your sorrow. See it as a reminder that God is with you, walking you through the storm. 

Never forget that He will bring the sun back tomorrow.