Tag: christian

Your story…

December 22, 2017

Word press says: Share your story here

It must always say that, in this space where I begin typing; but today was the first time I noticed it. It’s funny because it coincides with the title of one of the books I’m reading, a devotional by Matthew West (a well known Christian singer and song writer), The Story of Your Life.  

(Good song too… Story of your life.)

We all have a story and life experiences that have shaped and are currently continuing to shape our story.  I often pray that God would use me and its exciting when He does. You don’t always realize it at the time, but then you look back and have one of those ‘aha’ moments and you realize that God knew exactly what he was doing (duh) even if you had no clue. Sometimes your story involves some sort of struggle or adversity and we all find ourselves asking Why!? Well I like how Matthew West put it, instead of asking ‘Why, God?’ we should ask ‘What are you up to, God?’ So instead of focusing on the negative that we’re going through, we should shift our focus on Him and trust that He has a greater purpose for us and our lives and there is a reason for what we are experiencing. It may not be easy; it probably won’t be easy, but I trust that if God brought me to it, He will get me through it. Cling to Him. “The deepest need that you and I have in weakness and adversity is not quick relief, but the well-grounded confidence that what is happening to us is part of the greatest purpose in the universe.”  What He has planned is much bigger than us and much greater than what we are going through. And I have hope that by doing this, shifting my focus, He will bring forth the joy that He promises; like Paul who was filled with ‘unshakeable joy’ despite being in prison.

West goes on to quote C.S. Lewis, “God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks in our conscious, but shouts to us in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” 

My husband and I have our own story that began with us growing closer to God and resulted in a total transformation  of our marriage and a renewing of our vows this past summer. At first I thought it was just an awesome thing for us, but every so often (at least 6 times in the last 4 months) I’ve had people mention it to me or ask about it and I realized that this is Our Story to tell, to give God the glory; it’s exciting to see God working, in us and others. I’m thankful for Our Story, one that perhaps I’ll share more about another time, and how God continues to work in our lives and marriage. 

Do you have a story of how God is working in your life? You should share it with others! Are you currently experiencing a struggle or adversity? Ask God to show you more about it or ask Him how he wants to use you and trust that He will get you through it. ❤

A big responsibility…

Every morning on my way to work I listen to the Family Life radio station and like clockwork the last 3-4 minutes of my commute always consists of the radio program ‘A Word With You’ by Ron Hutchcraft. I wanted to share today’s with you because it really hits home. The title is: Driving better when you’re being watched. Here’s the part that I think grabbed my attention most: 

“You can be a reason they’re attracted to Jesus or a reason they reject Jesus-a major factor in whether they spend forever in heaven or hell. Did you know that most people who come to Jesus do it because of a Christian they know? Did you know that most people who reject Jesus do it because of a Christian they know?”  (You can listen to or read the whole program here.)

Woah. 

This isn’t the first time I’ve thought about this. I think about it quite often, especially everytime I feel like I’ve screwed up. I don’t want people, especially those who don’t know Jesus yet, to look at me and think ‘if that’s what a Christian looks like, I don’t want any part of it.’ I’m not perfect, I’m a work in progress and always will be, and I have to try my best to remain close to God so I can live the way He wants me to. Life is hard and we’re all human and speaking for myself, I can think of many, many times in the past where I shouldn’t have ‘vented’  or over reacted, or should have bit my tongue or been more patient. At least I can learn from my mistakes and try to do better.  I’m a Christian, a work in progress, and one who wants to turn people TO Jesus, not away! 

On another note, it was a great morning for a run- I love my Friday morning runs…TGIF! 40* on December 1st, I’ll take it!