Puzzle!

Some of you may know, because I posted a part of it on Twitter last night (Twitter sometimes act as my memory bank when I'm laying in bed and God springs an idea on me) but the thought came to me that we are like those crazy hard slide puzzles.  Since I just figured out how to put pictures on here (yes, I have had this for almost a year) I will show you what I mean:

First, we are undone.  A total mess of a puzzle; barely distinguishable.  This is how He wants us though.  He isn't expecting us to come to Him as put together with everything in its place.  He is far too gracious for that and frankly, what better way to make His name known then to clean up our mess of lives?

This place, for us; however, is uncomfortable.  We don't know where to go or what move to make.  No matter how much we try to clean our mess of a puzzle life up on our own we can't do it.  We are still unusable if we are trying in our own strength or knowledge. 

That is when we have to surrender.  Laying down all we have and offering it up to the Lord and asking Him for help.  No matter how stubborn you are, no matter how long you tried to do it on your own, God is waiting and ready and desiring to help you!  He will start to move the puzzle pieces around for you.  Little by little He will teach you lessons and push you to grow more in His image, an image that is recognizable.  We are usable, as a picture, because we surrenered our lives over to His hands.  God will continue to mold you and shape you into who you are meant to be in Him, as long as you let Him.

I know, personally, I need to surrender daily because the temptations of this world to "do it on your own" are overwhelming.  It is a never ending process, but the result can be something beautiful.  I get in God's way of Him crafting me how He intended me to be when I try to take matters into my own hands.  When I remove myself from the equation I am allowing God to use me in ways that I couldn't imagine.  He wants to shine His light through all of us.  He wants to shine the glorious image and picture of His Son and the sacrifice He made so that we could live.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

- 2 Corinthians 12:9

Are you ready to admit your weakness and start boasting in the power of the Lord to handle your life?

10 Things That God is Better Than!

Have you seen those lists on buzzfeed like "50 People You Wish You Knew" and "15 Things You Remember From Childhood", etc, etc? They have pictures of things and descriptions of why underneath that are really pretty clever and funny. 

Well, naturally, on my run this morning I was thinking and then BAM the Holy Spirit lays it out like this: "10 Things That God is Better Than". I have my guilty pleasures and things that excite me here on Earth for sure but anytime I seriously think about it, I mean, come on, they are nothing compared to the Lord! So here goes my attempt at:

 "10 Things That God is Better Than"

1. Waking up early and realizing you still have an hour to sleep.

Because with God you have an eternal resting place.

2. Having the combo of your favorite dinner PLUS dessert.

Because the Word of the Lord is more satisfying than ANY meal.

3. Finishing a workout that was particularly challenging and feeling like you can take on the world.

Because you would not be able to even do a workout without the Lord's strength, and oh yeah...He overcame the world too.

4. Acing a test

Because God sent His Son, who passed the Ultimate Test, and the only One who is perfect to do so.

5. Diving into a bed full of fluffy, cozy pillows.

Because God can comfort better than any bed, no matter how many pillows.

6. That special yellow cake with chocolate icing your mom makes on your birthday(!)

 

Because God's love is sweeter than any sweet tooth.

7. Spending a day on the beach.

Because God knows the number of grains of sand, hairs on your head, and just how much you enjoy His beautiful creation.

8. Watching the sunrise or sunset

Because if you think that takes your breath away, imagine standing at the throne of your Creator!

9. Falling in love with someone

 Because no other person will be able to fill the spot in your heart carved out for God's love and loving God.

10. Everything.

Because we wouldn't have anything without Him.

Singleness

Singleness.  To society, singleness can feel like a personal issue or problem.  At times, it feels like something we should hide.  People fill conversations with questions like “are you seeing anyone?” or “do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?” Television and media portray married life as the ultimate goal, with “reality” shows like the Bachelor focusing on finding that one significant other to be happy. To find love. To "fix" the problem of singleness.

If we consume ourselves with finding that special someone then our energy is always focused on the future.  Worrying about your future spouse is saying you do not trust God. Isaiah 34:16 says, “search and read the scroll of the Lord: Not one of them will be missing, none will be lacking its mate, because He has ordered it by my mouth, and He will gather them by His Spirit.”  The God who created the universe and crafter me and you intricately with all the fine details that comprise who we are also crafted someone who is woven and chosen and compliments who we are in Christ perfectly.  God’s desire is for His name to be known and honored.  Because of this, I know God designs people for marriage to be a dynamic team working together for His glory.  Why would you want to settle for anything less than His best? 

Singleness is a gift.  It is a humble honor.  God desires to have just your attention right now. He has plans for you that can only be attained or achieved because you are single.  He wants to satisfy every “empty” space that the world says a significant other should.  God is the only one who can fills all those spaces.  And the only one that will never leave.  Isaiah 54:9-10 says, “For this is like the days of Noah to Me: when I swore that the waters of Noah would never flood the earth again, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you or rebuke you. ‘Though the mountains move and the hills shake, My love will not be removed from you and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says your compassionate Lord.”

See singleness as a blessing.  Proclaim your singleness as you should any other stage in your life: by loving the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength (Mark 12:30) Fill conversations with questions like, "what has the Lord been teaching you lately?" and "what have you learned about this season of your life?" Understand that you don't need another person to find love.  You have all the love you could ever need from a Heavenly Father who desires and has planned, the very best for you.

Take this time to dive into yourself and grow in the Lord.  Give God your full attention and see all the marvelous things He has to teach you.  It is okay to have the desire to marry, but don’t let it consume you.  In Psalms 37:4, it says if you are seeking the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart.  Take your trust in Him a step further and let the desire go.  Give it to Him and watch Him bless you for it.  If Isaiah 34:16 says it will be seen to completion, why disrespect the Lord by doubting His plan?  In doing so, you are missing out on the richness in the life He has set before you.  The life that, without Him, would not be life.