About this Little Blog

I think I started this blog about three years or so ago. As you can see, I'm not very good at finishing, or really starting, any of my ideas. I keep saying each year that I will write more on here, that I will be more consistent at posting, blah blah blah... New Year's Resolutions in our own strength and mindset never work! I'm praying that this year will be different. Different doesn't necessarily mean posting lots of posts or things like that, but I hope to grow in Grace, to live a life worthy of Christ, and to live in a way that brings God the glory. The name of the blog comes from my favorite passage of the Bible--Philippians 3.

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
(Philippians 3:7-16 ESV)
I love these verses as they are such a clear picture of what I want my life to be like. I want to be characterized by Jesus. I want to know him... I hope that in someways this blog can help me press on to the goal. I have noticed recently that whenever I read God's word I come away with lots of good things and truths that I have learned, but then I forget it about 10 minutes later as the random distractions (sometimes unnecessary) of life get in the way. I don't want to be like the man in James who when he looks in the mirror forgets what he looks like (James 1:23-24).. or like the man who built his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Both analogies reference one who looks to God's word, and then forgets what he hears, or doesn't obey what he was told. I don't want to be like that anymore.
So this is what I'm hoping to do in light of all of this.... I'm hoping to write on here at least once a week and share what God has been teaching me, my struggles (because, like Paul, I am nowhere near perfect!!!), and what I have been thinking about. I am praying that as I take the time to write things down just once more, that I will remember God's word better and keep him as my focus throughout the week. Ultimately, I want to learn to abide in Him and in his love, as only through resting in Him will I grow and bear fruit (John 15). May this blog, and my life, be used to bring God more glory! (Romans 16: 25-27)

Ancient Words...Ever True

To whom shall I speak and give warning,

that they may hear?

Behold, their ears are uncircumcised,

they cannot listen;

behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn;

they take no pleasure in it.

Thus says the LORD:

“Stand by the roads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths,

where the good way is; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

I set watchmen over you, saying,

‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’

But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’

Therefore hear, O nations,

and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.

Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,

the fruit of their devices,

because they have not paid attention to my words;

and as for my law, they have rejected it.

(Jeremiah 6:10, 16-19 ESV)

These past few weeks I have begun reading Jeremiah. To be honest, I have struggled with reading some of the Old Testament books--especially these prophets, and have avoided these books in the past. But so far, this journey through Jeremiah has been really good. It's been convicting, as I compare my life with the Israelites and the people of Judah. In the book of Jeremiah, God calls Jeremiah to go and preach a message of judgement on His people. Although the judgments are brutal, and God says over and over again how weary and tired he is with his people's constant sin, he also demonstrates his great love for them. He would have stopped his wrath if only one person would turn to him and admit that they had sinned against Him. It reminds me of how much we have been forgiven because of Christ's death on the cross on our behalf. If we only believe and trust that his work was enough for our sins--that we don't have to keep on working, or do our own religious acts to save ourselves--then we are completely forgiven of all our sins past, present and future, and our guaranteed Eternal life. What an amazing God we serve! 

As I was reading through today's reading of chapter 6, the above verses really jumped out at me. Am I listening to God's word? Do I obey what he tells me? Or do I choose to read it and then ignore it or worse yet, say I am not even going to listen to God's word today? God has clearly shown how we are to live through His word, and through the life of Christ here on this earth. We have the good way clearly laid out before us, and as we walk in it, we will find rest for our souls. 

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
(John 15:9-11 ESV)


I was also reminded of this lovely song...

Holy words long preserved 
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart

("Ancient Words" by Micheal W. Smith)

Faithful in the little things

Matthew 25:23

His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.

I want to do great and wonderful things for God and his glory. I want to be the next Amy Carmichael, or Elisabeth Elliot, or Gladys Aylward. I want to be someone that after I have died and gone to be with my Lord and Savior, that people will remember--not because I was anything great, or did amazing things, or made a big name for myself, but because God used me to bring Him glory. Because he saw that I was faithful in the little things, and thus entrusted me with much. And one day I want to hear him say to me "well done faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, and with much. Come and share in my joy." What more could I ask for?
Lately, I have been pondering those terrifying, and difficult questions that I assume everyone at some point in their lives wrestles with--what am I hear for? what am I supposed to do with my life? Am I wasting the time that I have been given? In thinking through these questions, I think that too often I just jump to the biggest thing first. Currently that thought process has been along the lines of quitting school, going to a foreign country and simply serving Christ in whatever way he wants me to there. I have always loved other countries, and I love reading missionary stories, so therefore I conclude that that must be God's will for me right now....right? Wrong. If you read that verse in Matthew again, our Master has pretty clear orders--little stuff, then the bigger responsibilities. Already, I have been given some pretty big responsibilities, but in my mind they seem pretty normal. I work at McDonald's--a mission field right there. I go to a private, religious college--another awesome ministry that I could have. I have a wonderful extended family that I am very close with--again, ministry! And ultimately,  I have the privilege of having a relationship with the God of the universe, because I have trusted that Christ's sacrifice on the cross for me was all sufficient, satisfactory, and complete. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, sin no longer is separating me from God. I have been forgiven, and when God looks at me he only sees Christ's perfect righteous. That blows my mind! I am a terrible sinner, and do not deserve such grace. But I have been granted grace nonetheless...Now, through reading his word, and prayer I can come to know this One who loves me so. I also know from his word how he wants me to live my life, and the "little things" I want to be found faithful in:  God wants us to abide in him (John 15). He wants us to grow up in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). He wants us to renew our minds daily, and not become conformed to the pattern of this world (Romans 12:1-2). He wants us to keep our eyes focused on him (Hebrews 12). Looking at my life this past year or so, I would say I have been slowly straying from this path of following him, living for him, and looking to him. And I know that these things won't instantly change if I left the country and served some impoverished people group in the jungles of Africa, or something amazing like that. In fact, because my relationship with God has not been right, because I have been allowing myself to become more and more like the world, and because I am not abiding in His love, that would be pure craziness to go and do something like that. I'm not going to become instantly holier and more like Christ by changing my location, or my major, or school. I could be in the best Christian college in the world, and still be struggling. It starts with the little decisions--setting aside time to spend with the Lord, memorizing his word, getting to know him like I would any other friend.

As I read another missionary Biography (this one's about Lilias Trotter), I was reminded that many of these missionaries went through a period of growth and service in own country and home. Many didn't start their main ministry until later in their lives. Jesus himself was in his 30s when he began his public ministry, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't just sitting at home twiddling his fingers and waiting for the big day. I'm thinking that to most people it looked like pretty normal, everyday carpentry work that he did. But I'm sure he went about it with a much better attitude then the one that characterizes me. He was just being faithful in the little things God gave him.  I want to be careful that I don't miss that precious time of growth and crucial foundation building. I need to learn to be content where I am at and look to see how I can bring God glory right where he has placed me for that time. I want to be faithful in the little things.

So, what is the point of this blog post?  Did I really find the answers to my questions? I think yes... while it's not all crystal clear and written on a postcard--"Rebecca, stick with school. Take these classes. Major in this. Study abroad here. Take this job. Etc." I know that ultimately God's will for me is to abide in him. Grow in Grace and get to know Him. Don't be conformed to this world. Renew your mind daily. Be faithful with the seemingly little things--like working at McDonald's. Do everything for His glory. I'm trusting that as I make Him a priority this year, and I pray for the rest of my life, I will be walking by faith and finding him more than enough. There is so much to learn..I can't wait to see where the Lord leads me.

All the way my Savior leads me,
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

(All the Way My Savior Leads Me--Fanny Crosby)