Who am I For?

Isn't it funny how often we speak about what we are against instead of what we are for. I don't want to be a Christian who is known for what I am against. I want to be known for what I am for.

I don't want to label people. I don't want to judge them. Or only talk about what I think is correct. I don't want my words to be angry and full of bite. I don't want to picket and yell at people as they walk by that they're going to hell.

I want to tell people who is my Jesus is. I want them to know about his love, his goodness, his grace, and his fire. I want to tell people how the Holy Spirit moved upon my soul and anointed anointed me with life. I want people to know that my God is pure, righteous, merciful, and that he loves them. I want people to know that I believe in joy, thanksgiving, peace, and love. I want people to know that my life was changed by Yahweh. That he has given me rest and he can give them rest too.

I do not want to tell them that they are horrible, sinful people with no hope ahead of them if they continue on this path. I do not want to beat people down. I want to encourage, love, help, serve.

I want people to know what I am for. And I am for Jesus. I am for hope and forgiveness. I am for open arms. I am for the Almighty. I am for his love. I am for his joy. I am for his kingdom. I am his servant. I am for other people.

We do not have the right to condemn anyone else. We do not have the right to judge anyone else. We do not have the okay to gossip about anyone else. We do not have the right to look down upon someone.

We are all in this together. We are all sinners who have received the gift of grace. His arms are open wide for each of us. His arms are open wide for the man you saw begging for money on the street, for the divorced couple, for the gossiper, and the drunkard. His arms are open wide for each and every one of us. It is not our job to point out the other's speck in their eye before removing the plank from our own. (Matthew 7:3-5) No, we must lead each other with kind, loving hearts to our Jesus. It is all about him. Do not be angry against a brother or sister, a friend, a spouse, but be full of love and his mercy; for we are all in this together.

Ordinary

Two men enter into Jericho and they are helped by a prostitute and God protects her and her family. He used a prostitute. I repeat, God used a prostitute for his will to be done. He chose a woman who was lost in a world of darkness and sin. He chose her to be apart of the story. God chose a woman who had been divorced and living with a man in sin to meet with Jesus at the well. Not only that, but she was a Gentile and he was a Jew, which was extremely uncommon for them to even speak. But God used her for his story.

God doesn't always choose the most righteous, pure, most qualified person. He often chooses the broken, the sinner, the messy. I was thinking about my own self and the ways that he has been using me the last couple months and I just felt myself cry out and ask him "Why me? Why are you using me when I have made so many mistakes and lived sinfully. I'm not qualified. I'm a mess sometimes. Why me?" This verse was laid upon my heart, one that I learned in high school which always brought me peace, "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18

Although this verse is from the old testament, it is still relevant to us each day because of Christ. Because of his grace. God doesn't have to use what would be considered "top of the line" to do his work. He's really good at taking broken pieces and making them beautiful. He's really good at including us into his amazing story because he loves us. He loves me and he loves you. And he wants you to stop and know that with each and every breathe. The next time I wonder why God would ever choose me, I will remind myself because he loves me enough to watch his son die upon the cross and then anoint me each day with the holy spirit. Because he loves me enough to say, "Lauren, I know you messed up but I'm going to use you anyway because you're my daughter and I have great plans for you." What you have to stop and realize is that it's not about what you do...it's about his love for you. His love makes the ordinary, extraordinary.

Christ does this for us: "Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!" Micah 7:19 He uses the most unlikely people...how is going to use you tomorrow?

Gloriously Free

Who will listen if I can't speak I'll never move a mountain with arms so weak With one word You can make them fall You go before me now Your faithfulness destroys the doubt Your strength is fire to my soul

After all You’ve done in me I will be Your hands and feet Follow where You will lead As You say

Set My people free Go into the world, every boy and girl Deserves to know a life far beyond the fight And reach where there's no light or hope So the captives know And My enemies can see that I will Set My people free Set My people free

There are so many people enslaved in the world. There are people enslaved to other human beings used as cheap labor and others used for sex in brothels and other horrible places. There are people enslaved to their laptops, their cellphones, their clothes, to shopping, to porn, to television, to comfort, to money; the list could go on and on.

Slaves have no hope. They have no hope for a life of their own. Slaves have no hope for freedom. They are bound, destined to their captor. The light in their eyes are gone.. They are broken. Their souls are empty and lost.

There is one who came to set us free. He didn't just come to set free the good people. He didn't just come to set free the blameless. He came to set free the sinner, the broken, the messy, the abused, the addicted, the hopeless, you and me. I love the line in the lyrics from the song above that says, "Your strength is fire to my soul." His strength is a fire to our souls. When your soul is set on fire imagine the ways you can change the world. You are set free now and in that freedom do not be afraid to go out and spread the fire to set others free. We weren't set free to sit around and do nothing but to stand up and change the world in the name of Christ. And please, don't do this by standing on a corner telling people they're going to hell. Go out and love on someone. Tell someone something kind. Donate your time. Stand up for someone. Be a friend to the friendless. Give your money to a good cause instead of spending it on things you don't need. Take the time to pray for people. Whether it's big or small, it will change someones life and who knows.. lead them to freedom as well.

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galations 5:1

Who Am I?

I have often fallen victim of losing my identity. No, not the type of identity theft where someone steals my money, which would really suck; this one happens when my soul loses its identity. I've lost my identity to relationships, both friendships and romantically involved ones. I have lost my identity to fears and doubts that I'm not beautiful enough or thin enough. I battled an eating disorder and thoughts of inadequacy. I lost my identity thinking that a relationship could fill the void in my heart and that marriage would also fill that void. I have lost my identity to this world and it left me broken and afraid.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 NIV

It's so easy to fall into the patterns of this world. You can simply walk by a magazine stand or get on instagram and feel swarmed with thoughts that you're not small enough, or curvy enough, or muscular enough..etc..and the lies begin to form against you and so you seek out the answers from the world, from what the inside of the magazine says. Some people lose their identities in drugs, alcohol, and partying. They fall into the pattern of the world by the people surrounding them or they buy into the commercials and ads showing that you can be cooler and more relaxed if you just give in.

Our identity does not stem from this world. You will not gain a thing there, but you will lose your soul. What's the point of gaining this world if you lose your soul? When I put my identity in this world I feel lost, helpless, and chained. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Find your identity in Jesus. And he will show you the way because he is the way, he is truth, and he is life. So many people in the bible were lost before they found Jesus and he changed their lives in miraculous ways. He doesn't promise that life will be without struggles and trials but he does promise he will be right by your side.

I know who I am most when my heart, soul, and mind and in tune with the Lord through constant prayer, worship, and trust. I am led best when my heart is open to receive guidance from the Holy Spirt. I am renewed when Christ is leading me. I am who I was created to be because he died on the cross.

If you feel lost and if you are seeking answers from this world but turning up empty and broken then stop and lift up your empty hands to seek his presence. Ask him to remind you that you are his and that your identity is found in him and nothing, absolutely, nothing else. I remember when I was at my darkest places battling insecurities and fears and a broken heart..he didn't give me the answers to my whys but he held and let me cry. He restored my hope and my faith. My prayer is that he will do the same for you.

You are accepted.
You are redeemed.
You are chosen.
You are beautiful.
You are new.
You are loved.

Love Fiercely

It scares me when I see people putting their opinions and pride above other human beings. Jesus didn't say the most important law was to have the correct political opinion or to start fires. It is a pretty easy verse to memorize yet I think many people don't quite keep it in their soul. I myself am at fault for not following Jesus words but thank goodness I serve a God who loves me enough to cover my sins with his blood and his grace.

It worries me when we have people who think that you can only be a Christian if you're a conservative, or if you have friends who are atheists or homosexuals you're not really a christian. It scares me that there are people who say they serve God, yet they judge others by what they wear to church.

Everyone has opinions, but your opinion should NEVER keep you from extending grace and love to another person. As followers of Christ I realize that I'm called to rise above the normal morals, the normal pattern of the world. We are called to rise above the ways of the world and to love everyone, regardless of whether they are a Liberal, Democrat, or Republican. This should be regardless of their sexual orientation, their gender, the color of their skin, or how they dress when going to church.

I am not saying you should just accept whatever behavior a person is doing, I believe there is a way you can confront others about sin in a loving way, but you should not treat someone hatefully or start arguments with them because they disagree. We are called to be peacemakers, not fire starters. We are called to be greater and to seek holiness and to be the light in the dark. Don't just say you're a believer, but take what the bible says to heart. Don't just believe in God, but reflect who he is in your life by becoming more like Jesus. We serve a mighty God who loves us and who loves that Liberal next door to you and that guy who wants to keep gun rights and the people sitting in jail and the homeless man you drive by each day. And he is calling you to love deeper.

I pray you will love fiercely the broken, the abused, the confused, the helpless, the bitter, the angry person at work, the single mom, the teen mom, the shabbily dressed man at church, the elderly, and the young. Love the sinner, love the saint, love thy neighbor. And love them with a love so great they are led to Jesus so that he can break their bondage and their chains. Because what else would a love as great as Jesus' love cause? So go out and love your family, your friends, and strangers with a love that is fierce, compassionate, and full of grace. Life is too short to let our selfishness, our opinions, and our pride to keep us from letting his love flow out of us.

Much love.

Be Still My Soul

"Be still my soul." Whenever I read these words, think these words, hear these words, I instantly stop. I hear the Lord's voice asking me to be still. He is asking me to stop running and running and to take time to let his peace wash over me. I love Kari Jobe's song Be Still my Soul. How easy it is to get caught up in the fast pace life of this world. And how dangerous it is to our soul. How can running around without taking time to be still with the presence of the Lord hurt us? Well I can tell you several ways of how it has hurt my soul.

1. When we are constantly go, go, go eventually we will run out of juice. Our bodies need rest, our minds need rest, and our soul needs rest as well. It's easy to get caught up in events, signing up for every sport, watching your kid play every sport you signed them up for, saying yes to every friend that needs your help, spending too much time on your phone, etc., ect. We get caught up in the fast paced lifestyle. We believe the lie that we constantly need something going on. We fall into the yes man mindset. What happens to a car once it runs out of gas? It can't move, it can't go anywhere, and it can't do what it is created to do. When we go, go, go until we run out of life then we cannot help others, we cannot love and serve as greatly, and we cannot do what we were created to do. So what is life? Life is Jesus. He is the living water and without him we cannot live. John 4:14 So stop, be still, and drink of him.

2. When we don't stop to be still we miss out on hearing God or we miss out on a blessing he has placed in front of us. It is easy to get caught up in the static of this world. I have definitely experienced this. I can get so caught up in school, friendships, work, and everything else that I miss out on hearing from God. There are often times where I pray and wonder why he hasn't answered me when in reality he is calling me to stop and be still. I have been learning to stop throughout my day and clear my mind, open my heart, and thank him. I thank him and then I just listen. A peace that can only come from above washes over me. It makes each day much more beautiful. When a tough situation comes up, those moments of quiet help me so much to stay calm because I am aware of his presence. So take time throughout your day to stop and open your heart to the Lord. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

3. In regards to the verse above, the Lord is calling us to stop and know that he is God. He is our creator. The verses go onto telling them how amazing he is and how the people shouted with joy. So stop today or tomorrow or whenever and shout with joy! If you're having a bad day, please, just take a break from whatever is bringing you down and sing praises to him, dance with all of your soul, and shout with joy. Why? Because we have a creator who loves us. Because he is so, so good. Because we once were dead but now we are alive! I promise you, the turmoil in your heart, the chains binding your feet, will crumble when you CHOOSE to be still and let your praises ring. It is a conscience choice you must make but one that will change your life. 4. He wants us to be still so he can be God. He wants us to be still so he can fight for us. He wants to hear about your problems, your prayers, your worries, and whatever else is going on. He wants us to stop freaking out and to trust him. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you." God is mighty and strong. He loves you and wants a relationship with you. He sent his son to die on the cross to have a relationship with you. So whatever voices are getting in the way of your relationship with God then tell them to be quiet because you want to hear his voice alone. Sometimes we have to get away from the world in order to be alone with him which is so incredibly amazing and intimate. It is unlike anything in this world. He loves you and he cares for you my friends. So please, be still.

So, be still my soul. Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change, He faithful will remain.

Set in Stone

Goals are important. I believe in the importance of setting goals in my life. I remember in high school I set a goal to lose 15 pounds and sure enough I lost 15 pounds by eating healthy and working out. Post high school I set the goal to graduate Taft College in 2 years and sure enough this year I'm graduating. I have many other goals I want to accomplish and work daily to reach. So I believe that setting goals are very important. I also think that planning is important. It's smart to have plans for your future and your life. You definitely don't want to wander through life not knowing what you want.
I'm the type of person who likes to stick to "the plan". In all honesty, I am not the type of person who likes when the plan changes and doesn't go my way. I get angry and frustrated. I'm thrown off my game and I really don't like that. The thing about God though is that he doesn't really go by our plans. The world does not revolve around us. I repeat, the world. does. not. revolve. around. me. In our culture we are, unfortunately, taught this. We are taught selfishness, we are taught that things should go our way and we should get what we want.
This way of thinking is really not healthy at all. This isn't not how the Lord wants us to live our lives. I have found freedom from Jesus that it's more than okay if things don't go my way. I found peace in the realization that his way is better than my own. Although, it is a work in process, he has shown me that I can trust in him and the plans he has for my life. The more I seek him, the more his desires become my own. Psalm 37:4 says to take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. I found that when I delight in him through his word, worship, and prayer he gives me desires that are so much better than my own. The ways of this world are deceitful but his ways are fruitful, beautiful, and grand.
It's so important to not set your plans and your goals in stone. By doing this you will more than likely miss out on an alternate, and much more amazing, path the Lord has for you. He wants to take you B E Y O N D your wildest dreams. His plans for your life are surreal. But if you are so set in your own ways you could miss out on what he has in store for you. Not only that, but learning to "go with flow", has brought me immense peace. When things don't go my way or as planned, instead of freaking out I hand it over to him and say "alright Lord here's this storm, here's this situation, I trust you."
If things are not going your way right now, hand it over to him. Seek him and his word. And most importantly, trust him. And do not be afraid to take a risk and follow a different plan. It's okay if you fail your first goal, you just stand back up and see where he leads you. Life doesn't need to be this step by step plan..where's the adventure in that?
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

I like to think of comfort as a fish bowl. Fish live a very comfortable life inside their little fish bowl. They're safe, they're fed (usually), and they get to swim in circles all day long. Now imagine that you are the fish and the bowl represents your comfort zone. You have comfort, food, most likely happiness, everything you need/want. Here's where it becomes a problem; you can't reach other fish, you can't "swim" to other places, you aren't growing, you aren't being challenged. You stay comfortable.

Being comfortable is awesome. I have traveled many times and slept on many uncomfortable beds and there is nothing like the comfort of coming home to your own bed. The thing is, as Christians we aren't called to be comfortable for long periods of times. We're called to live dangerously. We're called to take risks. We're called to walk through doors that often lead us into the unknown. Becoming a Christian doesn't mean you're going to have it easy. And if you are having it easy, you may want to switch it up. I'm sorry to discourage anyone but this is just the truth. Jesus himself said that we will have many troubles in this world.

The cool part of that verse though is what he says next, "But take heart! For I have overcome the world." So if you decide to step out of your comfort zone to follow him know that he is with you and that he has already overcome the world, so do not fear. It could be as easy as talking to the kid at school who has no friends or the coworker that maybe just started and doesn't have any friends. It could be bigger like going on a missions trip or quitting your job that isn't making you happy. Or maybe its time to leave that relationship of emotional and physical abuse. Or maybe you want to go back to church and reconnect but you're afraid. Maybe you feel led to tell a friend about Jesus' love but you're scared of their reaction. Whatever it is, do not be afraid because he is with you. When you are giving your heart and soul to him he will guide you in the right direction. "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4.

He has great plans for you. He wants to unleash your dreams. He wants to set you free. Don't let comfort steal away how amazing your life could be. If you would just trust in his hand to lead you, then surely he will. You are his child and he wills an amazing life for you but you must jump out that fishbowl. Jesus didn't die and resurrect for us to live a life of mediocrity. He rose again so that we could live abundantly. Sometimes that means you have to go through a couple trials in order for the growth to occur. But remember, take heart for he has overcome the world. So let's get out there and be world changers people. Let's love greater, give more, execute our dreams, fall and stand up again. Press on to the finish line my friends.

"If only we have the will to walk, then God is pleased with out stumbles." -C.S. Lewis

Giving it to Him

Living in bitterness, anger, and sadness is honestly the worst way to live. In my opinion, maybe not yours, it is worse than living in poverty. I have lived (sort of) my life with bitterness eating away at my heart, anger binding my soul, and sadness leaving me feeling rather empty. As I look back on those times of life, I can’t imagine how I made it through each day. It sucked the life out of me. I didn’t enjoy moments throughout the day and I missed out on much happiness. Now these times never lasted long compared to what some people hold on to. Some people hold onto these feelings for years and years or an entire lifetime. I’m sure we all know someone who is angry and bitter. We know the unhappiness they have for the world that surrounds them. We have either heard their unkind words or been the target of them. Our world is surrounded by people who hold on to the past, who get angry at the drop of a hat, and who never allow their wounds to heal. Or maybe you’re one of those people..

For me, I eventually realized that I was not giving my bitterness, anger, and sadness to God. I was not allowing him to put his hands on it and fix the broken pieces, which in return was causing more brokenness. I finally cried out to him and said, here it’s yours, I can’t do this on my own anymore. Ephesians 2:10 says, “It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Jesus Christ; and long ages ago we should spend these lives in helping others.” Once the healing process started, once the growth began, once I met with him each day and read his word, my life changed.

I noticed this when I was hanging out with my parents in the kitchen one day. Usually I would feel really annoyed when I was with them and I would quickly retreat to my room. But after giving God my broken pieces and inviting his fire into my life, I truly enjoyed my time with my parents. I laughed and felt so incredibly free. My parents hadn't changed, but I had. It didn’t necessarily change my parents, but it changed that moment and that memory for me. I was standing inside of subway today and I just stopped and listened to the chaos surrounding me. Children being crazy, the line extremely long, too much sauce squeezed on a ladies sandwich; I just smiled because in that moment I chose to live in the happiness and peace the Lord has given me because he died on the cross.

I know that circumstances aren’t always ideal. I know that people have bills, and kids, and school loans, and illnesses, and a billion other things I could name off that can can make life tough. But I think of the people who went to Jesus for healing or his disciples that left everything to learn from him, I’m pretty sure they weren’t living in ideal circumstances yet they trusted in him enough to reach out for life and for healing. That in itself is inspiring enough to me. Not only that but if by giving me a new life, and a new perspective each day as I lay my heart at the cross, will give me the power and strength to help others and to love others greater then I’m all in and my prayer is that you are too. So if you’re broken, if you’re bitter and angry just give it all to him because he knows what to do with it and he will set you free.

“And I could hold on I could hold on to who I am and never let You change me from the inside And I could be safe I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home Never let these walls down
But you have called me higher You have called me deeper And I will go where you will lead me Lord”

“Set a fire down in my soul, that I can’t contain, that I can’t control. I want more of you God, I want more of you God.”

A fire usually starts small. A tiny flame can engulf a house in a matter of minutes. Once the flame gets going, it moves from room to room until every part of it is burnt to the ground. When you start a bonfire, the flame starts off small, lighting up one piece of wood but very quickly engulfing every piece. A fire doesn’t stay in one same room. It doesn’t stop in the living room and decide to skip the bedrooms and the bathroom. A wildfire doesn’t stop after half of the forest burns, it wants the whole thing. A fire isn’t safe, it isn’t weak, it isn’t small.

The bible often uses fire as a representation of God’s presence. God’s presence isn’t small, it isn’t safe, it isn’t weak. It’s a wildfire. Here’s the thing about Jesus, he will be a gentleman. He will knock patiently. He will wait for you to open that door. But when you open that door, his presence will engulf you like a wildfire. When you engage the Holy Spirit, you better be ready for some crazy, good things to start happening and some crazy hard things. His flame is unquenchable.

He will burn away all the unnecessary things from your life. He will burn up the chafe. He will burn away the bad habits, the bad relationships, he will remove what is unholy. This isn’t easy. If you want to live an amazing life full of his presence, it won’t be easy. You may have to let go of that friendship, or not answer that call, or stop going to that website, or stop gossiping, or spend less time on net flex, or a million other things he may call you to do. Jesus will baptize you with fire, and if you're serious about it, then your life is going to be changed.

Something that I heard really changed my perspective on things. One thing we are called to do it to pursue holiness and purity. Sometimes I get into this mindset that I need to serve, and pray, and read my bible, and not sin because God is up there looking down upon me and isn’t proud of, so I do those things to make him proud. But God doesn’t want us to pursue holiness so he can be proud of us, he wants us to pursue holiness so that he can be close to us. He wants his presence to be a part of you, burning in the depths of your soul. This is beautiful to me. God isn’t interested in giving us a high five, he wants to hold us. He wants us to climb upon his lap and cling to him. It’s so easy to get into this worker bee mindset, when in reality we are meant to be set free, to be creative, and to live.

"I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!” Luke 12:49 Jesus is inviting you to be a part of the fire. To burn bright. He wants you to burn so bright for him it draws others to him. Don’t be afraid for the fire to burn away the unnecessary in your life, because it will bring you closer to him. He will burn through your burdens, your bitterness, your hurt, your pride, your bad habits. You will love greater, you will breathe deeper, you will serve more, you will be changed. Don’t be afraid to lift your hands up in praise or to sing with all of your lungs (and possibly terrible voice like mine), don’t be afraid to sacrifice some things, don’t be afraid to find a community and make new friends, and don’t be afraid to love. Love will change you. Love will make you do things you never knew you could do. Love will cause you to take risks. But love will leave you with a soul that is full of an unfathomable peace.

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11

You Are Worthy

Dear friends, women of the Lord, whether you believe it or not, you are loved. You are worthy. You are beautiful. You were not made to be broken, to cry, and to live a life of seeking acceptance from this world. Don’t you know you are a precious jewel? Actually, you are worth more than jewels and priceless artwork. You are worth more than fancy cars and designer clothing. Why do we keep battling and fighting for the acceptance of this world? Why do we fight for attention from strangers and people who care so little for our hearts? What are you searching for? Stop listening to the voices of your past, stop listening to your insecurities. Don’t you know you are worth more. You’re worth more than being lusted after. You’re worth more than searching the world for compliments. You’re worth more than the selfies you keep posting. You’re worth more than sex offered from a boy and not a man who will care for your heart first. You’re worth more than low cut tops and short skirts.

This world wants to steal away our preciousness. This world is dying to fit us into its perfect mold of how women should be. Should we be skinny, curvaceous, toned, tan, large breasted, tattooed, blonde hair, blue hair, short, tall, or some unreal mixture of all of the above? There’s so many different voices trying desperately to tell you who you are, but don’t listen to them. A woman in trouble for committing adultery was brought to Jesus by the pharisees, and they said that the Law of Moses says to stone such a woman. Jesus doesn't respond with words right away, instead he draws a line in the sand and then spoke these words, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7. The only ones left were Jesus and the woman, and instead of condemning her he says, “go now and leave your life of sin.” Jesus did not take away the life of this woman, but instead breathed life into her. He’s offering something different, something unique, he is offering more than what this world has to offer; which is darkness, mediocrity, and despair.

Jesus is offering this to us today as well. Whether you’re 15 years old or you’re 50 years old and you’re reading this, Jesus is not going to condemn you today. Instead, he is saying that you are worthy of more. You are worthy of life. He doesn’t tell you to remember you're past and all of the sins you have committed but instead to leave it behind and live a brand new life. I have also been deceived by this world and have felt the darkness it can entrap you in. But at the cross I am reminded that I am worthy, that I am beautiful, and that I am made for more. I am not a product of this world, but a unique and beautiful creation of the breath of God. Quit listening to the other voices that try to trick you’re soul into believing you’re something that you’re not and listen to that one still voice who knows exactly who are. Press into him and he will press into you. Be still and you will hear his voice. You don't have to walk this road alone.

I didn't write this, Erwin Raphael McManus did and he titles it "Where the Echoes Stop". This poem is absolutely beautiful. I have re-read it many times the last couple of days, letting it sink deep into my soul. Read it slowly and let each word, each line sink in. Let it breathe life into you today, and tomorrow, and the next. Be still today, and let God breathe life into your soul.

I want to stand where the echoes stop. Far past where sound has abandoned thought. Where silence reigns over redundancy. Where once well said is more than enough.


I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where words must be born to be heard. Where speech is a gift and not a curse. Where there is more of the unique and less of the mundane.


"I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where meaning is rescued from noise… Where conviction replaces thoughtless repetition… Where what everyone is saying surrenders to what needs to be said.


I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where the shouting of the masses falls silent to the whisper of the one… Where the voice of the majority submits to the voice of reason… Where “they” do not exist; but “we” do.


I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where substance overthrows the superficial… Where courage conquers compliance and conformity… Where words do not travel farther than the person who speaks them.


I want to stand where the echoes stop. Where I only say what I believe. Where I only repeat what changes me. Where empty words finally rest in peace.


I want to stand where the echoes stop.
“Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10"

Recently I discovered an amazing church that is in Los Angeles called Mosaic. I instantly felt connected to them and all that they stand for. If you have a chance check out their podcasts on iTunes. They are worth the time. I was recently listening to their podcasts and they talk about having a mission. I became really curious when he started talking about this. I sometimes wonder in my heart and in my soul what on earth I was created for? Ephesians 2:10 tells me that God already has good works for me that are already planned out. But to be honest, I am often unsure of myself and question who I am and why I am here. So when he started talking about a mission my ears perked right up. It's so easy for people to go through life without a purpose, and without a plan. I also look around and I see a world that has become lost in conformity, in normality. What I'm beginning to realize is that God is not a God about laws or rules. God is a God of love and of creativity. He designed us to be creative, to make things, to live. I looked up what the antonyms of creativity are and here are a few: uncreative, fruitless, impotent, ungifted, unproductive, unimaginative, etc. These are all of the opposite of who Jesus is. When your spirit lacks creativity, it is lacking all of the amazing things God has in store for your life. My number one mission in my life is to share the love of Jesus Christ with all whom I come in contact with. As a church our mission should all be about Jesus. The cool thing is that God has other missions for all of us, specifically for each of us. Right now I am currently seeking God and asking him what my mission is. Being a Christian isn't easy. Following God means you might lose some people along the way, you're going to have to let go of parts of yourself. Being a follower of Christ means you're going to have to take risks. You're going to have to trust him even when you're literally sitting on the floor crying and broken. Being a follower of Christ means you're going to have to forgive, to forgive others and to forgive yourself. It's hard, but everyday I choose to look at the cross and see all of the love that has been poured out. I must come to him for he will show me the way. So how can you find your mission? Where do you start...


1. Prayer- Prayer is powerful. It's our main line to God. I will admit that I wonder if he hears me sometimes. Prayer can be scary but when you understand what prayer is, it changes you. A prayer filled life will reveal to you so much. It will guide you. Pray to God to guide and surrender yourself to him in prayer. He wants you and he wants to hear what you have to say. He's not looking for formality but for a talk with his child. He may not answer you the way you want, but he knows what's best for.


2. Community- We were not created to be alone. We were created for friendship and companionship. We were created for love. When people talk to me and get to know me I want them to see Christ's love. A great place to find out what your mission is, is to find a community. Find a church, a group, something where you can get to know people. I am often afraid of putting myself out there, but there is nothing better than loving people and being loved back. God doesn't want you to go through life alone, we just were't created that way.


3. Trust- Trusting isn't easy. I've been let down so many times I have a hard time trusting people. God isn't going to let you down. He is faithful. His timing may not be your timing, but he has a plan for you. You just have to trust him. When I feel like I can't trust God I remind myself of all the things he has already done for. I am reminded that he will come through. It's not easy,it's a struggle. I'm not sure if it will ever be easy but I am sure that he has my best interest at heart.


4. Love- If you ever forget who you are or get lost in this crazy life, let your heart be anchored by love. God doesn't expect you to take all these different steps and paths to reach him and get to know. Christianity is the one religion where love is the direct line to God. God sent his son as an act of love so that we can have a relationship with him. There's no crazy initiation or steps, just love and faith.


So if anyone has ever hurt you or pushed you away from Jesus or mis-represented who he is, then I am deeply sorry. There's a lot of people who may claim to be following Christ but if you never saw love then just know that that's not who God is. His arms are open wide and they're waiting for you to run to them. If you are weary, broken, and hurt then drink the water of life from him. He is offering a life of love, creativity, and forgiveness.