HELP!!!
A friend of mine recently updated his Facebook status as thus: "asking for help is strength, not a weakness". While many of us would agree on the surface, how many of us readily ask for help when it's needed? Often, we wait until we're drowning to ask for help from others. By this time, we've refused their offers so much that we may actually have built a wall between us and them. Cry out to the Lord? No problem! Ask my friend to help me with something when I'm feeling overloaded? Heck to the NO! Isn't that about right? But, how silly is this frame of mind? I mean, more often than not, God will help us by sending someone to us that can assist. This way, not only are WE blessed by this assistance, but the giver is equally blessed by being of use!
I was on a missions' trip a few years ago where I got slapped upside the head with this realization. We were staying in the meager apartment of our hosts, who graciously accepted us and blessed us abundantly out of their little means. Mints on our pillows, fresh towels laid out for us as if at a top-notch B&B, and literally clearing their schedules to show us around overwhelmed my friend and I immensely! So, when the host further offered to do something for us, we refused, thinking we were being polite, not wanting to further inconvenience anyone. She immediately rebuked us and said, "Don't steal my blessing! Let me DO this!" WOW! "Don't steal my blessing . . ." This phrase hit me like a ton of bricks! I realized that when we refuse the heart-felt and aptly needed help of others, we rob THEM (not just ourselves) of this blessing of doing-for-others!
There's a notion so idealized in our society that we be independent creatures, self-sufficient, and not relying on others for anything. While it IS noble to be able to support one's self and his/her family, live within one's means, and daily be able to care one's responsibilities, there does come a time in ALL our lives where we NEED help. To constantly be relying on others for basic provisions is considered lazy in our society, and even in the Bible. However, jobs are lost, health fails, things break, deployments happen, loved ones are lost, and on and on goes the list of things in life that we simply cannot plan accordingly for. What a tragedy that in our society, we refuse to allow blessings to fall on our willing loved ones because we allow pride to convince us that we must also handle THIS ourselves. When we refuse to ask for help, or accept offered help, we block the blessing that God has in store for us, and thereby stunt our Spiritual growth during this time.
I've recently found myself in a situation where I've had to swallow my pride and seek out help in some matters. I have had MANY people whole-heartedly offer to help and I've thankfully accepted their offer. Don't you love to be needed? It feels good to be of use, doesn't it? I know I love to serve and feel more complete when I realize that I'm making a difference in someone's life, even in the smallest of ways. I know I'm not alone. Therefore, it stands to reason that others feel blessed when they can help me (you). Sometimes it's even more difficult for us "servants" to accept help; after all, we're the ones who help others! My friend's quote hit home that day, "Asking for help is strength, not a weakness". Regardless of what your Faith looks like, as a human-being, it'd be difficult to find someone that, in their heart-of-hearts, did not agree that it feels good to help someone out. I might even venture to say that it makes us more tangible when ask for help, because it shows that we are under no false pretenses that we have it all together -because none of us have it all together, all of the time.
So, feel free to ask for help in your times of trouble. If you don't, not only are you allowing pride to prevail (which can take you down a slippery-slope), but remember that you are stealing someone else's blessing as well! Don't be a blessing thief! Blessings are living things that grow as we share them and that die as we deny them. Share the blessings, let them grow!!!
"Share each other's burdens, and in this way, obey the law of Christ" ~Galatians 6:2
I was on a missions' trip a few years ago where I got slapped upside the head with this realization. We were staying in the meager apartment of our hosts, who graciously accepted us and blessed us abundantly out of their little means. Mints on our pillows, fresh towels laid out for us as if at a top-notch B&B, and literally clearing their schedules to show us around overwhelmed my friend and I immensely! So, when the host further offered to do something for us, we refused, thinking we were being polite, not wanting to further inconvenience anyone. She immediately rebuked us and said, "Don't steal my blessing! Let me DO this!" WOW! "Don't steal my blessing . . ." This phrase hit me like a ton of bricks! I realized that when we refuse the heart-felt and aptly needed help of others, we rob THEM (not just ourselves) of this blessing of doing-for-others!
There's a notion so idealized in our society that we be independent creatures, self-sufficient, and not relying on others for anything. While it IS noble to be able to support one's self and his/her family, live within one's means, and daily be able to care one's responsibilities, there does come a time in ALL our lives where we NEED help. To constantly be relying on others for basic provisions is considered lazy in our society, and even in the Bible. However, jobs are lost, health fails, things break, deployments happen, loved ones are lost, and on and on goes the list of things in life that we simply cannot plan accordingly for. What a tragedy that in our society, we refuse to allow blessings to fall on our willing loved ones because we allow pride to convince us that we must also handle THIS ourselves. When we refuse to ask for help, or accept offered help, we block the blessing that God has in store for us, and thereby stunt our Spiritual growth during this time.
I've recently found myself in a situation where I've had to swallow my pride and seek out help in some matters. I have had MANY people whole-heartedly offer to help and I've thankfully accepted their offer. Don't you love to be needed? It feels good to be of use, doesn't it? I know I love to serve and feel more complete when I realize that I'm making a difference in someone's life, even in the smallest of ways. I know I'm not alone. Therefore, it stands to reason that others feel blessed when they can help me (you). Sometimes it's even more difficult for us "servants" to accept help; after all, we're the ones who help others! My friend's quote hit home that day, "Asking for help is strength, not a weakness". Regardless of what your Faith looks like, as a human-being, it'd be difficult to find someone that, in their heart-of-hearts, did not agree that it feels good to help someone out. I might even venture to say that it makes us more tangible when ask for help, because it shows that we are under no false pretenses that we have it all together -because none of us have it all together, all of the time.
So, feel free to ask for help in your times of trouble. If you don't, not only are you allowing pride to prevail (which can take you down a slippery-slope), but remember that you are stealing someone else's blessing as well! Don't be a blessing thief! Blessings are living things that grow as we share them and that die as we deny them. Share the blessings, let them grow!!!
"Share each other's burdens, and in this way, obey the law of Christ" ~Galatians 6:2
Surrender: I hope you dance . . .
God has really been tugging on my heart about the true meaning of the word surrender for quite some time now. As a long-time Believer, I know that I need to surrender to Him, but as a logical, analytical-thinking person I've honestly been a little in the dark as to how to surrender. What does surrender mean? What does it -in practical, everyday examples- look like? Where do I start? These are the questions that I believe need to be investigated in order to really know what surrender means, so that I can fully and whole-heartedly carry out the act of daily surrender.
I wasn't sure where to start, so I started with a topic search on my Bible app for the word surrender. Uh, yeah, THAT was overwhelming! What I received was a plethora of verses ALL pertaining to or containing the word surrender. Oh well, I thought, here goes nothing! So, I dove in and decided to look up the majority of these verses. Get your Bible or Bible app handy, and follow me . . .
The first thing I noticed is that surrender is first and foremost a CHOICE! This choice involves listening to instruction (Psalm 78:1), choosing to live a life set apart (Romans 12:2), accepting God's ways (2 Samuel 10:19), and choosing to live according to His ways (1 Chronicles 19:19). Wait a minute, if you looked them up, you've noticed that those last two verses are referencing armies becoming subject to the rule of another country, not directly referring to obedience to the Lord!!! Ah, yes, but can we not draw a parallel here? After all, this search of mine began with simply defining the word surrender . . .
This choice is certainly not an easy one to make. It involves obedience from the heart. (Proverbs 23:26, Philippians 3:8). It's also done without resistance (ouch), because it's a "done deal". Look at Jeremiah 38:18-20 for example. God is imploring them to make the decision to surrender and pointing out the fact that the city has already been handed over to the Babylonians. In other words, we have a choice, but the battle's been won, and the victory's sealed. Our refusal to surrender, knowing and believing this then, is foolishness. This obedience, then involves nailing our disobedience to the cross, acknowledging that the price has already been paid. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there" Galatians 5:24.
I grew up dancing. I took dance lessons all throughout my formative years and especially loved ballet. If you've ever watched a professional dancer, you've no doubt marveled at their ability to spin round and round in a pirouette or other turn, and gracefully move into the next piece of choreography effortlessly, and seemingly defying gravity and the laws of physics. I mean, most of us see that and think, "These people must have some amazing, natural equilibrium to be able to spin and spin without falling over. I get dizzy just watching them"! Well, let me tell you a secret that, once mastered, can help anyone spin like a dancer without getting dizzy! Are you ready? It's focus, spotting, actually.
I can remember learning to turn in this manner, falling out of a turn in the beginning. My dance teacher would often say, "Find your spot"!! This "spotting" is the act of finding a fixed object in the direction in which you are turning -a spot on the wall, for example. Then, focusing on THAT spot as you turn; your body turning, but your eyes and head focused sternly on that spot until it's physically impossible to continue. At this point, you close your eyes, whip your head around quickly, and then once you're facing that spot again, open your eyes while IMMEDIATELY fixating once again on that spot. Now, it's important to be sure that as your whipping your head around, your eyes remain CLOSED!!!! Otherwise, you'll see all the other distractions in the room and you will attempt to somehow focus on each one, taking them in, resulting in head-aching dizziness. When you close your eyes during this process, however, you are able to focus on your spot in your mind, blocking out all other distractions until time to reopen your eyes and focus, once again on that spot. By keeping focus while your eyes are closed, it's actually easier to find your spot upon reopening them. Are you seeing the correlation yet??
So, surrender is sort of like finding my spot. When I focus on God's will, and balance my life (my will, choices, decisions, actions, etc) according to Him, then I actively block out the extraneous noise of the world, leaving me "balanced". When I try to focus on God's will, but also, even briefly, take in ALL other extraneous considerations and noise (as in spinning with my eyes open), then I find it that much harder to find my Spot at the end of my turn. I become dizzy, and fall or at the very least, stumble. Now, if you've taken much ballet, you know exactly what I'm getting at here. If you haven't (and you're brave enough), try turning with and without this spotting. Even if it's not exactly right, you should notice a difference between ACTIVELY keeping your eyes open during a turn, and trying to keep your focus, blocking out all distractions in the process. Go ahead; I'll be here when you've finished. . .
So then, I have come to discover that the act of surrender is similar to keeping my 'spot'. The world is spinning out of control around us, and if we don't close our eyes - relatively speaking- to the extraneous distractions, we will lose our footing for sure. Next time you watch dancers, be mindful of how their head whips around during a turn. And let it remind you of the need to keep our focus on Him, SURRENDERING on a continual basis.
I hope you dance.
Be blessed. Be happy. Be whole.
I wasn't sure where to start, so I started with a topic search on my Bible app for the word surrender. Uh, yeah, THAT was overwhelming! What I received was a plethora of verses ALL pertaining to or containing the word surrender. Oh well, I thought, here goes nothing! So, I dove in and decided to look up the majority of these verses. Get your Bible or Bible app handy, and follow me . . .
The first thing I noticed is that surrender is first and foremost a CHOICE! This choice involves listening to instruction (Psalm 78:1), choosing to live a life set apart (Romans 12:2), accepting God's ways (2 Samuel 10:19), and choosing to live according to His ways (1 Chronicles 19:19). Wait a minute, if you looked them up, you've noticed that those last two verses are referencing armies becoming subject to the rule of another country, not directly referring to obedience to the Lord!!! Ah, yes, but can we not draw a parallel here? After all, this search of mine began with simply defining the word surrender . . .
This choice is certainly not an easy one to make. It involves obedience from the heart. (Proverbs 23:26, Philippians 3:8). It's also done without resistance (ouch), because it's a "done deal". Look at Jeremiah 38:18-20 for example. God is imploring them to make the decision to surrender and pointing out the fact that the city has already been handed over to the Babylonians. In other words, we have a choice, but the battle's been won, and the victory's sealed. Our refusal to surrender, knowing and believing this then, is foolishness. This obedience, then involves nailing our disobedience to the cross, acknowledging that the price has already been paid. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there" Galatians 5:24.
I grew up dancing. I took dance lessons all throughout my formative years and especially loved ballet. If you've ever watched a professional dancer, you've no doubt marveled at their ability to spin round and round in a pirouette or other turn, and gracefully move into the next piece of choreography effortlessly, and seemingly defying gravity and the laws of physics. I mean, most of us see that and think, "These people must have some amazing, natural equilibrium to be able to spin and spin without falling over. I get dizzy just watching them"! Well, let me tell you a secret that, once mastered, can help anyone spin like a dancer without getting dizzy! Are you ready? It's focus, spotting, actually.
I can remember learning to turn in this manner, falling out of a turn in the beginning. My dance teacher would often say, "Find your spot"!! This "spotting" is the act of finding a fixed object in the direction in which you are turning -a spot on the wall, for example. Then, focusing on THAT spot as you turn; your body turning, but your eyes and head focused sternly on that spot until it's physically impossible to continue. At this point, you close your eyes, whip your head around quickly, and then once you're facing that spot again, open your eyes while IMMEDIATELY fixating once again on that spot. Now, it's important to be sure that as your whipping your head around, your eyes remain CLOSED!!!! Otherwise, you'll see all the other distractions in the room and you will attempt to somehow focus on each one, taking them in, resulting in head-aching dizziness. When you close your eyes during this process, however, you are able to focus on your spot in your mind, blocking out all other distractions until time to reopen your eyes and focus, once again on that spot. By keeping focus while your eyes are closed, it's actually easier to find your spot upon reopening them. Are you seeing the correlation yet??
So, surrender is sort of like finding my spot. When I focus on God's will, and balance my life (my will, choices, decisions, actions, etc) according to Him, then I actively block out the extraneous noise of the world, leaving me "balanced". When I try to focus on God's will, but also, even briefly, take in ALL other extraneous considerations and noise (as in spinning with my eyes open), then I find it that much harder to find my Spot at the end of my turn. I become dizzy, and fall or at the very least, stumble. Now, if you've taken much ballet, you know exactly what I'm getting at here. If you haven't (and you're brave enough), try turning with and without this spotting. Even if it's not exactly right, you should notice a difference between ACTIVELY keeping your eyes open during a turn, and trying to keep your focus, blocking out all distractions in the process. Go ahead; I'll be here when you've finished. . .
So then, I have come to discover that the act of surrender is similar to keeping my 'spot'. The world is spinning out of control around us, and if we don't close our eyes - relatively speaking- to the extraneous distractions, we will lose our footing for sure. Next time you watch dancers, be mindful of how their head whips around during a turn. And let it remind you of the need to keep our focus on Him, SURRENDERING on a continual basis.
I hope you dance.
Be blessed. Be happy. Be whole.
2013 Bible Reading Plan
Typically, Bible reading plans intimidate me. They usually require you to read many chapters a day, which I find difficult to fully digest. That may be great for you! For me, however, I tend to better with smaller compilations that I can chew on all day. Regardless of your Bible-reading-comfort-level, I urge you to find a plan that works for you and make daily Bible reading a priority!!! It's an act you won't regret and one that will benefit not only you, but those in your life. For help choosing a plan, you may want to peruse the YouVersion website (they also have a Smart Phone app for added convenience!)