Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Humbled.
Today was a very humbling day. It started with a rush to get to the train on time. It ended with an extremely long and delayed train ride home. I guess my whole day was a bit of a train ride.
The first jolt came with an email from my tutor- I needed to see her asap about an assignment because it needs to be resubmitted. That got me nervous. Turns out the nerves weren't for nothing- I have a lot of work to do. I have to rewrite an entire assignment just to make a pathetic 14/40 into a lousy 15/40. When I went to her office I was a nervous wreck. I came out an emotional wreck that had been blown into pieces. But at least she was kind enough to talk to me and give me lots of guidance, rather than just fail me and leave it like that. This experience made me think a lot.
I tend to think (at least before today) that I've never really failed before- false, I fail every day, I fail to please God and do His will, I fail to live up to His Name, I fail to obey His commandments, and I fail to fulfill all my obligations. It's pretty humbling to know that I thought I could pass everything- and yet I constantly fail in what means the most in life to me.
I'd like to think I put in every effort to complete this assignment and it was my best work- false, I didn't use my time or talents to the best of my ability. It's pretty humbling to realise that I thought I did 'good enough'- and yet aiming for 'good enough' just isn't good enough- because God wants our all.
How often do we reach out to someone who's 'failed' in life, or who's 'failed' to live up to our expectations? How often do we leave them with their failings? It's pretty humbling to know that my tutor was kind enough to 'rescue' me from that pit and put me back on track, and even offer me a 75 for the unit.
But it's even more humbling to know that God was willing to rescue me from all my failures, those personally against Himself, those which I commit day after day. Thankfully I don't have to write a perfect assignment, because I can't. And He didn't just offer an extra week, or another go, He did it Himself- Christ bore hellish agony so I can be saved. Every time I fall into that pit of failure, He takes me out and puts me on the road to life again. How amazing that such negativity can turn into positive rejoicing because of the One who I fail the most.
The rest of my day? The train ride continued. And this post was hard enough to write, so I'll stop there.
Today I was humbled. Even that's pretty hard to take in sometimes. But God will work it to my good as He has promised. I pray that it will be a lesson for me, and that I may continue to glorify Him in everything.
The first jolt came with an email from my tutor- I needed to see her asap about an assignment because it needs to be resubmitted. That got me nervous. Turns out the nerves weren't for nothing- I have a lot of work to do. I have to rewrite an entire assignment just to make a pathetic 14/40 into a lousy 15/40. When I went to her office I was a nervous wreck. I came out an emotional wreck that had been blown into pieces. But at least she was kind enough to talk to me and give me lots of guidance, rather than just fail me and leave it like that. This experience made me think a lot.
I tend to think (at least before today) that I've never really failed before- false, I fail every day, I fail to please God and do His will, I fail to live up to His Name, I fail to obey His commandments, and I fail to fulfill all my obligations. It's pretty humbling to know that I thought I could pass everything- and yet I constantly fail in what means the most in life to me.
I'd like to think I put in every effort to complete this assignment and it was my best work- false, I didn't use my time or talents to the best of my ability. It's pretty humbling to realise that I thought I did 'good enough'- and yet aiming for 'good enough' just isn't good enough- because God wants our all.
How often do we reach out to someone who's 'failed' in life, or who's 'failed' to live up to our expectations? How often do we leave them with their failings? It's pretty humbling to know that my tutor was kind enough to 'rescue' me from that pit and put me back on track, and even offer me a 75 for the unit.
But it's even more humbling to know that God was willing to rescue me from all my failures, those personally against Himself, those which I commit day after day. Thankfully I don't have to write a perfect assignment, because I can't. And He didn't just offer an extra week, or another go, He did it Himself- Christ bore hellish agony so I can be saved. Every time I fall into that pit of failure, He takes me out and puts me on the road to life again. How amazing that such negativity can turn into positive rejoicing because of the One who I fail the most.
The rest of my day? The train ride continued. And this post was hard enough to write, so I'll stop there.
Today I was humbled. Even that's pretty hard to take in sometimes. But God will work it to my good as He has promised. I pray that it will be a lesson for me, and that I may continue to glorify Him in everything.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Joy and Vines
Grape vines bring 'supposed' joy to many people- at least after fermentation and some years in a cellar. But joy is more than an occassional outward display of emotion or a drunken, happy shout. It is a continual, inward sense of peace, contentment, happiness in the heart and soul- coming from our relationship with God, not any circumstances impacting our life as such- and this sense of joy then translates to a life of smiles and praise.
In John 15, Jesus teaches about how His is the vine, and through grace we are grafted into Him as branches. But with privilege comes responsibility- we must bear good fruit or else we will be cut off. Abiding in Christ doesn't mean living a life of simple pleasures and feeding off His riches only to bear rotten grapes, or no fruit at all. In verse 11, Christ teaches "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full". We receive our joy from God, and He also desires our rejoicing. We can have fullness of joy in the knowledge that Christ is our source of life, so long as we fruitfully keep His commandments.
The Psalms teach a lot about our reason for joy:
Ps 5:11- because God defends those who trust in Him
Ps 16:11- joy and pleasure is found at God's right hand
Ps 19:8- the heart receives joy from God's statutes
Ps 28:7- a trusting heart receives joy because our helping God is a strength and shield
Ps 33:4- shout for joy because God's word is truth, righteousness, just and good
And there is so much more.
Even when times are tough, God provides joy (Ps 30:5). Fullness of joy means that even through adversity, when we have a consistent relationship with Christ, we will manage. We can receive continual strength from Him, no matter our circumstances.
We may rejoice in the wonderful characteristics of our triune God. We may have inward peace in the comfort He gives; happy hearts in the riches He imparts; a strong confidence in the care He shows; a thankful countenance doing His commandments out of thankfulness for the blessings He bestows.
As branches grafted into the true vine, there is no reason for being bare or taking our time to ferment in darkness. We must continue to joyfully bear fruit in the assurance and joy He gives to us, living joyful lives in His service.
In John 15, Jesus teaches about how His is the vine, and through grace we are grafted into Him as branches. But with privilege comes responsibility- we must bear good fruit or else we will be cut off. Abiding in Christ doesn't mean living a life of simple pleasures and feeding off His riches only to bear rotten grapes, or no fruit at all. In verse 11, Christ teaches "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full". We receive our joy from God, and He also desires our rejoicing. We can have fullness of joy in the knowledge that Christ is our source of life, so long as we fruitfully keep His commandments.
The Psalms teach a lot about our reason for joy:
Ps 5:11- because God defends those who trust in Him
Ps 16:11- joy and pleasure is found at God's right hand
Ps 19:8- the heart receives joy from God's statutes
Ps 28:7- a trusting heart receives joy because our helping God is a strength and shield
Ps 33:4- shout for joy because God's word is truth, righteousness, just and good
And there is so much more.
Even when times are tough, God provides joy (Ps 30:5). Fullness of joy means that even through adversity, when we have a consistent relationship with Christ, we will manage. We can receive continual strength from Him, no matter our circumstances.
We may rejoice in the wonderful characteristics of our triune God. We may have inward peace in the comfort He gives; happy hearts in the riches He imparts; a strong confidence in the care He shows; a thankful countenance doing His commandments out of thankfulness for the blessings He bestows.
As branches grafted into the true vine, there is no reason for being bare or taking our time to ferment in darkness. We must continue to joyfully bear fruit in the assurance and joy He gives to us, living joyful lives in His service.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Capturing the Sun
Today I wasted my time looking through some old photos. And at times I'm pretty proud of my photography skills (albeit with a 'normal' camera). This is a collection of sunrise/sunset pics I've taken over the past couple years (in Albany). I am continually amazed at God's creation, and these photos are evidence of His glory. How often do we stop and reflect on how great our providential Father is? How often do we reflect on how awesome it is that the sun rises and sets each day according to the order God planned, created, and continues to uphold?
This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it (Ps 118:24)
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth (Ecc 12:1)
He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt 5:45)
Come and let us walk in the light of the LORD (Isa 2:5)
The LORD is my light and my salvation (Ps 27:1)
The righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matt 13:43)
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Eph 5:8)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16)
Let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength (Jdg 5:31)
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! Give thanks to Him who made the great lights... the sun to rule by day... the moon and stars to rule by night, for His mercy endures forever (Ps 136: 1, 7-9)
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Patience
"Rejocing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer"
- Romans 12:12
It can be really hard to remain patient. There are things we look forward to, things we "can't wait for". There are things we wish were behind us, or that are dealt with at the click of our fingers. For me, life has taken a few difficult turns lately. Sometimes it's hard to take things in my stride, to 'live with it'. But at the same time, I guess I've learned some patience, although it's not perfected yet. And these struggles are not beyond what I can handle, and God's promises of protection and care remain. That is my confidence. He is still there. He is helping me through it all. He is teaching me patience.
In that sense, it isn't all about 'living with it', but rather recognising the opportunities God gives. Thinking about the good rather than the bad. Being thankful for the gifts received, rather than longing for more. For instance, I am thankful that I am not suffering for the faith, or under political persecution. I can still recieve daily comfort from God's Word and can cast my burdens on Him in prayer.
Ultimately we will suffer trials, but this life is only a beginning of a greater future. We are to use our time on this earth to glorify God; that is our aim. When life throws curveballs, we must use this also to bear fruit to His glory: to be patient, willing to forgive and love our neighbour, to persevere in the race of faith, to acknowledge God's hand in everything in life, to wait for answers to our prayers, to realise God's great character, to rejoice in the hope He gives of a glorious future. As we comprehend His love in Christ, we will find the courage to continue living a fruitful and happy life.
There is one thing that is the greatest longing. We must and can have "patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess 1:3). He is faithful.
- Romans 12:12
It can be really hard to remain patient. There are things we look forward to, things we "can't wait for". There are things we wish were behind us, or that are dealt with at the click of our fingers. For me, life has taken a few difficult turns lately. Sometimes it's hard to take things in my stride, to 'live with it'. But at the same time, I guess I've learned some patience, although it's not perfected yet. And these struggles are not beyond what I can handle, and God's promises of protection and care remain. That is my confidence. He is still there. He is helping me through it all. He is teaching me patience.
In that sense, it isn't all about 'living with it', but rather recognising the opportunities God gives. Thinking about the good rather than the bad. Being thankful for the gifts received, rather than longing for more. For instance, I am thankful that I am not suffering for the faith, or under political persecution. I can still recieve daily comfort from God's Word and can cast my burdens on Him in prayer.
Ultimately we will suffer trials, but this life is only a beginning of a greater future. We are to use our time on this earth to glorify God; that is our aim. When life throws curveballs, we must use this also to bear fruit to His glory: to be patient, willing to forgive and love our neighbour, to persevere in the race of faith, to acknowledge God's hand in everything in life, to wait for answers to our prayers, to realise God's great character, to rejoice in the hope He gives of a glorious future. As we comprehend His love in Christ, we will find the courage to continue living a fruitful and happy life.
There is one thing that is the greatest longing. We must and can have "patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess 1:3). He is faithful.
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