Passionate people know what they stand for, and why they do.
They are black and white about what they know.
They cannot be shaken about what they know.
They are not deterred by people who don’t have the same passion.
They have a single vision — the zenith of everything they’re doing.
They…
my future roommate and I had been calling each other throughout the week about rooming stuff. I met her at freshman orientation in college 4 years ago, we bonded over a shared love of running, and kept in touch ever since. I was praying for her to know god for a while. Yesterday I tried calling her but couldn’t reach her. At the end of the night, I still hadn’t heard from her. “That’s weird, I thought. She hasn’t called back yet. She should have called me by now.”
Had she forgotten because it was July 4? Was she merely out with friends? No, it didn’t seem like it was any of the above - as I was falling asleep, as I drifted between a half-conscious, half-dream-like state, in my mind’s eye I saw her fumbling for her charger, and going “FUCKKKK WHERE IS IT!! I can’t find it!!”
“Oh,” I thought, “she’s probably lost her charger or something, and her phone ran out of battery. She’ll find it soon, maybe tomorrow.”
Today she called. “Omg I’m so sorry - I lost my charger yesterday and my phone died!! I found it this morning.”
I told her that funnily enough I had dreamed that exact situation the night before. It was supposed to just be a humorous/random/irrelevant comment. But then she was like “no way!! I totally believe in that stuff.” So I told her about how god often speaks to me through dreams, how knowing Christ has changed my life. I told her the story about how god found me in my darkest moments in high school, and gave me a new life. I told her the story of Jesus, and how His love changed me.
She was really touched. ”Maybe I lost my charger for a reason, so you could share this really touching and inspirational story with me,” she said.
I’m so amazed by how god used a seemingly useless and random piece of information (a dream about a lost charger) to bring into our life a conversation about life, hope, and faith. God is good.
So much of Christianity today is about recovering from loss, rather than growing from gain.
So much of Christianity today is about finding joy in the midst of hurt rather than living in joy regardless of the circumstance.
So much of Christianity today is about changing our perspective in the midst of trouble just so that it’s a little more bearable rather than about overcoming and reigning in life.
So much of Christianity today is about coping with the latest loss instead of strategic planning for the next victory.
So much is about lamenting over the tares being pulled out rather than having expectant hope for the new room for wheat.
So much is about lamenting over other people’s poor choices rather than leading with a life of passion to inspire.
So much of Christianity today is more about a struggle to survive the winds and storms of life rather than standing and commanding them to sit down and shut up.
Suffering is not the mark of spiritual growth. Bearing fruit (that can nourish other people) is the mark of growth.
-
You are in control of how most circumstances play out. In circumstances that you can’t control, you are always in control of how you respond. You can either chose to be disappointed or chose get up and do something about your situation.
If you have that thought “This isn’t going to change”, or “You’re never going to get out of this”, or “You’ll be stuck with this forever”, it’s a lie.
2 Cor 4:18 “For the things which are seen are temporary”
Your circumstance can change. You can decide to do something about it.
You are empowered.
You are not bound.
You are only bound by how you think.
You are only bound if you believe a lie.
If you cannot change your circumstance. You can change how you respond.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17
A few years ago, I found out a large amount of money that rightfully belonged to me was taken by someone else.
I wasn’t really sure what to think about it, since I was very young at the time it happened. About a year ago, the Lord let me know he was giving it all back. I dreamt one night that I was standing in a washington DC rowhouse at a party and I was carrying a golden purse. Unbeknownst to me, someone at the party had been pick-pocketing me, and later she ran away with my purse (just as in real life, the money was taken from me). As the thief stormed out the door with my purse I finally noticed that she was gone, so I ran after her. As I chased her down the patio stairs, a policeman walked by, but he did not even notice us. “It’s a thief! It’s a thief!” I shouted, pointing at her. But he kept walking by (the symbolism meant that legal authorities would not take notice of this event). In my dream, I kept chasing her, then I lost her after she turned the block, so I ran away to worship god in isolation. When I came back, I demanded the purse from the thief, and to my utter surprise, she did not run but stood before me and and simply handed the purse back - “here, you can have it.”
A week ago I received a full power of attorney (including full rights to withdraw funds) for the account.
edit 1/27/12 - just made an offer on a house in washington DC, which will be bought with the above account. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I guess god had a special meaning in this dream taking place in washington dc, and in a DC rowhouse no less. Everything turned out as I dreamed - money was taken, I couldn’t get it back, forgot about it and went to worship god anyway, then got it all back. “He works all things to the good of those whole love him.”
Yesterday, as I was getting on the freeway to drive back home from LA, I saw a homeless couple with a sign - “hungry, will work for food.” I didn’t have cash, so I gave them my dinner, a box of sushi.
When I got home, my mom greeted me, “have you had dinner? I got you sushi - just for you!” There were three boxes full - more than I could finish.
Thank you Lord, thank you mom!!
He sees every small thing. He is always caring, always loving. We give him our two pennies, he gives back in much greater measure. How amazing that he sees, even the smallest most insignificant moments, actions I would have even forgotten myself.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” - Psalm 24:1
As I approach graduation, I am filled with gratitude. Through all my ups and downs and my drama and mistakes, my one constant has been god - he has always been there for me, his word has always sustained me. In the midst of celebration, I give all my happiness and praises upward. It’s all about him. My life started with him, it continues through him, through his power, his sustenance, his blessing, and his leading. Thank you Lord. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
I know you hear me, Lord. I know you are with me. I never worry now, because you ARE. I may not be successful in the world, but I dont seek that success. You are the only way, the only truth. I cannot find my way in politics, I cannot find my way in worldly gain, I can only find my life in you, in my sacrifices and songs to you. I love you Lord. I may not be perfect, but I am content even in my grief, because I know you love me.
In the midst of trial, and struggle, there are no questions, there is no fear, there is no weakness. Because you carry me. Even though I fail, even though I fall, often, you are my strength, you are my security. I don’t face failure with increasing self-doubt; I only become more humble, so that I can exalt you in greater measure.
I don’t ask for wealth, I don’t ask for worldly riches. Only let me glory in you, let me be glorified through your riches, let me find power through your strength. I enter this world with nothing, I leave with nothing. But I know I have you. I am content in my weakness, I am content in my nothingness, even in my loneliness, because through this lowliness I experience you in greater measure.
Although I have lost out on a worldly prize, I have found something more meaningful. I have discovered a spiritual joy, one that never dies, an inner satisfaction, with no inner doubts or questions, without fear or frustration, angerless, with no regrets, no soul-shadows, no darkness. I have a peace that surpasses understanding. I could have lived in splendor and wealth, I could have dabbled in fame and prettiness (pettiness), and yet my soul would still have been dark. But now, having discovered this light, this life within, my soul is satisfied; I want nothing more, than to drink daily, from your presence and infinite wealth and grace. This is true life.
Had I not found you, I would not have known this complete joy. The thrills of the world are temporary highs and lows, their prizes and promises are fleeting and insecure, empty. I have filled my soul, I have found true contentment, in nothingness, in littleness, in the poverty of my soul. Thank you, because of this spiritual peace.
