For Glory

 'Praise be to his glorious name forever; 

may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen.'

~Psalm 72:19~

Why do you talk about God? Not when, who with, or even how often (Matthew 6:5). WHY?

Speaking out about beliefs is a big deal, and we can easily become loud about it. Our focus shifts to 'See? This is what I believe, see!' We do a good job of standing up for ourselves and fellow believers applaud us for that. Support that in itself is not bad... as long as it doesn't overtake our greater purpose.

'The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains' ~Philippians 1:7~

'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.' ~Philippians 2:3~ 

I've asked myself many times WHAT that looks like. How do I approach my testimony or carry out my discipleship in earnest? Then a picture came to mind two nights ago whilst researching neurological disorders. Musicians. 

By minute, hour, and year, musicians work their fingers to the bone to set off the perfect notes from their instrument. And people listen; the bass, the strings, the woodwinds... even to a guitar strummed on a street corner. Sure, some may watch their fingers zing like lightening or the uniform flip of a composition page. Bottom line though, they hear the result. It's what they walk away with; and remember.

The instruments are the means to this explosive art, but outside the musical experts, people don't gather to gawk at the taught strings or polished wood. The audience seeks to become completely engrossed in the symphony- a 20 piece, 50 piece, or 100 piece orchestra, all equal ONE piece of masterful and moving music. 

Such is the same in our discipleship. We don't want people's eyes on us, but attuned to the music. Hear the message of God' s love because that's the whole point of talking about Him. I don't want people telling me what a great writer I am. I want your attention drawn toward God...

                John 3:16                    John 14:6                 Hebrews 1:3               Hebrews 3:6

Once you notice Him, you won't even remember me. That's what I want.

'For God, who said "Let light shine out of darkness" made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ,'

~2 Corinthians 4:6~

Pushback

 "I will never leave you nor forsake you." God has stated (Hebrews 13:5)

"Why have you forsaken me?" the Israelites, King David, and others- including JESUS- cry out in the Bible... the first of countless Christians to do so. We quote this question because that's how low we feel at times. Driven into the loneliest of corners from all sides. In pain and frustration, all we're left with is our limited knowledge, space, time, and understanding.

Because we ARE limited. 

Not that we ever want to admit it or acknowledge how weak we are. But that's what a relationship with God is... love, based on trust.

"I will never leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8)

The certainty of this verse rests on its source. An all-knowing God. Knowing it's okay to yell, cry, and even to question. That it's alright to move ahead without all the answers. That it's okay if you let something else lead the way.

"I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)

Searching the Sky

~Psalm 139:7-8~

 I took a drive this evening.

I was looking for this month's full moon, dubbed the 'Strawberry Moon'. It sounded cute and something different outside the eerie Harvest moons I'm used to seeing. Peak illumination due at 9:08, I set off. I saw a heat-muted sky as another summer sun was setting. Soft, pillowy oranges, pinks, and a deepening blue... clouds clinging to the last reflections of the day's melting rays.

Yet, no moon.

I couldn't find it... correction, I couldn't see it.

But I know it was there, due to years of constant evidence, agreed upon across countless cultures.

I can't see God. And right now- for a long while in fact- I haven't been able to see what He wants next for my life. By the end of this post, I'm still not likely to know. All I do is move forward, following a Father who loves me.

Such seasons are like searching the sky, as I did tonight. You don't always spot what you're looking for or hoping to find. But you know it's there.

With God it's the same backing of evidence, witnessed and recorded by dozens of ethnicities across decades. So that even centuries later, we can remain certain of what we're searching for. Even when we can't see it.

Why does that certainty matter? Because, while I don't have the answers, the search remains rooted in a God who certainly loves me... and you!

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 

for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

~Proverbs 1:5-6~