“I used to feel inconvenienced when I was asked to give. Things have changed. Now I don’t want to miss participating in things that last forever.” [Pg 174] In her book Jennie is beginning to sum things up and asking us, ‘do we want to participate in something that lasts forever?' Jennie isn’t talking about time generally as in I'll love you forever, or like time here on our planet, or even meaning the lifetime of our planet itself. No. She’s talking about that eternal time when we enter the presence of Jesus, or the world ends (whichever comes first). So then the question becomes ‘what can we offer that makes a difference in another's forever, eternity? Maybe we have lives filled with family, friends, lay-ministry, service in our community and school or other volunteering. Do activities like this make that difference? I can only speak for myself in defining what could matter. 1. I pray for my family, friends, the prayer team, our nation, and others. Prayer does make a huge difference. Maybe we don't see it, or perhaps may never know this side of heaven but Scripture reads: "In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed." Mark 1.35 The example being if Christ, whose purposes were so full, found prayer to be a priority and important for God's cause and their relationship, then wouldn't my attention to prayer also be important and necessary? 2. I try to encourage and support others pointing to God's work and love. God is at work in our lives in ALL things. "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8.28 When struggles come, and they will, God has to be our default. He is our strength, power, and endurance in all things, even and especially when we don't understand. 3. I try to follow God's precepts for the example it gives our grandchildren who are literally the love and light of my heart. Their best gift is to see that in all things nanny loves God and trusts him. I don't always measure up, I'm sure you could guess that. But I am aware of the difference these efforts make and I try to be that good example of faithfulness. "Your shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, ... Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied ... " Deuteronomy 11.18a, 19-21a So, does my life even remotely resemble Jennie's? Maybe. The question is am I helping make an eternal difference in someones life? Are you? Don't assume you need to be exactly like Jennie to have that eternal impact for someone. Follow your gifts and callings ... it will be okay. He'll use it all... (: ~ Andi
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"He is a person, not a magic pill you take when your life or your soul is broken. He is a person. He is a person you talk to and listen to and love and respect. He's someone you decide to spend time with ... " [Pg 169] Have you wondered, as you have read through Anything, "How do I develop that kind of faith?" It's a good question. After all, most of us don't have that kind of relationship with God, and we don't know many who do. The example of Jennie's faith isn't random. It is undeniable. It's real. Enduring. Cooperative. Leading. Empowering. And complete. How do we develop that kind of relationship? Is it a deep secret, a hidden formula? No. God asks only one thing of us to develop the very relationship that Jennie and her husband enjoy. In her book Jennie writes, "He's someone you decide to spend time with ..." There's no magic. There's no secret. We all have this one thing we can offer in exchange for this ridiculously incredible Divine connection: Our time. Responding by giving up some of our time will open all the doors. Doors to depth, and nearness, love, filling, and HOPE. Every little tiny thing you will ever thought you needed will be opened to you ~ yet too, so much more than you can imagine in this moment. The thing about deep relationship with God is it becomes intoxicating. It becomes your life. He becomes the first thing you need each day, the power that drives you forward in all circumstances. He becomes real. Is there a voice in your heart even now, nudging you to respond, speaking softly? Don't be afraid. You won't lose yourself, you gain him. Shh. Do you hear that? Sit with me. Talk to me. Let me strengthen your heart. Ask me. Hold onto my teachings. Love me. Please take time to know me... Jennie isn't special. But she is locked into that divine relationship. He took her offer of time and ran with it developing far more than she or her husband could imagine. You can have that too. In our next took, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World we are going to look at how, in today's crazy-busy world, we can find time to develop that Divine relationship. For right now, listen for his calling. Take a moment to be present and whole when he does. A good question to start with is why would he call in that moment? It's the beginning of wonder. Shh. Did you hear that? ~ Andi " [we] ... long to participate in something bigger than PTA and cheering for the Mavs. I think God wrote that into our souls. We were made for this bigger story ... we were made to show the glory of God ... " [Pg 158] Years ago in school I had a chance to delve into a topic I found absolutely fascinating ~ electron-microscopic images. An electron microscope brings the tiniest objects into a visible reality magnifying them up to 10,000,000 times. That's hard to wrap your mind around. But when you see the images of things we don't often notice, it's mysterious design can be breathtaking. This is an image of the sands of our ocean beaches when viewed through an electron microscope. Who knew? It's unique beauty and exceptional form may influence how you feel about the sand between your toes next time you're on the beach. God's creativity and imagination are on display here, but still only the very tip of his ridiculous glory is seen. Jennie wrote, "... we were made to show the glory of God ..." and how true a statement that is. There has been only one unique human being to enter this world, and he waits for us now in heaven. All of us, every last one, is only a representation, a creation of love and hope sent with one purpose: to spead the glory of God's message to all the world through our unique giftings, struggles, skills, etc. None of us is above another. Our father wrote: All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses. 1 Corinthians 12.11 [Amplified Version] God's creation of unique wonder, that which we call the human race, is made up of tiny particles whose beauty we will miss unless we take the time to look and listen closely to the individual who also holds within the glory of God. ~ Andi "Tears came as I felt God whispering, Jennie, what if you had been too afraid to obey me? Look at what you would have missed." [Pg 153] Have you had a time when you faced a difficult challenge? Maybe it was a challenge of faith like Jennie encountered, or maybe it was an event? Whatever it was, it tested all you had inside. And yet, in that challenge you recognized how the effort required from you to persevere was also the catalyst God used to create amazing spiritual growth. During those days, when the trials were upon you, their weight bearing down ~ did you feel his presence, his love and his hand holding you together? Did you feel his encouragment drawing you nearer, and nearer, and nearer... until finally, your faith bloomed with petals of unimaginagle glory and intoxicating fragrance, glowing with hope that would beat back all the pain? A couple weeks ago I dislocated my ankle, breaking it in two places. I had fallen onto my knees in the ice-covered snow unaware that my foot had become wedged at a right angle between the two paving stones. The result caused the dislocation and leg bones to fracture on each side at the ankle. I remember the feeling, the body's alert system reporting to me what had happened. After a second of disbelief, I heard myself cry out, "Dear Lord, NO! Not now..." There is no time more precious to me than Christmas eve with my family and it was just a few days away. Our home was in total upheaval being in the middle of an untimely, but necessary, repair. Everything, and I do mean everything, from the living and dining rooms had been crammed into the downstairs family room. Before this injury we might have pulled it all together. But now? In the days after we were blessed with an outpouring of love and well-wishes from friends. The church ladies (whose ministry it is to prepare meals ahead for those who might need) stuffed a freezer shelf full. There came cookies, visits and notes, emails, flowers and texts from so many. All offering deepest encouragement and love. Our youngest son and his wife took on hosting the Christmas eve family celebration with just days to prepare, and our older children (with their children) arrived here the day after Christmas to help their dad paint so we could have more than just the kitchen to live in while I heal. I have never been in a situation where need was so acute. My point is that my understanding of how we show his love has uniquely grown. How could it not? Jesus taught us: “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. [John 13.34] We all know the above verse, but never has it been so real to me. To love and help others means so much now because so many gave love to us. So when I cried out, "Not now," those many days ago, the Lord must have thought to himself, 'Yes sweetheart, this is a good time to grow.' Like Jennie, I feel the lessons of real subsance have a cost attached, but it's also clear they're worth the price. ~ Andi |
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