Friday, May 28, 2010

Abba

15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." -Romans 8:15

This part of Romans chapter 8 talks about us being heirs with Christ, and how we no longer live for the flesh but for the Lord. "Abba" is an intimate word for "Father." I love that there are so many names for God and that's why I've decided to try to focus on one a day, to think through what it means and how it impacts my relationship with Him. Knowing that God is also "Abba," is a very comforting thing. It shows that God is not a far away God, but a close, intimate God to whom we can cry out to in our fear and distress. When you really think about it, God could easily, if He wanted to, be a far away God that didn't lovingly care for His children who are sinful and who mess up again and again. But that's not the God we serve. That is not Abba. Abba is our Father! Sometimes it's hard to think of God as a Father because we compare Him to our earthly fathers. But Abba is a Father unlike anyone we could ever know on Earth. He loves us more than we could know. I'm so glad that God is a personal, intimate God; a God that by him I can cry, "Abba, Father!"

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Overwhelmed with Thankfulness

A dear friend and I have been reading a chapter a day of this particular book by Max Lucado and it's called, "He Chose The Nails." Each chapter, it talks about a different part of that horrible day, one chapter talks about God's promise to us in the nails, in the crown of thorns, in the cross, etc. It's a book that I read before in highschool, however, I love re-reading books, especially a book like this, and seeing how much more it means to you, how much you have grown in your understanding of who God is and what He's done for you. And I love that with Jesus, we're never done growing. There's always more to read, to learn, to pray, to strive for.

I just found out I'm going to be able to be a long term (6-8 wks) 2nd grade sub at a school nearby. I'm soo incredibly grateful for this. But before, I was antsy, nervous and questioning if God really knew what he was doing with my life... not literally, I mean I know that He is good and has a plan... but I was completely questioning a) when was he going to provide for me like he said he will? and b) why am I here this summer and not at home? It's amazing and yet sad, how my trust in Him goes wayyy up when things start to go "my way." My trust in Him needs to be absolute, regardless of whether my timeline is being fulfilled. God is GOD. He is powerful, loving, sovereign and as little and insignificant as I am, somehow and for some reason, He wants to know me. So much so, that He had His Son die for me. Why don't I trust Him better? I am sure that it's a part of the fact that we are sinful; we are flawed and broken and we find it hard to trust in Someone who we can't physically see, especially when we are impatient and wanting things done at a certain time.

But praise Jesus, that even though I mess up a thousand times a day, He still loves me. His grace for me (and you!) is neverending; it's limitless. No matter how many times we fall down, He is right there to pick us back up again. No one in this world loves us like He does. No one else in this world can comfort us, bring us joy and peace, like He does. So let's trust Him. Let's remember that even when things are hazy and we can't really see what's going on, that He is our guide. Give him the "driver's seat" so to speak and trust that He knows where He's going with your life. Because when you do, when you completely surrender and tell Him that you trust in His unfailing love, it's amazing how much at peace you are. Because you know your life is in the hands of the One who created your life in the first place.

And isn't that the best place it could be?