I was reading one of my Youth's blogs tonight (check it out here - October 5, 2005 entry), and she talks about focusing on God. She explains that when she practiced focusing on God more, her whole outlook on her day and the events in her life were changed, as was her daily experience.

Lately Psalm 16:11 has proven to contain a truth that has somehow got deep into my soul, and it seems to be the same concept as this youth has been lately experiencing. "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." In the presence of God there is fullness of joy. That doesn't mean that there will not be sorrow, or that we'll be happy all the time and walk around like a freakishly large animated smiley (seriously, how annoying would that be?). But imagine the purest friendship you have ever had - the security and intimacy of it, and how it was the safest and happiest place to be - and imagine living in that place. Storms come - it's OK. Hard times fall - it's OK. Sorrow comes - it's still OK. Underneath it all is this flowing wave of joy - a joy that means you don't need to worry about how to deal with all those things, because God is there and He will deal with it like a good father and husband, taking the burden of it and in His wisdom dealing with each situation.

Relying fully on Him.
Being ever in His presence.
The reality of fullness of joy.

What a great God.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)





40 DAYS OF PURPOSE
Chapter Fourteen: When God Seems Distant

Main idea: Regardless of our feelings or emotions, God is real and He is always with us.
Most impactful verse: "I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 37:28, John 14:16-18, Hebrews 13:5)"
Most impactful concept: Commonly in the church we seek after an experience rather than seeking after God. Feelings are too often used as conclusive proof that we have had an encounter with God.
Other thoughts: I think it's important for us to remember that though every relationship will contain emotions and feelings, no relationship should have its quality be based upon them, least of all our relationship with such an almighty Being as God. Too many times in the church we have "thrown out the baby with the bathwater" and said that 'emotionalism' is evil and shouldn't be in the church. I suppose there is some truth to that - emotionalism probably shouldn't be in the church, but emotions sure should. If I am hopelessly in love with someone, I imagine it would be impossible to keep my emotions - all kinds of emotions - out of that relationship. At the same time, relying on those emotions as a way to mark where we are at in our relationship with God is a dangerous and false guide. He is always with us. He will never forsake us, regardless of how we feel.



40 DAYS OF PURPOSE
Chapter Fifteen: Formed For God's Family

Main idea: God's idea was always to invite every person to be a part of His eternal family.
Most impactful verse: "His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure. (Ephesians 1:5 NLT)"
Most impactful concept: He didn't need a family - He desired one. He was already complete in fellowship within the Trinity.
Other thoughts: There are many thoughts that are sparked by this chapter, including those on baptism, authentic fellowship, soldiership, etc. However, because I think many of them rest in the catagory of 'opinions' and possibly not opinions shared by all others in my part of the family of God, I am going to keep them to myself, at least for now. This is not out of fear, but rather out of love for other members of my spiritual family and a desire to continue to aggresively pursue unity amongst the believers. Perhaps we will talk about them at another time.



40 DAYS OF PURPOSE
Chapter Sixteen: What Matters Most

Main idea: The greatest thing in life is love.
Most impactful verse: "When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10 NCV)"
Most impactful concept: We are called to love, but are actually called to particularly love the family of God.
Other thoughts: What a great chapter. This is something I've been talking to the Youth and Young Adults in our congregation about a lot lately. We say we love each other, but words that are not backed up by actions are meaningless. Love - placing others' needs, feelings and even desires above our own. What would the church look like if we truly loved each other? Would we have a better witness in the world? Would we be far less wounded? I wonder what it would even be like to allow each other to hold us accountable when we don't exude love in a Christ-like way (by the way, please don't confuse saying hard things to each other or holding each other accountable as not having love - sometimes this is the greatest love and will result in deeper relationship and more spiritual maturity). I'd like to see what the outcome would be if we really loved each other within the church. I imagine we would have a greater capacity to love those outside the church.