A Lesson from a Railroad Spike

I have to remind myself each and every day to give everything over to the Lord. Just like I was reminded this week on my morning run...

I was running down the railroad tracks near my apartment and almost tripped over a large, rusty, railroad spike. As I picked it up and turned it over in my hands, the words of Jesus came to my mind: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

'But Jesus', I cried... 'It is so hard. The cross is so heavy. How can I, who am so very weak, carry such a huge burden? Why would you want me to struggle underneath such a cumbersome load?'

Almost instantly, the Lord brought another Scripture to my mind: "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)

Wow.

Jesus does command us to take up our cross each day, but then He tells us to come to Him with our burdens! He also says that we can learn from Him and find rest for our souls. What a blessing that is to my heart.

Soaring

God has been so faithful! I found out this past week through some test results that I have had Mono since early May. I can't believe how much strength God has/is giving me to make it through this sickness. I just returned from a blessed vacation with my family. It was a time of renewal, closeness, and relaxation. It was much needed for my family and it was a blessing for the four of us to be together... it's quite rare these days.

This vacation gave me some time to reflect on some recent happenings in my life. The majority of people I have met at my 'new' college have told me time and time again that I am too idealistic, have the standards of a perfectionist for my future mate, and that I will possibly remain single my entire life.

Here's my honest response to them and to the world:

I do have ridiculously strong ideals, Jesus Christ set/is the perfect standard, and if I remain single my entire life to bring God glory and to further His kingdom, then so be it.

I cannot consent to creep when my heart's impulse is to soar. I want to soar. If this means that my life will be lonely, if I live it for Christ, then I have succeeded.

Your Gift

Since sex is desirable, why not have sex?

God wants you to be a 'Lady of Purity' because He wants to protect you from the consequences that sex before marriage brings. These consequences can be physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual.

Have you ever secretly opened a Christmas gift before Christmas Day, then rewrap it and put it back under the tree? How thrilling and exciting it was when you first saw the surprise! But what about the 'big day' when the gifts were supposed to be opened for the first time? Where was the excitement when you opened your gift? The gift did not seem quite as special because it had already been opened for the first time.

Each woman receives one 'first time'.

One first kiss. One first night.

One first chance. One.

God desires for your precious gift to be given to a committed lover who will cherish, keep, and protect you in the bonds of marriage. God wants you and your gift to this man to be treasured and cherished, not perceived as something to be conquered and trampled upon.

"Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."

~Song of Solomon 8:4~

Chose: Him or What He Can Give?

Many seek God, but only for His hand. They don't want God as much as they want something from God, such as a man, happiness, or a family. This impure search for God is limited to what you can get. It is more of a self-love than a God-love. This seeking will end in misery, not in the union of love you desire. God knows your motives. To grow in your knowledge of God, you must seek God correctly, which means you must seek God with a pure heart.

A woman with a pure heart for God does not focus on what He gives, but delights in who He is! She seeks God's face, not just His hand. Would you want someone to say he loves you just so you would do something for him...? (I know I would never desire this!)

Singleness does not have to be a 'curse'. Singleness puts you in an advantageous position because, more than likely, you will have much more time to seek the Lord than you will ever have if you marry. Just remember, to find God, you must seek Him with pure motives. Seek Him for who He is, not just for what He can do for you.

True Love

Seeking God is very similar to developing a friendship. You talk a lot, you listen, you write each other letters, you think about each other, you find out what the other like and does not like, and you try to do things that please that person. The more time you spend together, the more intimately you know your friend. And the more intimately you know your friend, the greater your love will be. It works the same way in your relationship with God.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 promises that those who diligently seeks God with all her heart will find Him. "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Your heart is the key to devotion to God. A halfhearted search is not sufficient. This means you cannot seek God while you do your own thing.

Is God demanding too much to require that you seek Him with all your heart? No way!

Giving Christ your heart means you are not free to give it away to other things or people that come into your life (in idolatry). Devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ is giving everything or nothing at all. Your devotion to Christ must be a serious commitment.