Make me Aware!

What is sacrificial Love?

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."
~ 1 John 3:16 ~

The Lord modeled a way of life for us to admire and follow in our own lives. As it says in 1 John, Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. That shows a type of agape love that goes beyond anything I can wrap my mind around. God sent his only son to this earth to be a living sacrifice for US, for our sins, so that we can have abundant life! That leaves me speechless most times. But then I read the second half of 1 John 3:16 about how we also should lay down our lives for our brothers. Wow.

Over the last couple weeks, I have been thinking about what it actually means to act out of sacrificial love. Is it any different than selfless love? Well, no, I think selfless love is all a part of the concept. Sacrificial, or selfless love, is all about laying down yourself for another. This may mean laying down your own desires, wants, ego, pride, thoughts, opinions, or even one's actual life for the betterment of another. Sound difficult? Well, yeah, because it actually is. It sounds pretty scary and terrifying and impossible at first. But when I thought deeper into it, what better way is there to show someone you love them than by sacrificing something for them?

Okay, so putting this into a practical application instead of just conceptual - here are some examples. Perhaps you have a friend who is an alcoholic or has a problem with drinking. So that you are not a stumbling block for that friend, how about sacrificing your freedom to drink alcohol and choose not to drink anytime you are around that friend? Or cursing....if you know that a friend is trying to purify their language, don't you think it would be more encouraging to them if you tried to help them by not cursing around them? Or perhaps you are in this endless debate or argument with a friend that you know is tearing down the trust and bond between you and that person. Why not just drop the argument and choose to love the other person for who they are and for their own beliefs and perspectives? God made us each unique and different, so why do we let those differences destroy some of our friendships and relationships? Shouldn't we just embrace them and see the beauty in those differences.

Those are just a few examples that I have seen in my life recently, but I'm sure there are many more that may be even more difficult to compensate for. It's a bold and daunting task to love someone with a sacrificial and selfless love, but we are called to do it. And what greater calling is there?

Christ in the Workplace

I was speaking with one of my co-workers today about how religion varies in different countries. In some places, one's religion is their way of life. In America, our secular culture has made religion be this secondary element to one's life, just something we do on Sundays and the holidays. But really, that's not how it should be, or at least, that's not how I see it. I believe that my religion, or in other words, my faith, is my way of life. I want people to be able to look at me at any point in time and in any context and be able to tell that I am a person of faith and a Christ-follower.

Recently, I have been thinking about my impact as a Christian in the workplace. I have been at my new job for only two months now and already I have come face to face with decisions where I can choose to fade in with the rest of society or stand up for what I know to be right and true. Sometimes I can think and pray over an issue so many times and still find myself stuck in a cloud of confusion. However, after speaking with one of my most respected mentors* last night, he was able to bring clarity to the subject while also challenging and calling me to rise above the norm.

I know my workplace conflicts are not uncommon. Perhaps you too have a co-worker that you don't get along with, or you don't agree with how your supervisor or boss runs things. Or perhaps you see actions and behaviors going on that you feel convicted are wrong because of your faith and beliefs. I was struggling with the balance of having to respect my earthly authorities and their orders while also standing up for my faith and what I know to be right. Where is the line? My mentor looked me in the eyes last night and said boldly, "This is not ok," and I believe him. I know I have to make some changes. Instead of just trying to lead by example with my actions, I also need to learn when and where to speak up and lead by words. I think it will be difficult to choose the right thing to say at the right time when I am treading with my job on the line. But, I have to take that chance and stand up for what I believe. I know that the Holy Spirit will give me the words when I need them.

I am excited to know that I can be used by the Lord at my workplace. I pray that I can be a humble follower that can be used by God in whatever environment He needs me and to whomever needs to see the gospel lived out. It's time to stop being just a passive follower and to start taking action. My goal is to live my life out of Truth and Love, but currently my focus is to figure out how to transfer that philosophy into my workplace fully. I'll keep you updated.



*A HUGE thanks to my mentor...you know who you are. ;)

Though I sleep, my heart is awake...

Lyrics for "I am Yours" by Misty Edwards

Though I sleep, my heart is awake
Though It's night, on You I wait

It's been a long night, and I am weary
It's been a long time, and I am hungry
So I'll wait in the stillness again
I'll wait in the quiet again
For when I heard Your voice
When You said my name
When I heard Your voice
My heart it yearned

In the middle of the night
In the middle of the night
In the middle of the night
My heart it yearns

Though You're far away, still I'm here to say
I am Yours, I am Yours
And when You feel so far away, still I am here to say
I am Yours, I am Yours

And I pay my vows, no turning around
I burn the bridges that can't be found

For when I heard Your voice
And You said my name
When I heard Your voice
My heart it yearned
For You.

What do you want to be known for?

Last week at Community Group, the question was asked "What do you want to be known for?" That is a very good question for us all to think about. It initially made me think of Nichole Nordeman's song "Legacy" with the lyrics:

"I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy"

What kind of legacy do I want to leave on this earth after I'm gone? When people say my name, what do I want to be remembered for? First and foremost, I want to be known as someone who loves and lives for Jesus. There was a point in college where I was stressing about what my calling in life was and what type of job I was going to end up in after I graduated. I came to the realization that I already have the most important calling on my life - and that is to love God and love people. I strive to make that my goal each and everyday. The second thing I want to be known for is a good friend. Ever since I can remember, I have taken my friendships really seriously. Commitment, loyalty, love, accountability, selflessness....all of these and more are elements that keep a strong friendship together. I strongly believe it's the little things in addition to the big things that count in these relationships. That extra text or email just to tell them you are thinking of them or praying for them. Remembering the small details of their life so that you can ask them about it next time you see them. Making a home-made card just to tell them how much you care for them. These are just some of the things that I do in order to show my friends I love and care for them. The thing about taking friendships so seriously though, is that sometimes you aren't met halfway by the other friend in care or effort. I have learned through many specific friendships all the way back to middle school, that it's really about giving and not expecting them to always return the favor. My commitment to certain friendships has left me in hurt many times. I ask..."Why don't they ever call me?" or "Why did they just stand me up to hang out with their boyfriend?" or "Would they have ever done that for me?" Well, the truth of the matter is, sometimes the answers are not so pleasant. I was talking with one of my best friends recently about love languages and how different people show they love you in different ways. Some use words of affirmation, some quality time....others receiving gifts, acts of service, or physical touch. In the same way, I believe friends use different languages to show they care. Perhaps the small details are my way of trying to be a good friend. For those friends who I once thought didn't care as much, I've realized that they are just speaking a different language. It's all about identifying the language, accepting it, and acknowledging it. But then there are just some friends, that you never learn their language and it seems like there will always be an unbalanced relationship. The Lord taught me to give and love, even when no love is returned or even if one is met with rejection or hatred. This is where I charge myself to stand out above the rest - and I challenge you to do the same. Reach out to those on the sidelines. Tell that friend you love them. Send a card to that long-distance friend. Give without expecting a return. Love in spite of hatred and adversity. I want to be known as a good friend and this is what I try to do everyday so that becomes my legacy.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

The Alchemy of Love

"You come to us
from another world

From beyond the stars
and void of space.
Transcendent, Pure,
Of unimaginable beauty,
Bringing with you
the essence of Love

You transform all
who are touched by you.
Mundane concerns,
troubles, and sorrows
dissolve in your presence,
Bringing joy
to ruler and ruled
To peasant and king

You bewilder us
with your grace.
All evils
transform into
goodness.

You are the master alchemist.

You light the fire of love
in earth and sky
in heart and soul
of every being.

Through your Love
existence and nonexistence merge.
All opposites unite.
All that is profane
becomes sacred again."

~ by one of my favorite poets Rumi ~

Rend, Rend, Rend...

There is no such thing as Perfect People

"There's no such thing as perfect people
There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scarred
Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect God"

Be small enough to hear me now...

"Small Enough" by Nichole Nordeman

All I want is You to have Your way

"You are the Potter and I am the clay". What does this one line mean? It really provides a powerful image if you think about it. The Potter is in control of the clay. The clay is molded and formed by the Potter's hands. The Potter has an image in mind of exactly what the finished product will look like. Before the clay is even in his hands, the artist creates the masterpiece in his mind. In the same way, the Lord knows exactly who we are before we are even formed in our mother's womb. The clay is soft and easily molded into whatever shape the Potter sees fit. In the same way, the Lord molds us into the child He wants us to be. He sets in us a heart for Him and a heart to be in relationship with Him and with others. Once the clay is formed into the ideal artform, the Potter places it in the kiln to be fired and set in place permanently. We have already been formed...we have reached the ideal artform, and we are constantly being refined and placed into the kiln by the workings and presence of the Holy Spirit. Our clay artform may get broken and battered, chips may come off, and dents may be made in it. But the Lord fills in our empty holes, and places us back into the kiln time after time to refine us into a more pure and holy follower of his son Jesus Christ. I pray that I can continuously be open and willing to be thrown back into the kiln over and over again. I pray that I can be aware of the Holy Spirit's workings in my life so that I can come closer and closer to being the true child of God that He has designed for me before I was even born.

Listening to: "Finally I Surrender" by Misty Edwards