Freedom From Idolatry of Body and Food
Tenderness. Something that characterized Jesus’ ministry all throughout His time here on earth. And it’s something that I struggle with a lot.
Last year, tenderness didn’t really characterize who I was or what I did.
I might use the words, ‘hardheaded’ or ‘stubborn.’
Matthew 14:13-21 shows one of the very incredible reminders of Jesus’ compassion, even on the nutritional needs of those around Him who came to hear His teaching.
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Contentment. Content. Last year, I didn’t even know what that sounded like, what that looked like; I wanted to be something different, have something more, move on, get married, have kids. I know there are different phases, different seasons, and times when we battle to be content where we are.
This testimony from Paul was something I did not get.
Philippians 4:11, ‘Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’
This morning I was walking our dogs, and I realized. ‘I’m content.’ I don’t need or want anything else. Life doesn’t have to change for me to be happy. This deep feeling of ‘I am right where I need to be’ stole over me, and I can genuinely say, by God’s grace, that this has happened more than ever the last 6-7 months since July of last year.
There was a time when I wrestled with this, but God was working in me even then when this song came on.
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The holidays can be really dark for some people, and I think I’ve forgotten that until now. I have a dear, dear friend, and everything looks like a total dark tunnel for her right now.
But God.
God is good.
That’s something she said to me multiple times during the podcast tonight. My heart was heavy as she talked, and at the same time I was lifted up with my eyes back to Christ Jesus.
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5 Years. Jesus is doing a new thing. It’s been 5 years since this little blog was started, and God has done much since then in me. This afternoon I went through my blog and purged many of the ‘repeat topics’ and purged topics that I don’t think will be helpful anymore. For so long there’s been too much focus on this blog on ‘me’ and ‘my struggles’, and I pray that this is a change, an encouraging one for my readers.
Isaiah 43:19 came to mind when this post started being written this afternoon, “Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Now I’m down to the blog posts, the ones that really matter, the ones that talk more about what God is doing in my life and other people’s lives, rather than bemoaning all of my struggles, throwing a pity party, or showering you with more pictures of me.
This podcast is about what Jesus is doing. What is Jesus doing around me? What do I see Him working in my heart?
I’m talking about:
– How Jesus helps you overcome your hardest spiritual battles
– What Jesus is doing in me in regards to overcoming my sin
– How God is teaching me contentment
– Looking around at all the amazing things God is doing right in front of you
– Remaining thankful in the present and not being anxious about the future
– Praising God for INCREDIBLE freedom in my life
– Thanking God for the immense trials of this year
– Why Loss taught me just how valuable Jesus Is
– Why this year has been one of the hardest and one of the best
Scriptures Mentioned:
2 Corinthians 5:17, ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’
Romans 12:2, ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’
At the beginning of this year, the Lord gave me the opportunity to go on a snowboarding day trip with a bunch of friends from church. To be honest, my heart was really hurting that day. I felt abandoned, depressed, like nobody cared about me, and yet every time I sat down in the snow and looked up, my heart expanded again in hope that the God who made the universe is the One who loves me and is working even though I couldn’t see it yet.
But God.
He was moving in my breaking, selfish, prideful heart.
He knew.
He was going to do something wonderful.
And He is.
I feel like a new woman after a year full of depression, humbling, hard things.
Like the Lord is restoring ALL the years and more that the locusts have eaten.
And I pray that the blog, from now on, is sharing more and more of what Jesus is doing.
