God doesn't follow us

Lesson 33: God isn't just some attachment to our lives.

I would say that this is the most challenging thing as Christians.  When we become a Christian, most of us simply "add" God into our daily routine.  We might pray or read our Bible when we get the chance.  Or maybe just add on church once or twice a week.  By doing these things, we think that God is just so pleased with us and what more could he possibly want?  Well, the problem with this is that God doesn't follow us.  

We are called to follow Him.  Not the other way around.

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, 'Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  Mark 10: 17-22

Jesus doesn't say in this passage, keep your life and I'll just follow you around wherever you go.  No, He says, "Come, follow me."  I'm not saying we have to go selling everything we own and become hobos (God knew his heart and that's why He called him to sell all of his riches).  For some of us, the sacrifice Jesus asks us to make may be small right now, but I believe at some point God calls us all to sacrifice something that means a lot to us at some point.  The question is: will you be willing to lay down your pride for the God who laid down his life?  Or will you be like the rich young man who clung to what is temporary?

Now I don't want to speak for God, but I really do believe the reason He asks us to sacrifice the things that mean so much to us is because He wants to be first in our hearts.  When He asks, "Will you follow me?" will we do it despite what we want?  Imagine if we as Christians did what God asked and we followed Him instead of just adding Him onto our lives.  We would see more love.  More kindness.  More forgiveness.  More action.  More of Him.

The first Christians were called Followers of the Way and that's because they truly did follow in the footsteps of their Rabbi.  They followed so closely that they were caked in His dust and it showed in their words and actions.  God, I don't just want to add you onto my life any more.  I want to follow you no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice because I know that your way is better.  I know that you are the truth and the truth is more important than a comfortable lie.  I love you.

~Alyssa

God will never give you more than you can handle

Lesson 33: The common phrase "God will never give you more than you can handle" is a lie.

I'll make this short.  Lately, I've had a lot on my shoulders.  I, like many people, thought I could handle it all on my own, only to have that blown up in my face.  While I think the phrase "God will never give you more than you can handle" is a nice and comforting saying, it's far from the truth.  Think about it.  If we could handle all of our circumstances without God, we wouldn't need him! But the point is, we desperately need Him.  I desperately need him.

Today, Good Friday, God showed me that He is actively pursuing me and he's started picking up the pieces in our relationship.  I'm starting over and I'm going to get my passion back.  Thank you Jesus for always being there for me.

Your daughter,

~Alyssa

Everything Happens For a Reason

Lesson 31: God does not control our free will.

You've heard the phrase, "Everything happens for a reason."

This is a common phrase many Christians use as a comforting mechanism when life isn't going so well, and sometimes even when life is great.  "This person broke up with you? Well, don't worry! Everything happens for a reason, you'll find someone else." and then years later they'll say, "See! now you're with this person who is way better. Everything happens for a reason!"

There are so many more scenarios in which people use this phrase: divorce, unemployment, rejection, etc.  The older I get and more I go through, the less I am compelled to believe this.  In fact, I would say I'm at a point in life where I don't believe that anymore.  Let me explain:

Does God control our free will?  To me, the obvious answer is no.  Therefore, not everything could possibly happen for a reason! If it did, then God would be intervening in every single situation in our lives (which would take away free will).  Now, this isn't to say that God doesn't intervene.  He most certainly does!  He is the God who cures cancer, restores families, and is our ultimate redeemer.  I would say things like that most certainly happen for a reason.  Those are things that God is healing and health is what God intended from the beginning.

But did God intend for death?  Divorce?  Rape?  Murder?  Of course not!  God did not intend or want that poor little girl/boy to feel alone as her parents fought or for the girl/boy to get raped.  He wouldn't be loving if those things happened for a reason.  Now, can God create positive things from those horrible experiences and events?  Absolutely!  God can do anything, including redeeming those situations and giving peace to those who have experienced hurt and sin.

Hope I was able to express my belief correctly.  Who knows, maybe it will change in time.  But I felt the need to share and it's been so long since I've written.  I love Jesus, and He accepts us as His children even if we don't understand everything.

I love you Abba.

~Alyssa