Lesson 11: I need to let go, and let God.
Huh. What can I say about this lesson? Well, it's made a huge impact in my life, as I'm sure it has with every Follower of Christ. First, I had to let go of my life and say it's for Him. Then, I had to surrender the little and big things in my life. For example, I had a hard time letting go of my anger towards someone. Forgiving him was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do and it required me to let go. Every time I thought I let go, I second guessed myself and pulled the weight back in. Until finally, I had enough and I was done with being angry. The only person it was affecting was myself and the people who cared so much about me and prayed for me. I finally let go, and let God.
Since then (oh, three/four years ago?), I thought I was pretty good at this lesson. I didn't have a whole lot of trouble letting go, except for friendships. I had (still do) a hard time letting go of friends. I've lost so many that it takes me a long time to let go of them. The Scouts never had to let go of each other, why the heck can't I find someone who will stick with me no matter what? It took me over 6 years to realize that my best friend wasn't my best friend anymore. How sad is that? Anywho, that leads us to today. About 6 months ago, I let go of the best thing that had happened to me since Jesus saved me, my boyfriend. I didn't want to, and I ignored God's calling to let him go for 6-8 months. It took 3 months at Hume for God to finally say, "Enough, listen to me. Obey what I am telling you, I will take care of you."
After the most painful hour and half phone call, and three days of nearly starving myself, I did it. I let him go... as my boyfriend, and only as my boyfriend. Okay, and it took me about a month to finally accept that he was no longer my boyfriend. And you know what? I surprised myself. After that short month, I was okay with him not being my boyfriend. I was okay with just being friends. But, I was not okay with letting him go all together. Heck, I'm still not. I love him, and he's the best friend I've ever had. I told him everything (everything up until 6 months ago that is). I held nothing back from him and neither did he. I loved that I didn't have to hide anything, he was the first person I could do that with. So now, here I am and God's call to let him go as a friend is stronger than ever. It's not something I can ignore. I need to let him go, for his sake and mine. I just pray that God will be with him and comfort him, since I won't be able to anymore. If you ever read this (doubt he will), I love you and whoever you end up with is a very lucky girl. I wish she was me, more than you know, but wishing hard for something doesn't make it true. Thank you for being the best friend and boyfriend to me.
God. You wanted me, all of me. Well, here I am. Use me.
~Alyssa (SSD)
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Do Not Worry
Lesson Ten: Do Not Worry
Worrying. Yeah, I tend to do that... a lot. I'll be the first to admit, worrying is one of my greatest weakness. I know that it shows a lack of trust in God to worry, but sometimes I do it without even thinking. I don't even realize that what I'm feeling is worry until I say it out loud. It's something as a follower in Christ and a Sailor Scout in training that I'm continuously working on. Heck, I think I could argue everyone has this issue and is working on it (okay, a good majority of people), but that still doesn't give us the excuse. It says clearly in the Bible (Matthew 6:25-34) not to worry.
Something I've noticed about myself is that I don't tend to worry about objects or things. I worry about people. Whenever someone is going through a hard time, I worry about them (how their doing, what God is doing with them, etc.). Like I said, a lot of times I do unconsciously and I don't usually realize it until someone points it out to me. I also worry very little about myself. Even if I'm the one more hurt from a situation, I worry more about that person's feelings. I'll be honest, I feel like it's almost an insult not to worry about someone. If I didn't, I feel like it's saying "I don't care about you and your situation."
But something God has shown me is that reminiscing and worrying isn't the solution. You can still care about that person and not worry. It's called Compassion. Instead of worrying about people, we need to show more compassion towards them. What I mean by compassion is saying, "I want you to know that I care about you and I'm thinking of you. I'm here to help in any way I can." Whereas worry says, "I hope you'll be okay and God will take care of you." Hope? God is taking care of the weary, of the hurt, and the broken. There's no need to hope for what is already being done. "To worry is to believe that God will fail." Worry shows a lack of trust in God and it's something I need to work on. I have trust issues (just like many people in the world), and my worry clearly points that out.
Even the Sailor Scouts worry, it's not something anyone is perfect at. It seems like in every episode, a Scout is saying to another Scout, "Do not worry." Most of the time it's about defeating the bad guys, but a lot of times it's about little things too, like passing a test. Now, this isn't saying that we all just need to let lose and never care. We should care about things, it's what motivates us to get stuff done and move on in our day, but it shouldn't control our lives to where nothing good comes from it.
Abba, help me overcome my worry and my lack of trust. I know you hold us all in your loving arms, so I do not need to worry. Your will is what I want, no matter what that means. I don't want to worry about my future anymore, it's too painful and it consumes my thoughts. Take it away.
~Alyssa (SSD)
Worrying. Yeah, I tend to do that... a lot. I'll be the first to admit, worrying is one of my greatest weakness. I know that it shows a lack of trust in God to worry, but sometimes I do it without even thinking. I don't even realize that what I'm feeling is worry until I say it out loud. It's something as a follower in Christ and a Sailor Scout in training that I'm continuously working on. Heck, I think I could argue everyone has this issue and is working on it (okay, a good majority of people), but that still doesn't give us the excuse. It says clearly in the Bible (Matthew 6:25-34) not to worry.
Something I've noticed about myself is that I don't tend to worry about objects or things. I worry about people. Whenever someone is going through a hard time, I worry about them (how their doing, what God is doing with them, etc.). Like I said, a lot of times I do unconsciously and I don't usually realize it until someone points it out to me. I also worry very little about myself. Even if I'm the one more hurt from a situation, I worry more about that person's feelings. I'll be honest, I feel like it's almost an insult not to worry about someone. If I didn't, I feel like it's saying "I don't care about you and your situation."
But something God has shown me is that reminiscing and worrying isn't the solution. You can still care about that person and not worry. It's called Compassion. Instead of worrying about people, we need to show more compassion towards them. What I mean by compassion is saying, "I want you to know that I care about you and I'm thinking of you. I'm here to help in any way I can." Whereas worry says, "I hope you'll be okay and God will take care of you." Hope? God is taking care of the weary, of the hurt, and the broken. There's no need to hope for what is already being done. "To worry is to believe that God will fail." Worry shows a lack of trust in God and it's something I need to work on. I have trust issues (just like many people in the world), and my worry clearly points that out.
Even the Sailor Scouts worry, it's not something anyone is perfect at. It seems like in every episode, a Scout is saying to another Scout, "Do not worry." Most of the time it's about defeating the bad guys, but a lot of times it's about little things too, like passing a test. Now, this isn't saying that we all just need to let lose and never care. We should care about things, it's what motivates us to get stuff done and move on in our day, but it shouldn't control our lives to where nothing good comes from it.
Abba, help me overcome my worry and my lack of trust. I know you hold us all in your loving arms, so I do not need to worry. Your will is what I want, no matter what that means. I don't want to worry about my future anymore, it's too painful and it consumes my thoughts. Take it away.
~Alyssa (SSD)
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Justice
Lesson 9: God is a just God.
It wasn't until a year into my walk with Christ that I began to grasp this concept. I heard the speech, "Accept Jesus into your life because you need him and you're a sinner." I got that, but that was about it. I kept thinking to myself, "But why did He have to die? Especially on the cross? Why?" And forget about the Old Testament, I had no clue what that was about. I was honestly told just to read the New Testament because it's all I needed to know. What a load of CRAP. Anyone who tells you not to read the Old Testament doesn't understand the importance of it. The Old Testament explains why Jesus had to come. It explains His whole purpose, it's His back-story.
I remember the specific time in which I finally began to realize the important of the Old Testament. I was on a winter retreat at Hume Lake with my church and Danny Strange was speaking on the Prophet Elijah. Danny Strange said (in summary), "A price had to be paid for our sins, that's why that sacrificed animals in the Old Testament. But it wasn't enough to pay the price. God is a just God, that's why He sent Jesus. So that, our sins could be paid for and we could be forgiven." If God was only merciful, then there would be no need for Jesus. Heck, the commandment would be worthless! Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
As merciful as God is, He is also just and I think a lot of people forget that. He is the Judge, not us. "He deserves death because he killed/raped all those women!" or "She deserved to die because she aborted her child/did drugs/etc." This could quickly turn into a political rant, so I'll just end with this: we all deserve death, but He gives us Jesus. On the flip side, "If God is so loving and merciful, how could he allow bad things to happen to good people?" That's assuming there's a good person! Everyone has done wrong and the only person who did no wrong died because of free will and justice.
People love justice, when it's someone else receiving it. When they're getting disciplined or punished, suddenly we wish for grace. It cracks me up that people only wish grace for themselves and justice on others. "Oh, but it's different because there sin is SO much worse than mine." Guess what? All sin is the same in God's eyes. Everyone (myself included) need to start seeing things through the Judges eyes and not the eyes of the world. Learning that God is a just God is one of the best lessons I learned cause it broadened my eyes to who God is.
Sailor Moon is a perfect example of someone who fights for Justice. HECK! She even explicitly says that's what she fights for 200 times (get it, once each episode... yeah.) She fights and "punishes" those who do wrong, but she's also very merciful. Anyone who repents, she's quick to forgive. But when if it comes down to it, she will fight the pure evil to protect the rest of the world.
Help me see the world through your eyes, Abba.
~Sailor Star Defender (Alyssa)
It wasn't until a year into my walk with Christ that I began to grasp this concept. I heard the speech, "Accept Jesus into your life because you need him and you're a sinner." I got that, but that was about it. I kept thinking to myself, "But why did He have to die? Especially on the cross? Why?" And forget about the Old Testament, I had no clue what that was about. I was honestly told just to read the New Testament because it's all I needed to know. What a load of CRAP. Anyone who tells you not to read the Old Testament doesn't understand the importance of it. The Old Testament explains why Jesus had to come. It explains His whole purpose, it's His back-story.
I remember the specific time in which I finally began to realize the important of the Old Testament. I was on a winter retreat at Hume Lake with my church and Danny Strange was speaking on the Prophet Elijah. Danny Strange said (in summary), "A price had to be paid for our sins, that's why that sacrificed animals in the Old Testament. But it wasn't enough to pay the price. God is a just God, that's why He sent Jesus. So that, our sins could be paid for and we could be forgiven." If God was only merciful, then there would be no need for Jesus. Heck, the commandment would be worthless! Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
As merciful as God is, He is also just and I think a lot of people forget that. He is the Judge, not us. "He deserves death because he killed/raped all those women!" or "She deserved to die because she aborted her child/did drugs/etc." This could quickly turn into a political rant, so I'll just end with this: we all deserve death, but He gives us Jesus. On the flip side, "If God is so loving and merciful, how could he allow bad things to happen to good people?" That's assuming there's a good person! Everyone has done wrong and the only person who did no wrong died because of free will and justice.
People love justice, when it's someone else receiving it. When they're getting disciplined or punished, suddenly we wish for grace. It cracks me up that people only wish grace for themselves and justice on others. "Oh, but it's different because there sin is SO much worse than mine." Guess what? All sin is the same in God's eyes. Everyone (myself included) need to start seeing things through the Judges eyes and not the eyes of the world. Learning that God is a just God is one of the best lessons I learned cause it broadened my eyes to who God is.
Sailor Moon is a perfect example of someone who fights for Justice. HECK! She even explicitly says that's what she fights for 200 times (get it, once each episode... yeah.) She fights and "punishes" those who do wrong, but she's also very merciful. Anyone who repents, she's quick to forgive. But when if it comes down to it, she will fight the pure evil to protect the rest of the world.
Help me see the world through your eyes, Abba.
~Sailor Star Defender (Alyssa)
Sunday, December 30, 2012
The Five Love Languages
Lesson number 8: I've slowly learned what love languages speak to me the most.
Not sure why I'm writing this one. It's a lesson that has helped me so much in understanding why I feel the way I feel sometimes and why I respond to certain things more than others. I'm going to list each love language and then say how it correlates to myself.
Gifts- One thing is for sure. Gifts is not my love language. It's not that I don't like gifts, I just don't feel as much intimacy with people as I do with other love languages. My favorite gifts are thoughtful, and take time (which is my love language). My top five favorite gifts of all time are (in no particular order): a picture frame that I made with my old boyfriend, a personal scrapbook (that has a poem she wrote in it!), letters my friend wrote me when I left for Hume Lake, pictures my friend drew for me, and my purity ring (which I waited to get for about 4 years). I love personal gifts, I can't say that enough. That's why I don't like giving gifts unless they're thoughtful.
Acts of Service- This is the one love language that I honestly wish was higher, but it's not. I absolutely appreciate it when people do things for me, I just don't feel as loved when I receive acts of service compared to the other languages. My ex boyfriend was the master at this language, but I never felt intimacy/love when he would bring me food to work or wash my dish. I just thought, "that was nice." I never thought, "WOW. I can't believe he did that for me! He's so sweet and loving." I wish I was better at this language because it drives my mom crazy that I'm not more thoughtful when it comes to doing chores or doing things for her.
Touch- This is a language that was honestly completely dead for the longest time and was only brought out by my ex boyfriend and other friends. I LOVE touch. I honestly debate with myself weather or not this or words of affirmation is higher. Words of affirmation only beats touch my a little bit. I feel so much love and intimacy with friends when we hug, have are arms around each other, hold hands (especially when I pray), etc. I just feel so close to people who I can touch and hold. When someone touches my leg/arm and asks how I'm doing, I feel like they legitimately want to know and it's not just a passing conversation.
Words of Affirmation- The only reason words of affirmation is my secondary love language compared to time is because people's words affect me SO much. One sarcastic comment and my mood drops. One compliment and my mood is immediately uplifted. I wish that I would get hit on more often by guys, I think it would really boost my self confidence haha just kidding (kind of). I can't get enough of compliments and when people say, "I love you" (not 'love you' or 'love ya' or 'ily', the whole phrase).
Time- Time is my love language, without a doubt. If I haven't spent time with someone or haven't talked to them in a long time I feel so disconnected. This is why I love thoughtful gifts, letters, and why I show up early to everything. We don't even have to be talking, just their presence is enough to make me feel close to them. When people want to spend time with me, I feel loved. More loved than I think they know.
This is me and I've learned a lot from knowing my love languages.
~Alyssa (SailorD)
P.S: No Sailor Moon illustration this time :P
Not sure why I'm writing this one. It's a lesson that has helped me so much in understanding why I feel the way I feel sometimes and why I respond to certain things more than others. I'm going to list each love language and then say how it correlates to myself.
Gifts- One thing is for sure. Gifts is not my love language. It's not that I don't like gifts, I just don't feel as much intimacy with people as I do with other love languages. My favorite gifts are thoughtful, and take time (which is my love language). My top five favorite gifts of all time are (in no particular order): a picture frame that I made with my old boyfriend, a personal scrapbook (that has a poem she wrote in it!), letters my friend wrote me when I left for Hume Lake, pictures my friend drew for me, and my purity ring (which I waited to get for about 4 years). I love personal gifts, I can't say that enough. That's why I don't like giving gifts unless they're thoughtful.
Acts of Service- This is the one love language that I honestly wish was higher, but it's not. I absolutely appreciate it when people do things for me, I just don't feel as loved when I receive acts of service compared to the other languages. My ex boyfriend was the master at this language, but I never felt intimacy/love when he would bring me food to work or wash my dish. I just thought, "that was nice." I never thought, "WOW. I can't believe he did that for me! He's so sweet and loving." I wish I was better at this language because it drives my mom crazy that I'm not more thoughtful when it comes to doing chores or doing things for her.
Touch- This is a language that was honestly completely dead for the longest time and was only brought out by my ex boyfriend and other friends. I LOVE touch. I honestly debate with myself weather or not this or words of affirmation is higher. Words of affirmation only beats touch my a little bit. I feel so much love and intimacy with friends when we hug, have are arms around each other, hold hands (especially when I pray), etc. I just feel so close to people who I can touch and hold. When someone touches my leg/arm and asks how I'm doing, I feel like they legitimately want to know and it's not just a passing conversation.
Words of Affirmation- The only reason words of affirmation is my secondary love language compared to time is because people's words affect me SO much. One sarcastic comment and my mood drops. One compliment and my mood is immediately uplifted. I wish that I would get hit on more often by guys, I think it would really boost my self confidence haha just kidding (kind of). I can't get enough of compliments and when people say, "I love you" (not 'love you' or 'love ya' or 'ily', the whole phrase).
Time- Time is my love language, without a doubt. If I haven't spent time with someone or haven't talked to them in a long time I feel so disconnected. This is why I love thoughtful gifts, letters, and why I show up early to everything. We don't even have to be talking, just their presence is enough to make me feel close to them. When people want to spend time with me, I feel loved. More loved than I think they know.
This is me and I've learned a lot from knowing my love languages.
~Alyssa (SailorD)
P.S: No Sailor Moon illustration this time :P
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Leadership
Lesson Number Seven: I need a leader.
This is something that I've known since the end of sophomore year, but only recently have I really understood why. After I ended my 2-3 year relationship, I began a deep search from within. "Why weren't we working?" I asked myself. He's the kindest and most loving man I've ever met. When I look at him, I see Jesus in his heart and soul. We almost never fought, and we always talked things out. AND he's my type! What more could I ask for? Then the word pops into my head: a leader.
From the beginning of our relationship, I knew he didn't posses a lot of leadership skills and it always bothered me cause that was on the top of my list. But we had such a great partnership that I brushed it to the side. Don't get me wrong, I want a partnership too. However, I'm very old fashion too and I do believe the man needs to be the leader in a relationship. That's why my parent's marriage fell apart, and I won't have that happen to me. I'm not saying our relationship fell apart because he didn't posses enough leadership skills, it's also because of me. Something I've discovered about myself (through God's revelation and my group comm class) is that I'm a very good follower unless there is no one to follow. If there is no leader, I immediately step in and take that role. I literally had an "Ah!" moment when I realized this. It makes so much sense to me. When the Invisible Children club lost it's leader and needed healing, I stepped in. When there was no volunteers to lead in my group comm class, I became the unnamed leader. When he wouldn't say stop, I would.
The times I was most attracted to my ex boyfriend (oh how I hate saying that sometimes) was right after he would give his sermons. He exerted so much leadership and wisdom, I loved it (and oh how I would go crazy)! I guess that's why I'm so attracted to guys with leadership qualities (especially spiritual). I need someone who doesn't let me take control of the relationship. What I want more than anything is my prince/knight to help guide me through an adventurous life. This is exactly what Jesus wants to do as my lover, and I love that He is the leader of my life. If he wasn't, my life would crumble.
Sailor Moon illustration time! Ah, Mamoru and Usagi are the perfect example of this whole lesson. Although Usagi is the leader of the Sailor Senshi, she is ultimately a Queen with Mamoru as the King. They have such a beautiful partnership when ruling the kingdom, but when it comes to fighting against evil, Mamoru tends to take the lead. Usagi still fights, of course, but Mamoru is the one in command. I love and admire their relationship so much because it's what I want. I want to fight for God, side by side with my husband, but with his guidance.
God, I don't know what you have in mind for me, but I trust you in this. You've made it so clear to me that you want to be that lover to guide me, and I still chase after other things to guide me. Don't let go of my hand, I need you always.
With lots of love,
~Alyssa (SailorD)
This is something that I've known since the end of sophomore year, but only recently have I really understood why. After I ended my 2-3 year relationship, I began a deep search from within. "Why weren't we working?" I asked myself. He's the kindest and most loving man I've ever met. When I look at him, I see Jesus in his heart and soul. We almost never fought, and we always talked things out. AND he's my type! What more could I ask for? Then the word pops into my head: a leader.
From the beginning of our relationship, I knew he didn't posses a lot of leadership skills and it always bothered me cause that was on the top of my list. But we had such a great partnership that I brushed it to the side. Don't get me wrong, I want a partnership too. However, I'm very old fashion too and I do believe the man needs to be the leader in a relationship. That's why my parent's marriage fell apart, and I won't have that happen to me. I'm not saying our relationship fell apart because he didn't posses enough leadership skills, it's also because of me. Something I've discovered about myself (through God's revelation and my group comm class) is that I'm a very good follower unless there is no one to follow. If there is no leader, I immediately step in and take that role. I literally had an "Ah!" moment when I realized this. It makes so much sense to me. When the Invisible Children club lost it's leader and needed healing, I stepped in. When there was no volunteers to lead in my group comm class, I became the unnamed leader. When he wouldn't say stop, I would.
The times I was most attracted to my ex boyfriend (oh how I hate saying that sometimes) was right after he would give his sermons. He exerted so much leadership and wisdom, I loved it (and oh how I would go crazy)! I guess that's why I'm so attracted to guys with leadership qualities (especially spiritual). I need someone who doesn't let me take control of the relationship. What I want more than anything is my prince/knight to help guide me through an adventurous life. This is exactly what Jesus wants to do as my lover, and I love that He is the leader of my life. If he wasn't, my life would crumble.
Sailor Moon illustration time! Ah, Mamoru and Usagi are the perfect example of this whole lesson. Although Usagi is the leader of the Sailor Senshi, she is ultimately a Queen with Mamoru as the King. They have such a beautiful partnership when ruling the kingdom, but when it comes to fighting against evil, Mamoru tends to take the lead. Usagi still fights, of course, but Mamoru is the one in command. I love and admire their relationship so much because it's what I want. I want to fight for God, side by side with my husband, but with his guidance.
God, I don't know what you have in mind for me, but I trust you in this. You've made it so clear to me that you want to be that lover to guide me, and I still chase after other things to guide me. Don't let go of my hand, I need you always.
With lots of love,
~Alyssa (SailorD)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Earthly Things Don't Last Forever
Lesson Numbero Six: I can't speak Spanish Haha, just kidding. Sort of. Earthly things fade away, nothing on earth lasts forever.
This is a lesson that I've very much struggled with in my walk with Christ. The concept itself is easy enough to understand, and in my heart I know it to be true. Logically, I know this lesson very well. In my actions, however, it's very difficult for me to grasp. I wouldn't say I have a problem with material possessions (although working in retail certainly hasn't helped my shopping habits). I have a problem with letting go of things that have the possibility of lasting a very long time: romantic love, friendships, items with sentimental value, a family member, and even my way of living. Whenever something like these are threatened, I don't take it very well. I have an extremely difficult time of letting go of stuff like this and I know exactly why. I afraid that once I give it to God, I won't get it back. This could quickly get into a trust issue post, so I won't get into that point too much.
Anywho, back to my original point. I'm reminded of so many scriptures, but I guess the verse (or book rather) is the book of Ecclesiastes. As depressing as this book can be, it sums up this earthly life into one word: meaningless. "'Meaningless! Meaningless!' Says the teacher. 'Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.'" In my opinion, their is nothing more depressing than learning that everything you have and will accomplished in this life is pointless. But on the flip side, it's also the most encouraging. It says (in summary): Yes, this life is meaningless, but it's only a stepping stone to eternity.
Wow! We have so much to look forward to in heaven. Being with God for eternity, what could possibly be better? It's amazing how fast I forget that things like the friends I make or sentimental items I hold are completely temporary. I don't know where I get it into my head that these things will somehow last forever, but I know it's not God.
Even Sailor Moon knows this lesson better than me! She knows that her life in Japan is temporary because her life in Crystal Tokyo is what is forever (Anyone who is reading this is probably like What the...?). In all seriousness, Usagi openly admits in Arc 3 and 4 that the life they're living now is meaningless. She says, "I'm a queen/princess in another world, what does this even matter?" Okay, that was slightly out of context since she's talking about her exams, but you get the point. She sums it up so well: I may just be ordinary here, but it doesn't matter! I'm a princess in another world.
I'll end with one of my favorite songs, Open Up the Skies. We sung it repeated at Wildwood and I think it sums everything up very nicely:
Our beloved Father
Please come down and meet us
We are waiting on Your touch
Open up the heavens
Shower down Your presence
We respond to Your great love
We won’t be satisfied with anything ordinary
We won’t be satisfied at all
Open up the sky
Fall down like rain
We don’t want blessings
We want you
Open up the sky
Fall down like fire
We don’t want anything but you
Our beloved Jesus
We just want to see
You In the glory of Your light
Earthly things don’t matter
They just fade and shatter
When were touched by love divine
Here we go lets go to the throne
The place that we belong
Right into His arms
Loving you Abba,
~Alyssa (SailorD)
This is a lesson that I've very much struggled with in my walk with Christ. The concept itself is easy enough to understand, and in my heart I know it to be true. Logically, I know this lesson very well. In my actions, however, it's very difficult for me to grasp. I wouldn't say I have a problem with material possessions (although working in retail certainly hasn't helped my shopping habits). I have a problem with letting go of things that have the possibility of lasting a very long time: romantic love, friendships, items with sentimental value, a family member, and even my way of living. Whenever something like these are threatened, I don't take it very well. I have an extremely difficult time of letting go of stuff like this and I know exactly why. I afraid that once I give it to God, I won't get it back. This could quickly get into a trust issue post, so I won't get into that point too much.
Anywho, back to my original point. I'm reminded of so many scriptures, but I guess the verse (or book rather) is the book of Ecclesiastes. As depressing as this book can be, it sums up this earthly life into one word: meaningless. "'Meaningless! Meaningless!' Says the teacher. 'Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.'" In my opinion, their is nothing more depressing than learning that everything you have and will accomplished in this life is pointless. But on the flip side, it's also the most encouraging. It says (in summary): Yes, this life is meaningless, but it's only a stepping stone to eternity.
Wow! We have so much to look forward to in heaven. Being with God for eternity, what could possibly be better? It's amazing how fast I forget that things like the friends I make or sentimental items I hold are completely temporary. I don't know where I get it into my head that these things will somehow last forever, but I know it's not God.
Even Sailor Moon knows this lesson better than me! She knows that her life in Japan is temporary because her life in Crystal Tokyo is what is forever (Anyone who is reading this is probably like What the...?). In all seriousness, Usagi openly admits in Arc 3 and 4 that the life they're living now is meaningless. She says, "I'm a queen/princess in another world, what does this even matter?" Okay, that was slightly out of context since she's talking about her exams, but you get the point. She sums it up so well: I may just be ordinary here, but it doesn't matter! I'm a princess in another world.
I'll end with one of my favorite songs, Open Up the Skies. We sung it repeated at Wildwood and I think it sums everything up very nicely:
Our beloved Father
Please come down and meet us
We are waiting on Your touch
Open up the heavens
Shower down Your presence
We respond to Your great love
We won’t be satisfied with anything ordinary
We won’t be satisfied at all
Open up the sky
Fall down like rain
We don’t want blessings
We want you
Open up the sky
Fall down like fire
We don’t want anything but you
Our beloved Jesus
We just want to see
You In the glory of Your light
Earthly things don’t matter
They just fade and shatter
When were touched by love divine
Here we go lets go to the throne
The place that we belong
Right into His arms
Loving you Abba,
~Alyssa (SailorD)
Friday, December 7, 2012
Contentment vs. Joy
Lesson Cinq: Be joyful rather than content.
This is a lesson God has only recently taught me (like the past two/three days) and I felt the need to write on it. Recently, I was told by a friend to pray for contentment in my life. This is advice I have given to other people as well, so I agreed to pray for contentment. However, after a few days of praying for contentment, I was curious to see what the Bible said about being content/contentment. Only three verses popped up when I looked up 'contentment'. Not only was I surprised by this, but when you look at the context of the verses, it talks about being content with things like earthly possessions (Ex: 1 Timothy 6:6). The Bible doesn't talks about finding contentment in Life, just in earthly possessions. Granted, that is a big part of life and you should be content with what you have, but overall, I've come to the realization that we shouldn't be content with life. We should be Joyful with our life.
I believe that being content with the life God gave us makes us less passionate beings. "Oh yeah, I'm content with what God has given me, it's a good life," is what I picture a content person saying. How boring! It's almost a slap in the face to God! We should be much more passionate and joyful about the life God has given us. "Look what God has done with my life! My life isn't complete without him, I've never been more joyful!" is what the joyous, passionate person says.
So no matter the situation, I need to be praying for joy, not contentment. I do believe I have found that again through the grace of God, even if it doesn't look like it sometimes. I may not be happy all the time, but I know that I am joyful because God has saved me! He continues to be with me, it doesn't get any better than that. I've found my joy in this situation and life, and I'm overwhelmed with thanks to God.
Unfortunately, I don't have a cheesy Sailor Moon illustration today. All I can say is that Sailor Moon is one of the most joyful people I know, and the one time she tried being content, it brought her to tears. Joy is what completes us.
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." ~John 15:11
"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." ~John 16:24
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Romans 15:13
Thanks Daddy, I love you!
~Alyssa (SailorD)
This is a lesson God has only recently taught me (like the past two/three days) and I felt the need to write on it. Recently, I was told by a friend to pray for contentment in my life. This is advice I have given to other people as well, so I agreed to pray for contentment. However, after a few days of praying for contentment, I was curious to see what the Bible said about being content/contentment. Only three verses popped up when I looked up 'contentment'. Not only was I surprised by this, but when you look at the context of the verses, it talks about being content with things like earthly possessions (Ex: 1 Timothy 6:6). The Bible doesn't talks about finding contentment in Life, just in earthly possessions. Granted, that is a big part of life and you should be content with what you have, but overall, I've come to the realization that we shouldn't be content with life. We should be Joyful with our life.
I believe that being content with the life God gave us makes us less passionate beings. "Oh yeah, I'm content with what God has given me, it's a good life," is what I picture a content person saying. How boring! It's almost a slap in the face to God! We should be much more passionate and joyful about the life God has given us. "Look what God has done with my life! My life isn't complete without him, I've never been more joyful!" is what the joyous, passionate person says.
So no matter the situation, I need to be praying for joy, not contentment. I do believe I have found that again through the grace of God, even if it doesn't look like it sometimes. I may not be happy all the time, but I know that I am joyful because God has saved me! He continues to be with me, it doesn't get any better than that. I've found my joy in this situation and life, and I'm overwhelmed with thanks to God.
Unfortunately, I don't have a cheesy Sailor Moon illustration today. All I can say is that Sailor Moon is one of the most joyful people I know, and the one time she tried being content, it brought her to tears. Joy is what completes us.
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." ~John 15:11
"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." ~John 16:24
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Romans 15:13
Thanks Daddy, I love you!
~Alyssa (SailorD)
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