Upholding.

I've been thinking about the ways in which God upholds His creation. His people. His kids. Me. You. The ways in which our creator unceasingly brings sustenance and renewal of this earth. His ways are unbroken and I'm grateful in a new way.

His work involved calling all physical-material and spiritual things, into existence out of non-existence. That's nuts. We create things everyday. We create new things. . . actually we don't create new things, rather we rearrange existing materials. How can we even fathom the activity of God bringing both space and the concept of time into reality?

So... Knowing that God created the universe from nothing - every moment is banking, resting, dependent on His words. The power of His word. The reality of His power that you cannot rationalize. We are dangling over this canyon of non-existence - only being held up by His Word.

He upholds His Word. Interesting.

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Can you imagine if God were to withdraw His Word? Everything would retract to nothingness. I see now that every moment of existence is only by the grace of God and as we continue from instant to instant it's just as profound as when He initially spoke our existence.

In this profound awareness, not only are we literally relying on God for our everyday and our very being, but I'm recognizing that although we are created in His image, we were not made out of God Himself. The world, and all of creation is distinct and set apart from God.

Obviously, that is why He is full of unfathomable mysteries, and our inherent world cannot do much justice when searching God out. The only knowledge we have of God is that knowledge in which He gifts to us. He opens our eyes, and our ears.

Colossians 1:17

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Acts 17:25

And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breathe and everything else.

No Strings Attached.

This is most likely going to be a reflection of a previous post I wrote in regards to men stepping it up in the church. The following is just a holistic view of church people as I have come to encounter. I have questions, frustrations and thoughts tossing back and forth in my mind. Not questions that make me doubt the providence of our God nor the fact that Gods hands are in operation throughout all of our circumstances as they are directed to His appointed end. That is truth that will not be swayed in my life. So, with that said I'd like to present, simply, some thoughts... no strings attached.

God's invited us onto this journey with Him. A journey that transforms us. A journey that brings pain, discomfort, awareness, beauty, depth, character, wisdom, ...freedom. And it's actually a journey that you can take a vacation from at any moment. This journey is solely our decision to remain steadfast in. For with much wisdom, comes much sorrow. ( Ecc. 1:18 ) The greater percentage of people in the church aren't down with the sorrow. Nor are they down with the steadfast part. Until they are down, they cannot be pliable pieces of clay in the hands of the Creator.

Gods been opening my eyes in seeing the discrepancy in a lot of romantic relationships between "church people". Simply, most of them are not equally yoked. I've met some amazing and truly godly men, who are with gorgeous women... these woman have yet to be single for just one season of their lives. I don't want to sound rash, but is it fair to say that if you have never had a simple year of singleness - there is a reality of your heart that you have yet to see? Yet, on the other hand, I don't want to sound judgmental, nor discredit that God is in operation in all circumstances and He is the one who reveals the realities of our hearts, however and whenever He chooses. It just so happens that our own will and human tendencies put us in the path of the bullet.

While the rarest of women are remaining steadfast in allowing God to stir up their hearts and shape their character painfully, the majority of women are utterly content in themselves, only because of the godly man that chose them. Does that make sense? This makes me so frustrated. It makes me wonder sometimes how easy it would be for us to start dressing and looking like most women, while taking a vacation from the purging and find contentment in a godly man.

As a godly man, don't you want a woman who is far beyond her flawless figure and her crazy talents? Yes? Well then please start acting like it and stop dating the women solely known for their foolishly good looks and formless-ness. Don't deny.

As I bring this frustration to God, I am asking for Him to reveal why this bothers me so much. It's discouraging wondering why so many godly men are dating girls who haven't been through the freakin fire. I'd like to think that they are in search of a Proverbs 31 woman...

My prayer is that the men in the church who have a yearning and hunger for Gods mysteries and wisdom would not settle for just a formless woman, who is easy on the eyes, but rather allow God to showcase His perpetually glorious work in the woman He brings their way, before the hunting even begins. If men could do this, I bet an abundance of women would jump back on board with the purging, the awareness, the revelation, the refinement, the healing and the freedom God desires for them.

My prayer for us women is that we fight to stay on this journey and we fight our tendencies to run away from the fire.

Lastly, I'm in no way blaming men for anything. :)

Confrontation.

Our culture often labels confrontation as a misappropriation of anger and pride.

When most think of confrontation between people, they think of the yelling, amongst degrading words. I even asked my little sister what came to mind when she thought of confrontation -her response was, "arguing, and biting" ... ha. A spiritual bite sounds just as painful as the tangible kind. Thanks sister :)

I'd like to propose something different.

Confrontation between people :: the act of addressing an issue in utter humility in hopes of seeing spiritual growth for both parties

I wonder why so many people avoid confrontation, especially among fellow disciples. I don't recall ever hearing a sermon on confrontation within the church. Hmm.

I understand the hinderances in having a tough conversation in humility with someone who drives you nuts. Or someone who has hurt you. Or someone you know you have hurt. I understand why it's rather enjoyable to privately discuss the rash decisions other people make. I know all too well how easy it is to referee another persons spiritual walk and how normal it is discuss it with other people "because you care". Stop. it.

When brothers and sisters in Christ cannot selflessly approach one another, the issue will manifest itself in other ways affecting the very essence of the community.

In it's "purest form" confrontation between God's people is mandatory, healthy and an extraordinary opportunity for growth on an individual basis and a communal basis.

It's one way we can encounter a holistic spiritual season of growth. Which is the kind of spiritual growth we are all called to strive for. We are being conformed to His image for the sake of others.

I would like to encourage you all to understand a truer perspective of your spiritual journey towards wholeness. For the sake of others. Confrontation among your brothers and sisters in Christ is an amazing opportunity to encounter the redeeming power of God.

Justice.

I've been contemplating how God ushers in His justice.

I've been contemplating what justice even is.

I see a few different perspectives of justice. One perspective is the relational justice between God and His people. The other perspective is justice between people and their circumstances. They are contingent on each other.

:: In it's entirety, I've concluded that ultimate justice will have found us in the fulfillment of God's purpose, for our wholeness to be found in Him.

Circumstantial Justice ::

God offers a journey of profound wisdom for those who have been wronged, misunderstood, and discredited while under His authority. I am sure of this. There is a journey in those experiences that many run from. This is what I am in the midst of right now. A journey of wisdom and freedom. There is a mass amount of injustice in my life that still weighs heavy on my heart at times.

God surely continues to step within my perception.

Great wounds in my life have been brought by people whom have no conviction nor desire for penance. While that's an issue in and of itself in their relationship with God, I grieve as I endure the reality of broken relationships between brothers and sisters in Christ. I grieve, as I know, surely it grieves God's heart to see His kids author injustice between each other.

I reflect on God's perspective. He looks at the afflicted, abused, disregarded, and misunderstood and proclaims a transformation of character and an invitation to be healed by the wounds of this world. I know this to be true and deeply woven in my heart yet my mind plays the devils advocate at times. I ask why those whom have wronged me are thriving in their lives. It's as if it's a perpetual stabbing in the back.

Though my enemies remain flourishing, You, O Lord, are my steadfast hope. You, O Lord will make things right. If I didn't actually trust in who You claim to be and the justice you proclaim over your people, my hope would be folly. My pain would be fruitless. My tears would be trivial. My words would simply be hot air.

And the injustice in my life would be futile.

But because I continue on this journey,

:: You counteract every and all plans that are not for the good of who you've created in me. Because of the faith I have in You, You rectify the foolishness this world labels my life as.

Relational Justice ::

In utter submission and obedience, great revelations are to be had. I've seen how justice has indeed been put into motion in my life. Sin brings injustice to our relationship with Christ. It oppresses our perception in seeing His truer perspective and ultimately separates us from Him. That is injustice.

:: But see how God is bringing justice to our sinful nature as we encounter Him and become closer to being in a freeing and reconciled union with Him.