A Change

I have never been good with change of any kind, but big changes mess with my life more than I can say. Sometimes I will do simple things the hard way to avoid changing anything.
Yesterday I found out that I have to let go of something very dear to me. It hurts, but God is already using it for good. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him." At first, it seemed impossible how God could use this situation for good. I wanted to lock myself in my room and ignore life entirely. "I'm not ready to let go." went through my head over and over as I tried to find some way around this change. Sadly, there is none. It has been out of my control for months now, and ultimately, never was in my control.
But through my pain yesterday, God showed me that He is the One in control, and I should let go. He has much bigger plans for me than what I wanted. Yes, I'm still very sad I have to let go, but I have a hope that God is working out something more than I can ever imagine.
Years from now, this is going to look really silly and insignificant. Ultimately, through whatever change or trial I have to face, God is in control. Even when I fail, He still loves me. Jesus still died and rose again for me. I am still redeemed. Nothing can change any of that. It is constant and sure.
To God be the glory!

"My heart is filled with thankfulness

To Him who walks beside

Who floods my weaknesses with strength

And causes fears to fly

Whose every promise is enough

For every step I take

Sustaining me with arms of love

And crowning me with grace"

"My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness"

by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Happy Easter!

Amongst the chaos of church, family, bunnies, and egg hunts, the true meaning of Easter can be lost and distorted easily. What do bunnies have to do with a cross? America has made it into a silly holiday for children, when, in all reality, it is a gruesome tale of death. Ultimately, what is celebrated on Easter though is a resurrection. That is something full of joy and worthy of celebration!

Every year at church on Easter (as well as throughout the rest of the year, we sing a song called "Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed" by Keith and Kristen Getty. It is one of my all-time favorite songs.

How can it be, the One who died,
Has born our sin through sacrifice
To conquer every sting of death?
Sing, sing hallelujah.

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
Oh, sing hallelujah.
Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed;
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.

Where doubt and darkness once had been,
They saw Him and their hearts believed.
But blessed are those who have not seen,
Yet, sing hallelujah.
Once bound by fear now bold in faith,
They preached the truth and power of grace.
And pouring out their lives they gained
Life, life everlasting.

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
Oh, sing hallelujah.
Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed;
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.

The power that raised Him from the grave
Now works in us to powerfully save.
He frees our hearts to live His grace;
Go tell of His goodness.

He's alive! He's alive!

Heaven's gates are opened wide.

He's alive! He's alive!

Now in heaven glorified.

This is the true meaning of Easter.

Jesus is alive!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Faith like a Child

Last night, I was at a friends house for Passover/college group. After we ate and danced and generally enjoyed our socialization, we sang together. One of the songs we sang was "Jesus, Thank You" by Sovereign Grace. Here is the link to the lyrics. As I was sitting in my friend's living room, surrounded by my best friends, I noticed the youngest child singing along. "Your blood has washed away my sin. Jesus, thank you. The Father's wrath completely satisfied. Jesus, thank you. Once your enemy, now seated at your table. Jesus, thank you." he sang with all of his heart. As I listened to his little voice singing, my heart melted. I wondered how much he truly understood, or if all of this was being taken solely by faith.

God calls us to have faith like a child. In Matthew 18:1-4 it says, "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them ³ and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

What a calling! As followers of Christ, we are called to be like small children, who the world typically looks at as silly.

Another aspect is believing what your parents tell you, even when you don't understand. Most rules don't make sense to small children, or big children, but all have to obey anyways. This is faith that your parents are right, because you trust them. This is the trust God calls us to. He is our Heavenly Father and we should always trust Him and have faith in whatever He says is true, even if we don't fully understand.

Just like the little one, sitting in the middle of the floor rolling around in a blanket, we are to worship God with joy in our hearts, and faith. Faith like a child.