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That relationship you've grown annoyed of...
It once felt like a gift. That project where you don't feel like you're getting enough... Even just one used to feel like a gift. That path you've grown tired of walking... In the beginning, just being able to embark felt like a gift. That feeling you've just grown accustom, or even complacent to... You used to consider it a gift. The truth is that it's not the relationship, or the project, or the path, or the feeling that have changed, it's that our minds and hearts are quick to forget that in a world where so many have nothing, we must always be grateful for everything. “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof…” Mark 2:4
If you aren’t familiar with this story from Mark two, here are the quick bullet points. -Jesus is in Capernaum -He’s performing healing miracles in a home -The gathered crowd has gotten so big that it’s nearly impossible to get in -Four men show up with their friend who is paralyzed -Seeing that there is no conventional way to get their friend to Jesus, they decide to bust in through the roof These four men in this story are going to get to Jesus, no matter what it takes. These men were not unique when it came the lengths people were willing to go in order to encounter Jesus. In His day, people were willing to climb on roofs, leave their jobs, and risk starvation just so they could be in the presence of this strange carpenter from Nazareth. Throughout the four gospels, we see people doing whatever it takes to get near God. Rewind a bit, back into the Old Testament, and you’ll see people willing to sacrifice huge portions of their grain and livestock, just to have an inkling of God’s presence and mercy. Moses climbed a mountain, over and over again Solomon built a huge, extremely elaborate temple The Israelites traveled through the desert for 40 years All throughout scripture, we see men and women doing whatever it takes to get near God. So, the question then becomes, in a time when the presence of God is always available, everywhere, and all it requires is some focus, a little bit of time, and submission, why are so few Christians today making the sacrifice to get into God’s presence? When Jesus died on the cross, he bridged the gap between us and God. He removed the giant barrier called sin, so that intimacy with God could be constantly and forever available. No longer do we have to climb mountains, search deserts, make sacrifices, and bust in through skylights. God is here, now, available. And all it takes to become aware of his presence is the simple discipline of slowing down and focussing our minds and hearts on him. By the way, do you know what happens when we get into God’s presence? Look back at Mark 2 for a second. The men bust through the roof and lower their friend in front of Jesus. They in verse 5 it says, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” The man was healed, and he was healed because of their faith, because they were willing to do whatever to get to Jesus. I believe that God will reward our faith much in the same way. When we make the necessary sacrifices to get into God’s presence, we experience miracles, healing, provision, and grace. When we bust through roofs, we experience life. Starbucks makes me happy
or just, coffee in general Seeing other people do what they love makes me happy and my family makes me happy, even when they make me crazy working hard makes me happy so does resting so does a good morning, a good view, and a clean house getting good grades at school or helping sick people these things make me happy spending the whole day talking to my friends writing a story, reading a book these things also make me happy drawing, painting, and playing piano christian camps, grilled cheese, and aviators hearing the birds sing seeing someone accept Christ hiking bow ties sunshine comfy clothes chilis quotes from charlie brown my siblings dance my youth group organic tea shops listening to parachute and love make me happy but more than anything though, feeling safe under God’s shelter knowing that I’m not alone and seeing the smiling faces of those I love that’s the greatest happiness there is My wife and I are in the process of getting our fireplace repaired.
The first place we went to was over-priced. The building was hard to find. The people were difficult to communicate with and at times flat out rude. Overall, it was just an unpleasant experience. Now, needing a repair on your fireplace is not like going to Disneyworld. You’re not expecting to be entertained or to have a great time. You just want someone to do the job and get it over with. However, the second company we reached out to has been incredible. Their prices are fair. They are quick and clear with communication. Not to mention they are knowledgable and just all round kind people. This second company has taken our need to repair our fireplace, which would normally considered an annoying chore, and turned it into quite a pleasurable experience. Now, could the first place have fixed our fireplace? Sure, probably just as well as the second. The employees there were probably just as knowledgeable and capable of doing their jobs as the second place we visited. So how did we choose where to spend our money, then? When services/products are the same, what do people look at next? Experience. With so many options in today’s world just a google search away, experience is what separates thriving communities and businesses from those that do not. The question we have to ask ourselves is… What kind of experience am I giving people when they walk into my business, classroom, comments section, or home? There are a lot of churches in town, and going to visit one for the first time can be awkward and nerve-racking. So how do you ensure that someone walking into your doors for the first time doesn’t feel that way? How can you go the extra mile to turn a possible awkward, frustrating, or routine experience, into an unbelievably pleasurable one? If you can figure out the answer to this question, both you, your project, and your customers/audience will thrive. I love Mondays. I know that's not a very popular opinion, but I love any excuse for a fresh start
I love fresh starts I love taking walks and eating cookies Flying on airplanes and swimming in oceans I love dogs, and I can't wait to get one of my own I love books, and I have far too many I love speaking in front of crowds And listening in one on one conversation I love that I can drive five miles above the speed limit without getting a ticket I love writing I love running I love cooking I love date nights Movies Podcasts Thai Chicken The Bulls A song with a good beat And catching up with an old friend right where you left off I love a meaningful, unforced, spontaneous conversation. I love that feeling when you go to bed at night and you're already excited to wake up the next morning and it's not even Christmas. I love taking the time to do things I love everyday And I love doing them with the people I love I love my wife My family My friends And My God I love My shower My TV My wife's giggle My freedom My new jacket (I love my whole house) I love knowing that every day, I have a chance to use my talents and gifts to make this world a better place Even in a small way I love small ways With so much to love in this world Why would we waste a single second on hate Or better yet With so much love in this world Why would we waste a single second, on anything else |
AboutThis blog is about learning how to notice, make, and share your art Archives
September 2016
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