V is for...

  is for vicarious.




Much like the rest of the world, I watched some of the Olympics several weeks ago.  Probably like you, I was very impressed with the athleticism and determination of the athletes in each sporting event.  And also like you, I sat there and thought, "Wow, I wish I was that good at _____________  (No, not equestrian sports........gymnastics of course).  But alas, my gymnastics dreams died years ago amid the piles of mats and the infamous "cheese pit" where I once took lessons.  There was no way my lack of flexibility would lead me to the platform for gold.  It's fine, I've come to terms with it.  I see people around me or in the world who are each outstanding in their little niche.  They are inspiring athletes or teachers or parents or writers or volunteers or group leaders or mentors......and the list goes on and on.  "Wow," I think, "how inspirational.  I wish I could be more like that."  I watch and I admire, living vicariously through the successes and talents of others.

Take for example a book I read recently that absolutely floored me.  After my friend Heather recommended it, I put in my request at the library.  When I saw my queue number, I knew it was going to be an enjoyable read, but I had not idea just how much it would impact me.  7 by Jen Hatmaker is a book about one woman and her seven month journey to fast from the areas of excess in her life.  Each month, she chose something which she and her family were incredibly wasteful of and limited her involvement in it.  For example, one month she only ate seven different foods to better understand what it's like to live in other countries of poverty where there are millions starving daily.  In yet another month, she gave away seven possessions a day to those in need.  Talk about making me feel like an overly selfish individual.  Again, the words that came to my mind were, "I wish I could be more like that!"  Radical, action-oriented, someone leaving a footprint of change in my circles of influence and beyond.

So why not?  I can't sit around and hope that the people who inspire me will simply rub off some of their awesomeness on me.  I can't vicariously enjoy and be impacted by their courage and action and pretend that they represent people like me.  No, it's time to step up to the plate.  Here are some things that I'm learning as I ponder my desire to let God use me as an instrument in powerful ways.

1. My talents aren't the same as someone else's skills and abilities.  Just because they are making a difference in an incredible way doesn't mean that I can or should expect for God to use me in that same exact way.  He made us unique for a reason. 

2. If I'm desiring to make a difference, then I can't have my cake and eat it too.  It requires stepping outside of comfort zones and letting go of what our society says we each "deserve."  How twisted is that expectation anyways?  I deserve nothing.  Every good and perfect gift is from above... (James 1:17)  Every blessing in my life is an extension of my Father's incredible grace and love.  May I return it back to him in full measure.

3. Impacting others doesn't have to take place in obvious, loud, and attention-drawing ways (although sometimes it does)!  God moves and uses us in many ways both subtle and obvious.  It's not about us and the accolades that we can receive.  It's all about bringing glory to Him.

4.  Learning and desiring to let God work through me is going to be uncomfortable.  It's not for the faint of heart, it's for the heart of faith. 

5. Last but not least, it's not alright for me to sit around and wait until I feel ready or deserving of being used by God.  One of my dear camp friends once shared a quote with me that says it all.  "God doesn't call the qualified.  He qualifies the called."  As we looked back at every Bible hero outside of Jesus, we find men and women desperately flawed and hopeless.  Yet with His power at work in their lives, God used willing and obedient servants to make waves and impact His people.


May I never be content in self-centered living.  May we be bold and courageous enough to step out in faith.  Let us not live vicariously through warriors of Christ but offer our own hands, feet, and lives to walk the incredible path and adventure that God has planned for each of us.

U is for...

       is for undercover.




Last weekend while visiting home, Dad and I decided to have a little outing to go see The Dark Knight Rises, the new Batman movie.  I'm all girl and love a sappy chick flick with the love story and happy ending, but I did grow up with a brother who loved all things action and boyish so I've developed an appreciation of many types of films.  (I still have a fond memory of one birthday when I went to the movies with Clay and Dad.  Obviously I got to choose so we saw Pride and Prejudice.  I'm pretty convinced that they were bored out of their minds, but I personally can't understand what's not to love about Mr. Darcy...)  So anyhow, this was a movie that Dad and I were mutually stoked about seeing.  I'm fascinated by the idea of superheros, characters who often hide their identity from the public they serve.  I also noticed a marked difference between Batman in action and the much more human character of Bruce Wayne.  In full suit and cape, the Batman roamed the streets of Gotham fighting those that seek to bring harm upon its citizens.  Back at the mansion, however, Bruce Wayne leaned heavily on a crutch depending on its assistance to move from one room to another in his mansion.

(Source: www.mtv.com)

I loved the movie and totally recommend that you go see it.  Let's be honest though, Hollywood isn't always so realistic when it comes to superheroes.  There's no way that a guy walking with a cane can suit up and do work at this level of intensity with such extensive injuries.

 

(Source: www.entertainment.time.com)

But then again, maybe it's not so far-fetched after all.   It's what many do day in and day out.  I'm coming to find that people who are broken and hurting are putting on a mask, pretending that everything is fine, and going out into the world undercover to face yet another day.  How do I know this?  I've been there before.  You probably have too.  I certainly can think of several close friends who are facing challenges and struggles that put on a brave face for the crowd.  It's just easier for them and it doesn't make others around them uncomfortable having to recognize the pain that another is experiencing.

How do we get beyond the mask and what should we do for our fellow man?  Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)  Stop pretending yourself and thus forcing others to do so.  Be honest and real with the people you trust.  In turn, let's learn to become people who don't expect perfection from ourselves or others.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)  How are we to be honest and seek support and love from one another if we can't lay judgment aside?  We were never called to be the judge of others.  Instead, be in community.  Amongst a number of definitions, Google defines community as "a group of interdependent organisms of different species growing or living together in a specified habitat."  Interdependent.  Relying on one another.  Spurring one another on in hope and love.  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5: 11)  Above all else, let us become prayer warriors for one another and lead the hurting into the warmth of the promises of God.  I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)  

Life is certainly a dance in which we learn new steps each day.  Let us not come dressed for a masquerade ball with a need to cover up and hide our struggles and pains.  May we live in love and encouragement, a people no longer undercover. 



    

T is for...

      is for taking hold.


Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Philippians 3:12

 
I turned around in frustration yesterday as I watched my hard work flutter to the classroom floor.  After spending a good portion of time attaching a classroom library checkout space, both functional and cheery, to the cabinet door, I was dismayed to see the heat take effect on the tape I'd used.  The card pockets drooped and fell to the carpet one by one.  Bending over to pick up my then undone work, I realized that I'd need to come up with a Plan B.  I find that not only in my classroom but in life in general, things so often don't go as expected or planned.  If my younger self could have time traveled forward to get a peek at my current life, I think she'd have been quite surprised.  "Huh....this is really just not how I thought it was going to go," she might have muttered.  "Looks great, but that's not exactly how I planned for it to play out."  I'd look my younger self gently in the eyes knowing that a few more years of knowledge and life experience had given me understanding and tell her, "Cassie, it's really not all about you."

This is the truth that God has been impressing on my heart recently.  We live in a culture that bombards us with images and messages that urge us to gratify our every desire and to do what is best for us.  While listening to Klove on the radio recently, I was not surprised by the study being discussed.  According to recent research, texts show an increase in the use of words such as "I" pointing to ever growing levels of selfishness in our world today.  I'd hate to count the number of times my speech includes the words "I" or "me" in a day.  We are a self-centered people and I count myself among its ranks.  I take a deep breath and thankfully realize that this is not what life is meant to be.    

I look to the words of Paul in Philippians, a man who knew better than most what it meant to stop viewing the world as revolving around himself and to embrace a greater and truer vision.  Paul writes:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!  (Philippians 2: 5-6)

Paul looks to the example of Jesus, the One who stepped down from His rightful place of glory and honor to walk amongst the broken of a sinful world.  Christ taught us not only with words but with the absolute act of love and obedience what it means to look to God's plan instead of our own desires when He stretched out His arms and hung on the cross for our undeserved forgiveness. 

Paul further encourages me in this attitude change by reminding me of what should be our top priority as believers, sharing what we have found in Christ with others.  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (Philippians 1:27)  It's not all about me.  God has a plan I can trust and the role of Christians is to walk in a way that brings glory to our Father.  In this mindset, we are reminded to be content whatever the circumstances. (Philippians 4:11)  It's not my place to come up with Plan B and take matters into my own hands over and over again.  Instead, God lovingly taps me on the should each time to remind me He has it covered.  Oh when will I ever learn?!  Yet knowing our struggle as humans and our tendency to focus on ourselves, Paul reassures us that he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

It's not really about me.  Over and over we must tell ourselves this as we allow God to transform our deeply ingrained selfishness.  Confident that He loves me deeply and will guide me as a part of His master plan, I grasp these words tightly unwilling to let them go.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.



  

S is for...

     is for safe.

I like to consider myself a fairly safe person.  I try to assess the risks before taking a chance, to weigh the pros and cons of each situation.  I don't find myself to be very compulsive but like to think things through carefully before acting.  And for the most part, I feel pretty good about that quality.  Sometimes I think back and realize that I've really grown in this area.  I'm now more willing to take risks and be more adventurous than I was as a child.  I love the memory of a trip I took with my family and some friends to Jamaica a few Christmases ago.  While there we visited an eclectic restaurant on a cliff by the ocean called Rick's Cafe.  Just the day before, my brother had gone there and jumped off the 30 foot cliff adjacent to the restaurant.  "Okay" I thought, "there's no way I'm going to leave this country letting Clay have done it and not doing it myself."  So I marched my little self right on up there, and my awesome bro cheered me on as I made the leap.  Did I mention that it took me forever to talk myself into jumping?  It's the act of letting your feet leave the edge that counts.

Thinking back on moments like that, I'm tempted to pat myself on the back and deem myself a little daredevil.  The truth of the matter, however, is that I play it far too safe and far too often.  One verse that inspires me hangs on the wall of my apartment.  I love the reminder of Joshua 1:9.

 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  

Jumping off a legitimate cliff in Jamaica is perhaps a bit frightening, but it's completely doable.  Scary but not really something to stop traffic.  Taking the leaps in life and following God's direction is a whole other story.  Have you ever had one of those days where you go to church and you're sitting there listening to the message and you realize that God was speaking so directly to you through it?  It's awesome....and it was me today.  One of the pastors at church bravely spoke about following God in all circumstances and trusting His guidance even when it's incredibly difficult or scary.  Every day I understand more and more that it's not my job to figure out where I'm going or what I need to be doing tomorrow, next week, or next year.  Better yet, it's certainly not my role to be meek, complacent, and afraid.  No, I am called to be strong and courageous!  I am to be thankful for each day that God has given me to live this life and to let Him lead me through it.  I can't say I'm particularly great at that on most days, but I'm human and I love Him and I'm letting Him work on me through it.  Knowing that my God will be with me wherever I go, I'm pretty excited for the adventures that He could reveal in my life....but only if I let Him.  "Better safe than sorry!" they say.  I beg to differ.  I know I'd truly be sorry to miss the chance to claim my role in God's great works and plans.  Where are you being called to be more courageous for Christ?  Join me in this challenge and opportunity to trust Him more deeply every single day.  Don't miss the chance to take a leap of faith.

R is for...

Sadly I accidentally deleted my "R" post.  Oops!  Hopefully you got to enjoy it while it lasted. 

Q is for...

       is for quenched.



One afternoon last week, I got to enjoy the sweet company of my friend Miss AG while laying poolside.  Armed with two books, sunscreen, and a beach towel, I led the way across the apartment complex to an oasis of relaxation.  Stretched out on pool chairs with the sun's rays warming us, it felt great to relax and read.  Shortly after arriving, however, I realized that I had made a very amateur mistake.  The one thing that I'd left behind and needed direly at that moment was some refreshing water.  I glanced around to no avail.  No water fountain.  An extra walk back to the apartment to retrieve my water bottle was a lesson learned.

This experience reminds me of feelings I have periodically and in certain seasons of life.  When things get hurried and busy, when the pressures and responsibilities of work or classes weight heavily upon my shoulders, when worries grasp at my heart, I begin to feel a thirst that must be quenched.  I desire calm, peace, and stillness for my soul.  As humans, can't we honestly say that when this happens we often look around for a quick fix?  I look to my family or my dearest friends to share the burden and to help me gain perspective.  I might even take a break to fit in a fun activity or head to the gym for a run.  I don't know about you, but it can be really effective or so it seems.  And then another day arrives and you feel that you've arrived full circle.  Perhaps the same feelings overwhelm you again and you feel helpless to overcome a mountain whose peaks seem insurmountable.

This reminds me of the story in John 4 of the woman at the well.  In case you are unfamiliar, this chapter tells of a woman's life changing encounter with Jesus.  A Samaritan woman went to the well midday to draw water.  While there, Jesus requested that she share a drink of water with Him.  The woman was surprised that this man would ask for this as she was Samaritan and he was Jewish.  She did not expect him to interact with her in such a manner as Jewish people considered the Samaritans unclean.  I'm sure this woman felt especially undeserving as she truly did carry some weight on her heart.  The verses tell us that she'd had five husbands.  Obviously this woman had made some mistakes in life and was burdened.  I love this story even right at this point because Jesus is totally loving on a sinner like you and me.  According to the culture and common sense, Jesus shouldn't reach out to a woman like this.  The truth is, Jesus sees us and knows us to our greatest depths and still He loves us, His children.  Not just loves us, He treasures and adores us!  Just like you and me, He finds us as we are and He desires to quench this deep thirst in our souls.  Using the metaphor of a spring of living water, Jesus shares the good news of His gift of eternal salvation.  He says, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." [John 4: 13-14]

Life can be busy, trying, and a struggle at various times.  As I continually am challenged to do, stop going to the well to draw up your own solutions for they only satisfy for a short time.  Instead, allow God's peace and love to freely flow and quench every bit of the thirst within you.  I promise you this: He alone can satisfy.

  

P is for...

   

                                   is for perseverance.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

  -Hebrews 12:1 

  

     I stood in the recovery area guzzling a bottle of water and munching on some delicious honey mustard flavored pretzels.  My body was craving just about any nourishment to replenish the energy just expended in the Geist half marathon that took place this past Saturday on the north side of Indianapolis.  As I stood resting with my friend, I overhead a father's words of wisdom to his young daughters.  "This is what setting a goal and achieving it is all about," he explained and I couldn't help but smile.  This would have been a moment that my brother and I would have jokingly referred to as one of mom or dad's infamous life lessons.  In a world where it seems fewer and fewer kids are taught a strong work ethic and the value of pushing toward a goal, I appreciated the valuable lesson he was striving to teach the girls.  

     The past several months, I have been working to achieve one of my life goals: completing a mini marathon.  I want to especially direct this post to anyone out there who hears the words mini marathon or half marathon and thinks, "I couldn't do that."  That used to be me.  Looking back in high school, I absolutely dreaded running days in gym class.  A slow-paced mile seemed like twenty.  Once in college, however, I participated in a few 5k runs and enjoyed the competitive aspect of racing for time.  Not that I was trying to beat anyone in particular, but I realized I liked pushing myself to see what I could do.  Building upon that, this past fall I helped coach a program called Girls on the Run at my elementary school.  As the weeks progressed and we reached the date of our 5k race, I was so incredibly proud of the hard work that the girls of all shapes, sizes, and athletic ability were able to complete.  Every one of them improved and learned that they could do more than they might have imagined.  When I learned that my brother and his girlfriend had signed up to run the largest half marathon in the country, the Indianapolis 500 Festival mini marathon, I jumped at the opportunity.  Soon after beginning my training, a college friend convinced me to sign up for a second one that would take place just two weeks following my first.  I'm a girl who likes a challenge albeit a large one.  I was in.

With both of these races now in the rearview mirror, I can honestly say that this experience has been a huge lesson in perseverance.  It took me several months to build up to the place that I am now, and yet I feel I have much room left to improve.  This is just the start!  So for anyone out there, young or old, athletic or a bit rusty in the exercise world, let me tell you that you can absolutely do it too.  With a strong will, a desire to succeed, the determination to see it through, and God's help carrying those legs mile after mile, you can achieve big goals for yourself as well.  

In closing, let me share just a couple of the many lessons learned so far in my training and race day experiences.  Here's hoping they'll inspire you to get going too!

1. Don't expect to run far right away.  It's a building process and a very slow one at that.  Focus on what you can do today and be proud of it.  Next week you will go just a bit longer or farther.

2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  My body was so much more ready for the miles on days when I had given my body lots of water.

3. Share your goal with family members and close friends.  Once others know what you are aiming to do, it's much more motivating to prove that you can actually achieve it.

4. Don't worry about how far or how fast others runners go.  They don't have your unique experiences or body.  Be in competition with yourself and work to overcome your weakness by pushing yourself and excelling!

  

5. Sign up, start training, and stick to it.  If you always say someday, that day will never arrive.  Now's the time!  I began a training plan back in December and stuck to it fairly rigidly, especially for the first few months.  After getting the hang out it, I was able to make better time and mileage decisions for myself based on my body's response.  I will say that there were many, many days when I really didn't want to get up and run.  However, 99% of the time it felt awesome to accomplish it once I was up and moving.  Remember, it's about perseverance and working hard now to achieve your results and goal in the long run!