X is for...

     is for x-ray.




Some might call it luck, others chance.  Quite frankly it seems a small miracle to me that during the years of my life I have never broken a bone.  I cheered, I tumbled, and to be quite honest, I'm fairly clumsy.  The fact that all of my bones have escaped unscathed leaves me feeling very fortunate.  While I've never had to endure the painful experience of a broken bone, I've had classmates, friends, and students who have arrived on the scene with a cast and story to tell.  You see, while going about their daily lives, something had gone amiss.  Although perhaps on the outside they seemed fine, further medical attention suggested otherwise.  An x-ray revealed the reality on the inside although the outer may have clouded or tried to cover it up.   

My bones may certainly be intact, but this actually is my story after all.  I bet if you are honest with yourself, it's your story too.  Every day we work our hardest to have it all together.  You have a great career.  You just bought a new house.  You have an amazing boyfriend/girlfriend or a loving spouse.  Your brand new baby is healthy and beautiful.  The kids are on the honor roll at school.  You just received a call that you landed your dream job.  You fill your evenings and weekends with social obligations and friends.  You work out relentlessly at the gym to get the fit and toned physique that others envy.  You volunteer and give your time to others because you want to make a difference.  Imagine with me for a moment, then, that we were each subjected to a life x-ray.  When the doctor held it up to the light, would you want an audience to see it?  If you're anything like me, you'd probably be strategically placing yourself in front of the image or switching off the light.  "Never mind, Doc.  Don't worry about it.  Life's great. I'm doing well.  It's all dandy.  Thanks for your time and see you later!"  Although the routines of our lives may have others convinced, we all know the mess to be found inside.  With this honest realization, its seems that people fall into one of two camps: having it all together on the outside is good enough and most important or they'll keep working and striving on their own until they are good enough to make the inner match the outer.

Can I suggest to you a third and, I believe, better choice?  First of all, it's important to recognize that we all are missing the mark.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23.  To be complacent and think that our condition is good enough just isn't true.  We are not living up to the potential we were created to have.  How then do we tackle this problem?  "Let's just try harder.  Let's get to work!" many rally and cry out.  Unfortunately no matter how earnest our efforts, we simply cannot prove our worth and make ourselves right by our own means.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.  If we realize that the status quo isn't good enough and that we can't fix the problem on our own, we come to the understanding that surrendering to God and letting His sacrifice cover us is the true option.  An yet still, this is so hard for many.  How could we ever approach Jesus with a heart condition like it is?  We know we can cover it up for others, but He can see right through the charade.  Here's the good and beautiful news my friends.  Breathe easy.  He sees you as you are, He loves you as you are, and He bids you to come to Him just as you are.  Hear this, His own words: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  Turn the light back on, and pull the x-ray back out for inspection.  Calling all patients who, when honest with themselves, understand that they can't do it on their own.  The Great Physician came for you and He came for me.  Would you allow Him to do a healing work in your life and to make you anew?  It's your choice.  The Doctor is in.                    

W is for...

 

  is for wobbly.



One of my good friends has a very energetic and bubbly two year old.  When I was visiting them recently, the little toddler told me how she had accidentally fallen on the stairs recently.  "Were you scared?" I asked her.  "Um....maybe a little bit," she replied.  (Let me translate: It was super scary and I probably cried, but that was yesterday and a thing of the past, Cassie.  No biggie.)  She's a sweet little gal on the move who runs around letting me chase her when I visit, but her story reminded me that sometimes she still falls down.

I'm well beyond two years old now, but like this toddler I still get wobbly and lose my balance in life from time to time.  Sometimes it's literal, but unfortunately it's typically a bit more figurative in nature.  Just when I'm skipping right along in my walk of faith, I trip and fall.  I make a poor choice.  I regret my response to a situation.  I sin.  It would be one thing if it was a mistake or the first time, but I have plenty of experience under my belt.  One would think I'd be getting it right by now.  Enter the words of Paul: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.  It's certainly not an excuse for failures, but it is truth to be acknowledged.  Every single human who has ever walked the face of this world with only one exception has missed the mark.  No matter how hard we try, no matter how greatly we strive, our efforts are not enough.  Only through the sacrifice and grace of my beloved Savior am I made righteous before God.  Thank you Jesus!  When he let Himself be led to the cross and nailed upon it, I know He knew just how wobbly and mistake filled my and your life would be, but He loved us all the same.  There was no condition that I had to be good enough first.  No, He lavished His grace so freely upon me that day.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8.        

That's the beautiful news worth celebrating.  You don't have to be perfect.  Come as you are.  Let His forgiveness and love wash over you making you new.  I know I'm not always going to get it right.  When we slip and fall, we must allow Him to help us back up again and keep walking forward.  One day when this life is over, I will stand before my Creator.  He'll know His child so well.  With a heart and life led for him, I pray that He will look upon me and speak the words that every soul will long to hear.  Well done, good and faithful servant.  Matthew 25:23.  Well done.

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.