I'm currently sitting in a coffee shop with my journal on one side of me, my laptop directly in front of me, and my coffee on the other side of me. I started a Scripture Journal the other night and it has already brought me such peace and joy! I have also realized that I am now resting so much better at night because of this.
My intention a few minutes ago was to journal more about what I journaled on just the other night. However, once I opened my journal back to the page of which I left off, I remembered this blog and thought to myself that someone might need a reminder- and that includes me, too. So here goes nothing.
Did you know that we were creatively created by the most talented Artist of them all? We were created in His image and in His [perfect] timing. And it only gets better from there! He also planted a seed of purpose in each and every one of our hearts and over time, we can see that the more we give our hearts to Him, the more our purpose starts to become a little more clear and a lot less blurry. Wherever you are in this world right now, you are surrounded by His creation. And not only that, you are a part of His creation.
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." -Genesis 1::27, NIV
Let's take a look at a statistic of two.
!) There are 7.09 billion people in the world.
2) Every 8 seconds a baby is born into this world. Our population is off the charts!
3) At least 4 babies were born while I typed out those statistics for you.
Now, let's take it a step further, shall we?
God knows us ALL by name. Now if you're anything like me, it's a rarity for me to remember someone's name the first time I met them. So how exactly does He do it? Well, because He's God. That's why. And that's really the only explanation we need.
"This is what the Lord says--
your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
I am the Lord,
the Maker of all things,
who stretches out the heavens,
who spreads out the earth by myself," -Isaiah 44:24 NIV
There are so many things I find unfathomable about this world and the Creator that designed it. I could write a list of a million things- LITERALLY- but I won't take the time to do that. Instead, I want you to realize how unique you are.
Before I proceed, I want to ask you something. Who are you living for? Think about it, and then read on.
God chose YOU.
You aren't just living to live. You're living to love and you're living to serve. We're living to be His hands and feet.
I hope and pray He is who you're living for. Because let me tell you, there is nothing like it. It's the most amazing thing to live for the One who created us. There's no joy like His. And we get to experience that!
As I told my 3rd and 4th graders this past week at VBS, no two people are the same. And although we are all different and unique, we were all given hands to serve and hearts to love.
But what exactly does it mean to be created in His image? Sure, we've all heard and read it before. But do we really understand what it means to be created in the image of God?
Well, let's try a little something to find out. Let's pick some words that describe God. I'll use the first 10 off the top of my head.
All-Powerful, Faithful, Loving, Forgiving, Kind, Gentle, Perfect, Jealous, Strong, & Clever
Now, let's pick some words that describe us. I'll choose ten that I think describe me.
Happy, Caring, Loving, Faithful, Imperfect, Passionate, Emotional, Fearful, Thankful, & Sinner
Finally, let us see if any of my descriptions match any of HIs. Do you see where I'm going with this? To be created in the image of God means to LIVE like Him, to BE like Him.
And regardless of how different from one another we are, we are here for the very same reason! No matter who you are, no matter what you've done, no matter where you've been or may be, it is NEVER to late to allow His love to fill our hearts and to shine Jesus from the inside out. Your past does not define you, so don't let it. Seriously. Please know that you are FORGIVEN, ACCEPTED, and LOVED more and more each and every day. Your past is a small piece that contributed to the puzzle God used to form you. Let GO of what you're holding on to. Exchange your sins for HIS love and watch the darkness that you've lived in for so long turn into light. We were not created to live in the dark. We were created to live in the light- HIS light. His light shines through the darkness, each and every ounce of it. Imagine what it would like if His light were to shine through you, too. That's what you were created for- to shine while you love and to shine while you serve. Let's live the lives that we were called to. Your vocation is a ministry- always keep that in mind. God placed you in the community you're in a for a reason. Of course we are always going to fall short, but some of us don't have the strength to get back up when we do. We can find and receive that strength through our Lord Jesus Christ. Seek Him through everything you do and you'll realize just exactly why you're here and how you can change the hearts of others and help them open their eyes to His light. It's a beautiful thing when someone shines Jesus. He is the Joy of my joy. Won't He be yours, too?
Creatively created in His image. Don't you ever forget that.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'" -Matthew 5:13-16 ESV
My intention a few minutes ago was to journal more about what I journaled on just the other night. However, once I opened my journal back to the page of which I left off, I remembered this blog and thought to myself that someone might need a reminder- and that includes me, too. So here goes nothing.
Did you know that we were creatively created by the most talented Artist of them all? We were created in His image and in His [perfect] timing. And it only gets better from there! He also planted a seed of purpose in each and every one of our hearts and over time, we can see that the more we give our hearts to Him, the more our purpose starts to become a little more clear and a lot less blurry. Wherever you are in this world right now, you are surrounded by His creation. And not only that, you are a part of His creation.
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." -Genesis 1::27, NIV
Let's take a look at a statistic of two.
!) There are 7.09 billion people in the world.
2) Every 8 seconds a baby is born into this world. Our population is off the charts!
3) At least 4 babies were born while I typed out those statistics for you.
Now, let's take it a step further, shall we?
God knows us ALL by name. Now if you're anything like me, it's a rarity for me to remember someone's name the first time I met them. So how exactly does He do it? Well, because He's God. That's why. And that's really the only explanation we need.
"This is what the Lord says--
your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
I am the Lord,
the Maker of all things,
who stretches out the heavens,
who spreads out the earth by myself," -Isaiah 44:24 NIV
There are so many things I find unfathomable about this world and the Creator that designed it. I could write a list of a million things- LITERALLY- but I won't take the time to do that. Instead, I want you to realize how unique you are.
Before I proceed, I want to ask you something. Who are you living for? Think about it, and then read on.
God chose YOU.
You aren't just living to live. You're living to love and you're living to serve. We're living to be His hands and feet.
I hope and pray He is who you're living for. Because let me tell you, there is nothing like it. It's the most amazing thing to live for the One who created us. There's no joy like His. And we get to experience that!
As I told my 3rd and 4th graders this past week at VBS, no two people are the same. And although we are all different and unique, we were all given hands to serve and hearts to love.
But what exactly does it mean to be created in His image? Sure, we've all heard and read it before. But do we really understand what it means to be created in the image of God?
Well, let's try a little something to find out. Let's pick some words that describe God. I'll use the first 10 off the top of my head.
All-Powerful, Faithful, Loving, Forgiving, Kind, Gentle, Perfect, Jealous, Strong, & Clever
Now, let's pick some words that describe us. I'll choose ten that I think describe me.
Happy, Caring, Loving, Faithful, Imperfect, Passionate, Emotional, Fearful, Thankful, & Sinner
Finally, let us see if any of my descriptions match any of HIs. Do you see where I'm going with this? To be created in the image of God means to LIVE like Him, to BE like Him.
And regardless of how different from one another we are, we are here for the very same reason! No matter who you are, no matter what you've done, no matter where you've been or may be, it is NEVER to late to allow His love to fill our hearts and to shine Jesus from the inside out. Your past does not define you, so don't let it. Seriously. Please know that you are FORGIVEN, ACCEPTED, and LOVED more and more each and every day. Your past is a small piece that contributed to the puzzle God used to form you. Let GO of what you're holding on to. Exchange your sins for HIS love and watch the darkness that you've lived in for so long turn into light. We were not created to live in the dark. We were created to live in the light- HIS light. His light shines through the darkness, each and every ounce of it. Imagine what it would like if His light were to shine through you, too. That's what you were created for- to shine while you love and to shine while you serve. Let's live the lives that we were called to. Your vocation is a ministry- always keep that in mind. God placed you in the community you're in a for a reason. Of course we are always going to fall short, but some of us don't have the strength to get back up when we do. We can find and receive that strength through our Lord Jesus Christ. Seek Him through everything you do and you'll realize just exactly why you're here and how you can change the hearts of others and help them open their eyes to His light. It's a beautiful thing when someone shines Jesus. He is the Joy of my joy. Won't He be yours, too?
Creatively created in His image. Don't you ever forget that.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.'" -Matthew 5:13-16 ESV