Pearls

So, a couple weeks ago, Dusty was talking about worship. He related the story of the pearls he bought me for my 30th birthday. It's a great story (one that makes my heart smile), and it's a good analogy of how our hearts should be toward God. HOWEVER, there is another SIDE to the pearl story. One that's a good analogy of how NOT to be.

You see, I'm a simple girl: T-shirts, jeans... maybe even the SAME T-shirt and jeans I wore yesterday. And, like D said, I don't wear a lot of jewelry. I think I've been wearing the same cross for 4 years, almost daily... and that is only because the one I'd worn for the previous 2 years came up missing. Needless to say, I put little time into understanding my "fashion" and any well-put-together outfit is pure luck! 

My friend Kimmie, on the other hand,... ALL girl! Her motto is, literally, "it's all about the sparkle!" So you can imagine why, for my 30th, I had sought ensemble approval from Kimmie. I had my dress and shoes all picked out - complete with a little trinket necklace to match. You know - one of those 8 dollar jobbies from Claires or something.

Then Dusty brought home the pearls. They were beautiful. I was mystified intently listening to all the details of his search and what made them rare and wonderful. There was only one problem... did they go with my dress? He really wanted me to wear them that night and I had NO idea if they would look right. Cuz I'm that girl :) I frittered and fretted and wrung my fingers... what to do? I called Kimmie. "Wear the pearls she said." Whew! 

It's amusing to me to look back on that and think I even CONSIDERED wearing a tin, trinket necklace over the beautiful, one-of-a-kind pearls my husband had given me. But I think it's a spiritual choice we make OFTEN in life. God offers us the pearls of His plan for our lives, and we scoff. "Oh, God, I'm not sure you know what's going on? That doesn't make sense in my five-year-plan." Like Jonah, we walk the opposite direction, relying on our own perspective, wisdom or opinion. We miss out on the pearls of God's vision, God's wisdom. We might even have to spend a few days in a stinky, fishy place. (Sorry, I have 3 preschoolers.)

Or, maybe, like Moses, we're frightened of what we cannot see. We doubt ourselves, and therefore, God's judgment. We may walk on in partial obedience, but we might miss the fullness of all He offers. 

Into the light...

Is there something God has offered you or asked you to do, but you've been hesitant to obey?

Is it your own understanding that's holding you back, or is it your fear of what you cannot see? Do you see how both of these mindsets are issues of control? Have  you really given your life over to Jesus? Is he really the leader of your life? What "pearls" could he be offering you that you will miss if you do not move forward?

Wielding the Sword...

Read the stories of Jonah and Moses (linked above). 

How did each man walk in his own understanding, rather than in obedience to God?

What did that cost?

Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What does this verse say to you? How can you use it in your life?

Read 2 John 1:5-6. According to this passage, what is obedience?

Take the pearls God is offering you, girl. The battle is real. You are needed. :) Loving you...

Freedom 2

Putting on the belt...

Ok, 'fore we get started, read this passage... 2Corinthians 3:12-18. Last week we talked about how a bent toward past sin OR toward legalism can keep us from freedom. We also covered that what our society deems as "freedom" can actually lead us to greater bondage than we've ever experienced.

I LOVE this 2 Corinthians passage!!! I love the comparison between Moses having to veil his face to give the Israelites God's Word and the idea of the heart being veiled. Don't know that story? It's cool. Read it here. It's as though because the people weren't willing to experience God's fullness, their hearts were veiled - they were shrouded from the potential that He had for them, from all they could be in Him.

I think that can be so true for us as women! Read vs.17-18 again "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM. And we, who with UNVEILED faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness..." Do you feel that freedom? Do you feel unveiled? This passage says that when we have Jesus, the veil is taken away! And if our veil is removed we should be radiant reflections of Him. I believe as women, though, sometimes we put the veil back on! We won't be vulnerable, or we won't reach out, won't try, or we are so pressed to push our own agenda... What would it be like if a bride came down the aisle only to leave her veil covering her face? It would feel strange, lack intimacy. The you-may-kiss-the-bride  moment would completely lose its awe! There cannot be true intimacy, true relationship, if there is a veil shrouding the other person.

Have you ever seen a radiant woman? Like the glow a lady gets when she's expecting a child. Even women some would consider plain stand out when they are expecting... Or a woman in love... oh they just SHINE don't they? I want to be radiant like that in Christ!  We can be!

Into the light...

1. Do you feel radiant in Christ? Why/why not?

2. Does a lack of being vulnerable or an attitude of pride keep you from feeling free and radiant? 

3. What would it take for you to remove the veil, to be a radiant life-giver to those around you?

Wielding the Sword...

Read Hebrews 12:1-3. What is hindering you? Can you throw it off? Who should we focus on/look to to give us strength and hope to move toward freedom?

Read 2 Corinthians 4:7. Where does our power come from? How does this relate to vulnerability?

Read Galatians 5:22-26. Our first passage said "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom" - how can we see evidence that the Holy Spirit is in our lives? What do you think it means to "keep in step" with the Spirit?

Let me know what's on your heart. Leave me a comment, we'll dialogue. Loving and believing in you. Take off the veil; let Jesus radiate through you. The battle is now. Your presence is needed, warrior princess :)

Freedom Part 1

Hey girlies,

Ok, please forgive me for disappearing for a couple weeks.  I was traveling to and from Wyoming, with my sis, to see my mum and daddy! And... well, their internet speed is... annoyingly slow. I hope you all had a GREAT 4th of July. It was beautiful here. 

Putting on the belt...

I love the 4th. It's fun for me to think about all our country has fought for and was built on. And it makes me ponder what freedom really is... 

Is freedom simply the right to be ones own country? Is it the right to have a say in our government? The right to carry weapons? To choose this to choose that? Is freedom all those things? I suppose. But is that true freedom? Is freedom simply a right to choose? Or do we chase it, pursue it, aye DEMAND it because the true root of freedom is something so much greater?

Into the light...

1. Are you free? No, not free to vote or wear polyester. Are you REALLY free?

2. Does your "freedom" ever lead you to bondage? Have you ever made choices with your "freedom" that saddled you with a whole bag of undesirable consequences?

3. What do you need freedom from?

Wielding the Sword...

Read Galatians 5:1 - Here Paul is talking about being burdened by legalism - extra Biblical practices by which some try to measure their righteousness, which isn't possible (see this verse). But we can also be burdened by some of the choices we've made with our human concept of freedom. Addictions, abuses, apathy... Which yoke are you most likely to struggle with - legalism, or rebellion?

Read 2 Peter 2:19 - Ponder this... how long does it take before the "freedom to indulge" in something, becomes "something that masters" us? Interesting thought...

Read Galatians 5:13 - How does this differ from our society's common view of personal freedom?

Read 2 Corinthians 3:17 - Who is it that brings freedom? If we are struggling to feel free in an area of our lives, perhaps it is because we have not give Christ and His Spirit permission to have control in that area?

Send me comments (I moderate them, so if you don't want them published, no one else will see them...) So talk to me... what makes you feel free? Where do you NOT feel free? How can we pray together? Let's walk the road toward freedom...