God has never required us to be perfect to be in His presence.
In my mind I know this, but in my actions, my soul, my convictions . . . Well, that’s another story. Or another lie.
Frankly, On Faith . . . : My Imperfect Bible Reading
The enemy will use whatever he can to get to us, and that includes climbing inside our heads and making us think our thoughts are our own. But we can conquer those negativities one at a time.
When I chose to embrace my imperfections for this year, it opened up an attitude of joy. I’m no longer stressed or struggling to make everything “just right.”
It’s okay if my apartment is messy or I didn’t wash the car last week. I don’t have to balance the budget every day, and ice cream once in a while is good for my mood. Scribbles aren’t the death of a notebook. [That’s a big one!]
I bought a new Bible for the year. It’s the C.S. Lewis Bible, NRSV. I’m enjoying it abundantly. The quotes and meditations included from Mr. Lewis give new or refreshed insight into certain passages.
I even bought a cover and tabs. All went well until I placed 2 Kings under 1 Kings.
Frankly, On Faith . . . : My Imperfect Bible Reading
I could have become angry at myself. Frustrated. Disappointed. I could have tried to remove the tab, thus ripping the page. I could have carefully cut the tab and repositioned it with regular tape. I could have placed the next tab in its place. Or I could leave it as a reminder that I’m not perfect, but God loves me anyway.
Do you think God cares about the placement of Bible tabs? Only so much as it satisfies my soul. But if I allow the imperfect positioning of those tabs to come between me and God, that’s a whole ‘nother story.
The Bible tells us over and over of imperfect people whom God chose to deliver His message: Moses, Joseph, Esther, Paul . . . so why would He expect perfection of little ol’ me and not them?
Frankly, On Faith . . . : It is never a requirement to be perfect to be loved by God.
Answer: He wouldn’t.
No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
~Micah 6:8 NLT
God sees through to the parts of our hearts we’re unaware of. And if He can do that, and still love us as His own, why shouldn’t we love ourselves? Forgive ourselves? Respect ourselves?
Answer: We should.
Because in doing so to ourselves, it reflects outward and we will love, forgive, and respect others more.
I missed the last three days of Bible reading. The first day I thought I was too busy. The second day I was definitely too tired from being too busy on Day One. The third day I was catching up on what I didn’t do on Day Two. Yeah, I feel a little bad about not making my Bible reading a priority. But I did do some reading, and that’s a start.
Frankly, On Faith . . . : My Imperfect Bible Reading
Even without catching up on my reading, God still spoke to me.
How will you let Him speak to you today?
With an open heart and open hand,
Happy Sunday.
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
The family table is where it all happens: It’s where the day is discussed over great food. Plans are made. Moments shared. It’s community at its finest. Serious discussion and laughable antics abound.
And when your chair is empty, God sends out His Son to find you and bring you back.
Because you’re that important to Him.
You bring something to the table no one else can: You bring you.
“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous how well I know it.”
~Psalm 139:14 NLT
Don’t deprive the family of your company.
Frankly, On Faith: Take your rightful seat at God’s table.
I hate when there’s so much information coming at me that things get lost in translation. Too many people talking at once, too many this-that-and-the-other-thing. A lot of jumping ahead and jumping ship.
That’s when I put up my hands. Whoa. Stop. I can’t keep up.
Take it slower. Take it one bite at a time.
Start at the beginning.
Get the story to me, completely, in a way I can understand it.
And when we’re halfway through what I should know, but don’t, let’s do it again:
Reverse. Start at the beginning. Reaffirm what I do know. Help me learn what I don’t. And move forward.
Inch by inch. Stepping stone by stepping stone.
Learning is not a bullet. It’s a cha-cha.
We can do the same with God.
Whether you’ve just met Him or known Him all your life, we can always ask for more information. We can revisit lessons we’ve been taught to see what new insights He reveals. We can pray in basic terms. We can tell Him, “I should know this, but right now it’s not making sense. Will you help me?” And He will.
Life comes at us full force and if we’re not secure it can blow us down and send us tumbling.
That’s when we can step back and ask God to show us how to tie the ropes to Him. How to man the ship so we don’t capsize. How to strengthen and rebuild the necessary foundations for ourselves and our people.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
~John 14:1 NLT
We can always relearn and reaffirm what we were previously taught.
Just like watching a favorite movie, singing a favorite song, or reading a favorite book, when we turn to God again and again, we can get more out of it if we focus on it instead of just going through repetitive motions.
Don’t become complacent in the familiar. Don’t let the media of God’s word play in the background for a distraction. Sit. Pay attention as if you are just now discovering Him and His word.
You can learn something new, even by revisiting an old lesson.
Franky, On Faith: Start at the Beginning. As many times as it takes.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
We say it a lot when trying to embolden ourselves to move in a direction we’re not entirely sure of.
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
But do we really want to know the answer?
If we knew the answer, would we hesitate?
What if we didn’t know the finish line, but we knew the journey?
What if the not knowing part is where we shine, where we prove to ourselves what we’re made of?
What if that’s where we say okay, yes, I’ll do it?
So, God says, “Hey. I have an idea. And I want you to be a part of it.”
But instead of telling us all the nuts and bolts that holds the plan together, He just whispers.
“I have an idea. And I want you to be a part of it.”
I mean, it’s God. Are you gonna doubt that He’ll take you from here to there?
“I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying,
for he speaks peace to his faithful people.”
~Psalm 85:8a NLT
God is the One who cannot let you down. He’s the One who will go all the way with you. He’s the One who is always looking out for your best interest.
So, if you’re hearing that still, small voice. If you keep finding God trying to get your attention. If you feel Him gently nudging you, don’t question it.
Keep moving forward. You got this.
And He’s got you.
Frankly, On Faith: What’s the Worst That Could Happen?
God is not a game player in the sense of messing with us. He doesn’t tease or do a bait-and-hook.
But He’s a great Team Leader. He’s honest from the get-go. Transparent in His game plan for us.
God gave up His star player so the rest of the team could win.
He has never changed the rules. He didn’t replace you with a better athlete, because He knows you are His better athlete. For this game you’re in, for the piece on the board that you represent, the cards you’ve been dealt, the track that you’re on.
He’s in it with you. 100%.
You don’t have to worry about being left behind. You’re not going to be forgotten. The bus isn’t leaving without you.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.
For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
~Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
Never forget who’s team you’re on. Never forget who picked you first. And never forget you’re not alone, ever.
