"Worth the Struggle"

"I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally." (Colossians 2:1)

I know in college I was a professional at speed-reading...you know, when you have 3 books to read in one night (slight exaggeration) you gotta fasten your seatbelt and put on the speed! But, in our Bible study, I believe that each sentence, in fact, each WORD is important. God's Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)- every single word! So, don't skim the surface...dig deep! I camped out on Colossians 2:1 yesterday and stayed there for quite a while. There are many truths crammed in those 26 words...let's dig in...

*Struggling for YOU
Paul tells the Colossians that he is struggling to get rich and popular...right? Uh...no. Paul testifies that he is struggling for PEOPLE, so that he might present to them the Word of God in its fullness (Colossians 2:25). He invested in others...eternal souls. Even though it was a struggle at times (btw- ministry can be hard), he knew it was worth the struggle.

*Struggling for those at Laodicea
Remember reading about the Laodiceans in Revelation? This is what was said about these folks: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are luke-warm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." (Revelation 4:15-17) So, why did Paul struggle for these people? After all, their priorities seemed out of whack, and they didn't even realize their need for a Savior. He struggled for them because it was worth it...they were people/eternal souls, and he knew his mission. It's hard to minister to folks who don't care about what you are saying, to those that care more about the things of this world than the message in Scripture, to people who don't grasp the big picture yet...sometimes it feels like it would be easier to give up...but, don't! God has called you to share His Word with them- not to save them...GOD is the Savior.

*Struggling "for all who have not met me personally"
Paul invested in people...even if he he didn't know them personally...he still struggled for them. Now, in our minds, it makes sense to struggle for someone you know deeply- for a close friend, a relative, or someone you respect. But for someone you haven't even met? Wow...that's love...God's love.

So...what or WHO are we struggling for? Our struggles may not be identical to Paul's, but we can have the same purpose...to invest in PEOPLE for the glory of God.

Nim's Island

Today, I had the blessing of hanging out with a sweet friend. We went to see the movie, "Nim's Island". I really had no idea what it was about, but after I saw it, I thoroughly enjoyed the film! Now, as you know, this blog is not for movie reviews (btw- it's a good one)...but, I'd like to share some of the spiritual lessons I learned from it (even if that wasn't the director's intentions). Here let me explain:

To give you some background... Jack Russo (a marine biologist and scientific researcher) and his 11 year old daughter, Nim, live alone on an island far out in the ocean. Obviously, as they are the only people living on this island, their lives are vastly different than majority of others in the 21st century. Jack and Nim love the different adventures they encounter everyday. On the other side of the world, in San Francisco, lives Alexandra Rover, a successful author who writes adventure novels. The irony of the situation is that Miss Rover's real life is anything but adventurous. Because of her agoraphobia, she never goes outside of her apartment...the front door is an enemy. After a turn of events, however, Alexandra finds herself stepping (more like jumping) WAY out of her comfort zone. Although painful at times, she eventually realizes that there is so much more to life...so much adventure and excitement within her grasp. She just has to reach out and grab it. No longer are adventures just made-up stories in novels, she can truly live them.

As I watched this movie, I thought of how this is similar to the Christian life. Many times we read about incredible adventures that are in the Bible- the courage of Esther, the boldness of Paul, the leadership of Josiah, the perseverance of Moses, the faith of Noah, and many more. Yet, we often view these Biblical people as merely characters in an adventure novel. But, they were people just like us- with real feelings and real fears...but they had real adventures. How? They didn't let the spirit of fear stop them from pursuing what God had called them to do. We serve the same big God...why don't we step out of our comfort zones, reach for the door He has left unlocked, and passionately live the adventure of a lifetime! All for His glory!

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Finding Significance in Christ = Finding Peace

Finding our worth in Christ is finding peace. This kind of peace might parallel with feelings of ease, a relaxed mindset, and freedom. Think about it…how many times do you feel like you need to impress someone with your words, wit, or wallet? Have you ever played events over in your mind thinking, “Did I say the right thing?” Ooh...I have both my hands raised at this point! But, when we put our total worth and significance in Christ, we can put those fears aside…or rather, to death. Last night, I was driving home from a ballgame with some friends. We were listening to some Christian music, and I was gazing out the window- enjoying the sun disappearing behind the rows of trees. I sat there, and I almost spoke (which is my tendency, by the way), but then I paused and I could hear God speak to my heart… “Emily, my daughter, just enjoy Me right now. You don’t have to speak to get attention from your peers…You already have My attention and that’s all that matters. You are significant, you are special, you have worth because You are Mine.” Period. The end. When I find my significance totally in Christ, those people pleasing fears are buried…gone…and then, God ushers in His peace straight to my heart and mind. (sigh)…peace.
Isaiah 43:1- "...you are Mine...", says the Lord

The commission God gave me

"I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness..." (Colossians 1:25)
Paul is a rather bold guy...I mean, he really doesn't beat around the bush when he wants to make a point. Now, you may be thinking- "Emily, how is this statement (in Colossians 1:25) bold? Hmmm...maybe I can use another word for bold...how about confident? Uh-oh...now "confident" can almost sound prideful in our culture. But, I believe the kind of confidence Paul exudes here is righteous...one of faith- not in his own flesh (Phil. 3:3b).
In this passage, Paul point blank refers to his ministry of sharing the gospel to the Colossians as "the commission God gave" him. He didn't second guess himself- he didn't say, "Well, I'm pretty sure God has called me to talk to y'all" or "I feel that this is the right thing to do, so I'm going to share with you". No! Paul boldly said that God had specifically commissioned him to share the gospel with the Colossians. He was ready to serve, even calling himself a "servant".
You may be thinking..."Well, that's PAUL, Emily! He's Mr. Super Christian- of course he could be confident of his calling." I beg to differ...Paul was a human being, just like us. Paul had emotions, he had fears, he had his ups & downs, he had doubts...but, he took what was given to him in life and he went for it. He wholeheartedly served God- he didn't sit around and wonder, "Is this God's calling on my life? or is it this?" Paul jumped right in- he saw the need, he knew God's heart, and he boldly approached each mission with God's energy, which powerfully worked in him (Col. 1:29).
Don't keep second guessing yourself...be confident in the commission God has given you for today- work it out in boldness...knowing that God is powerfully working within YOU!

Perfect Peace

Really? Can there truly be "perfect peace"? It almost sounds to good to be true, doesn't it?! Nothing in this world is perfect- as humans, we have no concept of what that really means. But, a perfect peace really does exist- it is something supernatural...it's from God! Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You." This is a promise from God's Word- a promise that you can count on with your life. No one and nothing in this world can give you this kind of peace- only your Heavenly Father. But, in order for this perfect peace to flood our minds, we have to keep our minds steadfast...focused on Jesus, stayed on Him...trusting Him. The word "trust" in this passage comes from the the Hebrew word, "batach", which means to attach oneself, to confide in, feel safe, be confident, secure. Think about it...if we attach ourselves to Christ and confide everything in Him, don't you think this would result in a God-kind of peace? Yes!! And, that's what He promises to us! So, put Your confidence and security in the Lord Jesus. Keep Your mind stayed on Him- focus on Him...and HE will be the one to give you that perfect peace this world so desperately desires.

DOK mission statement

Well...the DOK (Daughters of the King) mission statement has been set for awhile...but, today I wanted to make it easier for the girls to remember. So, when they are asked, "What is the purpose of DOK?" They can say it in less than 5 seconds...
So, what's the purpose of DOK, Emily? Well, let me tell you...
It is to help middle/high school girls:
FIND Christ
FIND Significance
FIND Victory
There are some points that go with each of those points, but now we can remember it...it's so important to know why we are doing what we are doing, ya know?
Lord, please bless this ministry...please establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17)

How Deep...

Well...ok...I'm not the greatest at updating this thing, but I'm going to try again. The Daughters of the King website will, hopefully, be coming up in a couple of months- and I'd like to put this blog on there...as a link...possibly...so, then, I'll really have to keep it updated!
Oh, the Lord continues to show me His deep love...yesterday was Palm Sunday, and I truly experienced it in a completely different way- it's hard to explain what goes on in one's heart in words...so, I probably won't. But, I will just say that His love was demonstrated to me in a new way. Praise the Lord. We sang this song yesterday at our Easter program, and I want to write it out for you: How very deep is His love for us...
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss-
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powers, no wisdom,
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Amen- Hosanna to the King