grammar lesson

God put this verse in my path this evening while I was perusing Instagram:

New Living Translation

and in His grace He reminded me of this truth--
Those words and the two verses that come before them are not optional. They're commands.

(You) Always be joyful.
(You) Never stop praying.
(You) Be thankful in all circumstances.

Simple grammar that I taught my third graders last year. Imperative sentences.

This is His will for me because I belong to Christ Jesus.

It's not always easy to give thanks in all circumstances, but has He ever left us short of things to be thankful for?

Habakkuk seemed to understand this, even without ever reading Paul's letter. And maybe even without ever seeing the justice for the wickedness and violence he cried out to God for. And I really believe Habakkuk was able to rejoice, not just with his words but genuinely with his heart and whole being, even when everything around him was failing and hopeless. Because I don't believe God would give us his story in His Word if it weren't possible to follow.

And David's psalms. They paint such a perfect picture of life, don't they? They're real, and honest, and validate that our circumstances at times are hard and very overwhelming. David shows us that although we have this amazing freedom to grieve before the Lord in our circumstances, we still need to praise Him despite them.

I think that's the hardest part, the meshing of two realities: sin has brought such heaviness and brokenness and suffering into this world, yet God.is.still.good.

But I think it's a choice. A choice to be thankful, to take on joy instead of bitterness, because we're not always going to feel like doing those things when our hearts are weary. And the only reason we're able to choose joy and thankfulness, the only reason David was able to, is because God shows us His goodness. David experienced God's goodness and faithfulness and salvation and mercy, His strength and redemption and love. We have the opportunity to know Him like David did, too.

And so, based on my experiences with the Lord and not on my emotions, I will choose to rejoice and be thankful in my circumstances.

habakkuk

he makes it sound so easy...

shouts of joy

Came across a sweet memory in my inbox tonight. I had sent myself this email back in 2010, my second year teaching 6th grade in Korea. I'm guessing I quickly wrote it down during a break so I could transfer it to my journal later. So thankful for emails and journals to remember these moments by...

Today we talked about the word 'dignify' during spelling class. It's one of our vocab words for this week so I asked my kids where they've heard that word before. I sang the chorus of Undignified for them and then talked about what it meant to be 'undignified' --> crazy, no pride, just worshiping God. Aaron asked this question: "You know how if someone does something nice for you or keeps saying your name? And you can get shy? If we keep saying His name, does He like it? Is God shy?" 

Precious.

God brought to my mind the verse in Zephaniah that I have written on a post-it on my computer. I grabbed it and read, "God takes great delight in you! He quiets you with his love.  He rejoices over you with singing!" (Zeph. 3:17b).  We talked about how "with singing" actually means "with shouts of joy."  God actually cries out in joy over His creation! Pretty amazing.

So to answer his question, no, God isn't shy. He dances and sings and shouts His love over us, so we should do the same when we worship Him. He delights in our praise.

What a beautiful teaching moment.

Thanks, God.

mud pies

As I checked my inbox and read my C. S. Lewis Daily this morning, I was hit with major conviction.

from The Weight of Glory

If I'm honest, there are times when I enjoy sitting in the slums making mud pies. But unlike the ignorant child in C. S. Lewis' example, I have no excuse. I have been to that sea and have experienced that joy. Yet I still choose to stay and play with mud.

Why, if I'm offered His best, the riches of His kingdom, the blessings of being His, do I choose less?
Why, when I realize my heart has wandered, do I choose to stay where I am?

Because of pride, an unwillingness to face God [the ultimate Forgiver] and admit my faults.
Because sin doesn't sicken me like it should.
Because I am far too easily pleased with the temporary, with immediate gratification, than I am with the eternal.
Because when I let my guard down, Satan does what he does best: steals, kills, and destroys. And like my friend said to me the other day, he doesn't need a Plan B because he is good at what he does.

Isn't that unsettling?

I allow myself to be so easily tempted out of God's presence [although He never leaves me or forsakes me, I often walk away from Him] and deceived into thinking that what Satan has to offer is somehow better.....like being given pearls and jewels but instead wanting the cheap ring that will turn my finger green and break a week later.

But because nothing can separate me from God's love, I don't wander alone. As I sit playing in the mud, sin-stained and covered in cheap accessories, He shows up. Despite my lack of commitment and my foolishness, He fights for me. He gives me His Spirit who calls me out and convicts me of my sin. Without question, every.single.time., He takes me back. And if I choose [daily] to follow Him, He not only washes me clean and clothes me in righteousness but continuously offers that trip to the sea and that immeasurable joy.

Incredible.