When There's Nothing Left

Everyone has dreams. Everyone has goals. Everyone has plans.

Travel. Education. Marriage.

And everyone will eventually experience disappointment.

Not enough money. Not enough time. Not enough interest.

The disappointments can leave us hurt, broken, devastated. Feeling like we have nothing left. Nothing left to dream about, aspire to or plan for.

And yet the show must go on and we have to continue to play our part. But we don't feel like we can do it because we have nothing left.

Enter the main character: The Creator.

He knows His creations well. Their dreams, their goals, their plans. He knows their desires and He understands their disappointments.

He's never promised all the facts, but He's always encouraged trust.

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, 

for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress where I will not be shaken.

My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in Him at all times. 

Pour out your heart to Him for God is our refuge."

Psalm 62:5-8

After the bills are paid, leaving nothing extra for the dreams: God alone.

After the energy-draining work day leaves next-to-nothing extra for school: God alone.

After the broken heart and unrequited interest: God alone.

When life lets us down, God is there.

In fact, He's always there. On the mountaintops, in the valleys. Always watching, always listening, always working.

He simply asks that we trust.

When things are going well and we know the next step: Trust.

When things are going less-than-well and we can't see: Trust.

When we feel satisfied: Trust.

When we feel discontent: Trust.

In all times: Trust.

"You are good and what You do is good."
Psalm 119:68a

My Good. His Glory.

HAPPY 2016!

It's that time of year again. The holidays are over, the old year is over and it's time to make promises to yourself that you don't plan to keep. Sorry. I mean promises that you plan to keep, even though life will do its best to break them. 

Why make these promises, these "resolutions?"

No, seriously. What is your motive for the changes you desire to make? Is it so you look better? Is it so you feel better? Is it so you feel like you look better? What's the force driving you to say, "I vow to change?"

Don't get me wrong. We could all stand to make some positive changes in our lives. Maybe lose a little weight, definitely be kinder to those around us and I guarantee we could all use a little more Jesus time. But why we decide to make those changes is what will determine our success or our failure.


FOR MY GOOD

Sometimes it's okay to think about yourself. Sometimes it's necessary to make decisions that will help you to be a better person. But always, it should be so that you can be the most godly version of yourself.

Perhaps you do need to lose weight. Start by cutting back on the bad stuff - soda, desserts, chips - and introducing new and good things into your diet. Fruits, vegetables, water. Then take a walk. (Seriously, a daily walk - maybe just a mile a day - will do amazing things for your body) These changes will help you feel so much better; they will be for your good.

Perhaps you need to start treating those around you with more love and kindness and humility and less...everything not those things. This change has to start in the heart and the mind. How you think and feel about those people will definitely affect how you interact with them. What you need to know is that the only way to a changed heart is through prayer and a right relationship with God. Spend time daily reading His Word and seeking His help in prayer, and there'll be changes. And those changes will not only be good for your family, friends and coworkers. They will also be for your good.

Perhaps your relationship with God itself could use a little TLC. Your focus should be less on the Dos and Don'ts and more on the fact that you have this awesome privilege to be on a personal, first-name basis with the Creator of the universe. That's pretty fantastic. And I guarantee that if you approach His Word and time spent with Him with childlike wonder and humility, He will show you good things. As you read His Word and practice His Word, you will notice changes. Changes in your heart. Changes in your desires. Changes in your actions. All for your good.


FOR HIS GLORY

It's always okay and quite necessary to think about God. It's always a good idea to make decisions based on what will please Him.

So you need to lose weight? Guess where you can find the energy and strength to accomplish your goals? God.

You need to love and serve people? The willingness for that also comes from God.

You need to spend a lottle (like a "little" but "a lot") more time with God and a lottle less on Netflix? He can give you the desire to turn off the TV and open the Bible.

But the biggest thing you need to realize is this: These are good things - whatever positive change you want to make this year is a good thing - and they can be a tool for God's glory.

Say WHAT?! Oh yes. 

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do it all for the glory of God"

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT

See that? It's not only a good idea to live in a way that glorifies and honors God, it's a command. Whatever you do, whatever changes you make and goals you set, do it all with the intention to bring God glory.

So make those resolutions. Lose that weight. Love those coworkers. Get to know our Jesus.

Do it for your good.

But do it especially for His glory.

HAPPY 2016!