I missed posting last week. I'm going to post on Lisa Whittle's book, Behind Those Eyes, this week but in a truly different way. (As usual bold orange text are direct quotes from Lisa)
I find posting hard to do this week. Besides my fibromyalgia, two deaths in my family and something that happened tonight that broke my heart, I have something else that is heavy on my heart. So in this post I speak my heart so that I can let God heal it when I'm done. And then I'll move on, with some of you and, I'm sad to say, probably without some of you. Either way, God will still completely love me and accept me completely.
All over blogland and TV and radio, I hear people speaking of fear and how America made a bad choice on November 4, 2008. Many are Christians.
I don't even pretend to know if we made the right choice or not. I'm not God and frankly neither is anyone else. I know there are some real and true and strong Christians that were not dismayed by the choice that was made. And they, we, are being made to feel like we are not true Christians because of our choice.
But I can say that even though I feel condemned by my fellow Christians for my choice, I know God still loves me. Because as Lisa said, "Someone who would go to the trouble of counting the number of hairs on your head (Matt 10:30) loves you entirely and accepts you completely, with sheer abandon." That's enough for me - every day - even today.
Lisa also said: "Whether we desire Him or not, we are irresistibly desired by God." That's great news to me today. I need to know that He desires me. And He still desires for me to spend time with Him, so He can remind me He is in control. And since we really don't know His plan I can say, "Ah sovereign Lord, I trust you, even in this time of division and strife. I trust you even as I trusted you during the past eight years when I thought a wrong choice had been made on a November 4th. "
So tonight as the sadness over all that is going on in my own life here in Raleigh and in this world envelopes me, I cling to a verse Lisa listed:
"The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delights in you, He will quiet you with His love" Zephaniah 3:17
I encourage you to stop by Lelia's blog for very different perspectives on this week's study. Mine is just that, mine. There are many ways to process this material and I think it is imperative that you look into what other's got out of this chapter.
Now, I am going to go spend some time with the "amazing heavenly Dad I have."
As Always, be blessed.
9 comments:
You know what Mari? We all have free choice. That is one thing that I continue to love about America and God. We have choices. Whomever you chose to vote for is your decision just like mine is for me. God does love you no matter what. And, God knows what plans He has for our country and His children.
Bless you for being honest ~ Isn't that what we are supposed to be learning? Cindy
Oh Mari,
I'm so sorry you feel as if any of your bloggy sisters would think less of you for voting differently. My goodness...the thought would have never crossed my mind!
But...as I was driving to work this morning feeling less than enthused about how the presidential race turned out, the thought occurred to me that there are amazing people on both sides of the party lines who believe passionately in their choice.
I don't know if this is any consolation, but even though Obama was not my choice, I will plant my fat hiney firmly behind him as the leader of our country. He deserves my utmost respect and loyalty. I will pray, pray, pray for him to hear the voice of God in every decision he makes and that he will have the courage and humility to truly listen and obey God's leading. I would be praying the exact same way if McCain had been elected. Both men are just that...men. They need Jesus to be over them, under them, in them, and bubbling out of them.
I adore you...nothing out of your mouth has ever rubbed me wrong or caused me to doubt your Christ-likeness. You are beautiful.
Lord,
Thank you for my sister and friend, Mari...for her passion...for her openness...for the way she looks just like her Abba Father. Bless her with not only an encouraged heart, but also a strengthened body with less pain. In Jesus' Name I pray, AMEN!
Hi Mari!
I love you and know that you are precious to our Lord! He loves us all so much. I am so sorry that you have been feeling the way you do and I am so sorry the fibro is acting up and that this is just a bad week. I am praying for healing both physically and spiritually and mentally. Lord I loose healing on Mari, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes and I bind up sickness and infirmity and hurts in Jesus' Name.
Mari-our God is in control-all of this is part of His plan. Thats what I clinged to r/t this election. You are loved and accepted but Him AND BY ME!!!
In His Graces~Pamela
I have been very discouraged by all that I have been reading in bloggy land too, my friend. I feel so excited and hopeful for our nation for the first time in a very, very long time. I have not worshiped Mr. Obama, as many have indicated his supporters do. I have not condemned his opponents. I simply believe he was the better choice for the leader of our country. He is a good, Christian man, and I am honored to have supported him.
Love to you, Sister. WE are in God's hands every day. Not just on election day.
You, darling girl, are so loved! I am praying for your health as well as other things that have happened in your family this week.
I loved this chapter in Lisa's book. I believe it was meant to be read this week during the election. God loves each of us and accepts us...and He expects us to do the same. I will continue to pray for the leaders of our country as I have in the past.
I hope that you'll be feeling better soon, girlfriend!
Love you,
Susan
Thanks for sharing your heart even though there was fear in how others might react. Really give us the opportunity to walk the walk - we know and just read about God's love and acceptance and if we want to be like him we need to do the same. Pray the day is going better, Jill
Mari...
You know what I liked about this post? It was real. It was honest. It was all the things this book represents and all the things I prayed for when I wrote it. Sister, nothing in this life is about anything but Him. None of us know His higher purposes. Sometimes He allows things...sometimes He prompts things...sometimes He orchestrates things...who knows when and what and why. But our job is not to understand. It is to simply, REST. That is what this election stirred up in me, above all else.
I like your thoughts everytime I come here...I really like your heart. I just sense such a genuine spirit and love for God, and that appeals to me. So girlfriend, know that He loves you today and know that I do, too! It's all about Him!
Lisa :)
Sorry girlfriend..you're stuck with me here in blog land and in eternity.
As long as we both love Jesus is all that matters.
love you,
Lelia
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