A spec in the world.

It's a real moment of truth when you wake up and realize that you can't do everything in your own power. Put it this way. We were made to handle stress, but not more than we're suppose to take. Note suppose. We aren't even suppose to be stressed out to our maximum capacity. That's why we can only get so stressed until the point where all we can do it sit down and cry and say "I give up." Because that's what we were made to do. We were made to give up- to give up everything that we hold close to us and  stress and fret over. We were made to lay it in his hands. There's a reason that Jesus said "My yolk is easy and my Burden is light." He didn't say it to sound spiritual or to have to sit down and explain what the heck a yolk is to everyone. He said it to tell everyone that they can give him NOT ONLY their problems, but their responsibilities, agendas, attitudes, insecurities, and thoughts. If we're giving our lives to Jesus, let's go to full 100 yards, not just halfway. We need to give him Everything. Because in the end that extra weight we carry will slow us down. We won't reach our full potentials while clinging to temporary emotions or crazy schedules that don't matter at the brink of eternity.

We're tiny specs. 

In a big city, in a big continent 

In big world 

made by an endless God.

So let us broaden our perspective a bit and cast all of our cares onto Him. The ultimate best friend and superhero. 

The Right place

There's just something about being in the right place in life that gives your heart a sense of security and confidence that no one can take away. It's scary not knowing if you're where you're suppose to be. But as a close friend once said to me, sometimes God calls us to stay. Even if it looks rocky. Even if you can't see the horizon. Sometimes we're called to stay and pour into others before we take off into the next season.

A Musician's Tangent.

So, many people know that I'm musical. But some don't know how rooted in music I really am. When I was 13 I concluded that I was never good enough to learn an instrument other than the flute in band. But my youth pastor prayed over me and told me to pick up an instrument and learn it, because she saw that God put some anointing on me with music and that he would "do great things" through me. I just looked at her and was like "are you kidding me? I'll never be a Misty Edwards or a Kim Walker. But whatever."

So I picked up the bass guitar, which led to singing, then piano, then synth. So I determined later that, perhaps God did gift me with music. Things develop and change over time. These days I want to be in a world-traveling worship band and ministry team. Yes friends, I would give up college and real education to go around the world and share Jesus and music with people. These days I walk around composing music in my head. Not composition like Beethoven, but new sounds I keep hearing. It's frustrating because I'll hear these amazing sound mixes and chord progressions in my head that are different- like a NEW sound- something unique. But ten minutes later I will have forgotten them. And I never remember them. And I go and sit down at my keyboard and try to think of something new, but nothing creative like I heard earlier in my head comes.

 So I look up to God and I'm like "DUDE WHAT EVEN IS THIS  SUPPOSE TO MEAN!?!?"

 

and he just whispers,

"Get ready for the next step."

It's days like these, when I'm missing school with my foot propped up and a stack of homework at my side, that I wonder why I'm not out saving the world. 

Agape

For those who tend to overthink, get this: God is simple. Actually, he's so complex, beautiful and magnificent beyond our comprehension that He made the way simple for us. For our thoughts are not his thoughts, nor our ways his ways. Simple obedience doesn't necessarily mean a simple walk, but the end result is glorious.
Simple devotion doesn't mean complete eternal satisfaction, but it makes the next time spent with the Lord even more satisfying and appreciated. Simple things we see were made with such careful craft by the creator, and when we see those things, our hearts soften. Our eyes grow bright and our hearts soar or jump.

We were created to create. We were formed to dream. We were designed with the innate desire to change the world. We were made for Agape Love- the unconditional, awesome, simple and deep love.

So in this time, let us Ultimately find ourselves in Him. Because as we talked about at Slab this morning, Ultimately putting God first before everything in our lives will cause all things to fall into place. It's so simple, but too often I find myself trying to overthink God or what He wants or what I'm suppose to be doing in this life. Appreciate the simple things in this life, because more often than not, they're little love letters God writes to us every day reminding us about His amazing plans for us and his Agape for us.


So let this week be a week that you enjoy the simple things, and let it be filled with Agape- the one love that will sustain for eternity.

And on that side note, Thank you Jesus for amazing hearts to connect with both inside and outside of Oakland. Thank you for beautiful hearts at UTK, UTC, MTSU, Crown Pointe, IHOPU and Carson Newman.