Jesus Chose You First

It’s amazing to think about it. Jesus chose you first. He chooses you and then, you choose Him. God puts the Holy Spirit inside of you and then, in a moment of miraculous grace, He gives you the faith to call out to Him. And thus, begins your life long (and life altering) relationship with God.

Let’s not forget how it is in this way that we came to be in relationship with God. When you acknowledge this, you begin to grasp the depth of His love for you. You are chosen by God! Unconditionally loved by Him. You are special. Dwell in that. Let God be your valentine.

Is Freedom Really What We Want? (A Personal Reflection)

When my boyfriend died, the life I knew died along with him. Shortly thereafter, I packed up all of my belongings, everything I had acquired in California, and drove across the country to be back home again in North Carolina. Because, of course, when the world fails you, the only place you have to go is home.

Within one year, I had a monumental career change, my parents divorced, my childhood home was sold, and I was living on my own in an apartment for the first time in my life. All this change in only one year! Even writing about it now, it seems surreal. How has my life become so crazy, so chaotic? How have I been able to push through, to survive?

Well, God is good. And that is where I am now. Completely lost, approaching the second birthday that I will spend without my boyfriend and the only thing that I know for certain is God’s goodness and grace. Other than that, I feel adrift. Floating in a world that I have no control over, a world that is constantly shifting, one without ground.

I guess on the bright side, I have nothing holding me back. I have no attachments that hold me down, hold me steady. I’m free to fly like a bird, as I have always yearned to do.

This also means I have little security, no sense of stability, a feeling of total loss of control. Does a baby bird feel this way before it leaves its nest for the first time? I wonder. And how many nests will I have to leave? Is flying free really all it’s cracked up to be?

bird

How Close Are You to God?

How close are you to God?

It is not your busyness that indicates closeness to God. It’s your ability to sleep…to rest in Him.

The Great Question

The question is not, “What do I need to do?” Rather, it is, “What does God want me to do?”

Why I Need Jesus

Jesus guides me. He is the way, the truth, and the life. I am convinced that if left unguided, my thought process would no doubt drive me right into the ground. Or crash me into concrete. Surrendering to God, allowing Jesus to take the wheel, doesn’t diminish me to nothing, as one might suspect. No, in fact, I’ve noticed the more I surrender to God, the more He blooms me more solidly into myself.

A Christmas Poem

Not Only Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You’ve done.

So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
“Come, good and faithful servant,”
Your Master says, “Well done.”

And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day

— Mary Fairchild

Where is God in Suffering?

A year ago, my world fell apart as the ground on which I stood was snatched from beneath me. I don’t know if you’ve ever had the ground taken from underneath you, but I pray that you do.
When you lose the ground you stand upon, you find the Rock that you can rest upon. The only true solid ground that exists. And you experience His grace in ways you never thought imaginable.
 It takes a while to see it from this perspective, and you may never totally understand His ways but I can assure you, you’re suffering is not in vain. God’s calling you to know Him more, while a million other things are trying to distract you. But if the goal is to know Him, to really experience Him, then whatever it takes to get your full attention  is worth it. Even if it’s painful, and my God is it painful…

Bold Prayer

I think sometimes God appears to not be answering our prayers because we’re praying for far less than He thinks we deserve. We forget how powerful He is! Our ENTIRE world rests in the palm of His hand.

God specifically asks us to pray boldly. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest … Jesus the Son of God … [who] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin, let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need,” Hebrews 4:14-16. Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 2:9, He says that, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” Isn’t that exciting?! God has things planned for us that we couldn’t even dream up! He wants to give us these things! Therefore, listen to your heart! And don’t let your mind put limitations on your prayers! Pray with boldness.

The Truth about Marriage

God didn’t design marriage so that you could have a flawless roommate for life. No, the primary purpose of marriage is to help you learn how to wash the feet of another sinner.

washingfeet

Remember that God has a higher agenda for your life and He ultimately uses marriage to make you more like Him.

Pray for Others

“I’m asking God to give you a gift from the wealth of his glory. I pray that he would give you inner strength and power through his Spirit. Then Christ will live in you through faith. I also pray that love may be the ground into which you sink your roots and on which you have your foundation.” Ephesians 3:16-17