"There is no greatness where there is not simplicity,
goodness, and truth."
–Leo Tolstoy
I’ve had several people ask me recently how we are doing. To
say that 2013 has been a little more of the same ol’, same ol’ would be the understatement of the year.
Many of you know that last year around this time, we felt
God prompting us to simplify our lives. It’s hard to explain what God was doing
with us, although perhaps the biggest outward example was the downsize from our
spacious, four bed, three bath, 2400 square foot home to a tiny two bed, one
bath, 940 square foot apartment. This decision
wasn’t something we took lightly & as we continued to pray we didn’t feel
good about making it a temporary thing. So we took a big step... we sold our home, chose not to put
our ‘stuff’ in storage & instead decreased everything we owned by two
thirds, shut off our cable & found a new home for our beloved dogs.
I don’t for a second want you to think that everyone should
do this. God calls us each to do different things. To obey. To sacrifice in
different ways.
I also don’t want to make it sound like it was no big deal or
that somehow it’s been easy. There were times it was truly heartbreaking. Truth
be told, the day we moved our dogs to their new home I found myself in the liquor
store buying a bottle of wine in my pajama bottoms. Yeah, I’m not proud of it…
but for me it was a ‘come to Jesus’ moment... one of many.
In retrospect, it probably looked absolutely crazy from the
outside but on the inside, it was by far the best thing we have ever done as a
family. In many ways, I’m amazed to be able to say that the beauty of what God
moved us to do, far outweighs any of the negative.
So today, almost a full year later... I want to share with you the top ten good things
God has taught me this year through the ‘Great Purge’…
10. We still have more than most.
9. When people think you are crazy, say that you are crazy
behind your back or just come right out with it right in front of your face… it
hurts. A lot. But not as nearly as much as the thought of not following what God
has called you to do. I’ll take crazy over disobedient any day.
8. Having less is freeing. I don’t have a single thing that
I don’t love or don’t use every day.
7. Our kids still visit even though they don’t have a bedroom
& have to sleep stacked up like cord wood on the sofa bed. Having a close
family has nothing to do with the size of house you live in.
6. Relationships are key. Actually I already knew this, but I
have to say, we’ve figured out who our real friends are this year. They are the
ones who chose to embrace the crazy, put their arms around us, pray with us
& encourage us to follow Jesus… whatever the cost.
5. My husband is a hero. There isn’t a day that goes by when
I don’t thank God for the man He has given me to share my life with. I’ll take
tight quarters with this guy over a mansion any ol’ day. There’s something to
be said for living an authentic life & doing authentic ministry.
4. Having little allows us to DO more.
3. The ‘least of these’ live right under our noses. We need
only to open our eyes… or in our case, have a little change of scenery.
2. What I want & what I need are two very different
things.
1. Never say never. Cause that’s when God wrecks your life.
For the good.
More than ever… today… one year later… I pray that I will
never stop reevaluating where I am & the understanding of what is truly important…
Are things becoming more important than people?
Am I just busy being busy?
Are my spiritual priorities out of whack?
Am I putting anything
before my relationship with Jesus?
May it never be…
“I’m not saying that I
have this all together, that I have it made.
But I am well on my way, reaching
out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.
Friends, don’t get me
wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my
eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus.
I’m off and
running, and I’m not turning back.”
- Philippians 3:12-14 (the Message)
Jesus. He is the Goal. He is the Prize.
This I know
Up on the mountain
Where Your love captured me
Where finally I'm free
This I know
Up on the mountain
Where You taught my soul to sing
Amazing grace the sweetest thing
This I know
And then the storm rushing in
And here I am again
This I know
Take me up to where I was
When I never wanted more than You
Lift me up to feel your touch
It wouldn't be that much for You
This I know
This I know
This I know
This I know
Up on the mountain
Where You took me by the hand
Taught me to dance again
This I know
Up on the mountain
Where You took this heart of stone
Put life back in these bones
This I know
Take me up to where I was
When I never wanted more than You
Lift me up to feel your touch
It wouldn't be that much for You
This I know
This I know
This I know
This I know
Where Your love captured me
Where finally I'm free
This I know
Up on the mountain
Where You taught my soul to sing
Amazing grace the sweetest thing
This I know
And then the storm rushing in
And here I am again
This I know
Take me up to where I was
When I never wanted more than You
Lift me up to feel your touch
It wouldn't be that much for You
This I know
This I know
This I know
This I know
Up on the mountain
Where You took me by the hand
Taught me to dance again
This I know
Up on the mountain
Where You took this heart of stone
Put life back in these bones
This I know
Take me up to where I was
When I never wanted more than You
Lift me up to feel your touch
It wouldn't be that much for You
This I know
This I know
This I know
This I know
David Crowder, The Essential Collection
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