Weak Made Strong

To be perfectly honest with you, writing this blog leaves me feeling a bit uneasy. You see, being completely transparent with your life isn't always the easiest or most comforting thing to do. Satan proceeds in whispering lies from hell in your ear, convincing you that others will judge you, or maybe even that you're not good enough.

The bottom line is GOD LOVES TO USE WEAK PEOPLE. 

Yeah, that's right. W E A K. Without strength. Broken. Lacking in ability. Easily damaged. Powerless. Your first thoughts may not leave you convinced. That's okay, mine didn't either. :) In this world we are so easily swayed that Christ won't settle for anything less than "perfect" people. Not only that, we believe that He won't even consider using us until we are spiritually cleaned up, or worthy of His love.

H E  K N O W S  N O  L I M I T S-- to His grace, His love, and His willingness to use you.

You see, it's in my weakness that I'm made strong-- that YOUR made strong. It's in our deepest and darkest times that Christ can use us for His gain. Rick Warren says it best....

"Ministry begins with vulnerability. The more you let down your guard, take off your mask, and share your struggles, the more God will be able to use you in serving others. Vulnerability is emotionally liberating. Opening up defuses your fears and is the first step to freedom."

So with that said, here's in honor of dancing in His freedom, boasting in my weaknesses, and learning to be fearlessly obedient in my vulnerability. 

L O V E... What first pops in your mind? Maybe you think of your significant other, the sport you play, or a classic movie like The Notebook. Although my list contains many different things, I always think about my future spouse. What my husband will be like, if I already know him, if he ever thinks about me as much as I do him... Let me be real, I let him consume my thoughts daily. I sit and crave a relationship-- one that will fill me up, satisfy me, maybe even complete me. 

Man oh man, how foolish I am. The reality is, Christ's love is ENOUGH. Correction: it's MORE THAN ENOUGH. Nothing satisfies a season of loneliness, one of which I am in now, but Jesus. None but Jesus. These seasons tend to strangle us from His love and steal our joy. 

The beauty lies in the fact that this is His season, this loneliness I feel. It's not by mere coincidence nor a consequence of some sort. It's custom carved, purposefully put in my life, all so I can be led back to the Father. And for the understanding of this... Christ is my portion, my prize, my reward. He alone fills me up, satisfies me, and makes me whole in His love. He made me to crave being known and yet He allows me to feel the void of not being known.

But thats okay because He knows me. He formed this hole, and only He will fill it. 

And because of that, I thank Him for this season of loneliness. I have been sweetly reminded that I am His, and He is mine. I am reminded that saving my heart, my first kiss, and my first love is worth the wait, because one day my spouse will honor Yahweh before me. Rather than dreaming about my Prince Charming, focusing on who I am in Christ signifies that I am loved, cherished, and known. I am content because of Him, and through Him my love rests on the cross. 

So for all of you hopeless romantics out there (I'm speaking to myself :) ), rest in the fact that you are known, loved, and cherished by the One who desires for you to pursue Him as passionately as He has pursued you all along. It is then you are found whole in a love that never runs out and never fails. Loving Jesus above ALL things is where I am found, humbled, and beyond thankful. Praise God for the seasons that feel dry, deserted, and empty, for it is in Him I am made strong.  

Will you let Him fill you up? He's waiting.

"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."

-Psalms 86:15 

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."

-1 Chronicles 16:11

"But those who hope in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

-Isaiah 40:31 

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire."

-Hebrews 12:28-29

Silence.

     Sitting in my room, making a poor attempt at trying to explain what God is showing me in my life, I am absolutely infatuated and in awe of the one whom my soul adores. The one who spun the earth into motion, who walked on water, who heals wounds, who brings absolute freedom in my life... That one, sweet Jesus. Oh, how often I find myself at a fork in the road, wondering which way to turn, who to trust, what decision to make. In the midst of my frustration, I simply cry out to Jehovah God, begging for reassurance, comfort, peace, something to help me... Although I often feel His sweet Spirit, that is not always the case.

     I can remember feeling lonely, desperate, and completely broken in some of the most trying circumstances of my life. However, it was in these periods of pain that I was met with a reassuring sweep of love by Christ himself-- a peaceful love that words simply cannot explain. The comfort that entered my life by simply asking God seemed surreal to me. My heart overflows with thankfulness at the thought of a holy God wanting to strengthen and bring peace to a wretched sinner like myself.

    I can also recall moments in my walk when I felt deserted, abandoned, and completely unloved by a God who gave up His entire life for my sake. Man, how painful and uncomfortable these seasons of life are. We cry out for Jesus to move, and seem to receive NOTHING in return. No peace, no comfort, no sense of His presence. Our immediate response often includes thoughts of anger, bitterness, and rejection towards God. I would like to justify these very thoughts, but that is when ignorance takes root.  

You see, it is in these very seasons of silence that we learn, grow, and blossom into the children of God we are called to be. My friend, whatever season you are in, take heart! There is a sovereign God who directs every detail in your life, "working all things for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28). Christ Jesus calls us to a life of faith, trusting him with all of the plans He has for us... Regardless of how you "feel" in your relationship with Him. 

Please remember: He is with you in EVERY season, whether you may sense His presence or feel trapped in a chasm of silence. Lift your eyes, my brothers and sisters, for the King is absolutely enthralled with YOU. 
It is my prayer that in those periods of silence, you may experience the growth, molding, and forming of the person you are called to be. 

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
~Isaiah 41:10

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him."
~Psalm 62:5

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalm 46:10

Blessings <3  

That Heart of Yours.

     Hey, you. Whoever you may be reading this... girl or boy, Christian or not, single or taken. I want YOU to realize your worth and precious value by the Creator of this world. Nothing can compare or even touch the surface of the depth and width of His love for you. You were made from the beginning and no one on this earth is like you. YOU are unique and of great importance in the Master's eyes. So intricately made and formed that he knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows the color of your eyes, your burdens, your desires and dreams, your failures, your exact facial definition, your past and future, every crevice in your skin, the tone of your voice, your every thought... Okay, I think you get the point. :) God, in His total right to leave us in our sin, decides to personally know and care for us!

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..."

~Jeremiah 1:5

     Weighing in at 10 ounces, the blood-filled muscle called the heart has become the universal sign for love. I think we can all agree that we have a natural desire to love and be loved. Again, this is part of the way God wired us! Some of us express that desire through words, actions, writing, or singing. But what if we started focusing more on loving our Creator, the guy who loves us with ALL He is and ever will be. What if we fixed our affections onto Jesus, and expressed to Him how much we love him... 

     Nowadays, people throw around their heart like it is of no value. They look for acceptance, fulfillment, and the hope to be loved back by allowing anyone, at any time, to come and slowly take pieces of it away. They continually feel brokenness and heart ache time after time again. Why? Simply because they aren't waiting on the person God has personally made for them. Yes, YOU, God has created a special person for YOU. A person to share your laughs, troubles, and life with. Until you meet this person, God expects you to guard your heart! He hurts to see you carelessly throw it around to people just to end up devastated in the end. What peace does that bring? Maybe something temporary, but is it really worth it in the end? 

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

~Proverbs 4:23

       Often times people ask me why I don't date immediately after I get asked out, say yes to an opportunity for a relationship, or simply engage in what the world thinks of a typical teenage girl. In reply, I try to explain what God has shown me through being a Christian. He continually whispers in my ear... "My precious daughter, guard your heart. I didn't make it for anyone who wants it, but in reality, just for one special person. I know the temptations of this world convince you otherwise, but focus on my truths. Meditate on them. I LOVE YOU, and for now, I am the relationship you need to be focusing on." I know you're probably thinking that's pretty drastic, or maybe even pointless. Don't worry, you're not alone, because I once did too.  

       Why not just date to have fun? Why live in a "shell?" Why don't you just give it a try? You need to date to see what you like in a person... That isn't the popular thing to do... You're different... Why not just live your High School years out? JUST DO IT...

I'm continually confronted with questions and comments like these. Some times I'm not quite sure how to answer, but then that is when God steps in and says.. "Maddy, you do know. You understand the value of your heart. You understand how much I love you." It is then that I can shrug it off with a smile on my face and realize one of my purposes as a Christian: To follow Jesus' commands, live them out, and pray that others will do the same. 

       Although my view on relationships and the value of our hearts differ from most teenage girls, I am still normal. I still hangout with people, want a relationship, and do the typical things teenagers do. The only difference is that I am learning to rely on God's PERFECT timing instead of my own. A timing that I will never be able to fully grasp, but that I understand enough to put my total trust in. I praise God for taking his truths, penetrating them into my life, and in turn being able to share them with you. I pray that YOU realize just how special the Father made YOUR heart. Take care of it, for after all, it is the wellspring of life. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and HE will make your paths straight."

~Proverbs 3:5-6