BE the CANVAS! (yes, that's right)

I've been too busy thinking and doing and such to feel motivated to post anything. But, I think this is worth posting. I've been attending a different, more contemporary church during the week lately, and the latest sermon really hit home. The message was about being like Christ, specifically that we have the power to be MORE like Christ than we consider since His very spirit (the Holy Ghost) indwells us. How could He ask us to be holy, do good works, and seflessly preach the Gospel without empowering us to do so? Without being "possessed," in a way, we are totally powerless. The pastor made a great analogy. He explained it like this: Suppose you have this man who is a great artist, and has painted amazing murals. God, though, turns to you and asks you to then paint a mural, with the same quality. "No way!" you may say. "I don't have that kind of talent..." But suppose God allowed the spirit of that artist to indwell you. Then, you would have a much greater chance of actually succeeding, and creating a masterpiece that resembled the creativity and beauty of the original artist. In the same way, God, the Master Artist, asks us to do His work. He knows, though, that we are human and frail, so He therefore gives us His very own Spirit to indwell us and empower us. Because of this, people should begin to see more of His Son and less of us, as the canvas of our lives is ultimately yielded to the Creator. So yield to the Artist, and let Him make a masterpiece out of your life!

The Secret of Being Content

Now, as I write this, I realize I am an EXTREME work in progress and have a long way to go. As I pour over Paul's letters in Philippians, I dwell over these particular passages: "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..." and "Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." I feel like I have finally reached an "ahha" moment. So many times when I have troubles and concerns, I focus on them incessantly, over-analyzing them into the ground. But God says "Be still and KNOW that I am God." I prefer the NASB version that says "cease striving" in place of "be still." I am gradually learning that when matters are out of my hands, and I have done the best I can, the best thing to do is run to God. But when running to God, seek His face first. I am beginning to see that when I immerse myself in His Word and surround myself with His people, by mini-trials don't seem so overwhelming in light of His Truth. God seldom answers the Why questions, but being filled with Him is often better than the answer.