Devotion Series: Worth the Wait

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.”

Psalm 62:5

So much of life is about waiting. Waiting to graduate, waiting for that special someone, waiting for test results, waiting for the dream job. We wait, twiddling our thumbs, heaving heavy sighs, and fretting inwardly in frustration. We ask ourselves why we’ve got to live this way. Why doesn’t God just come through already? Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers in our timing and that isn’t always easy for us to understand.  Luke 1 tells us of a man who experienced this very situation. Zechariah, a priest whom the angel Gabriel appeared to, was given the news that his wife Elizabeth was going to bear a son in her old age. Zechariah had prayed to God for years asking Him for a child and because of this he struggled with Gabriel’s message. Still, even with Zechariah’s doubting, God answered his prayer in His perfect timing. God’s memory is perfect. He remembers our prayers. He never forgets them and may move in response long after we first bring our requests to Him. Sometimes His answer is “no”, but other times it is “wait”—and His response is always given and measured with love. Zechariah learned this. He prayed earnestly to God for a son and God gave him even more. His son John would grow up to be the very prophet who would announce the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus.  Oh, dear friend! He is doing so much more than you know! His plans are greater than our plans and His desires for us are so much better, so much more fulfilling than anything we could ever conjure up ourselves. Waiting is one of the best teachers. In it we learn the virtue of patience and develop endurance. We learn to trust God’s love and goodness for what it is, not some airy far off kind of love, but a close and intimate love that sees us for who we are and yet calls us with arms wide open, “Come to me and trust what I have in store.” Waiting doesn’t have to be dreary and depressing. In the waiting we can rejoice, relying on His faithfulness and knowing that His ways are higher than ours. Zechariah’s experience demonstrates this truth and encourages us to pray. God’s timing is rarely in line with our own, but it is always worth waiting for.   

-Heather 

Freely Give: The Struggles of Being a Cheerful Giver

“Freely you have received; freely give.” Matthew 10:8

I don’t know about you, but I struggle with giving of myself. Mentally and emotionally, giving can be draining. I struggle to give a listening ear to others when I’m dealing with a burden of my own. I struggle to give of my time when I feel overworked and stressed. I struggle to extend kindness and love to those who have hurt me. I asked myself why I wrestle with this, why something so beautifully explained and lived by Jesus could be so difficult. Mark 12 tells us of a poor widow who comes to the temple to make an offering. Many rich people throw in large sums of money, but she only puts in two small coins. Jesus then calls His disciples and says, 

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43 (NIV)

From this story we learn the God sees what man overlooks, even the smallest offering. No one else took notice of the widow, but Jesus did and He commended her for her willingness to give. Although the portion she gave was inadequate in the world’s eyes, she gave in faith, believing that God could use it. Those two coins were a true sacrifice and give us a glimpse of a heart that genuinely sought to surrender everything to God. And we don’t even know her name. That’s giving freely. That’s resting in the unlimited resources of our Maker. 

I think that’s why I struggle at times. I’m not resting in God’s resources. We are nourished by the precious truth of who we are in Christ. As His children, He fills us with those resources! He supplies us with His mercy, love, patience, wisdom, and truth. From this sacred place, we can freely give to others without fear of falling of becoming empty. Jesus makes us whole! We overflow because He never stops giving to us! We can give of our time, our resources, our hearts. We can love others hard, knowing that Christ is the source of all that we need. When people fall short, when things go wrong, when we have a bad day, we can turn our eyes to Jesus and He will fill us up again.

Father, I pray that each day I would be filled with You and that I would give from Your strength, rather than my own. Let your love shine through me. May I be a cheerful giver. You are faithful to take care of me.

-Heather Grace

"Hope and a Future"

    "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future." If you are a Christian or even someone who is around Christians a lot, chances are you have received a card for some big event in your life that has Jeremiah 29:11 written on it. Whether it be a graduation, wedding, or any other life changing time of celebration, we Christians are always quick to bring out this verse. In the good and exciting times, this message is a wonderful reminder that God is taking care of us and making our paths straight. But in the hard times, it just doesn't seem to cut it. Sometimes, we look around at our lives and we ask, "Why did you let it happen this way, God? What about those plans to prosper me? What about that 'hope and a future' you promised?"
     Recently I came into one of these hard times. On Sunday, February 4th, I lost my uncle very unexpectedly. I was in a state of grief and shock, and to make matters worse, the next day was the start of a new semester of school. Life kept moving on and I had to grit my teeth and move on with it. I had to be okay, to continue living like nothing had happened, and for the first few days, I kept it together pretty well. But that Thursday of his memorial service, I couldn't save my tears for the shower anymore. It was a beautiful service filled with the promise of heaven, but part of me couldn't help wondering why things had happened the way they did. In the midst of my grief, I saw nothing but harm in the situation. I felt empty inside, like all my hope was just a tiny speck at the end of a tunnel of darkness. And most of all, I couldn't help but wonder why my uncle wasn't going to be a part of my future. But in these last few weeks, I have been reminded by God that the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 is one that exceeds the here and now. One that is eternal.
     I think that many non-believers and struggling Christians alike think of Jeremiah 29:11 as one of the great stock phrases of Christianity. It is popular, easy to remember, and makes you feel good when the timing is right. But when it isn't, it almost loses its meaning for us. This can happen sometimes because we think of it as a stand-alone statement when really it is only a small part of a much bigger story. At the time the book of Jeremiah was written, the people of Israel were suffering under Babylonian captivity and the prophet Jeremiah was writing to encourage them to take heart in their time of despair. Instead of singling out verse 11, we can see God's true promise for His people (us included) by reading verses 10-14:

“Thus says the Lord: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.’”

     As you can see, God is not promising here for us to have happiness and prosperity on earth. He does want us to be happy and prosperous, as that was His original plan for us before the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. But a day is coming when His true plan will be complete. A day when the Lord will come back and gather His children from every corner of the Earth and restore them to their heavenly home. Sin separated us, and just like in Babylon, we have suffered in our exile. We do not have a timeline of seventy years like the Israelites did, but we know that God’s plan is in action because phase one--sending His Son Jesus to overcome death and the grave and save us from our sins--is already complete. If we want to see the promise of God fulfilled, we have to look past our present troubles, acknowledging our sin and calling upon Him to save us because, as the verse said, He will hear us and let us find Him in our seeking. In this difficult time, I know that God's perfect will was satisfied when He called my uncle Danny home because even though it has caused mourning for the family that he has left behind, he is now experiencing the fulfillment of God's presence. A future in heaven is stretched before him, each moment more glorious than the last. He is in perfect condition, at perfect peace in the Father’s arms. Instead of expecting God to bless us with humanity’s version of a good and successful life, we as Christians must strive to be satisfied in whatever our situations may be because every passing day is one step closer to our restoration. Even as tragedy comes and the comforts of this world all fade away, God has given us a hope of salvation and a future that reaches to all of eternity.

-Hope

Rejection, Pain, and the Time In-Between

     Rejection has a way of making even the happiest people sorrowful. Its poisonous flow cuts through skin and bone and in seconds it reaches the core of our chests, blocking oxygen and weighing heavy and hollow. Breathing is no longer effortless, but rather becomes as chore. Every breath is intentionally unforgiving as heartache reminds us that love is doubly edged. One side is beautiful and exciting, sparking with potential, while the other is etched with hazardous pain. What is one to do when rejection comes calling? When life is good and things are going your way, it’s easy to acknowledge God’s goodness and omniscience. But when life gives you sour lemons and you’re left bawling your eyes out choking on the seeds of insecurity and doubt, a desperate panic envelops the deepest parts of your heart and you are left in utter confusion. It’s in this pain that a crucial decision must be made. Is this heartbreaking moment going to define me or grow me? Pain is not meant to be ignored. It must be felt in order to bring healing. Pain is not the enemy, but rather reminds us who our enemy is.

     As Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

     Pain is our reminder that our true enemy is trying to bring us down until we are stuck in our broken places. To survive this pain we must look at it as a gift. Yes, I agree that sounds utterly stupid and ridiculous, but God can work good into anything, even pain. Pain is a meeting place for the Lord and His children. When we invite God into the pain, He replaces our faltering strength with His. Even as the pain begins to heal we are left with scars. Scars that are seen and felt when we least expect them. In this in-between time in which chaos is king and life isn’t glamorous, but rather looks more like under our couch with Oreo crumbs, broken tortilla chips, and unidentifiable objects mingled with lint, our pain and the memories of it must be used for good.

      How do we use this piercing feeling for good when it’s hard enough to just function normal? How do we invite God into this time? We invite His nearness with prayer. Even when words fall flat and nonexistent off our lips and empty hurt leaves us quiet, we pray. Sometimes the best thing to pray is simply a passage of scripture. No, it doesn’t take the rejection or pain away, but it helps us to heal and come out better because of it. Let His words of life fill you up with air rich and pure. Allow His mercies to wrap around you and fill up those empty holes with the tender truth that Jesus is right here with you. Through every moment and every struggle He sees, He knows, and He will be your refuge.

Psalm 91 says:

 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence.
 He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
 You will not fear the terror of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked.

 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
    the Most High, who is my refuge—
 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
    no plague come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
 On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.
 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
    I will protect him, because he knows my name.
 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble;
    I will rescue him and honor him.
 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

     We must let Him into our dark hurt of today and He will open the door wide to a much brighter tomorrow. No, the pain still doesn’t feel good and I pray that it ends today, but even if it doesn’t we are whole because of Him. Those scars are no longer seen as hurt and flaw, but rather as evidence that there is healing in God’s grace and victory because of the cross. Pain doesn’t have to define you, it can grow you. From knowing God, to seeing Him. It changes everything.

-Heather Grace

My Testimony: A Story "To Be Continued..."

     On the surface, my story is black and white. My testimony of salvation began when I was five years old, and I barely remember my life before it happened. I can't tell you the specific date fourteen years ago that I surrendered my soul to Christ, but I do know that I had seen some older kids at my church get baptized and it made me curious. I only remember fragments of the night, like feeling God tug on my heart while I was taking a shower and praying with my mom and my twin sister in bed. One might even argue that it isn't my own story at all since my sister and I were saved together with our mom helping us form the prayers from our tiny hearts. I didn't have all the answers, and I still don't, but I knew I was a sinner. I knew I was dirty and that only Jesus could take that away. That night I was saved, but it's only the beginning of the story, the tiny spark that resulted in a testimony of God’s strength in weakness.

     Talking about sharing my testimony has always made me feel a bit uncomfortable. I used to think it was because I didn’t want to mess up and miscommunicate something important, and while that is still a slight issue, I know now that the main reason is because there's always been a part of me that doesn't want to come to shed light on my own vulnerability. Some of my earliest memories are feelings of uncontrollable weakness. When I was a child, I had extreme sensitivities to loud noises and certain textures, and this caused years of pain and embarrassment. I wanted desperately to feel like a normal kid, and I felt a sense of shame that made me do things to hide my problems, like telling my elementary school teachers every year that I got hurt on the bouncy castles at PTA night because I didn't have the words to describe my sensory overload outbursts and didn't want people to think I was acting like a baby. I didn't know it then, but looking back, I know that I felt broken, like there was something wrong with me and the other kids were somehow better than I was because they didn't have the same problem that I did. Eventually God brought music into my life, and being able to feel and control sound for myself greatly diminished my sensory issues to the point that no one could even tell I ever had them. I finally felt normal and I knew that I had God to thank, but my sin nature coupled with my independent streak caused me to build up walls around myself and around my heart. I told myself and everyone else that nothing bothered me and that I didn't need anyone’s help. I felt invincible, and even though I thought I was still surrendering to God every day, I was only holding Him at arm’s length. I had promised myself that I would do everything in my power to never have to feel vulnerable again, but I was forgetting that vulnerability was the very reason I needed salvation in the first place. I was saved, but I was still surrendering in shame instead of basking in the joy of my Savior.

   2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you and my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” In my struggle to suppress my weaknesses, I was forgetting that God’s plans are made perfect in weakness. God never chooses the strongest people to show His power because then those who saw what happened would think that the power came from man. Instead he uses the opposite of what is expected; Saul the persecutor became Paul the defender of the faith, and Moses the stutterer became the voice of his people. God is using me, the little girl who felt confusion and anguish in noise, to make a joyful noise for Him. Not only that, but He has also given me a mind that can sort through the roaring chaos inside to find the words to communicate in writing what my spoken words fail to convey. I know that it's a part of His plan for me as the girl who tried to be invincible to show others that ultimate joy is found in embracing a weakness that is wrapped in the stronghold of the Father’s arms. 

   I cannot tell you the ending of my testimony, because it hasn’t happened yet. A testimony of salvation is something witnessed that can be shared as evidence for God’s grace, and every day of my life is another part of the showering of love that God has given me to share with others. Until I get to heaven, my testimony will continue to grow and change, but I pray that it will be everything it needs to be so that others will come to Christ and form testimonies of their own. Every part of my life so far fits together perfectly to demonstrate to me what God has in store for eternity, and in the good and the bad I will strive to seek His presence and feel His plans in motion. For now, by the grace of God, this story is “to be continued,” and I hope to let Him use my weaknesses in making something beautiful and eternal unfold.

Hello My Name is Fearful

     Ahhh…… trust, my absolute least favorite word in the English language. No other word has such power over me. This crippling, agonizingly painful, five letter word encompasses my heart and drains me of all my energy. Oh, trust, you really get on my nerves. You see… I don’t naturally trust. I’m one of those people who, when someone in Walmart follows you down more than one aisle, takes off in a panic with that squeaky buggy that won’t turn corners praying, “Dear Lord, protect me!” I take caution to extreme measures, always watching my back for that lurking figure in old horror movies just around the corner. The thing is, I’m not just a cautious, Negative Nellie, I’m fearful. This fear snatches away any peace that starts to rest in me and reminds me that people are fickle and forgetful and cannot be trusted. It’s a paralyzing fear that floods my soul with uncertainty and hesitancy that looks for the worst in every situation. It’s a fear that limits my ability to love like Christ. I’m not alone in this state of insecurity though. Even David, “a man after God’s own heart”, trembled at times. Psalm 23 gives us a glimpse of this:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for His name sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,

for you are with me; your rod and staff they comfort me.

You prepare a table before my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

 and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

David’s life wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. He trudged through some pretty crappy situations and met many a crossroad. Yet he starts this Psalm with the bold statement; I lack nothing. David is saying that no human addition or subtraction makes him incomplete or whole, but rather that His fullness comes from the Lord. David is saying, I lack nothing, because He is my everything.

      I like order and clean lines and the thing is, life and relationships are incredibly messy. No matter how many times I try to control my surroundings or the people around me, I can’t. People mess up and make mistakes hourly, but I can’t just write them off to protect my feelings. Rejection is inevitable, but in the Lord’s eyes I am not forgettable. Despite my performance, I am loved so deeply by the Father. Every day is just another chapter in the love story He has so intimately created between He and I.  Just because I know this doesn’t mean that I will trust like He has called me to do. Living from a place of fullness in God is an everyday sort of thing. It’s waking up and pushing down that Negative Nellie with a burst of Jesus’ reminder,

“The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” –Psalm 27:1

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” –Psalm 23:6

We are so very loved!! Living from a full heart is knowing that yesterday, today, and forever though life may change, He NEVER changes! That is how we trust. We love others so boldly and passionately that it hurts and that hurt develops into humility and that humility drives us to bow broken and bloody with the weight of our fears before the cross and say, “Father I can’t do this alone.” It’s a daily surrender, an offering of a wounded soul to one who has felt the same pain we experience. That five-letter word that makes me die a little inside every time I think about it is actually a life source, a peace giver, a joy maker, and my ticket to spreading the gospel like the one who created me. I gottta give you a chance, trust. One day at a time..

--Heather Grace

"Open My Mind, Lord"

     Sometimes I sit and think, “Will I ever be smart enough or spiritual enough to understand the Bible?” It's a pretty long book, sixty-six books in one actually, not to mention that every page has two columns of tiny print marching across the page in intimidating neatness. I'm no scholar, no theologian with my hands and mind wrapped around the original Hebrew and Greek translations. I'm easily distracted, not very consistent, and everyone who's ever met me knows that when I say “intimidating neatness” it's because (for some unfortunate reason) my mind naturally rejects organization and order. As you may be able to tell, I don't exactly sound like someone who would be able to fully internalize and respond to anything, especially something as sacred and unchangeable as God-inspired Scripture. I mean, I love Jesus and all, so isn't that enough? Don't I have every right to give up, to toss reading the Bible out on the street along with roller skating, sports, ballet dancing, and all the other mountains of hobbies I've tried and failed at? But the Bible isn't just a hobby; the Bible is the Word and the Word is Jesus. The Bible isn't a book club; the reading isn't just to prepare for a discussion every once in a while but to keep in our hearts every minute of every day. So how can I do that if I can barely make myself sit down and read it, much less take it in and let it pour over my soul? Alone I'm a hopeless case, but thankfully I'm not alone.

   Luke 24:49 says, “And then He opened their minds so that they could understand the Scriptures.” The disciples had been following Jesus a long time. They had helped perform miracles and seen Jesus do incredible things, and they joined Him in His private time, seeking to learn and know the Scriptures as He taught them. But a part of them never understood. All that time He was trying to tell them what was to come, and of the glorious work He would soon finish. But their minds were closed, and they never fully grasped His power. To save one man from blindness or leprosy is one thing, but to save an entire world from the crushing weight of their sins? Now that's a whole new level of mercy entirely. Jesus had died and risen from the dead, but at first they just couldn't believe it. They knew that He was God, but they'd seen the soldiers take Him away, and knew that there was no escaping death on the cross. But it never occurred to them that it wasn't the end because even though He’d tried to tell them all along, there was still a lot about Him that they didn't know. 

    They had seen the Jesus on the surface, but even though they were with Him constantly for all that time, they never saw the truth of what was on the inside. And if they couldn't get it seeing Him face to face, then what makes us think we can get it just by listening to a preacher on a Sunday? When it comes to reading and understanding His Word, I often fall very short, but every time I do, I feel the impact of distancing myself from those daily reminders that I am free and forgiven. I see it in my attitude, in the way I treat others, and in the way I struggle with forgiving both the people around me and myself. I know I will never be perfectly disciplined in studying the Bible; life and my forever-scattered mind will always get in the way. But every day is a new chance to read His Word, feel His touch, and run into the grip of His nail-scarred hands. All I have to say is, “Open my mind, Lord.”

Who am I?

     Who am I? Do you ask yourself that a lot? Maybe you’re like me and you don’t necessarily ask yourself that bold question directly, but rather always look for what you identify yourself with. Are you super fashionable or could you care less? Are you outspoken or shy? Do you have hobbies? Are you funny or serious? Do you have good grades? Who do you hang out with? What’s your favorite band? What’s your Instagram bio? These questions, and endless more, slap us in the face as we scramble to please the imaginary gods of ultimate coolness.

     Oh, it’s so tiring trying to please people and put our best foot forward all the time. Why do we feel we must be perfect? I bet Adam asked himself that same question when he got kicked out of the Garden of Eden. What is in us that makes us desperately long for perfection? Pride. Pride tells us that in order for others to like us we must perfectly resemble who we are trying to depict; whether that be some singer, or sports star, or some image we’ve created. We live in a world of unauthenticity. Everything is fake; everything is a show. We as a world are striving for complete satisfaction with who we are.

……..That’s a problem. We ARE NOT Perfect. That’s why we need salvation. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 We can’t reach God’s standards of perfection by our own merit. That’s why sweet Jesus was sent to wash over us with His cleansing blood. Only one free of all failure and flaws could restore our relationship with an omniscient, omnipotent, superlative God. We are white as snow, free from all fault, because of His loving sacrifice. 
     Sooooooo…… why do we still build up walls around us and endeavor for a one-dimensional image? It’s as simple as one word; acceptance.

We long for love and a warm embrace this world cannot give. No matter how perfect you may appear to the outside world, you will never be satisfied. As 1 John 2:17 says, “And this world is passing away along with its desires …” Acceptance from this world is like Bazooka bubblegum. The flavor (or feeling) is there for a short time and then it’s gone leaving you wanting more. Only Jesus can fill that void in your life permanently. The never-ending thirst of dissatisfaction can only be quenched by Christ.
“For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.” Psalm 107:9

     Stop running after the world and run after Christ. Rather than looking into the latest trends, look into God’s word. Instead of striving to look perfect, strive to look like Jesus. Be a faithful follower of the Father. Find who you are in JESUS and He will fill you with inexpressible joy.

- Heather Grace

Missing "Body Parts"

   God can give wake-up calls in a number of ways; through circumstances, the service of others, or even a powerful sermon and songs of praise. But today He spoke to me in the stillness of a morning at home in the company of a good book. Last night I visited my church's library with a few minutes to kill and a strong thirst for something to read. (I know, there's a good chance you probably think I sound crazy, but as they say it takes all kinds!) So I checked out a few books that were suggested by my youth pastor, and then one book just jumped out at me and I knew I wanted to read it. It was a short novel written by an author I'd read before so I knew it'd be pretty good, but I didn't realize that it would renew my heart for others and refresh my spirit to further God's kingdom.
   
   "The Gifted," by Terri Blackstock, is about three co-workers who start a Bible study group in their office. They spread the word over email, but on the first day no one else shows up. Feeling useless and defeated, they decide to read a passage anyway, but right as they start an earthquake ravages their town, destroying their office building and burying them under three stories of rubble. One is blinded, another breathes in smoke and destroys his vocal chords and lungs, and another has his legs crushed by the debris. They are eventually found and rescued, and after a night in the hospital are all miraculously healed and gifted with supernatural powers from God. The woman who was blind can see visions of the past with His eyes, the man who couldn't speak can take the knowledge of one's situation and deliver God's Words in unbelievable ways, and the man who was crippled ran where the Holy Spirit led him, never knowing where he might end up but always finding someone in need. They work together, each using their own gift, to bring many of those affected by the earthquake and other circumstances to a relationship with Christ. The town is ultimately changed forever, and revival sweeps through the wreckage and turns it into something beautiful.

  There are many great truths in this book, but the focal point of it all is the verse in Romans 12 that says, "For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many; are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." Through using their miraculous gifts from God, the three co-workers learn that although they were blessed with such amazing abilities, they needed others to work with them to pick up where they left off. Upon losing their "powers" after 48 hours, they realize through the work of their church family that the real power is in what God has given everyone, and if all did their part, then they would as one body have all the gifts they could ever need.

   This book may be a work of fiction, but it represents a key concept of serving a God who is as real as it gets. We are all one body, and without each person using their own spiritual gifts, the body cannot reach its full potential. We don't all have the same gifts, but if we did then there would be missing "body parts." God can use the whispered words of encouragement of a loving friend as well as the strong and profound ones of a preacher in a pulpit, and, as valuable as a natural leader is, sometimes all He needs is someone with a desire to follow Him with all their heart. James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." Our gifts from God in their purest form, each and every one, are good and perfect gifts, and just like our God never changes, this fact will always stay the same. We must all work together, staying on mission whatever our current situation may be, because without me, without YOU, without all of us doing our part, the body of Christ will be without many vital parts. We are the body, and He is the soul. He tells us what to do, but in order to properly function we have to be willing to listen. I may struggle at times to do my part, but I pray that I will be ready. Will you?

Jesus Loves ME!

    I am an individual. And Jesus loves ME! Last night I was reminded of this, and it gave me such joy that I realized how much I'd forgotten it lately. Maybe it's because I've been busy. Or perhaps it's because I'm a twin and part of me will always think of myself as one of a unit. But when my youth pastor said this during Bible study, it struck me that I don't often think of myself in that way. I mean, I know Jesus loves me, and that He died for me. I've said all the lines of a good Christian and truly felt them in my heart. But I think sometimes the individuality of my relationship with God gets lost in translation, unable to find its way on the confusing and often harrowing path from my brain to my heart.

  Ever since I was a child, I have always had an innate desire to stand out from the crowd, to be one-of-a-kind in whatever way I could. Now, as I'm sure you could probably guess, this resulted in some very unusual and uncomfortable circumstances. But I took them in stride, knowing that they were just part of who I was, and who I had chosen to be. I was comfortable being different from other girls my age, and (with the exception of the awkward middle school years) I never doubted who I was, or why God put me here. I knew then, and I know now, that I was created to have a heart for others and a mission to show them the best in themselves, the unlocked potential I see every day that's just waiting to come out. And I think that, as much as I want to reflect to others how special they are, I often forget to turn the mirror around on myself. I have many times looked at myself and seen only negative things, and because of that I tend to shy away from introspection. I tell myself that I'm fine, that as long as everything is good and happy and wonderful on the surface, I don't have to focus on what I wish I could change about myself. A large portion of my time is spent sending out the message, "I'm confident in who I am and you should be, too," when really I don't have any answers as to why we all feel insecure sometimes. And even though I love the gift of a heart for people that God has given me, I sometimes use it as a crutch, throwing myself into my mission without ever stepping back to say, "What is good about me, as an individual?" I know you may be thinking, "How is that a problem, wanting to put other people first?" But I can't effectively do that unless I become accustomed to letting my vulnerability show so that I can "practice what I preach." Writing is a way for me to do this, a quiet place where I sort through my jumbled thoughts to say what I really mean, where I have a backspace button to undo any mistakes. But life doesn't come with a backspace button, and if I want to successfully do what God has planned for me, I have to be willing to say, "I don't like what I see, either. But you know what? I think we've both been looking in the wrong mirror."

  As I have searched for who I am, I've wanted so badly to see an individual, to know that there is something special about me, about why God wanted to spend any time on "only me." But while I've tried to get other people to see their potential, the work I've done on myself has fallen short. Because deep down, the sin in my life will always make me look at who I am through the world's eyes. Instead of the grace of a Savior, I've been looking at the rough edges of a girl who is incomplete on her own. And instead of viewing myself in the Mirror of Mercy, I've been straining for an image in broken glass. We are all our own people, one in a million, as numerous as the stars in the sky yet more valuable individually than the sum of every precious thing in the world. God calls us each by name, and even though He has countless children, He will go to the ends of the earth for just one. He wants us to accept His love, to know beyond all doubt that we are chosen to be free, to be forgiven, to be His. So yes, I am an individual, and Jesus loves ME. But as amazing as that is, it's only the beginning.