Motivation to Run

I get some motivational daily devotion emails from PrayFit. I find these short little devotions encouraging, but today, the devotion really convicted my heart. The title of the devotion was Health Doesn't Come Naturally. At first, this might appear to be a simplistic approach, almost making you want to say, "Well, no kidding." I then looked to the verse that was featured, which happened to be 1 Corinthians 6:20, "You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." That was when it hit me. I haven't been honoring God with my body. Don't get confused by this statement, though. I don't mean it in the sense that I've given in to sexual impurity or forms of gluttony. What I mean is that I have not been exercising and honoring God by keeping myself in the best shape possible.

Ever since my marathon back in May, I haven't really done much running. I did the Warrior Dash in June, but with minimal training and I felt sluggish the entire time. I also participated in the Shawnee Mountain Mud Run, but I think I walked a lot of it because it was literally up a ski mountain. That race was back in August, though, and my exercise regimen has been sporadic at best ever since. In February, I had maybe ten days that I ran, but then I felt like I was getting sick, so I stopped that routine. The nice warm weather that came through mid-March provided me with a brief couple days where I was determined to get outside to run to enjoy the sunny days I was blessed with, but this also passed. I just seem to have this inability to remain dedicated to the sport. I've become a little too good at talking myself out of running due to either aches and pains, or it just seems difficult because I'm so out of practice.

After reading my email from PrayFit, I realized that I was neglecting my body in the service of our Lord. Now I know that I can't do anything to save my soul (Ephesians 2:8), but a thought crossed my mind. If I can't even take care of myself by doing a daily exercise routine that takes up 2-4% of my entire time, how can I possibly dedicate myself to helping others realize they need Jesus, which requires much more time and effort? My hope is that I will renew my thinking about exercise and that I will realize that my ability to run is a blessing from God that must be utilized. There are so many people who can't run either due to disease, disability, or injury, that it would be a shame for me to waste my ability all because I just don't feel like lacing up my sneakers to struggle through a run. What I need to remember is that over time, it'll get easier. Much like how our souls need to be sanctified in order to be obedient to Christ, in a sense, my mind and body need to be sanctified in order to be obedient to my running regimen. I believe that if I look at my running as a ministry tool, it'll become easier to re-dedicate myself to the sport.

W.A.I.T. Part 11: Who is Guiding Your Steps on the Path?

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." ~Proverbs 16:9

Many have this mistaken idea that they are in control of their own lives. They feel that they can seek their own destiny without consulting anybody, let alone God. The problem with this is that you can't lead the way in your own life when you don't have any idea about where you're going. Also, you can't just go with the flow because everybody else is since that is a sure fire way to end up on the path of destruction. We are warned about this by Jesus in Matthew 7:13 when he tells us to, "'Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.'" Gauging our progress based on worldly perspectives is a definite way to fail and end up floundering. What we need in order to thrive, is God. Believe me, I've learned this from experience in the not so distant past.

In Jeremiah 29:11, it says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" This is a promise that we can hold onto, if only we would just trust in the written Word. Unfortunately, we tend to lack patience and try to accomplish tasks our way without consulting the all knowing God. This is because Americans are raised to be go-getters, constantly accomplishing multitudes of tasks simultaneously, which doesn't leave much room for consulting God.
A good illustration for this can be found within the lyrics to the song "New York City" by Among Savages. The song seems to be about someone who felt that they could follow their dreams by moving to the city, which they feel will lead to answering all of their questions about life. On the contrary, what is said is, "Yeah, you came here with nothing and you're leaving with the same. Sometimes the road that you were walking on is going the wrong way." So easily we feel that we are on the right path in life, but then we discover we were wrong all along. This song goes on to say, "Now if you leave, will you feel defeated? Cause you didn't take from the city as much as the city took from you. What if you'd stayed? What if you'd done what you were thinking? I'd rather you give up on life in the city than giving up on life too." When people become so convinced that they are traveling on the right path in life, it can be absolutely devastating when reality knocks on the door and you have to admit that you were wrong all along. Many end up playing the "what if" game instead of focusing on the new path that is before them at the base of that closed door. It can be so easy to just shut down and give up on life all together if all you had to hold onto was that one unmet dream. One needs to realize that there is life beyond the fading dream. I think that's why at the end of the song there is a line that says, "Follow your dreams, but beware of the illusions. You won't fill the void in your heart with a bank statement and a car." These material objects are what tend to drive people who attempt to control their own destiny, but they are missing the entire point of life, being gravely deceived. Those who crave only objects of monetary value are the ones most likely to give up on life completely after they stumble and fall in the mud on the path of their dream. What they truly should be seeking to fill any void in life is Jesus.
Jesus is the missing piece to everybody's puzzle. He is our guide and should be the one who leads the way in our lives. Back in the fall, I neglected my relationship with Jesus and my path seemed to lead only to despair. Life wasn't what I thought it would be and my dreams seemed to be crumbling faster every week. I needed to realize that God was in charge and that I wasn't. Though it took time, I finally accepted the trials that I was facing and I've gotten better at allowing God to guide my steps. Psalm 37:23-24 has really helped because it says, "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." I have surely stumbled numerous times in the past couple of months, but trusting more in God and knowing that their is a reason behind the path that I'm currently on has helped me to thrive more as a Christian. I'm slowly beginning to look to other's needs instead of remaining so focused on my own. Though I still have a long way to go on this path in life, I believe that God knows exactly what He wants of me. I may not know my purpose, but I know I have a purpose in Him. I want to thrive as He leads the way.
And on those days when it's hard to just crawl out of bed, I'll think of the chorus to the song "Carry On" by Fun:

If you're lost and alone

Or you're sinking like a stone

Carry on

May your past be the sound

Of your feet upon the ground

Carry on

Expression Through Paramore Lyrics

I had kind of a rough day. I had lots of people asking if I've had any breakthrough on my job hunt because they truly care, but it's hard to have to tell the same "not yet" story over and over and over again in a single day. I know God has a plan and a purpose, and Bible study tonight helped remind me that I need to give everything to Him because God is in control.
On my way home, I decided to put my Paramore songs on shuffle on my iPod. Since I don't believe in coincidences, I chose to write down the order of the songs that played on my drive home, and they all helped improve my mood and express my feelings in their own unique way. So I've decided to express myself by listing the songs that played, along with the lyrics that spoke to me as I drove back home tonight.

Can't make my own decisions, or make any with precision. ~Playing God

And the worst part is, before it gets any better, we're headed for a cliff. Then in the free fall I will realize I'm better off when I hit the bottom. The tragedy it seems unending. I'm watching everyone I looked up to break and bending. We're taking shortcuts and false illusions just to come out the hero. ~Turn It Off

Take this time to realize that you always force a smile in the midst of trial. And everything is always right (and I think that it's time). This battle must be won (but you pushed it aside). Pushed it aside. Pretend that it's gone. This circle never ends and it's time you just face it, don't pretend. ~This Circle

And I'll take the truth at any cost. 'Cause we are broken. What must we do to restore our innocence and oh, the promise we adored? Give us life again 'cause we just wanna be whole. ~We Are Broken

I had it all, but, not what I wanted 'cause hope for me was a place uncharted and overgrown...You can't tell me to heal. And it hurts remembering how it felt to shut down. You can't be too careful anymore when all that is waiting for you won't come any closer. You've got to reach out a little more. ~Careful

Cause I fear I might break and I fear I can't take it. Tonight I'll lie awake feeling empty. I can feel the pressure...Now that I'm losing hope and there's nothing else to show...Some things I'll never know and I had to let them go. I'm sitting all alone feeling empty. ~Pressure

I'll write you just to let you know that I'm alright. ~Here We Go Again

But now I feel like I don't know you. ~Never Let This Go

Stuck on you 'till the end of time. ~Stuck On You

I climb, I slip, I fall...Breathe for love tomorrow cause there's no hope for today. ~Breathe (Until Tomorrow)

I am finding out that maybe I was wrong; that I've fallen down and I can't do this alone. ~My Heart

This wasn't what you wanted, was it? ~All We Know

Well you treat me just like another stranger. ~Ignorance

Somehow everything's gonna fall right into place. If we only had a way to make it all fall faster everyday...Holding onto patience wearing thin. I can't force these eyes to see the end. If only time flew like a dove. We could watch it fly and just keep looking up. ~Hallelujah

I think I'll pace my apartment a few times and fall asleep on the couch. ~All I Wanted

W.A.I.T. Part 10: Has Your Love for Others Become Conditional?

Back in the fall during the Occupy Wall Street Movement, I realized how much the people in this nation feel as if they are owed something. People right out of college were expecting extravagent salaries, instead of remembering that we all need to work from the bottom up. This frame of mind can soon become disastorous not only when looking for a job, but within the body of Christ.
Christ calls us to love each other, which doesn't seem like a terribly hard task at first. What some encounter, though, is that the level at which they demonstrate their love to another is not matched by the recipient. When this occurs, some have a tendency to become frustrated and begin to not want to act out of love because they feel as if they are getting nothing out of the deal. At times like this, we need to dive back into the Word, specifically Galatians 6:9-10, which says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." We should never stop being generous to others, especially fellow believers, even if it feels like a one way street. A sense of entitlement should never exist. In order to thrive as a Christian, we must continuously shower others with love, even when we don't feel like it. Our love should never be conditional (though it often is), and we should never hold high expectations of others. Each person expresses love in a different way, so comparing how someone acts towards you is futile.
I'm not saying that always demonstrating love to others is easy. My hope is that you will realize that as a human being, it's practically impossible to demonstrate unconditional love to all. This may be depressing to think about, but what should bring joy is the fact that God loves you with a perfect, unconditional love. None of us deserve it, but because we are His creation, He loves us.
In order to thrive in God's love, we must love Jesus as our Savior and then demonstrate love to those around us. Instead of focusing on how you feel others owe you for how kind you've been to them, remember that God loves you no matter what and has sacrificed His own Son to save you while you were an undeserving sinner. This thought should stir something inside of you to want to lavish others with love so that your life as a Christian begins to thrive once again. To serve as a reminder, read what Paul said in Acts 20:35: "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Through the grace of God, Paul was able to serve others as Jesus had commanded. We are also blessed with God's grace when we accept Jesus into our hearts, which will aid us in loving others above ourselves.

Beware of False Teachers

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." ~1 John 4:1

Before continuing on with the W.A.I.T. series, I wanted to briefly touch upon something that has been weighing on my heart recently. We are living in a world where everybody is striving for attention and wants to be known for the next great revolution, whether it be thinking, economic movements, or avenging the wrongs of a military extremist in Africa. No matter what it is, somebody is always striving to   capture our minds and attention in an almost spellbinding manner.
What we need to be careful of, though, is when this starts to happen within the Christian faith. New ideas and concepts are promoted to try and get us to think of things differently, which isn't always bad, until these new ideas lead us astray. For some reason, it seems like few in the church are willing to use discernment to weed out the false teachers that we are warned about. Why is it that we are more apt to fervently research the background of the CEO of Invisible Children, yet we aren't willing to research those who teach us the Bible, whether it's a pastor, teacher, or author?
Quite honestly, this lack of diving into the Word on our own could deeply impact someones faith and future. By believing somebody simply because they used a piece of Scripture that might be one of your favorites could possibly lead some believers astray. Not everybody who speaks about the Gospel knows what they're trying to preach. Some are simply spewing out their own beliefs and trying to back it up with the Gospel, while others try to claim that only certain passages in the Bible apply to them, much like the Jefferson Bible. We need to remember that we can't pick and choose what to believe from the Bible. We must be obedient to the entire text, not just portions.
To guard ourselves, what we all need to do is to open our Bibles after every sermon or while reading a book to double check and make sure that the Scripture was not taken out of context. We must also make sure that what was taught does not contradict other pieces of Scripture, or neglect them all together. I hope that whoever reads my blog will take out their Bibles and read the verses that I utilize in order to grasp their full meaning and understand what God is trying to convey, instead of trusting what I am typing because my opinion is not truth. God's Word is truth.
Too often people will gravitate towards certain teachings because it's what they want to hear. This is exactly what Paul was talking about in his second letter to Timothy. Within 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul writes, "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." Try not to be one of these souls who only focuses on the teachings that they want to hear. Instead, search out the complete truth of the Gospel, even if it is difficult to stomach or understand. Don't believe everything that you hear or read from somebody who claims to be schooled in the Gospel. Very often, the true Gospel message can become twisted when half-truths are infused with Scriptures. Beware of the contradictions and use the discernment that God blessed you with in order that you do not stray from His truth.

Beautiful Letdown

It was a beautiful let down
When I crashed and burned
When I found myself alone unknown and hurt

Switchfoot

Simply put, this week has not been what I was hoping it would be for numerous reasons that I'd rather not dive into at the moment. In the words of Switchfoot, it's seemed like a beautiful letdown. There have been some situations that have caused me to feel utter frustration and despair, but my goal is to try and not make hasty decisions as I process my current reality and grapple with what could be my future reality. Ephesians 4:26, "In your anger do not sin..." seems to be in the forefront of my mind in the hopes of not lashing out at an unassuming passerby.
I've started running again in the hopes that I can get some endorphines running through my body in to try and lift my mood. The only issue with that is the fact that after so much time off, it's really hard to build that base again. Every runner wants to be able to jump right back into the sport with ease and be able to feel like they are in tip top shape, but that just isn't the case. Starting to run again after taking around 9 months off can almost be demoralizing, which isn't exactly a feeling I need to have coupled with my other frustrations. Thankfully I'm determined to get back in shape and am refusing to let those defeatists thoughts win.
In a way, it brings me back to how I felt during mile 17 of my marathon back in Delaware. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and questioning whether or not I could complete the race, but God was there to help me to the finish line. A song I listened to on the way to the race was "Unbreakable" by Fireflight, which is something that I listened to on my way to work today. The lyrics that really spoke to me were the following: "Sometimes it's hard to just keep going. But faith is moving without knowing. Can I trust what I can't see? To reach my destiny. I want to take control but I know better." Back during the marathon, it helped me to keep working towards that finish line. Now, it's my motivation to not give up, even when the world seems against me.
At this point in time, I'm very thankful for the blessing of music. There are numerous songs which seem to speak to how I feel in my current predicament. Along with "Unbreakable," two other songs that have helped keep my head above water this week are "Monster" by Paramore, and "Blinding Light" by Switchfoot. "Monster" speaks about how someone's opinion of, and occasional accusations against you, can make it seem like the whole world is attacking constantly. I especially like the part of the chorus, which says, "I'll stop the whole world, I'll stop the whole world. From turning into a monster and eating us alive. Don't you ever wonder how we survive?" In my opinion, if you trust in God, you can have a more positive outlook even when the world seems to be trying to devour you so that you lose hope. "Blinding Light" has a very blunt opinion on how America functions. In the first verse it says, "We're the nation that eats our youth." I couldn't agree more because it seems like there is such a push for everyone to go to college, but once you graduate, employers won't hire you and you are left to drown in student loans.
All of this has brought me back to my faith in God. I've been trying to remember that He has a plan for all of us and we must be patient in order to discover the answer. I don't want to just be another human floating through society not knowing what to do. I want to have a purpose, but I cannot try to control my life. God is in control and I must give everything to Him so I don't dissolve in despair or spiral into a pit of anxiety and depression. To avoid this, I'll continue to meditate on Philippians 4:6, which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." My hope is that you all will do the same when you run into roadblocks in life because they're inevitable.

W.A.I.T. Part 9: Life Transformation and Associating With the World

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Christians are meant to stand out from the world because Christians try to adhere to the Holy Spirit and not to the ways of the world. Lately, this might seem more and more difficult because Christians get such negative labels in the media and are accused of being narrow-minded. But don't let this sway you in your beliefs because you are here on Earth to serve God, not man. As the above passage suggests, we are to be transformed by the Holy Spirit and are not to conform with the world, as tempting as that may be sometimes. A lot of people try to assuage their sinfulness by claiming that everybody is a sinner and what they did really wasn't that bad. The problem with that way of thinking, though, is that you are trying to place blame elsewhere and not take Scripture seriously. In order to be transformed, we must be convicted in our hearts to abide by the Word of God. 

"When you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." These words from Ephesians 4:21-24 direct us to rid our lives of the evil desires within our hearts. Without the disposal of our earthly lives in which we do as we please with no thought to the negative impact of our actions, we are unable to come into a relationship with Christ and be born again. I'm not saying that the minute you decide to be a Christian you will no longer sin; that is impossible. But once you are convicted in your heart to follow Christ and abide in the Holy Spirit, blatant and outright sin will be reduced in your life gradually because of your awareness. Those who know Scripture try to follow it to the best of their abilities, and when they stumble, they repent of the sins they committed.

To gain a better picture of what it means to live by the Holy Spirit, lets look at Galatians 5:16-25 which says, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." These verses outline the desires of our sinful nature and states that we must squelch these thoughts and desires, which is no easy task. With the acceptance of Jesus in our hearts, though, we gain the ability to slowly follow the ways of the Spirit. Over time, somebody should be able to recognize the transformation that has occurred in your life once you become a Christian. If there are no hints of the fruit of the Spirit in your life though, there could be a problem. You might still be giving in wholeheartedly to your sinful nature and need to strengthen your relationship with Christ because without the desire to change and be more like Him, you never will overcome the ways of this world. 

When someone who claims to be a member of the Body of Christ still continues to blatantly sin, it is the church's job to rebuke this person so that they come to their senses. But what members of the church must remember, and unfortunately often forget, is that this rebuke of blatant sin should only be directed at those who are within the church of believers. We run into trouble when we rebuke unbelievers because that means we are not only stepping outside our "scope of practice" but we are actually stepping on God's toes. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 says it this way: "But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked person from among you.'" Paul is very specific in telling us that we are to not associate with the blatant sinners within our congregations, not all of the blatant sinners outside of the church. Paul makes this point in 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world."

Life on Earth is always this careful balance of trying to live by the Spirit, but not coming off as "holier than thou" to all of the unbelievers in the world. It is not our job to judge what they do, but it is our job to minister to them in the hopes that Christ can transform their hearts. Jesus said, "'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,'" in Matthew 28:19-20. I'm not saying that this will be an easy task, though. The state of the world is such that relativism thrives. According to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, relativism is sometimes identified as the thesis that all points of view are equally valid. When people have this point of view, it is very difficult to tell them about their need for a Savior because in their own minds, they are doing nothing wrong and don't need to be saved. Nobody likes to admit that what they are doing is wrong, but most are willing to accuse others of doing something wrong. I think C.S. Lewis said it best when he stated, "If we do not believe in decent behavior, why should we be so anxious to makes excuses for not having behaved decently?" Getting somebody to realize this could possibly help soften their hearts and open them up to hearing about Jesus. 

Again, I'll reiterate that it is wrong for us to go out into the world and condemn it for all of its actions. By doing this, we would then fit the bill of the "narrow-minded Christian quack." I'm not saying that you should agree with how the world is behaving or that you should support the desired changes some are seeking, but I don't believe that condemning people for their lifestyles or actions when they are not Christians is the path to take. I think all we can do in these situations is to try and mirror what Jesus did when he lived. Referring to Mark 2:15-17, I believe there is much to be learned from this passage: "While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" 

The best way to check yourself to determine if you are shedding your worldliness is to compare your life to the fruits of the Spirit. As long as you are making progress over time to no longer conform to the worldly points of view and desires, you are on the path to thriving as a Christian. We will all have our days when we stumble, but just remember to confess those sins and ask for forgiveness. The desire to repent for wrongs is always a good sign. Only when you find yourself being apathetic towards sin and being blatant in your sinning will you run into trouble. Also, never forget to evangelize to those around you, but be careful not to condemn the nonbelievers. It is not your job to judge, but to plant seeds. Let God be the judge of those who choose to reject Him. Instead, focus on your own life and how to thrive in the Holy Spirit.