Hey guys:) I made a video! Check it out. Thanks for all your support! Love you all
0 Comments
Lately there's been a lot going on in my life. The kind of stuff that just weighs on you all the time. We're trying to sell our house, settle my great grandmother's estate, my Nana's liver is failing, and I've just started my Senior year. Usually when I'm overwhelmed I check out. If I don't want to deal with my problems or I don't know how to I simply find other things to do. I make myself busy so I don't have to acknowledge how overwhelmed I am. I also watch a great deal of Netflix (yes, Netflix). Whatever new show kick I'm on becomes my way to disconnect. I've found myself trying to disconnect a lot the past couple weeks. I haven't cracked opened my Bible nearly enough times because I didn't feel like God had anything new to say to me. And frankly I didn't have anything new to say to Him. I was really mad. I've been put in a storm and I wanted God to take it away. I wanted to know what God was doing because it didn't look like He was doing much. It seemed like He kind of forgot about the Smith family. So finally I decided to really talk to God. Not just thank Him for my food quickly but really talk to Him about how I was doing. God's not going to take my storm away. It's going to be a long one: a down pour. But I've decided to put my rain boots on. Rather than try to outrun this storm I'm facing I'm going to accept that it's here. I'm going to dance in this wretched storm. I'm going to enjoy this moment and this time in my life regardless of the circumstances. I'm going to hold my head high and smile because this isn't the end of my story. So let the rain fall harder. I've decided to look for what God is doing rather than what He isn't. He hasn't forgotten me or my family. He is God over the storm and I am His. So my challenge for you this week is to join me. Let's put our rain boots on and dance in the storm. The song below has really been an encouragement to me as I've been going through this. I thought it might be an encouragement to you as well. Enjoy :) I remember a devotion being read in one of my Bible classes in middle school. The author gave an analogy that’s always stuck with me.
A girl about to go on a roller coaster ride is getting in line but her friend who is with her is going to be waiting for her until she is done. The girl, about to go on this ride, has a backpack full of stuff along with an armload of things she’s picked up throughout the day. The friend offers to take this burden off of her. She reluctantly agrees even though her friend is more than capable and trustworthy of taking care of her burdens. She proceeds to get in line to go on the roller coaster. But then after only waiting in line for a little while she goes back to get her backpack. She wants to trust her friend with everything but fear and worry has crept in and she’s given in. The girl then proceeds to get back in line only to get out and gather up the things she left behind with her friend. Her burdens weigh her down as she waits in line for the rest of the time and prevent her from enjoying the roller coaster ride. But she didn’t have to carry them. Her friend could have for her. He even wanted to. But she wouldn’t let him. She just had to do it herself. She was afraid to let it go and hand it over. I’ve found that I’m that girl. God is more than capable of carrying my burdens. He wants to but I refuse to let him. I think I can handle it all on my own but I can’t. And after one long miserable roller coaster ride I get off and realize I didn’t have to do it that way. Scripture tells us to come to the Lord with the burdens that weigh us down. So my challenge for you this week is to give your backpack, arm load full of burdens to God. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Written By: Rebekah Smith
I have always loved Dr. Seuss books. From Green Eggs and Ham to Oh the Places You’ll Go, his books always make me smile. A few days ago, my sister and I were with our little cousin while we were babysitting. We were sitting in a circle in her bedroom as Leah read Horton Hears a Who. As I listened a part of the story stuck me in a way it never had before. At the climax of the story the mayor of Whoville is running around trying to find any who that isn’t making noise in an effort to save the town from being dropped into a pot of boiling beezle-nut juice (intense right). While running around he finds Jojo sitting in a back room, sitting silently while the town around him is crying for help. The mayor takes Jojo and says to him ““This,” cried the mayor, “is your town’s darkest hour! The time for all Whos who have blood that is red to come to the aid of their country!” he said. “We’ve GOT to make noises in greater amounts! So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts!”’ For every voice counts You may be thinking, Bekah, this is a children’s book written about fake little people and talking animals. What does this have to do with my faith? First of all I would say respect the good Dr. Seuss, his words are deeper than just rhymes. As a person alive on this green earth you know that there is injustice. Children are orphaned and enslaved and human life is looked at as having little to no value. You don’t need me to remind you of what the news tells you every night at six. But among all this injustice, there is hope. My favorite verse John 16:33 is where Christ reminds us “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Our Lord has overcome this world of sin and darkness and His people are here to make noise. When Jesus gave the Great Commission to go into all nations and preach the gospel, He was sending out his people to make noise about the grace and life that has come to the world. But sadly most Christians are terrified to make noise. Or more commonly we believe that our voice is too small. That though we have something to say we don’t think it is much or is worth hearing. God, I’m a sophomore in high school. What good is my voice? God, I’m a retired adult. My life is nearly to its end. What good is my voice? God, I’m a man with a sinful past. What good is my voice? To all these questions I give you Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Since the day you gave your heart to God, He has promised He is with you and is going to guide you in strength and power. Our world is in its darkest hour as Satan is fighting for the death and destruction of as many souls as he can get. It is time for us as Christians to raise our voice, no matter how small, to speak to a world that needs to hear about a Savior. It is time to speak up for the injustices that break our Father’s heart. It is time to speak up and use your voice to bring change. For every voice counts. Acts 4:20 “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” People of the internet I haven't died, been kidnapped, or dropped off the face of the earth. I’ve just been really busy and I didn’t know what to say to you guys. I was in a play then there was prom, friends graduations, finals, the SAT, and the ACT (all the first two weeks of summer (the tests I mean)). And after all that mental and emotional torture I went to Panama City for a week to enjoy a youth conference called Bible&Beach. I’m not sure if I’ve caught my breath quite yet but things have finally slowed down (at least for a couple weeks before my senior year starts…what?!). So before I get started I thought I owed everyone who has supported and followed this blog an explanation to why I haven’t written since last year…so there it is and here it goes:D
Throughout junior year a lot of things happened. Somethings were amazing. Other things were…well lets just say I wouldn’t want to go through them again. During this time I felt very alone. No one knew and I didn’t want to admit I was struggling with this. I didn’t talk to anybody about it. I kept it a secret. Then two weeks ago I told somebody, my mom. She was shocked and felt terrible that she didn’t know. I had kept my true feelings well hidden. We do this all the time. We put up our happy profile pictures and fill our Instagram feed with our highlights so no one knows. We hide behind a wall built by our social media. To much emphasis is put on how we look when we should be worried about how we’re doing. I’m not saying social media is wrong, it just makes it harder to be honest with ourselves and others. It’s hard to knock down your wall when everybody else is hiding behind theirs too. We’re broken people hiding behind the walls we built ourselves. Why won’t we knock them down? So I have a problem. I feel alone and I’ve got a nicely built wall to hide behind. What do I do? I’ve decided to knock it down. It won’t be easy. It’s going to take time but I’m ready. I can only speak for myself but I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who feels like this. As a Christian I know that we’re supposed to be there for one another and help each other through difficult times like this. So I’m challenging you to reach out. I know it’s not the easy or comfortable thing to do but we need each other. Life’s hard. Knock down those walls. Show everybody the real you. We’re broken. Let’s own that and through that come along side each other. Let’s fight our battles together. Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 (NIV) 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. I apologize for any grammar or punctuation errors you found in advance:) Written By: Rebekah Smith "Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful."
(Genesis 29:16-17 NIV) In the modern 21st century that we are living in, I am surprised that the story of Leah and Rachel isn't a popular example in the church. It is almost a perfect fit to the struggles of the female population, both young and old. But like always, we act like our problems are completely new to us and our generation. Though in some cases that is true, the idea of beauty and physical attributes being valued over a heart of gold by the world isn't. In Genesis, Jacob makes it clear to Laban he wants Rachel, the beautiful tall and shapely one. I always think of Rachel as probably a model lheight with curves in all the right places. Think of whatever current beauty this would apply to, that would be Rachel. But then there is Leah. Though my sister Leah is absolutely stunning, this was not the case for poor Leah daughter of Laban. The most we hear about Leah's appearance is that she has "weak eyes". People debate constantly what this means, but in actuality, look what it isn't saying. It's kind of the equivalent of saying "Well, she has a great personality". Yeah...great. And I can guarantee when her new husband freaked out right after marrying her, that she felt insecure about her appearance. Especially since he immediately went and asked for her sister. Just some more proof that Rachel's beauty had beat her out once again. This is often the way we feel as girls living in a fallen world. Like we are constantly being compared by those around us to the Rachel's that society has put on a pedestal. As a disciple of Christ and a daughter of God we tend to act differently than those of the world. We live with mission and purpose; not with the desperate need for something else to fulfill us. But we'd be lying if we said that was true 24/7, 100% of the time. Like poor Leah we want to be wanted. But just because Leah may not have had a model's body, she is recognized in Ruth 4:11 as one of the two who, "built up the house of Israel." And though what people always remember about Leah is weak eyes, there is way more to her than her appearance. She bore Jacob six children despite how he neglected her compared to Rachel. Five of which would become the different nations of Israel, all born from Leah, one of which, being the lion of Judah from whom would come great kings including our Savior. And though physically Leah didn't come close to Rachel, we know that based on what we see, Leah's character is one of more integrity than her scheming sister who in Genesis 31:25-35 lied about her father's stolen idols. This is not to say that Leah was holier than Rachel. After all for most of their lives they were in constant competition for their husbands affection and children. But at the end of it all when Leah had her last child, we see that though her sister may have her husbands love, she is at peace. With her last sons Judah and Zebulun she chose to praise God, Judah meaning literally "praise" and Zebulun "gift" (from God). So, how does Leah and her story relate to us? Her whole life she was known as the "weak-eyed" sister. Her appearance was what defined her in her community. And though you may have no problems with your appearance, like Leah the world has probably given you a name to define you. It may have been something you were made to believe about yourself that isn't true or it could just be something someone said that won't leave your mind. I'm here to tell you that none of that matters. Their opinion of you isn't worth anything. Jacob thought of Leah as just his other wife. But according to Israel's history that is not the case. Your value does not come from others ability to see it. It is from Christ who died on the cross for you to have new life. And I know that sounds like the most overused Sunday School quote you would see on a poster but it is so true. And these things that fill your mind, the names you've been called, the way you've been made feel, are just an obstacle. Obstacles are things that have been put in place in order to slow you down. I don't run track but I know that in the case of obstacle like hurdles you have a few options with them you can just avoid them in general and never face them, you can trip over them and get hurt, or you can jump them and face the obstacle, defeat it and grow stronger. Now I know you can see which option is best. You can't walk away from these things, because nothing haunts you like the things you don't face. You can try to brush them off but you always end up tripping and falling all over yourself and that is just a big mess. You end up more hurt than you were to begin with. Or lastly, with the help of God we rise above these obstacles. These things that you think define you are nothing more than a challenge put in place to help you grow stronger. It may not seem like it but you are made to do great things. God has a plan to do incredible things through you if you just let Him. And I promise you He will help you through these obstacles. Because through Leah's struggles she still was a faithful wife and mother. It is the Leah's of the world who will make a difference. Despite her weaknesses, the Leah's of the world praise God. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." I’ve never been one to read through directions. When I’m baking I usually read over the long list of ingredients, then start throwing them into the bowl. This had led to many culinary disasters. I take the directions more as a suggestion than as a command to be closely followed. I’ve found that I just don’t do this when I’m baking, but also when I’m reading through the Bible. I read through the passages that command me to trust God and hold my tongue, and I take the command more as a suggestion than as an actual command. God’s calling me to be obedient in an area of my life and I don’t listen. I’m like, “Thanks, God, that’s a nice idea, but just gonna keep throwing a little bit of love and faith and hope in my life and hope the rest works out. I’m not following the instructions. I’m not living how God has commanded me to live. As Kyle Idleman once said, “When God says go do we move?”. I’ve found that the biggest areas of sin in my life are where God is calling me to do something and I’m handling it like a suggestion and less like a command. I do this when I don’t choose to trust in God’s faithfulness, love others, not gossip, obey His will, give to others, and share the Gospel. God’s told me to go and I’m not moving. I’ve got all the “ingredients,” but I’m following the instructions. If I really want to be used by God, my life needs to be more than lip service. So my challenge for myself and you this week is to move when God says go.
John 14:15 (NIV) 15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” I fear failure and disappointing others. It drives me to do things. I’ve been labeled “the smart kid” at my school by some people. Often times what drives me to stay up late and study for hours on end is just so that I can meet that expectation. I don’t want to disappoint my teachers so I’ll spend extra time on an assignment to make sure it’s “perfect”. Why do I push myself so hard? Because I’ve had an expectation set and a standard to meet. I am the “smart kid” so I stay up late and study when other people go out and have fun. Then it hit me; I am not my grades. I am not a test score or a GPA. I am a Christ follower, a believer, and a kingdom worker. I am forgiven. I am loved. And I have a purpose. God made me to bring glory to him. I am defined by my identity in Christ, NOT by labels people have given me. Everything I do should be all for one, God. Once I changed my perspective and motivation for doing my best I felt a relief off my shoulders. I knew that if I did my best and let it be, it’d be ok. It’s all for one, so I shouldn’t worry about what others think of me. I am not a failure and the fear of being one should not be what drives me. God will fulfill his purpose and plan for me in my life in his perfect time. So my challenge for you this week is to live all for one.
Colossians 3:23 (NIV) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”. We’ve all have been disappointed by someone or something at sometime in our lives. Lately it seems as though I have been overwhelmed with disappointment and heart break. I know that God has a plan for my life and that He uses everything in it for the good, but I still don’t quite understand why I have to go through all this. Sometimes I feel the weight of the world upon me. I wonder if there could possibly be anything or anyone truly good (a little dramatic, I know). I am saddened by the anger and depression that those around me feel. I’m saddened by the poor choices people choose to continue to make. And finally I’m saddened by the people I care about. Here’s the thing: people are going to disappoint you; they are. They aren't perfect and you shouldn't expect them to be. Don’t put your hope in people, they’ll let you down. You can’t allow your happiness to be based upon others. And when I’m disappointed and heart broken I go to the only person who has never disappointed me, the one person who truly is good, God. I’ve been hurt many times but the only person who has never hurt me is God. I can always count on Him. And so in the midst of my chaos, I look to him. I may not be able to given you a solution to your problem or a cure for your diagnosis, but I can point you to the one who can. I don’t have all the answers and I don't pretend too. Life is hard and we don’t have to do this alone. In Christ there is purpose and meaning and life. Why wouldn't you want that? So my challenge for you today is to put your happiness and hope in Jesus Christ. You’ll never be disappointed. You can count on Him.
|
AuthorHi! My name is Leah. I'm seventeen years old and a senior in high school. Archives
August 2015
Categories |