God Shaped Hole

There is a pull in me stronger than anything I've known. It can make me stop and remember what is truly important. It is seeing a beautiful sunrise or sunset and being reminded that the Lord did that. He made that, painted that. No one else. It is seeing the magnitude of a mountain, topped with white powder and knowing that God can still move that mountain if He so chooses. It is seeing a child and knowing that people can take credit for that, but only God makes the cells to create a human being. There is something about the Lord and His great love that just becomes ingrained in us, in me. I'm so thankful for that. He's like breathing. Effortless to love when I remember what He did for me. How could I choose another when a love like that covers me?! I constantly feel the pull and stress and chaos of this world like we all do, but something else is greater still. His strength and provision. His grace. His mercy. I know that on my own I am nothing. I am dry and have very little to offer of value that can truly last. It is humbling to be reminded that others depend on me, count on me, and expect things from me. That pull reminds me where it comes from and WHO gives me what I need if I offer anything at all. That is so humbling. That pulls me to kneel and beg Him to work in me and through me because that is an enormous task. Just a few songs that whip me into that presence. Love me some worship for Him to fill me so that I can have something useful to pour back out. Look them up....enjoy that irresistible presence.

Kari Jobe- Revelation Song
Plumb- God Shaped Hole
Sidewalk Prophets- The Words I Would Say
The Stand

Studying

So life has been a little crazy for this family again. I am studying for another certification that will just allow me to do more in the way of teaching one-on-one,  so prayers are appreciated right now. I have a family of troopers who go through these crazy things with me and an awesome set of co-workers that encourage me and make me want to be better.

So a few thoughts from the recent weeks of studying and yet again feeling like I have to zero in again and "fling more off" as the test date gets closer. Studying has taught me large volumes of knowledge obviously but through the process is what I think I truly walk away from feeling stretched, pushed to my limit, and where I grow the most.  It is a focus that makes me throw things off that don't truly matter, or that can wait, or that just aren't priority.  But as the intensity builds I tend to ask myself, why don't we live like that anyway? Without approaching dates, tests, or what have you. Wouldn't life be more fun living knowing that we are truly being intentional with our time instead of just randomly hoping that our tired effort gets us by. Just some thoughts  from all these days of pure intensity that make me look inward then outward and reflect that we are always studying something but is it really worth our while? Whether it is a facebook status, recent fashion styles, music, a gift for someone, presentations for work/class, or you fill in the blank: does it really have a reaching effect to other people? Will it matter in a year? Will you be glad you spent time doing it? Can you stand on the stepping stone of now and be glad you did that to reach the next level? Was it truly worth the sacrifice?

Isn't it always if your commitment is to the Lord in the first place? It's all for His glory anyway.