Worldly Aspirations for Ordinary Applications

What lens are you looking through?

This world is full idols, sin, and heartache.

Yeah, I know. Tough right? But its the truth. Ever since Adam and Eve chose the world over the worlds most gracious king, sin became the parasite in our lives. It is and always will be stuck to us. But this was NOT the end.

God could of sent his children away; cast them out. But he didn't.

Recently, at church, our pastor read The Creation from a children's bible story book. My favorite part was the last page of the first chapter. It reads

"But before they left the garden, God made clothes for his children, to cover them. He gently clothed them and sent them away on a long, long journey-out of the garden, out of their home. Well in another story, it would all be over, and that would have been...

THE END."

"But not this story. God loved his children too much to let the story end there. One day, he would get his children back. One day, he would make the world their perfect home again. And one day, he would wipe away every tear from their eyes."

As humans we want answers and a straight forward one at that. Sometimes when we read scripture we look for the fine print, but what about the big picture?

While our pastor was reading this, to a room full of college students, I realized this children book is not only meant for children. We are all children of God just like Adam and Eve, so why do we tend to overcomplicate his love for us.

We sinned. Jesus came. He rose. And saved. Just like that. No ifs, no buts, no coconuts.

God knew the suffering and hurt that would follow not only us but him for the rest of eternity, but he has a plan. HAS, as in still-being-played-out-today!!! A magnificent dream that we not only get to be apart of but also make the dream happen. (#DREAMTEAM)

I find it funny that it took a children's book to fully recognize the love the Lord has for me. The same night this was read to me was also the night the Holy Spirit touched my heart like never before.

Usually when worship starts my internal thoughts go wild:

-Am I doing this right?

-Oh, well she's worshiping a different way than me, maybe I should do that.

-This looks right...right...God?

-Umm why don't I feel the Lord like all these people look like they do?????????

I mean, you can't tell me that at least one time in your life you haven't felt this way. Honestly, its natural. But on this night prayer, community, and a hundred voices sang as one. And I wanted that more than ever before. Not only did he show up, he poured into me. You want to know how I was able to do this?

All I had to do, was ask.

Yep. That's it. I came to the feet of the Lord that night and wholeheartedly wanted to worship him with no judgement or regret. I said "Holy Spirit I know you are here tonight and I just ask that you take away my fear and questioning and put you, and only you, on my heart." And he did.

Ever since then I constantly want to feel that way and whenever I do I just ask. Hs is SO GOOD. What God gives when asked and puts your sights only on him for your benefit?

Our God. Our God has known what we are to become and even if that is tainted by the evil of sin, he takes us in. Just as the prodigal son returns home to an open armed father, our father never closes his arms for us.

I mean wow. I still can't fully wrap my head around his love for me. Although everyday I stumble, when I set my sights to walk with Jesus at my side "When you walk, you won't be held back; when you run, you won't stumble." Proverbs 4:12 So what then do I have to fear?

If you feel or have ever felt not worthy, not willing, or just not there, I challenge you to just ask. Ask the Lord to take what you may think to be broken and give it all to him. He wants all of his children to experience the Holy Spirit just as much as you want it.

"Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you." James 4:10