I just wanted to post a quick “pause” on here – I write a lot of things about how great God is and how much he has changed my life, given me a new life. But I want to be so clear that “I” am never the point of any of this.
My last post was a challenge to live for more than this world has to offer. And then I found myself, in the very same week, dreaming of wasting my life on this world, dreaming of pouring myself into throw pillows and fall decor and HGTV shows instead of into God himself. Because it just sounded so much easier.
I am on this journey too.
I know going back to living for myself would never be worth it, I know new throw pillows won’t actually fix anything in my life. But sometimes it’s tempting. LIfe gets hard, and sometimes “easy” just sounds so appealing.
I could point to a hundred things about my circumstances last week, but I know the common denominator under it all is me. The problem wasn’t around me, it was within me.
I went out for a run Saturday morning and made it a point to only worship while I ran. Every time other thoughts or ideas crept in, I would restart my song and focus solely on the Lord. It wasn’t perfect, it never will be this side of Heaven, but it was the first time in way too long that I just simply worshipped. That I just sang to God, that I just meditated on Him.
The run didn’t solve anything, but it brought me back home. It reoriented me back to true north, to the One who will always matter most.
The point of sharing this or anything I write, ever, is always to exalt the name of Jesus, and to encourage others to do the same.
Turn your eyes to Him. Be found by Him. Worship Him. See him seeing you, and see him loving you.
And love him back. Not just more than than everything else, but love him with everything you have. He is so abundantly worthy.
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Spend some time just simply worshipping God today, meditating on who He is and praising his Name. Below are a few verses and a few songs, if you want to start with these. Turn off any of the noise around you, go for a run or for a walk, sit in a room or closet where there is no distraction… whatever it looks like. If only for a moment, just give yourself in worship, and praise the God of Heaven.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. – Deuteronomy 6:4-6
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. – Psalm 46:1-3
Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. – Psalm 73:1-3, 16-17, 23-28
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. – Psalm 95:1-3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul. – Jeremiah 32:38-41
After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!… behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder… and the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” – Revelation 4:1-8
Sing:
Heart of Worship, Nothing Else, Gateway Worship
Only Wanna Sing, Hillsong Young and Free
Psalm 46, Shane & Shane
Goodness of God, Jenn Johnson
The Prodigal Song, Cory Asbury
Good Good Father, Chris Tomlin
Soaking in the Son 