His Dandelion

Looking through the lens, I captured the moment. As the wind lifted the seeds of the wishing flower into the air, the familiar click of the camera shutter sounded. There, in a split second, in less time than it takes to blink, a masterpiece.

The process:

When I think back to the beginning, when there was nothing, I cannot fathom God and all that He is and has done.

The earth, moon, stars, wind, animals, light… He created it all - in seven days, nonetheless.

Have you ever wondered how?

Well, what if, in a miniscule moment for Him, years, billions of our years pass?

Just like a photographer capturing the life of an animal or flower, God packs so much awe-inspiring beauty into such a minute span of time, seven days.

And yet, that’s not all.

Every human life, every tear, each smile, and all thought is known to Him. All that we are and can be is and has been known to Him since before there was ANYthing.

It is just incomprehensible.

The dandelion:

Do you ever think of yourself as an object? Maybe a plant?

Sometimes, I think of myself as a dandelion. I am a human, a sinful human. Like the dandelion weed that takes up space in lawns and parks, I take up space on this planet.

But, that isn’t all the dandelion and I are good for. When the Wind comes along, it sends our seeds out to take root and become a beautiful flower. God is the Wind for me. He teaches me through His Word how to spread my seeds to reach other people and so that, maybe, they might take root in someone else’s heart to create something beautiful.

I challenge you to be like the dandelion.

Maybe you aren’t perfect and the most admired flower, but you have the ability to plant a seed in people’s hearts.

Picture from:

http://simple-article10.blogspot.com/2010/10/that-amazing-weedthe-dandelion.html

Hiding

Closing the book, he glanced around anxiously. He slid it into its hiding place and grabbed his backpack for school.


“Hey, man. Do you wanna chill tonight?”
“Umm... yeah, sure.”
“Wait... you aren't gonna hang out at church tonight, are ya?”
“No way, man. I don't believe any of that Jesus crap anyway.”

Gazing down upon the earth, He wept. Another son fallen, another child led astray.

Two days passed.

Cautiously, he opened the book to a random page. It read, “‘Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.’”

A tear hit the page, and another.

I can’t live like this anymore. This isn’t me.

“What’s up?”

The invitational greeting was turned down as he walked past the so-called friend.

Despite the calls made by the teen once known, he kept walking.

…with his Bible in his hands.

Sometimes we think that because we read the Bible, we are saved, that because we take in the Word of God, we have no sin. That isn’t true. Reading may make us feel like better people, but unless we live the way we want to and He wants us to, we aren’t doing anyone any good.

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:23)

Think about it.

Who around us can hear and see what the Lord does in our lives? How many lives could one person touch, just living for the Lord? The staggering amount leaves me breathless. I, one teenage girl, could live as He commands and share the unconditional love of God.

Instead of reading the Bible and sliding it under our beds or running from it and acting otherwise, we can display His love for all to see!

Actions speak louder than words. So, let them hear the deafening cries of praise to our God!

Some may love to live, but let’s try Living to Love.

Just like the young man in this short story, why don’t we walk around showing off the Bible? We don’t have to literally have our Bibles in our hands as we walk down the hallways of our respective schools or workplaces, our peers, coworkers, and friends can see the difference in the way we live if we Love God and Love People with everything we do. Love them until they question you, that way you can tell them why you live like you do!

There is nothing stopping you except your own fears.

Go on, see what He does through you.

It will be good. 

Story written by Jennifer Lewis

Scripture quoted -  Mark 4:21-23

His Light Awaits

Today, I decided to bring the camera on a walk with my dad and sister. God was there, too. I cannot express the awe I feel having captured this photo that stirs my heart and mind.


I love to take pictures of nature, but this one in particular speaks something to me. 


Look closely and you will see that there are a bunch of flowers, some in the shade, some showered by sunlight. But, all of which are beautiful in their own ways. 


These minuscule flowers are us. As humans, we are all unique and different, but all beautiful. 


When Jesus died on the cross for us, he cleansed our souls so we may have a personal relationship with Him. We are purified. He made our hearts white as snow. 


But, that isn't the end. We decide who to stand by, or maybe to stand alone. See the flowers that are all alone in the darkness? That is you and I when we are trying to hide from the Lord, when we want to go our own way, or when we just don't want Him to see the terrible sin in our lives. That is us.  


See the flowers that are growing together into the sunlight? That is us when we spend time diving into His word and learning how to be the best we can be. When we seek companionship from other believers and grow together as a family, we are reaching out to the Lord and to the light that He offers us. 


Do you want to be the flower that stays close to the ground because it is comfortable? Staying away from what could be just to have "control" over your own path in life? When you join hands with those around you and learn about Him, He will shine His light on you. You will be forgiven, you will be cleansed, you will be saved. All you have to do is ask. 


Take the leap, stretch your beautiful self towards the sky, towards Him. You won't regret it.


You are beautiful. You are unique. You have the choice. 


Go for it.

Out of Control

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." ~ 1 Peter 5:6-7


When I read this, there were no words to describe how much it resembled my life. I am constantly in a state of anxiety and fear. I never feel like I have everything under control. 


Wanna know why? It's because I don't.


No single person has everything under control, nor do any of us have anything under control. No matter how much work we put into plans, no matter how confident of a face we paste on, and no matter how much we try to convince ourselves of our management skills, it is all a lie. 


Do you really think that you do everything on your own? Who created you? Who heals you when you're sick? Who carries you through the stressful days? 


God. 


Logic does not answer these queries. God, the Lord, the Creator, our Saviour - He is the answer to everything.


God is the One, the only One, who has anything and everything under control. From when a plant is a tiny seed, to when it is too enormous of a tree for any human to fit his arms around, God is in control. God is constantly molding us and making us who we are today. There is never a time when He does not know the worries of your heart, the reason why you put on that fake smile to get through the day, or the pain you feel. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, the Alpha and the Omega.


We are called to humble ourselves before the Lord, because He has all of us in His palm. In one hand. We are all there, and He is the One who lifts us up when we need it. When you feel like the world is falling apart, HE is the one who comforts you and gives you the peace you need to carry on. 


When I am sitting here, thinking of the list of tasks that lay before me, He lifts me up in His hand and tells me that I don't have to worry anymore. I don't have to think about any of it because He has taken care of all I am and all I will be. 


Does that not amaze you? 


The next time you get that feeling in the pit of your stomach because you forgot to study for the math test, give it to the Lord, submit to Him everything that brings you pain and stress, even the things that bring you joy. He promises each and every one of us peace that surpasses all understanding. If you truly desire that, the surrender needs to start sometime. 


Why not today?