Rooted in Him

We are leaves, small, brown, and ugly.

We flit and float, skimming the surface of the dirt until we look closer. It is then that we realize that there is more. God is in the soil, and He desires us to open up to His will for our lives.

Saying, "yes," to Him allows us to plant ourselves like seeds and establish roots in Him.

From there, until Jesus comes back, we are always growing into what we are supposed to be in His fullness.

Our little brown leaf that we were becomes green or yellow or red, and we grow blossoms and continue stretching further and further around us. 

We still see ourselves as undeserving little brown leaves, but God sees us each as the full grown tree we were created to be.

Our branches stretch much further than we can comprehend, and all the while we grow because we are rooted in Him.

When Jesus returns, all of us will have grown into such beautiful, majestic, massive trees that we cover the earth.

Then He takes us with Him to Heaven and creates a New Jerusalem on Earth where we live forever in communion with Him.

I am learning each day to grow more in my realization that I am small, God is huge, and because of Him, I can make a huge difference. I have authority in His Name, I can be a strong leader to bring up His people in faith and joy, and I can point people to Jesus each time they ask me why I have this joy. God is good, and I want to learn to be more rooted in Him.

Work in Progress

Over the course of the last year, I have gone through so many changes that I cannot begin to describe the lengthy story. However, there is one recurring theme that I never want anyone to forget: God.

I have been transformed this last six months, especially, into a new woman in the Lord. I am more on fire for Jesus than I have ever been in my life. I can see a bigger picture in my life and in the lives of those around me. I desire to see His will done here on Earth more than I can make explicit through words.

In November, I began to learn how to play the guitar. I taught myself on a little backpack guitar until my grandparents brought me a brand-new one for Christmas out of the generosity of their hearts.

Since then, I have written more than three songs simply praising the Lord or asking for His guidance, and I am more pumped up than ever. God is so good. His Holy Spirit truly moves in even seemingly insignificant ways.

Right now, all I can think about is how much I have to say and how little time there is to tell everyone. If there is nothing else you get from this, take this: God wants to work through you to deliver His people to Him. He wants to lavish His love on YOU and show YOU  the true power of His grace.

I have been writing an essay today on interpreting the story of Deborah and Jael in Judges 4-5, but what sticks out most in my mind are the moments when I pause and realize that God is bigger than an essay, bigger than my thoughts, bigger than my failures, and bigger than life itself. His presences is sweet and comforting and that of a Father.

As I sit here typing, I am listening to an iTunes Radio station of Christian music, and the songs that come on are so encouraging to me. I may not want to write a 5-7 page essay, but He has such huge plans for me that incorporate my education and experience at PLU, and He is sustaining me with His unfailing love and Spirit as I do monotonous tasks.

Take a moment out of your day to read these lyrics:

Give Me Faith

I need You to soften my heart,

To break me apart.

I need You to open my eyes,

To see that You're shaping my life.

All I am,
I surrender.

Give me faith to trust what You say
That You're good, and Your love is great.
I'm broken inside, I give You my life.

I need You to soften my heart,
To break me apart.
I need You to pierce through the dark
And cleanse every part of me.

I may be weak, but
Your Spirit's strong in me.
My flesh may fail, but
My God You never will.

Forever:

The moon and stars they wept
The morning sun was dead
The Savior of the world was fallen
His body on the cross
His blood poured out for us
 The weight of every curse was broken

One final breath He gave
As Heaven looked away
The Son of God was laid in darkness
A battle in the grave
The war on death was waged
The power of hell forever broken

The ground began to shake
The stone was rolled away
His perfect love could not be overcome
Now death where is your sting
Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated

Forever, He is glorified
Forever, He is lifted high
Forever, He is risen
He is alive
He is alive

Please remember today the power of the God that is on your side. There is nothing that you can do to separate yourself from Him. His love is infinite, and His power is great. He wants to show you the grace and peace and confidence that comes only from Him, the divine source of life.