Monsters Under The Bed

Were you afraid of monsters under your bed when you were a kid? Yeah, I was too!!

I remember running into my room at full speed, leaping a good 2 feet in front of my bed, and then landing with a sigh of relief. I thought if I just ran fast enough and jumped far enough, that I would dodge those crazy creatures under my bed.

Looking back, it was silly, but at the time, it was sure something that scared me! I truly felt that the moment I actually got in my bed and hid, I was safe.

I have dealt with some sort of fear for most of my life. My fears are usually completely irrational and somewhat silly. Just like the monsters-under-the-bed scenario, when I step back and gain some perspective I am able to see my fears in a different light; they seem to fade away. Yet, in the midst of times of fear, I feel as if I want to hide. I don't want to be vulnerable. I don't want to take risks. I just want to hide and crawl into my bed, if you will. That hiding makes me feel somewhat safe and protected. Yet, in all actuality, that is a false sense of security. In those moments, I take the "helpless" route, when God calls me (and you!) to rise up and be the conquerors that He has called us to be. He wants us to do something with the gifts, abilities, and moments that He has given us... instead of just hiding away.

I have been going through the Gospel of Matthew in the last few weeks and the Parable of Talents got me good the other day. It spoke directly to the fears that I have been facing. This story that I have heard since I was a child, came alive in a new way to me. Isn't that just like Jesus? He speaks through His Word, which is alive and active!

Anyway, back to the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 22:14-30. The story isn't about what we think of as talents nowadays, but "talents" actually meant money... A talent was worth more than $1000 back in Biblical times! That's a lot of money, and I am not talking about Monopoloy money! I am talking about the real deal. So, in the story, Jesus told of a man who called his servants and gave them each a different amount of money. He was entrusting the money to them because he was going on a journey. He gave one man 5 talents, and that guy was creative, diligent, and hard-working. He went out and earned an additional 5 talents. The second servant received 2 talents, and similar to the first servant, he doubled his money. The third and final servant received 1 talent and guess what he did... Instead of going out to try to earn more money, he dug a hole in the ground and hid his talent.

When the master came home, he asked the servants to bring back the money he had entrusted to them. He was pleased with the first two servants. Yet, then it came time for the third servant to show the master what he had earned. In explaining his situation he said, "I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you" (Matt. 25:25). The master was disappointed with the third servant and took his money and gave it to the one who had risked the most.

As I was reading this story, I tried to understand the third, cautious, hesitant servant. As I read Matt. 25:25 a few times, the words "afraid," and "hid," stood out to me. The servant was afraid. What was he afraid of? He may have been afraid of failure. He didn't want to lose the money. He was afraid of risk. He was probably afraid that he wasn't strong enough, creative enough, or hard-working enough, to earn more money. I think he was afraid that he was inadequate. He did not feel like he could go out and make a difference in the world.

So, what did these fears drive him to do? Hide. In a sense, he, too, was afraid of the monsters under his own bed. This fear drove him hide the money, and this created this false sense of security around what had been entrusted to him. In that moment, he was giving power to his fears. He was giving power to the lies that he was bound to fail and that he was not adequate. He was giving power to the fears that he was not strong enough to make a difference and engage in the world.

Just like the servant, I, too, can become afraid of taking risks. Sometimes, it is just easier to hide. Yet, God calls all of us to hold our heads high, trust in Him, and engage the world. I once heard someone say, "Any time you feel backed into a corner, that is not of God." So, as I learn to face my fears, I know that I must first recognize when I want to hide in my comfort zone, and secondly, do exactly the opposite of that. As soon as I feel like I want to hide, I must instead rise up. I must trust the One who has entrusted me with life, passions, abilities, callings, and relationships.

I must trust the One who has entrusted me. 

I want to be bold and courageous. I am called to be bold and courageous.
So are you.

Let's stop hiding, stop fearing, and stop playing it safe.
Let's learn a whole new way of trusting in the One who is trustworthy to the moon and back.
He has promised to never leave us or forsake us, so let's move forward in confidence, knowing that "He who called us is faithful" (1 Thess. 5:24).

No more hiding from your monsters under the bed.

The Brook Dried Up

I struggle with making decisions. I mean... I REALLY struggle or should I say,

 "The struggle is real."

I have a hard time deciding what to make for dinner, what to wear in the mornings, and what TV series to start watching next on Netflix. However, the big decisions in life are even more paralyzing. Maybe it is because I typically don't deal well with change? I understand that change is inevitable, but when I find a routine I like, I prefer not to change. Is that so bad?

I believe that there are times that we should plant roots, settle in, and plan to stick it out for the long haul. Yet, I also believe that at a moment's notice we should be ready to go where God calls. Thankfully, He gives us signs and guidance when we need to change... and in the story of Elijah, guidance came in the form of a babbling brook.

Here's a little background...

In 1 Kings 17, we meet Elijah. He is bold and goes and tells the evil king two things. First, he tells him that he is a servant of the Lord and secondly, he says that it will not rain in the land for the next few years. Yikes. No rain = No crops = No food = Bad situation. So, then, after Elijah tells the King this not-so-uplifitng news, God tells Elijah to go and hide in the Kareth Ravine. While he is there, birds bring him food each morning and each evening. Yes... you read that right! Birds brought him food twice a day, every day! There was also a brook where he could get drinking water. This was miraculous because there was no rain, yet the water still continued to flow.

Elijah had what he needed to survive. Sure, it wasn't like he was staying at the DoubleTree and eating at P.F. Changs every night, but God was miraculously giving him all that he needed. God sustained him and Elijah learned how to trust God in a whole new way. Elijah experienced God, His provider.

Yet, in 1 Kings 17:7-8, we read this: Some time later, the brook dried up because there had been no rain the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him, "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."

When the brook dried up, can you imagine what Elijah felt?
"What in the world? Where are you, Lord? Why have you stopped providing for me?"
I am sure that there were panic-filled moments. He may have felt abandoned, hurt, discouraged and disappointed. He most likely felt afraid for his life and wondering what to do next.

Yet, God said, "Go!" and He gave Elijah directions as to where go next. As the story continues, we see that God continues to miraculously provide for Elijah as he meets with and ministers to the widow and her son. You'll have to read the rest of Elijah's story in 1 Kings 17-19. It is awesome to see how God continues to use this man of faith. However, let's sit in this section for a bit because I think we can learn a lot about the guiding hand of our God through this story.

A few things stood out to me:
1) When the brook was flowing, Elijah wasn't going. 
He stayed where God was sustaining him. The brook was life-giving, so Elijah stayed where he was in the midst of God's provision.
2) When the brook dried up, God said "Go!" 
When the life-giving supply ran dry, it was time for Elijah to move on. God didn't stop caring, He did not run out of resources. Yet, instead He dried up the brook, because He knew that He another step in store for Elijah. If God hadn't dried up the brook, Elijah may not have moved. He may have stayed where he had become comfortable and where he had what he needed.

I believe that we can connect this story to our lives and use Elijah's life to help us understand the guiding hand of God. God will always provide for us. We can stand by this promise in Scripture (Philippians 4:19). Yet, God does not just want to provide for us. He wants us to have abundant life! He wants us to be in a place and situation that is life-giving! So, when a situation is diminishing in it's ability to encourage and rejuvenate us, it may be time to go! It may be time to physically move. The brook drying up in your life may mean that it is time for a new season, a new place, a new ministry focus, etc. For others, it may mean that you need to stay put, but look for ways to change your habits, so that you can find life where you are! When your brook is drying up, God does not intend for you to stay. He came so that we can experience abundant life, and I believe that He calls us to make a change when we feel dry. He does not want us to stay in the desert. He wants us to experience the Promised Land.

I remember when I was about to graduate from high school, I was already dreaming about college... my dorm room, my new microwave, my new friendships, etc. During my last semester of college, I was excited and ready for the next steps, too. I loved both of those chapters of my life, but my brook was drying up. God was preparing me to "Go!" This can be such a gift to us, because it helps us ease out of a previous chapter into a new one.

Sometimes, in my spiritual life, I start to feel dry. I think many of us experience those "mountaintop" times, but when I hit the valleys, I know that God is calling me to "Go!" I need to pursue God with more fervor, more discipline, and more hunger. I can't stay put in mediocrity. I have to stay by the flowing, bubbling brook, because that is where I find LIFE. Abundant life. Life in the Spirit.

If you are abiding by a babbling, flowing brook, thank God for His abundant blessings! Continue to drink of His life-giving, sustaining, all-you-need streams! Yet, if your brook is drying up, don't dig your heels in, and stay where you are comfortable and established. Instead, search for God! Search for life! He does not make Himself difficult to find. Look for streams of living water, and there you will find our God.

- Carly

Pray With Expectation

Kids ask the best questions. Do you remember the show, "Kids Say the Darndest Things"? Well, I submit that "Kids Ask the Darndest Questions." They ask why the sky is blue, why they have to eat their dinner, and why Jonah was able to live in the belly of a whale. They are inquisitive; no question is off limits. Kids ask questions without hindrance or fear. They ask whatever comes to mind, and they expect a response.

I love this about kids. I love that they aren't ashamed or worried about what people may think. They just ask the question that pops into their head and they wait for the answer.

Our church has been going through a series on being "Changed By Prayer." As we have journeyed together through what it looks like to live a life of prayer, I have thought, 

"Why am I afraid to pray and ask God tough questions? Why am I afraid to ask God for big things?"

I do not think that I am alone in this. I think many of us have been followers of Jesus, but yet we are afraid to truly take Him at His word. Personally, I have lost my some of my child-like innocence and faith. I have become worried that I will not get a response (or the response I desire), so I just don't ask. I have believed the lie that I am safer that way. 

Yet, as I have been processing what it looks like to pray, I have realized that prayer must be coupled with faith. Prayer must be coupled with belief. Prayer must be coupled with expectation.

I have heard these verses since I was a child, but it wasn't until lately that I really grasped the promises in Jesus' words:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will opened." (Matt 7:7-8)

Asking puts us in a position to receive. In our human relationships, we do not ask a question thinking that we will be left with no response. We ask a question, expecting a response. If we expect that people here on earth will respond to our inquiries, we can expect that our Heavenly Father will respond. Why should we expect anything less? 

Asking questions and waiting for a response puts us in a vulnerable position. We no longer have control of our "what ifs." Instead, we have put the ball in God's court and we wait on Him for an answer. Yet, the great thing is, when we trust in God, He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Joshua 1:5). 

Our loving Heavenly Father is beckoning us to come to Him with child-like faith. He is calling us to stand on His promise that if we "knock the door will be opened." God is asking us to approach prayer with expectation and trust that He will respond. 

Will you join me in praying with expectation and a heart ready to receive?

- Carly

Do You See What I See?

This fall, we had the opportunity to spend three weeks in Europe! We had been saving for this trip for years, and were finally able to fly across the pond for our grand adventure! We spent the first few days in London, and then we spent almost two full weeks in Italy.

My husband, Mike, spent a semester during college, studying art in Florence, Italy. It was such a treat to see where he lived, where he went to school, where he would study, and where he would stop for gelato. (Honestly, I could write an entire blog post on gelato... don't get me started). If you aren't familiar with Florence, it is known as the center for Renaissance Art. It is Michaelangelo's hometown as well... no, not the ninja turtle. I am talking about this artist dude.

Michaelangelo's most famous piece of art is "The David," and it is located in Florence. It is a 14-foot tall statue of the Biblical character, David, getting ready to fight the giant, Goliath. Michaelangelo's piece is considered to be the most flawless sculpture of the human body ever made. When I looked at this sculpture, I was blown away. I can barely draw a stick figure, so I can't imagine how someone could carve such a real looking human out of stone!

While at the museum, we learned something fascinating. Michaelangelo used a piece of marble that had been rejected by other artists. Other sculptors did not believe its shape, size, and density were up to par, so they tossed it aside.... (Well, they probably didn't "toss" it, but you know what I mean). Yet out of this slab of stone that was deemed unworthy by so many, Michaelangelo created one of the most beautiful and renowed sculptures of all time. Michaelangelo saw something in the stone that others could not see. He saw the potential for beauty. He saw the potential for greatness.

Michaelangelo saw potential in the stone that others did not see, just as God saw potential in David that others could not see. David was the youngest of 8 boys in his family. His three older brothers went off to war. One day, he went to take them some food, and he heard about this 10 foot tall giant who had been threatening the army of Israel. Without much hesitation, he decided that he would be the one who would face the giant. After forty days of this taunting, David was the one and only person who had even remotely showed interest in engaging in battle with this guy! However, David's announcement was not received well. His older brothers acted like he was a bother, on-lookers probably laughed at the thought of him facing Goliath, and the King even told told him that he was too young. Yet, David walked forward, in the confidence of the Lord, and faced the giant. The Lord brought victory to David that day, and in turn brought victory for the people of Israel. I think it is pretty safe to say that they threw big party after that! They were able to celebrate because David believed in the promises and victory of our God.

People saw failure in David.
God saw triumph.
People saw weakness in David.
God saw humility and strength.

Other saw a trashed piece of stone.
Michaelangelo saw beauty and flawlessness.
Other a blank piece of marble.
Michaelangelo saw David.

Just as God's vision for David's life impacted David (and generations to come), God wants His vision for your life to impact you and generations to follow you! When we, as believers, begin to see ourselves as God sees us, we can then see others as more than blank pieces of stone. We can see beauty in others when we see the beauty that God sees in us.

Are you listening to negative voices of those around you? 
Or are you listening to God Almighty as He says, "Do you see what I see?"

 - Carly