by Donya Dunlap | Jan 19, 2018 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
As with many areas in life, I find myself ebbing and flowing in my sense of acceptance before the Lord. This may sound strange to you. If our standing before God in Christ is secure, and it is, why should my feelings on the subject change? I have my theories. Whispers of the Enemy, an upbringing focused on appearance rather than relationship, and hormones top the list. Regardless of the source, there are times when my feelings get the best of me and discouragement settles in my heart. Thankfully, God likes to upset the settled.
When God Smiles at You
While in prayer for Trihope several months ago I got the distinct impression of God smiling at me. We were seeking His direction, hoping for answers to specific questions, and all I could think of was God’s face alight with affection for me. The image has remained in my mind and heart.
Several days ago I was struggling with something unrelated. I asked Jesus to sit with me as I opened my Bible before heading to bed. I turned to the Psalms and flipped to Psalms 43 and 44. As I read these words, I knew Jesus had lead me to this passage.
O God, we have heard with our ears,
our fathers have told us,
what deeds you performed in their days,
in the days of old:
you with your own hand drove out the nations,
but them you planted;
you afflicted the peoples,
but them you set free;
for not by their own sword did they win the land,
nor did their own arm save them,
but your right hand and your arm,
and the light of your face,
for you delighted in them.
Psalm 44:1-3
The verses touched my heart deeply. I think of the grumpy, complaining Israelites dragging their feet into the Promised Land and I assume God was frustrated with them. But what do these verses say? God “delighted in them.”
Delight Defined
According to Merriam-Webster.com, delight means,
1: a high degree of gratification or pleasure: joy; extreme satisfaction
2: something that gives great pleasure
Not only did God rescue the people of Israel from bondage, but He planted them in a place of prosperity, defeated their enemies, and set them free. And he did so with His might and by the light of His face. Why? Because He delighted in them. It brought joy to the heart of God to do good things for His children because His children brought Him joy—for no other reason than they were His.
This brings to mind my mom’s face when she would see me in the crowd of people at the airport. I’d be coming home for Christmas or for a special occasion and she would be there waiting for me to arrive, her face lit up like the sun to see me. I so love and miss her beautiful face!
This is how our relationship with the Lord should be. We should delight in each other. Each one finding joy in the love of the other. Smiles lighting up our faces. Yet even when we are grumpy and disgruntled, and ungrateful for all He has done for us, God smiles at us because He delights in us.
Light in the Darkness
Darkness is part of life. Summer gives way to winter. New babies grow into old men. Day gives way to night. It’s easy to wish we could always be relaxing in the sun, but without the night we wouldn’t enjoy the beauty of the sunset and sunrise, the breathtaking awe of a sky full of stars, or the dazzling display of aurora borealis. The darkness magnifies the light.
So when you find yourself discouraged in a season of darkness, remind yourself of the light of your Lord’s face as He smiles at you with kindness and love. Just tip your bowed head up and look at His face. He loves you. He delights in you. His face lights up in joy over you. And together you and He can face any darkness the Enemy can muster.
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Forgetting the Fairy Tale, 2nd Edition and the Forgetting the Fairy Tale Companion Guide are now available on Amazon! Get your copies today!
by Donya Dunlap | Jan 13, 2018 | Book Reviews, Random
Since my first encounter with Laura Ingalls Wilder somewhere around age 6, I have always been an avid reader. I’ve never made a list of books to read or set a reading goal, however, until last year. Inspired by Jon Acuff’s posts on what books he had been reading, I decided to make a list of every book I finished in 2017.
My decision was part curiosity and part goal oriented. I was curious to see how many books I read in a year, with a loose goal of reading 50 by years end. The rules were, I only counted books I finished. If I had started the book in 2016 and finished it in 2017, I counted it. If I started the book in 2017 and didn’t finish it, it didn’t make the list.
The Top Ten
Instead of sharing details or summaries of each book, I’ve highlighted what I feel were the ten most impactful or most enjoyable reads.
The Broken Way was a book I began in 2016 and finished in 2017. I read it while on a trip meant to make the holidays a bit easier after losing my mom. I don’t know that it did, but this book was helpful. I had to read it slowly. I think I cried through every chapter. I highly recommend it to anyone facing a season of brokenness. And if you aren’t read it anyway.
The Help and To Kill a Mockingbird were both highly entertaining as well as enlightening. These books tell powerful stories of the injustices suffered by African Americans in the south. They left an imprint on my soul I hope never fades.
Big Magic is a priceless text on creativity every artist, writer, actor, singer, creator of anything meaningful should read. It is encouraging, humorous, challenging, and motivating. In fact, I am looking forward to reading it again soon.
Atlas Girl is a memoir of a young girl who left home to find herself and ended up truly healing and growing by returning home to help her mother who had been afflicted with a brain tumor. I saw a lot of myself in the pages and cried my way through most of the second half. The story is powerful, but more so are the spiritual takeaways.
The Glass Castle is another memoir with a deeply impactful story. It is a well-written tale of growing up under the care of parents plagued with addiction and mental illness. I’m not sure if I’ll watch the movie, but the book will stay with me for some time I expect.
The Historian is the best-written version of the Dracula tale I have read. It’s definitely not for everyone as the story is rather dark. However, the weaving of history and fantasy is masterful and the descriptions of the places, both ancient and modern, pull you into the drama and make it hard to put down.
The Furious Longing of God should be read by every Christian seeking a closer walk with the Lord. The book is thin, but the contents are deep. I hope to read more of Brennen Manning’s books this year.
Simply Tuesday is the second Emily P. Freeman book I’ve read. The first A Million Little Ways is one of my all-time favorite books. Simply Tuesday was a timely reminder to value the little things in life. It’s not all about striving to be the best we can be for God. Sometimes all God wants from us is to love our families well and be kind to our neighbors. To listen and love without hurry. Maybe you need that reminder too?
Daring Greatly is the first Brené Brown book I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. She focuses on overcoming shame and fear, two of my own greatest hurdles in life. The explanation of her studies makes a difficult subject easy to digest and apply to your own life. Though not a spiritual book, many spiritual parallels can be made.
Honorable Mentions
A quick glance will show my affection for the Aunt Dimity series. My mom recommended these cozy mysteries to me several times, but I never took the time to read them until after she passed. I’m still only about halfway through the series, but I have fallen in love with the quirky main character and I would kill to live in her gorgeous English cottage. These books are mostly fluff, but a perfectly lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
I highly recommend (and often recommend if you get me talking about books) anything and everything written by Joel Rosenberg. A quick google search will explain his rather impressive history. His writing is captivating and intense. The stories move quickly and are dramatic without being over the top. If you have even an inkling of interest in end times theology, read his books.
All the Rest
Though I won’t bore you by discussing the rest of the titles, every book on this list has merit. A couple I would recommend with caveats, but overall, each is worth the time.
See anything you’ve read? Adding any to your book list for the new year? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you.
The List
- The Broken Way – Ann Voskamp – 1/10/2017 (Read my full review here)
- The Fool of New York City – Michael D. O’Brien – 1/29/2017
- The Help – Kathryn Stockett – 2/4/17
- Drops Like Stars – Rob Bell – 2/5/17
- To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee – 2/12/17
- Aunt Dimity: Snowbound – Nancy Atherton – 2/20/17
- White Chocolate Moments – Lori Wick – 2/26/17
- Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea – Nancy Atherton – 2/27/17
- Aunt Dimity Goes West – Nancy Atherton – 3/5/17
- You’re Already Amazing- Holley Gerth – 3/13/17
- The Four Loves – CS Lewis- 4/2/17
- Pride and Prejudice- Jane Austin – 4/18/17
- Big Magic – Liz Gilbert – 4/21/17
- Aunt Dimity: Vampire Hunter – Nancy Atherton – 5/10/17
- The Third Target – Joel Rosenberg- 5/13/17
- The First Hostage – Joel Rosenberg- 5/15/17
- Without Warning – Joel Rosenberg – 5/17/17
- Aunt Dimity Goes Down Under – Nancy Atherton – 5/21/17
- Aunt Dimity and the Family Tree – Nancy Atherton – 5/28/17
- Atlas Girl – Emily Wierenga – 6/2/17
- The Red Sea Rules – Robert J Morgan – 6/4/17
- Real Artists Don’t Starve – Jeff Goins – 7/12/17
- Crossroads – Wm. Paul Young – 7/15/17
- Funding Your Ministry – Scott Morton – 7/16/17
- Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg – 7/19/17
- The Christian Atheist – Craig Groeschel – 7/25/17
- Eve – Wm. Paul Young – 7/30/17
- All In – Mark Batterson – 8/6/17
- The Grave Robber – Mark Batterson – 8/19/17
- The Sun Also Rises – Ernest Hemingway – 9/3/17
- Living Forward – Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy – 9/4/17
- The Glass Castle – Jeannette Walls – 10/1/17
- Stop Walking on Eggshells – Mason and Kreger- 10/6/17
- The Historian – Elizabeth Kostova – 10/13/17
- The Furious Longing of God – Brennen Manning – 10/15/17
- Danger in the Shadows – 10/28/17 – Dee Henderson
- Illuminated – Matt Bronleewe – 10/29/17
- Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil – Nancy Atherton – 11/11/17
- Aunt Dimity: Detective – Nancy Atherton – 11/12/17
- Aunt Dimity’s Christmas – Nancy Atherton – 11/14/17
- Aunt Dimity Digs In – Nancy Atherton – 11/17/17
- Strengths Based Leadership – Don Clifton, Tom Rath, Gallup – 11/23/17
- Simply Tuesday – Emily P. Freeman – 12/9/17
- The Negotiator – Dee Henderson – 12/9/17
- The Guardian – Dee Henderson – 12/10/17
- The Truth Seeker – Dee Henderson- 12/10/17
- The Protector – Dee Henderson- 12/13/17
- The Healer – Dee Henderson – 12/15/17
- Uninvited- Lysa TerKeurst – 12/16/17
- The Rescuer – Dee Henderson – 12/17/17
- Daring Greatly – Brene Brown – 12/30/17
by Donya Dunlap | Jan 5, 2018 | The Spiritual Life, Write Hard Things
For a few years now I’ve noticed others choosing a single word or phrase for the new year. This is meant as a resolution of sorts. Instead of making goals to reach, they choose a word to live by. I considered this for several days leading up to the new year. On December 31st I flew to Atlanta to take part in the Passion 2018 conference (post to come later – read last year’s here). I sat in an open, nearly empty part of the airport waiting for my friend to arrive and asked God what my word should be for 2018. The word I felt rise up in my heart is “authentic.”
“Authentic” Defined
Merriam-Webster.com defines “authentic” as:
- (a) worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact; (b) conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features; (c) made or done the same way as an original
- not false or imitation: real, actual
- true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character
Reading the definition gives further assent to the stirring I’ve received in my heart from the Lord. 2018 is to be the year of me…the real me.
Confirmation from the Critic
“The year of me…sounds a bit arrogant, doesn’t it?” That was my first thought. My first response to the Lord answering a prayer was a knee-jerk reaction of fake piousness.
See, my internal critic is a “good girl.” She’s always telling me what I should and shouldn’t do based on what other people might think. “You can’t make a whole year all about you. That’s selfish. That’s arrogant. You can’t blog about that. You’re supposed to be setting a good example.”
I’m choosing to ignore her. Why? Because my internal critic is a hypocrite and a jerk. She knows God wants to make changes in me. To grow me. To make me more useful for His kingdom purposes. And that makes her afraid. And fear shows up as fake humility, persuading me to take a step back, be small, be insignificant. It sounds good on the surface, but God is not the author of fear.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
“Courage, Brave heart.”
No, my God wants me to be strong and courageous. He wants me to keep my head held high, my shoulders squared, and my eyes fixed on Him and the calling He has on my life.
“Courage, Brave heart.”
Three words penned by C.S. Lewis in a children’s story I found myself scribbling on my mirror in eyeliner. I needed this reflected back to me every morning to remind myself to not give in to the fear. To shake off the words of shame heaped upon me by others. Three words I found myself clinging to through the pain of the holidays for hurting people hurt people and there is no hurt greater than the loss of love. And on the heels of such brokenness, I feel the Lord whisper…
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
Why “Authentic” and not “Courage”
As I reflected on the year, the progress I’ve made, the trials of recent days, my constant, ongoing battle with fear, I considered “courage” as the word I should choose. But “courage” did not resonate with me as “authentic” did. Courage feels like work. Like a stirring up of will. Like showing a brave face to the world despite my misgivings. What I want is freedom.
I know within me is a woman of power. She is brave. Her eyes shine with the confidence of the Holy Spirit within her. She boldly pursues her passions because she knows God has given them to her. They are His heart and her calling.
But despite all the ways I have grown and changed, this powerful, Spirit-fueled woman is still buried beneath layers of fear and shame. She is wrapped in worries about being wrong and making mistakes, about people laughing and whispering behind lifted hands. Past experience says, “Stay small. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Failure hurts. It’s better not to try.” These are lies from the Evil One. I long to be free of them. And while the path to freedom requires courage, it’s authenticity I seek.
“Not false or imitation: real, actual”
As I shared in my
last post on vulnerability, our relationship with Jesus has to be one of naked trust. I have to believe He is good and He means good for me in my life. I can read Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11 all day long, but unless I truly believe God loves me and will always do what is best for my life, I will never experience the deep connection with Him as He designed when He created me.
To be authentic is to be real. To remove those layers and walls we hide behind. Sometimes this process is painful. Sometimes joyful. But always necessary to live in freedom and power.
In the book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the one referenced above written by C.S. Lewis, there is a boy named Eustace. Because of his selfishness and greed, Eustace had become a dragon. He longed to be rid of his scales and become a boy again, but scrub as he might, he could never come clean as before. It took Aslan’s sharp claws to peel the dragon skin from Eustace and return him to his true self. In Eustace’s own words,
Eustace was afraid at first so he tried going his own way. Desperation forced him to turn to the One who could bring about real and lasting change. All Eustace had to do was lay down and ask Aslan to intercede on His behalf. Once free of his dragon skin, Eustace could again swim, and play, and be joyful.
What “Authentic” Means to Me
This naked realness is authenticity. To be stripped of all things not belonging to the original, forgiven, loved, called, gifted, daughter of the King of Kings God created me to be. Fear ignored. Shame removed. Giving my all. Embracing my gifts. No more feeling small and incapable when God has given me the power to do all He has asked me to do.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
It may take all year for the layers to come off. Maybe more. I suspect the process of healing will never fully terminate this side of heaven. But my focus for this year is to be authentic. To be the real me in my body, mind, emotions, and spirit. To not be afraid of what God has for my future, but to fully embrace my now knowing each part of today is His gift to me. I am laying down before God and asking Him to strip me down to my real self. Will you join me?
by Donya Dunlap | Dec 29, 2017 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
Over the course of the last year, I have tackled the project of developing a companion study guide to my book Forgetting the Fairy Tale. In doing so, I’ve come back to the discussion of having a relationship with Jesus and what that means in daily life. In summary, the book says, in order to have a fulfilled and meaningful life, we must reject the false idols of attraction, beauty, sex, popularity, success, marriage, motherhood, and more as paths to happiness and contentment. Instead, we must engage and develop our relationship with God knowing that only He can provide us with the worthiness we crave. But beyond the disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, and church attendance, how is this accomplished? The answer lies in the word, “vulnerability.”
Defining Vulnerability
In the book, Daring Greatly, Brené Brown defines “vulnerability” as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.” I cannot imagine a better way to describe what a real relationship with God feels like. William Paul Young in his book, Eve, describes it as being “face to face.” No pretense. No masks. No shame. Just pure love and connection.
I’ll be honest. This is terrifying. Especially for those of us who pride ourselves on being “good girls.” Never disappointing. Always proper. Always put-together. Carefully crafting the image we present to the world so as to not make the slightest frown appear on any matronly faces. The same applies to the “rebels” too. Not caring and caring too much are two sides of the same coin. Both costumes we put on in the morning to cover our true selves before walking onto the stage of the world.
To be vulnerable is to be as Adam and Eve were in the garden—naked and unashamed. This is how God desires us all to be. In fact, we all begin this way as children. Shame is a learned emotion. Guilt is a God-tool for correction. Shame is the tool of the Enemy meant to get us to hide from God. It’s one of his favorite weapons for he knows that only God has the ability to lift our heads and restore worth and wholeness.
Exchanging Vulnerability for the Fig Leaves of Shame
We learn shame when we are mocked by the neighbor kids. When our grades don’t measure up in school. When the popular kids tell us we aren’t cool enough, smart enough, pretty enough, or athletic enough to sit at their table. We learn shame when our parents tell us to “suck it up and be a man” or “don’t be a wuss” or “in this family girls don’t [insert thing that makes you happy and…well…you].”
It doesn’t take long before we believe being ourselves is somehow bad, so we pretend. We act like the sibling who gets the positive attention. Imitate the cool kids. Slip into perfectionism. Or we act like the rejection of our true selves doesn’t hurt. Throwing away the values of our parents to run in the opposite direction.
We carry these beliefs about ourselves and how we think we are supposed to be into our relationships with God as well. Thinking God is disappointed with us, judges us, rejects us, or doesn’t love us. Maybe even believe God doesn’t exist because to believe He does and we don’t measure up to His standard is simply too painful.
The Naked Truth
The truth is, God is not our parents. He’s not our elementary school teachers. Or the kid who mocked us from the bleachers while we stumbled through our role on the court. He’s our Creator, and there’s nothing we can do to make Him love us any more or any less. His love for us is complete, not a prize for which we have to compete.
What was God’s response to Adam and Eve in the garden after they sinned? “Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11 ESV) In other words, who shamed you? Who said you weren’t good enough? Who made you feel small…less than…insignificant…broken? God was not the one that introduced these feelings to Adam and Eve. Satan was.
Satan will always tell us our good isn’t good enough. That our body isn’t thin enough. Our contribution isn’t worthy to be shared with the world. Satan convinces us we should hide our true selves behind fig leaves and religion. God doesn’t tell us these things. He gives us a way to escape shame—forgiveness. God exchanges our sinfulness for the righteousness of Jesus. He lifts our chin and makes us look in His eyes, not so we will feel small, but so we will connect with His heart. So we will feel valued and cherished. In this relationship, in this soul-nakedness, we are accepted as we are. We are celebrated. We are treasured as beloved sons and daughters.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17, ESV
Choosing Vulnerability
Vulnerability in our Jesus-walk is something we must choose every day. We do this when we confess our sins, laying them at His nail-scarred feet and refusing to let the weight of them pull us down into negative self-talk and blame. Confession is step one. Accepting Jesus’ forgiveness, step two.
We choose vulnerability when we embrace grace. Grace for yourself and others. Grace is the foundation on which our relationship with Jesus rests. Religion supports self-flagellation. Sometimes that looks like the self-inflicted pain of whippings and climbing stairs on your knees. Sometimes it looks like a form of humility and self-abasement cherished by the religious elite. Occasionally it looks like picket lines and religious protests. Jesus rejects these “burnt offerings” and offers the cross instead. Our guilt dissolves in His blood. Shame and finger-pointing have no place in the life of the Christian. Only grace.
We choose vulnerability when we engage with others. It’s easy to mock someone’s sin in order to feel better about ourselves. It’s hard to mock someone when you truly see them—their hardships, their fears, what brought them to their place in life. Empathy and judgment are opposites. It’s hard to look your nose down at a stripper when you’re holding her hand in her dressing room, questioning whether she’s old enough to obtain a drivers license and praying for her. Jumping into the messy middle of people’s lives promotes compassion, kindness, understanding, and love. It’s what Jesus did for us and the least we can do for others.
Possibly the most important aspect of vulnerability is choosing to pursue Jesus. Wait…you say…doesn’t Jesus pursue us? Yes. He did and He does. But relationships go two ways. Being vulnerable means opening up our hearts, laying bare our desires, plans, fears, and pain before the Lord. This is frightening. What if Jesus doesn’t respond as we think He should? This takes courage. This is faith.
No More Fig Leaves
Walking in a relationship with Jesus feels raw. Like standing naked before someone hours after saying, “I do.” It’s just you and him and you desperately want to know you’re good enough to be loved completely. Thankfully, we already have Jesus’ assurance that we are perfect in His sight—fat rolls and all. He doesn’t want our “Sunday best.” He wants us in all our messy-haired, mascara-smeared, Monday morning glory.
The fig leaves are getting in the way. Let them go and let Him in.
by Donya Dunlap | Dec 22, 2017 | Bible Study, Forgetting the Fairy Tale
In celebration of Christmas and the soon-to-be-released Forgetting the Fairy Tale Companion Guide, I thought I would offer a sample. I hope the reminder sets a peaceful tone for your upcoming celebrations. Merry Christmas!
Session 7: To Have and To Hold & Love Has Come
Advent.
So much truth packed into six little letters. Waiting. Expectation. Season. Hope. Arrival. Imagination.
Elizabeth understood the waiting and waning of hope. The tears every month when her bleeding began. The stabbing pain of judgment from the women around her. It had been drilled into them—the good are blessed and the bad have God’s blessing removed from them. No baby, no blessing.
The Israelites understood Advent. For 400 years they waited on a word from God. For centuries a Messiah had been prophesied. Yet still, they waited. During this time the Medes, Persians, and Babylonians made way for the Greek Empire and then the Roman Empire. The Hebrew Scriptures were translated into the Greek Septuagint and easily accessible to everyone. The stage was set—and still, they waited.
Joseph understood Advent. Before he could take Mary as his wife, he had to prepare for her coming. A room had to be built for their sleeping quarters. A home had to be prepared. His finances must be in order and a wedding planned. Joseph was quite familiar with expectant hope for the future.
Mary had spent her life in Advent. Jewish women were trained early for marriage and motherhood. Learning how to care for a household. Managing time and resources when there never seemed to be enough of either. The end of Mary’s Advent season did not culminate in a wedding as she expected, but a birth announcement. A change of direction so abrupt and all-encompassing nothing on earth would ever be the same again—for anyone.
Advent finds its origin in Latin meaning, “arrival” from the combination of two words meaning “to” plus “come.”1 So much more was coming in this season than a pair of baby boy cousins. The end of 400 years of silence. A new covenant. A new dispensation. A new understanding of the law. An introduction to grace. A new prophet carrying the message of a new kingdom—and a new King. The Messiah.
We like to think of Elizabeth, Zachariah, Mary, and Joseph like characters in a play. They each have their parts to say, dressed in their bathrobes and stage makeup. When the baby is born and the shepherds go home, we do too. Packing up the gifts and decorations for another year. But the real focus of the story isn’t the angels, a straw-filled manger, and a newborn. It’s God.
God who existed before time and space. God who created the heavenly host and the heavens themselves. God who designed every petal on every flower and every spinning galaxy. He is the story. He is the author and the main character. And when He determined the time was right, He set aside His glory and became a growing mass of cells within a woman’s body.
Advent. I Am. The beginning and the end colliding into the now.
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.” (Isaiah 43:10-11, ESV)
Mary and Elizabeth had important roles to play, just as you and I do today. But our lives pale in comparison to the One who has always lived. While modern philosophies encourage “I Am” as a motto for improved self-image, losing ourselves in the endless depths of the true I AM is the only way to unfiltered, unshakeable identity. Mary and Elizabeth both understood this as they submitted to the life-altering tasks of preparing for and protection of the Messiah.
It is easy for us to forget the I Am in the midst of our To Do. He whispers while our circumstances shout. But taking time to be present with Him is vital. His coming should impact every moment of our lives, not just the month before Christmas.
For every cry, there is one answer: I need help. I AM. I need hope. I AM. Who could possibly be smart enough to figure this out? I AM. What works? I AM. What lasts? I AM. What’s the latest thing? I AM. What’s the hippest thing? I AM. I need a fresh start. I AM. I need a bigger story. I AM. My vision is bigger than my resources. I AM. Nothing’s real anymore. I AM. Who can I trust? I AM. I’m not sure who’s on my team. I AM. Nobody’s listening to me. I AM. I don’t have a prayer. I AM. My marriage is sinking and I don’t know where to turn. I AM. I can’t hold on. I AM. My kids deserve more. I AM. I’m pouring into others, who’s pouring into me? I AM. If we fail, who will get the job done? I AM. I’m not sure why I’m here. I AM. I’ve given all I can give and it’s not enough. I AM. I’m tired. I AM. I quit! I AM. I need a drink. I AM. I need a fix. I AM. I need a lover.
I AM. Somebody just hold me. I AM.2 – Louie Giglio
Just as Love came into the lives of poor teenagers in Nazareth, He is coming again. In a blaze of glory, He is coming to rid the world of sin and set creation right again.
Until then, we must wait in the same hopeful anticipation of Elizabeth and Mary. We must take every fear, every doubt and lay them in the hands of the great I Am. He was and He will be…but He also is…right now, holding you in the midst of your homework, heartbreak, and dinner dishes. He is asking you to believe in His plan for you. Inviting you to walk with Him as you wait—from this day forward.
