Firework

Okay, imagine this: you are anxiously awaiting the Fourth of July fireworks show to start and all of a sudden a blast of noise and color emerges about 20 feet from you. What’s your reaction? I would first be startled, but then would enjoy the beautiful colors that emerge from the fireworks. I know some of you personally would not even be sitting at the Fourth of July celebration, but humor me in envisioning yourself thereJ Have you ever listened to someone speak and after walking away felt absolutely refreshed? Well, I can honestly say that is how I felt after listening to Beth Moore speak via simulcast Saturday. She is similar to a lit firework that explodes every other second!! Either way, I left the simulcast encouraged. A couple key take aways that I received from Saturday are:

1)      Beth said, “Our story was meant to be dramatic, climatic – a showcase of God’s faithfulness.” How profound. When I first heard her say this I was reminded of the rollercoaster message I recently wrote. She nailed it. Our lives are on display for ANY and ALL to see how we ride the rollercoaster of life. We can ride it with our hands up: hooting and hollering the whole way through, or we can ride it with our hands over our eyes and our heads ducked between our knees. I have noticed that when my hands are up and I am excited about the ride, I trust that God has the ride under control; I am submitting to his plan.

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Even though I cannot see the next hill or turn, I have faith that the ride will return safely to the platform with the helpful employees to assist me in getting out. I have found that by allowing myself to open my eyes on the rollercoaster – I have been able to reach out to others who may be going through a similar ‘ride.’ I am grateful for the friendships that have evolved because of this journey.

2)      The second point that I loved from Beth’s fireworks display was, “Faith faces the fact that there is no formula.” I instantly felt convicted. I often put God in a box and expect him to give me what I desire. Recently, God revealed to me that He has already given me what I need. He doesn’t need to swoop down and give me A, B, C just because I asked him to. He may skip A, B, C, and give me Q, R, X! A verse that I learned Saturday put Beth’s point into greater perspective:

 

John 1:16 “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.”

Wow. Because he chose to spare my life by taking my sin upon Him at Calvary, I can receive blessings upon blessings? That is somewhat unfathomable for my human brain. What IS fathomable is that I can see the blessings all around me. One of my favorite blessings is, Cole. Another great Cole quote from today, “Even though God may not be giving me what I want, He is still ALWAYS good.”

And finally, I will leave you with my new favorite song on repeat in the Supercharger: One Thing Remains, by Krisian Stanfill. It warms my heart and I hope it encourages you, too. My favorite part of the song is the fact that God’s love is higher than ANY mountain that I come upon here on earth, and His love is CONSTANT during any trial, adversity or change I face. He is real. He is good.

 

One Thing Remains: Kristian Stanfill

Chorus:
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
(x3)
Your love

Verse 1:
Higher than the mountains
That I face
Stronger than the power
Of the grave
Constant in the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains

Chorus

Verse 2:
Because on and on and
On and on it goes 

It overwhelms

And satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, 

Have to be afraid 

One thing remains 

One thing remains


Chorus

Bridge:
In death, in life
I'm confident and covered 

By the power of Your great love 

My debt is paid
There's nothing that can separate
My heart from Your great love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TItyYhfwClM