The weather was perfect and the ball field was prepared. The Marlins were in the World Series and it was the final game. The bats came alive early and they went up, but soon the Royals clawed back. The perfect season was put on the line. In the last inning, with the sun shining down into the first baseman's eyes, the Royals hit a beamer right down the first base line that got lost in the sun. The Royals have won the World Series. This wasn't supposed to happen! The Marlins had prepared, the Marlins were ready for this and were playing great. The Marlins were the best team all season long!
None of us are immune to defeat. It is a part of life and something that can either hinder your development or teach you far greater lessons than winning will. Why is it sometimes though that certain defeats feel worse than others? Is it because we put pressure on a situation, an event, or even a person? Many times in the Bible we see the rise and fall of great men of God. Currently I am reading in Kings about Solomon and how his heart turned to idolatry. This certainly must be something God is trying to speak into me at this time because as you probably know from some of my writing before when God moves something inside you or around you, He constantly confirms and reaffirms. It is only through obedience and a repented heart that you will be able to see and hear the proper tugging of God in your heart.
Last week, I was reading in Judges with a small group in which we went over a story in which some of the most gruesome things occurred. So shocking in fact that it made me very sad just thinking that someone could do that. Have you ever been in that spot? Looking at someone and say I would never do that! The story in Judges comes from the context of people living as if they are gods. Evil is evil, and it is not of God. How could these people do such an awful thing? The answer is that they were filled with the lie the enemy gives us. The lie that we are god and can do whatever we want, negotiate right or wrong, and that we can live being separated from God. Scripture clearly shows us what that life looks like and it is horrible!
To reaffirm, last week Joby Martin preached a sermon in which he talked about idols. In my small group this week we discussed what or who our idols were. For me, the person that can get in the way of a true relationship with Christ is myself. I am my own idol often times because I give in to the lie that I've got control of things.
Lastly, yesterday when I was kite surfing, I had this moment of peace out in the water in which I was staring back at the setting sun and I just had to smile because I was in such appreciation and awe of what God has done for me in my life. Here I am attached to a sail that can only fly if there is wind. I'm riding on water that I have no control over as a wave could come up any moment and knock me on my face. As I leaned back into my harness, fully supported by the tension in the lines caused by the wind, I just said "Thank you" to God. How great and wonderful is His grace. How great and wonderful is it that I am in relationship with Him to where I can recognize that I am in a good season of relationship with Him, but that doesn't mean I don't need reminders that He is in control. That is so clear in the story of Solomon. Solomon ignored God's order and in doing so showed us how easy it is to turn from being a King to being an idolater that experienced great consequences of sin.
The Marlins lost that game. I was sad for them. The Marlins by the way consist of finely tuned athletes that are 8-9 years old. My boss's son plays for them while my boss coaches the team. How do we truly learn? We learn from defeat. We learn that the only trophy that matters is hearing the words: Well done my good and faithful servant.
What is it that is defeating you right now? What is it that is holding you back from being your best self....which is being exactly and 100% what God wants for you through obedience to His word. The enemy wants you to be defeated because then you don't advance. You will stay locked in your muck. I want to tell you though that this feeling of defeat, even if it is with yourself, is not the end...it's the beginning. It is the beginning of you being what God wants, because no matter the circumstances you are WHO God wants. All he wants is YOU! The joy that comes from changing the use of your, my, and mine from your vocabulary and using His is something that I cannot describe. It is truly amazing and something that the enemy will try and keep you away from.
Feeling defeated is not the end....it is the beginning. It is the beginning of the life that you want to live through living the life that He wants you to live.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Cameron
None of us are immune to defeat. It is a part of life and something that can either hinder your development or teach you far greater lessons than winning will. Why is it sometimes though that certain defeats feel worse than others? Is it because we put pressure on a situation, an event, or even a person? Many times in the Bible we see the rise and fall of great men of God. Currently I am reading in Kings about Solomon and how his heart turned to idolatry. This certainly must be something God is trying to speak into me at this time because as you probably know from some of my writing before when God moves something inside you or around you, He constantly confirms and reaffirms. It is only through obedience and a repented heart that you will be able to see and hear the proper tugging of God in your heart.
Last week, I was reading in Judges with a small group in which we went over a story in which some of the most gruesome things occurred. So shocking in fact that it made me very sad just thinking that someone could do that. Have you ever been in that spot? Looking at someone and say I would never do that! The story in Judges comes from the context of people living as if they are gods. Evil is evil, and it is not of God. How could these people do such an awful thing? The answer is that they were filled with the lie the enemy gives us. The lie that we are god and can do whatever we want, negotiate right or wrong, and that we can live being separated from God. Scripture clearly shows us what that life looks like and it is horrible!
To reaffirm, last week Joby Martin preached a sermon in which he talked about idols. In my small group this week we discussed what or who our idols were. For me, the person that can get in the way of a true relationship with Christ is myself. I am my own idol often times because I give in to the lie that I've got control of things.
Lastly, yesterday when I was kite surfing, I had this moment of peace out in the water in which I was staring back at the setting sun and I just had to smile because I was in such appreciation and awe of what God has done for me in my life. Here I am attached to a sail that can only fly if there is wind. I'm riding on water that I have no control over as a wave could come up any moment and knock me on my face. As I leaned back into my harness, fully supported by the tension in the lines caused by the wind, I just said "Thank you" to God. How great and wonderful is His grace. How great and wonderful is it that I am in relationship with Him to where I can recognize that I am in a good season of relationship with Him, but that doesn't mean I don't need reminders that He is in control. That is so clear in the story of Solomon. Solomon ignored God's order and in doing so showed us how easy it is to turn from being a King to being an idolater that experienced great consequences of sin.
The Marlins lost that game. I was sad for them. The Marlins by the way consist of finely tuned athletes that are 8-9 years old. My boss's son plays for them while my boss coaches the team. How do we truly learn? We learn from defeat. We learn that the only trophy that matters is hearing the words: Well done my good and faithful servant.
What is it that is defeating you right now? What is it that is holding you back from being your best self....which is being exactly and 100% what God wants for you through obedience to His word. The enemy wants you to be defeated because then you don't advance. You will stay locked in your muck. I want to tell you though that this feeling of defeat, even if it is with yourself, is not the end...it's the beginning. It is the beginning of you being what God wants, because no matter the circumstances you are WHO God wants. All he wants is YOU! The joy that comes from changing the use of your, my, and mine from your vocabulary and using His is something that I cannot describe. It is truly amazing and something that the enemy will try and keep you away from.
Feeling defeated is not the end....it is the beginning. It is the beginning of the life that you want to live through living the life that He wants you to live.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Cameron
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