MY BLOG POSTS
You Are Loved
Some of you love this week, others dread it. Valentines Day can be depressing if you don’t have a “special someone’. It can be depressing if the someone you have doesn’t seem so “special”. I know some girls (and women) who even get angry on February 14, upset at the love being thrown around because none seems to be tossed their way.
I also know girls (and women) who are so obsessed with “finding love” that they focus only on that, read only about that, make finding love the driving force in their lives. And, sadly, when they do find it, these women often find themselves disappointed. Reality is rarely as great as fantasy. So they break up or divorce and start the cycle again.
I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: The craving we have for love is not wrong. But that craving cannot be fully satisfied by any man. It’s a God-shaped hole that can only be filled by God Himself.
I’m not diminishing romantic love. It really is great! I’ve been married for almost 24 years, and the love that Dave and I share, the life that we’ve created together, is really special. It’s taken hard work – and will continue to take hard work – but it’s a beautiful thing.
The beauty, though, has come from learning to appreciate Dave for who he is, and not expecting him to meet all my needs. He’s a wonderful man, but he’s not God. And only God can meet all of my needs. When I recognize that, I can be thankful for Dave, appreciative of who he is and how God has made him. But, when I’ve looked to Dave to be “God”, I am annoyed, disappointed, frustrated at his shortcomings.
Those who aren’t married, be careful! Sometimes, in a woman’s desire to be loved, she can choose unwisely. Remember that you already have the greatest love imaginable. And He has GREAT plans for you. Don’t miss out on those plans. Waiting a few years for God’s choice is well worth it!
So even if you don’t have a “Valentine”, ladies, you are still SO loved. God’s love is eternal, amazing, immeasurable. He may not give you a box of chocolates, but His gifts are even sweeter. Rejoice in those gifts, let Him fill those lonely places.
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Ignorant?
I was watching a TV show this week in which a girl was condemned by her pastor for questioning God. When the girl asked why she shouldn’t do that, the pastor just fumbled (he was portrayed as an idiot) and said, “Because…He’s God!”
The take-home message is one I’ve seen far too often in films, TV, and books (not to mention the news!) — Christians are mindless, ignorant fools who use our belief in the supremacy of God as a crutch or an excuse to avoid real issues.
Listen, you can’t read the Bible without encountering great men and women who questioned God. Jacob wrestled with Him, Moses argued with Him, Esther tried to talk Him out of using her, David got mad at Him…the list goes on. God never says we can’t be honest with Him or express our feelings. But as each of these saints cried out in their different ways, through their different circumstances, they came to the same conclusion: “He’s God!”
And, friends, this isn’t a cop-out conclusion. It isn’t a way to avoid the difficult questions or live a passive life.
The reality is that we aren’t God. And that’s a reality that, frankly, doesn’t set well with a lot of folks. We live in a society where personal authority is more important than anything else. We want to do what we want, when we want it, how we want it, and we don’t want anyone telling us no.
And so people who believe they are the ultimate authority condemn those of us who believe we aren’t. Meanwhile, the evidence is stacked in our favor: Life can’t be controlled, no matter how rich or powerful we are.
And the fact is this: There’s much more peace, purpose, and joy in living in the reality that “God is God, and I am not.” When I understand that, I can be like Esther and bravely face an impossible situation. I can be like David, and stare down an enemy that reduces everyone else to tears. I can be bold and confident, knowing that the God of the universe is with me, guiding me, and sustaining me.
It isn’t ignorant to believe we are not in control. It’s reality! And the more we know God, through His word and prayer and fellowship with other believers, the more bold we can be for Him, the more risks we can take. It isn’t the “safe” road to recognize that God is God. But it is the path that leads to great joy and abundant life.
So, friends, let’s not be classified as ignorant. Know who you are, WHOSE you are, and what you believe. And boldly declare it.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8
Future Tense
I have been really convicted lately that I am thinking WAY more about the future than I am about the present. And by thinking, I mean worrying. Stressing. Obsessing. Hoping. Daydreaming. Planning. Worrying some more.
It’s just so easy. The future is unknown. Scary. Exciting. Daunting. There are so many possibilities to consider. So much that is unexpected – as we saw this week in the death of Kobe Bryant. And I know I’m not alone. My students – especially the seniors – have the same struggle. Even worse, in some cases, 
because they are trying to decide on colleges and majors and life.
But Jesus Himself tells us not to worry about tomorrow because “each day has enough trouble of its own”(Mt. 6:34). And yet, what fills my mind? Tomorrow….and tomorrow…and tomorrow.
What God has been speaking to me about this is that, in all this thinking about tomorrows, I am missing out on the plans He has for me today. There have been people He has wanted me to serve and love, there have been good things He has wanted me to do, there have been lessons He has wanted me to learn, and I have missed them all.
Because my eyes were on tomorrow, I have missed so many todays.
So I am resolved to resist dwelling on tomorrow. To focus on today. No more missing out on God’s directions and blessings.
I am resolved to be present.
Dealing with Insecurities
Girls, allow me to let you in on a hidden truth: We ALL deal with insecurities. Every. Single. One of us.
Believe it or not, the really pretty girls – the ones with the perfect skin and teeth and hair and body – are very often the MOST insecure. Seriously! I have seen it over and over again. We look at those girls and think how much we wish we could look like them, and they look at themselves and pick out every flaw. 
Girls who are smart or athletic or talented struggle with comparing themselves to those who are smarter, more athletic, or more talented. Even the ones who are “the best” battle with feeling like they don’t quite measure up. Some more than others, certainly, but everyone, at some point feels “less than”.
So losing that weight, getting your face cleared up, or minimizing the thigh gap won’t solve the problem. Neither will studying harder or working out longer or taking voice/dance/acting lessons. None of those are wrong, necessarily, in themselves. But if you are pursuing any of them as a solution to your insecurities, then you will discover that you never “arrive”.
The real issue, friends, is that we think WAY too much about ourselves. It’s a form of pride…I’m not pretty enough, I’m not smart enough, I’m not good enough. Take a minute and think about how often you think about yourself in a given day. Or even a given hour. A lot, right?
So the solution to these issues isn’t the latest fad diet or cream or clinic. The solution to insecurity is thinking of yourself less. Focus on God’s word and His work. Knowing everyone is battling with something, look for ways to build others up. Fill your mind with Truth and share that Truth with others. Point out what is lovely in your friends and encourage them with that. Meditate on scripture, and allow God’s words to fill those places in your mind that are overfilled with “you”. Don’t leave space in your mind for the “not good enough” thoughts. Remind yourself that you were made by God, and He loves you.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Phil. 4:8