Migrating

Happy news: I'm jumping to a new location for this blog! http://thoughtsfromblueeyes.com  is my new website, created for me by an extremely talented and generous web designer whom I may or may not be related to.

The glory of God and the exaltation of Christ are still the center. I look forward to writing from a new and different platform.

Col 3:17 -- all for Him!

Preferring

Peanut Butter S'mores. It may sound disgusting, but it's one of my favorite ice creams.

Rose Latte. It may sound disgusting, but it's one of Hannah the Traveler's favorite coffee drinks. 

We are all created with preferences. I like this, you like that, he can't stand that, fill-in-the-blank. That's part of how God made us, and it's a wondrous thing to see how the Body of Christ fits together with the distributed uniqueness among us all. It's beautiful how people are so different but need the same things: food, shelter, love.

God.

I wonder how many people think of God as just another preference, like an extra blurb to add to a biography or something to rattle off when we talk about mutual interests. "I like chocolate, watching classic films, and going to church," or, "I'm interested in God, sure! I love to study religion."

None of those statements can possible begin to encapsulate the true identity of our Lord. Merely viewing God as "just another thing in which I'm interested" is blasphemous, a mockery of Yeshua and the divine holiness he possesses that demands our utmost worship and dedication.

God is not a preference. God is God, and he deserves our everything. 

I was reading a book by Ted Dekker today. It was a fiction novel about a woman who encounters Jesus in A.D. 30 at the beginning of his ministry and is changed. When we encounter the living Savior, we are all changed, and there is no way to truly know and experience the Lord without being utterly convinced of his majesty but also his enduring love.

God is not a preference. God is God, and he deserves our everything.

I was watching a film today called "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," a comedy with Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. The entire movie revolves around men being unable to take their eyes off the female leads because of their figures. The women use this to their advantage, going from one man to the next, their preferences changing quickly whenever someone new comes along. 

Praise be to God that he is more than that. For God is not a preference. God is God, and he deserves our everything.

Psalm 24:10 says this,

"Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory."

Losing the concept of the majesty of God reduces him to another trinket treasure on our life's shelf of hobbies. We struggle with authority and obedience; I wonder why?

Drop the act. Let us turn our eyes from our carefully-kept interest lists and worship the One who deserves all of us, no matter what we think we prefer.

The Reality of New Years

It's an hour before the New Year.

Looking back on 2014, I can say one thing for sure: it was full.

This past year has been an incredible learning experience for me. Growing older never comes without its lessons, trials, joys, and challenges.

God has not given us another day and another year for no reason. Rather, he uses our time for a grand purpose. I think back this year to the ordinary days I experienced where nothing "significant" happened. It was routine: work/school, friends, food, sleep, prayer. I think about the big days where my whole life seemed to be impacted. These were the life lessons, the big answered prayers, seeing others come to Christ, being humbled more than ever by the knowledge that God was using me for something. Of course, there were the bad days of struggling with shame, my mind playing out my sin over and over, people failing and me failing and nothing going right; these were the days I was mad at the world and God seemed far off. These moments cast shadows and reminded me that this is not a simple war of flesh and blood (Eph 6:12). 

The Lord uses our time. Things happen for a purpose, a metanarrative that defies our postmodern culture that refuses to believe in a sovereign plan. God is seated on his throne despite the good days, bad days, and the average days. 

There is no such thing as time wasted in the hands of our Lord. 

Take comfort and joy in knowing that there is a plan. God is using each moment to teach, reveal himself, and bring glory to his name. Romans 8:28.

Stuff doesn't just "happen." This next year isn't going to just "happen," either. There is Someone who is holding each sun before releasing it to rise, and the new dawn of 2015 is no exception.

I've been messaging with Ian the Theologian and talking New Year's resolutions. It's an interesting concept, setting goals for oneself. Remembering the Planner in our plans is the number one priority (James 4:13-17). 

Keeping all this in mind, I think my New Year's resolutions would include working on my book and reshaping it a bit, along with seeking opportunities for future ministry options and taking better care of myself physically and spiritually. However, my overall "resolution" is a continual one, a prayer that I can know and love Jesus more. I want to be closer to the One who holds my life and time in his hands.

He is the one I trust and dedicate the New Year to, always. I fail, I stumble, I trip, I hate, I lie -- yet, he forgives and reminds me that my identity rests in him, not in my past self or in my sin. Jesus loves me, this I know. Jesus is the Way, for this year and the next.

God, I look to you. My life is in your hands.

The Reality of Memory

We collect memories every day, not always realizing it. Memories aren't just vacations, traditions, or major life events; rather, they are also tarnished photographs in the bottom drawer, or a too-small pair of comfy jeans, or the smell of a hospital mixed with Mom's perfume.

Memories. They are a blessing and a curse, a priceless necklace that is beautiful but sometimes ill-fitting and most certainly nonreturnable. It was just given to us.

The first time I walked into my dorm room, #402. Standing beneath the Eiffel Tower and running down the Seine bank with a crepe in my hand. Trying ketchup for the first time, finding a spider in my bed when I was nine, having a kid in youth group confess a pornography addiction to me, being betrayed by a close friend when I was 17.

I find it interesting that Jesus was human.

Jesus had to redeem all aspects of our humanity, for what is not assumed is not washed clean. For the Word became flesh and walked among us (John 1:14). Therefore, Jesus had memories, too.

He had to experience human life. He had to collect memories and process and think and go through the mundane (30 years of day-to-day carpentry, hello) and the highly significant (his ministry of three years). He knows what it's like to have a celebration party, or to walk into a funeral that we never wished would happen, or to have your closest friends leave and your family reject you. Hebrews 4:15.

Memories of bad times can assault us when we're not looking. I had a pretty rough experience with this last summer when a flood of regrets rushed into my head from my first fall semester in college. I've also had wonderful times of reminiscence with family and friends, and tonight was no exception.

We sat in our living room for an hour telling funny stories that spun off of Christmas memories. I take this time for granted too often. Time is the vehicle for our memories, and for a short 75-ish years God allows us to be her passenger.

Eric from Massachusetts wrote a song that fits well with this subject:



I've tasted and seen, and I want to keep collecting these memories because my eyes have been opened and my life redeemed. by Jesus. Time will drive on, but I will cling to One who remains unaffected by Time's shortsightedness and limited scope and refusal to pick up hitchhikers. Jesus, keep my memories in your jar and continue to hold my life as my Ultimate Destination.

The Reality of Home

I'm officially finished. 

First semester, check. Off the dashboard. I'm looking forward to heading out tomorrow for my North Woods to see family and favorites.

I made a Chik-fil-A run with Corbin the Class President tonight and then watched "Elf" with the other guys and gals who are still here. I had to say, "See you next year" to some sweet sisters and my wonderful roommate whom I love dearly. Of course, it wouldn't have been a solid wrap-up without a late-night adventure/conversation with Archie and Co. It's been a treasured few months. 

Looking back, it's been a ride. I can't believe only three and a half months have gone by since I left for my second year at Bible college, suitcases and heart at the ready. The friends (old and new), the memories, the lessons learned, and the papers written are only a small segment on the ruler of my life. Jesus continues to form and shape me into his humble vessel and child, to be filled only by him.

I know more reflecting is to come, but a little slice: God taught me that he is more than an idea to be abstracted but my salvation itself; when we pray for things we so badly desire, the Lord answers sometimes by shaping our hearts to desire him more instead; I need the Bible to refresh my spirit; spend time with people who build you up; sarcasm has its limits, and simply being kind and being yourself is more important than the next witty quip; adventures rock; give people your full attention; repent daily; pray for humility and to be a better listener. Throw in the academics, and my heart is full.

I'm ready for home.

As Christians, our lives are headed toward something greater. Because of Jesus Christ, our "citizenship is in heaven" (Phil 3:21). That's where God is. Out of his great love, we will be there someday as well.

No more pain, sorrow, separation, loneliness, and sin. Jesus, forever. 

I can't wait to see it. To be there. To be made complete.

To see Jesus.

The Reality of Real Life

This morning, at approximately 8am, a man was blowing a rape whistle on the corner of Clark and Randolph. He was holding a sign proclaiming the evils of the government and that they had violated him by refusing to give him his veterans' benefits.

This morning, at approximately 8am, I was buying a doughnut at the corner of Randolph and Dearborn. I was with my friends celebrating Brynna the RA's birthday, and we went to this (literal) hole-in-the-wall place in the Loop before finals. 

My life looks very different from that man's street corner in Daley Plaza. In fact, looking around on the crowded train platform and shuffling down the street, I see a lot of people whose lives are different than mine. I wonder who they are and where they're going, and whether or not they have someone in their life telling them the great news that Jesus is real and work doesn't have to be meaningless.

I was thinking about this while riding back to campus on the El. I have a strange relationship with the Big City: I don't quite fit in here, but I enjoy living here for now and the community I am a part of. I don't see myself really staying here after graduation, but I love taking advantage of what this city has to offer a transient resident. Living in this current reality of the Big City has taught me much, and God has grown me in a way that will always leave this place an especially marked and revisited section of my story. The city has contributed to my life. Yet, there's a higher, spiritual Reality as well.

Real Life is in Christ. That is the true reality, and that is the present reality for me. Because I am unified with Christ as part of the body of  believers, I am a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). For those who don't know him, their life is a struggle, a veil pulled over their eyes as they seek to find satisfaction and meaning. They yearn for something that they can't put their finger on. They have not been filled and transformed by Christ. Not knowing Jesus is a whole other reality.

The question is, am I living this out? Do I live like Jesus an idea, or is he real? Do I really believe that what I really believe is really real? 

I think a lot of Christians aren't living abundantly because we forget who Jesus is and what he's done. We get bogged down in things that don't matter, and we lose sight of the magnanimity of this reality: Christ! He has changed us, and we are different! 

I know we can't see it all quite yet; after all, we aren't in heaven and Jesus isn't face-to-face here (1 Cor 13:12). We know, however, that we have a forerunner, an anchor of hope (Heb 6:19). Christ results in a new reality for us here and now. 

See those living without him. Wrestle in prayer, Understand the new reality. Thank him for the transformation. 

Live.

The Reality of Peace

A friend of mine working for Chik-fil-A was out by Michigan Avenue for her usual shift this afternoon. She stands next to a big poster and hands out flyers. I got a text from Tiffany while I was out at a movie that she had to step away from her post due to a semi-heated protest complete with a police escort down the street.

Ferguson pushback.

The whole incident that took place in Missouri remains troubling, but the more troubling part is that peace and justice still cannot be found. It seems that despite the efforts of the court system, local government, and heated public opinion that this issue ceases to rest. Add in explosive responses from cities all over America and dredged-up similar incidents, and we have a case of dynamite on our hands.

I don't pretend to know anything. I didn't grow up with this kind of tension in my neighborhood; the whole concept of people fighting cops and police brutality-question-mark is not part of my insulated lexicon. I try to read up what I can, and though the court's response seems obvious and fair to me, I can't ignore the attitudes of others. 

I know this for sure: God created us. God cares for us. God hates sin. God has provided salvation through himself.

God is peace.

Through Christ, we can possess a peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:6-7. Jesus is our Peace, and he is the solution to human pain, human emptiness, and skewed human justice. He is the truth, which sets us free (John 8:32).

Despite the injustice, the selfishness, and the heat, there is a solution.

Christ. Sola deo gloria.

See past the shattered reflections, responses, and hey, the racism (BOTH ways). See the truth: there can be justice through Christ. By him, we see all things clearly. Filter past the corrupted media of men and understand that sin is the problem. Seek the Word, and pray before just spitting out an opinion on the matter.

Thank him there is an Ultimate Solution.