Every Opportunity

There's a verse that talks about making use of every opportunity given. I had forgotten that every minute is an opporunity. Everything happens for a reason, God is still writing our story and helping direct our lives, even when we forget or aren't listening to the director.

One of the reoccuring things since this summer is STOP THE LIES. Recognizing the lies and not listening to them, but instead, cast out the lies with the truth. the word. The only way to tell a lie is to lay the truth beside it and prove it. To bring the statment into the light and determine if its a lie or the truth. Bringing it into the light requires getting it out of your head and the truth is the word of God.

I started to fall for the over cautiousness of legalism. I didnt want to read my Bible because I felt like I had to, to be a good Christian, but when your not getting a constant input of truth, slight exaggerations and lies can begin to escalade until you believe major lies.

I was talking to Jonathan Rollins about it and how I felt like it was hard to hear Gods voice. I knew he was talking still, but there was so much ambient noise coming in that I couldn't distinguish which was God and which was lies. I knew they were conflicting, but neither one seemed to be so obvious that it was God or not, both seemed to have the possibility of being from God. Jonathan then asked about my Bible reading. I said me and God had had some good times, but I had been trying to connect with Him through different ways, praying, nature, music. He said that it was good but challenged my Bible reading. It frustrated me cause I felt like it was just a stupid suggestion that was obvious and almost seemed like it was legalistic. So I figured why not, I'll try anything. So I started to just sit down and read, no idea what i was suppose to read, or what or when or how it would apply, just sat down and started. A day passed and nothing really came out, but I wasn't giving up. The next day there it was. I dont even know what it was, but hearing Gods voice reminded me just what it sounded like and helped distinguish which was which and what exactly God talks like and what he would or wouldn't say. But of course, the lessons I learn, aren't just for me.

I was talking to one of my friend who was really having trouble with their major and wondering if this is really what they wanted to do and should do, and if they could do. I mentioned the fact that in this case, I could think of two reaons: it's either God breaking you so that you quit trying to do it yourself and lean more on Him, or it's you listening to the lies. I asked if this is what they thought God wanted them to do? They said this summer yes. I mentioned the fact that I don't think he would have changed His mind in that amount of time, (since this school year has been a rough time between God and them, and this summer was a very close time for the two). So I mentioned it seems as if it's lies that they are believing. I told her about Jonathan and I talking and how I hated it but he was right. And how the only way to tell a lie is to put it next to the truth. They responded with the last time they touched their bible was when going to church two weeks ago. They said they had been praying and stuff, but no truth-time. hmmm... yeah. so easy to begin to hear the lies in times like these.

We also talked about how they were trying to help everyone and how if they're not getting a constant input of truth, bad advice might start coming out. and how we both agreed that God could take care of it better than we could, but that to best help someone we really need to snuggle up next to God and draw close to Him so that we can hear Him better and better help others. Both of us would rather help someone else than help ourselves, so it was kind of one more reason why we need to both dig into the word/truth more.

On Tuesday I called Mr. Buchanan to ask if we could practice at the church for cru. We were talking about what he was doing and he said workin on the sermon. So I asked what was up on the chopping block. He said they were working through the sermon on the mount and were on the Matt 7:13-14. Bout wide is the gate and broad is the road to destruction, but small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life. We'll that was cool. Then, in the middle of Spanish class on Tuesday night, I get a text from Lynsi with those exact two verses in them, nothing else. I was alittle freaked out. I figured God was trying to tell me something but I didn't know what. I talked to Mr. Buchanan and Lynsi both the next day and neither one had any idea. So I had been looking at those verses trying to figure out what God was saying with them. I was in the library looking at them this afternoon when my friend came up and we started talking. So I spun the Bible around and pointed them out and said what does this do for you? I think God had been setting up them saying, it's not going to be easy, especially when everyone else around you seems to be falling off and backing away. That only "few will find it" but that we shoudl try to go through that gate and continue on the narrow way, even when it's not easy. Few will find it, we are the few. Continue on. It was really cool to see how God had been setting this up all week. I think there's more there, but I dont know what yet. The most out of every opportunity.

Eventually we talked about talking to God and how we like to fall asleep praying because it's like we're snuggling up in His arms where its safe and warm and can find rest there, like a little kid in a parents arms. But one thing that Randy had mentioned to me which came back around and reminded me I need to do it more is when we pray, what's the ratio of time we talk and time we listen? I realized I talk alot when I pray and need to listen more. My friend realized it too.

I'm not writing this to prove what I've done, cause it's nothing. God just spoke to me and to my friend and reminded us what we need to be doing and what will help us both. And so, I write it here to remind myself later what I need to be doing. If it helps someone else too whose listening to lies, awesome. If not, it's helped me and a friend. God is faithful. My friend ran over got their ipod and brought me back a song that reminded them of their life. Here's some lyrics that apply:

Once again, settling for second best
Turn the page and skip to the end to where I swore that I would try
Since the last time I crossed that line in the back of my mind I know ...

It only hurts when your eyes are open
Lies get tossed and truth is spoken
It only hurts when that door gets open
Dreams are lost and hearts are broken

I thought they were appropriate since it talks about lies are tossed and truth is spoken. It says it hurts though, I heard the other day, "The truth will set you free, sometimes though, it just makes you feel like crap first."

I'm glad God never lets go and is always directing.

just a thought

So I just had one of those random thoughts.

You don't look for something until you need it.

but seriously no one ever looks for soemthing until they need it. and maybe those who look for things before they need them are the people who make a big difference. those who are well prepared and educated can take control of the situation..

maybe thats what makes Jesus looking for us so special. like he left the 99 sheep to find the one, not because he needed it.