Running...a word I used to cringe at when I heard it. So many people here in Charlotte run, run, run, run, run. Well, I have finally been bitten by the running bug! I am currently training for a 10K in April and dare I say "running" is becoming something enjoyable?!?
I have much more respect now for people who train and run races. I never realized how hard it is to get started, the aches, cramps, pains and sweat are hard to get through those first few weeks. However, somewhere in the midst of all that pain is joy...joy that you are working towards a goal and becoming stronger with each step taken, joy in God's beauty that is displayed all around, joy in the realization that life is a lot like running and you are not alone.
Every time I run now I think of the passage found in Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
So I am still running, but not just to complete a 10K. I am running because it brings joy to my heart, it reminds me of my God and how much he loves me and that he is right there beside me running the race marked before me. Life is not always easy, it brings on a lot of pain, aches, cramps and sweat, but I know what I am pressing on towards and I know what my eyes are fixed upon...the author and perfecter of my faith!
So get out there and RUN!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thankful in "any" and "every" situation...
I have been camping out in Philippians all summer long and the words written by Paul have never rung truer to me than now at this point in my life, specifically his words spoken on humility and contentment.
It's crazy to think it's almost been a year since I've moved 600 miles away from Michigan to Charlotte, NC. God has stretched me in so many different ways, yet I still find myself oftentimes with feelings of discontentment. I have a lot to be thankful for, unfortunately I still desire so many things in life that I do not yet have.
This summer God has really opened my eyes to the meaning of humility and what a life marked by humility should look like...JESUS! In Philippians 2:5-6 Paul commands us "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus". Paul continues to explain the attitude of Jesus while He was here on this earth "...did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped...made Himself nothing...He humbled Himself and became obedient to death."
As I think back on Jesus' life and the things he did, the people he associated with, it had nothing to do with buying a house and worrying about all of the renovations and closing process. His life had nothing to do with searching for a soul mate. His life had nothing to do with figuring out which party He was going to attend on the weekend. No, Jesus was concerned with who could He serve! That should be my attitude.
I truly want to get to a point where "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13
This should be our desire in life to chase after Jesus, to serve his people, and to be content in whatever circumstance we have been placed in.
It's crazy to think it's almost been a year since I've moved 600 miles away from Michigan to Charlotte, NC. God has stretched me in so many different ways, yet I still find myself oftentimes with feelings of discontentment. I have a lot to be thankful for, unfortunately I still desire so many things in life that I do not yet have.
This summer God has really opened my eyes to the meaning of humility and what a life marked by humility should look like...JESUS! In Philippians 2:5-6 Paul commands us "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus". Paul continues to explain the attitude of Jesus while He was here on this earth "...did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped...made Himself nothing...He humbled Himself and became obedient to death."
As I think back on Jesus' life and the things he did, the people he associated with, it had nothing to do with buying a house and worrying about all of the renovations and closing process. His life had nothing to do with searching for a soul mate. His life had nothing to do with figuring out which party He was going to attend on the weekend. No, Jesus was concerned with who could He serve! That should be my attitude.
I truly want to get to a point where "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13
This should be our desire in life to chase after Jesus, to serve his people, and to be content in whatever circumstance we have been placed in.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Humility found in the God's Creation
As I was laying by the pool on this crisp cool evening relaxing with my bible, notebook, pen, and some delicious ice cream I decided to lay back and stare into the expansive blue sky. Tonight the sky was clear with the exception of a large cloud blocking the sun causing the rays to scatter across, it was breathtaking. I began to thank God for the beauty of His creation and how amazing even a cloud is, the way it floats through the air, swirls into different shapes and eventually dissipates. It make me think about how little control over life I really have and how much control over life I think I have.
I am in the midst of purchasing my first home and it is completely stressful. The pressure to get things done has taken a toll on me over the past few months and tonight God spoke to me and said, "Jenna, throw your hands up in the air! You're done worrying, you're done controlling the situation. It's my turn." Amazing I got that from a cloud right?
The clouds tonight reminded me that God is always in control in every circumstance. It's whether or not we choose to recognize it. God created everything, He causes everything to move, live, and breathe. Why wouldn't I want Him to have control over everything in my life? It was humbling to realize that I think I know what to do more than God. More than the God who created the world and everything in it in 7 days. It's craziness. Why wouldn't you want Him to be in control with that kind of power?!?
Everything in this life is meaningless when it comes to knowing and experiencing the love of God. Buying a house? Meaningless There are so many things in this life that are meaningless that cause us to lose sight of the true reason we are here. We are to exhibit humility and reflect God's glory, because without Him there would be nothing. Therefore, tonight I found humility in a simple white wispy cloud.
Philippians 2:5-6
"You're attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who being in the very nature of God did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped."
I am in the midst of purchasing my first home and it is completely stressful. The pressure to get things done has taken a toll on me over the past few months and tonight God spoke to me and said, "Jenna, throw your hands up in the air! You're done worrying, you're done controlling the situation. It's my turn." Amazing I got that from a cloud right?
The clouds tonight reminded me that God is always in control in every circumstance. It's whether or not we choose to recognize it. God created everything, He causes everything to move, live, and breathe. Why wouldn't I want Him to have control over everything in my life? It was humbling to realize that I think I know what to do more than God. More than the God who created the world and everything in it in 7 days. It's craziness. Why wouldn't you want Him to be in control with that kind of power?!?
Everything in this life is meaningless when it comes to knowing and experiencing the love of God. Buying a house? Meaningless There are so many things in this life that are meaningless that cause us to lose sight of the true reason we are here. We are to exhibit humility and reflect God's glory, because without Him there would be nothing. Therefore, tonight I found humility in a simple white wispy cloud.
Philippians 2:5-6
"You're attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who being in the very nature of God did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped."
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Wind
I love the feeling of the wind blowing through my hair. Every time it happens it reminds me that life is good. I know it sounds kind of cliche when I say that it reminds of God's presence in my life, but honestly it does.
When I feel the wind I think of the power it has to guide ships, to create energy, and to refresh. And when I relate it to God, I don't think of the typical "it's just like the wind, even though you can't see it, it's still there". No, I think of it as much more. It's God's reminder to me of His Power, His Strength, and His Guidance. And so today, as I go about my day, I hope to feel the wind so that I can be reminded that life is good because the One with the most power is in control of my life!
So the next time you feel the wind, I hope you remember what it's reminding you of.
When I feel the wind I think of the power it has to guide ships, to create energy, and to refresh. And when I relate it to God, I don't think of the typical "it's just like the wind, even though you can't see it, it's still there". No, I think of it as much more. It's God's reminder to me of His Power, His Strength, and His Guidance. And so today, as I go about my day, I hope to feel the wind so that I can be reminded that life is good because the One with the most power is in control of my life!
So the next time you feel the wind, I hope you remember what it's reminding you of.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
The Road Not Taken
"The Road Not Taken" is one of my favorite pieces of poetry written by Robert Frost. Today as I was walking through the woods I found new meaning in those words written so many years ago. I ventured out to Elizabeth Park today with just my camera and my dog. I planned on just walking around the outside of the park admiring the beautiful waterscapes. After walking for about 20 minutes I came upon a path that led into a wooded area. Not knowing where this path would take me I decided to embark on a journey knowing that at least I had my dog by my side. As I began walking I was thankful to have my dog with me and most likely would've never walked into the wooded area alone for fear of getting lost or coming upon wild animals or even strangers.
However, as I was pondering this decision I had made based on not being alone I began to think about the decisions and choices in my life that I have made and how many opportunities "roads" I have seized to take for fear of having to walk it alone. At that moment it occurred to me that I never am alone, I have Jesus to walk with me. Why do I continue to neglect that fact? How many opportunities "roads" have you not taken for fear of walking it alone? Robert Frost ends his poem with these words " Two roads diverged in a wood and I-- took the one less traveled by and it has made all the difference." It's so true, we are not able to see what God has in store for us if we don't step out in faith and realize He is there right along side of us all of the way. What road will you take? I took the one less traveled today...and it made all the difference.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth
Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference
Robert Frost
However, as I was pondering this decision I had made based on not being alone I began to think about the decisions and choices in my life that I have made and how many opportunities "roads" I have seized to take for fear of having to walk it alone. At that moment it occurred to me that I never am alone, I have Jesus to walk with me. Why do I continue to neglect that fact? How many opportunities "roads" have you not taken for fear of walking it alone? Robert Frost ends his poem with these words " Two roads diverged in a wood and I-- took the one less traveled by and it has made all the difference." It's so true, we are not able to see what God has in store for us if we don't step out in faith and realize He is there right along side of us all of the way. What road will you take? I took the one less traveled today...and it made all the difference.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth
Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference
Robert Frost
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Bring it...
Time, something that is irreplaceable. Time, something that haunts me each night as I go to sleep each night. I feel like the time I have left here, in Michigan, is quickly running out and it depresses me like you wouldn't believe. I find myself drawn to be around people all of the time, as if it's going to satisfy the loneliness. And the worst part of it all is I know that Jesus is the only one who can satisfy my loneliness, my feelings of worry and anxiety and I am deliberately choosing to ignore it. My relationship with God has changed a lot in the past few months. I think I am experiencing God in a way I never have before. I am realizing it's okay to not always put on a happy face when spending time with Him. Sometimes at night when I sit down to spend time with Him I express my feelings of anger, sadness, and my doubting faith and I realize it's okay. All He says is "bring it to me" no matter what it is. So as I sit here tonight I am a little angry at God, I am a little disappointed, but as I type these words I hear Him saying, "It's okay, Jenna. I'm still here, just don't stop talking to me. I love you and I will be with you wherever you go." And it's just that constant reminder that God understands hurt, He understands anger, He understands ME! So whatever aspect or characteristic of God you are experiencing tonight know that God can take every single aspect of who you are as a person, even the angry, stubborn, mad, faithless you. Just don't stop talking to Him... "BRING IT"
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Risks...
Sitting in church today listening to a sermon labeled "Live your life outside of the box: Taking risks" got me to thinking about what risks have I taken in my life? I tend to play it "safe" as most of us do and today I realized how boring and how faithless it is to be like that. Taking risks means giving God an opportunity to show his faithfulness...to display his power, and I have failed. So many of us do each and every day. We get scared, we worry, we have anxiety, but what does playing it "safe" really accomplish? Nothing.
In a few months I will be moving halfway across the country to teach in a city where nothing and no one is familiar to me. I have never been away from home for more than 2 weeks and worry constantly about what my future holds. However, God has proven faithful to provide constant reminders that He is in control, and this is a risk, but it won't be worth it unless I release my control over the situation and place it in His hands. And that is what I think taking risks is all about. Not just making the choice to do something, but making the choice to give up the control. Start taking risks and start letting go. One of my favorite sayings... "Let go and let God."
In a few months I will be moving halfway across the country to teach in a city where nothing and no one is familiar to me. I have never been away from home for more than 2 weeks and worry constantly about what my future holds. However, God has proven faithful to provide constant reminders that He is in control, and this is a risk, but it won't be worth it unless I release my control over the situation and place it in His hands. And that is what I think taking risks is all about. Not just making the choice to do something, but making the choice to give up the control. Start taking risks and start letting go. One of my favorite sayings... "Let go and let God."
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