"Yes." "No." "Wait." Which of these answers would be the hardest for you to hear? If you're like me, you would say the third. The why of a yes or no isn't as tough to deal with as the "how long?!" of a wait. But so often that's exactly where I find myself: waiting. And it's easy to get discouraged if I keep staring into the dense fog obscuring what's ahead. I like how Corrie Ten Boom expressed the futility of it. She said: "Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear....Never fear to trust an unknown future to a known God." We are exhorted in scripture to live by faith (2 Cor. 5:7) in light of a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). This is not an empty suggestion, but a vital expression of a life surrendered to Christ. In a culture drowning in the "easier and faster is better" philosophy it can be a constant struggle to maintain joy and peace in the waiting seasons. Yet I am convinced that being patient is not sitting around moping, wishing, sighing for something I'm not sure of. Patience is faith that endures. It endures the difficulty of known obstacles, the uncertainty of fluctuating variables, the frustration of invisible progress, and the temptation to get depressed with the slow, lingering passage of Time. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. ~ Hebrews 6:11-12 Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14 Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. ~ Isaiah 40:31 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. ~ Romans 8:25 When I find myself growing restless or impatient, here is how I take stock:
Let's take a brief example. If I am expecting a call that would mean a trip somewhere, I can already start packing my bag. But what if the call doesn't come, or it turns out the trip is unnecessary? Well, then I unpack the bag! That wasn't so hard, now, was it? And yes, I have "been there, done that." :) Keeping busy by being productive while I'm waiting helps me to maintain a proper perspective even as I prepare for when the season of waiting comes to an end. And it does! When the answer is "Wait" it is not for an indefinite period of dangling in limbo. Remember, God is always faithful to his promises: For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay. ~ Habakkuk 2:3 So for all you fellow "waiters" out there, my prayer for you is that: ...you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. ~ Colossians 1:9b-12
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Hail The Lamb a song by Rebekah Cook Son of God upon a cross Bled for guilt of all mankind Bore the blame and felt the shame Cleansed us for a newborn life Innocence gave recompense Canceled debt that drowned my soul Healing rain dissolved my chains Broke the curse and made me whole Hail the Lamb that was slain Who for our redemption paid Hail the Lamb! Praise his name Through his blood we are saved From each nail a painful trail Mercy flowed to make us free His last breath sealed with his death Grace that reaches even me Sacrifice of greatest price Love made plain upon a tree Of our sin he made an end “It is finished!” was his plea Hail the Lamb that was slain Who for our redemption paid Hail the Lamb! Praise his name Through his blood we are saved Raised to life, now glorified Empty grave proclaims his pow'r He still lives, forgiveness gives All who call this very hour Lost now found, for heaven bound Living hope of which I sing There to be eternally Loving on my Savior King Hail the Lamb that was slain Who for our redemption paid Hail the Lamb! Praise his name Through his blood we are saved Last week we wrapped principal photography on a movie entitled Christmas Grace, produced by Bright Horizon Pictures and Crystal Creek Media. Doing winter scenes in summertime highlighted for me another application of being "prepared in season and out of season." Aside from accepting the physical discomfort of warm clothing in warm weather, there is a certain mental preparation to embrace the switch-up instead of rebelling against it. Seasonal confusion is not exclusive to the film industry. I had plenty of practice growing up in adapting to different situations, many times without much advance notice. I was also blessed with a large family going through it all with me, modeling and training flexibility, patience, and joy under stress. And recently, God is leading me to an greater appreciation of seasons, and the importance of living and trusting Today. God is with us in the storms that roll in and whip the hair in our face until we can't see. God is with us when the fruit that we thought should be ripe is still green with the slightest streaks of color showing. God is with us when the leaves of our dreams start to grow on branches that were bare for months and years. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 Here is my current version: There is a time to travel and a time to stay home, a time to pack and a time to unpack, a time to junk a car and a time to buy one, a time to stay awake driving and a time to stop and rest, a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to grieve and a time to twirl around... A time to memorize and a time to improvise, a time to submit an audition and a time to wait for a verdict, a time to wear make-up and a time to wash it off, a time to be "talent" and a time to help as crew, a time to dress a set and a time to tear it down, a time to be outdoors and a time to stay out of the sun... A time to sleep in and a time to get up early, a time to plan ahead and a time to be spontaneous, a time to embrace and a time to step back, a time to socialize and a time to be alone, a time to keep and a time to give away, a time to call and a time to let the other call first... A time to be stubborn and a time to relent, a time to be serious and a time to be goofy, a time to hold up bravely and a time to let down, a time to be silent and a time to share, a time to remember and a time to forget, a time to forgive and a time to be forgiven. All of these seasons I have roller-coastered through in the last month, and/or I am riding them out now. Opportunities to remember the "secret" have abounded. Every moment presents a choice to live fully, joyfully. In spite of scenes that seem out of order, in spite of emotions that threaten to homestead in the suffocating prairie of Worry, in spite of plans made and unmade, choosing to live THIS day that the Lord has made, and be glad in it! No matter what the season, there is a purpose for it. And no matter how the seasons may change, or how slowly or quickly according to our minds: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." ~ Hebrews 13:8 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" ~ Romans 8:28, 31-32 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~ Matthew 6:33-34 "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." ~ Daniel 2:20-21 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." ~ 1 Peter 5:6-10 My faith muscles are feeling sore lately. That's a good thing. It means they've been used, and are in the process of getting stronger! I'm doing my best to keep my spiritual protein (challenging and encouraging scriptures) intake high so those muscles have something to build with.
This chapter in my life, as with many, has involved a great deal of travel. One of the advantages of spending copious amounts of time behind the wheel is that I get to listen to music to keep awake. My car is from a decade that used cassettes, so I have a stash of oldy-goldy tapes to mix in with more recent MP3s (via an adapter). Here are some songs that have been a deep encouragement over the last weeks: "Uncharted Territory" ~ Rachael Lampa (2011) Verse 1: So unlike me, what's going on I'm usually not the one To be afraid, hesitate Second guess what I've done Am I over-thinking it, complicating it Should I let go and let it be Chorus: Never done this before how am I supposed to know where to go from here No prescription, no rules, no direction, no signs that will make it clear Like the first man on the moon, Columbus 1492 Like baby steps, and babies don't worry, so why should I Uncharted territory Uncharted territory Verse 2: Sort of unprepared, just a little scared Say go get it girl, grab a hold of it Look inside myself, find buried deep Patience; don't give up on me Am I over-thinking it, complicating it All I gotta do is do it "The Plan" ~ Steve Green (1998) Chorus: I don't need to have the plan in hand I don't need to have the end in sight All I need to do is follow you, wherever you lead And do what you ask me to Verse 1: Trusting you, Lord, with all my heart Following you all my days Whether I can or can't understand I'll acknowledge you in all my ways Verse 2: Though I am pressed on every side I am not in despair My faith in you will carry me through Though I may not see where You're leading me "Crazy" ~ Mercy Me (2002) Verse 1: Why I would I spend my life longing for the day that it would end Why would I spend my time pointing to another man Isn't that crazy How can I find hope in dying, with promises unseen How can I learn your way is better in everything I'm taught to be Isn't that crazy Chorus: I have not been called to the wisdom of this world But to a God who's calling out to me And even though the world may think I'm losing touch with reality It would be crazy To choose this world over eternity Verse 2: And if I boast let me boast of filthy rags made clean And if I glory let me glory in my Savior's suffering Isn't that crazy And as I live this daily life I trust you for everything And I will only take a step when I feel You leading me Isn't that crazy Chorus: I have not been called to the wisdom of this world But to a God who is calling out to me And even though the world my think I'm losing touch with reality It would be crazy To choose this world over eternity You can call me crazy... :-) If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:13-21
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. ~ Ephesians 6:19-20 I grew up the daughter of Christ ambassadors. I grew up learning how to be an ambassador myself, yearning to give my life in service of the One who calls. Call me he did! Out of "my country and my father's household" to a place that he "would show me" (Genesis 12). Now I live the life of a nomad, settling here for a season, moving there for another, and yet another brief sojourn somewhere else, as God leads. Just last week I was affectionately referred to as a vagabond (a wanderer without a permanent home, who moves from place to place). At times I wonder if there is a "promised land" season for me in this life, one of "permanent residency," or if it will be a perpetual cycle of arriving, serving, and forging deep friendships—only to have to move on again. This keen awareness of pilgrim status can be as unnerving as it is exciting, if I let it. How to rejoice in the Lord's beckoning when friends' tears burden the heart? How to comfort when I am grieving alongside them? I am at a loss. So I rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15); and I am weak, yet He is strong. I know this. I have leaned and cried on His shoulder many times before, and He wipes away my tears, helps me smile again, both inside and outside. Ultimately, I am not even a citizen of earth, but of heaven. This world is NOT my home! Why then do I long for a space to call my own? The promise remains: He has "gone to prepare a place for" me (John 14:3)! That I may be where he is, and see him face to face. That's the hard part about not being with someone—the lack of face to face time. Technology lessens the pain of separation with live-time contact through phone, Skype, chat, instant messaging, and so on. But these interactions, blessings though they can be, are but seeing "through a glass, darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12). I guess that's why there's the idea of being ambassadors in the first place. Jesus was the "exact representation" of God (Hebrews 1:3). He helped us know what God was really like. He came to earth to have some face time. Now we are his witnesses: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.~ 1 John 1:1-4 Being an ambassador is more than living in a foreign location. Representation goes much deeper than geographical presence. It entails an awareness of delegated reputation and responsibility, along with a mindset and lifestyle of submission to the commissioning authority. In this case, that authority is God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ~ Galatians 2:20 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. ~ Romans 6:4-7, 10-13 In the words of William R. Wallace: "Every man dies—not every man really lives." Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. ~ Romans 8:5-6 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ....For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I...have become a servant. ~ Colossians 1:9-14, 19-23 Unrelenting focus. Real purpose. True fulfillment. Now that's a life worth living! Have you ever felt this way?
Unlovable. Unacceptable. Unwanted. Not enough. Too much. Many children in the foster care system grow up this way, with this unvoiced feeling of being "beyond acceptance." Some go to extremes to try to earn affection; others stop trying altogether and retreat into a shell of the person they could be. Still others act out in anger and hurt, certain that that is the only sure way to get the attention they so desperately crave. As believers, we are called to look after the orphan and the widow. God cares deeply about these family-less kids, and he "sets them in families." (Ps. 68:5-6) There is a powerful family film that was recently released onto DVD, called "Beyond Acceptance." It tells the story of Evans, a foster care child, and the Border family, who choose him as their first placement. The Borders quickly discover that Evans has deep-rooted issues that will try their patience and love past what they can take. It is only when they reach past themselves that they can find the strength to keep caring. But despite their efforts, Evans seems incapable of trusting them. (And I think I'll kinda stop there....because I don't want to spoil the ending!) While I didn't work on this film myself, several very good friends of mine did. In fact, my brother and I had the privilege of attending the movie premiere in Kalamazoo, MI last August. It really impacted me. Adoption is something I think God may call me to in the future. It is a beautiful picture of the way God chose us for his family, and loves us in spite of ourselves. Maybe God is calling your family to this magnificent path. If he does, he will also give you the grace to walk in it. But no matter where you are right now in your life, don't miss out on opportunities to help those around who may already be on that journey. The struggles foster and/or adoptive parents and families face are real. They are tough. There is also real hope. Real joy! If you or anyone you know of is contemplating adoption, please see this film! It will touch your heart; it might even change your life. Quick links: Watch the movie trailer: http://push.beyondacceptance.com/share/trailer?id=016hc Follow, "Like," and get updates: http://push.beyondacceptance.com/share.php?id=016hc Get 10% off on the DVD: http://www.beyondacceptance.com/dvd?id=016hc It began as a typical playground squabble. "Yes." "No!" "Yes!" "No!" "Yes!" "NO!" "Yes, yes, yes!" "No, no, NO!" "YES infinity! So there." Boy crosses obstinate arms, chin down, narrowed eyes boring laser-holes. Girl perches sassy fingers on hips, pursed lips smirking superiority. Enter Babysitter. That would be Me. "Hey, guys, do you know what infinity means?" Stubborn stares. Girl's face says it all. 'Course I know what infinity means. It means I won. Duh! Boy's voice droops in unjust defeat. "It's more than anybody can count. All at once." Leave it to a child to sum up deep truth in profoundly simple terms. "That's absolutely right! You can't measure it. Do you know what I realized the other day about infinity? If you add five thousand to infinity, it's still infinity. And if you take AWAY ten million? It's still infinity!" There is bonding in the mesmerizing struggle between cynicism and wonder. Is this for real? Forgotten is the petty disagreement. Earthly things pass away in gazing at transcending realities. "God's like that. He's Forever." Giggles erase anger, and we move inside. "When was God born?" "God has always been there, and always will be. That's called 'eternal.' But—he was born. Do you remember what the angel told Mary to name him?" Understanding dawns. "Jesus?" "Yes. Jesus was born when God, who is eternal, like infinity-forever, chose to come into our world as a man." Glances. "You mean a baby...." "Were you a baby once?" Boy-eyes and Girl-eyes dart to baby photos framed on the wall and echo the smiles of their former selves. "Just like you didn't stay a baby, Jesus didn't stay a baby. He grew up." Girl-face counts floorboards. "But he died. So he wasn't forever." "He did die; he died for us. But he didn't stay dead any more than he stayed a baby! Remember about infinity? How even if we take a lot away—even if we try to subtract ten million YEARS—it's still infinity? Jesus was God, and he had so much Forever-Life inside that he couldn't stay dead. He is still forever alive right now, and always will be." Leave it to words spilling before conscious thought to frame forever-truth in finite syllables. I'm preaching to myself as much as to these child-size eternal souls before me. Hush hovers. Eternity is a large bite for growing minds to chew on. And my mind grows too. Energy quivers, and toys call from the next room, and the kids answer the call. Their voices filter back to me all sing-songy as I follow. "In-FIN-ity! In-FIN-ity! In-FIN-ity!..." And the Seed just planted nestles deep in heart-soil to their tune. And the Seed will be watered. And it will grow roots. And it will reach for Son-light and bear its fruit. Because infinity-Seed doesn't stay dead. Feeling waves tease the sand from my feet as I wade along a breezy shoreline. Listening to the tranquil stillness as it plucks chords of peace in my soul. Tasting the tang of salt in misty sea-air. Kneeling in the sand to adopt a lonely shell. Standing in a bracing, gasping wind that shouts of freedom and surrender. Closing my eyes as it whips my hair in its gusty breath. Dancing barefoot in a long, flowing skirt. Twirling in a swirling rhythmic current of musical emotion. Whispering a lullaby to a small but precious charge. Grasping their fragile finger—smiling as they grasp yours. Folding a paper box, or gazelle, or yellow sunflower. Making lacy bookmarks by hand to give away. Hearing my younger sisters play a duet for flute and piano. Holding tight to a motherly embrace for a moment longer before "good-bye." Laughing for no reason as a smile passes between my eyes and those of a friend. Singing opera in the shower. Just because. Concocting an exotic and (subjectively) tasty spice blend. Sharing a decadent chocolate dessert. Teaching a young friend how to "ride a horsy." Playing speed-scrabble and winning or losing by two points. Blinking in the dawn of a Saturday morning. Pulling up the covers for five more winks. Sitting still on a mossy-soft stone in the woods. Writing words as they flow dripping and new from my fingers onto the page. Reading an apropos scripture passage. Discussing it again during afternoon Bible study. Leaning into the strength of an understanding shoulder. Glancing across a room right when someone's glancing back. Gazing at a star-spangled sky through the moon-roof. Dreaming of tomorrow, of yesterday, and today. Big, hairy audacious goals loom beckoning, promising, engrossing, exhausting.... Caught up in a draining cycle of Productivity, we take our tray and load it at the Busyness Buffet, then scarf it down in Guinness speed so we can go back for dessert. We rush so fast that the moments memories are made of lie neglected, discarded like a wilted flower. Pick them!—press the flower. Frame it with a caption in your mind. Share its frail beauty with a fellow Traveler. My own life is busy right now, and while I believe that what's on my plate right now is truly what God has prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10), I still have to be careful not to be consumed by all my "good" activity, and keep my eyes on HIM. It helps to pause—to notice things—to remember, and tuck more memories away. So I collect them. Big little things. Because they matter. And they add up. To a Little Big Lot. Before a concert, April 2009 A few years ago, I was feeling at loose ends. Finished with "high-school" and still at home, I yearned for more to do, more to learn. I was helping around the house, cooking, cleaning, tutoring, and singing in the town choir, too. I was also studying acting quite a bit, via the internet and the library, training my mind to think like an actor, as I felt it was an area that God was leading me toward. My life was not empty by any measure, but I asked God for something more. What came was an unexpected as it was welcome! While at my younger sisters' recital that fall, I heard a clarinet solo for the first time. I was instantly interested in learning to play it. When I mentioned it to my mom, she was surprised by my sudden enthusiasm. But when after a week of prayer and research I remained excited about it, she helped me contact the clarinet teacher in town. The teacher informed me that all her class slots were full, but she would let me know if there was an opening. So I prayed about it, and still felt peace. Two weeks later, she called to let me know that one of her students had dropped out! I began classes in January of 2008, and soon joined the orchestra as well.
I started out with the basics, as it was the first instrument I had ever tried to learn (except for rudimentary piano skills). My mouth muscles were sore for weeks while I learned the techniques of blowing evenly and with proper pressure on the reed, but with consistent practice my proficiency improved rapidly. The classical training gave me good musical habits, and I moved through the study material at a motivated rate. When the "season" changed, and I moved from Spain to the States, I moved on in a way. But I feel that time was well spent. I have my own instrument now, and I try to keep my skill up without it becoming a distraction. My life is richer when I'm making music. Have you ever felt stagnant, like a once-clear pool of water now lethargic from waiting...for something? I've come to realize that patient waiting doesn't have to be a drag, because I can actively enjoy the season I'm in even as I prepare for the next one God has for me. By recognizing the opportunities around me, I can redeem the time, even as I wait for that next "big" step. But another consideration is getting too busy. I think we've all experienced this to some degree. At times I find myself saying "yes" to too many things, and then I discover I don't have enough time or energy for what I believe is truly important—my relationships with God, family, friends, and others God brings across my path. If I become consumed with "productivity," and "doing" as much as I can, I can lose sight of the overarching goal to love God and others with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength. "Being" is important. Being conformed into the image of Christ. Being thankful in everything. Being out in nature, enjoying God's creation. Being salt and light in the world. Being still before the Lord. Being watchful in prayer. Being available to listen to a friend. Being who God has made me to be. Being a giver. Being honorable, trustworthy, cheerful, encouraging. Being patient. As Paul says, I want to "strain toward what is ahead," but also "live up to what we have already attained." (Philippians 3:7-16) What keeps us from that goal? Verse 19 explains: "...Their minds are set on earthly things." Whoops. Solution? Verse 20 continues: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there." That's how we keep our lives focused! I'd like to share with you a poem I wrote three years ago (2008). The idea behind it is that if we reach for the abundant life we are offered by the Father and live that life unabashedly before others, we empower others to grasp His grace as their own lifeline. A LIFE LIVED ON PURPOSE by Rebekah Cook Complacency would have us believe That what is more comfortable is better; That what is more familiar is safer; That what requires less effort is more enjoyable ...and the easier it is, the more worthwhile. But if we would live with no regrets Then we must shake off all passivity, And loose ourselves from conformity-- Resolving to live life at its best By living in light of the life to come. To achieve this heavenly satisfaction We'll have to do more than sit back and watch. Our time here is too short to botch-- Too limited to waste hesitating in fear... For if we try nothing, that's what will happen. I want to look back on a race well run Where I trusted God's guidance day by day, And said all I was supposed to say, And know that I did all I could've done To show God's love in every way. ...To know that I didn't shy away from change But stretched, and grew, and risked, and gave And didn't hold back, but laid down all My struggles, my tears, insecurities, and fears To laugh and sing and live for Him. Life takes place when you step out on a limb And pick the fruit you find growing there. So invest in your friendships, both old and new And follow the dreams He's giving you.... Because a life of purpose is a life lived ON PURPOSE. |
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