It's Gonna Be Okay

You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God.
~Russell Kelfer

I hope this brings some encouragement to your day! Strive on!

Casting All Your Care

Do you ever have those moments where you're like, "Whoa, I never realized that before"? Totally just had one, and let me tell you, it was mind-blowing.

As a kid, I memorized 1 Peter 5:7. I could quote for you in a flash. I knew it like I knew the back of my hand. "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you" (good 'ole King James Version days). My quiet time today was actually on that very verse (minus the KJV). However, it also mentioned the verses preceding that. 

Context is so important. I've seen that more and more as I've been digging deeper into the Word. 1 Peter 5:7 to me for years has just been one of those verses I pull out when I'm stressed- kind of like a "Get out of Jail Free" card, only it's a "Get out of Stress Free" card. I've used it so flippantly, which is probably why I never stopped to realize the context.

In the same way, younger people should be willing to be under older people. And all of you should be very humble with each other. "God is against the proud, but He gives grace to the humble." Be humble under God's powerful hand so He will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to Him, because He cares about you. (1 Peter 5:5-7 NCV)

This passage is talking about submitting to God and coming to Him humbly, not about calling on Him whenever you need help. Yes, you should call on Him when you need help, but God is not a genie. He doesn't exist just to appear whenever we can't do things on our own. We need to come to Him humbly, admitting to Him that He is much bigger than we ever could be. 

This passage really spoke to me because I am probably one of the most prideful people I know. I hate asking for help. I like to do things on my own. I usually carry everything on me until I am at my breaking point- that's when I go to God. That's not what He wants though. That's not the relationship He's looking for. That's really not a relationship at all. That's keeping Him at arm's length until I absolutely can't do anything on my own. I like to be in complete control, but what I've been slowly learning throughout the years is that I can't control everything. I have to trust God. 

What this passage has showed me is that God wants me to come humbly. "He gives grace," "will lift [me] up," and "cares about [me]." Why not live humbly for Him? It's definitely not going to be easy, but it will be worth it. 

I'm attaching a link to the song "My Sweet Lord" from Crowder's new album Neon Steeple. The song is a good example of coming before God humbly. Plus I just love this song and the whole album, really. If you like that song then you should also listen to "Here's My Heart" on the album. 

My Sweet Lord- Crowder

Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34 NKJV)