My Body: God's Temple

It's days like today I get frustrated with the body God has given me. I get frustrated that it doesn't work the way other people's does. I'm reminded that when I'm feeling good and do everyday things that everyone else does, I have to pay for it later.

And then I remembered the powerful word I got last week. It wasn't even for me, it was for a friend. I was driving in my car, and felt a word for a friend of mine that was so powerful it brought me to tears (which, for me, isn't unusual) I was reminded of the scripture that says God knit us together in our mother's womb. And I knew then, that with his own hands God had created my kidneys that don't work quite right, my immune system that mistakes my own body as the enemy. He created me that way. And if I am God's temple, and if my malfunctioning body is good enough for him, then certainly it is good enough for me, and he made me like this for a reason.

My Journey

I've shared on my blog before my struggle with spiritual warfare. It's something that's been very real, very powerful, and very scary in my life. A few weeks ago I mustered up the courage to talk to a dear lady from my church about a recent dream that I had. After that, I was able to meet with one of her friends, and another woman. They are three of the most amazing women I have ever met! I went into the meeting with no idea how intense it would be. I'm a crier, and my only goal was to make it through without crying... it didn't work!

I found SO MUCH freedom that day. Freedom from things I didn't even know I needed freedom from! The most amazing thing to me was realizing all the LIES I believed about God. He is not an angry God, and I don't need to earn his love. And you know what, He HAS created in me a pure heart. Thinking of myself as PURE was just an amazing, amazing revelation. I think before, if anyone had come up to me and said "I have a pure heart" I would have kind of laughed at them, no one has a pure heart. But we BECOME pure through Christ.

I came away from this meeting excited to see how God is going to use me. When I think about it, I see a little girl holding her father's hand, and he is leading her somewhere unknown, but it's ok, because he is going before her. That's me (well, all of us really) I might be going somewhere unknown, but my Dad is going before me. So, I'm going to finish my story on another post, right now I'm feeling like posting some truths about my Father.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Hebrews 4:12-13

You have been with me from birth; from my mother's womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!

Psalm 71:6

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God, our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

James 1:17

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered Heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands out weaknesses, for he faced the same testings we do, but he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 4:14-16

Bullies

When you think of a bully, what comes to your mind? A big kid on the playground pushing a child younger than him? Doesn't it seem as though that's where bullying should end?

Isn't it sad that those bullies only get older, and start using their words and manipulation rather than their fists?

Something I've struggled with is the line between extending grace to people and allowing myself to be walked all over. In trying to find that line, I have discovered that sometimes allowing relationships to die is the only healthy thing to do. And let me tell you, in the last few days, I have realized that sometimes that's an incredibly freeing thing!

If you search the scriptures, there are numerous verses cautioning Christians about keeping the company of liars and cheaters (or bullies..). Part of me feels that in cutting a person out, I am giving up on my opportunity to witness.

However, it is NOT God's will for our life to be manipulated and belittled.