Cover of Don’t Waste Your Life
“If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full.”
― John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life Study Guide
That’s it. That’s the post for today.
Now go out and do it.
Drawing for user page (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“What I am anxious to see in Christian believers is a beautiful paradox. I want to see in them the joy of finding God while at the same time they are blessedly pursuing Him. I want to see in them the great joy of having God yet always wanting Him.” – A.W. Tozer
Doesn’t that just hit you, tough girl? A beautiful paradox of content yet discontent. Of joy yet longing for joy.
Jesus. You can’t get enough of Him.
The thing is you know all about discontentment, don’t you? You know what it is to long and to want. To be consumed with the desire for something. Maybe it’s something new. Maybe it’s a change in circumstances. Maybe it’s wanting that new season of life. Whatever it is, we all identify with that feeling of wanting more.
Unfortunately, when it comes to contentment, we are typically content with far less than we should be. It could be contentment with average grades or a kinda clean room. You’re content with being just alright with your parents.
Worse is being content with our relationship with Jesus. Being content with a lukewarm faith or one that is moving at a snail’s pace. You figure it’s okay just going to church and reading your Bible every once in a while. After all, it’s better than nothing.
But to take our understanding of contentment and discontentment and apply them to our spiritual walk – well, that’s another story. It’s running after God full force, every day following Him and experiencing Him through His Word and through fellowship. It’s finding a joy that surpasses all understanding and comes simply from knowing Him.
But you don’t stop there. It’s like getting a sip of the sweetest most satisfying drink in existence – and all you want is more. So you keep drinking and keep savoring, each taste filling you with complete satisfaction, yet leaving you thirsting for more.
That, tough girl, is true joy in Christ. It’s the joy of having every want and need met in Him. It’s being comforted, cherished, and loved. It’s being treasured, protected, and blessed. It’s the joy that comes from being content…so content that you want more. More peace. More relationship. More knowing and being known.
Do you know that joy? Don’t you want to?
“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” – John 16:24
Question: Is your joy truly in Jesus, or Jesus and something else? What are you discontent about right now? What would your life look like if you were truly content in Christ and the only thing you were discontent with was wanting more of Him?
Pumpkin pie, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pumpkin_Pie.jpg Scrumptious and good for you! Pumpkin pie is loaded with a healthful phytonutrient called beta-carotene. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sometime tomorrow I will sit at my mother’s dining room table. My family will be there along with my parents, my brother and his family, and certainly some other people that Mom invited and I didn’t know about it. Her gold table cloth will be laid out, covered with her white china that she only uses on holidays. The smells from the kitchen will be intoxicating. The football on the TV will be muted (but not turned off – never turned off). And then, it starts…
“What are you thankful for?”
Yes, we are that family. Every Thanksgiving starts the same. And you know what? I kinda hate it.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of being thankful. I can’t imagine a person who would say otherwise. But it sort of serves as an excuse. An excuse to be whiny, complainy, gossipy, and negative at every other dinner.
Don’t make tomorrow an exception to the rule. When you have the chance to say what you are thankful for, don’t make that the only time people hear that kind of thing from you. Do it before turkey leftovers the next day. And pumpkin pie the day after that.
Do it before lunch at school and Taco Bell after school. Do it first thing when you wake up and last thing before you go to sleep.
Don’t just be thankful on Thanksgiving. Make it a habit. Make it part of your personality and your every day conversation. Let people look at you as that girl who is always talking about what she’s thankful for.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Don’t be thankful tomorrow. Be thankful today. And tomorrow. And the day after that.
Question: What are you thankful for right this moment? How does being thankful connect with being joyful? Why is it different to be thankful for the things God is doing than being thankful for anything else?
If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know that I’m kind of a geek about joy. Okay, I’m a geek about a lot of things (seriously, it’s kind of embarrassing how much comic book stuff I have!) but nothing compares to the obsessive passion I feel about joy.
Why? Why do I think it’s such a big deal for tough girls
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
It isn’t just something that happens. It is a fruit of walking hand in hand with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to produce fruit in your life. Joy is a sign of your relationship with HIm
Joy is a gift from Jesus – “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your JOY may be full.” John 16:24
We’re talking Alpha, Omega, Almighty, Holy, Wonderful, Savior of mankind Jesus. Giving a gift. To you. He’s not the kind of person you say no to.
Joy brings God glory – “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the JOY of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6
In this world, there is a lot of happiness. But happiness is temporary and conditional. Joy, however, is not. It is solid, long-suffering, enduring, constant, and consistent. It is totally unlike anything in this world – which points to Someone much bigger than this world.
Joy teaches us to keep our eyes on Christ – “May all who seek You REJOICE and be glad in You!” Psalm 70:4
Again, happiness is found in the temporary things and situations of this life. So when life gets hard and things get crappy, happiness vanishes. But joy doesn’t. Joy causes us to say no to the expectations and standards of the world and say yes to Jesus who is always there, always loving, no matter what.
Joy draws us closer to other believers – “I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with JOY.” 2 Corinthians 7:4
Even when things are difficult in your own life, we are knitted together with our brothers and sisters in Christ and get to rejoice when they are rejoicing. Isn’t it amazing when you feel that immediate connection with someone when you find out they are a Christian?
So, why is joy so important for tough girls? It is something that is unique to the person of Jesus and the relationship He has with His children. It makes us stand out from the world as different. It points to something so much bigger than us. It says that Jesus is enough even when the world says the complete opposite.
Joy matters. Are you filled with it?
Question: When is it hardest for you to walk in the joy of the Lord? How do these truths and Scriptures help? Are there any other verses on joy that you love?
If you are struggling with loneliness, my heart goes out to you tough girl. That feeling of having nobody who gets you. Of feeling like nobody really cares and you don’t really matter. I wish I could come over and hug you right now.
But I can offer you something better.
“O Lord, You have searched me and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, Oh Lord, you know it all together…Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, Your right hand shall hold me.” – Psalm 139:1-4, 7-10
You see, even in the midst of your loneliest times, you are not alone. It may sound cliche, but that doesn’t meant that is isn’t incredibly true. Jesus is with you. All day, every day.
When you wake in the morning, overwhelmed at the idea of spending another day where you feel invisible, He is singing over you, rejoicing over all that you are and all that He has planned for you.
When you move through your house like a ghost, feeling distant from these people that are supposed to be the closest in the world to you, He is walking beside you, lavishing love on you as your Abba Daddy.
When you go to school and feel alone and left out, He is right there with you, telling you that you matter, that this isn’t all there is, and that He wants to be that friend your heart so desperately desires.
When your after school feels so much less exciting than the rest of the people around you, He’s inviting you to spend time with Him and grow your heart and your mind as you seek Him out.
And when you go to bed at night, wondering why you’re even there, He’s hugging you, loving you, filling you, and telling you how precious, special, wonderful, important, and needed you are.
We all go through lonely times, tough girl. Some of them last longer than others. But, no matter how long it’s been, He’s been there. He’s always been there. And he always will be. You just have to let Him in.
Question: When have you gone through a season of loneliness? How did God help you through? How do you think He could help you right now?
Life is loud, isn’t it? TV’s, radios, iPods, and computers bombard us with their electronic buzz. School, home, and everywhere in between is filled with people who talk and expect us to listen. It seems like all day, every day, your head and heart are being filled with noise.
Does it ever drag you down? Do the messages they send put a storm cloud in your spirit? Where is Jesus in the midst of all that racket?
Psalm 139 makes it sound like He’s right there. Like right there.
“O Lord, You have searched me and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, Oh Lord, you know it all together…Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, Your right hand shall hold me.” – Psalm 139:1-4, 7-10
There’s no escaping God. Which means He is with you all day, every day.
When your alarm goes off and your mind starts to race with the millions of things you need to do, He’s right there for you to cast your cares on.
When things are crazy in your house as everyone is crammed into the same tiny bathroom, He’s right there to fill you with peace and patience.
When you get to school and, right off the bat, drama is all over the place, He’s right there to remind you that He is definition of love and compassion.
When your teacher mocks you for your faith, He’s wrapping His arms around you, proud of you for standing up for yourself.
When your sports practice, band practice, or homework seem to take forever, He’s blessing you with the ability to do them and the grace to see it through.
And when you lay down at night, exhausted from a day full of noise, He’s gently whispering in your heart that He loves you and rejoices in the fact that you love Him in return.
If the noise of every day life feels overwhelming and life-draining, pause and remember that you’re not going through it alone. He will sustain you. He will fill you.
You just have to let Him.
Question: How noisy is your life? What ways have you found to cling to Jesus in the midst of it? How have you seen Him fill you with joy even when there is chaos around you?
Hey Ya! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Crappy things happen. Hard things. Heartbreaking things. And, more often than we like, they’re out of our control. So what’s a tough girl to do? How do you keep from being weighed down while you wait for something to shift, change, resolve, or get better?
Well, the first answer is Jesus (duh!)
But let’s assume you’ve done that. You’ve read your Bible. You’ve prayed, you’ve cried, you’ve cried while you prayed and prayed while you cried.
And yet, you’re still waiting.
Tough girl, that’s why God invented distractions. While they may be the worst thing in the world during school or church, they are awfully helpful when you’re trying to take your mind and emotions off of something that you can’t do anything about at that moment.
You see, it’s okay to not hold your breath. It’s okay to not let that bad or scary thing fill your thoughts every moment of every day. All worrying does it get us riled up about something that we can’t change.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for today is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:34
If you’ve done all you can and can do no more, give your heart and brain a rest!
Fantabulous Distractions To Soothe The Weary Soul
-Bubble bath with Michael Buble playing in the background
-Merlin or Cosby Show marathon
-Dance party to “Hey Ya” by Outkast
-A fiction book that you just can’t put down
-Going on a walk
-Going on a walk while listening to “Hey Ya” by Outkast
-Writing out Scripture and hanging it in various places
-Baking
-Baking with the goal of giving it away
-Baking while listening to “Hey Ya” by Outkast
-Video games
-Knitting
-Taking a nap
Question: Are you a worrier? What distractions do you engage to give rest to your mind and heart? When was the last time you thanked Jesus for the gift of “distractions” that help you not to be anxious? Anything you would add to the list?
A man and a woman performing a modern dance. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As I write this, Awolnation is softy playing in the background. Maybe you love them. Maybe you hate them. Maybe you’ve never heard of them. But this album is my current obsession and I’m not afraid to admit it.
Pretty much every one of their songs does the same thing to me. It doesn’t matter where I am or what’s going on. I can be stuck in the middle of traffic or sitting quietly soaking in a sun beam. I can be happy, sad, frustrated, bored or angry. But as soon as one of their songs come on…
I smile.
I sing.
I dance.
I make a complete fool of myself, even if it’s only for three and a half minutes.
Too often we treat joy like this unobtainable high that’s within our grasp but we can never reach. We let people and situations and problems get us down. One conversation can leave us devastated. One decision sends our whole day into a downward spiral. One bit of bad news breaks us and we feel like we can never be whole again.
But joy isn’t always a slow climb out of a dark pit. It isn’t always a matter of praying and waiting and waiting…and waiting.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.’” – Lamentations 3:22-24
Doesn’t that reverberate in your soul the way that one song that you like so much does?
This was written by the prophet Jeremiah during a very dark time in his life. His country was destroyed, left in shattered pieces. His friends and family were gone. All around him were constant reminders of the tragedy that had torn his life apart. Lamentations is exactly that – a book of lament and sorrow.
And yet…joy! Celebration! Smiles! Comfort!
Jesus is always there, wanting to zap us with a mega dose of joy that can lift us up no matter what is going on. How? It’s Him! It’s the joy of knowing who He is, what He’s done, how totally in charge He is, how good He is, and how much He loves us.
That news right there lifts my spirits more than any song every can.
It makes me smile.
And sing.
And dance.
And make a complete fool of myself.
Question: Does Jesus lift up your spirits the way that one song you love always does? What verses can you put around your room, car, school stuff, etc. that will serve as a reminder of the joy that He brings? How can reflecting on who He is change the way your heart feels in low moments?
Jesus is So Cool (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We’re all suckers for hype. That’s why it’s called hype. People go all crazy over something or someone and, pretty soon, we’re wanting to know what the big deal is. So we read the book, see the movie, visit the place, eat the food, or do the thing that they’re all doing.
So…do you get people hyped up about Jesus? Here’s some ideas how.
Rock The Jesus Music. I will admit, I don’t always listen to Christian music. I find a lot of it sounds like something that would be played in an elevator. Or like something my mom would listen to. Or like something my mom would listen to in an elevator. All that said and done, there is a lot of good Christian music out there, too. So, when you find it, blast it. Play it all the time and talk about why you like it so much. Sing. Dance. Worship. If you know me, you know there’s no denying how much I love Switchfoot and The Supertones. I get people listening to it. And then we talk about it. And then they think about it. And then they think about Him.
Rock The Jesus Books. I read my Bible almost every day. I have one sitting on my coffee table, one in my car, a digital one on my iPod, and about five on my bookshelf. They are torn, tattered, coffee-stained, and falling apart. But there’s no denying that there’s much Bible love in my house. Don’t you love talking to people about what you’re reading? And for me it’s not just the Bible, but Christian books! (Summer Intensive, anyone?) I read biographies, spiritual growth, theology, and (my favorite) Christian fiction. I want to be as hyped up about Christian books as I am about The Hunger Games. Are you?
Rock The Jesus Clothes. No, I’m not talking about cheesy Christian T-shirts with a Coke logo that says a Bible verse (sorry if you own that shirt…just a matter of preference.) It’s more about modesty. Dress well and dress excellently. Cute tops that don’t show skin. A skirt or a pair of shorts that no one could call too short. Jeans that don’t hug in all the right places. Show off your beauty without showing off your body. And when you walk around all fabulous and confident, people will notice there is something different about you. And you can tell them why.
Rock The Jesus Talk. Yes, quoting Scripture is good. But Jesus is big into using love. Kindness. Encouragement. Forgiveness. Joy. Use your words to love people in the name of Jesus. Be a listening ear and an encouraging friend. Don’t gossip, slander, or complain. Instead, use kindness, thoughtfulness, and humor to make yourself (and Jesus) the kind of person that people want to be around.
Rock The Jesus Walk. Your attitude speaks volumes. The way you respond when your parents and teachers ask you for something. The way you drive. The way you react in the midst of conflict. The way you spend your time. Each moment you are around other people is a chance to influence them for Christ. Are you?
Question: How are you influencing your family and friends for Christ? How can you do it better? Which one of these is the easiest for you? Which one is the hardest?
Chase the Sun (The O.C. Supertones album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This, tough girls, is a picture of the Supertones. AKA one of the greatest, most fun, totally amazing bands EVER! The Supertones were super popular back in my high school days, when ska music was all the craze. Like all good things, ska music slowly faded away and, along with it, one of my favorite bands.
Until this last week. I got to see them in concert – over ten years after their last album – and, wow, were they great!
Perhaps the only more amazing thing than their ska-riffic concert were all the high schoolers I jumped around with who are now totally on the Supertones bandwagon. Now, of course part of that is attributed to their fantastic guitar riffs and and dance worthy trumpet solos. But I think a big part is due to…
ME!!!
Any high schooler in our youth group could tell you how obsessed I’ve been about seeing these guys. I’ve blasted their music every week after youth group, jumping up and down while signing/rapping right in students’ faces. I’ve talked about the Supertones, posted You tube videos, and locked people in my car so we could finish a song of theirs.
Not surprising that so many of them decided to go to the concert.
Isn’t it amazing how our joy, excitement, and passion over something can influence people? How it makes them curious about something they have no idea about…all because we’re slightly obsessive about it?
Can you imagine that happening with our faith?
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16
We are all passionate about something. The more passionate we are, the more persuasive we are. We become fangirls of movie stars. We rant and rave over the amazingness of books and bands. Heck, we eat a good meal and get so dang excited, we post pictures of it on Facebook!
Let’s use our passion for something greater than influencing people to love things of this world. Let’s rant and rave about Jesus. Let’s jump up and down as we reflect on quiet times. Let’s smile and giggle and talk a million miles an hour as we tell people about the Bible.
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Crystal Mazzuca
