Let the EARTH be glad!

"Let the skies rejoice and the earth be glad. Let the people everywhere say, "The Lord is King!" Let the sea and everything in it shout; let the fields and everything in them rejoice. Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord. They will sing because He is coming to judge the world. Thank the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever." -1 Chronicles 16: 31-34

I wanted to share this verse because it makes me think about what Hilary will be doing in a few months. Of course she will be rejoicing for the Lord is King... but the part that stuck out for me this morning was the EARTH and people EVERYWHERE rejoicing. So often we get caught up in our own lives. My life, for example, is so hectic, busy and exhausting that I fail to see the people lost around me in my place of employment, city or even church. How am I possibly sharing the love of Christ with anyone around me, let alone anyone else on the earth. There are just a few people I have the privilege of knowing, or coming to know through others, who are spreading the word of Christ around the earth. Hilary is one of those people. She will be going across the earth to spread the love of Christ with the people of Uganda. The Lord is using Hilary (and anyone who goes oversees to a different country, continent, or culture) to share her love of Christ so that others might be saved and have a life in Christ. Following Christ this way will ensure that the whole earth and people everywhere will rejoice and shout "The Lord is King!"
If the Lord calls you to go somewhere- anywhere on the earth- take him up on that offer. Follow him. No questions. No hesitation. No second guessing. Our lives are much bigger than just ourselves. We have opportunities everyday to share the love of Christ with everyone around us. The message of Christ's love is big enough to fill the world and there are people waiting to hear it! We shouldn't be surprised by what God can do through us, in 5 seconds or 5 years! Isn't it just awesome to know that the same God we celebrate, love and pray to is the same God the whole earth and everyone in it could be loving?? I have not been called to travel throughout the earth but pray for the people who have been. We don't want to see just North America get to heaven- we want to see the WHOLE EARTH and EVERYONE in it get to heaven! So pray for Hils as she begins preparing for her trip! Pray for Craig (my brother in Christ in Uganda). Pray for Abby (my sister in Christ in Asia). And I pray for you- that if you are being called somewhere, anywhere on the earth, that you would give it all up to follow Christ- no questions asked!
xo, Valerie

What if?

I'll be honest. I've been struggling a lot with the "What if?" question. I can feel myself silently crying out for answers. Right now I am living in a lot of uncertainties. For example, I don't know if I'll have a job soon because of my decision to follow God's call to Africa. As awesome as going to Africa sounds, the thought of me not having a job is really scary if I let myself think about it. Thinking about it leads to worry and worry does no good.

Today God has really been showing me those insecurities and uncertainties. I opened my bible study book today and a scripture that was mentioned was a favorite of mine from Matthew 6:33-34. It says, "But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will 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."

No big deal, I thought. I know that scripture and I think I live it out pretty well. The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized how I stray from that scripture! I want to know how my life will turn out so badly! I want to know what will happen when I get back from Africa or when I'll get married or when my family will accept Jesus as their savior or how my friends futures will turn out... I want to know all of these things and more.

I know I am not the only one who struggles with this. Society teaches us that we can make things happen on our own, it teaches us to be selfish. It's really hard to die to ourselves every day and live for Christ when we live in a world that makes us feel great for being selfish.

In the midst of these feelings of confusion and selfishness I was reminded of a promise God made to me. I've read this scripture, a lot, but it's never quite jumped out at my like it did today. It's Jeremiah 29:11-14 and it says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from captivity..."

It is so comforting to know that God speaks to me through his word, He loves me and has great plans for me! It can't be more clear then that. When I was doubting, God reminded me of this verse. I may have a lot of uncertainties ahead of me, but I am certain of God's love for me. He has great plans for me, and all I have to do is follow! It's as simple as that. I am so thankful of the things, people, circumstances that God uses to remind us of his love for us!