2am, who do you love?

 

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” –Jeremiah 17:9

I’ve come to the realization that my heart can’t be trusted. Sometimes I become consumed by where my heart is leading me but I need to learn to discern between what my heart/flesh desires and what God desires for me. Sometimes they are the same, but not always, not this time. 

Not this time Jess.

Changing the world, one small town girl at a time.

My friends have displayed the character of Christ to me in ways that have changed the very fibre of who I am, and who I will be in the future.

Do you know what it’s like to have someone who fully believes in your giftings and would do anything to see you become all you’re meant to be? I DO

Do you know what it’s like to nervously get up in front of a crowd, but receive instant reassurance the moment you see your friends among the sea of faces? I DO

Do you know what it’s like to feel completely unequipped, hopeless, and discouraged, yet have someone who sees the best in you? I DO.

Do you know what it’s like to have friends who have been there through the best, worst, most boring and most exciting parts of your life, and yet they love you just the same? I DO

Do you know what it’s like to make mistakes, fail, embarrass yourself, or hurt someone yet receive unconditional grace, kindness & love in return? I DO.

I thank God for you everyday, and I know that these words can’t do it justice, but I want you to know how much you mean to me, and how pivotal you have been in shaping me for my destiny. I love you guys so much. Thank you for everything you have sown into my life. Thank you for being here every step of the way cheering me on, pushing me forward and encouraging me to become all I am meant to be. I am so blessed beyond measure to know every single one of you. Thank You for showing me how to love, forgive, step out in faith and to really live. Thank you for teaching me how to laugh..loud!   Without you, I’d still be that shy, insecure and quiet girl from first year.

Every single one of you have been an instrument in God’s hands- changing the world one small town girl at a time!

(a few of my favourite moments from the past few days)

There is real life happening beyond that screen.

Today I was reading a Gentlemans Guide to Survival in the 21st Century , which I highly recommend all guys to read by the way, and it really hit me. For the past little while the iPhone obsession has annoyed me, and being a iPhone user myself I too am at fault here.
#3 on the guide says:
“Keep your Blackberry, your Blueberry, or your Chuck Berry in your pocket while in good company.  There is a time and a place for your iPad, iPhone, and iPod.  At the dinner table with family, coffee with friends, or on a date is not that place.  Show some respect.  Make eye contact.  The world won’t stop spinning because you haven’t updated your Facebook status for an hour.”
What a concept! You mean actually pay attention to the people I am talking/ hanging out with instead of spending every minute texting or calling people outside the group?  We are never “here” because though physically we may be one place with a group of people we are always a different place mentally with other people via texting. 
Oh the 21st century and your technology, what have you done to us!
Here’s my challenge: When you’re with friends, whether it be 1 or 10, put your phone away. You won’t always have these people around so cherish the time because your phone will wait. Stop making excuses and be with your friends, fully.
(and for all you reading this I invite you to hold me accountable, because I myself have been guilty of this.)

Standing on the edge of everything I’ve never been before.

There’s something about sitting in a coffee shop alone that inspires me. Every once in awhile I enjoy being left alone to my thoughts, questions and people watching.  It’s nice to slow down enough to hear, listen and process life. God is so truly amazing, everything He does is for the benefit of those He loves. I find such peace and reassurance in the fact that he will never lead me in the wrong direction, hurt me, or give me more than I can handle.

He really is enough for me.

I’ve never been this content before. I’ve never been so at peace with having no plan. God is good, God is faithful, God is in control.  3 truths that hold me together everyday.

I’m standing on the edge of something huge, and I’m not afraid, only expectant and thoroughly excited.  While I wait, I remain faithful to what God has given me and where He has planted me.  I sit in a place of peace, joy and wholeness.

He really is enough for us.

I dream with open eyes.

I hate telling people that I don’t know what I am doing this summer because I am afraid that they will think less of me for not having my life all sorted out – cause apparently we are supposed to at 21? hm.

Well, this is me telling the world that at this very moment I have 0% of my summer planned and I have 0 open doors past tour.

But what I do have is 100% faith in the God of the impossible.  In His books my summer is 110% planned and there is 0 reasons why I should be worried.

…perfect!

Identity & Worship

"I'll give you all the kingdoms of the world if you give to me a moment of worship." This question was Satan’s attempt to swindle Jesus’ authority from Him. This is a revealing glimpse into the power and value in the action of worship.

The Devil knows that if your identity is misplaced (driven by insecurity - which is misplaced identity) your worship will be up for grabs.

Sam Brassfeild says this, "If it's not all about worship why was Satan willing to (seemingly) forfeit EVERYTHING to receive worship?"

The Devil fights so hard for your attention. Because he knows if he can have your attention he'll soon have your affection.

Because whatever you give your thoughts to, you will ultimately ascribe value to.

And what you ascribe value to you will worship.

Resting your identity in Him guards your worship for Him.

-Gabriel Allred.

People are hungry for God not a perfectly executed guitar solo.

I never want to lead worship just because I can.

I never want to preach just because I can.

I never want to encourage someone just because I can.

I never want to sing just because I can.

I never want to be in a leadership role just because I can.

I want everything I do to be based solely on Christ and come out of an overflow of my growing intimacy with Him.

I see too many in ministry who are leading people simply because they are talented, and because they can do it. This is sad.  Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being talented, but apart from Christ our talent will only get us so far. It will only take those we are leading so far.

We live in a world where we are bombarded with images, songs and movies all clearly displaying people’s talent, and yet we live in a society that is dying to hear of the living Jesus.  They are hungry for unconditional & unfailing love and an intimate relationship that brings wholeness, joy, peace, hope and true satisfaction.  Something that is real.

“Excellence has become our god, and God our motivation behind it”.  I firmly believe that God deserves the best of the best, but when that is raised as more important than having an growing relationship with God, I don’t think that God is honoured to the fullest.  It’s easy to tell the difference between a worship leader, or pastor who has spent time growing intimate with God and one who hasn’t, even if they are incredibly talented.

I don’t claim to have this all figured out. I don’t claim to be even close to knowing what it means to be intimate with God and function out of that, and I definitely don’t have a problem with guitar solos. I just think its easy in our society today to miss out on what’s truly important in our lives.

God teach us the ways of Your heart.