Tut, tut, looks like rain

Sunday and Monday morning were quite rainy in my part of the world. I was very glad for the pitter patter outside, knowing it'd wash all the peanut dust off my car. When I walked out to my car for lunch yesterday, I was met with a welcome change. The weather had dropped a few degrees and everything looked, well REFRESHED.

My heart has also had a little rain lately, spiritually speaking. Admittedly, I haven't been as faithful in the word as I should, really since before our wedding. When times are good, when things are well, when my heart has peace, I feel less "need" for God, though I know I need him as much as ever. I can feel my heart is more prone to wander to other "loves" and less devoted, less adoring of my Great Lover. Still, he hasn't given up on waking my listless soul and stir my spirit.

Last week we went to a conference called Refuge in the Mountain Brook area of B-ham. It was a conference for youth pastors and workers. I can't remember the last time I was able to worship like I did at Refuge. I loved the moments when I stopped singing and just listened to the voices of the thousands that were there. It was so moving, and I was (again) reminded of how worthy my Lord is to receive honor and glory.

Over the past week, I have been amazed at how the Lord has tied things together in my life. Several conversations I had related perfectly to others later on. This past Sunday we had M-night at our church and during the youth service the speaker had an invitation for people to get right with God. There were a shortage of women counselors, so I went to talk to two girls from another church. As we were discussing what was going on in their lives, they brought up some of the things I had just taught to my middle school girls small group not two hours before. I was also able to bring up some scriptures that I shared with someone else struggling with doubts last Thursday. In that moment, God spoke to my heart saying, "See child, I do orchestrate your life. I will use you. I have a purpose. Stop filling your life with other things. Is this not better? Give me ALL. Follow me. Love me. And I will show you my glory. I will make you a reveler of myself to the world by My Spirit."

Also on Sunday, something my pastor wrote in the worship folder really hit home with me in regards to my generation and those to come. He quoted a book about hipster Christianity:

"When it comes to church, we don't want COOL as much as we want REAL...(and, in a world that is) utterly phony, ephemeral, narcissistic, image-obsessed and sex-drenched, we want a good alternative."

I hope I can be REAL instead of looking and acting like the world around me. If I really want to impact the people around me, I don't need to waste my time on anything but showing the reality of Christ in me. I'm not perfect, but that's the point. I'm not and Christ is! I read this today:

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as and example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life." (1Tim. 1:15-16)

Oh yes, the rain has come and is pouring into me. I am so thankful, because I know that I am nothing. (Sometimes, well a lot of times, I forget and am deceived into thinking I'm better than I really am.) He is EVERYTHING. Who am I that my Creator would use me?

Indeed, it looks like more rain is coming yet.