Where God's Word Meets Our Mess
If you grew up in church, you’ve probably heard the song “Amazing Grace” more times than you can count. It’s definitely a staple hymn, yet there have been so many versions and renditions of it produced. Honestly, over the years, the words of this hymn have lost their meaning for me. Actually, the words never really felt meaningful to me.
My day started out normally. I was proud of myself for eating a relatively light breakfast of cereal and milk because I knew that the cafeteria was serving a special dinner later that day. Thus, I was busy giving myself a pat on the back—until I stepped into that little coffee shop alongside my sister and a college friend.
I'm not saying that I'm going to let go of my relationship with Maddy. But grasping this relationship so tightly is making me exhausted. But what—or who—should I grasp instead?
As another girl answered Wyatt's call, I suddenly realized that he was calling the other Grace. I figured that they were already friends and that he wanted to tell her something. I stood in line, feeling slightly embarrassed. And many years later, I often feel the same way.
I used to hate reading this passage from John 15 because I always felt guilty after I read it. (Okay, I still feel guilty after I read it, ahem.) To be honest, I don't see fruit in my life right now. But what if I'm focusing on the wrong aspect of sanctification—the when.
We’re entering the month of July, and people are still talking about the coronavirus. We’re still reading the one-sided news and the biased viewpoints. We’re still swallowing the confusion, chaos, and despair. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel anything but free on this Independence Day.
I usually don’t introduce my posts with Bible verses. However, I read this passage from John 5 recently, and it really got my attention. Even though I think Jesus was directing these words at nonbelievers, verse 45 in particular hit my heart with a heavy thud and convicted me of several serious sins in my life.
Despite what many Christians will tell you (or imply), it's actually okay to feel empty. You're not less of a Christian because you can't see, hear, or feel God right now...even if that "right now" period lasts for a while. It isn't our job as believers to conjure up emotions that don't exist.
The coronavirus makes us angry and frustrated. Thinking about it is simply depressing. Everyone I’ve talked to has somehow been negatively affected by it—whether it’s getting laid off from a job, being sent home from college, or transitioning to teleworking. But I think that there’s an underlying reason why we hate COVID-19 so much.
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 