{Greater Things Are Yet To Come}

Image source: http://longhollowwomen.com/the-god-of-new/

Do you ever have those days when it feels like you're driving down the highway in a convertible, the wind is blowing through your hair and face, and everything in life is going good? If so, I know you also have those days when it as if you are trying to crawl out of a deep well as bits of rocks and dirt are hitting you in the face. You might feel as if nothing more can go wrong or you might just wait for the good times to end because bad things are likely.

With God, life doesn't have to be a constant deviation between extreme highs and lows. Plain and simple, life is hard. Life never stops being hard. In school, your tested over concepts that just get harder and harder. If they stayed the same, we'd get bored naming shapes and colors for seven hours every day. We wouldn't increase in wisdom--something we should strive for (Luke 2:52). It's the same way with our spiritual walk. Each trial only increase our knowledge and grows us in our faith.

• James 1:2-3 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Image source: https://www.pinterest.com
/pin/37858453093798368/

Even when I think He has failed me, He's led me to something greater and I just haven't realized it yet. You could lose friend, a parent could die, you could lose everything important to you, your whole world could feel like it's falling apart. But He's always there, saying, "Just trust me."

You can dig your heels in like children often do and refuse to give yourself over to Him. You can try to reason with God or make excuses.  Or you can completely give yourself over to him and He can use you in mighty ways.

• Peter 5:6: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time."

When you do this, life is like a peaceful boat ride. You're in the middle of a pond (life) and it doesn't matter which direction you go; God's Will will prevail as long as you obey Him.. We must then trust that He will use us as He wants as He guides our decisions. However, we must be ready, like pliable clay in the hands of the Great Artist of the Heavens.

• Esther 4:14: "Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created."

Lastly, God can open doors no man close and He can close doors no man can open. He will bless you abundantly if you only trust Him.

{Conveniently Chrsitian?}

I think it would be safe to say that everyone has had a friend who at some point tends to only talk to them occasionally. They talk to you when they need something, when they don't have anyone else around to talk to, or when they're absolutely desperate. But when a brighter prospect comes along or life becomes easy, they leave you in the dust. It's really easy to be mad at them; they're using you, after all, right?

Then I got to thinking about how this is how I was treating God at a point in my life. It's really easy for even Christians to fall into a pattern of only praying before meals, big tests, or times of crisis. Prayers before meals morph into simply "going through the motions," prayers preceding tests become desperate (following halfhearted attempts to accurately prepare ourselves with what they've been equipped), and as a result, we often feel far from God during times of crisis.

God should not be our “back-up friend” who is the last one we go to. He doesn’t deserve to be our last resort. He deserves to be our Best-Friend, #1 Confidant, and so much more. When you get exciting news, do you tell your friend before God? If something really cool happens to you, do you thank God or do you forget? That’s the problem with this world. There are so many distractions that it’s a daily battle filled with preparing for the day, school, work, sports, instrument lessons, family-time, hanging out with friends, phones, and so many more things. But how much God-filled time do you partake in? These things aren’t bad until you become so wrapped up in them that they hinder you from drawing near to the Lord.

·        James 4:8: “Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

We should not be in the mindset of “I can live however I want, but I’ll still call myself a Christian. I’ll talk to God when I need Him.” No one likes a fair-weather friend. If you're a Christian, you should  strive to act like it all of the time. Not just when it's convenient.

·        1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Go to him with your problems, your triumphs, your struggles, and your fears. Go to Him.

When we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us. Everything in life will not be pristine, perfect, and calm, but I know who holds my tomorrow. Best of all, I don’t have to worry.

{Pause for Politics with a Partner}

Today, things are going to go a little differently. I have a friend with me, Katie, who has many strong opinions regarding today's politics.


Source: http://www.theharwoodinstitute.org/2015/07/why-im-not-worried-about-donald-trump/





MH: It's kind of ironic that the title of this website is, "Why I'm not Worried About Donald Trump." Katie, are you worried about Donald Trump?
KG: I am absolutely concerned about Donald Trump going for president. I like that he speaks his mind, but he has a tendency to completely degrade others.
MH: So you think his manners a little lacking and he needs more tact?
KG: Absolutely. Do we want someone to be our president who refers to women as "pigs?" He also routinely makes fun of anyone who calls him out for his personality.
MH: Very well said. What do you think about his immigration policies?
KG: It may sound easy to just "build a wall" across the Mexican border, but let's be honest. There is always going to be a way for people to get into this country. I do believe we should have stricter immigration policies, but I think that this country was founded by people of all backgrounds, so there needs to be a distinct path to outright citizenship.
MH: So seeing as Trump is probably not your first-choice presidential candidate, may I ask whom you do support?
KG: I really, really admire Carly Fiorina. I love her no-nonsense attitude, her fashion-sense, and her ability to "punch a shark in the head" so to speak. Watching her in the Republican debates, more specifically the second one, she really shined. She is somebody who I would want to lead this country. However, I do wonder about her time at HP, though.
MH: Anyone else you have in mind?
KG: Ben Carson is definitely on my radar. I watched him on Fox News just last night and his Christian ethical mindset is refreshing. He truly cares about this country and this isn't a popularity contest for him. He truly wants to change America for the better. Also, his wife is very intelligent and awesome. Also, I like Rubio, but I do not like that his wife has had something like 19 speeding tickets in her life. If you're running for president or you are the wife of a candidate, you should be obeying the law. No one is an exception.

So, now. It's time for you to decide for yourself. Who are you supporting for the 2016 presidential ticket? Regardless of your party, religion, or family, decide for yourself. Voting is not something to do just for fun or just to get a cool "I Voted!" sticker. Who resides in the White House can determine the extent of your freedoms in the future. Choose wisely.