Lessons from God

I've had {another} insanely busy week. I don't know how my weeks are so crazy, but they are.

Fortunately, I always make time for church, and this year I've decided to make time for Hannah Circle, a women's ministry at a local church. This week, I was reminded WHY I make things such as this a priority to me. Because God does great things and speaks great truths when you have your heart open to learn.

At Hannah Circle this week, we talked about the Fruit of the Spirit LOVE. We see the perfect description of God's love in 1 Corinthians 13. I learned, though, these five things about loving Jesus and loving others: it's an act of will, it's an ACTION, you should use it to reach the unlovely, we need God to help us love, and honest love expects nothing in return. (that last one is very tough for me. I feel like I give give give/love love love/ reach out reach out reach out and am always left wondering when the reciprocation is going to happen. but if I'm TRULY loving, I'll stop wondering about that).

The most profound thing I learned at Hannah Circle this week was this: when you choose not to love someone (even the butthead neighbor, or the arch rival from high school, etc), you are telling God "I don't love you enough to love that person." Wow. So the next time you have a hard heart towards someone...or act in hate or resentment towards them.... think about that statement.

Even more amazing this week was the sermon at church. We go to a huge church here, and honestly love it. The pastor is gifted in the sermons he delivers. Right now we are in the middle of a message series called "Intensive Care"...about when life really is tough and you need some major help. Saturday night he talked about what to do when you are in a really tough place in life. He spoke on Jeremiah 29:11, one of my all time favorite verses; "for I know the plans i have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans for hope and a future." That verse is one that many hold strong to in tough times. But Mark talked about the context surrounding that verse. The people that are being spoke to were Christians who had obeyed God and moved from their happy place of Judea to Babylon...a not so happy place. They were ready to get out of that tough place. They didn't know what to do in that difficult place. God said basically, sit tight, brace yourself for the long haul, put down roots, live your life. This is where I have you now, but don't worry, because I know what I have planned for you.

What God is saying when you are in a tough spot is; just keep going. Mark said "just function." When you are in a difficult place of loss, of heartache, of betrayal....just function. Get up, get dressed, breathe. Just function, and get through each moment...because God is there, and God is also on the other side...and He knows full well the blessings He has for you around the corner. I had a friend sitting in front of me that got woke up by her husband a few weeks ago at 4a.m. and told that he was 'done' with their 13 year marriage and totally blindsided her. She visited our church for the first time this weekend. You can't tell me that God didn't perfectly design that moment...for her to be sitting there this week, for that message. Just keep going.

God's promises are huge. Love others like He loves us. And just keep going, because He has great plans for you. Open your heart to His love, and His plans, and you will be blessed eternally.