HE MAKES BEAUTIFUL THINGS OUT OF US
Cameron Gregory
'You’re like summer in the night
The sun goes down but still I feel you
And every shadow’s turning bright
Every broken heart is made new' -Starlight | Amanda Cook
Photo: Cam Greg | Black Rocks of Presque Isle, Marquette, MI
1 John 2:3-6 //
- Living Bible: “And how can we be sure that we belong to Him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what He wants us to? But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more.”
- The Message: “Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep His commandments. The one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. ”
As I begin reading 1 John for our next upcoming bible study, I realize there is so much to draw from and meditate on! God’s LOVE is real and stands for the majoring theme throughout this book! My thoughts today are focused on my continuing revelation that I can’t find the meaning and completion of my life on my own. I can make nothing of my life, but in giving my full attention to my Creator, I find that He can make something out of nothing. He is the potter, I am the clay.
With that said, the above verses in chapter 2 of 1 John really seem to take heart. As I read, I began to ask myself, “Am I really doing His will?”. It is a daily choice, a daily consecration. The more I dive deeper into the word, the more I realize how simple it really is. And God made it that way so that we could understand and apply it. Too often we try to over- analyze, complicate, and muddle God’s word. We don’t even realize that when we continually do this and confuse this living, breathing, powerful book, we “handicap” its power in our lives, and ultimatley weaken our faith.
I’m realizing myself, that the only true way to know if we are pleasing the father, and that we “belong” to him, is by looking within ourselves. Self-reflection and prayer are SO important. When we look within ourselves, we see where we have been producing fruit–or not producing it. John 14:21 says “The one who obeys me is the one who loves me; and because he loves me, my Father will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal myself to him.” James also writes, “Knowing what is right to do and then not doing it–is sin.” <James 4:17>
By simply listening to the Holy Spirit, and letting Him guide us in every area of our lives, we can ensure that we are, step by step, fulfilling our “purpose” in life. It is in this act of true humility–surrendering of our wants and desires, and placing ourselves as an open book before Him–that we discover who he has called us to be. Look inward and the Holy Spirit will begin to unveil the special gifts and talents God has instilled within you.
I’m learning to seek out His direction in my life and then simply…doing it!! It is so refreshing to know that we can trust Him! “His road stretches straight and smooth! Every God-directed path is road-tested. If we run to Him, we will surely make it. ” <Psalm 18:30>
So let’s daily and on purpose choose to open the book of our hearts before Him, and let God rewrite the text of our lives–in a beautiful way.
With love,
-Lindsay Gregory
-Cathy Duplantis