Thursday, August 8, 2013

Deodorant

At 9:56pm as I was getting out of the shower, I went to reach for my leave-in conditioner, but instead reached for my deodorant. It would be assumed that I would notice such a different shape and mixture in my hand, but I didn't. I continued to put my deodorant on, as I went to put the cap on I looked at myself in the mirror and asked myself, "Why did you put on deodorant before you're going to bed?" It doesn't make sense at all to do such a thing as freshen a newly cleaned body right before bed. Or does it?

I examined this subject a little bit farther, deodorant. The purpose of this product is to prevent future stench from escaping into public. It's not to cover up stench that might already be there. Unless you're like me and often forget to put it on util it's too late. Looking at the purpose of such a simple invention can make you examine your own life. I started thinking about all the things that I do in my life to prepare for "stench". Living in Arkansas, I've come to an understanding that tornado season isn't a joke. What do I do? Make a safety box with all the items needed and place it in my safe room. In case a tornado were to come, I would be prepared. That's an obvious one, but there are other things I must think about as well. What happens when I say something I shouldn't in public, offend someone, even scar someone permanently? There's not a safety box for those things I can always be carrying around. If I did have one, it would weigh me down pretty heavy.

Just in this past day I've started to realize that my true deodorant is Jesus. He's already died for my sins. He's paid the FULL price, not just part. I have to have FULL faith in him that He (the creator of the universe and my life) just might happen to know what He is doing. He protects me from the stench of my sin. 

Let's get this right though. God isn't a cover up for the stench that's already there. He isn't a can of axe. He's the protection before we put ourselves in situations where we will sweat. That's why we have the Bible. To prepare us, keep our water running to clean us off after a long day. 

Deodorant. All of this came from me putting on deodorant before going to bed. 

UOI,
Becca

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

148 Days Later... I'm Putting My Foot Down.

That's right. It's been a total of 148 days since I wrote on here. 

What happened? Life. Actually, to be more specific... LIFE. 
Makes sense, right? There's a complete difference between life and LIFE. Just like there's a difference from being IN the world and OF the world. That's scripture. God tells us not to be OF this world. The way it was described to me when I was in middle school was this:

"It's like going on a boat ride. Following God's path is staying in the boat. Your in the world. But as soon as you leave the boat and get in the water, you become consumed. The world surrounds you, gets inside you and changes your appearance."

In short, the world has consumed, changed, and tested my ability to "stay above water". I have completely separated myself from God and His will this whole summer because of my stubbornness. I love my life, but I do not love it without God. I haven't done anything wild. No drugs or running in the opposite direction of my family, actually that part of my life has been pretty grand. I've gotten a lot closer to my family this summer. I've come to realize that my family isn't such a horrible invention. They have held my hand through some pretty thick stuff recently. 

This past Friday I went to one of my good friend's CD release party. In one of his songs he repeats the phrase, "I need to be saved from myself". Don't we all. We are the ones that decide to jump into the water. The boat that God gives us is safe and can stand the waves, we just refuse to put in the work of paddling through and riding the rough spots. There are no other excuses to our life situations besides our self. That's a really unfortunate thing for me to write because I really seriously HATE hearing it. I've put myself in a situation where I wanted to live with a limited prayer life, church life, etc. I did it. It wasn't my anxiety, relationship, family, home life, NOTHING except ME. 

Now the point where I would normally beat myself up, cause myself to be put in a panic, and continue down the same path with different excuses. Not tonight. Tonight I'm putting my foot down. Nothing controls me excepts for my choice to follow my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Money, school, pressure, stress, and most of all, anxiety will not control me. Tonight I will rest in comfort that I make my own choices and my choice is to follow God.

"I’m asking God for one thing,
    only one thing:
To live with him in his house
    my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty;
    I’ll study at his feet."

~ Psalm 27:4 

UOI,
Becca 
 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
~ Romans 12:2