Out of the Blue, "I got a new bike" and Matthew 11

I was instant messaging a friend just now when this happened. We were talking about following God and growing in our relationship with Him when we seem to be at the end of our ropes. I wrote:" I agree, I have been learning A. Its not always about me, but most likely other people who are watching how I handle the crap and B. That the enemy is at work and that life here is a battle and C. God knows and because I trust him even the darkest days I can have hope.

NOW THAT was huge. I am not trying to brag or say "look at me" but looking back on that, I can see my growth and maturity in Christ and I am excited about that.

Today I baptized a little girl from church. She is seven and accepted Jesus when she was 4. Her faith and understanding of Jesus is so amazing to me. She can't understand sin on the level that I can, yet she knows it on the level of a 7 years old girl. Sin to her is hitting her brother, not obeying her parents and talking back. Sin to me is deception, adultry, pride, lust, and much more. Sin to Jesus is all of it. He died for all of it. He became all of it. It was a true joy and privilege to sit down with her and her mom and talk about Jesus and what baptism represented and why Jesus called us to do it. After about 30 minutes she looked at me said "I got a new bike, you wanna see it?" Just like a kid.... Only so long they can sit and be serious!

My time with God seems to be better. After an amazing time of worship and crying on Tuesday. All of the heavy things on my heart aren't all gone, but I was able to give them to my Father to bear. What a relief. Matthew 11:28-30 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." I am glad that I can give my burdens to Jesus and lighten my load, but why do I struggle. Why do I want to hold on so tightly. Why does God have to pull my fingers of one at a time as I hold on with white knuckles? Jesus promises that He will give me rest, teach me. That He will always be gentle and humble in heart. When I need gentleness why does my heart become hard and unwilling to admit the need for his love and gentleness? This is a promise I am holding near to me heart until, um, forever!