It crazy to think of how terrified I am to truly fall in love.
It will change me and my life forever, yet that's exactly what we all crave, right? The daring, the new. Despite how much we believe we hate change, we desperately want the thrill and satisfaction of encountering the new, the unknown, and embracing it, facing it.
Falling in love is terrifying, but so is waking up tomorrow and living the same routine of today. I could throw my heart away to be broken and shattered, but I could also never let anyone love me, move me, change me. I can't like myself that much that I don't want to be any different! And I can't hate myself that much that I become obsessed with change. Why not listen to God and allow him to place beautiful people in my life?
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Friday, August 20, 2010
F&M I: Unprecedented Possibilities
"Modern technology places at our disposal unprecedented possibilities for good, for spreading the truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ and for fostering harmony and reconciliation. Yet its misuse can do untold harm, giving rise to misunderstanding, prejudice and even conflict" (39th World Communications Day, Pope John Paul II).
I believe that it's become strikingly obvious that the misuse of media can have a negative impact on society and the world, as noted in the second half of this quote. We've seen a rapid increase in immorality, the acceptance of it, and even the promotion of it in the name of "freedom." Security and privacy have become issues as more and more information is provided and asked for online. Sex is not treated as sacred, is equated with love, and is constantly the subject of all forms of media, desensitizing the human mind and eye to what should be left private and a mystery.
The "unprecedented possibilities for good" seem to be harder to actualize. However, we have a tendency to see only the bad, the taboo, the emotional. In the same World Communications Day message, JPII says:
It is absolutely imperative that we are aware of what we listen to. This is probably one of the most important points to make because it is easier to recognize pornographic sex scenes in a movie than it is to really listen to what the rappers are rapping. The overused line "I don't listen to they lyrics, only the music" is getting a little old, and frankly, it isn't true. What goes into our minds affects our hearts, and what's in our hearts comes out of our mouths. It's a cycle, and as we positively change our media intake we will find our hearts softened to living a life full of God's grace. Likewise, if we consistently compromise our consciences our hearts will harden and we will lose our ability to see and follow the light of Christ.
The living Word of God is the single most important object of our desire. Christ alone feeds us with the bread from heaven, and our intake of his Word, his body, and his Spirit will transform our hearts and lead us to "go and make disciples of all nations" with the unprecedented possibilities of mass communications at our fingertips.
I believe that it's become strikingly obvious that the misuse of media can have a negative impact on society and the world, as noted in the second half of this quote. We've seen a rapid increase in immorality, the acceptance of it, and even the promotion of it in the name of "freedom." Security and privacy have become issues as more and more information is provided and asked for online. Sex is not treated as sacred, is equated with love, and is constantly the subject of all forms of media, desensitizing the human mind and eye to what should be left private and a mystery.
The "unprecedented possibilities for good" seem to be harder to actualize. However, we have a tendency to see only the bad, the taboo, the emotional. In the same World Communications Day message, JPII says:
"The media can teach billions of people about other parts of the world and other cultures. With good reason they have been called 'the first Aeropagus of the modern age...for many the chief means of information and education, of guidance and inspiration in their behavior as individuals, families, and within society at large' (Redemptoris Missio, 37). Accurate knowledge promotes understanding, dispels prejudice, and awakens the desire to learn more. Images especially have the power to convey lasting impressions and to shape attitudes. They teach people how to regard members of other groups and nations, subtly influencing whether they are considered as friends or enemies, allies or potential adversaries" (2).This gives us a huge task, a giant and honorable responsibility. Is it sometimes easy to shy away from the particularly repulsive media? Yes. What about the not-so-repulsive-but-probably-still-not-good? Ehh, a little harder. But our responsibility as Christians goes beyond not doing things. Just as Christ did not banish the old law but fulfilled it, explaining that we are still to keep the commandments but also LOVE God and one another, so also does our responsibility lie not just in avoiding bad media but in actively using it for the glory of God.
It is absolutely imperative that we are aware of what we listen to. This is probably one of the most important points to make because it is easier to recognize pornographic sex scenes in a movie than it is to really listen to what the rappers are rapping. The overused line "I don't listen to they lyrics, only the music" is getting a little old, and frankly, it isn't true. What goes into our minds affects our hearts, and what's in our hearts comes out of our mouths. It's a cycle, and as we positively change our media intake we will find our hearts softened to living a life full of God's grace. Likewise, if we consistently compromise our consciences our hearts will harden and we will lose our ability to see and follow the light of Christ.
The living Word of God is the single most important object of our desire. Christ alone feeds us with the bread from heaven, and our intake of his Word, his body, and his Spirit will transform our hearts and lead us to "go and make disciples of all nations" with the unprecedented possibilities of mass communications at our fingertips.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Fear.
Have you ever noticed that when you resolve to do better, to pray more, to make a change, things get harder? Suddenly praying those 5 minutes every morning are a lot tougher than you originally planned, and it's difficult to stay focused.
Do not be discouraged.
It's actually fairly common, as frustrating as that is, but most people think it means something is wrong. They are told that they must be doing something wrong. They think that they aren't good enough or holy enough.
That's a lie.
I am reading a book called Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. It's actually a book on manhood written from a Christian perspective (the one for women is Captivating), and I definitely recommend it. The reason I mention it is because there is a section where Eldredge really hits the nail on the head in regards to this, our efforts to move forward in faith:
"That is the next level of our Enemy's strategy. When we begin to question him, to resist his lies, to see his hand in the "ordinary trials" of our lives, then he steps up the attack; he turns to intimidation and fear. [...] Satan will try to get you to agree with intimidation because he fears you. You are a huge threat to him. He doesn't want you waking up and fighting back because when you do he loses. 'Resist the devil,' James says, 'and he will flee from you' (James 4:7, emphasis added). So he's going to try to keep you from taking a stand. He moves from subtle seduction to open assault. The thoughts come crashing in, all sorts of stuff begin to fall apart in your life, your faith seems paper thin" (page 166).
Sound like a familiar story? That sure is the story of my life. Something really good comes into my life, I form a good habit (or try to), meet a person who needs my help, start a bible study or praise and worship group... What happens? Satan tries to attack it -- and me -- at all the weak points.
Face it -- he knows our weaknesses, our wounds. He constantly goes after them. What do you struggle with the most? Try to grow closer to Christ and see where you begin to hit road blocks. Probably in the most vulnerable, wounded areas of your life.
But God is with us. To the very end! And perfect Love casts out all fear. The Lord is that perfect Love. He is with us, and in Him we have nothing to fear. Standing firm in our faith in Christ, we have been given the same Spirit as the apostles on Pentecost. The same Spirit! The same Spirit that guided them across nations, that gave them power to heal, that gave them power to cast out demons, that gave them power to preach the gospel of Christ, that gave them the courage to die for their faith. This Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, which is Christ, and he is with each one of us.
So do not lose heart. For although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed every day. For this momentary slight affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Fight the good fight.
Do not be discouraged.
It's actually fairly common, as frustrating as that is, but most people think it means something is wrong. They are told that they must be doing something wrong. They think that they aren't good enough or holy enough.
That's a lie.
I am reading a book called Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. It's actually a book on manhood written from a Christian perspective (the one for women is Captivating), and I definitely recommend it. The reason I mention it is because there is a section where Eldredge really hits the nail on the head in regards to this, our efforts to move forward in faith:
"That is the next level of our Enemy's strategy. When we begin to question him, to resist his lies, to see his hand in the "ordinary trials" of our lives, then he steps up the attack; he turns to intimidation and fear. [...] Satan will try to get you to agree with intimidation because he fears you. You are a huge threat to him. He doesn't want you waking up and fighting back because when you do he loses. 'Resist the devil,' James says, 'and he will flee from you' (James 4:7, emphasis added). So he's going to try to keep you from taking a stand. He moves from subtle seduction to open assault. The thoughts come crashing in, all sorts of stuff begin to fall apart in your life, your faith seems paper thin" (page 166).
Sound like a familiar story? That sure is the story of my life. Something really good comes into my life, I form a good habit (or try to), meet a person who needs my help, start a bible study or praise and worship group... What happens? Satan tries to attack it -- and me -- at all the weak points.
Face it -- he knows our weaknesses, our wounds. He constantly goes after them. What do you struggle with the most? Try to grow closer to Christ and see where you begin to hit road blocks. Probably in the most vulnerable, wounded areas of your life.
But God is with us. To the very end! And perfect Love casts out all fear. The Lord is that perfect Love. He is with us, and in Him we have nothing to fear. Standing firm in our faith in Christ, we have been given the same Spirit as the apostles on Pentecost. The same Spirit! The same Spirit that guided them across nations, that gave them power to heal, that gave them power to cast out demons, that gave them power to preach the gospel of Christ, that gave them the courage to die for their faith. This Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, which is Christ, and he is with each one of us.
So do not lose heart. For although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed every day. For this momentary slight affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Fight the good fight.
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