Hey friends!
Thursday afternoon, I watched my brother Jordan graduate officer candidate school in Ft. Benning, GA. Talk about impressive. Watching 82 guys and 6 girls raise their right arms and pledge to defend the constitution, never accept defeat, never abandon the mission, and to uphold all the other things the United States prides herself on - I've never witnessed anything like it. I have always been patriotic and I have always been proud of our men and women in uniform, but when my eyes filled with tears as I watched my brother vow to protect my freedom I felt it like I never have before. These brave young officers are each willing to pay the ultimate price if necessary to defend the American way of life. That's undivided loyalty in action, my friends!
In the last two chapters in the book of Joshua, Israel's leader is approaching the end of his life. He realizes this and encourages the people to stay the course. Joshua wanted the nation's legacy of undivided loyalty and faithfulness to God to outlive him. He wanted it to continue to serve as an example to the surrounding people groups who were watching the Israelites, knowing who the God they served was. Listen to the words from his final address to the nation:
"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." ~ Joshua 24:14,15
Undivided loyalty to Christ is a decision we must each individually choose. No one else can do it for us - not our parents, peers, or mentors. It is something we each have to want for ourselves. Are you ready to take that step of undivided loyalty? It's not easy. It includes having the Lord placing boundaries on your life and giving you certain convictions about things that no one else might share. I believe that the convictions God gives each of His children might all look very different. That's because we are each called to carry out a very unique, individualized mission that looks completely different from the person right beside us. But it is imperative to never go against what God is calling us to and the convictions He has placed on our lives. It's a sin to ourselves if we go against our conscience just because everyone else doesn't seem to have a problem with it (1 Corinthians 8).
Like a said before, it's not easy. I was reminded of that last night at a work dinner I attended with friends from work. Everyone in our group except for me started getting very "happy" only a few minutes in, and quickly formed the plan to go out and continue the festivities afterwards. I didn't go with them and left before everyone else did. I probably looked like the "party pooper", the lame good girl who lives up to her reputation at the office. But that's okay. I have thought a lot about how difficult it is to positively impact the people I work with because I'm only one person; it's me against everyone else. But the Lord showed me a few weeks ago that something as simple as not drinking with them and letting them see that their are more options for fun than getting wasted on a Friday night can be part of my testimony. It's something He has given me convictions about and I don't want to go against them and be unfaithful, unloyal, to what He is calling me to do. This is part of my way of choosing today Whom I will serve.
What is God calling you to do? What convictions and boundaries does He want to place on your life? Listen to Him and go with it. He's not doing it to annoy you or make you feel like the "odd duck out"; there's a beautiful reason He is calling you to that. And on a little side note: don't judge fellow believers around you who might not share your convictions. If what they are engaging in or enjoying is not directly contrary to scripture, you can cut them some slack. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are being "unspiritual"; it could very well be that God simply has a different plan and calling for their live that the convictions He wants you to have would not be compatible with.
Be encouraged today knowing that God is fighting for you (Joshua 23:3)! Reading through Joshua the past several weeks have reminded me of that truth, and it is such a wonderful promise to cling to. He is on Your side. He's not out to get you - as it might seem sometimes! - but rather He has only your best interests at heart. It might not seem that way now, but it is true. And a little while down the road of life, you'll be able to look back at whatever stage of life you are in now and realize that He did know the plans He had for you during this time, and they were beautiful plans indeed (Jeremiah 29:11).
Until next Wednesday!
Amber Noel
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
I Have Been Changed for Good
Hey friends!
Last night when I was enjoying Menchies with two of my besties, I got a text reminding me that I had volunteered to help out at the Brakebill nursing home today during church. Every time I sign up to help out with something during the church hour, I have to fight feelings of selfishness. I love helping other people. But I also love being poured into and encouraged every Sunday morning by Pastor Dan. So when I got that text last night, I felt myself thinking, "Well stink! There goes me receiving my weekly 'fill up'!" But was I ever wrong.
I had prayed for it earlier, and as soon as I got in the car and headed over to Brakebill, the Lord gave me a complete change of heart. I started looking forward to being able to serve the residents at Brakebill and bless them by wheeling them to and from the service. That feeling continued to grow throughout my time there. The residents at Brakebill were so precious I can't began to describe them. My heart warmed at seeing these elderly men and women, who could not even walk, waiting patiently in their wheelchairs so they could be taken down the hall to hear about Jesus. They were so grateful for that chance and thanked us profusely for our small part in making that possible.
Before the message, the Pastor led us in singing a few hymns; the off-key singing was some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard because it came from pure hearts that wanted only to glorify their Savior. As I looked around the room, I wanted to weep at the love I felt for them. Each precious, withered face - many with not many years left - had done the inconvenient because they wanted to praise Jesus on His day. At the end of the service, we took them back to either their rooms or the dining hall. It honestly broke my heart to tell them goodbye; it is amazing how quickly you can grow to care for people. I squeezed their hands and looked into their eyes, so full of love and gratitude for someone they didn't know, someone who only hours before had wanted to put her own selfish desires above them.
Before we left, Pastor Bob hugged me and Allison and prayed a prayer of blessing over us. I was so moved. He thanked us for making a difference in the lives of the Brakebill residents...but I was the changed one. During the hour and a half while we were there, I was reminded of how true the words "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) are. By me pouring myself out to the people at Brakebill today in an incredibly small way, I was in turn poured into abundantly above anything I could imagine.
If God is calling you to serve in some area, don't hesitate to follow His command! At first, you might be like me and have a feeling of dread over all that you are being asked to "give up". It might be as trivial as my traditional Sunday morning worship service, or something as colossal as a lifelong dream. But He has only your best interest at heart. By asking you to bless others, He wants to bless you in ways larger than you ever imagined possible! So give in to Jesus and let Him change you for the better.
Until Wednesday!
Amber Noel
Last night when I was enjoying Menchies with two of my besties, I got a text reminding me that I had volunteered to help out at the Brakebill nursing home today during church. Every time I sign up to help out with something during the church hour, I have to fight feelings of selfishness. I love helping other people. But I also love being poured into and encouraged every Sunday morning by Pastor Dan. So when I got that text last night, I felt myself thinking, "Well stink! There goes me receiving my weekly 'fill up'!" But was I ever wrong.
I had prayed for it earlier, and as soon as I got in the car and headed over to Brakebill, the Lord gave me a complete change of heart. I started looking forward to being able to serve the residents at Brakebill and bless them by wheeling them to and from the service. That feeling continued to grow throughout my time there. The residents at Brakebill were so precious I can't began to describe them. My heart warmed at seeing these elderly men and women, who could not even walk, waiting patiently in their wheelchairs so they could be taken down the hall to hear about Jesus. They were so grateful for that chance and thanked us profusely for our small part in making that possible.
Before the message, the Pastor led us in singing a few hymns; the off-key singing was some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard because it came from pure hearts that wanted only to glorify their Savior. As I looked around the room, I wanted to weep at the love I felt for them. Each precious, withered face - many with not many years left - had done the inconvenient because they wanted to praise Jesus on His day. At the end of the service, we took them back to either their rooms or the dining hall. It honestly broke my heart to tell them goodbye; it is amazing how quickly you can grow to care for people. I squeezed their hands and looked into their eyes, so full of love and gratitude for someone they didn't know, someone who only hours before had wanted to put her own selfish desires above them.
Before we left, Pastor Bob hugged me and Allison and prayed a prayer of blessing over us. I was so moved. He thanked us for making a difference in the lives of the Brakebill residents...but I was the changed one. During the hour and a half while we were there, I was reminded of how true the words "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) are. By me pouring myself out to the people at Brakebill today in an incredibly small way, I was in turn poured into abundantly above anything I could imagine.
If God is calling you to serve in some area, don't hesitate to follow His command! At first, you might be like me and have a feeling of dread over all that you are being asked to "give up". It might be as trivial as my traditional Sunday morning worship service, or something as colossal as a lifelong dream. But He has only your best interest at heart. By asking you to bless others, He wants to bless you in ways larger than you ever imagined possible! So give in to Jesus and let Him change you for the better.
Until Wednesday!
Amber Noel
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Be Satisfied
Good evening, friends!
You know that feeling when your day doesn't go at all how you planned it would, but it turns out that you are so grateful it didn't?! That's how I felt this morning. I woke up at the crack of dawn thinking a class I needed to attend was at 5:30 a.m. ... and it turns out that it is that early TOMORROW morning! Silly silly me. But because of my early start, I got to spend a much needed, extended quiet time with Jesus. I'm reading through the book of Joshua right now and today I came across this verse: "To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the Lord God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him." (Joshua 13:14)
To the Levite tribe, it probably didn't seem like much of an inheritance. I know that if I were in their shoes, I would feel more than a little twinge of jealousy watching the other tribes enjoy their vast portions of the land of Canaan that God gave to them. I would be tempted to say, "What?! You gave them that and You're expecting me to be content with this: a future of offering up sacrifices to You on behalf of our nation?" It must not have been the ending so many of them had imagined.
I feel that society today has given young women my age the mistaken impression that their inheritance will be whatever "happily ever after" they envision for themselves. Finding the perfect guy. Getting the dream career they wanted since elementary school. Having the white house with the picket fence, 2.2 children, and a yard with a dog in it. Fill in the blank with whatever your happy ending is, and chances are you're pretty positive that it is how your story will somehow play out.
That's how I felt, too, until reading this verse. What if my inheritance from the Lord isn't the "happily ever after" I had envisioned for myself? What if it doesn't involve a husband, kids, or my dream job? What if it's being single, never making enough money to be approved for an adoption, and ending up in a foreign country I never pictured myself in? When I thought about these "less than ideal" scenarios I never wanted to consider might actually be true of my life, I asked myself, "Would I still be content? If my inheritance does turn out to be one of sacrifice, how would I respond?"
And in that moment, I have never been more sure of anything than I was with my answer. Yes. I realized that whatever God has in store for my inheritance is the thing that will bring Him the most glory. And when I thought about it, everything else seemed incredibly inferior and insignificant. If God created me with the purpose of glorifying Himself, why would I not want to do that? Because if it's what I was created to do, nothing else except for that unique calling will bring me satisfaction or fulfillment.
And God is good! He knows the desires of my heart. At this point, He might have some changin' to do on my heart's desires if the inheritance He has in store for me is that of a single, childless woman in an alien country...but I'm pretty sure He's big enough and quite capable of doing that if He needs to.
A few years ago, one of my closest friends shared a poem with me that one of her mentor's had given her. Every time I read it, it helps me regain focus and catch sight of the only One who should have my heart. For Him, I am willing to sacrifice everything else because He alone is worthy of glory.
You know that feeling when your day doesn't go at all how you planned it would, but it turns out that you are so grateful it didn't?! That's how I felt this morning. I woke up at the crack of dawn thinking a class I needed to attend was at 5:30 a.m. ... and it turns out that it is that early TOMORROW morning! Silly silly me. But because of my early start, I got to spend a much needed, extended quiet time with Jesus. I'm reading through the book of Joshua right now and today I came across this verse: "To the tribe of Levi alone Moses gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the Lord God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said to him." (Joshua 13:14)
To the Levite tribe, it probably didn't seem like much of an inheritance. I know that if I were in their shoes, I would feel more than a little twinge of jealousy watching the other tribes enjoy their vast portions of the land of Canaan that God gave to them. I would be tempted to say, "What?! You gave them that and You're expecting me to be content with this: a future of offering up sacrifices to You on behalf of our nation?" It must not have been the ending so many of them had imagined.
I feel that society today has given young women my age the mistaken impression that their inheritance will be whatever "happily ever after" they envision for themselves. Finding the perfect guy. Getting the dream career they wanted since elementary school. Having the white house with the picket fence, 2.2 children, and a yard with a dog in it. Fill in the blank with whatever your happy ending is, and chances are you're pretty positive that it is how your story will somehow play out.
That's how I felt, too, until reading this verse. What if my inheritance from the Lord isn't the "happily ever after" I had envisioned for myself? What if it doesn't involve a husband, kids, or my dream job? What if it's being single, never making enough money to be approved for an adoption, and ending up in a foreign country I never pictured myself in? When I thought about these "less than ideal" scenarios I never wanted to consider might actually be true of my life, I asked myself, "Would I still be content? If my inheritance does turn out to be one of sacrifice, how would I respond?"
And in that moment, I have never been more sure of anything than I was with my answer. Yes. I realized that whatever God has in store for my inheritance is the thing that will bring Him the most glory. And when I thought about it, everything else seemed incredibly inferior and insignificant. If God created me with the purpose of glorifying Himself, why would I not want to do that? Because if it's what I was created to do, nothing else except for that unique calling will bring me satisfaction or fulfillment.
And God is good! He knows the desires of my heart. At this point, He might have some changin' to do on my heart's desires if the inheritance He has in store for me is that of a single, childless woman in an alien country...but I'm pretty sure He's big enough and quite capable of doing that if He needs to.
A few years ago, one of my closest friends shared a poem with me that one of her mentor's had given her. Every time I read it, it helps me regain focus and catch sight of the only One who should have my heart. For Him, I am willing to sacrifice everything else because He alone is worthy of glory.
Be Satisfied
Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone
And have a deep and lasting relationship with one another
To be loved thoroughly and exclusively
But God, to the Christian, says “No,
Not until you are satisfied with being loved by Me alone
And have an intensely personal, unique relationship with Me alone.
I love you, My child, and until you discover that only in Me
Is your satisfaction, you will not be capable of that perfect
Human relationship that I have planned for you.
I want you to stop planning, stop wanting, and allow Me to
Give you the most thrilling plan existing – one that you cannot imagine.
Please allow me to bring it to you.
Just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing and listening to the things I tell you.
You must wait.
Do not be anxious, don’t worry.
Don’t look around at the things others have gotten,
Or that I have given to them.
Just keep looking at Me or you will miss what I have to show.
And when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love more wonderful
Than you have ever dreamed of.
You see, until you are both ready at the same time,
Until you are both satisfied with Me
And the life I have prepared for you,
You will not be able to experience the love that exemplifies
The everlasting union of beauty and love.
I am God.
Believe and be satisfied!”
Have a lovely rest of the week...and enjoy being SATISFIED in Christ.
Amber Noel
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Dying for Approval
Oh hey friends!
No, it's not Wednesday. But I finally have a free moment to blog and the word for the week is just too good not to share...so here's the Word on Saturday!
Yesterday, I was asked to lead my small group Bible study tomorrow night. This inspired me to read through my journal from last semester and this summer, reminding myself of things God has taught me over the past few months that could encourage others. If it's been a while since you re-read your musings and ramblings on paper, go do it. You will be amazed at the theme you see over a period of time of what God is trying to teach you! For me, the theme is that of approval.
Spring semester of my freshman year, my discipler called me out for being a people-pleaser. She read Galatians 1:10 to me. "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Apparently, I'm a slow learner because my journal entries from the past semester made it clear that seeking the approval of others is something I still struggle with.
People-pleasers are usually viewed as those who are indecisive with seemingly no opinions of their own. They are so worried about not stepping on other people's toes that they don't want to rock the boat by voicing an opposing view. People-pleasers are often referred to as pushovers and people with no backbone. By that definition, you might instantly think of a friend who never says which restaurant she wants to go to or what movie he really wants to watch. Maybe you are the person who does that, and the one that came to your mind!
Whatever person you thought of, I encourage you to put a spin on the traditional definition of people-pleasers and see if you find yourself in that category. Perhaps you're someone who feels tied down to a major you can't stand, or to a career you aren't passionate about. But because you don't want others to view the past x-amount of years as a "waste", you trudge along with something that is clearly not your life's calling. Maybe you have been prompted to share your faith with a co-worker or friend, but hesitate because you wonder what he would say if you did. Or perhaps you feel led to pursue something completely different from anything you have ever done before that you know will bring you life, but are afraid to turn from the path you're currently on because you think others would call you a quitter or cop out.
Did any of the above ring true of your life? I can identify with them all...and many, many more. It's so funny that we continue to run after the fluctuating, inconsistent approval of men when the liberating truth is that there is only One whose approval we should seek. Wouldn't it be freeing if we only tried to please one person?! The good news is that we can! And His name is Jesus Christ!
As I write this tonight, the cry of my heart is that of Song of Solomon 3:4. "When I found him whom my soul loves, I held him, and would not let him go." I want this verse to describe my pursuit of Christ. So often, I loose focus by wondering, "What will the person across from me think if I pray by myself in public?" "Will we still be 'friends' if I share my faith with him?" "Will she think I'm 'over the top' if I follow through with my convictions instead of following the status quo?" I might do the right thing in these situations. But I am still distracted from running the race when I get caught up in trying to win the approval of others while still trying to follow Christ. I want to run as hard and as fast as I can after Jesus, completely oblivious to the opinions of others along the way.
It's so freeing to live only for Christ, to seek the approval of the only One whose opinion is eternal! But the results of it don't guarantee that everyone will love us and want to be our friends. If that happens, you're probably doing something wrong. But Jesus promised that when we lift Him up, He will draw others to Himself (John 12:32). People will notice your changed life. They'll notice how happy, restful, and free you are because you're not running yourself ragged trying to win their approval. And they'll ask you what the difference is. "What is you beloved more than another beloved? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you thus adjure us?" (Song of Solomon 5:9). When that happens, let's seize the opportunity to point them Jesus Christ, the One whose approval we should be dying for! "He is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend." (5:16)
Until next Wednesday - for real this time.
Amber Noel
No, it's not Wednesday. But I finally have a free moment to blog and the word for the week is just too good not to share...so here's the Word on Saturday!
Yesterday, I was asked to lead my small group Bible study tomorrow night. This inspired me to read through my journal from last semester and this summer, reminding myself of things God has taught me over the past few months that could encourage others. If it's been a while since you re-read your musings and ramblings on paper, go do it. You will be amazed at the theme you see over a period of time of what God is trying to teach you! For me, the theme is that of approval.
Spring semester of my freshman year, my discipler called me out for being a people-pleaser. She read Galatians 1:10 to me. "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Apparently, I'm a slow learner because my journal entries from the past semester made it clear that seeking the approval of others is something I still struggle with.
People-pleasers are usually viewed as those who are indecisive with seemingly no opinions of their own. They are so worried about not stepping on other people's toes that they don't want to rock the boat by voicing an opposing view. People-pleasers are often referred to as pushovers and people with no backbone. By that definition, you might instantly think of a friend who never says which restaurant she wants to go to or what movie he really wants to watch. Maybe you are the person who does that, and the one that came to your mind!
Whatever person you thought of, I encourage you to put a spin on the traditional definition of people-pleasers and see if you find yourself in that category. Perhaps you're someone who feels tied down to a major you can't stand, or to a career you aren't passionate about. But because you don't want others to view the past x-amount of years as a "waste", you trudge along with something that is clearly not your life's calling. Maybe you have been prompted to share your faith with a co-worker or friend, but hesitate because you wonder what he would say if you did. Or perhaps you feel led to pursue something completely different from anything you have ever done before that you know will bring you life, but are afraid to turn from the path you're currently on because you think others would call you a quitter or cop out.
Did any of the above ring true of your life? I can identify with them all...and many, many more. It's so funny that we continue to run after the fluctuating, inconsistent approval of men when the liberating truth is that there is only One whose approval we should seek. Wouldn't it be freeing if we only tried to please one person?! The good news is that we can! And His name is Jesus Christ!
As I write this tonight, the cry of my heart is that of Song of Solomon 3:4. "When I found him whom my soul loves, I held him, and would not let him go." I want this verse to describe my pursuit of Christ. So often, I loose focus by wondering, "What will the person across from me think if I pray by myself in public?" "Will we still be 'friends' if I share my faith with him?" "Will she think I'm 'over the top' if I follow through with my convictions instead of following the status quo?" I might do the right thing in these situations. But I am still distracted from running the race when I get caught up in trying to win the approval of others while still trying to follow Christ. I want to run as hard and as fast as I can after Jesus, completely oblivious to the opinions of others along the way.
It's so freeing to live only for Christ, to seek the approval of the only One whose opinion is eternal! But the results of it don't guarantee that everyone will love us and want to be our friends. If that happens, you're probably doing something wrong. But Jesus promised that when we lift Him up, He will draw others to Himself (John 12:32). People will notice your changed life. They'll notice how happy, restful, and free you are because you're not running yourself ragged trying to win their approval. And they'll ask you what the difference is. "What is you beloved more than another beloved? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you thus adjure us?" (Song of Solomon 5:9). When that happens, let's seize the opportunity to point them Jesus Christ, the One whose approval we should be dying for! "He is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend." (5:16)
Until next Wednesday - for real this time.
Amber Noel
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Grace in Chicago
Hey friends!
This past week has been incredible. The NASA crew (aka Nicole, Ada, Sam, and Amber) pulled back in Knoxville late last night after a six-day trip to...not outer space, as you might expect, but CHICAGO! It was the first time any of us had been to the Windy City except for Ada, so everything was an adventure. Here are some of the things we learned:
* The plaza below the John Hancock building makes a great place for naps, but be prepared to be called out if you use it for that purpose. We woke up to hear an older gentleman referring to us as "the youth these days" to a random stranger.
* The Windy City lives up to its nickname. Never wear a skirt unless it's four feet long.
* Gino's East has the best deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza ever. End of story.
* Always take sunscreen to Oak Street Beach. We learned that the hard way.
* Nutella and pbj sandwiches are fantastic lunch options when you're on a tight budget.
* 80 cent tolls sound like a steal, but those pennies add up after a while.
* Don't waste your time trying to see the jellies at the Aquarium - it's way over priced. Go to the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum instead; students get a discount and teachers get in for free.
* Make sure you go to the John Hancock's observatory at night. The view is breathtaking and well worth the $8.50 desserts.
* Transformers 3 needs to be watched in Chicago for the full experience.
* Windmill Alley on the way into the city can be frightening, but the destination is well worth facing your fears.
* Twitter is so much more enjoyable when you plan your tweets out loud with friends before you actually tweet.
* Plan on allotting at least three hours to The Bean in Millennium Park. And make sure your camera is fully charged before you go.
* The gyros from the Taste of Chicago food festival are delicious.
* Make sure you swing in Oz Park.
* Eat coconut cream buns and drink bubble tea in Chinatown. Prepare to be momentarily transported to Heaven.
* Chicago is the best place to run that I've discovered so far. It's flat and it's windy.
* Cool people get ice cream from Union Station's food court and eat it on the wooden benches upstairs. I know this because that's what we did.
* The Naperville firework show is a perfect ending to the Fourth of July.
* Watch out for men in straw bonnets with pink ribbons at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I'm serious.
These are only a few of the funnies and learning experiences we had while we were there...believe me, there were many, many more! But one of the best experiences for me came while we were at Willow Creek Community Church on Sunday. The David Crowder band was performing there that day and led the worship service. The theme throughout was one of GRACE, and during a brief message the senior pastor at Willow Creek made a comment that stuck with me: "Enjoy the gift of grace, the work that was done by Another."
That simple statement floored me. People who know me well know that I have to be really tired or really sick to be completely still for long. I thrive on being busy and always feel that I need to be doing something, working on something. But the pastor's words made me stop and ask myself when the last time was that I had completely rested and enjoyed the gift of grace. When was the last time I had enjoyed resting in the finished work of Christ? When was the last time I hadn't tried to add to it, or try to come away from an event or quiet time with as much "knowledge" as possible just so I could appear more "righteous"? These habits that I've adopted take away from the gift of God's grace. I am slapping Him in the face by implying that He's work was not enough to cover me completely, and therefore I can't simply enjoy what He deemed FINISHED.
Up until that moment in the service, I had been struggling with the same urge to glean as much as I could from the message so I could be a better, stronger person. I was trying to force God into doing something great that I could come away with rather than simply letting His Spirit do what it would. Willow Creek was much less traditional than the churches I am used to attending, and I struggled with the extended worship because I wondered how I could come away "changed" on a Sunday when there wasn't the typical 45-minute sermon.
But once I heard the pastor's words, a change came over me. It was though the Lord had spoken directly to me and said, "Rest! Don't run circles in your mind trying to figure out a way that this can change you. Instead, let me soothe your soul with the truth of these lyrics and be reminded that I have finished the work! Your only responsibility is to enjoy what I have perfected and to follow Me in love - not duty." I walked away from that service more changed by a Sunday morning than I have in a long time.
Looking back on this trip, I will undoubtedly remember the silly moments, the sights we saw, and the incredible food we enjoyed. But more than anything, the memory of resting in grace is the one that has forever been burned in my mind. Truly enjoying God's gift; letting myself rest in the truth that what He has called finished is finished. That's what I want to do every day.
Windy Cities and sandy beaches might not be in the cards for me, but the incredible gift of resting in grace is mine for the taking. It's a reality I can experience every day if I am willing to.
Until next Wednesday!
Amber Noel
1. Having fun with The Bean in Millennium Park
2. Night view from the John Hancock building
3. Sightseeing in Chicago
4. Sunday afternoon in the Chicago Botanic Gardens
5. Chinatown...one of my favorite places!
6. At the Museum Campus on Lake Michigan
7. The beautiful Windy City
This past week has been incredible. The NASA crew (aka Nicole, Ada, Sam, and Amber) pulled back in Knoxville late last night after a six-day trip to...not outer space, as you might expect, but CHICAGO! It was the first time any of us had been to the Windy City except for Ada, so everything was an adventure. Here are some of the things we learned:
* The plaza below the John Hancock building makes a great place for naps, but be prepared to be called out if you use it for that purpose. We woke up to hear an older gentleman referring to us as "the youth these days" to a random stranger.
* The Windy City lives up to its nickname. Never wear a skirt unless it's four feet long.
* Gino's East has the best deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza ever. End of story.
* Always take sunscreen to Oak Street Beach. We learned that the hard way.
* Nutella and pbj sandwiches are fantastic lunch options when you're on a tight budget.
* 80 cent tolls sound like a steal, but those pennies add up after a while.
* Don't waste your time trying to see the jellies at the Aquarium - it's way over priced. Go to the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum instead; students get a discount and teachers get in for free.
* Make sure you go to the John Hancock's observatory at night. The view is breathtaking and well worth the $8.50 desserts.
* Transformers 3 needs to be watched in Chicago for the full experience.
* Windmill Alley on the way into the city can be frightening, but the destination is well worth facing your fears.
* Twitter is so much more enjoyable when you plan your tweets out loud with friends before you actually tweet.
* Plan on allotting at least three hours to The Bean in Millennium Park. And make sure your camera is fully charged before you go.
* The gyros from the Taste of Chicago food festival are delicious.
* Make sure you swing in Oz Park.
* Eat coconut cream buns and drink bubble tea in Chinatown. Prepare to be momentarily transported to Heaven.
* Chicago is the best place to run that I've discovered so far. It's flat and it's windy.
* Cool people get ice cream from Union Station's food court and eat it on the wooden benches upstairs. I know this because that's what we did.
* The Naperville firework show is a perfect ending to the Fourth of July.
* Watch out for men in straw bonnets with pink ribbons at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I'm serious.
These are only a few of the funnies and learning experiences we had while we were there...believe me, there were many, many more! But one of the best experiences for me came while we were at Willow Creek Community Church on Sunday. The David Crowder band was performing there that day and led the worship service. The theme throughout was one of GRACE, and during a brief message the senior pastor at Willow Creek made a comment that stuck with me: "Enjoy the gift of grace, the work that was done by Another."
That simple statement floored me. People who know me well know that I have to be really tired or really sick to be completely still for long. I thrive on being busy and always feel that I need to be doing something, working on something. But the pastor's words made me stop and ask myself when the last time was that I had completely rested and enjoyed the gift of grace. When was the last time I had enjoyed resting in the finished work of Christ? When was the last time I hadn't tried to add to it, or try to come away from an event or quiet time with as much "knowledge" as possible just so I could appear more "righteous"? These habits that I've adopted take away from the gift of God's grace. I am slapping Him in the face by implying that He's work was not enough to cover me completely, and therefore I can't simply enjoy what He deemed FINISHED.
Up until that moment in the service, I had been struggling with the same urge to glean as much as I could from the message so I could be a better, stronger person. I was trying to force God into doing something great that I could come away with rather than simply letting His Spirit do what it would. Willow Creek was much less traditional than the churches I am used to attending, and I struggled with the extended worship because I wondered how I could come away "changed" on a Sunday when there wasn't the typical 45-minute sermon.
But once I heard the pastor's words, a change came over me. It was though the Lord had spoken directly to me and said, "Rest! Don't run circles in your mind trying to figure out a way that this can change you. Instead, let me soothe your soul with the truth of these lyrics and be reminded that I have finished the work! Your only responsibility is to enjoy what I have perfected and to follow Me in love - not duty." I walked away from that service more changed by a Sunday morning than I have in a long time.
Looking back on this trip, I will undoubtedly remember the silly moments, the sights we saw, and the incredible food we enjoyed. But more than anything, the memory of resting in grace is the one that has forever been burned in my mind. Truly enjoying God's gift; letting myself rest in the truth that what He has called finished is finished. That's what I want to do every day.
Windy Cities and sandy beaches might not be in the cards for me, but the incredible gift of resting in grace is mine for the taking. It's a reality I can experience every day if I am willing to.
Until next Wednesday!
Amber Noel
1. Having fun with The Bean in Millennium Park
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