by Amy | Sep 18, 2014 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith, The Art of Living
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I feel like I hear the same sentiment all the time. I have felt it, and you probably have too. I feel like it’s especially prevalent among the millennial generation. Our post high school years were filled with computers, technology and recession. Jobs were few and far between when we left college. Things were tight enough that living at home until mid-twenties became a norm, as did staying on mom and dad’s insurance.
“I just have no idea what to do with myself.”
I hear it from high school teens as they enter their senior year or as they exit their school years and step into a greater unknown chock full of choices. I hear it from college students. I hear it from peers–even as we inch in on 30, still we feel like there’s something missing….something we should be doing. A calling, a fulfillment, a purpose–missing.
I blame some of it on the Internet. We know so much now. We know about quirky, niche jobs that we otherwise would have no way of seeing. It’s easy to track down jobs and lifestyles we think would be amazing…”if only.”
If only I’d majored in something different.
If only I’d gone to college.
If only I lived in there instead of here.
If only I had a better job, then I’d have savings and I could…
If only I was married, then I’d be totally happy.
For me, it’s usually in the depths of this type of wallowing that leads me to scroll through my Facebook feed. There I can what everyone in my graduating class is up to–and it always looks cooler and more put together than what we’ve got going on. There is always someone with an awesome vacation, promotion, or adorable family portraits cropping up in the News Feed. There’s always someone who looks like they love their job, make great money, have an awesome life…are totally happy.
So I got thinking today, maybe a major part of mastering the Art of Living has to do with finding contentment. I’m usually pretty happy. Which lots of people don’t understand, because I live in Practically Canada in a town that isn’t exactly on par with New York, NY. My husband has to work a lot. His work makes us move. I’m constantly shifting jobs, friends, homes…just trying to make it work. But somehow–like the cockroach that just won’t die–I remain joyful.
And I think it’s because I work very hard at being content.
Once the choice to strive for contentment–satisfaction in our station, not throwing in the towel on dreams, not hating on where we are–joy and happiness soon follows. Like lots of things, it is a choice. Like lots of choices it can be a hard one to make and even harder to follow through.
Instead of striving for perfection, take inventory of your heart and your life. See what is keeping you from contentment. Is it too many far-fetched comparisons? Step away from social media. Is it that you hate were you live? Find a way to get involved or an activity to pursue that you are passionate about. Is it relationships that squelch your dreams and self-worth, and feed a negative attitude? Put yourself out there and seek a positive circle.
Find a way to step toward contentment and joy will follow.
by Amy | Sep 15, 2014 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
“We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.”
–1 Thessalonians 1:4b
It’s so very easy to get caught up in the people pleasing game. Especially if you are a yesser like me. You know, the kind of person who says “yes” to just about everything. The kind never really had birthday parties growing up because she was too stressed over the possibility of hurt feelings if someone felt left out. The kind who has spent a few of her 20-somethings curled up in an anxious ball because she doesn’t have a “real job.”
Maybe that’s not your story exactly, but chances are there has been a time or two when you have longed to please people.
Every time we move I get direly caught up in pleasing people. I so want friends, want to fit in, want to be liked that I can fall into a trap. I’m not good at being anything but myself. So I don’t easily fall into a trap of forsaking my true self, or my faith in the name of finding friends and fitting in. My heart and spirit, however is easily torn to bits when I just don’t feel like I fit in…like no one will ever get me, and I’ll spend the next few years totally friendless.
I hate that my joy can be so easily sucked up by the thoughts and opinions of people. People! After all I’ve been through. After all the times I’ve seen God moved in huge ways…you’d think that I’d know better than to let my happiness hinge on something as trivial as mere mortals. I serve the God who made them, after all. But, sadly sometimes it does.
Luckily, humanity has been around for quite some time now, and the struggles we face today are not new or unique {at least, not most of them…not this one.} Paul spent lots of time evangelizing to Gentile nations. I’m sure his time wasn’t all warm welcomes and high fives. In fact, we know it wasn’t. He was tossed in jail and beaten to a pulp on more than one occasion. But he kept at it. He loved those people, believed in the truth and importance of his message, and was fueled by unrelenting faith.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:2-6 he says :
We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.
We are called to grow God’s kingdom in all that we do. To be good representatives of Him on Earth. To act as the body, who does the will of the Head.
We do that best when we remember to keep our eyes set on the Lord, and do not let ourselves become consumed with the pleasing people. So next time you feel like doing something to please a person, or feel crushed because you just can’t seem to please everyone…remember who we are really trying to please. People will only ever see our actions, but God knows our intentions and tests our hearts. Work to please Him. Focus on pleasing Him.
by Amy | Aug 25, 2014 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
Those of you who have worked with me or close to me {especially in my early self-employment years} know that I’m not opposed to taking unusual payment. I guess in that sense I’m very old fashioned. The kind of girl who could accept a dozen eggs for an hour of cow milking. Okay, so–maybe that exact deal never happened anywhere. Ever.
But I have been known to accept the world’s greatest chocolate chip cookies, meals, banquet tickets, and {recently} a Muppet-esque puppet made to my likeness. {It’s not quite done but I promise I’ll show it to you when I get it.}
My most recent barter was exchanging some graphic design for two tickets to a local positive music festival called Rock the Leaves. If you live here in Practically Canada you should check them out. They put a second event on in the spring called Beardstock, which I’ve heard had a pretty cool promo in the Rock the Leaves program.
You got me. I made that. To be fair–I genuinely do think it looks cool.
As part of my payment I got a VIP experience with this year’s headliner: Sanctus Real. I took a friend and together with the other VIP ticket holders we got to hear Santus Real play two songs from their new album acoustically followed by a question and answer time, followed by photo and autograph time.
Something they said in response to one audience question really stood out to me. A man asked what the best part of their job is as a touring band. In response, lead singer, Matt Hammitt, told us that the absolute best part is when they meet up with people from the audience who share how God has used their music to speak to them. He told us that he uses song writing as a way to cope with hard times and turn to God. He said he loves learning how God has used the words He inspired to work in others’ lives.
I love that. So what I’ve been mulling over is the idea that we all have songs and music running through our lives. Maybe not literally–believe me, no one wants me to write a song, much less sing it. But our struggles, the way we move in times of hardship, our testimonies, the stories we share, the words we use…these comprise our song. The same way God can use their music to reach someone, help them, pick them up, direct them, affirm them–He can use our lives’ songs to do the same to all the people we see and interact with.
It’s a ripple effect and I believe most of us will never know just how far our ripples have spread. Hard times are…well…hard, but if we use our free will to choose to continue to proclaim the goodness of the Lord, He will carry our song far and wide. The strain of a trial and the victory found afterward become our song, a song that can speak volumes to an unknown mass.
by Amy | Jul 9, 2014 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
Last week I wrote about how we, as Christians are called to be different. Originally I was going to combine that premise to what I’m writing about now–leadership.
Image Via
But as I started, it all got too long and fuzzy. So I decided to sit on this one for another week and split the two up. Today, I’ll continue the discussion, this time focusing on leadership.
Leadership is a beautiful thing. It’s something we all crave in one way or another. We crave to have control and be the leaders in our own lives, over others, to bask in the glow of recognition and importance. Or–we crave to be lead. We want someone to focus us, guide us, give us answers and lead us.
You see, naturally I’m drawn to be a leader. That’s why the notion of marriage was so hard for me to grasp for so long. I hated the idea of being led. My parents could probably tell you that that leadership quality made me a great student and a terrible child to rear. I didn’t even like being led by my parents–I wanted to do and do my way. Now, many years {and lots of grace} later I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about control, or stubbornness, or doing things your way and no other way. I’ve learned that a great leader can also be led, and a strong individual needs to understand the beauty and importance of submission. {See how Jesus submits to the Father and the centurion–a leader himself–knew the importance of rank, and Paul describes the family order…}
I’ve thought about leaders lately. It might be the NPR, Derek’s job, my work with the youth group, or seeing brilliant teens work leading a 5-Day club in my yard. Who knows. So, I started to look at the Bible. At leaders in the Bible–particularly Jesus, but a few others as well. I studied them and paid attention to the things they had in common. And I discovered something. Leadership is less about control and glory and more about servant-hood.
It seems like an oxymoron. A servant leader.
But that is exactly what all the best leaders were. Servants.
They were most effective and at their best when they set their eyes on how to best serve, know and love people they were leading, while fulfilling their duties. We see Jesus {our prime example} do this over and over again. He knows the people He is leading. He knows their laws and their boring stuff. But He also knows them. And He chooses to love them. Like the famous “woman at the well.” Or the “wee little man” Zachaeous. Jesus knew Him, pursued him out of the tree and dined with Him.
Jesus clearly tells us to be great, to lead…we must first know how to serve. Mark 9:35 says:
…Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.
Another thing I found about servant leadership is that great Biblical leaders, even Jesus himself are real. They are down to earth and transparent with those they lead. Now, Jesus had no faults. So He couldn’t be transparent with those. But He set a clear example of submission for us to follow. He showed us what it meant to commune with the Father and be submissive to Him. {John 6:38-40}.
As we lead, we should never stop considering the lives and hearts of those we are leading. We should consider if there is a way to make their load lighter, their work more enjoyable, or a way the leader can better serve.
A leader should be wary of becoming prideful, remembering the needs of others–again becoming the servant. See Luke 22:25-27. Instead of loving control and importance, a great leader loves seeing his people move in the right direction.Instead of relying on his own strength and insight, we as leaders should constantly look to Christ and be humble before Him.
A great leader is always obedient to God. Knowing that God places those in authority. And He prizes obedience over great deeds and fame. It’s hard, but prayerfully attempt to be content if authority is taken from you and placed in someone else’s hands. A spirit of control is unbecoming on every one. 1 Samuel 15:22
What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
Leaders realize the value in teamwork. In sharing the load of a big vision with others God raises up. Think about the calling of the disciples, how they spread the Gospel after Christ’s resurrection and grew in number and force. {Mark 1:16-18;Acts 6:1-7; Acts 18:24-28}
I know there are lots of other good leadership qualities. There are more that are even Biblical qualities. But these are some that helped me those many, many months ago. As I said last week–we are called to be different. I believe we are called to lead. And anyone who can serve, can lead. In our lives, in whatever capacity we can, we are to point–to lead–to Christ and His lovely truth. I hope you’ll dig in to some of these verses. Heck, find some more to add to the list–then start putting them into practice. Step up as a leader in any fashion your life will allow. It might not be in the fanciest, most glamorous way…but we all have a platform we can use to lead–even a couple–to be different. Different isn’t lame, remember? It’s awesome. It’s eternal.
by Amy | Jul 1, 2014 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
It’s almost cliche to say that as Christians we are called to be different. It’s something I grew up hearing, it’s something I’ve said. And it’s true.
It’s a salve we put on wounds and aches when our peers poke fun at us for not drinking at the party, or because we chose to abstain, or because we don’t cuss, or we choose to go to church instead of sleeping in. The words of a judgmental world can hurt. And when they do, we can always call on those friendly Sunday School words to comfort us–“We are to be in the world, not of the world.” {Referencing Romans 12:2} We are called to be different.
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Somehow, sometimes, though I feel like that idea can translate to say: We are called to be lame.
Lame, because being “different” in a Christian sense can often mean not doing things the world sees as awesome. Today, I’d like to propose we take a more positive view. I’ve come to find that a big part of being different, a big part of “not conforming to the pattern of this world” means embracing our different and leading. Timothy 4:12 says we are to…“set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
We are set apart for a purpose. Not just to be boring people that are easy targets. Not just to prove our allegiance to Christ. We are set apart because the world can be a dark and confusing place. But God loves the people here in the dark and confusion. So once we find the light in all this mess, in this worldly pattern of sin and slime…it’s our job to lead. First we have to recognize the pattern of the world, then find the joy in breaking the pattern and lead others to that same joy.
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God gives us a promise for when we do:
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
And who doesn’t want that? Mastering the Art of Living means understanding God’s will. That’s the real Art of Living, right there. And He promises that when we renew our minds instead of conforming to the world…we will be able to understand His will. A will that might not make sense otherwise.
So back to leading. I know this verse doesn’t explicitly tell us to lead others along the road to renewal. But others do. {Matt 29:19-20; 1 Peter 3:15; Luke 7:22-23} If you have felt that the call to be different is a call to be boring or lame, I challenge to today to change your mind. Accept the role of different, allow yourself to become a leader–an example, an inspiration, a guiding light–to others lost in the pattern of the world. You can do it. You were called to it.
by Amy | Jun 13, 2014 | Blog, Devotional
It’s been a while since I’ve given you an update on my back situation. {You can see the beginning of the ordeal here.} So I’ll be quick. I really don’t like to dwell, or complain, or belly ache about my circumstances. I hope you don’t see this post as any of that.
I have a pretty nasty herniated disc. To fix me, I’ll need a quick, minimally invasive surgery.
Now, the doors and windows thing.
The news that there was something seriously upset in my spine was pretty life altering. I thought that I’d be able to go back to, or keep teaching {at least the low impact} classes at the gym. The news of surgery and serious disc issues led to immediate orders that I stop teaching all classes…and the major blow that I will {most likely} never be able to go back to that line of work again.
With time, and rest, and following the doctors orders, in the future I will be able to return to exercising. Just not for a long time. And probably never like I had been.
But God is good all the time. Even in the crummiest, poopiest, poop pile. God is good.
Before the initial injury, I had been praying about what I should be doing. With my life, my time, my talents. See, God made a real grab-bag when He whipped me up. I have a million interests and a skill set that is as diverse as the big box of Crayolas. I was feeling like a change was coming. Like I needed to hone in on a few things. However, in order to do that, I would need to cut something out. So I prayed. I prayed about leaving the fitness game, because somewhere deep inside, I felt like I was using the job title “fitness instructor” as a mask. It was an easy thing to tell people when they asked what my job is, or “what I do…” Easier than telling them I’m a bit of a jack-of-all-trades who loved undertaking giant projects, I work really hard at lots of things but bring home less money than a teenager working the Taco Bell drive through, I kind of do photography, and design, and I write this blog…I volunteer, and really I just do the things that I see need to be done–if I can.
But that title is gone now. And I’m at peace about it. Folks keep asking me how I’m doing with the loss of my fitness career. And, honestly I’m fine. God shut that door. And that’s cool. I asked Him if I should close it and He went ahead and did it for me. But, He is always faithful…and with that direction gone, He was quick to give me other opportunities. Opportunities I didn’t seek out, or even knew existed.
After I got the news that the gym was out of the picture, I started getting calls. One invited me to be an artist as a summer concert series…I’ll be doing visual arts–not musical arts. Nobody panic. Another invited me to be a vendor at our local jazz festival…where I could sell pieces that I’ve made. Another call ended with a freelance writing gig {I love to write.} And another lined up an ongoing commercial multimedia project.
God is so good. And while one door has closed, like the Reverend Mother told Maria as she left the convent, “When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.” I’m feeling very blessed…like I better be sure I’m always fully clothed…because God has surrounded me with lots of windows.
Have you had doors close lately? Have you found your windows, or are you still looking? I’d love to hear from you and know how I could pray for you.
xo
Amy
Pssst! The nifty art in this post is some stuff I’ve been working on since I’m not working out. After the initial sales, you’ll find those and items like it for sale right here at the website!
by Amy | May 14, 2014 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
Sometimes sermons haunt me. No matter what I do, I just can’t stop thinking about what was said in church on Sunday. Sometimes it’s a thought provoking–new knowledge of a well known passage. Other times it’s convicting. Still other times it can be something else all together that causes what the pastor said to stick with me.
Once upon a time I went to a church with a very elderly, very old school, and sometimes very offensive pastor. {I think some of you may know of whom I speak.} Now, there are a few instances that have held fast in my mind. But one in particular keeps cropping up these days.
As many of you know, I’ve been injured. That means I’ve basically had to quit teaching classes at the gym…and it also means I can’t do the heavy lifting involved with my other favorite pass time: house projects. All this has left me wondering what comes next. It seems like another fork in the road. I crave a productive life. In the wake of the choices that lay ahead of me for my future {possible without those intense activities}, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I should do. What has happened to my body is no one’s fault but my own. I worked too much, I lifted too many things, I ran and jumped and challenged myself all the time. Was I wrong to do that?
That’s where the old pastor comes in. Something he said in a Sunday sermon has haunted me since I was a newly married girl, back in 2009. It made me so angry at the time I wanted to get up and walk out of church.
Now, older, wiser, {slightly} less hot headed, I’ve been considering his words again. I long to be a Godly wife. A woman who does good, and is someone God–as well as my husband–can look upon with pride. So I have thought back to that fateful Sunday morning to see if what he had said only offended me because of my young, self-centered pride. I don’t think so…but you be the judge.
What he said went something like this:
A wife should not feel compelled to busy herself outside the home. Sure, she might think working is a good idea. You might even think it could bring in a little extra money. But let me break it down like this. If she is going to be employed outside the home, she’ll need her own car, she’ll need new clothes, fancy shoes, money for gas,…the list goes on. Throw in the cost of child care while she’s away and all the money spent on meals out because she won’t be able to prepare dinner…and have you really gained anything at all? I’d even bet that a working wife costs the family money in the end.
Really. He said it. I couldn’t make logic like that up.
As his words have gnawed at me, I’ve gone to a better authority on women and wives and what we should {and shouldn’t} be doing…God. After all, he created them. I’ve decided to stop looking at the world, even pastors, for advice on what I should be–or if I have ruined myself, or if I should cut out my driven heart with a knife borrowed from Snow White’s step mom. Instead, I’ll be looking into the Word. The Bible has all kinds of wonderful advice on how to be a great wife, how God cares for his women, and why women are poised to have a unique place in Christ’s great commission. One of the places I’ve looked lately has been Proverbs 31, at the woman the Bible refers to as a “noble wife.”
The woman in Proverbs 31 is so productive, so respectable, so lovely. I just can’t help but admire her. I’m actively trying to define what she does right and apply it to my own life.
If you aren’t familiar with what I’m talking about…read the whole chapter here. If you just need a refresher, let me enlighten you. Her husband trusts her with all that they have, he knows she is smart…not only book smart, but in practical ways too. She can make wise investments, she is savvy. She uses her skills to make things for her home and family. She likes creating things to much that she uses her smarts and her talents to earn extra money for their family. She works hard and she turns a profit. She is so thrifty and lucrative {not only with household funds, but also the money she has earned herself} that she knows her family is securely provided for–in turn she gives generously and is compassionate to those with less.
I love this verse:
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She’s strong and not intimidated by manual labor. I love that.
She works vigorously.
This is not a woman who is confined that old pastor’s ideal of wives. Her husband doesn’t restrict her. He doesn’t insist that her endeavors are silly or unimportant, or costly to the household. Quite the opposite: Her husband trusts her to make big choices, to work hard, to accept physical challenges. She works, both in the home and in the marketplace. Her mate does not stifle her by insisting that the things she enjoys could never be part of their life. He doesn’t tell her that her skills should be put aside because he doesn’t want to waste his money on nice clothes or a cart to haul her wares. Nope. That isn’t in this chapter at all. Her husband looks at all she does and tells her that she surpasses all others. He likes his hard working, creative, fit, savvy bride.
I’m not saying any of this to say that working outside the home is what every wife should do. Or that it’s the only way. Or to demean stay-at-home wives and mothers. No matter what you do, and where you do it, God calls us ladies to work hard and have some fruit {whether linen to sell in the market place like Miss Prov31, or wonderful-God-fearing children} to show for it.
Will I ever be able to go back to working as vigorously as I once did? Only time will tell on that front. But I am at peace, resting assured that my drive and ambition are not out of line with what God would want from me. I think God likes girls who get stuff done. Now I’ll try to be patient {and low impact} as I wait for what He will challenge me with next.
xo
Amy
by Amy | Apr 15, 2014 | Blog, Devotional, The Art of Faith
I know you remember Lindsay from Friday’s Art of Living post. If you missed it, you should read that first, here. In addition to being a wonderful woman of God with a heart built for service and an attitude that waits upon the Lord…she is also a very gifted writer. {Which may be due, in part, to that Baylor English degree.}
After chatting with her on the phone to record her story for you, she shared a journal entry that she wrote after looking back on her long journey in Shreveport…through the broken-hearted moments of struggling to find contentment in the Lord and the trials of finding her calling. She kindly allowed me to share it with you here. I think you’ll agree that these words are beautifully crafted and soothing to a weary soul. Enjoy! {And a big thanks to Lindsay for opening her heart, soul and talents to us. You really are the best.}
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. Exodus 13:17-18 NIV
This verse was written for me today. There are an infinite number of people and reasons God had in mind when He penned it, I have no doubt, but today, it reached out and grabbed my hand to guide me into deeper intimacy with my Lord. To remind me, in a season of wilderness, that He firmly has my best in mind, and from His compassion and guardianship, He leads! Though it was shorter – if ever there was a balm for my aching heart. There was a quicker way for the Israelites to get to their destination. God knew it, but because He knew them well, as well as He knew the map, He didn’t choose it. They needed the sea. God didn’t need the sea; I have no doubt He could have conquered the battle on the short road, but the Israelites hearts weren’t ready for that battle. They needed the long road. They needed the sea.
The rest of verse 18 says, “The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.” I have no way of knowing, but for a minute, I want to pretend they knew about the shorter road and the possibility of war. And they were ready – at least they thought they were.
I graduated college armed for battle in my own way. I was ready to fight the injustices of this world, ready to make a difference for the Kingdom, ready for the short (yet hard) road through law school and to a career of significance. Then God chose the long road through Shreveport.
And I have not understood.
And I have identified the many different routes I could have taken.
And I have pointed to the routes others are on.
And I have complained.
And I have cried.
And I have waited, for answers and explanations and change.
But have I waited for deliverance?
Maybe the answers are in the deliverance. Not from Shreveport – but through Shreveport – from the bondage of perfectionism and significance and self-worth. From the chariots and skilled riders that have chased me for years, refusing to fully release me to worship. Telling me I can go worship as long as I leave a part of my sacrifice behind (Ex. 10:24-25).
“But God, there is a quicker route. Let me carry my own armor and show you. But God…”
Oh Israel, Oh my children, Oh my Lindsay…I can almost hear His voice of compassion audibly. I have a better plan.
They may have left armed for battle, but soon their boldness (Ex 14:8) turned to fear (Ex 14:10) with one pursuit. I definitely wonder what an all-out war would have caused. They needed the long road. They needed the ocean. They didn’t need to see their armor or skill outlast that of their enemy. They didn’t need another medal or accolade. They needed to see an ALL POWERFUL GOD fully destroy their pursuer. They needed to walk a long road, through a parted Red Sea, where not one of their pursuers could follow. It may have been longer, but it was better. And they worshiped. My feet may hurt from the journey and my eyes may be tired, but if the long road is what I need, I am thankful. There were some easier roads, but the long road leads to the greatest victory. And I will worship.
And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. Exodus 14:31
