Monday, April 7, 2008

Running From God


I have been given permission by my 15 year old daughter to share with you the devotion she wrote today. *sigh...my God is the God of hope*
Running From God
So you have it all figured out. You're on top of the world, in charge of your own life.
"Who needs Jesus," you say. So, slowly your relationship with Jesus is coming to a close. But think how it is without Jesus; running from Him. In the book of Jonah, Jonah was running from Him. He had no desire to step foot in Ninevah. So, he ran.
Ever hear that saying, "You can run but you can't hide"? Yea - Jonah tried to hitch a ride to Tarshish and run from God. Well, needless to say, he ended up in a whale. Three days later he was spit onto shore of none other than Ninevah. Man, God has got a way of getting His point across. And did you know that even though Jonah ran, God still forgave him? How about that for some serious never ending love?
Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord appeared from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Eh hem. She just brought me another one...
© AC
*She informs me that this one does not have a title yet because she could not think of a good one in the moment*
A teen's life is...well...cruel, judgmental and full of cliques. Always striving to fit in; be, "of the crowd." You would do anything to be admired from afar and looked on with jealousy. But would you do just about anything? 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, "Do not be deceived: bad company ruins good morals." In past times (and now to every once in a while) I admit to being overtaken by the green envy monster when I see people who are pretty, who have it all. But, you know what? Did God make you that person? No. He made you just that: you.
1 Corinthians 15:38-39 says, "But God gives it a body as He has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. Not all flesh is alike, but there is one flesh for human beings, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish."
So why strive to be this person who has it all? No. Strive to be the person God wants you to be. The light of God and knowing Him personally is a wonderful gift. He looks on the inside; what's your heart - not the outside which is constantly judged by others.
Tra la la la la. I haven't forgotten my girl problems, or the Casting Crowns concert - but have no fear. All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

You tell Miss Thang that I'm proud of her for throwing Scripture in the face of wicked teenagerdom! She's going to make it, and you are, too, my friend. :)

Becky said...

That is EXCELLENT spiritual insight...only 15? She sounds much older.

It blesses my heart to see the next generation of committed Christians coming up through the ranks!

Jenster said...

Holy moly!! She's awesome!! She must have a GREAT example at home!!

She could so put these in a book!!

Marsha said...

This is awesome! Please tell your daughter these really spoke to my heart. Working with at-risk teen girls, it's so refreshing to read this!

His Girl said...

*our God is an awesome God! He reigns from heaven above! with wisdom pow'r and love! our God is an awesome God!*