Rejection: Is it Part of God’s Plan?

June 28, 2012 Leave a Comment

I have struggled with rejection my whole life.  I try not to let it bother me, but I have to admit it gets to me.  This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was dwelling on rejection from past friends and peers. Why would God allow for me to go through such painful experiences?  Then a thought popped into my head, and I am pretty sure God had something to do with it.  Rejection is part of God’s plan and it has a purpose.

What if there is a reason why I and many other believers have gone through periods of rejection? And what if that reason is because God has a perfect plan–He is protecting us from relationships and friendships that aren’t right for us.

As much as it is hard to be rejected, knowing that God has a perfect plan for my life is comforting.  He knows what is good for my life and who is good in my life.  No matter what, I know Jesus loved me and you so much that He was willing to die for us.  He thinks we are beautiful, special, valuable, and lovable.  No amount of rejection can keep us from the love of Christ.  Now when I look back on those times when I was rejected, I realize that God had a plan even in that difficult time.  We serve a wonderful God!

If you are feeling discouraged and rejected today, know Jesus loves you more than you could ever know.  He thinks you are beautiful, special, valuable, and lovable.

Filed Under: Encouragement, Learning Along the Way Tagged With: , , , , , ,

I’ve Seem to Misplace Something…Grace

June 26, 2012 Leave a Comment

I have an addiction to knick-knack.  If you saw some of the cutsie things in my room, you would think I was a hoarder of all things knick knacks; I just can’t help myself.  I walked into my room today to discover my newest thrifting find was sitting under my desk–this new find is a wooden cross that has Grace painted on it.  Seeing the cross got me thinking…

As Christians, we fall in to a trap.  Sometimes without even realizing it, we start to think we are better than others, especially unbelievers (Many of us are guilty of this, including myself).  This starts to happen we when figuratively “lose our Grace.”  Now, I am not taking about God taking His grace away from us.  I am talking about when we forget we are sinners saved by grace.  We forget what grace is all about.  Grace is God giving us something we don’t deserve.  We don’t deserve salvation nor can we ever earn our salvation–it is a gift from God.  We didn’t earn our salvation because we did x, y, z but because God loved us.  So how are we better than others?  We aren’t, we are just blessed enough to come to know Jesus as our Savior.  This should spur us on to spread the Gospel so others can have a personal relationship with Jesus as well.

Ephesians 2:8: ”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Imagine how silly this sounds.

  • “I know I am a wretched sinner, and I know I didn’t save myself, Jesus did.  But, something about me being saved just makes me a better person.”
  •  ”I sure hope there is enough grace for you too, but you never know.  Some of us just get more grace than others.  It depends on what measuring cup you use.”
  •  ”I think on the salvation scale, I might just be more saved than you because I helped at the church bake sale.”
  • “Some people just are savable; you just have to fit the part.”

I know this is an exaggeration but it reminds us how silly it is for us to think we are better than others, including nonbelievers.

We are all sinners.  Every single one of us, regardless of the sin and regardless of how many good works we have done.  We are on a level playing field.  God did all the work when He gave us the gift of salvation through His son–it was a gift.  So, the next time you feel yourself falling into the trap of the “I am better than you because….” remember the grace God has given you.  You didn’t save yourself, so don’t try and toot your own horn.  Don’t just shove that grace in the corner…humble yourself and remember the wonderful gift God has given you!

Filed Under: Learning Along the Way Tagged With: , , ,

Check It Out

June 18, 2012 2 Comments

I am excited today….some of my family, friends, and I have started a new website: What Would Jesus Have You Do?

Check out the new blog!

Filed Under: Learning Along the Way Tagged With: , , , , ,

Jesus, Faith, and GPS

June 16, 2012 6 Comments

A few weeks ago, my mom and I were looking for a new thrift store.  We were having a hard time finding the store, so I decided to enter the address in my iPhone.  Finally, we were on our way.  The cool thing about my GPS is that it shows you when you go off course and it has a blinking pin right on your destination.  So, if you pay close attention, you will successfully get to your destination.  Easy enough right?  Even with the GPS, we had some trouble finding the store, but we finally got there (We are directionally challenged).

I started to think about my Christian walk.  Wouldn’t it be awesome if Jesus gave us the coordinates of our destinations in life?  Then I could just enter it into my phone and know exactly where I  was going.  The blinky pin would be on my destination and it would show me when I was going off course.  That would be so cool!  But, it doesn’t work that way.  If Jesus gave us a GPS then we wouldn’t need faith to trust Him because we would know our life plan exactly, moment by moment.  One thing is for sure, if we have a personal relationship with Jesus, we know our final destination—heaven.  God doesn’t give us details instructions of where we are going and what bumps in the road we might face, but He does give us His perfect peace and His guidance and direction.  We are able to come to Him in prayer and ask for His guidance and will for our life.

If you are anything like me, you are a major planner.  I plan out my day, my week, my month, my school year, etc.  I plan what I am going to wear, what I am going to eat for breakfast, and what I am going to do after work.  Let’s just say I am a control freak.  Being a control freak and follow the guidance of someone; how does that work?

I am reminded of something my mom said today.  We were walking around a park that we aren’t too familiar with.  I had been to the park recently, so I knew my way around the park better than my mom did.  I told her, “Follow me, I know where to go.”  She didn’t hear me, and she started walking another path.  Then I remind her that I knew the way.  She said,”I guess I am not very good at following.”

The same is true in my Christian walk.  I am not very good at following.  Jesus is telling me, “Come on, Sarah, I already have a path for you, just follow me.  I know the way.”  But, I tell Jesus, “Sure, I will follow you, but first I want to do a few things.  I need to take a detour.”  But, that is not following Jesus.  If I want to be a follower of Christ, I have to give up my plans, and follow Jesus.  His plans and timing are far better than mine.

I came to a conclusion today.  I am missing the point; I am missing the boat.  I say I am a follower of Christ, but I am actually following Him?  Am I trusting Him?   I have been struggling because I want to make my own plans.  I have been going a million miles an hour trying to find a Christian mate.  But, today Jesus nudged me and said, “Sarah, I got it under control, just follow me and everything will fall into place.”  I decided to stop worrying about finding a mate; if it’s God will, it will happen.  Follow Jesus.  He is smarter and a better planner than all of us combined!

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It’s Not Up to Me

June 3, 2012 2 Comments

Like  any family dinner, dinner conversation can be interesting.  Our family talks about anything and everything, and usually the topic of my love life comes into conversation.  My dad thinks I spend to much time trying to find my prince charming and less time working at the family restaurant, so not true haha!  After my family discussed my prince charming pursuit, I proudly told my dad,  ”I am not going to get married, it is just to much work trying to find the right one.  And I don’t want to have to leave you and Mom.  I will just stay single.”

I find the most profound things are said at the most unlikely of times.

After telling my dad I wanted to stay single, he said, “It’s not up to you.  There is a plan, and everything happens for a reason.”

My dad reminded me that God has a perfect plan for my life.  If He plans for me to find a Godly man to marry, then I will be married.  If he plans for me to stay single, than I will stay single.  But, my dad’s advice doesn’t just apply to this situation.  God has a plan for every detail of our lives, and we can’t make the mistake of trying to take over and make our own plans.  I am not in charge and my planning is useless when God already has everything planned out.

I am so grateful to have such wonderful parents.  They are always there to remind me of God’s love and His plan for my life.

 ”‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Jeremiah 29:11

Filed Under: Learning Along the Way, My Life Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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