Busting out of Indiana

Father, why did You choose to bless me with being born in the United States? We are so free from persecution for our faith. My heart breaks for the people in Iraq who are being killed and whose children are being beheaded for the Christian faith. What makes me almost as sick is that I would guess a majority of American Christians don't even know what is going on. And if they do, they're so far removed from it that it's not their reality...they choose to not dwell on the fact that it's happening. They'd rather just not think about or read about those awful things that are going on...just keep scrolling past those awful articles on Facebook...if I don't read it, it won't effect me.

"Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No. There is no other Rock; I know not one!"

-Isaiah 44:8

I'll just go on with important things...making sure I remember to document the first day of school and figure out what I'm going to eat for lunch, who is going to take the kids to their play date, and when I'm going to find time to work out because for goodness sake, I'm going to look good when I put on that bathing suit or little black dress!

"I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient." 

-Hudson Taylor

But what if it were me? What if I had to leave my home and hide in the mountains with my family, fearful for our lives? Wondering where our food and water would come from. Or worse, witnessing my children being killed in front of me because I LOVE JESUS?!  While I knew people in other places in the world took their religious freedoms for granted...who complained about the church because people didn't reach out to them or they just didn't "feel it."

"I am not sure what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, He will not ask, 'How many good things have you done in your life?' Rather He will ask, 'How much love did you put into what you did?'"

-Mother Theresa

I know there is a balance. We can't just ignore what is happening. And we can't completely drop everything that we're doing. But we can reflect on what is important. Is it important to work so many hours that we are spending maybe two awake hours with our children so that we can live in our dream house and drive two vehicles and put our kids in every extra curricular activity that they want and make sure that we are keeping up with everyone else? We only live this life once. If we truly believe that God is most important (not church, but God), our family is second and everyone/thing else after...do our lives reflect that?

"Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your savior, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security."

 -Elizabeth Elliott

We are called to LOVE. That is all. God is love. There is freedom in love. So what does love call us to do? What does love look like in action for you? Are you being LOVE?

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

-Ephesians 5:1-2

I love that evidence of Christ in me are the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Those things that we're always praying for and asking God for...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Father, less of me. More of You.  The only way we will desire less of this world is if we get rid of our selfish desires and allow You to live through us.

"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you."

-Psalms 143:8