Reflections

I love to write but never want to do it. I love sharing my ideas but turning them into something more concrete than thoughts floating aimlessly around in my head is sometimes hard. This blog is my attempt to be proactive with the situation. As these thoughts escape my brain and take on the form of words my hope is that they will be a blessing and encouragement to those who read them.

The framework that I come from is that of a Christian who has been saved by the grace of God. Everything else is touched by that reality and it shapes the way I think. It is impossible for people to adequately understand the greatness and magnitude of the love and mercy shown to people by God without first understanding the human condition. It is easy to be positive and focus on the beauty and good that is in people and ignore anything else. However, when we closely examine who we are we find that there is an ugliness that lurks beneath the surface. While often ignored or hidden away, we are all broken people. Ignoring the brokenness can get in the way of allowing God to fix us and restore us to what we were created to be.

When we understand that brokenness we can then fully appreciate the work of Christ on the cross. Jesus enters into our brokenness and fixes us. He does not save us because of who we are, but rather in spite of who we are, because of who HE is.

I am titling this blog "Reflections" because I intend to reflect of the human condition and the work of God. His work in both my life and on a larger scale. The other reason is because of what Christ does in our lives. As we follow after Him we begin to realize that we are the Light of the World. We are doing the very work Christ did by loving people and spreading that love which He so lavishly bestowed on everyone He met. However, we do not create this light. The light we shine into the darkness is just a reflection of the light that God, through His grace and mercy, is pouring out on us daily. The means, and the power, and the purpose of Life is Christ alone. To take anything away from that is a great disservice to the gospel.

The gospel is the most beautiful gift ever given, but it shines brighter still when contrasted to the ugliness of who we are apart from Jesus. I hope by delving into the depths of our fractured and broken souls we can catch a glimpse of Christ's light and in time become a reflection of that to the lost world around us. Some of us are already experiencing what it means to be a reflection of Christ to the world, but we can all polish off the dirt and shine brighter still.

Transforming into You

I tried my best to be accepted

But despite my best still felt dejected

No matter how fast, toward You, I 'd run

The distance could not be overcome

I looked to the commands but got nowhere

Except hopelessly caught in despair

But, with grace, You looked down from above

 Restored and saved me by Your Love

Now this Love dwells in me

Sanctifying; making me holy

Because in my heart Your word resides

Changing who I am inside

Like the sun drives out the night

So my darkness leaves in Your light

Which slowly begins shining through

As I am transforming into You

My priorities get rearranged

As my perspective is being changed

I long to spread Your Love around

So that others lost, may be found