bring on the glory ...

in my last post i mentioned that something really cool had just happened. literally as i wrote the line about being created in God's image, my sweet friend sent me this text:

"you are created in HIS image and you are beautiful. you exist b/c He created what He pleased. Rev 4:11"

i absolutely LOVE when God does stuff like that to confirm what He is already speaking. but the really cool part of it is not just the confirmation, but also the blessing of obedience. in addition to speaking about being created in His image, God had been convicting me about being more intentional in spending time with Him, specifically in terms of writing and sharing what He has shown me.

so in choosing to spend those extra 20 minutes heeding His voice instead of doing any of the 100 other things that would have quickly filled my time, i got to experience the blessing of hearing from Him further. sure, that text would have been sweet no matter what. but it would not have had the same uplifting impact. now i'm not trying to pat myself on the back here. seeing as i haven't written a blog in over 3 months, i clearly don't have this down. it as much a reminder to me as anything ...

how many times have i missed out on God wanting to speak because i have not made the time to spend with Him?

or how about this doozy - how many other people have missed out on God speaking to them because i have not made the time to share what He wants me to?

ouch.

if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (james 4:8). how cool is that?! i'm so thankful for His graciousness in reminding me of that time and time ... and time ... again. if i make the time to meet with Him, He will not be remiss in meeting with me and, through that, others may meet with Him as well. what an honor. what a privilege. what a responsibility.

it may seem like a sacrifice at times, but don't you think the benefits truly outweigh the costs? it says in matthew 11: 27-29 that as we come to know the Son, He will not only give rest to our weary souls, but that through Him we can also know the Father - KNOW GOD! and "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 cor 4:17)." i don't know about you, but i'd be okay with some eternal glory. and the best part is, we get to experience a little part of that NOW when we spend time with Him!

BRING ON THE GLORY!