Monday, August 11, 2014
1 Timothy 6: 6-8
Yet true Godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we bought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
“Seven jeans, True Religion, I say no but they keep givin’.” Fergie, among others, loves to sing about designer labels and lavish lifestyles. In fact, in addition to partying and promiscuity, there’s little else found on Billboard’s Top 100. Artists boast driving Bugati’s, exclusive trips to Bora Bora, eating caviar by the spoonful and chugging champagne by the bottle. They drape themselves in Rolex watches, Gucci bags, Dolce belts.... the list goes on. They sing about pride, Keri Hilson being “sweeter than a swisher”; they rap about drug dependence, B.O.B. “waking up high as ****”; they brag about weapons, Akon rapping he’s a “sniper on a roof.”
Before coming to Christ, I’d blast these lies loud as anybody. Nothing better than cruising down Cali’s 101 on a warm Saturday night, sunroof down, jamming KISS FM’s music countdown heading to a club. I knew every word, every dance, and every artist. I’d seen all the music video’s, knowing exactly what each dirty line meant and loving it.
Jesus graciously handed me “God-goggles,” giving me insight into the harmful ways of my past. Hypothetically, I was running around with open scissors and not stopping to blink. I was a naive little fish, following the school and swimming along the wicked stream, friends at my side. I saw nothing wrong with my music, my actions, and my lifestyle. I was a “good kid,” not doing any “hard” drugs or dropping out of college, figuring I was fine. Who cares if I went to parties on weekends? Who cares if I went on lots of dates with boys? Who cares if my iPod was influenced by MTV? I was living the way I knew best, not wasting my youth sitting at home. I had the rest of my life to be boring, why start early?
Often, people assume Christians are lame. There’s nothing alluring or lavish about the Christian lifestyle, so young people aren’t initially attracted to the church. “Give up my partying, shopping addiction, and selfish ways? No thank you,” I’d think. Although Pepperdine University was a Christian school, I chose it for the pristine Pacific Ocean views and easy downtown LA access.
On Sunday, September 16, 2012, after a night of partying, Christ dropped the scales from my eyes. My views were dramatically changed in an instant, leaving my world turned upside-down. By His grace, I no longer desired an invite to a fancy club or having a cute boyfriend or the latest rap song on my iPod or eating at Hollywood’s new restaurant or window shopping on Rodeo. I had one purpose and one delight that none of the other’s could touch: knowing Christ. I traded my Saturday night party for a night of warm blankets, Frank Sinatra, hot tea, and a Bible.
As a two-year-old Christian, the flashing lights of the world can sometimes seem appealing, and I’m still occasionally invited for a night out. Although there’s a small temptation, deep down I know that world has no place for me. It is hallow; it is broken; and it is deceiving. The glamour and glitz is not what it seems, and I know a night with my Bible can give me more joy than sitting front row at the Oscars. I’ve found the Hidden Treasure, the reason to live, the brightest pearl, the juiciest fruit, and I don’t plan to trade it for anything.
Tuesday, August 11, 2014
Luke 3:14
“What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Do not exhort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
My Magic Bullet blended perfect fruit smoothies; my Lauren Conrad bed-set kept me warm and cozy; my built-in car GPS kept me safe; Laguna Nails kept my color chip free. I’d say life before the mission-field was pretty nice! I had an abundance of fast-food joints in my town... “I’m Lovin’ It. Have It Your Way. Eat Fresh. Think Outside the Bun.” They were as easy as a five-minute drive. Hungry for chicken? Hit KFC. Feeling pizza? Dominoes on speed dial. Craving subs? Jimmy Johns delivers.
Having attended college in Malibu, I was accustomed to fast-paced living. I’ve bumped shoulders with countless celebrities, driven past the latest Maserati model in every color, and interned at major modeling shoots and upscale parties. Many college peers came from prestigious families with easily recognizable last names of major corporations and parking next to a Lamborghini in our college lot was nothing to blink at; the abnormal was normal.
As an incoming sophomore transfer student, I was in shock. “People actually live this way? They really wake up to the Pacific Ocean? Celebrities actually shop at the Ralphs Market down the street?” I was in awe of the people at my school; “Brody Jenner actually kissed you? Your dad really owns that company? My lab partner is actually a Persian prince? You’re dating Mel Gibson’s son?” I was like a kid in a candy store, giddily learning more and more about my new California life.
After a few months, I started to get bored of paradise. I overlooked what I had once cherished, ignoring the magnificence of the blue ocean, the fancy houses, and the towering cliffs. It was no longer exciting driving through the famous Malibu canyon, and I rolled at eyes at star tour buses. I had grown almost completely numb. Beautiful architecture or white sand beaches or celebrity sightings was no longer cool, it was just another part of my days. I took everything for granted, overlooking all the blessings I was given.
One of my dear friends has a large family, and they were planning to stay in the Presidential Suite of the Shutters Hotel, Santa Monica’s classiest resort. Since she’s from the Midwest, her family got hung up by snow and was coming a day later than the plan, and it was too late to cancel. My friend invited me and another girl to spend the night with her in the classiest hotel room I’d ever seen. There was a dining room, parlor, office, sitting room, two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two balconies. It was overlooking the Santa Monica pier with the best view in town. The suite easily cost well, well above $1,000 a night, and I (by the grace of my generous friend) was staying in it for free! On top of that, I was given the master suite while the other two took the guest suite. The bathroom was as big as my apartment back in Malibu, and I took full advantage of everything available. I drew a huge bubble bath, turned a movie on the bathroom television, and ate the free snacks that had awaited our arrival from the dining room. The bathroom necessity basket was massive, full of every salon product I could ever need, from hand exfoliator to eyebrow pencils to ankle buffers. After having my fun in the bathroom, I snuggled into my Egyptian cotton King Sized bed and fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves.
After room service pancakes the next morning, I hopped in my car, drove the 20 minutes back to school, and was in class by 8 AM. I lived my day as if it was no different than any other, forgetting about the incredible night I’d had, instead thinking about the next extravagant adventure I’d embark on, the next cool restaurant I’d try, the next beach I’d explore.
As I lay in bed the following night, it hit me how selfish my thinking was. How could I overlook such a special gift of staying in a first-class Penthouse? Had I really fallen so low that nothing impressed me? Was I Malibu Barbie brainwashed?
Praying for humbleness, I began counting my blessings as if I was seeing everything with a new light. I asked God to rekindle the wonder and amazement I’d once had as a newbie Cali girl, and He graciously answered my prayer. Being not only content but amazed at what God blesses you with is essential, and my days in Malibu made that very clear.
In 2 Samuel 7, God says “I have always moved from one place to another with a tent as my dwelling... I have never once complained or asked ‘Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?’” Breaking down the word content, the word ‘tent’ stands out. God was content living in a tent, yet I wasn’t grateful sleeping in L.A.’s finest suite. Who am I to have higher standards than my creator, God? God calls us to live free of idols, keeping a humble heart and mindset of a servant. Living in Guatemala, the Lord has graciously been helping me find contentment in every situation. Through His eyes, I can see my home here as the Taj Mahal. With Christ, I can bear all things, knowing I have a home in Heaven’s palace. With a promise like that, who needs a Penthouse?
Wednesday, August 12, 2014
Hebrew 13:5
Don’t love money, be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you; I will never abandon you.”
A warm bread basket with olive oil, sides of both shrimp tartar with avocado and buttered mussels, two entree’s of surf n’ turf with mashed potatoes and broccolini, and a freshly baked apple cheesecake with vanilla bean ice cream to split. The couple had been dating a little over a year, and the man, a strong, confident gentleman with brown bushy hair and a light beard, had treated his girlfriend, a tall but quiet woman of twenty-five, to the new French restaurant she’d been dying to try, holding one question in his mind: Will you be my bride?
He was anxious to pop to question, doing his best to wipe away the dribble of sweat above his upper lip, trying to keep as calm as possible to ask once desert was served. He’d had the ring in his pocket for months, having known the second he laid eyes on her she was the one. Her gentleness, servant’s heart, and femininity set her on a standard much higher than any girl he’d known, wanting to officially call her his own with all his might.
The woman was relaxed, not usually drinking alcohol but deciding to order a small glass of white wine to compliment the meal. She loved him with all her heart, loving his masculinity, his scruffy beard, his confident attitude, his protective nature. She loved his active lifestyle, his selfless ways, the way he treated his mother and sisters. Although tough, his heart was soft, unlike the insecure men she’d dated in college. She felt at peace in his presence, loving him with a pure love she couldn’t put into words.
Once the desert was finally placed between the rose flowers and burning candles, he knew it was time. He pulled back his chair, sat on one knee, and leaned into her ear. “I never knew I could love anyone this way. My love for you is brigher than radiant emeralds, larger than Niagara Falls, wider than African plains, longer than the Nile River, taller than Mount Everest. I can’t live my life without you at my side... Will you be my beloved forever and ever by taking my hand in marriage? In turn I’ll support your dreams, care for you always, and place you before myself every single day. Be my bride and make me the luckiest man on Earth.”
With this, the woman burst into tears. She’d waited months to hear those words, yet she knew deep inside it wouldn’t work. She knew he couldn’t love her if he knew the truth. If he knew her deepest, darkest secret. She knew it would be over with no chance of rekindling.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Don’t you love me? Did I do something wrong? Honey, what happened?” Looking to him, eyes red and bleary, her lips quivered as she unlaced the covering of her hidden past. As a college student, she had a problem. She struggled with insecurity, finding peace in just one thing: retail. She shopped, shopped, and shopped some more. Having come from a modest, middle-class home, she didn’t have the money or resources to buy the clothes, purses, and accessories she’d acquired. Being upset at herself, she continued the cycle, buying and buying and buying, charging it all to her Visa with no clue of how to pay off the building debt. The damage was awful: the overall bill of her addiction well over one hundred thousand dollars, gaining more and more interest with each passing year.
She’d been working hard as a teacher, doing her best to work on the debt, but it was hopeless. She knew it was weighing over her like a dark cloud, the charges sky-rocketing each year, and she knew she could never pay it off. It darkened her every moment, pounding sadness into her heart like a stone hammer. She loved this man, but with fear of losing him had never gained the confidence to share the secret. She felt disgusting, she felt broken, and she felt hopeless. Sure, he loved her, but how could she allow him to take on this burden? He could find a million girls like her, why would he marry her knowing what he’d have to take on?
After sharing about her brokenness, she nervously shut her eyes, knowing it was over. She knew he’d get up, walk out, and never look back. She knew he’d be furious. She knew her wrongs could never be repaid, both figuratively and literally. It was done, and she knew it.
Opening her eyes, she expected an empty floor, but what she saw astonished her. His smile stretched ear to ear, and his arms were outstretched toward her small body. “Honey, there is nothing you could say that could ever change my mind. My darling, my sweet sweet gem, I have a secret as well. My father’s company is not the small business I always described. My baby, it’s a multimillion dollar retail operation. My father probably does contracting with the very stores you owe money to, and I’m being given the reigns to the company once I finish my masters this year. My future is brighter than you could’ve ever guessed, and you will be a part of it. I love you to the moon and back, and no secret of yours will ever undo it.”
With that, the woman jumped out of her seat, clung to his outstretched arms, and the rest is history. They lived a long, beautiful life together, paying off the debt in a matter of weeks without ay talk of it again. Her chains were gone, she’d been set free, and she lived a life of freedom thereafter.
As a woman of Christ, I my story was no different. Instead of retail therapy, I turned to a weight obsession, boy attention, a party lifestyle, and acceptance of others as my idols. Before knowing Prince Jesus, I was a wreck, trying my best to shake away my debt but failing time and time again.
Becoming a Christian is no different than accepting a marriage proposal. Like the man in the story, Jesus had a father in Heaven with ultimate supremacy, able to wipe away our past without blinking an eye. We can trust His invitation is final; Christ would never and will never turn His back on us. He is faithful to the end, and we will never be anything but beautiful in His eyes. Instead of shrinking back in shame, He places a gown on our body, a crown on our head, and a 5 carat ring on our finger. We are the one, true bride of Christ, and our past, present, or future wrongs won’t ever change that. “I will never leave you, I will never abandon you,” Christ says in Hebrews, and with tears of joy in His eyes, He means it.
