Volume 15: Rest in the Dawgs

 

This morning at church, Pastor Eric stated, "when we come into contact with something we can't believe, no one has to tell us to go tell others about it. We naturally go run our mouths."

Did you see Jalen Carter LIFT Jayden Daniels in the air with one arm!!!

Did you see the wild play of the blocked field goal and then 90 + yards run return for a touchdown!!!

Did you see the INSANE interception that bounced off of the LSUs player helmet and into the hands of a dawg!!!

You may not have been watching the game live, but if you turn on the TV to any sports channel or look on social media, you are likely to see some mention of one of these plays from the SEC Championship. 

When the fans are excited about something, the world will hear!!!

As I talk about the highlights of the game with my fellow dawg fans, I am able to do so without any fear of going to jail or being stoned.

Seems dramatic?

Well, I can't imagine being like Peter and John or Paul and Silas in Acts. When they were passionately sharing about the things they witnessed that they couldn't believe - the many signs and wonders and miracles, they faced much more opposition. 

You see, I am quick to share about the dawgs because, other than some friendly competition, I know I will not be at risk of being hated or misunderstood. 

But, when it comes to being bold in sharing my faith, which seems more personal to me, I am not as quick to proclaim the things that I have seen and heard, of how faithful the Lord has been, simply because I risk opposition or arguments, etc. 

How silly!! May I be confident in sharing the truths of Jesus, for it is truth that can literally save lives. 

There we were, a bunch of happy fans, exiting Mercedes Benz, in a mass of humans.

There they were, the frustrated Mercedes Benz employees, attempting to control the mass, repeatedly yelling, "stay on the sidewalk, please!"

The workers had our best interest in mind - keeping us safe from the oncoming traffic, yet the people weren't listening...

The sidewalk was too slow! They wanted to get to their destination fast...ironically, only just to sit in more traffic in their cars. 

Every time we were stopped at the cross walk, you could feel the tension of everyone having to wait. They were looking around for ways to sneak around the road guard.

We aren't used to waiting. 

But, may we be quick to lean into the waiting in this Advent season. 

Speaking of advent, this year, I am reading Honest Advent, referred by a good friend, Peyton! It's different than any other advent book I've read. Well, actually it's different than any book I've ever read. Each day has only been 4-5 pages and consists of abstract illustrations and connections. 

I was frustrated at first because I tend to prefer straight forward writing that doesn't require any reading between the lines. But, it's actually been really good for me. It forces me to slow down and challenges me to think. And even to take more time to reread the pages each day!

Here's to continuing to face the discomfort when I can't immediately understand what's right in front of me. (In the book, but more importantly, in this life!) 

And now, an advent challenge brought to you by Debbie: "This one quote sets the stage for how we can enter into this Advent season "Deep adoration of Jesus." Think about the person you love to celebrate - how fun it is to make their day special and love them well. Let's do that for Jesus all month and maybe, just maybe, a habit of adoring Him will consume us throughout the year."

What does it look like to celebrate Jesus?

I think He'd tell us that He just wants us to do our best at loving Him more and more every day which will lead us to loving those around us. So let's do that! 

This week's honorable mention: Shoutout to my new best friend, Finn Cash. I don't know if there is a more joyful, always smiling one year old out there. What a joy it was to be interrupted by him this week!