Saturday, October 20, 2007

God Speaking

I know I have said this a million times, but it just never ceases to amaze me how perfect God's timing is. My friend, Ruth, gifts me songs through iTunes every so often, and every time she does, I never download it right away. That may be perceived as procrastination (and those of you who know me well, know that is a possibility). However, I view it as God Speaking in His time.

Awhile back, Ruth sent me Mandisa's song "God Speaking." I had heard what a wonderful song this was, and I couldn't wait to hear it. But as usual, I didn't download it right away. So one night sitting at my computer, I remember the song and downloaded it. And it blew me away! The words were exactly what I needed to hear at that time. See...God's timing.

As I listened to the song, I thought about the many, many conversations I've had with my parents, Ruth and a couple of my other friends about how God speaks to us in unexpected ways. A lot of us live in a box and try to fit God into that box and go through life so selfishly and so unaware of what is around us. We are too concerned with our life and our desires and our needs that we don't take the time to look at other people and other things. And that is a shame.

As those of you reading my blog and who are close friends already know, I have been going through sort of a transformation over the last couple of years. A little over two years ago, I suffered from major depression and anxiety. I went to couseling, took some medication and changed a lot of things in my life. I made my salvation sure. And I began to throw away all of the "put God in a box" things I had been told my whole life and start anew and discover who God really was. And my life has changed so much for the better!

Instead of seeing the glass as half empty, I now see it as half full and actually expect it to fill back up. I try to look at the big picture and not let little trivial things bother me. I make an attempt to see others as God sees them and show them a little kindness. I've stopped worrying about screwing up every five minutes and have learned to live freely in the grace of God. And life has been so much more fun and free and worthwhile and, I believe, more of what God intended it to be.

I've also become more aware of little things around me. The purple wildflowers on the side of the road...God knows my favorite color is purple and knows the days I need a little beauty in my life, and call me crazy, but I believe He puts them there for me, to bring me a little joy. My favorite singer {Elliott Yamin...if you've been living under a rock for the last couple of years :) } will come on the radio unexpectedly....God knows his music brings a smile to my face, and call me really crazy, but I believe He knows the times I need a smile. My favorite resident (and yes, techinally I don't have favorites) asks to go eat lunch with me...the first time he has EVER asked anyone to go to lunch.....God knows the bond we have and what that meant to me to have him ask me that and gave him the words to say. Another friend and I have both felt this desire to do something more with our lives, to help more people and use our gifts in music and art to do so...and God has started slowly opening up doors to do that...and we can't wait to see how wide he busts all those doors open.

Now, not all of these examples nor all of the things God uses to speak to us or bring a smile or joy to our lives are of a "spiritual" nature per se, but is not God the Creator of all things? Can He not use whatever He wants to use to show us His love?

And that brings me to the lyrics of "God Speaking." This song says so much better what I've been rambling on and on trying to say. God will do and use whatever He wants to to let us know He loves us. After all, that is the central and most important message in scripture...God loves you! And He will go to the ends of the earth to show you that. I believe that is true because He does that on a daily basis with me. No matter what I've done or not done, no matter how bad I mess up, He still goes out of His way to show me He still loves me. Wow! No one else has ever or will ever be able to offer that kind of unconditional love. So I leave you with the lyrics to the song. I hope you will read over them, even download the song, and let it speak to your heart. And I hope you will take time out each day to seek out the little and common ways God is telling you how much He loves you! And take the time to share that love with each and every person you come in contact with.

God Speaking by Mandisa

Have you ever heard a love song
That set your spirit free
Have you ever watched a sunrise
And felt you could not breathe
What if it's Him
What if it's God speaking

Have you ever cried a tear that
You could not explain
Have you ever met a stranger
That already knew your name
What if it's Him
What if it's God speaking

Who knows how He'll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use
Whatever He wants to
To tell us I love you

Have you ever lost a loved one
Who you thought should still be here
Do you know what it feels like
To be tangled up in fear
What if He's somehow involved
What if He's speaking through it all

Who knows how He'll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use
Whatever He wants to
To tell us I love you

His ways are higher
His ways are better
Though sometimes strange
What could be stranger Than God in a manger

Who knows how He'll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove
He is enough
Who knows how He'll get a hold of you
Get your attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use
Whatever He wants to
To tell us I love you

God is speaking
I love you