7 of 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes: SAME

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We are all different, but we are also the same.  I wonder how different we would all treat each other when we come to terms with this fact. 

Someone might believe in vaccinating her children, and you might not.

Someone might believe in total gun control, and you might not.

Someone might be a republican, you might be a democrat.

Someone might choose to work away from her home, you might choose to be a stay at home mom.

Someone might curse like a sailor, you might not.

Someone might support Trump, you might be completely anti-Trump.

Someone might be black, you might be white.

But that person is a human being, same as you.

That person bleeds, same as you.

That person has a heart, same as you.

That person is someone's child, same as you.

That person is a child of God, same as you.

That person is a sinner, same as you.

Christ died for that person.  Christ did the same for you.

Day 3 of 31 Five Minute Free Writes: PROBLEM

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     My mom used to tell me, “If there is a problem, there is a solution.  If there is no solution, then it isn’t a problem.”  I don’t know if she knew she was quoting the Dalai Lama.  I’m sure she just heard it from someone else.  What this quote means is that if there is no solution, then whatever we are calling a problem isn’t a problem, and we should accept it.

     Problems seem to abound in this world- financial inequality, social injustice, conflict, wars, safety, climate change.  These are just a few of them.  I am only writing for five minutes so I will leave climate change alone.  In my view, these problems can all be summed up to one word: SIN.  We don’t have to look outside out of our corner of the world to see social injustice and financial inequality, conflict within one’s own home, conflict a neighbor or classmate.  “All of us like sheep have gone astray.  Each of us has turned to his own way,” (Isaiah 53:6).  I am not saying this to be that angry preacher woman standing on a street corner.  I am saying this out of love because I have this sin problem too.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23).  It seems overwhelming.

     Some seek out to actively fix these problems by organizing, protesting, and even actually doing whatever work they need to do to do their part.  I applaud these passionate men and women.  There are those who shrug their shoulders and accept things the way they are, because they have their own problems to worry about.  What people fail to realize is that there is already a solution to these problems. 

     Isaiah 53:6, in its entirety, says, “All of us like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him” (emphasis mine).  And the verses following Romans 3:23 tells us:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (v. 23), and ALL are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood- to be received by faith.  He did this to demonstrate his righteousness,” (verses 24-25).

I have gone past my five minutes (OOPS) so I will end with this:  I know that these WORDS from the Bible will not fix the world's problems NOW.  They won’t fix YOUR problem NOW, either.  BUT START WITH JESUS… and then see how it all unfolds. 

Day 2 of 31 Five Minute Free Writes: GIFT

We are not an accident.  God formed our inward parts, knit us together.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Creator of the universe Himself (Psalm 139).  Each one of us in uniquely made with our own personalities, talents, passions, and gifts.  The apostle Paul spoke a lot about gifts (see Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4).  Some of us are gifted pastors, evangelists, prophets.  Others are gifted with gifts of service, teaching, encouragement, giving, administration, leadership, mercy, wisdom, knowledge faith, and healing.

 I did not really know my gifts until I was an adult.  Thanks to spiritual gift tests I have taken, I have was able to name my gifts: exhortation/ encouragement, teaching, faith, pastor/shepherding, leadership.  These gifts fuel me to write.  They fuel me to do what I do in my local church.   In my early adult life, I have been told by that I lacked passion in life.  I am not sure if that is the case now.  What I have learned in this last year or two is that when we use our God-given gifts, a passion is awakened inside us.  I may be an introvert, but engage me in a conversation about human nature, or Jesus, or church, and the change in my face and tone.  Using my God-given gifts have awakened the passion to point others to THE Greatest Gift of all- Jesus Christ.

What are your gifts? How are you using them, and if not, what is holding you back?

Day 1 of 31 Five Minute Free Writes: WHY

WHY DO I WRITE?

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I am an introvert and always was- even before I knew about the word introvert.  I was also shy and insecure, and I kept to myself.  Then in fifth grade, I discovered writing.  My fifth grade teacher, Ms. McDonnell, commented on something I wrote, and right then, I knew I wanted to be a writer.  I discovered the relief and joy of letting it all out on paper.  Since then, I kept a journal and wrote my heart out, and continued to do that into my adult years.  No matter where I was and what was going on in my life, I had a notebook.   

These days, I find it difficult to get started.  Maybe it is because I am in school and I have to write so many essays, some about things I don't really care for.  But I want to write again.  Not to keep to myself but to give out words of encouragement to others.  To speak life to those who might feel hopeless.  I want to write to give people a glimpse of my cracks and even more so, to give people a glimpse of the Light that shines through these cracks.