As part of our friendship series here at “Mommy on Fire”, I’ll be featuring a guest post writer each Wednesday so I can introduce you all to some of my “bloggy friends” who are awesome gals to get to know…
It is my super-honor to introduce to you my sweet bloggy friend, Jen from “Finding Heaven” today! If you haven’t read Jen, you are in for a treat because 1) she is one of the deepest thinkers I know, 2) she explains truth in such a way that makes us really “get it” and 3) she has the gift of writing well and is a fantastic encourager. I thank God often that He crossed our paths and now you can know her, too!
I indulged my daughter and took her to see Never Say Never. Yes, I took her to see the Justin Bieber movie. And while it was a really fun show, and while I was impressed with the fact that the Bieber team prays before every meal and before every show, and while I was grateful that he really does appear to be a neat and talented kid, I was bothered.
It wasn’t him that bothered me, though. It was the throngs and throngs of children weeping over his greatness, professing their grandest dream of occupying his airspace, and swearing that one day, they would be married. Okay, I get that they are (mostly) hormonal teenagers and this is just a cycle of life (think The Beatles, New Kids on the Block, and The Backstreet Boys). But, it was the visual display of idolatry that rocked my core. What prompts us to have idols in our lives? What drives us to be so enthralled with someone else’s greatness that we think the only thing that can satisfy us is to be like them or be with them?
How often have I denied my own strengths or my own God-given beauty because I have been mesmerized by the wonderfulness of someone else? How many times have I disregarded my own talent because someone else seemed to have more of it? How often will I look at the opportunities that God has given everyone else and think “Why not me”?
What I’ve come to realize is that it is people, myself included, that hook onto tangible greatness. We look at celebrities, even Christian celebrities, and see all the characteristics that they have that make them and their lives extraordinary. We see the amazing acting, we hear the beauty of their voice, we are touched by the impact of their written words, we marvel at the rhythm of their dancing, or the beat of their music. So much talent in this world surrounds us that it makes it quite easy to see our ordinary selves as nothing. Because our greatness does not seem to register on the worldly scale, we say that it amounts to little. And so, we begin to worship the greatness of individuals, or the greatness of their power, or wealth, or clout, instead of worshipping their Creator.
Somehow, I have to stop measuring things with the same scale that the world uses. Perhaps I have to stop measuring, period. What really matters for you (and for me) is this:
God created you.
He didn’t spend any less time molding you than He did anyone else.
He didn’t forget to give you special gifts.
He didn’t make you any less worthy of His love and affection.
He made you great, too.
Yes, friend. He made you great, too. You don’t have to look around and marvel at everyone else. You don’t have to preen yourself into anyone else’s image. You don’t have to follow anyone else’s footsteps.
He’s given you your own path, with your own set of tools. He’s equipped you perfectly and He has big things for you to carry out. Your greatness may not always be tangible, but His is.
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5: 20-21
Does it get anymore beautiful and true than this? You can read more of Jen’s thoughts at “Finding Heaven”...
I often catch myself wondering if I put as much love and time into my relationship with God as I seem to put into other things….how rock the socks off would He be making my world. I get distracted… I blame it on other things…when really I just don’t put the time and effort I should.
Beautiful post Jen… you stepped on my toes…and I needed it.
(I am one however who does not understand the crying and weeping over things like JB…I was never like that even as a teen…now working with teens I see it a lot… )
SO with you – I’ve never been one to swoon over celebs either. In fact, I’m just slightly creeped out when I see old footage of those girls crying and in hysteria over The Beatles and I LOVE The Beatles…
And your point about putting as much time into our relationship with God? Ouch. So convicting. Thank you, as always.
Idol…”anything I put before God.” I was struck just this week that some of my idols…security, family, education…all pale in comparison to the biggie of…SELF. God is greater than His creation…in fact he is incomparable.
Isaiah 45:5-6, “I am the Lord, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I equip you, though you do not know me,
that people may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the Lord, and there is no other.”
Ahhhhh….
As always, Bobbi comforts and soothes. Bobbi, would you mind moving in with me? I know it would not be weird in the least. I’m pretty sure we would have enough space if you and Loverbrains would agree to bunk up in the playroom. I can’t think of anything more romantic, especially when every now and then Buzz Lightyear talks – even when he is alone. I’m certain it would be very peaceful.
HA.
But really, that verse. Isaiah is my favorite book in the Bible for a reason…
Thanks, girl.
I was privileged to be able to hear a incredible speaker this weekend who spoke on a similar topic. He stated something that I don’t think I had ever realized – we have been created to crave the incredible. We are designed to want great things… but it’s only when we realize that the great thing we truly desire is God that our lives will be (and feel) complete. When we try to fill our lives with things of this world, they will always leave us empty and wanting more. Only God can satisfy the thirst of our souls.
And now I’m singing “There’s a God-shaped hole in all of us…”
No truer words spoken, friend. Thanks for sharing, sister!
Natalie — thanks again for having me. I am so blessed by you! Oh, and everyone, please excuse my typo. It’s supposed to say “So much talent in this world surrounds us that it makes it quite easy to see our ordinary selves AS nothing.” Next time, I’ll proof better. PROMISE!
Beautiful. I really enjoyed the insights here.
This was the hug that I needed today. My heart and mind are often filled with negative self talk – something learned very early in my life. It is good to be reminded that God made me. Your words “He didn’t spend any less time molding you than He did anyone else.” mean a lot. God bless you for sharing.
Leah, how funny. Just this week I’ve so had the 1 Corinthians 10:5 verse reverberating through my being: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Take every thought captive. Whew. I’m workin’ overtime here, girl.
And for the record, not only did he make you beautifully but he made you IN HIS IMAGE.
You are precious.
I don’t know about you, but the comfort that befalls upon me just thinking about this is a salve to my soul.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
oh Jen…yes, idolatry. and as much as i point the finger at others, i must look within and as much as i can ‘envy’ the success of others, this is not what He sees…and not what I want to see in my heart of hearts and soul that hungers for Him alone.
so many things to think on…as always…full of encouragement and some fiery spunk to kick us in the pants in the best of ways…i think YOU are wonderful:)
p.s. thanks natalie for hosting…i think YOU are wonderful too!
Thanks, Abby. Should we all just have a big “wonderful” party because I think YOU are wonderful, too.
Oh we are so nauseating…HA!
This is something I often do to my two closest mentors. I often look at them and think I wish I had their talents. But I need to stop and to realize my talents are as important as their talents.
It’s like sword sharpening sword instead of a pedestal-thing in a lot of ways.
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