The Root of All Things

It is so unbelievably easy to be one person one day, and a different the next.

Today I got to talk to my friend about an issue that has been prevalent in my life, and has just begun to make an appearance in her life as well. As we were talking about this, we stumbled upon a thought that just may have been the answer we were both looking for - what if, while we were searching for the answer to this problem, we were only masking the root of the problem, like painting the walls to make it seem better, when it's the dry wall that's crumbling. Like picking the leaves off of a weed isntead of pulling on the root.
If there is one thing I have learned, it is that there is a root problem to every situation. To every dilemma there is one unmistakeable catalyst in the situation. Sometimes we see it clearly, other times, years have to pass before we see the purpose.

For example, one that has been recently showing up in my life lately, has been an inconsitancy in being faithful and committed to the regular life of a Christian. Some of you may be sitting there like "But Shannon. You just talked about how dangerous routine is in your last post."
Yes. Routine is dangerous, if it becomes more about the cycle than the action.

In my Christian walk, I don't want a dead faith. I don't want to sit in church pews to warm seats and drink the copious amounts of coffee they offer. I don't want to write blog posts about how awesome my walk with God is, when I know there are many flaws. I don't want a regular life of setting personal goals of achievements, like finishing college and getting married. I don't want a cycle.

I want a commitment to a living God.

I want my faith to be living. I want to go to church so that I can lift my arms to praise Jesus, without regarding the chains and weights hanging from wrists, (And maybe drink the coffee).
I want to share my walk with the world, so that they know that Jesus doesn't just work through perfect people, because his heart is for the imperfect individuals like myself, who He is working every day to change and renew for His purpose and His works. I want a not so regular life, of following whatever path Christ calls me to follow. If that calls me towards a university degree and a family, that is where I will go. If Christ calls me to the middle east, that is where I better go.

The routine I long to see in my life, is that of constant praises being sung, despite the current conditions of what I am going through.

The routine I long to see in my life, is that of people coming to the realization that Chris exists, just by interacting with me.

The routine I long to see in my life, is hours on end of studying, practicing, and praying about what the Bible has to say.

The routine I long to see in my life, is Jesus in my life. 

Because, without that - what is this faith I speak of? Where is the hope that I preach but don't prove?

I've been challenged to get to the root of why I am the way I am. Where are the hope and praises? Where is the peace?
 

By no means do I have the answer to any of these questions - but what I have noticed is that how much of these characteristics I have inside of me, depend on how much time I'm pouring into my relationship with God. I am nothing. He is everything. (James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows). The root of my problem is a human condition - and it is that of a lack of Christ, and an excess of myself.

Trying to be still (and failing)

Recently I got back from a five day kayak trip in the broken group islands, just off the coast of Ucluelet. Though the nights were cold and I am numerous shades more red than I was before, it wasn't just the beauty of the islands themselves that blew me away, as much as it was the ability that God has to use "time away" to change hearts.
The Broken Group Islands used to house over 8500 First Nations people, mainly part of the Tseshaht First Nations tribes. As we kayaked over 40 km in total, we visited different islands to see things like burial caves, sea caves, fish traps, carvings, and a very old hotel. This home of ours is gorgeous, and I'm so happy to be in it and part of it.
I left with a hesitant attitude. I really did not want to go.
Because I had plans. Exams are coming up, graduation is in 2 weeks, I'm taking college classes in the evenings, I had to take time off work - the last thing I could fit into my schedule was a five day vacation out in the middle of nowhere.
One morning I woke up, and dragged myself out of the tent to make breakfast. The water was still. The land was still. Quiet waves were just dragging themselves up the beach, and not even a whisper in the wind could be heard. And yet, among all these things, I was told that I was the one who needed to be still.

"He says "Be still and know that I am God; I will be honoured by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." - Psalm 46:10

We've heard it a million times - We get caught up into a schedule. Our friends, our family, school, bills, work, money, stress; that sometimes we forget to just be still and reflect on God. The worries, anxieties, and temptations take over our relationship with God. Our relationship with God becomes about us. I found myself asking God for things, than simply reflecting on Him and knowing that He will take care of me. Simply because.. He is God. He is honored. Nations from every part of the world bow down, and worship to the God that takes care of my heart. And unlike other religions, we don't bow down and worship Him to recieve His blessing. We bow down and worship, because we have already recieved His blessing - we are his children. And His love is so strong that regardless of circumstances, He has always, and will always take care of us. We were created to be loved, and to love God.

I remember reading Franic Chan's book "Crazy Love" and coming across the title of the first chapter. He said "Stop Praying". Stop Praying. It seems so wrong, that statement. But he brought an excellent challenge.

"What if I said, “Stop praying”? What if I told you to stop talking at God for a while, but instead to take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word? Solomon warned us not to rush into God’s presence with words. That’s what fools do. And often, that’s what we do. We are a culture that relies on technology over community, a society in which spoken and written words are cheap, easy to come by, and excessive. Our culture says anything goes; fear of God is almost unheard of. We are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry. The wise man comes to God without saying a word and stands in awe of Him. It may seem a hopeless endeavor, to gaze at the invisible God. But Romans 1:20 tells us that through creation, we see His “invisible qualities” and “divine nature.” Let’s begin this book by gazing at God in silence. What I want you to do right now is to go online and look at the “Awe Factor” (video at www.crazylovebook.com) to get a taste of the awe factor of our God. Seriously—go do it. Speechless? Amazed? Humbled? When I first saw those images, I had to worship. I didn’t want to speak to or share it with anyone. I just wanted to sit quietly and admire the Creator. It’s wild to think that most of these galaxies have been discovered only in the past few years, thanks to the Hubble telescope. They’ve been in the universe for thousands of years without humans even knowing about them. Why would God create more than 350,000,000,000 galaxies (and this is a conservative estimate) that generations of people never saw or even knew existed? Do you think maybe it was to make us say, “Wow, God is unfathomably big”? Or perhaps God wanted us to see these pictures so that our response would be, “Who do I think I am?” R. C. Sproul writes, “Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God.”

I want to encourage you to take some time out soon to reflect on who God is.

Happy almost Summer!