How To Lose Yourself.

Calm down, first of all.  This isn't a post about how I have lost ground and am in a downward spiral.  It is actually the exact opposite.

Also, if you read this blog you will soon find out that most of my posts are almost always about my walk with God.  It is who I am.  It is who I was created to be.....and for me, I need to tell people about it. 

In this life things happen.  Good things.....the most amazing things.  Experiences that bring so much joy, even in the day-to-day.  Celebrate those things.  Thank God for them, they are from Him. 

In this life, bad things also happen.  Experiences that bring heartache.  Experiences that bring turmoil.  Celebrate those things.  Thank God for them.  They are shaping you into the person you were meant to be. 

When you can celebrate and thank God in all things, truly, you have lost yourself.  I am learning that this is not at all what the world would have you believe.  The world we live in, the things we see on tv or the internet would have you believe that everything you need is in you.  You have all you need to be all you can be.  It is a lie and this lie has huge circumstances.  That is a bold statement.  Believe it or not, but the truth will always prevail. 

When you are truly tested, when you are faced with life, death, hurt, deception, betrayal, etc......do any of you honestly believe you alone posses what you need to conquer it?  It is a deep question.  One that I know people struggle with.  We are told when we were young "you can do anything you set your mind to"...."work hard and it will be yours".....this stuff is false and is grounded in a belief that our human minds and hearts are capable of anything, just us, no other factor.....just the human factor. 

The human factor is flawed.  I am a lover of humans, I really am, but more than that, I am a lover of the One who created us.  I love humans because we are all so flawed....we are in this together.  No matter your faith, race, etc....I love you.  I don't see people through a filter of what they "do".  I see people through the filter of who made them.  Everyone has this choice.....to see people as their brother/sister.  A choice I made sometime in my 20's.....I have no idea when it really happened.  All I know is that we all struggle and I have made struggles without faith and I have made struggles with faith.  It is blatantly obvious where my heart is, but I also realize not everyone is with me.  Do I want to change the world?  Yes.  Do I think I can do it alone?  No.  I know that loving one human at a time is all I can do.  It is what God has put on my heart.  He doesn't want me to change the world, I don't think (if He does, I think I am ready, but there is a lot of equipping that needs to happen first...I guess....or maybe I am already equipped in Him).  I believe He wants me to love people how He loves them.  No matter what.  If you have ever questioned whether or not you are loved, you don't have to question it any longer.  Not because I say so.  I have no power.  God says so.  You are loved.  No matter your circumstance, no matter how far you think you are from Him, no.matter.what. 

You have to let that sink in.  The world will tell you what you are doing is "right" or what you are doing is "wrong".  The world is not your heart's compass.  Your creator is your compass, He will never lead you astray.

Peace and perfection do not go hand in hand.  I am not perfect, but I am peaceful.  Allow yourself that gift....to be peaceful and know you are loved.