I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life but just keep swimming....
Hmmm so apparently God is on this movie/music run with me lately. No "run" pun intended-though literally that was the case last time. It's rather surprising considering the movie scenes appearing in my thoughts are from movies I can't even remember when I last viewed them. In my last blog I shared about my walk with God and the fight for my heart as it parallels with a scene in the movie 300. The last couple days....it's Finding Nemo....
Go ahead and chuckle. I do so right now myself. But nothing happening for me as of late is of coincidence. All the intermingled thoughts about what I know to be true are unwinding into a straight line aimed toward their Source. Incredible - just incredible I tell you. But still MANY moments of the day my forward motion (Thousand Foot Krutch) feels more like treading water. In my heart and in my head I am fully aware that there is no need to fear. But emotion still gets in the way! God doesn't dwell in fear but rather in hope. So suddenly I am reminded of some VERY wise advice I once heard. "Just keep swimming." Yes, ladies and gentleman, some of the best advice I ever heard appears to have been bestowed by a cartoon fish possibly just as forgetful as I am myself as it pertains to my faith. However, by nature even a forgetful fish still knows how to swim. So as a child of God, even in times of fear, I remember in which direction I need to keep "kicking". (See how this is all so seamless?) For He is the propeller, the driving force of it all...
In the last couple days my devotionals have married well with the ones my husband has been sending me. (No pun intended here either though regardless that last sentence personally holds a pretty big overall meaning for me.) Anyway, my devotional yesterday talked about "Pause and Breathe". Understanding the importance of an "interlude", which by definition means to "pause, break, breathing space, or rest." Likewise, does a swimmer not breathe after so many strokes so as to replenish the life within his/herself in effort to "just keep swimming"? If God is the breath of life itself as He came and died to give ME life, why do I catch myself turning about as purple as Dori is?? (Again, we aren't talking in the physical here.) The main verse from that day's devotion was Psalm 46:2 which says, "So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea." (NLT) I've come to realize that often times I get too prideful and assume that if the ocean is where He casts everything (such as [our] mountains) it must not be where I am. As if my only dwelling place is on dry land where it's "safe". However, God made man ruler over the land AND the sea...so when things come "crumbling down" I have to just keep swimming because HE is the safety through the storm, right? So why do we/I basically resort to ducking under water with intent to hold the breath until the scary stuff passes over?? What is "exposed" as a result, I doubt many of us will want to admit...
[Dang it, I just realized I'm skinny dipping here - how embarrassing...]
Anyway, in keeping with the mindset to "just keep swimming" and holding faithful to my Motor (God), I can believe in His promise to be my fortress, refuge and strength - as it is reminded in Jeff's devotions. (Psalm 92:1-2) It's important to note that the goal [for me] is NOT to simply make it to "dry land" with the assumption that all will be well and I'll take it from there. No. After all fortresses and castles and such are often surrounded by water as well. However much that may be is really for one's own person to decided. Essentially The Lord is still there, All Around Me (Flyleaf) while you're circling...just waiting for you to take that breath. If I may share from memory lane, I recall many many meets when I swam in high school and still remember so vividly what the race felt like. For me, I didn't care much for the competitive aspect of it all though I was involved; but there were times I truly indulged in the adrenaline spike of a good swim - be it in competition or practice. (Hmm, perhaps much like being in God's army? Just sayin...) Anyway, my point is that regardless of the setting, all my training (physically) continually included what I should be mindful of. Along with my "kick" I needed to properly breathe and be aware of all my angles. I needed to THINK with consideration to the truth (aka THE truth - God's word) to what will benefit my overall performance. (Are you still thinking about the battle for the [my] heart? I sure am...)
So, in being mindful of my breathing techniques ("breath of life" as it pertains), of who and what (a mighty fortress) God is - is man...strong/capable/dependable/unfailing...I shouldn't hesitate in any way! Again, I only need to learn to rely on my source of determination. Who am I without such? Dori, bless her little fish heart, kept forgetting her MOTIVE to help Nemo's dad find Nemo. In other words, I (Dori) often keep forgetting where my MOTIVE comes from (Daddy's love) to allow HIS help (determination) in the quest for my heart ("tiny" Nemo). Though He is ultimately holding it and it rests in His almighty protection, when I lose sight of Him I consequently lose sight of my heart...Likewise, if I am ONLY looking for my heart I may only end up finding selfish ambition or improper motive. Though the love of God transforms the heart one mustn't forget who else seeks it out from ALL angles; come dry land or high water. How important it REALLY is to seek (breathe) God first! It's like I can't remind myself enough...If I take a breath and inhale that which is around me immediately (water = the devil and his schemes or that which threatens to deceive my heart), I'll miss out on LIFE (air = the love of God and ALL which that implies). I'm trying to make my comparisons really obvious here because they may be easily misunderstood, for "the heart can be deceived".
"Just keep swimming"...just keep "KICKING"! The battle (the dive) for the heart isn't necessarily over just because the clouds didn't bring stormy weather on a given day. I have to recognize that moment as my place of "rest"..."Pause and Breathe"...and then just keep swimming. Not in a circular path! Duh, what Olympian dives into a round pool? After all, that is like what I am. It's like what we ALL are. Olympians in the army of the one true God in this fight against that which seeks to steel our hearts from His care. Some of us are runners, some of us are swimmers....Lord help me apparently I'm a cross trainer. But I "just keep 'kicking'". I "just keep swimming". And my Coach keeps teaching me HOW to "Fire It up" better every time. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18
P.S. I say all of the above and what follows with the fiercest of love (at the VERY least, to myself-even exposed before you in encouragement): DO NOT lead yourself (your precious treasured heart) into the dark chasm looking for a masquerade....just keep swimming toward the light.
"Forward Motion"Thousand Foot Krutch
Go ahead and chuckle. I do so right now myself. But nothing happening for me as of late is of coincidence. All the intermingled thoughts about what I know to be true are unwinding into a straight line aimed toward their Source. Incredible - just incredible I tell you. But still MANY moments of the day my forward motion (Thousand Foot Krutch) feels more like treading water. In my heart and in my head I am fully aware that there is no need to fear. But emotion still gets in the way! God doesn't dwell in fear but rather in hope. So suddenly I am reminded of some VERY wise advice I once heard. "Just keep swimming." Yes, ladies and gentleman, some of the best advice I ever heard appears to have been bestowed by a cartoon fish possibly just as forgetful as I am myself as it pertains to my faith. However, by nature even a forgetful fish still knows how to swim. So as a child of God, even in times of fear, I remember in which direction I need to keep "kicking". (See how this is all so seamless?) For He is the propeller, the driving force of it all...
In the last couple days my devotionals have married well with the ones my husband has been sending me. (No pun intended here either though regardless that last sentence personally holds a pretty big overall meaning for me.) Anyway, my devotional yesterday talked about "Pause and Breathe". Understanding the importance of an "interlude", which by definition means to "pause, break, breathing space, or rest." Likewise, does a swimmer not breathe after so many strokes so as to replenish the life within his/herself in effort to "just keep swimming"? If God is the breath of life itself as He came and died to give ME life, why do I catch myself turning about as purple as Dori is?? (Again, we aren't talking in the physical here.) The main verse from that day's devotion was Psalm 46:2 which says, "So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea." (NLT) I've come to realize that often times I get too prideful and assume that if the ocean is where He casts everything (such as [our] mountains) it must not be where I am. As if my only dwelling place is on dry land where it's "safe". However, God made man ruler over the land AND the sea...so when things come "crumbling down" I have to just keep swimming because HE is the safety through the storm, right? So why do we/I basically resort to ducking under water with intent to hold the breath until the scary stuff passes over?? What is "exposed" as a result, I doubt many of us will want to admit...
[Dang it, I just realized I'm skinny dipping here - how embarrassing...]
Anyway, in keeping with the mindset to "just keep swimming" and holding faithful to my Motor (God), I can believe in His promise to be my fortress, refuge and strength - as it is reminded in Jeff's devotions. (Psalm 92:1-2) It's important to note that the goal [for me] is NOT to simply make it to "dry land" with the assumption that all will be well and I'll take it from there. No. After all fortresses and castles and such are often surrounded by water as well. However much that may be is really for one's own person to decided. Essentially The Lord is still there, All Around Me (Flyleaf) while you're circling...just waiting for you to take that breath. If I may share from memory lane, I recall many many meets when I swam in high school and still remember so vividly what the race felt like. For me, I didn't care much for the competitive aspect of it all though I was involved; but there were times I truly indulged in the adrenaline spike of a good swim - be it in competition or practice. (Hmm, perhaps much like being in God's army? Just sayin...) Anyway, my point is that regardless of the setting, all my training (physically) continually included what I should be mindful of. Along with my "kick" I needed to properly breathe and be aware of all my angles. I needed to THINK with consideration to the truth (aka THE truth - God's word) to what will benefit my overall performance. (Are you still thinking about the battle for the [my] heart? I sure am...)
So, in being mindful of my breathing techniques ("breath of life" as it pertains), of who and what (a mighty fortress) God is - is man...strong/capable/dependable/unfailing...I shouldn't hesitate in any way! Again, I only need to learn to rely on my source of determination. Who am I without such? Dori, bless her little fish heart, kept forgetting her MOTIVE to help Nemo's dad find Nemo. In other words, I (Dori) often keep forgetting where my MOTIVE comes from (Daddy's love) to allow HIS help (determination) in the quest for my heart ("tiny" Nemo). Though He is ultimately holding it and it rests in His almighty protection, when I lose sight of Him I consequently lose sight of my heart...Likewise, if I am ONLY looking for my heart I may only end up finding selfish ambition or improper motive. Though the love of God transforms the heart one mustn't forget who else seeks it out from ALL angles; come dry land or high water. How important it REALLY is to seek (breathe) God first! It's like I can't remind myself enough...If I take a breath and inhale that which is around me immediately (water = the devil and his schemes or that which threatens to deceive my heart), I'll miss out on LIFE (air = the love of God and ALL which that implies). I'm trying to make my comparisons really obvious here because they may be easily misunderstood, for "the heart can be deceived".
"Just keep swimming"...just keep "KICKING"! The battle (the dive) for the heart isn't necessarily over just because the clouds didn't bring stormy weather on a given day. I have to recognize that moment as my place of "rest"..."Pause and Breathe"...and then just keep swimming. Not in a circular path! Duh, what Olympian dives into a round pool? After all, that is like what I am. It's like what we ALL are. Olympians in the army of the one true God in this fight against that which seeks to steel our hearts from His care. Some of us are runners, some of us are swimmers....Lord help me apparently I'm a cross trainer. But I "just keep 'kicking'". I "just keep swimming". And my Coach keeps teaching me HOW to "Fire It up" better every time. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18
P.S. I say all of the above and what follows with the fiercest of love (at the VERY least, to myself-even exposed before you in encouragement): DO NOT lead yourself (your precious treasured heart) into the dark chasm looking for a masquerade....just keep swimming toward the light.
"Forward Motion"Thousand Foot Krutch
Let's keep it moving in a forward motion,
If we can hold on, we can cross this ocean,
There's no sense in lettin' our emotions,
Get in the way, until the door keeps closin'
If we sort this out, would we know how,
To live like we were different,
I know we've both had some doubts,
whether things would come around,
And look at us now
I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life...
Let's keep it moving in a forward motion,
If we can hold on, we can cross this ocean,
There's no sense in lettin' our emotions,
Get in the way, until the door keeps closin'
I never thought we'd doubt,
Whether this world would come
Around, and work itself out
But it's more than a sound,
If it moves everyone around,
Are you ready now?
And I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life
Let's keep it moving in a forward motion,
If we can hold on, we can cross this ocean,
There's no sense in lettin' our emotions,
Get in the way, until the door keeps closin'
If we can hold on, we can cross this ocean,
There's no sense in lettin' our emotions,
Get in the way, until the door keeps closin'
If we sort this out, would we know how,
To live like we were different,
I know we've both had some doubts,
whether things would come around,
And look at us now
I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life...
Let's keep it moving in a forward motion,
If we can hold on, we can cross this ocean,
There's no sense in lettin' our emotions,
Get in the way, until the door keeps closin'
I never thought we'd doubt,
Whether this world would come
Around, and work itself out
But it's more than a sound,
If it moves everyone around,
Are you ready now?
And I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life
Let's keep it moving in a forward motion,
If we can hold on, we can cross this ocean,
There's no sense in lettin' our emotions,
Get in the way, until the door keeps closin'
I won't, be afraid, Your hands they cover me,
It's so worth it
I can't let it fade
My hands are high and raised,
'Cause it's worth it
I'm not trying to tell you
It's so worth it
I can't let it fade
My hands are high and raised,
'Cause it's worth it
I'm not trying to tell you
I'm not trying to tell you
I'm not trying to tell you
how to live your life....
Let's keep it moving in a forward motion,
If we can hold on, we can cross this ocean,
There's no sense in lettin' our emotions,
Get in the way, until the door keeps closin'
Interlude
how to live your life....
Let's keep it moving in a forward motion,
If we can hold on, we can cross this ocean,
There's no sense in lettin' our emotions,
Get in the way, until the door keeps closin'
Interlude
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