The Ramblings of Sophie Louise

The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it - even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting Christians; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book. The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash-along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant-dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ-God’s righteousness. I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. (Philippians 3:3-11 MSG)

dear young people in my life

Dear young people in my life,

I first want to start by saying thank you. You will never know how richly and deeply your friendship has impacted my life. You have taught me so much. Words can’t express how much I care for you and want the absolute best for you in life.

When your life is going well for you I can’t help but smile. When you are succeeding in your sport or at school or with music I am so proud of you. When you discover new things about God I am so excited for you. When you take risks and do things that are potentially harmful I worry about you. And when you are hurting or lost my heart breaks.

I’ve been thinking about you a lot today. About all the fun times we have had at youth events and youth camps. About all the inappropriate jokes and laughter that have been shared. About all the times you have challenged my patience and pushed the boundaries. About the spiritual growth I’ve seen in you and the times you have questioned God’s existence. I’ve especially been thinking a lot about the times I have failed you.

The times I have failed to speak out and tell you how much God loves you. The times I have been more concerned with how much fun you are having rather than helping you grow in your faith. The times I have watered down the gospel because I didn’t want to be “too full on”. The times I didn’t say what was on my mind or challenge you because I wanted you to like me. And the times I have set a bad example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  

I long for you to seek God with all your heart and walk with Him. It brings me to tears thinking about how many of you have and will walk away from God. Perhaps you are yet to grasp the height, the depth and the width of His unrelenting love for you. Or perhaps it all seemed too hard and you decided that following culture was the easier and more enjoyable option. Whatever the reason I wish there was more I could do, but I honestly don’t know what would help. I will continue to pray for you though. And encourage you where I can. I will ask you the hard questions. And I will try to set a better example.

I am having trouble finding the words to close this letter. There is so much more I want to say, but I doubt you want to hear it.

So finally:

Know that the decisions you make won’t make me think any less of you, even if I don’t agree with them. But also know that the decisions you make have consequences, for better or worse, and you have to live with them. Know that you have people around you who love you and will always be there to listen and encourage. And when everything and everyone else in this world fails to satisfy, know that God’s love is enough and that there is nothing in all creation that can separate you from it.

Sophie. xox

strength and weakness.

God is my greatest strength. My greatest weakness is forgetting that fact.

mourning booth

topsy-turvy-town:

Facebook: finding exciting new ways to add to the irrational fear that you are “missing out”

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