Holy Spirit – Page 10 – The Will to Wake Up

I Know You Will

Remembering God’s faithfulness through poetry.

A poem in honor of God’s faithfulness this Lenten season.

I Know you will

The shadow cast upon this night

Makes it hard to see the light.

Wondering, aching, hoping, waiting

The questions keep on coming:

Will you still love me even when I stumble and I fall?

Will you still love me even when I ignore your call?

Will you still love me even when I follow the crowd?

Will you still love me even when I cry so loud?

Will you still love me even when I make the wrong choice?

Will you still love me even when I can’t seem to find my voice?

Will you still love me even when I am ignored and alone?

Will you still love me even when I stray far from home?

Yes you will.

I know you will.

It’s in your will.

Speaking from the Soul

What does your soul want to say to God today?

As we approach Lent next week, I was reading Psalm 103 with the other staff members at my church, particularly focusing on what our souls might be saying to God in this season. Through that process emerged a poem, which I hope inspires you today.

To God at Lent

By Hannah Chung

You created the world so beautiful

Rushing waters and still sunsets

Dancing leaves, so colorful.

In the wind, through the trees,

In a hug, a hold, a smile,

You remember the least of these.

My soul is eager to obey

Your simple call

That whispers its way

Into my heart.

My soul knows what my mind does not

It remembers all the times

You’ve been there for me when I could not

Hold on without You.

But bodies break

While minds ache.

Tragedy falls

While emptiness calls.

Haunting darkness floods

Our veins

Tempting us to forget

Your faithful ways.

Your voice is gentle

Your voice is firm

Your voice is patient

More than we deserve.

Your voice soothes my soul

When I need the strength of eagles.

Help my soul’s memory

Flow through my body.

Allow the trust my soul desires

To transform me.

While You left in physical form

Your promise to never leave us

Is what keeps me warm.

When the cold and the frightened cramp me in,

Still Your love will break me free from within.

My soul, it knows You

More than I ever can

Here on earth.

And I thank You for the peace

That comes from the mystery

Of the life blossoming

In this redeemed soul.

Today, ask yourself what your soul might be saying to God. Perhaps it’s a praise for the ways He has shown you faithfulness this year. Maybe you are seeking answers or peace after a storm shook your world. Whatever it is, God wants to hear from you. So reach out to Him today and let His peace fill you. ❤

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
²Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:1-5

It Won’t Be Like This Forever

Encouragement to step outside of life’s current demands.

Today’s been one of those reflective sort of days. I was cleaning out an old drawer and found a plethora of old cards, drawings, and remnants from the past, including an SD card from my very first camera.

Scrolling through the blurry pictures, I had to laugh. I couldn’t even imagine what Little Hannah would think of the photos I take now. Not an incomprehensible blur of color? Woah!

Whether life is going well, going horribly, or feeling pretty mundane, it’s easy to get bogged down by life’s current demands. It may feel like you’ll never have the answer, relationship, opportunity or growth you desire.

But I promise, for better or for worse, this isn’t how life will be forever.

So how can we make the most of the season we’re in? Here are a few tips based on the kind of season you are in:

Joyful/Exciting

I’m so glad that this season is going well for you. Perhaps you are experiencing new life, fresh perspective, or the opportunity you’ve always imagined. Take a moment to slow down and celebrate this time. Journal about it, capture the memories, and save them for a time when life may not feel as grand. This will give you hope for the future.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5

Difficult

I’m so sorry that you are experiencing a form of pain or discomfort. You may be struggling to get up each morning, wondering the purpose of this trial. While you may not have the energy or motivation you used to, this time will not last forever. God loves you so much, and as you trust Him with all aspects of your life, you will begin to feel your strength again.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Boring/Waiting

Stuck in a rut? Did you know that some of the most creative and innovative projects have come out of a person’s boredom? If you have extra time on your hands, don’t waste it! Spend time with others, invest in those who may not be having the easiest time right now, and prepare yourself for the busier road ahead. God will use the waiting as long as you are willing to follow His lead.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14

Restful

Ah, the restful season. Take a deep breath, pour yourself into your passions, and thank God for this gift. Don’t fret over the next activity to partake in–rather, enjoy this season of slowness and refresh yourself with this opportunity. Take time to grow in your faith and make intentional effort to establish healthy habits now so that they will be there for you when harder times come.

Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Genesis 2:3

Unsure

Perhaps you are unsure what kind of season you are experiencing. You may be in between stages of life and that can be overwhelming. But don’t worry–God has an incredible plan for you.

Cherish the moments of joy, glimpses of hope, and the presence of faithfulness in this time as you rely on God and His promises for you.

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:16

Friendship Matters

Reflecting on the gift of connection.

Have you ever tried to do something alone that you’ve always done with a friend?

For me, that’s currently exercising. The healthiest I’ve ever been was when I would walk and play tennis with one of my closest friends who used to live down the street. It was more than just getting some fresh air–we would laugh and the time would fly by.

But years later, it’s so much harder to find the motivation to do what used to feel simple. We would walk for miles before forcing ourselves to get other things done. Alone, it’s hard to go even half that distance without getting bored.

Most things in life are more fun with a friend, especially one who inspires, encourages, and pushes you to be the best version of yourself.

Sometimes, as Christians, we get so focused on having a relationship with God that we forget part of that involves community with others. Jesus didn’t do His ministry alone–He chose to have disciples alongside Him. There are so many incredible stories of friendship, loyalty, and endurance in the Bible, such as:

Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 20)

Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1)

Elisha and Elijah (2 Kings 2)

Mary, Martha, and Jesus (Luke 10; John 11)

Paul and Silas (Acts 16)

And so many others!

When we have been let down or excluded by other believers, it’s easy to give up on reaching out for connection. But it’s still vital to our personal and spiritual growth. We were made for community–from the very beginning, God recognized that Adam was not good alone; he needed a friend (Genesis 2:18).

Even though it may be scary or humbling to seek friendship, I encourage you to take a step towards building a connection this week. Chances are, you aren’t the only one longing for a kind and encouraging companion.

It’s incredible all that God can do when we work together. Just think, you can be part of that amazing purpose too ❤

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:19-20

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
Proverbs 27:10

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Life Doesn’t Have to Make Sense

Do you struggle to trust God when life doesn’t go as planned?

There have been many moments in my life where I’ve watched a situation unfold, a relationship end, or my path take an unexpected turn that’s caused me to wonder, “Where is God in all this?”

The thing that’s been difficult for me to accept is that God is right there in the middle of all that doesn’t make sense. God desires to be known, but we will never fully be able to comprehend Him with the limited capacity we have as humans. And maybe that can bring us hope instead of fear.

Accepting that life is confusing and chaotic and even incredibly painful at times doesn’t mean we have to hide our emotions or deny the way these difficulties affect us. But it does mean we won’t lose our faith and trust in God even when the journey holds things we don’t understand or desire.

Today, I encourage you to be reminded that God is the God of the impossible. That means you won’t have everything figured out and that’s perfectly fine. Good, even.

God has extraordinary plans for you that may be hard to see right now, but it doesn’t make them any less possible. So whether you are holding up a troubling situation or an unknown future, hand your burdens to God because He cares for you.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:7-10

The Name You’ve Always Needed

Encouragement for when you feel forgotten. ❤

It stings when someone forgets your name.

Names are a funny thing–they seem so simple, just a word to identify yourself, and often not one you’ve chosen. Some people seem to really fit their names, while others…may deserve some sympathy from overly humorous parents.

I’ve never felt particularly attached to my name, Hannah. I’ve always liked the sound of it, and I’m named after two amazing women. But somehow, perhaps after being in classes with five other Hannahs, the name never really felt like mine.

Names play a pivotol role in the Bible.

Mary Magdalene finally recognizes Jesus after His resurrection when He says her name.

The birth of Israel as a nation occurs after Jacob is renamed.

Abram becomes Abraham after making a covenant with God.

Saul transitions to Paul after his life-altering encounter with the Light.

We could go on and on.

Names are so much more than just a word. They make us feel remembered and important. They give us worth. When someone says our name in just the right way, we are washed over by their love.

And yet, our earthly names are not the names that truly identify us. We have another name–unknown to anyone but God–written on a white rock in Heaven to be given to us when we are reunited with God.

I am instantly enveloped in comfort at the thought of God having a unique name for every single person who has ever–or will ever–exist, the name we have longed to be called without even knowing it.

God remembers you and sees your worth even when no one else does. Even on the days when it feels like the entire world has left you. You are not alone. We have so much to look forward to, but for now, let’s go out and help others feel remembered too. ❤

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
Revelation 2:17

Fading Into Glory

Encouragement when the journey is difficult. ❤

After making a full 360 around my room, I determined a full redecoration process was in store for these dingy walls. I grimaced as I peeled off old drawings, photos, and cutouts.

While deciding what could be salvaged, I realized everything framed with construction paper had become faded. Through heavy exposure to the sunlight, I couldn’t tell a red paper from a green. They all were stripped down to their original color.

Sometimes, it feels like our transformation process is a little like this. We were created to be natural and authentic images of God, and yet the world dips us in distinguishing colors that separate us into groups, even when we’re all molded after the same Creator.

As we learn to follow Jesus, the ultimate Light, we are stripped back down to who we are meant to be. This process can be messy and ugly and broken. Many people won’t understand why we choose to go through it when we may outwardly appear more beautiful or comfortable without changing.

And yet change, as painful as it is, must happen if we want to be anything like Christ. We physically cannot grow without setting aside our own humanly inclinations in order to have a trusting relationship with Him.

Today, you may be feeling discouraged, wondering if you will ever blossom into your purpose or become like Jesus. You are not a failure for feeling behind or making mistakes–that’s all part of the process. Jesus never said that following Him would be easy, but He did promise that you will never do it alone. ❤

{Jesus said} “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Close to God’s Heart

Encouragement for when you feel alone ❤

I’m a self-proclaimed awkward hugger. I enjoy hugs, but I think the hardest thing about them is knowing when to let go. The quick side-hugs are the easiest, yet least impactful. Then there are the ones that seem to never end, and always result in a weird back-patting situation.

There are two long hugs that I will likely always remember vividly. The first was saying goodbye to a (very good) hugger friend of mine who wasn’t ready to let go. So we stood there, embraced, and I knew it was an excuse for her to not move forward. As hard as it was, I had to release her.

Then there was a night when I was the one who needed comforting, the one not ready to be set free. Overwhelmed and in tears, I was a glob in the arms of my very gracious friend who eventually sat me down in a chair so that I could collect myself.

What I’ll remember about these events are the love and affection shared within my relationships, but the bond eventually had to be broken, at least physically. There’s no way you can just stay in that posture forever.

And yet, there’s a little piece inside that grows cold when the hug is over. When you feel all alone again. Inevitable, right?

Well, maybe not.

God, being the definition of love itself, is able to hold us close without ever letting go. But God is also capable of moving forward with us, prompting us to grow in the ways we are meant to in order to become the people He created us to be. Yet this transformation doesn’t happen independently. God doesn’t give us a pat on the back and walk away.

No, God will be holding us close through the whole process. That is how we can have peace in the midst of challenging, even heart-breaking situations.

Tonight, whether you feel alone or stuck or confused, I hope you can rest in the knowledge that God loves you so much and is holding you close to His heart. He won’t ever let you go. ❤

And He has raised up for His people a horn, the praise of all His faithful servants of Israel, the people close to His heart.

Praise the Lord.
Psalm 148:14

Appreciating Each Other

A pressing reminder when we are tempted to take others for granted.

For many, a story is a story by the way everything gets wrapped up all nice and pretty, like a Christmas present. The characters are happy by the end, fully changed, incapable of any further harm. We are satisfied.

But in life, we don’t often get closure, do we? We say goodbye without even knowing it. We walk past someone for the last time without a second thought. We think we are friends until we’re not.

Recently, I’ve been reminded of the bitter truth that we never know how long we’re going to have with someone.

Why would God allow that?

Honestly, I don’t know. In the wake of a sudden loss, an unexpected diagnosis, and/or division among those once close, it can be hard to make sense of God’s greater plan within all of it.

My best guess is that we are more motivated to be kind and grateful to those in our lives when we remember that we aren’t in control of how long we’ll have them around.

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis remarks that, by being made in the image of God, the next closest thing to be with God Himself is when we are among other humans. Now did that put a spin on the way I saw the people who annoy me!

We aren’t perfect and we shouldn’t beat ourselves up over being irritated at people or needing alone time. But we should always hold these things close to our hearts when we interact with people.

We really don’t know when the last time will be. We don’t know the full story. We just know that God has placed His creation in our lives for a time, and we can choose to be blessed by them.

Today, I challenge us both to look at the people in our lives with new appreciation. When was the last time you told your loved ones how much they mean to you? Have you seen the people in your life as a gift, rather than a burden?

Going further, to the people who you don’t agree with or rub you the wrong way, how can you still appreciate them? You might think you want them out of your life, and that time may come, but perhaps there is a reason why they are here now.

You are loved and treasured, no matter if others recognize it or not. If no one has taken the time to appreciate you today, I will. You are God’s special creation, designed for incredible things. It is not to late for you to heal and flourish. ❤

Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.
Acts 17:29

Exchanging Disappointment for Joy

Does disappointment cause you to doubt God’s purpose for your life?

This weekend, I was supposed to go on a retreat about finding God’s presence.

I was so ready for the retreat, too. Mostly just wanting an escape from the humdrum of normal life, burned out by my responsibilities, and eager for a change in scenery. Every day that I was tired or weary, I reminded myself that I’d have a break soon enough.

So then, when it got cancelled, I was puzzled by what God was doing. Surprisingly, I was less disappointed than I had anticipated, which may have been God’s clue that He still had plans for me this weekend.

The things I had longed for were inspiration, rest, appreciation for God’s creation, and connection with others.

And instead of bringing me to a conference center, God gave me inspiration through a movie night with family. He gave me rest by allowing me to have generous bosses who still let me have the weekend off. He gave me appreciation for His creation through the gorgeous sunset I experienced while driving home last night.

And most of all, God showed me how interwoven His presence is within our relationships with others.

I thought I had to take a break from people in order to experience God, but instead I spent all day yesterday going from one person to the next.

But the difference between that and my everyday encounters was that I went into those interactions with a willing heart. And that changed everything.

There is truly a season for everything. A season to reflect with God alone, and a season to extend the love God has given us to others. And maybe those two things can come together to create something even more beautiful.

Going broader than simply this weekend, I’ve been in a season where many of my expectations have been dashed. I’ve wondered where my dreams and desires fit into God’s greater plan for me. But this weekend, I’ve discovered something new.

It isn’t always about God’s plan or my plan or any sort of plan. It’s about taking things one step at a time and experiencing God’s presence through it all.

It’s about waiting for God with an open heart. It’s about connecting with others from a place of love and appreciation, as well as setting boundaries when we know we are agreeing to things out of obligation. It’s about opening the Bible without expecting a new game plan, and rather soaking in time with God.

Today, I hope you can exchange your disappointment for joy.

Things may not look the way you had hoped, but this is an opportunity for you to trust God more than ever. He will be with you through it all. ❤

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.
Luke 24:49