Don't.... Let.... Go!!!
Good Morrow everyone! As promised, here is part 2! I'm trying to write more often now. Thanks so much for all the feedback and views! I love writing for you guys, and it's great to know that there's someone out there reading!
If you haven't read part 1 of this post yet, you really should before you read any further! Go on, I'll wait.
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Still waiting....
uhuh uhuh uhuh.....
Keep going....
Done?
Good!
For those of you who need a recap, or missed part one:
Last time on 'Wanted'.....
We started with the quote "My future is not a broken piano at the bottom of the ocean!" What's that supposed to mean??? Last time I explained the first half: the broken piano.
Think of life this way: We are all instruments. Sometimes we get out of tune - slide into sin. In God hands were are fixed, and able to make beautiful melodies even in our brokenness. Then God takes the broken and makes it new. So even when we're broken God can use us, just like He used David and the others discussed last time. Then we become not so broken after all. Our imperfections cannot be the center of our focus because then we are held back from what God wants us to do. God wants us to shine like the sun, to shine through our imperfections and show the world how He loves us. We can't do that if we stay broken. And He can't fix us unless we let Him. We left off by saying that if we let God take us and make us anew, then our imperfections won't matter anymore, and will eventually (if not altogether disappear) no longer be an obstacle. God makes us perfect even amidst our imperfections.
So my (and you) future is not a broken piano. If I let God in then he will retune my life, fix the broken parts, and make me good as new.
But what in the world is this ocean stuff?
After that long introduction, I present to you part 2.....
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The Precipice
In the recent movie Les Miserables Jean Valjean says something... well... sorta depressing
I am reaching but I fall
And the night is closing in
And I stare into the void
To the whirlpool of my sin
Not exactly a happy image is it? Valjean had been on the verge of despair. He had been in jail for 20 years and was finally released only to find that the world outside can be just as cruel. He resorted to thieving, but was shown mercy for his actions. And so he comes to a turning point. Does he continue in the spiral of his life? Does the whirlpool of his sin continue to suck him down?
It's interesting that he used that image. A whirlpool. They are really interesting you know? You can see them far off and they might even look a little appealing. As you draw closer, the edges are gentle. There is only a little pull towards the middle. It seems safe. After all, you can always turn back from such a tiny pull. The problem is that the pull doesn't stay tiny. As you go further and further in the current gets stronger and stronger. Soon it's impossible to turn back even if you want to. The pull is just too strong to resist, and you are sucked down the middle and into the deep.
Fun stuff.
And this whole void thing. A dark, vast empty space. An Abyss. Standing on the edge. About to fall. Reaching for the light, but slipping further into the dark.
Not really a happy picture.
These metaphors make a point. Sin is insidious. It at first appears simple. Fun. Inviting. Like the current at the edge of the whirlpool. I'll just take one pack of gum, nobody will notice. I'll just cheat on one quiz, who cares, we all do it? I'll just sneak a peak this one time, no big deal. Like the whirlpool though, the soft current is misleading. The 'just this once' mentality may be fine 'just that once'.... but just this once rarely ever happens. The current of the whirlpool gets stronger and stronger. Just this once becomes 'ah, a few times is fine' and that becomes 'just one more' until you're trapped in sin. Staring into the void. Caught in the whirlpool. Pretty soon you're at the bottom of the ocean.
At some points we all get there. Trapped by one thing or another. It doesn't even have to be big. Maybe it's small - pride, vanity, sleeping too much, etc. At one time or another we all end up at the precipice. At the edge of the void. Staring into the dark. Do we jump in, or rather fall in, or do we turn back before it's too late? Far too often it's the first. And far too often we don't even mean to. Part of the the problem is once we have that first compromise, it's harder and harder to say no.
If there current is so strong, if it's so hard to escape, how do we have any hope of doing it?
The answer might surprise you.
We don't.
Yeah, you heard me right. Alone, we can't do it.
So then what? We just sit there and let our demons control us?
Could that ever be the right answer?
WE can't make it alone. But we can do it if we turn to God. I am not strong enough to beat my shortcomings based on willpower alone. Maybe some of you are. But not me. The current is too strong. I try to swim out, but it pulls me in faster than I can control. But God can. He is stronger than the current. He reaches in to the depths and fishes me out, giving me the strength to move on. When I turn to Him, I can overcome all things, even climbing out of the abyss.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says:
"No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it."
God is with us in all of our trials, tribulations, and battles. And He's not going to let us be sucked under if we turn to Him. But we have to ask for help. So many times I know I could be better, but it's just easier not to try. Every time I ask for help I am able to ignore temptation and climb farther out of the abyss. Sometimes I reach and I fall, but He picks me back up again. As I stand on the precipice, He reaches out, fighting off the darkness. He beckons to me and you, trying to stop us from going over.
He goes into the depths and rescues us from the bottom of our own oceans - oceans of sin, darkness, depression, and fear. He pulls us out and sets us on high so that we might life for, with, and in Him.
We are not meant for the bottom of the ocean. We are not meant to fall off the precipice. We are meant for more. We are meant to show the world God's love. We are meant to be free. People say God's controlling. People say He has too many rules. You want to know why the rules are in place? The rules are there to free us. Weird, I know, but listen. God tells us not to commit adultery - including premarital sex, etc.. He doesn't do it so that he can deprive us of fun. What comes of it? Well unexpected pregnancies, sex/porn addictions, affairs, lies, hatred, families torn apart, etc. all because of a little lust. The rule is there so that we are free from all that. He says don't lie, not so that our lives are difficult, but to free us from getting trapped in our own lies; to free us from living a lie. These are just a few examples. The rules help to keep us from the edge in the first place. That's not controlling. That's love. True love is being able to say "You can't do this. If you do you'll destroy yourself." True love is able to tell someone no. Freedom from sin is the gift He gives, if we reach out and take it.
Still, often the rules are seen and ignored, or seen as limitations in spite of what they are. We all do it sometimes. In those moments, when we put ourselves on the edge, he reaches out, and draws us in. When we fall He digs in His heels and yanks us out. He dives into the deep and saves us from ourselves.
We are not meant for the bottom of the ocean.
---
It's easy to end up on the edge, and it's scary. But don't give in! It's not worth it, and it's never too late to turn back! God's right there, just waiting for you to ask for help!
If you've already gone over the edge, don't despair! It's never too late. God is waiting for you too. Just ask and He'll rescue you from the deep. You'll have to work with Him, He won't do it alone. But if you are willing to work with Him, you can climb out, and be lifted higher then ever before. David fell. Paul fell. Peter fell. But God pulled them up and set them as examples for what we can be. They were imperfect and caught in their own sins, but God turned them into something new and beautiful. They are examples for all. No matter how deep you are, you can be free. God uses everyone, and He's got a plan for you too.
Either way I STRONGLY suggest running to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Be free of all that's weighing you down. Don't let the current pull you in.
Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 whenever you are struggling. It's helped me tremendously and it can help you too.
The song I leave you with is Home by Phillip Phillips. Go listen to it. Imagine God's singing it to you.
Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
----
"My future is not a broken piano at the bottom of the ocean!" I exclaimed to my friends last week. But when I thought about it, it was so true. Not only was it true for me, but for everyone.
I am not meant to be a broken instrument. When I turn to God, He fixes me and makes me new. My future is meant to be bright and beautiful. I am meant to play a melody only I can play. My future is a brand new baby grand that plays loud for all to hear.
I am not meant to remain at the bottom of the ocean. I am meant to be free from the whirlpool. I am meant to be free from the depths of my own sin. God lifts me out when I turn to Him for strength. He sets me on high and lifts me up. He shields me from temptation and helps me to grow in love for Him and others.
My future is not a broken piano at the bottom of the ocean! And NEITHER IS YOURS!
Rejoice! In God our futures are something great: A concert on a mountaintop, loud enough for all to hear. A beautiful melody is played by The Player. A special song that only you can make. A special message to the world.
A concert on a mountaintop awaits you in Him. Be free. God is with you. Run to Him. Let Him play your song.
Until next time friends,
God Bless you! I'm praying for you all!
~Wanted~
And this whole void thing. A dark, vast empty space. An Abyss. Standing on the edge. About to fall. Reaching for the light, but slipping further into the dark.
Not really a happy picture.
These metaphors make a point. Sin is insidious. It at first appears simple. Fun. Inviting. Like the current at the edge of the whirlpool. I'll just take one pack of gum, nobody will notice. I'll just cheat on one quiz, who cares, we all do it? I'll just sneak a peak this one time, no big deal. Like the whirlpool though, the soft current is misleading. The 'just this once' mentality may be fine 'just that once'.... but just this once rarely ever happens. The current of the whirlpool gets stronger and stronger. Just this once becomes 'ah, a few times is fine' and that becomes 'just one more' until you're trapped in sin. Staring into the void. Caught in the whirlpool. Pretty soon you're at the bottom of the ocean.
At some points we all get there. Trapped by one thing or another. It doesn't even have to be big. Maybe it's small - pride, vanity, sleeping too much, etc. At one time or another we all end up at the precipice. At the edge of the void. Staring into the dark. Do we jump in, or rather fall in, or do we turn back before it's too late? Far too often it's the first. And far too often we don't even mean to. Part of the the problem is once we have that first compromise, it's harder and harder to say no.
If there current is so strong, if it's so hard to escape, how do we have any hope of doing it?
The answer might surprise you.
We don't.
Yeah, you heard me right. Alone, we can't do it.
So then what? We just sit there and let our demons control us?
Could that ever be the right answer?
WE can't make it alone. But we can do it if we turn to God. I am not strong enough to beat my shortcomings based on willpower alone. Maybe some of you are. But not me. The current is too strong. I try to swim out, but it pulls me in faster than I can control. But God can. He is stronger than the current. He reaches in to the depths and fishes me out, giving me the strength to move on. When I turn to Him, I can overcome all things, even climbing out of the abyss.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says:
"No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it."
God is with us in all of our trials, tribulations, and battles. And He's not going to let us be sucked under if we turn to Him. But we have to ask for help. So many times I know I could be better, but it's just easier not to try. Every time I ask for help I am able to ignore temptation and climb farther out of the abyss. Sometimes I reach and I fall, but He picks me back up again. As I stand on the precipice, He reaches out, fighting off the darkness. He beckons to me and you, trying to stop us from going over.
He goes into the depths and rescues us from the bottom of our own oceans - oceans of sin, darkness, depression, and fear. He pulls us out and sets us on high so that we might life for, with, and in Him.
We are not meant for the bottom of the ocean. We are not meant to fall off the precipice. We are meant for more. We are meant to show the world God's love. We are meant to be free. People say God's controlling. People say He has too many rules. You want to know why the rules are in place? The rules are there to free us. Weird, I know, but listen. God tells us not to commit adultery - including premarital sex, etc.. He doesn't do it so that he can deprive us of fun. What comes of it? Well unexpected pregnancies, sex/porn addictions, affairs, lies, hatred, families torn apart, etc. all because of a little lust. The rule is there so that we are free from all that. He says don't lie, not so that our lives are difficult, but to free us from getting trapped in our own lies; to free us from living a lie. These are just a few examples. The rules help to keep us from the edge in the first place. That's not controlling. That's love. True love is being able to say "You can't do this. If you do you'll destroy yourself." True love is able to tell someone no. Freedom from sin is the gift He gives, if we reach out and take it.
Still, often the rules are seen and ignored, or seen as limitations in spite of what they are. We all do it sometimes. In those moments, when we put ourselves on the edge, he reaches out, and draws us in. When we fall He digs in His heels and yanks us out. He dives into the deep and saves us from ourselves.
We are not meant for the bottom of the ocean.
---
It's easy to end up on the edge, and it's scary. But don't give in! It's not worth it, and it's never too late to turn back! God's right there, just waiting for you to ask for help!
If you've already gone over the edge, don't despair! It's never too late. God is waiting for you too. Just ask and He'll rescue you from the deep. You'll have to work with Him, He won't do it alone. But if you are willing to work with Him, you can climb out, and be lifted higher then ever before. David fell. Paul fell. Peter fell. But God pulled them up and set them as examples for what we can be. They were imperfect and caught in their own sins, but God turned them into something new and beautiful. They are examples for all. No matter how deep you are, you can be free. God uses everyone, and He's got a plan for you too.
Either way I STRONGLY suggest running to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Be free of all that's weighing you down. Don't let the current pull you in.
Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 whenever you are struggling. It's helped me tremendously and it can help you too.
The song I leave you with is Home by Phillip Phillips. Go listen to it. Imagine God's singing it to you.
Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home
----
"My future is not a broken piano at the bottom of the ocean!" I exclaimed to my friends last week. But when I thought about it, it was so true. Not only was it true for me, but for everyone.
I am not meant to be a broken instrument. When I turn to God, He fixes me and makes me new. My future is meant to be bright and beautiful. I am meant to play a melody only I can play. My future is a brand new baby grand that plays loud for all to hear.
I am not meant to remain at the bottom of the ocean. I am meant to be free from the whirlpool. I am meant to be free from the depths of my own sin. God lifts me out when I turn to Him for strength. He sets me on high and lifts me up. He shields me from temptation and helps me to grow in love for Him and others.
My future is not a broken piano at the bottom of the ocean! And NEITHER IS YOURS!
Rejoice! In God our futures are something great: A concert on a mountaintop, loud enough for all to hear. A beautiful melody is played by The Player. A special song that only you can make. A special message to the world.
A concert on a mountaintop awaits you in Him. Be free. God is with you. Run to Him. Let Him play your song.
Until next time friends,
God Bless you! I'm praying for you all!
~Wanted~
