Clothed in Him

In my devotional this morning, the author challenged us to write down what we hoped God would do in our lives. I thought this was a really cool exercise and I am embraced the challenge. I journaled it, but I thought I would receive more accountability on my hopes for transformation if I posted my thoughts. So here are my ambitions for being clothed in God:

I want to be clothed in love, a love for others that compels people to draw near to God. A love that looks past flaws and sees beauty. A love that endures even when it's not easy to. A love that looks beyond myself and sees the hearts of others.

I long to be clothed in patience, with a heart that waits on Your timing. I long to be content with what I have, hopeful for what's to come and thankful for the process that will get me there. I want to embrace the journey, not looking to arrive but appreciating each step.

I hope to have great hope, hope found only in knowing Christ. Hope that He wants more for me, hope that He will do anything to give me more and hope that He won't leave me on the way. I want hope that inspires me to pray, hope that brings me to the foot of the cross and relinquishes all cares and worries then and there. Hope that walks away knowing the Lord has it all in His hands.

I wish for a mouth of purity. Words that encourage and do not tear down. Words that inspire and do not discourage. Words of truth, even when they're hard to say (and right motives in my heart as I do speak the truth). I long for words of kindness and hope, words that reflect a heart for God. Words that sing praise even when a song can't be found.

I long to learn from who I was, to be daily transformed into who I hope to be, beyond what I hope to be and instead to what God sees I can be. I hope to change, to be changed and allow God to change me. May I never be who I am now, but may I constantly be growing into an image of who He wants me to be.

May I be strengthened by faith to do beyond all I can ask or think with Your guidance. I long for faith that can move mountains and move me. May I have faith that challenges me to be a risk taker; may I not stay stagnant where I'm comfortable. I want to step out in faith to do great things for You.

And finally may I be a woman of humility and grace. May I offer forgiveness to those who hurt me and may I constantly reflect the forgiveness I received that fateful day on the cross. May I realize my flaws before seeking to point out the flaws in others. And may that humble me to know I don't deserve the grace I've been given. May God's grace and forgiveness inspire me to always forgive, no matter the cost to myself. After all the highest cost was paid for my forgiveness.

Lord, help me to be clothed in you more every day of my life. You are beauty and I long to be beautiful.

Bush Bashing

Yes, I'm about to go political on you for a moment. If you are opposed, feel free to ignore the post altogether. But I can't help posting about this topic. I reached a point of frustration and then found a moment of enlightenment, which I'd like to share with you if you are interested.

I try diligently to ignore the media in regards to politics in general, but specifically in regards to President Bush. I have been a Bush fan for a long time, which many of you know about me. The biggest point in his favor in my book is that he is a believer and is not afraid to admit it. He asks for prayer and prays himself. He is humble in recognizing that he can't tackle the job he has without the help of a greater power. I appreciate all of these things about him especially because he does these things while being strongly hated by a majority of the nation.

The nation makes no apologies for their hatred of Bush. They slam him in all directions, and even when it is not his fault. This week I saw an article about the Chinese government chastising Bush for speaking up about their questionable human rights policies. Next to the article was a picture of President Bush! I couldn't believe the blatant stab at President Bush for something he didn't do. Shouldn't there be a picture of the Chinese President? The man who made the heretical comments towards America? But no, they post a picture of our President in hopes that readers will see the picture, assume Bush bashing, and read with a hopeful eye for more criticism fodder. Needless to say this put me on guard.

I was talking this over with my friend Shiloh last night, and I came upon a fascinating idea. While I was in my fits of rage about this topic, I said that it frustrated me that we live in a nation so willing to openly hate its leader. And then, Aha! Luke 21:17 "You will be hated by all on account of my name." If President Bush is so hated by the people of this world, he must be pursuing God in a powerful way. I am by no means saying the he is perfect, that he does no wrong, but I do think that perhaps he is doing what God has called him to. If that's the case, no wonder the world hates him. The world hates what it does not understand. Although this doesn't completely pacify me about the Bush bashing, it does reassure me that the Lord is in control. He is bigger than the powers that be and bigger than the naysayers of the world. He is capable of doing far beyond all we can ask or think, politically and in all realms of life.

So next time you hear someone bashing Bush, and if you believe that he is walking with the Lord, take a deep breath and realize they aren't hating the man but the Christ within him. It reassures me a bit, hopefully it will to you as well.