100 word wedneday: be a realist...

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15

Paul was a student of his heart. He paid attention to the desires and impulses that churned within. I don't think it's a stretch to say that he knew he was capable--given the right circumstances--of the worst of sins and vilest of motives.

Paul was a realist. He wanted to see God and himself truly. No hiding behind a facade of pleasantness or religiosity for him. When we take a look within, let's be realistic. What's lurking in the crevices of our shady heart? Be a realist.

my crush...

I make no qualms about the crushes I develop because they are spiritual crushes. Yes, spiritual. For instance, I can have a huge crush on Hudson Taylor because he was strong, brave, smart, daring... and dead. I have can a crush on John Calvin because he's relentless, bold, wise, dutiful... and dead. But anyone who is anyone knows that my not-so-secret crush is Paul the Apostle who is brilliant, verbose, theologically sound, loves to travel, heals people from the dead, can survive a ship wreck and prison and, coincidentally, is dead. I somehow will manage to squeeze a scripture in from one of his written works in every study. Every. Study. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed or carnal because really, they're dead so put your stones away and remove the scarlet letter from my chest. I'm still holy ;)

I am moved to my core when I read his works and today was no exception in light of my fumbling through what I am going to say tonight. I was encouraged this morning during my devotions and was affirmed that if I was alive during the times of Paul, he'd love me. No really, he would love me. I'd make him. We're totally alike in so many things and if I'd ask him to wear the same Hawaiian print outfit out in public, he would. He'd totally would. We're that alike.

In the book of Acts Paul is writing his farewell letter to a group of people he knows he'll never see again. Because he's WAY smarter than I, I'll just quote him on this matter and say that I made it up. But it's totally okay because boyfriends let girlfriends do that ;)

¹⁹I served the Lord with great humility and with tears... ²⁰You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly... ²¹I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. ²⁴However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. ²⁷For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. [Acts 20: 19a, 20a, 21, 24, 27]

For those that have joined me on this journey, thanks so much for your commitment. For those that can care less and think I'm lame, be careful because my boyfriend can beat you up then heal you instantaneously. So there. If you want to join in for the last study on laziness, click here at 7PM (pst).