Look Through Heaven's Eyes

Tag: worship

  • The Lie That Hitched A Ride

    The Lie That Hitched A Ride

    When I was around the age of six, televangelist were at their peak. I remember eating my breakfast, eyes glued to the TV, while the latest TBN guest told me all the steps needed in order to get my heart’s desires met by God. I had a whole list of things I wanted to pray for, but thought it best to focus on one at a time.

    I was the baby of the family and the only girl, with three older brothers. Number 1 on the list, I no longer wanted to be the baby or the only girl. I am not sure who or where I picked up the idea that if you weren’t specific enough in your prayers, God might get confused and give you the wrong thing. As if God isn’t omniscient, knowing what’s in my heart and mind better than I know myself.

    I remember pondering the exact words to use to make sure God understood exactly what I was asking for. I wanted a sister close to the same age as me so we could be best friends, and I would have a built-in companion. However, she had to be a little younger than me so that I wouldn’t be the youngest anymore. It’s important to note that I was adopted, so I wasn’t asking for a crazy miracle of my mom somehow having some medically mysterious pregnancy, granting me a sister that would be close in age. Adoption would be the way to go. I wrote down my prayer asking God to send me a sister with a birthday close to mine. (If I said little sister, God might send me a baby sister, and that’s NOT what I wanted).

    I prayed this prayer for my sister for 2 years, with no reply. When year 3 came around once again, after listening to whatever televangelist my mom had on, I found the reason that God had yet to answer my prayer. I was lacking faith. Back to the drawing board I went, and now in little 8-year-old Haley’s mind, what better way to show that I truly had faith that God would do what I asked for than thanking him for the sister that I knew He would send, and that’s exactly what I did. I began praying, Lord, thank you for giving me a little sister with a birthday close to mine.

    Shortly after I turned 9, my prayers were answered…well, sort of. My parents adopted a little girl whose birthday was February 21st; my birthday is February 26th, can’t get much closer than that, right? The only problem was that she was 9 years younger than me.

    However, could I really blame God? I was warned that if I wasn’t careful with my words, He might get it wrong, and after further examination of my prayers, I realized that I should have just said a little sister who was close in age to me. Hindsight is 20/20, right? While everyone talked and celebrated the answered prayer of little Haley, who displayed such faith and got her little sister, a core belief had developed in my heart that would follow me for over a decade.

    Most people believed that it must have strengthened my belief and faith in God and the power of prayer, and yeah, it did, but a sinister belief hitched a ride into my heart that. That belief that was nestled into a secret hiding spot in my subconscious was that God really doesn’t know me or understand me. He was confused by my prayer because He didn’t know what was in my heart. This lie slipped in beneath the surface and went undetected by me for a long time. More and more situations occurred during my childhood that would affirm this belief, feeding it without my knowledge. However, God did know what was in my heart and mind better than I did, and He had a plan all along.

    I share this short, story from my childhood to show an example of how those of us who have grown up in the church, learning scripture and fully believing in the power of God, sometimes (I would even go as far as saying more likely than not), have picked up core beliefs that effect our view of God and perception of the world our self-worth and identity that remain hidden in our subconscious. These beliefs can be damaging and create a block in our hearts from fully accepting the love of God that He desires to shower upon us.

    I encourage those who have grown up in the faith and those who are new to spend some time in prayer. Ask God what beliefs may be hidden in your heart that do not align with His word. If or when any are revealed to you, take some time to study scripture and seek God for the truth, and don’t be afraid to ask a friend for help. Godly counsel and good friends in Christ are incredibly beneficial for our growth, reminding us of what’s true.

  • Is Too Much Even Possible

    Is Too Much Even Possible

    “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” ~Ephesians 3:20–21

    “ Julius, you ‘re doing too much again.” That is one of the most common phrases you will hear in our house. Just a few moments spent with Julius, and you can see the energy radiating off of him. Nothing he does is done in moderation. It’s always full steam ahead.  After the children’s message, his feet carry him swiftly down the aisle, causing him to zoom right past our pew. Those sitting around us might hear him asking, “How many more songs until we can flag?”. He can barely contain himself, ready to wave that flag proudly for the Lord.

    At home from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., you can hear his not-so-little voice, asking questions, making dramatic sound effects for his toys, or singing his favorite song. Amidst all of this will come the moments of tears because he bumped his head once again, the toy he was roughly playing with broke, or he has a scraped knee. After comforting him for the 20th time that day, I will say, “Julius, maybe if you weren’t doing too much all the time, you wouldn’t get hurt so much”.

    Lately, I’ve been thinking that I might be wrong. Yes, even moms get it wrong sometimes. (Don’t tell my husband, as far as he needs to know, I am in fact always right). However, maybe Julius’ full-throttle attitude is just being misdirected and is not what needs to be changed.

    I have spent the last month studying the book of Ephesians. The whole book is filled with reminders of the things that God has done for us. He’s adopted us as children, seated us in heavenly places, given us access to every spiritual blessing, and reached down and brought us back to life. The list is endless and doesn’t account for the specific ways He has shown up in our individual lives.

    When I reflect on all the wonderful things that God has done, extending all the way back to the beginning of time, I can’t help but come to the conclusion that nothing I do to worship God and bring glory to his name is ever “too much”. Nothing we do or give can compare to what God has already done and already given to us, not to mention all the things he’s currently doing and has yet to do. So maybe instead of telling Julius he’s doing “too much”, I should learn to redirect his full-throttle mindset into living a life full throttle for God. While also asking God for some of that energy so that I may be more like Julius, living a life full throttled for God with the perspective that nothing is ever “too much” for God

  • Living as A Hallejuah

    Living as A Hallejuah

    “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true and proper worship.”
    Romans 12:1 (NIV)

    Everyone has that one song that ushers them right into the throne room of God, or if you are like me, a whole list of songs that bring me into the glorious presence of the King of kings.  A good praise song fills us up and reminds us of our true purpose. To bring glory to God. However, worship expands way beyond the confines of a Sunday worship service or an impromptu praise session in our car. It is a state of being, a way of life.

    Life becomes a lot less mundane when we approach everything we do as an act of worship. Cleaning dishes transforms from a daunting chore into a small yet beautiful act of worship to God. Changing your 1000th diaper, taking out the trash, mowing the lawn, even shoveling snow, is a way to glorify the maker of all things. The one who made our human bodies capable of doing all these things. The one who has gifted us this world for us to enjoy  never lacking new ways to take in His creativity and enjoy the beauty of it all. 

    Let’s see what happens when we change our perspective. What will happen to our hearts when we go through our day seeing each moment, every encounter as what it is, an opportunity to worship, a chance to do what we are made to do, glorify the Lord of Heaven and Earth.

    When you are out on the golf course, going for an evening walk, are you appreciating his craftsmanship by taking in the beauty of nature? Are you getting some exercise in, or are you recognizing the amazing way he designed our bodies by pushing your limits at the gym? Are you eating a simple dinner? Or perhaps you’re appreciating the creativity He’s placed in those around you, all while enjoying a meal. When we set ourselves on being living sacrifices, our days become a beautiful melody of worship to God. In all we do, whether we eat or drink, do it unto the glory of God 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Lord, teach me to worship with my whole life.
    Not just in songs, but in silence. Not just in church, but in traffic, in meetings, in messes. Let my choices, my words, my work, and my rest be a living hallelujah to You. Amen.