We're All So So Caught Up With the World's Perspective...

From February 18, 2011

We’re all so so caught up with the world’s perspective on things…

I feel like we rarely consider God’s perspective.  Especially of ourselves.  In the view of the world, there’s always something we have to strive for - better body, another degree, more, money, a man.  But with God, all we have to strive for is Him.  And going after Him brings forth a greater reward than anything this world can give us.

Matthew 6:33


But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.

What spawned that thought, though, was specifically in regards to our image.  We’re never quite there spiritually (thankfully God loves us anyway), but physically, God sees us and thinks we’re perfect as we are.  And it’s true.

And I might keep my mouth shut when someone calls a person “ugly”, but I really shouldn’t, because I think that’s the most horrible thing.  So many people struggle with deep self-esteem issues because they can’t see how beautiful they really are and it’s this perception of “beauty vs ugly” that we willingly perpetuate that contributes to that to an extent.  No one is ugly.  I can honestly say that.  And who are we to call one of God’s precious creations that?

I’ve had this experience a few times that was absolutely amazing where God allowed me to see people exactly as He sees them.  And as my eyes scanned the room, I truly found every person I laid my eyes on as absolutely beautiful.  And to know that’s how God sees everyone all the time - it was both unbelievable and convicting.

That’s how I need to see people all the time.  That’s how we all need to.  How can we embody the love of Christ we claim to follow if we’re shooting others down with judgments on their physicality, of all things?

Anyway, just some thoughts this morning.

Boldness in Truth.

From June 5, 2011

It’s not my goal in life to piss people off, but with my beliefs and the fact that I’m not gonna be quiet about them, I know that it’s inevitable - I’m gonna piss a lot of people off.  Not that I ever plan to be judgmental with the portrayal of my views or shove them in people’s faces - but I am going to speak them, even though I know a lot of them are grossly unpopular in today’s world, and I know that some people will get upset.

But if the only way to keep people happy is to not share how I feel, to not stand up for what I vehemently believe in, then I’d rather have most of the world mad at me.  Because no matter what, God’s gonna love me.  And I’m not vying for the world’s approval or idea of success.  I wanna see a change come about in the current moral climate of this world, and keeping my mouth shut because I’m afraid how I feel might offend someone or cause some conflict just isn’t going to work if I want to see something happen.  Forming quiet arguments in my head but otherwise letting everything else be - that accomplishes nothing.

I won’t be that woman holding up the insensitively-worded sign while screaming at people on the street - oh no.  But if everyone else can be vocal about what they believe, then so can I.  I will.  And it might piss some people off.  But if there’s just that one person who isn’t pissed, but ends up changed for the better or even just encouraged to keep holding on to what they believe because of a blog I post or a movie I make or a statement I’ve made or a satirical rap I’ve written - then that’s what’s worth it.

Gosh, I'm Blessed.

From June 24, 2011

I have so much.  I guess it’s easy to get caught up in the trap of “wanting more”, but I think the better way is to focus on the fact that God has a plan.  And He promises to provide all of our needs.

A few months ago, I was frustrated with the way my life was going, but as I spent more time with God, I realized how detrimental that was.  So I made a point to focus on something good in my life every time I was tempted to complain.  And it really has helped to change my perspective (and you know, as well as good ol’ fashioned prayer).

And it’s like - what do I possibly really have to complain about?  Starting with the fact that I get to spend eternal life with a Savior who loves me more than I can fathom.  That fact alone overrides anything negative I encounter in life.  I mean, life on earth is temporary - Jesus is forever, you know?

But even beyond that.  I’m healthy.  I’m well-fed.  I live in a nice house.  I have amazing parents, a great little brother, and the best friends in the world.  I’ve been blessed with plenty of talents that I get to use often, and Selena Gomez just released the catchiest song ever that has made my day.  When I really take a second to dwell on it, it’s hard to find anything worth complaining about in the face of my blessings.

It’s just something I implore everyone to do.  Life isn’t perfect at all.  And sometimes really terrible things do happen.  But often times, I think we make bigger deals than necessary out of the so-called bad things in our life.  And if you’re a follower of Christ, you have the comfort of knowing that God will work all things for the good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).  So even when something truly unfortunate happens, we know that something good will eventually come out of it.

Just having this perspective - little inconveniences, like being stuck on a train in the middle of nowhere for two hours, doesn’t seem so bad.  And even bigger things - like the fact that my parents are divorced - aren’t so detrimental.  Because at least the train didn’t crash and at least both of my parents are active in my life, so you know, I’m choosing not to focus on the bad.  I’m choosing to focus on God, trust in His plan, know that He’ll work out things for the good, and relish in the blessings He’s given me.

The Casey Anthony Trial

From July 6, 2011

I guess not everyone’s gonna see it this way, because I’m looking at it through a Christian perspective, but I have some things to say about this:

Everyone’s saying that justice wasn’t served for Caylee because of the verdict that was reached today in the Casey Anthony trial.  And that’s true - if the flawed, human government was the ultimate authority on justice.

But it’s not.  True justice belongs to the Lord.  And the jury today may have done young Caylee wrong, but there is true justice to be found in the situation.  We may not be able to see it now.  We may never be able to see it.  But at least take some hope that God does have everything under control.  It is all in His hand.  And Caylee is in heaven right now, basking in the love and beauty of our Savior.

And even if the government did fail to deliver proper justice to Casey Anthony, know that the Lord is a just God and He’ll take care of it.  And know that justice isn’t always what we think it’ll look like or what it to look like.  And it doesn’t always come right away or when we think it will.  But true justice will be served in its due time.  Or rather, in God’s time.

And you know, I can’t hate Casey Anthony for this.  I can’t wish her dead.  And though the evidence against her is certainly insurmountable (though I guess technically not, given the verdict, but you know what I mean), I don’t even feel comfortable saying too much about her and the situation because yes, I can make my educated guesses and feel confident in them, but naturally I don’t know what exactly happened because I wasn’t there.  But you know, more than anything, I just want to pray for her.  Hope that she gets to experience the redemptive love of Jesus, that He’ll change her life and transform her.  I sincerely hope that for her above her death or even being jailed for life.

Because you know, here’s the thing about mercy - not a single one of us deserves it.  But Jesus gives it willingly to whoever wants it, no matter what they’ve done or deserve.  So I’ve really been inspired to adopt that attitude myself.  And hold out on hope that good can come of this.  That even the vilest people can be changed and forgiven.

And here’s the kicker: If Casey Anthony were to sincerely come to Jesus, then all of her sins would be completely wiped away, just like anyone else who comes to Jesus.  And she’d get to spend eternity in paradise, no matter what she had done in the past.

Isn’t that crazy?  But amazing - the limitless nature of Jesus’s forgiveness.  All we have to do is accept Him, and it’s all wiped free.  It’s so crazy.  So crazy.

I feel weird, though, even making such statements about Casey Anthony like I just did.  I don’t know her.  I don’t know where she is with God, so you know - that was more so to make a point then to make a point as to whether or not she’s saved right now.  Because I mean, what do I know?  Nothing, really.  Just that Jesus’s love, grace, and forgiveness knows no bounds, and I think that’s absolutely amazing.

And I still think the first response to have in regards to all of this is to just pray for her.  Animosity, hate, negativity - it does absolutely nothing.  Even if it’s “deserved” - it makes nothing better and everything bitter.  Responding in love, though, no matter the circumstance - that’s where it’s at.  We all have so much to say about Casey Anthony, but do you know that Jesus loves her more than anyone can imagine?  Not that I condone her actions at all - of course not.  What happened to Caylee is absolutely terrible.  But I think there’s still always room for love, no matter whatever.

This is the kind of crazy Christian talk that’s gonna make everyone hate me when I get to Hollywood in August, huh?  haha I imagine a lot of people rolling their eyes at all this (which is why I’m not even tagging this post as “Casey Anthony”).  But you know - whatever.  I’m gonna stand up for Jesus and all that He embodies, no matter what.  Because that’s all that makes sense to me, and I know I’m not a fool for it.  I know I’m not crazy for it.  And if I know that, then I really can’t be bothered what other people have to think about it.  What can those people offer me, anyway?  Nothing that Jesus can, that’s for sure.

Real Life Application

From October 30, 2011

So there are two subjects I tend to talk about a lot on the various social networks I’m apart of:

Jesus Christ and Demi Lovato.

In fact, I am sure I have lost facebook friends and twitter followers for the amount I talk about each.  Which doesn’t bother me at all.

In fact, I want to be known as a follower of Christ.  I want people to think of Jesus when they think of me.

And I know people associate me with Demi Lovato.  Whenever something notable happens with her, I’m the first one people think to tell (as if I didn’t already know…?)

But here’s the thing - yes, I will refer to myself as “Lovatic” (shamelessly - I don’t care if I’m 22; I freakin’ love that girl), but that’s not at all what I really identify myself as.  If there’s a label I’m gonna slap on myself, a group of followers I find my identity with, it’s Christian.  That’s what it is for me - follower of Jesus.  He’s number one in my life.

Of course I have to keep myself in check, though.  I’d be a liar if there haven’t been moments where I have to take a step back and make sure I’m not getting carried away with this Demi Lovato business, because the last thing I’d want to do is inadvertently make her an “idol” in her life, which so maybe people do with celebrities of her status.  And I’ve never been one for “celebrity worship”, but it comes closer that I’d like with her sometimes (probably because I see her more than just a “celebrity”, but that is not the point of this post).

But when you wait in line for hours to just see a person in concert, you gotta double check to make sure your priorities are straight.  You gotta make sure that you’d do the same for Jesus - that you’re doing the same for Jesus.  Kind of referring to myself in the 2nd person here, and that’s weird.  I mean, I was practically obsessed with her album “Unbroken” as in it was the only thing I really listened to for two weeks, and it’s helpful to do a self-introspective, just to make sure I’m giving Jesus even more attention.

But at the end of each brief introspective, I so certainly arrived at the same conclusion - of course Jesus Christ is above Demi Lovato!  That’s a no-brainer.  If Jesus was to my right and Demi as to my left, I’d be turning right every single time.  I love Demi, yes, but it doesn’t even come close to how I love my Savior.  So of course it’s Jesus before and above Demi. Of course.  In my mind, it’s been an easy conclusion to come to.

And it’s the same with anything in life, of course (i.e. the amount of time I spent on twitter versus in the BIble, etc, etc), but I am zeroing in on Demi Lovato in this post for a reason.

The reason: Well, tonight I was made aware that Demi is giving a mini-concert in Hollywood tomorrow in which free tickets were possibly available for.  Now I found out about this extremely last minute, so I knew that I probably wasn’t going to get tickets if I requested them, but still - I went berserk.  I’m surprised I haven’t put “Demi Lovato Concerts” under my facebook interests or activities, but I love them so much - the best nights of my life have been spent watching her perform live in front of me.

But what drove me into further agony (exaggerated for dramatic purposes) was not just the fact that I found out so last minute, but the fact that it directly conflicted with something I’d already said I’d do: feeding the homeless with a group from church.

Now I’ve been really looking forward to this all week.  Ever since I’ve gotten to California, it’s been eating at me the lack of opportunities I’ve had to just straight up serve.  It’s just - life makes so much sense in those moments of service, and I just love doing it.  I love God being able to use me to share his love and resources to those who truly need it, so I was so grateful for this opportunity to get to do some hands-on service - especially since homeless ministry is something that’s really on my heart (as you may have read in a previous post of mine from August).

But guys…Demi Lovato!  Live performance!  I just dreamed last night that I was seeing her in concert.  Ever since I saw her in September, I’ve wanted so badly to just see her again.  I’ve just been waiting for the next opportunity to see her live, and here it was in front of me!

And that’s where the conflict brewed.  I honestly felt so torn.  And the prospect of Demi was pulling me so strongly from my previous obligation.  Of course all the rationalization started in my head - “I could leave early!”  Except that wouldn’t work - I couldn’t do both. “It’s a rare opportunity!  I can feed the homeless another time.”

Except how many times have I seen Demi Lovato in concert?  Well, if I were to go tomorrow, it would be the fifth. Freakin’ five times, with the last being just a month ago where I was just a few feet from her - so close that we actually had a moment.  And in the midst of this conflict waging inside of me, I knew that even if I got the ticket, I couldn’t go.  I just couldn’t.

First off - integrity.  I made a commitment.  I’m not going to back out at the absolute last minute for my own selfish desires.

Which is conveniently reason number two - that is such an incredibly selfish thing to do.  These people with no shelter, no food - they have absolutely nothing.  I was going to turn my back on them to indulge myself?! I already have so much more than them, and I was going to pamper myself further by seeing a singer who I’ve already see four times before?!  The more I think about it now, the more it just kind of disgusts me. That I was even considering that…

And what it really boils down to is what I was writing about earlier - Jesus Christ vs Demi Lovato.  And I was always so firm that of course Jesus wins, but it’s so easy in hypothetical situations or when I’m delegating what my priorities feel like or what I just want them to be.  But when faced with a practical situation that truly embodies this “conflict”, I realized that Jesus almost lost out.  Because is not service to those in need what Jesus calls us to provide?  This situation is what His parables are made of.  Like all the stories of the rich men who could not give up their riches for Him - it’s the same principle.

And I just had this imagine of arriving in Heaven.  And Jesus bringing it up, “Remember that time you went to see Demi Lovato instead of serving the homeless?”  And I won’t be banished to hell or anything for it, but I think of Matthew 6:19-21, which is about storing up your treasures in heaven.  And as much as I love Demi Lovato, as much as I would love to see her perform tomorrow - what does it really amount to?  50 years from now, I won’t even remember it.  But sharing the love of Christ - that goes a long way.  That’s permanent.  That’s going to transcend into eternity.

And it just really has settled within me now.  Like if my life is going to be all about Jesus, if I’m gonna follow Him with all I got, then it affects my decisions in everything.  Even seemingly little things like this.  Because it’s more than “Feeding the homeless vs seeing Demi Lovato perform.”  It’s even more than “Jesus Christ vs Demi Lovato”.  What it boils down to is “Jesus Christ vs the World.”  And even if it’s nothing inherently evil that’s opposing Him in my life, it still comes down to what’s most important.  Is it Jesus or is it not?

And for a second there, it almost wasn’t.  I was so ready to leave the needy behind for Demi Lovato.  And it honestly took a lot of internal wrestling to be set in my decision to not see Demi Lovato if I got that ticket.  And even when I reached that decision, I could still feel that agonizing feeling in my chest - it was hard to be okay with my choice.

Now I’m convicted in it - it’s been a few hours now since that conflict arose.  Now it’s just so glaringly obvious - if Jesus is number one in my life, He has to be in everything.  And if it boils down to doing something that He commanded us to do, sharing His love, giving the resources He’s blessed me with to those who really need it over seeing my absolute favorite artist perform live, then that’s how it’s going to have to be.  Because I love Demi Lovato.  Heck, I love my friends even more.  My family even more.  But no matter what, it has to be Jesus absolutely first.

Because obviously there’s nothing wrong in going to a Demi Lovato concert (and if there is, then I’m screwed, because like I said, I’ve been four times).  But to choose her over doing the work of the Lord - that’s when it becomes wrong.

It was just a little lesson for me tonight in priorities that ultimately became a strengthening in my perspective.  It was reminder that Jesus has to be first in every little thing.  And to not let other influences creep up in there and rob Him of his number one stop.

It reminds me of the myspace days, when I’d meticulously choose who’d be in what order on my top 8 - it was so ridiculous, but so much clout was put on that back then.  And if myspace was still relevant, and I was being completely honest with myself - who (or what) would hold the number one spot?

Jesus.  It has to be Him.  It can’t be anyone or anything else.  Everything else will fade away, but Jesus is eternal.  I could indulge myself in Demi Lovato’s voice and presence for a half hour tomorrow, or I could let God use me to provide for people who otherwise may not even have a meal tomorrow night.  And really, it’s a no brainer.

Just found out that the tickets are “sold out” (weird terminology to use for free tickets, but whatever…) anyway, so I guess ultimately, it didn’t matter.  Except it did, because I need to know these things about myself.  I need to be so sure in my faith and be willing to do whatever for it.  So I’m glad for the learning experience God brought into my life.  And I know there will be plenty of other times to see Demi Lovato again.  But I’m more concerned with doing His will all that I can, you know?

I do have to comment on the contrast of either spending my time around the Kardashians (who are hosting the thing Demi’s performing at) or with the homeless.  Granted, the Kardashians are doing this for Extreme Home Makeover, which is a great, great thing, but it kind of makes me chuckle in that ironic sort of way.  This event is going to be going on literally 4 minutes away from where I’ll be feeding the homeless, and it’s crazy to think of that contrast.  Kim Kardashian had a $20,000 wedding cake, and the people I’ll be serving tomorrow have nothing.

That just further drives things into perspective for me.