Sparrows and Lilies

    It's been a week since my boyfriend and I had a mutual breakup. I remember him telling me, "The only reason I'd break up with you is if I see that I'm dragging you down or distracting you... How about you?" I replied, "Yeah I'd only break up with you for the same reason." We were in sin, our eyes were off of God. It felt completely right to break it off.

     I was completely fine with the breakup, in fact, it was a relief we did. I was more saddened by the fact that I was being a stumbling block than us breaking up. I was doing a lot better spiritually and I saw that he was doing a lot better spiritually too. I was filled with joy. Another reason I was filled with joy was because I was very optimistic that we were going to get back together. "If things keep going as they are now, we'll be spiritually strong and we can restart our relationship with the correct foundations!" Although that may be true, I didn't think about the possibility that this relationship might not be God's plan. I forgot to surrender to His will. I was so caught up with my optimism of getting back together that I was focused on my plan rather than God's perfect plan.

     My heart sank. "There's a possibility that we aren't going to be together. There's a possibility that there is someone better for us spiritually. Or even a possibility that I'll just be single forever." I had to remind myself to let go of control and remember that God's plan is the best plan and to surrender to His will. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

"A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

     I don't even know what my role is in the ministry, how could I think of dating someone right now? Where am I going to move to? When will I return to New York? Will I just continue a long-distance relationship if he doesn't decide to move to New York? Will I stay for him? 

     I have a lot to pray about. All I know is that I want to continue working for God. I want to find out what my gifts are and use for the kingdom. God will make it clear what is the best for the both of us. And if He makes it clear that we shouldn't be together then it's fine because in the end it is God who fills our every need. 

     I've learned a lot from our relationship: how easy it is to idolize people, how easy it is for me to find security, satisfaction, & sustenance in places other than God, how important it is to surround ourselves with older disciples, how deceitful our hearts are and the importance of asking for advice, how important it is to be vulnerable, how crucial it is to be honest & forthright when you need help, that being in a relationship is not about each other but how a couple could work together to advance God's kingdom, and so much more that I can go on and on about. I'm glad God was able to use this relationship that started off in sin to now refine our characters and draw us closer to Him. 

1 Thessalonians Chapter One 

 (v.3) We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

• “Work produced by faith”

  —> (James 2:26) For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead
  —> (James 2:17) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
  —> (Ephesians 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
  
  
   — Our good works are the result of our salvation. It’s not what saves us but what we do after being saved. If we love God we will obey His commands. We work hard in whatever we can work hard in: school, job, family, relationships etc… Our good works show His glory, His love, and His amazing grace. 
  
  

• “Labor prompted by love” 

  —> (2 Corinthians 5:14) For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
  —> (1 John 4:19) We love because he first loved us.
  —> (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Biblical definition of love
  
  
  — The motive of our works should always be love. We run away from sin because we love God more than our own sinful desires. We endure persecution because we love God. We evangelize because we know the love that God has for us and how much he wants us to also bring others to Him. Our labor should not have selfish motives or just be chores. We need to first fill ourselves with the love of Christ, only only then will our labor be prompted in love. Learn about His love, be filled by His love, show His love.
  
  

• “Endurance inspired by hope” 

  —> (Hebrews 11:1) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 
  —> (Hebrews 6:19) We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
  —> (Romans 15:13) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope
  —> (Hebrews 12:1-2) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
  —> (Romans 15:4) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
  

   - In a strange way, endurance produces hope and hope produces endurance. They work together. When we endure and follow Scripture, we can see how it is true and that gives us even more hope when trials come. And our hope in Christ motivates us to endure. 

   

  —> (1 Peter 1:5-8)  Kinda related to endurance
  
  
  — I don’t even know which verses to put here for endurance and hope lol since they're so much to both of them. But I guess I’ll start with the question: what are we hoping for? Are we placing our hope on something other than Jesus? Do we have that faith in what we hope for? In all trials, in all sufferings, in all obstacles in our life we can have peace and joy because we have hope in the Lord. Jesus Christ is our hope and our motivator to keep enduring.

The title of this chapter is "Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith." And it's inspiring to read why Paul is thankful for them. 

Thessalonians' Faith:

• Took the Gospel and used it powerfully
  - "because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction" (v.5)
• Their faith was evident to all those around them
  - "The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere" (v.8)

Verse 3 stood out to me because it's almost like a summary of how our faith should shine. I love how it ends with "in our Lord Jesus Christ" because only when we are in Him is all of this possible. He is our hope, our strength, our motivator, our perfect example.