Stupid Cliches

This is going to be hard for me to admit, mainly because it’s more honest and embarrassing than I usually care to share. But I’ve been thinking about clichés and how they got to be clichés. The answer has to be because on some level, maybe even most levels, it is true. So here is a story about a cliché that is actually a good one.

One thing you need to know about me is that Gideon is my prayer spirit animal. He and I are definitely on the same page. In case his story is not one you are familiar with, let me fill you in. God asked Gideon to lead an army to take over a BIG army that was getting ready to go to war against the Israelites. He wanted to believe that God got it right, but he needed to make sure. So he gave God a test. He put out some fleece and told God if this really was what he was supposed to do, let the fleece be wet and the ground dry when he woke up the next day. If fact, he did it twice to guarantee it was not an accident. (Spoiler alert: it wasn’t an accident. And Gideon defeated an army with like 30 people because God’s awesome. Judges 6:11-8:21)

Anyway, I pray like that a lot. Sometimes I need God to give me signs so I know I am hearing His voice and not some delusion I made up. Most of the time, I use cars. Because God can make anything happen! He can make any car pass me at any moment. And that’s how I pray. 

As many stories seem to start, “so there was this boy…”. And he was great. A real solid dude. The kind of dude that I thought maybe would be the marrying type. So I got to praying.

I live by a bunch of car dealerships and one of them had this bright purple jeep right in the front. I love a good jeep, but it was a crazy bright purple! I figured the chances of it selling where about the same as this guy realizing he was supposed to marry me. So I prayed and told (as if I have any power) God that jeep was going to be my sign. When it wasn’t there anymore, I would know something big was about to happen!

Every day I drove past that dealership, and every day that purple jeep was still there. Then one day, I got to carve out some super intentional and real time with God. I got to have a very honest conversation about where I was at emotionally and literally cried out to Him. I knew that He loved me and He was listening. So that was good enough for the moment.

That same day, I drove past that same dealership and the purple jeep was gone. Then I heard it. “I needed you to know I am enough for you. Even if this boy is not the one, I am still enough for you.” And you know what, He is.

God is enough for you. He is literally all you need. You don’t need that person or that job or that money or that car. God is enough. If fact, He really is the only thing you need. But that’s phase 2. Realizing He is enough is phase 1.

My point is this: prayer is powerful. Pray the bold prayers and the scary prayers. The prayers maybe you are not even sure you want answered. And yeah, the outcome might not be what you really hoped it would be. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pray it. Because often, it’s in those moments that God shows up and reminds us exactly who He is.

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I'm Here For You

This is going to be short and to the point. But in light of recent events, I wanted to put this out there:

Here’s the reality: life is far from perfect. There is so much hurt and deception and evil in the world. Some of it is just things we hear about on the news. Some of it is affecting you personally. Some of it just causes you to pause and think about your life. Some of it literally feels like your world is crashing down around you. Recently, I was reminded of something very important that I need you to know. Whatever it is that you are facing, God is bigger than it.

If you feel like everything around you is full of darkness, God is the light of the world (John 8:12). If you feel like you are a mistake, God crafted you. There’s no way you can be a mistake (Psalm 139:14). If you feel weak and broken, God is your strength (Psalm 118:14). If you feel unloved, God literally is love (Psalm 36:5-7). God is a million times bigger than the giant that is in front of you. He wants you to put on His armor and run toward your giant. There is no need to fear about coming out victorious. Jesus has already won the victory.

You’ve probably said or heard the phrase, “if you everything need anything, I’m here for you” more times than you can count. I know I have, but I still will continue to say it. Why? Because of those few times people take me up on it. If that’s where you are at, I’m here for you. Go ahead and message me! I don’t care if we’ve never really talked before. I don’t care if we have talked but we’ve lost touch. I don’t care about how awkward it may or may not be. I never want anyone to feel like they are alone in this world. Because you are not. You are loved by an Everlasting God. You are treasured by the Maker of the stars. You are important to the King of universe. You are not too far, too messed up, or too broken for Him. And I will tell you that every single day until you believe it if you need me to.

You are loved. You are treasured. You are important.