'Cause that's what He does...

Wow,  where in the world did the last month go? I feel like just in a blink Christmas was here and gone. It was such a wonderful time with friends and family. To go home, and just rest for a month was so glorious and just what I needed. Blessed time it was.

Shortly after Christmas was over, we took off to Atlanta, GA for Passion 2012, and what an INCREDIBLE & BLESSED time it was. The speakers and musicians that were gathered in that place was like a spiritual combustion -- but bigger and more astounding than that was the name of JESUS was lifted HIGH in that place like no other. Freedom, was the cause. And freedom came for many. Chains were not only broken, but obliterated. To say it left me humbly on my knees is I feel an understatement.

Christy Nockels said something that struck such a cord with me that I will cherish forever when describing her song "We'll Sing Along"...

She said,

"'Cause that's what He does. He takes little songs, little lullabies and turns them into anthems. His eyes are roaming throughout the earth, seeking to show himself to those whose hearts would be fully committed to Him."

wow. Yes, Lord.

That's what He does, turns little lullabies into anthems. Little cries that you have in your heart, little desires that are tucked into the corner of your mind that you think about right before you go to sleep, or find yourself randomly thinking about that you quickly determine could never happen --- He morphs, transforms, blooms, blossoms, cultivates, springs forth them --- into ANTHEMS. 'Cause that's what He does. 

And in that we surrender. Why? Because He has WON, and because in no way of our own could we ever take these little songs in our hearts and make something out of them. We raise our white flag, saying YES LORD, walking in the way of your truth, we wait for you, we declare you, and we stand on you, because that is where freedom resides... and that is where, lullabies becomes anthems. 

gotta bring the tacky.

Christmas season beckons the obvious occurrence of none other than... a tacky Christmas party. Something about those sweater treasures that jingle jangle from all points in the room, and has maybe something of the like of bears dancing around a Christmas tree - just brings a smile to my face. The more hideous, I mean festive, the better.

coffee time.

I have never been a morning person until the past two years. Now, I love getting up when everything else is still to just read, spend time with the Lord, just be- before the craziness of the day starts. Especially over the break, I am so thankful for these times of nowhere to be, no plans, can read (drink endless coffee with a big cozy blanket by the fire) as long as I shall desire...

the limb.

"Be willing to go out on a LIMB with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the SAFEST place to be. Your desire to live a risk-free life is a form of unbelief. Your longing to live close to Me is at odds with your attempts to minimize risk. You are approaching a crossroads in your journey. In order to follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your tendency to play it safe."

{Jesus Calling}

and bam. there you have it, my life (in a nutshell).

This is one of those - every single word deeply touches every string in your heart - kind of reading things. It might as well have started, "Hey Taylor, this is for you, so listen up and listen closely." I am so guilty of playing it "safe" sometimes. The limb scares me. There, I said it. Risk, not typically my cup o tea. But what's faith in "our" safety? The child-like faith we are called to, trusting that like He says He will sustain me, a lot of times disintegrates in the face of fear. We have to question our so-called safety if it is in make-shift securities, that we have created. Yes Lord, I trust you buuuttt I'm going to stay near the trunk because who knows what's going to happen ... Well, HE does know what is going to happen!

 "Your desire to live  a risk-free life is a form of unbelief." Wow, talk about convicting. With some areas of our lives it is so easy to trust Him and go out on the limb, knowing for certain He will provide, sustain, and be faithful. However, there are the others that as soon as we even think about stepping towards the limb handicapping fear literally meets us face to face and we start slowly stepping back, shying away from the thing the Lord has for us. Talking to someone I greatly respect the other day made me realize - that's ungodly, and unbelief, and it's time to call it what it is. Something we have to stand on, stand against, and say no to - stepping right through. Faith is risky. Period. After all, He risked everything for us. 

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

 {Psalm 55:22 NIV}

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my VICTORIOUS right hand. 

{Isaiah 41:10 NLT}

Isn't it interesting that though that the scariest place for us to be is often the place that makes us feel most alive? -- because it's not about us and it's everything about the power of the sweet Lord, and His movement, and sustainment alone. That is where we are called to be. The enemy so greatly wants to stop us before we are even to get going, by fear. Fear is not of the Lord, and hundreds of times throughout the Word, He tells us "fear not" because He knows this will be a huge component of battle for us. The safe place for us to be is in the center of the Lord's will, and if He is calling us to step, we better get stepping because His power is every single step, as slowly but surely leave our will behind. He needs us to be proactive in our faith, not spending months and months of begging us to let go, convincing us to be obedient, and move. Our stubbornness can certainly leave us next to the trunk for way too long. How long are we going to stay there? By not moving are we painting our lives to look like we want it, or are we letting the Lord, the Artist, brilliantly paint what He intended?

We have created this fort-like structure around us (girls, especially - you know we have).  Of course, it may not appear to be safe in being transparent, vulnerable, being fully known, letting people in, moving to this city, starting this career, trusting He will provide - BUT He who promised is FAITHFUL. It may not even be our desire to be doing this, but we have to look at our lives and evaluate if indeed it is our tendency. However, we are approaching a crossroads in our journey (or for me at least I am there) and in order to follow Him WHOLEHEARTEDLY we must relinquish the desire and tendency to play it safe. 

Stand in less fear, and MORE faith.

Abraham was not safe when abandoning everything he knew to go to place he didn't even know.

(or to offer up the only son, through whom all descendants would be blessed.)

Esther, not even supposed to be in the temple, speaks on behalf of an entire people group that was said to be demolished by the very kingdom she was in, and over. Not safe.

David & Goliath, I mean, c'mon.

Sarah in believing what the Lord had told her to have a son when she was well past the age.

Crossing the Red Sea, yeah.

(the lists goes on ... )

The Lord obviously doesn't quite do things as we would, thank goodness. Let's accept the adventure and the wild ride He has for us, because we know and trust the One who is leading us, who is sustaining, and whose glory we are after exalting. He can do infinitely more than I could ever imagine or think, and He is more than worth it. I am embracing the limb, and quite excited about doing so! 

"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." 

{Luke 1:45}

Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend.