When life gives you lemons, give them to Jesus.

The heart stance:

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, right? Or when life gives you lemons, hardships, joy, and simplicity, give it to Jesus. All things belong to Him, yes?

I feel like so many times we feel like we deserve a little of that title, though. We did all the work, right? I have found myself wanting to have more than I have been given. Wishing to be on the mission field instead of my cozy house, on a stage somewhere. There, I could really point others to Christ.

But in prayer one day, Christ asked me never to take the seat of honor. Take the place of the revered leader. I thought that I couldn’t serve Christ well if I didn’t.

But through the Holy One, I realize that wasn’t really why I wanted this. I wanted to be seen, honored, and listened to. But in this, I would be stealing God Almighty’s glory and giving it to myself.

The question truly is, does Christ fulfill me? Is he enough for me? Is God everything, or am I trying to be filled with something else?

Stewarding the promise:

It starts with the promise. For me, I know I am called as a missionary. To bring forth the gospel. But in the season of growth and learning simply at home, I want more. Yes, I am called overseas, but there is such beauty in the mundane that Christ has put me in now. Everywhere you are placed is, in fact, your mission field! Are you content with the talents that He has given you now? You need the growth, tests, and quiet place talks to be ready to go onto the call. It only gets harder from here.

David was a shepherd before he fought Goliath. And he had to run from Saul in the wilderness for 13 years before he could become king. It’s the same with us.

Will you cherish the simple, mundane things that He puts in your everyday path? Say yes, with an overjoyed heart. This is our training ground. And I love it. This is the time to go all in, deep into the secret place, into worship, washing the dishes. It’s all used.

a box full of lemons — Photo by Fidel Hajj on Pexels.com

The kingdom of Heaven:

Jesus truly is our prize! Our perfect promise is sitting in the presence of God. I was lying on the back of my dad’s pick-up truck last night, totally immersed in the glory of our king. Wishing to stay there forever. Then it dawned on me, this is like eternity. So many times, I have chased after the checklist instead of the one that I am serving.

The thing is so simple that we often overlook it. Our serving is not what we are running towards. We are running to Christ. Amen.

But the kingdoms are flipped. In the kingdom of the flesh, we are constantly trying to build our own empire. Being self-dependent and climbing the ladder of success. On the other hand, the kingdom of Heaven is all about sacrifice. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:3

Putting aside our self-dependence to be dependent on God. We can’t do anything by ourselves in the kingdom of God. Only by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit can we truly preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. I have tried. Lol.

kitchen through the open window — Photo by Leeloo The First on Pexels.com

Passion divided:

Not in math terms. We can’t serve both kingdoms. Certainly, if you wish to be in the front, you probably need to be somewhere in the other room washing the dishes in praise of the king. Basically, the first is last, and the last is first. Accordingly, gazing into His majestic eyes. Fully immersed in His presence.

In that, I feel like the Hobbit life is the goal here. Not running for the glory but to surrender in Christ’s presence. Staying content with the cabbages, crying babies in the night, and cleaning the floors. All things are to His name’s sake. God’s glory. not mine. Dan 2:44.