"In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15

After writing my previous post about our journey to pregnancy, I received many personal emails from friends who have both struggled with infertility and miscarriage. Truth be told, I was humbled by the response and I want you to know how much it means to me that you would entrust me with your hearts. So before I go any further in this post, "Thank You" to all of you who shared your story. I feel personally connected to you and am praying over your lives.

The Sunday following, one of our college students approached me at church after the service expressing her gratitude for sharing my heart. As she was speaking, I realized that I simply shared the path we are taking...I had yet to share in full HOW we have come to be content and full of joy in this process; the key component in our faith.

So exactly what is this Key Component, you ask? I can explain this in TWO words.

God's Glory

All of life has been created and purposed for ONE reason and Only ONE. TO REVEAL THE GLORY OF GOD. Period. My heart, your heart, my life, your life, my words, your words, my actions, your actions, creation, etc. ALL...Glory...to...God...the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Want to know God's will for your life? Glorify the Lord in all you do. We were made to glorify God in everything, no matter what your life looks like; who you are to marry, who you are married to, where you work, what you eat, what you drink, how you speak, how you dress, or who you interact with: co-workers, friends, family. Everything in life was meant to be a reflection of God and his holiness; His glory. Let me take it even further. This means that when life doesn't "work out" the way we want it to, even how we respond to these disappointments should be glorifying to the Lord.

So here us just One Simple Truth that I have learned over the past couple of years.

GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER MY LIFE.

In simple terms, it means that God does not react to life the way our human minds do. We freak out, lose control, worry, get anxious, wrestle with decisions, and beg for God to work in us. He, on the other hand, is well aware of all we walk through and is waiting for us to take his hand and trust him as he works in us. Even in the hardest trial, God is working mightily in your life and it just might be for the sole purpose of revealing his glory.

Frustration in life's circumstances, anger in the heart, jealousy, pride, bitterness, un-forgiveness, discontentment, cravings for this world, even a heart that desires to "keep up with the Jones' '", these are all sure signs that we do not fully believe that God is sovereign and is evidence that we do not worship the Creator of the Universe, but instead worship ourSELF. "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) Our hearts are so deceived by the enemy that we cannot even get past the first of the Ten Commandments. We may not be out there comitting murder, or worshiping Baal, but we have learned how to set up an altar in our hearts and worship ourselves.

I have lived my entire life focused on MYSELF with a heart that loved the Lord. Though I have enjoyed life, my private outlook on life has always been one of seeing my circumstances in a negative light. I noticed that I was constantly frustrated when things were not going the way I had planned and as a result I became frustrated with God. I had always been taught that God loved me and wanted me to have the desires of my heart, but I didn't quite live this out. I thought IF God loved me, then why do I NOT have what I desire? He loves me, He sees me, so what's the deal? No matter how the circumstance turned out, if it wasn't the result that I was hoping for, I became frustrated. As a result, I lived with a false idea of God, his glory, love, holiness and grace and it played out in every area of my life. Why? Because it was in my heart and I believed it.

So what changed?

God's truth changed me. I began sensing the Lord changing my heart this past fall as I worked through my misconception of God. (Remember, I have always had a heart for the Lord, but I internally worshiped myself.) I came to a passage in Isaiah (40:10-15) that spoke about the power, gentleness, and glory of God as seen in his creation;

"The Sovereign Lord comes with power and he rules with a mighty arm...He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young...how he weighs the mountains on a scale and measures the waters in his hands."

Immediately after, are a few questions:

"Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it who taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?"

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Isn't this an example of us? We act as if God needs our counsel. We end up exalting ourself to a place that is greater than God. Our actions are a direct reflection of our self-exaltation and our lack of trust in God. We do not trust in the Sovereignty of God.

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Now, here is a piece of humble pie: verse 15 "Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales."

And as simple as turning on a light bulb, I got it. I made myself an idol and within worshiping my circumstances I asked the Lord to help me worship myself. And that, my friends, is sin. Life is about the revealing the glory of God, not ourselves. Any time that we worry or stress, or live in our anxiety, depression, or pride, we have lost our focus.

"[God] He has saved us and called us to a holy life. Not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us through Christ Jesus from the beginning of time." 2 Timothy 1:9

How is it that we have joy and contentment in our circumstances?

God is sovereign over our lives. Which means I have nothing to worry about. All that is required of me is to keep my focus steady on the Lord and be a reflection of his glory. When I do this, my life, no matter the circumstance, will glorify the Lord.