Greater

2015 can be summed up into one little word: greater.

In 2015, I learned that God is greater.

Here are a few of the many ways I learned that God is greater this year:

-God is greater than my sin. God is using my sin to teach me how much I really, really need Him and His never-failing forgiveness. Jesus died for my wrongdoings. He took my place. On the cross. For me. I did everything wrong, but He did nothing wrong. He died for me because HE LOVES ME SO MUCH! When I'm tempted to sin, I must remind myself, "God is greater than that temptation." Wow, what a Savior!

"Jesus, loves me, this I know. And I know it's not because of anything I've done. This love is unconditional. So, at my worst or at my best, You don't love me less, You can't love me more. This I know for sure."   -- "This I Know" by Jenny Simmons

"The more you show me, the more you grow me!"   --  "The More" by Downhere

"There is love that came for us. Humbled to a sinner's cross. You broke my shame and sinfuless. You rose again victorious. Faithfulness, none can deny. Through the strom and through the fire, there is truth that sets me free: Jesus Christ who lives in me. You are stronger. You are stronger. Sin is broken. You have saved me. It is written: Christ is risen. Jesus, You are Lord of all. No beginning and no end, You're my hope and my defense. You came to seek and save the lost. You paid it all upon the cross. So let your name be lifted higher. Be lifted higher, be lifted higher."    --  "Stronger" by Hillsong

"I was the one who pierced Your side. I put every thorn on Your head. Through the feet and through the hands, I placed all of my sins. But love was stronger. But love was stronger. You are stronger than my sins You carry to the cross with resurrecting love."    --  "Love Was Stronger" by Audio Adrenaline

"On a hill called Calvary stands an endless mercy tree. Every broken, weary soul find your rest and be made whole...It is finished was his cry. The perfect lamb was crucified. His sacrifice, our victory.Our Savior chose the mercy tree...Death has died, love has won. Hallelujah! Jesus Christ has overcome. He has risen from the dead. One day soon, we'll see his face. And every tear, he'll wipe away. No more pain or suffering! Oh, praise him for the mercy tree!" --  "Mercy Tree" by Lacey Sturm

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. -- Ephesians 2:8-9

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” -- James 4:6

-God is greater than my health problems. There will be days where I feel like my ever-changing health status is too hard to bear. Or just plain hard. But it is through my weakness, through my inability to be perfect, that I realize God's grace is enough. That Christ's perfection can be manifested in my imperfections. That I realize God can be glorified in and through my pain. That I realize God's power is made perfect in weakness. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that God is sovereign. His plan is perfect and good. Suffering brings us to our knees and points to something GREATER than ourselves: Jesus! Suffering is a result of man's sin. Suffering produces endurance and perseverance. God wants us to glorify Him through our suffering. The suffering I am going through is going to help me, grow me, stretch me, and ultimately make me more like Christ.

My health may come and go (I may be sick one day and well the next), but God loves me before, during, and after my sickness. His love continues forever.

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. -- Psalm 100:5

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

"I will follow, I will press on even when the walk feels long. Your hands hold me together. Your love is with me forever. Through the broken, through the victory, I will praise You through it all, and run hard ‘til the race is done. I’m gonna press on...How many storms have I been through. How many led me right to You. You’re using the pain, the hardest days for my good. So what do I fear? God, You are with me, guiding my steps today. Through the mountains, valleys, sun and rain, Lord, lead the way."   --  "Press On" by Mandisa

-God is greater than persecution. Everything that is going on right now (even persecution) is the center of God's will. He had it planned way before I did. What lessons can you be learning from your persecution? Everything is sovereignly placed in your life for a reason and for a specific purpose. Are you learning from your pain and heartache? God is good, and He is with you in every moment of your life. Whether exciting or boring. Whether hard or easy. You can rely on and trust Him because He is good.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?" -- Romans 8:35

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." -- Romans 8:37-39

-God is greater than adversity. We are called to be thankful IN adversity, THROUGH adversity, and FOR adversity. And that's very hard to do! How can we do that in our own strength? The answer is: we can't! We are finite, sinful beings. It's only through Christ living in us, and Christ working through us, that we can glorify God in our hardships.

-God is greater than relationships. Relationships with gals and guys are a huge blessing from God. But, sometimes, I put relationships over Christ. Sometimes, I think that Christ's love isn't enough and that I need a person to love me. I was wrong in thinking that. I realized that when you rely on relationships with guys/girls to give you joy and purpose, you will be let down. God loves me unconditionally. He's given me purpose - before any relationship even started! God wants me to grow in my relationship with Him, first, and value a relationship with Him more than a relationship with a guy/girl. Nothing will ever fully satisfy me but the love of my Savior on the cross for me.

-God is greater than having fun, which only lasts a little while. Have you ever noticed that when you have fun, time flies by so quickly and you wish you could go back in time and re-live those fun moments? Me, too. I am so thankful for all of the fun I had this year! It is truly a blessing from God. But guess what gives me even more satisfaction than having fun? God's Word, the Bible. When I read God's Word, I am satisfied eternally because I realize what's really important in life -- not "having a good time," but bringing glory to God with every part of your life.

"Happiness is temporary. It’s here and gone in a flash of light. Troubles come without a warning. To turn the day into the night...I’m gonna dance to the beat of amazing grace. Gonna hold to the promise that You made. And I know whatever’s gonna come my way, You’re here with me, and it’s going to be a good day."   --  "Good Day" by Natalie Grant

-Greater than the weather. I know it sounds silly, but I really wanted snow on Christmas. Like, a lot of snow. I thought that since I live in Indiana, of course it will snow on Christmas! Well ... guess what? It didn't! Not a flurry fell on Christmas Day! And let's just say I was not happy about it! My mood kinda depends on the weather. Sadly, it's true. When it rains, I'm in a sad/somber mood. When it's bright and sunny and cheerful outside, I get excited because it means riding bikes with friends and family! When it snows outside, I'm very happy because I love snow! Here's what I learned: God is in control of the weather. His plan is way better than my plan. Rain or shine, God loves me and cares about me. God wants me to learn to trust Him and His plan more than He wants me to have everything I want.

"This is my prayer in the desert. When all that's within me feels dry. This is my prayer in my hunger and need. My God is the God who provides. And this is my prayer in the fire, in weakness or trial or pain. There is a faith proved of more worth than gold. So, refine me, Lord, through the flame. I will bring praise. I will bring praise. No weapon formed against me shall remain. I will rejoice. I will declare: God is my victory, and He is here. I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ. So firm on His promise I'll stand. All of my life. In every season. You are still God. I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship."    --  "Desert Song" by Hillsong United

-God is greater than my vacations! Don't get me wrong - I had a blast on all of my vacations this year! I absolutely LOVE going on a vacation with my family; it brings so much joy to heart! I'm blessed to be able to travel with all of my siblings and both parents to these great places! But, a strong relationship with God is better! He satisfies me more than a vacation will! While trips only last a couple weeks, God's love for me lasts my entire lifetime. Before, during, and after my vacation, God loves me, cares about me, is gracious to me, and forgives me.

-God is greater than my favorite song. If you follow my blog, you will notice I share some of my favorite music. I love listening to music; it is awesome! But, bringing Christ glory through my life is so much better than listening to my favorite song! If you listen to the same song over and over and over again, you will soon grow tired of hearing it. But if you read God's Word over and over and over again, you will probably not grow tired of it. You will probably, if you have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside you, find joy, peace, and hope in God's Word continually.

-God is greater than my biggest hope and dream. Have you ever planned something out in great detail and then it all goes wrong and not according to your plan? I definitely have. Several times. My first reaction when things don't go my way is, "OH, NO! This can't be happening. How could this happen to me? I deserve better than this! God, why did you do this? This is absolutely terrible!!" Do you see my heart in these questions? Do you see what I really want? I want "my way, or the highway," as Pastor Viars puts it.

When I bombard myself with these selfish thoughts, I simply remind myself of these truths: "This new, unexpected event is in the center of God's will. He planned for this to happen way before I did. He is good, and He is with me in this very moment. Find things to be thankful for - even when things aren't going as planned."

-God is greater than my plans for the future. My plans are limited to what my eyes can see, but God sees much further than that. He holds the whole picture, and He knows what's best for me.

"Because I'll never hold the picture
Of the whole horizon in my view
Because I'll never rip the night in two

It makes me wonder
Who am I, who am I, who am I?
And great are You.

Great are You, oh Lord. How I love Your works, my God, my King."   --  "Great are You" by Downhere

CONCLUSION


I'm selfish. I'm a sinner. I must NEVER look to myself to figure it all out. I must run to the throne of grace (which was our 2015 theme at church), ready to grow, change, and trust.

TRUST: A small word with a big meaning. Trust His plan. Trust that His love is enough. Trust that He is good and He is my Savior who loves me!!!

"Who can satisfy these longings? Who could wash these doubts away? Who can save me from my follies, even when the feelings fade? Your love is enough. Your love is enough. Here in my Maker's arms, I find my soul. Here in my Maker's arm, I'm finally whole. Here in my Maker's arms, I'm coming home. Your love is enough."    -- "Your Love is Enough" by Jon Foreman

He is Greater. Period. End of discussion.

"God our strength, God our Savior, God our hope. Yours forever is the glory, the honor...You're greater, greater. There's no one like our God. You alone are worthy. God, You are greater. There's no one like our King. All the earth is singing, "God, You are greater." You are, You are. God, You are greater. You have overcome the world. Took the keys from death and hell. Joining heaven we declare, 'You're greater, greater.' You're greater, greater."     --   "Greater" by Elevation Worship

I don't know if this hits home for you or not; all I know is this is what I've been learning in 2015. I have to continually remind myself of these truths - even as the years go on and I grow older. My hope is that you are encouraged by my struggles and that you, too, will learn that God is greater!

What stood out to you about today's post?