Sleep Deprived Christian

            I’ve just had to pull an all-nighter for a test I’ve been studying for and decided to write about what happens to me as a sleep deprived Christian. (My apologies if at any time I don’t make sense. Just bear with me.)

            First, if I even attempt to pray while sleep deprived, I’ll be dreaming long before I can even think about saying, “Amen.” It doesn’t matter if I’m standing, sitting, propped against the wall, standing on my head (okay, I can’t really do that, but you get my point), I’ll fall asleep while praying. It’s not surprising, considering I have my eyes closed already.

            I remember I was told once that if I fell asleep while praying, I’d be closer to God and therefore have no nightmares. I wonder if that’s true. Honestly, I can’t recall 100% if I’ve ever fallen asleep while praying and then had no nightmares, let alone if every time I’ve fallen asleep I’ve had no nightmares.

Maybe I should try an experiment…

            Anyways, second, if I try to read the Bible while sleep deprived, I hardly understand a thing I’m reading, if anything at all. It’s like my eyes are moving over the words, but they enter through my vision and get lost somewhere in my brain. They probably dissipate like smoke because they never reach my brain long enough, if at all, for real comprehension to occur.

Am I even making sense?

All right, third, once I start my day while I’m sleep deprived, it’s more difficult than ever to be a good Christian. I don’t mean necessarily sinning with something super big, but at least with being a nice, friendly, loving, non-judgmental Christian.

As a Christian, I’m supposed to be friendly and loving towards others, right? Well, when I’m sleep deprived, it’s a lot easier to tick me off, though I try not to be. The truth is, though, I turn into a monster. I don’t want to be anyone’s friend or love anyone. All I want to do is get through the day and get back to my bed. Then, if anyone bothers me, I get mad and think they’re doing it on purpose. Talk about judging…

I wonder if Jesus ever got sleep deprived. Even if He did, I’m sure He dealt with it a boatload better than I do.

Fourth…I can’t think of a fourth, so I guess this is where my list ends. I should probably have some profound way to end this. I guess I’ll just say that maybe if I must be a sleep deprived Christian, to go with the good old question, “What would Jesus do?” and try to act like I think Jesus would if He was sleep deprived.

Sure, let’s go with that.

Zzzzzzz…

Texting for God

Note: Some spoiler alerts on the new God’s Not Dead movie.

            I felt this need to write about what just happened to me after I watched the movie, God’s Not Dead, at the movie theatre last Friday. For those who haven’t seen the movie, I’ll try not to go too much into detail and just mention what’s important for this post.

At the end of the movie, there’s a scene at a concert where everyone’s encouraged to text every person on his or her contacts list, “God’s not dead.” The logic behind it was that if there were 1,000 people there and each person texted 100 people, than it’d be like telling Jesus we love Him 100,000 times. After the movie ends, the audience is prompted to join.

How could I say no?

Here’s the thing, though. It’s easier said than done. The moment I took out my phone and wrote those three words, it was difficult to picture myself sending it to everyone on my contacts list.

Sure, I could easily send it to my youth group friends, my Christian camp friends, my family members…but what about everyone else? What about my classmates, my other friends, my colleagues? What about everyone who wasn’t Christian?

The last thing I wanted to do was offend anyone. I pictured myself getting dozens of offended texts, somewhere along the lines of, “How dare you send that to me? You know I’m an atheist!”

I could also get offensive texts too, like, “Screw you and your Christianity!” or worse. I’d be the one offended then and there’d be no one to blame because I asked for it.

Suddenly, pressing send didn’t seem like a good idea.

Then I started thinking. I wasn’t saying anything offensive with my text. If the person didn’t agree, they didn’t agree. And if someone responded offensively to me, I didn’t need to take that personally. Besides, it wasn’t like I was doing this for any of them, or even for me.

I was texting for the one I was texting about: God.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I began to send the text. First, I sent it to all of the contacts under A. By then, the movie was over and everyone was exiting. When I got up, though, I noticed something wonderful.

Practically everyone, especially the teenagers, was texting.

Now, don’t judge me. It wasn’t that I was doing it just because everyone else was, but the fact that I wasn’t the only person, or even teenager, filled me with strength. For a brief moment, there was a room full of teenagers saying, “So what? I’m a Christian teenager and I’m going to text for God.”

So, I kept texting, moving down the alphabetical list. As I kept sending, I kept expecting the worst.

Here are the results:

Total people texted: 170

No responses: 78

Total responses: 92, and of those responses:

            35 responded with some sort of confusion

            26 agreed in some form

            20 asked, “Who is this?”

                        4 of these overlap with agreed

                                    6 referenced the song, “God’s Not Dead” by Newsboys

                                    4 referenced the movie, God’s Not Dead

                                    2 started a philosophical conversation

                                    2 gave completely unrelated responses

                                    1 responded offensively

           

            I’ll just say it. I was flabbergasted. Yes, flabbergasted. Why? Because of all of the responses I received, not one person responded offended and only one gave me an offensive response.

Honestly, it was such a pleasant surprise that it left me thinking why I was so scared to do it in the first place. Why couldn’t I just text for God? I talk, sing, dance, etc. for Him, but I hesitated on texting for Him. Why?

Maybe it was the randomness that threw me off. Maybe I wasn’t prepared for the possible responses. Maybe I just wasn’t as brave to tell the world about Him as I thought. Maybe it’s because of all of those reasons. Maybe not.

The truth is, I don’t have a complete answer for this question, but what I do know is maybe I’m not as afraid to text for Him anymore. This experience taught me that I could do something I’d never thought of, text for God. It’s just another way to reach others about Him, so why not go for it?

Seriously, why not?

Jesus, You're in the Way

           Have you ever seen that meme where a disciple tells Jesus He's in the way and He responds that He is the way? It's pretty funny. Anyways...

            As ashamed as I am to admit it, I’ve said something along these lines. There are times when I’ve put Jesus behind me, trying to find my own way, when I should’ve put Him in front to lead the way instead.

            Here’s an example.

            Lately, I’ve been extremely stressed with, well, everything. There’s too much schoolwork, tough teachers, pressure as to what I’m going to do with my life, family situations to deal with, my own hopes and dreams I ignore, etc. I don’t know how to deal with it all!

            So, when I sit there at my desk, head in my hands, pulling my hair with frustration, while simultaneously hoping I won’t pull it out, it’s almost like this happens:

            Tap. Tap. Tap.

            I shrug away, but the tapping continues. I try to ignore it to no avail. Finally, I turn and address Him.

            “What is it, Jesus?” I ask while motioning to my mounds of stress. “Can’t You see I’m busy?”

            “I can help,” He responds. “That is, if you’d like. Just say the word.”

            I shake my head. “It’s okay, thanks. I’ve got this.” I start to turn back, but am stopped by a hand on my shoulder.

            “Seriously,” He says, “let me help. I don’t like seeing you like this.”

            “Look,” I sigh, “Jesus, you know I love You, but I can figure this all out. If I need help, I’ll come to You, all right?”

            I turn back to everything waiting for me. Tests, projects, and homework. Possible future plans. Parents and siblings. Failed hopes and dreams. My head starts to fall into my hands as I feel all of the stress culminate inside of me.

            Ultimately, I snap.

            Frustrated, I move away from it all, turning to anything that will occupy my mind. Distractions and procrastination. Procrastination and distractions.

            Tap. Tap. Tap.

            There it is again. Like before, I attempt to ignore it, but the tapping doesn’t stop. I sigh.

            “What is it now?” I ask with annoyance.

            “You don’t have it all under control,” He points out. “Please, let me help you.”

            “I can figure it out, Jesus,” I repeat, even though by now I’m questioning whether I really can. There’s so much on my mind! I don’t know where to go with it all, and yet, I can’t admit it. With tears in my eyes, I say, “I’ll find my way.”

            Jesus answers, “I am the way.”

            To be honest, I don’t know why it’s so difficult to let God help me with my stress. It’s almost like I feel I can come to Him with anything, except that. I feel comfortable coming to Him with so much else, like when I’m scared or thankful.

            But not when I’m stressed.

Maybe it all boils down to trust. I need to trust God can help with all of this I’m stressed about. I think He can’t help because what I’m stressed about seems to be all in my control, but it’s not. It’s in God’s.

The result? I end up turning from God, trying to take care of it all myself when God is clearly there waiting to help. He doesn’t want me to stress; He wants me to let Him take care of everything.

Yeah, it’s not easy.

Maybe, though, with some prayer, meditation in His word, and praise, I can get on the right track. I can learn to try my best, but then learn when I’ve reached my limit and have to leave the rest up to God.

Instead of stumbling along blindly with this backpack full of my stress, not sure where to go, I think I’d rather take Jesus’ hand, let Him help carry my stress and lead.

After all, He knows the way much better than I do.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 (NIV)

Wait for It...(Youth Group Sermon)

Note: It was my turn to speak this week at my youth group so I decided to adapt it for a blog post and hit two birds with one stone. (I apologize in advance for the length!)

Introduction

           

            How many of you think you are patient? Personally, I thought I used to be patient until I got into a long distance relationship.

Now that tests my patience.

First, I’m impatient with the distance itself and the problems it brings. I have to wait to talk to my boyfriend, wait to see him, wait to finally close the distance, etc. I mean, every time I see a happy couple I get impatient to be like that. When will it be my turn? It seems like I’m always waiting.

Second, I’m impatient with God for putting me in the situation in the first place. I question, is there a reason for this? Does He have a plan for us to close the distance someday? I’m just always thinking, “When will this distance finally end??”

That’s how impatient I’ve become.

It’s helped me notice something, though, and that’s how important patience is in general. Whether it’s with every day situations, like waiting in line, or with long term plans, like finishing school. Patience is important for absolutely everything.

As I’ve thought about this topic, I’ve come up with three types of patience: patience of God, patience with God, and patience with others.

Why don’t we start with the patience of God?

Patience of God

“⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

            I liked this verse because it talks about how patient God is with everyone, wanting everyone to repent in the end.

Have you ever thought about how extremely patient God is with you? With all of us? Look at what this verse is telling us. He waits for each and every one of us to repent and come to Him.

How long does that take? Sometimes, it can mean immediately after doing something wrong. Sometimes, it can mean weeks, months, or years later. For some of us, it could even mean our entire lives.

Think about that. God waits our entire lives for us to come to Him. That’s how patient He is with us. Can you imagine having that level of patience? I’m too impatient when I order pizza!

That’s what’s so great about God, though. He has more patience than all of us combined. He’s just so patient with us, it’d be nice to return the favor and be just as patient with him.

On that note, let’s talk about patience with God then.

Patience with God

“⁷Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. ⁸Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil. ⁹For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” – Psalm 37: 7-9 NIV

            I think this verse hits on what’s most difficult for many of us and that’s being patient with God.

            Sometimes it seems like we always have to be so patient with God to get what we want, when everyone else is getting what he or she wants without having to wait or even deserving it.

            Here’s an example. I could be studying extremely hard for a class and I’ll keep waiting to finally get an A, but someone else might just cheat and get the A way before I do. It can be really difficult to be patient in this case. So, what do I do?

This verse says not to worry, though, because in the end, those who are patient with God are the ones who get what they’ve been waiting for, and those who have been impatient get burned.

Here’s another example. I could be promised a cookie after dinner. If I wait, then I get a delicious cookie. If I try to sneak it before and get caught, though, then there’s no delicious cookie for me. Now, I don’t know about you, but I want my delicious cookie, so I’d be patient.

All right, we’ve talked about the patience of God and patience with God. Let’s move on to the final point, patient with others.

Patience with Others

“¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV

            Reread those last four words. Be patient with everyone.

            Everyone. Not just with your friends, not just with your parents, not just with your teachers, but with everyone.

            This can be really hard to do, especially when someone isn’t being so patient with you.

            Traffic is the perfect example. This is the time when we most get impatient with others. People are late to work, school, etc. There are beeping horns and people rushing. Everyone is just impatient with everyone around them.

            God expects us to be patient, though, even then. As patient as He is with us, as patient as we might be able to be with Him, we’re still expected to be patient with others too. And when it’s really difficult to be patient with a specific person, situation, or even with God, it’s important to pray for that patience.

Conclusion

            To wrap up, I just want to repeat the three types of patience I’ve been talking about tonight: patience of God, patience with God, and patience with others.

God has endless patience with us and it’s important that we remember that. We also need to remember that as patient as God is with us, we need to be just as patient with Him because He will always deliver. And finally, God expects us to be patient with others, not just Him. It’s important to remember that next time someone is annoying us in particular.

            Think of God’s patience and be patient. I’ve found that life will always be better that way.