Guest Blog Posts
Start Enjoying Life by Mandy Arioto
In our Western understanding of this passage, we interpret Martha as the ultimate hostess with the most-est, a busybody who is making sure everyone has had their fill of the charcuterie board and who wouldn’t imagine serving refills of lemonade without a rim of lavender-infused sugar on the glass. The narrative we are given is that while Martha is worrying about what shape to cut the sandwiches, her sister Mary is doing what Jesus really wants, which is sitting in his presence. The problem is that this isn’t what the story is about, and it isn’t the way the original hearers of this text would have interpreted it.
From Heartbroken to Heartbeating by Paige Okuley
I, like many of you, have had my heart broken before. I used to wake up wondering if I would ever feel the love that I once felt ever again or if someone would ever feel that way about me again. This type of mindset made me write off the whole idea for a while. Thinking that if I just wasn’t focused on it, the fear would fade away. However, it became more problematic instead. To the point that my dad (who doesn’t usually ever comment on stuff like this) said something I won’t forget a couple of years ago. He said, “Paige, if you don’t ever give anyone a chance, then how do you expect to receive it?”
Spinning Your Circumstances by Jeff Schreve
Years ago, I heard the late great Henry Blackaby say something along these lines: “The way God shows His love to you and me is outside our lives.” His love is not tied to the specifics of our daily lives. We tend to think the opposite, of course. We imagine that when God does something good, sweet, or unexpected for us, we will smile and say, “Isn’t life wonderful? I’m experiencing God’s love.” But what if tomorrow is different? What if none of those good, sweet, happy things happen to you tomorrow? What if your tomorrow is terribly difficult or sad, or filled with loss? What then? Does that mean He no longer loves you?
Watering Joy in Our Lives by Alexandra Jensen
The struggle for joy and gratitude is universal. All people wrestle with maintaining a mindset of positivity. Sometimes it is more challenging to be grateful during difficult seasons. The Bible tells us numerous times in scripture to reside in a state of joy: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4), Rejoice always (1 Thess. 5:16), But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy… (Gal. 5:22). If scripture commands it, then why is this such a long, hard-fought battle? We were made for more. We were created with a Heavenly longing wired inside of each and every one of us. Something will always be missing on this side of Heaven. But for those of us in Christ Jesus, we have hope. We have the Spirit of the Living God inside of us! We have keys to the Kingdom and access to the throne of grace through prayer.
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