The Voice Of Truth

How many times do we hear the voices of guilt, jealousy, anger, temptation and doubt? Why do we constantly choose to listen to these voices? Is it because they allow us to feel righteous when we're angry at someone? Or to feel bad for ourselves when something didn't go right? How many times do we get caught up in this? I know for me it happens quite frequently. This post has been in my head since last night and I have just found the time to write it.

Not to quote Casting Crowns, but they got it right in their song Voice of Truth. I can name countless times in the past few days that I have been listening to everything but the voice of truth. It's so easy for these "voices" to creep into a situation and ruin it. Lately I've been thinking about those people that say they are constantly doing things to glorify God, and are always talking about it. I have never understood that. How can you be thinking about that ALL the time? Don't you pay attention to what else is going on in the world? I find it very hard to focus on that because I'm so wrapped up in what's going on around me. I get so caught up in a desire or temptation that I block out and ignore the voice of truth. The truth that I shouldn't do that, that I shouldn't be that angry, that I shouldn't be doubting right now. Maybe it's been my desire to read scripture more, but lately I've been thinking about how God is impacting my life in a daily sense and not just big picture. I think that's one of my biggest hold ups. I forget that God is alive and active in daily life and doesn't just have this plan and dumps us off to figure out.

It's very easy to confuse God's voice with the voice of the Evil One. God doesn't guilt us or shame us. I know that I find myself feeling guilty about something and thinking that it's God telling me something. God convicts us, but doesn't guilt. I've been finding it hard to differentiate between the two, but I think that with more scripture reading and seeing more of who God is, it's becoming a little easier. The other day I was talking to Kristen (new staff worker), and we were talking about Acts and how sometimes there isn't a whole lot of application. She made a very good point that the Bible isn't just for application and ways to live a better life, but a way to see who God is and learn about his character.

I've been finding myself in prayer a lot more lately. It's definitely been a good thing, I'm just curious where this switch came from. I guess I know, but it's weird to see how different things are when you spend more time in prayer, and are praying about things that are important.

Summer has kicked off and I have been working a ton. I don't really spend that much time with people like I used to. It's kind of weird. I go home right after work to VA Beach and spend my evenings there. It's not a bad thing, but I see how it has changed some things. I guess this is a good precursor to a few things. But, there's no giving up on things. Everything changes, you just have to roll with it and work to keep what you find important. I will say though, living with my aunt has inspired many great conversations and I'm loving it. It's a lot of fun living there.

I'm going home next weekend for my brother's wedding. It was kind of thrown at me last minute and I had to buy a plane ticket home ($230 later). Not exactly what I wanted to be spending my money on, but I'm really excited to be going.

The other day I was talking with Eva, my high school Spanish teacher, about my trip to Spain and we were discussing a few things. I'm very excited. I just need to hear back from some people at ODU and then we can really discuss it. Alison will be in France at that time and it would be pretty sweet to go hang out there and maybe hit up Italy or Portugal while I'm there. Time will tell.

But, now it's back to work. Only a few more days sitting here and then I'll be wishing I were back here.

Until next time.