if your life was a dart board, what would be the bulls eye?

I cannot fill your void. Now you guys are thinking 'oh no, serious blog...' Well, yeah, it is. I joke a lot and I encourage a lot, and I think those things are great. But tonight at revival, the minister said something that really made me reflect. There are a lot of people out there that look up to me, that read my blog, that I teach in Sunday School, that seek out my statuses, etc. for encouragement. First, thanks for your feedback so that I know this (its encouraging). Second, I'm glad that something little ole me does can be a blessing in your life and that God has used me in that way. But you need to know that I am human, I fail, and I cannot fill your void (not saying people that read this seek that...but just know, if you always turn to my insight when you are down, you're not turning in the right direction--talk to God). In fact nothing I say or do will carry you too far. And I hope you realize this--that it is not in the words I speak, but the awesome God that is behind them, and the message of Christ that is that hope, that love, and that forgiveness that can fill the void.

Often we will subconsciously fill voids in our life. A lot of people can point out that alcoholics fill the void with alcohol, abusers fill the void with abusing others, etc. But most people cannot or do not acknowledge what they fill their void with because it isn't so 'extreme' or obvious. The minister of revival this evening was talking about how when he was younger, he used to feed off of intimidating people. If he went a day without scaring/intimidating someone, he felt less than or less fulfilled. I used to do that when I was younger, I'll admit. I was always much taller than everyone (boys and girls included) when I was in elementary school, and I fed off the fact that people feared me and my size. I didn't take it as far as being a bully, but as humans we like power. We like control, attention, feeling important, looking good, being appreciated, etc. etc. Welcome to your human nature. It's nice to know that like the rest of us, you have fleshly desires.

So here's a secret on how to solve the constant need for power, importance, that 'feeling,' etc: be in control. You ask, "isn't that what I'm trying not to do---control people--ya know, power?" I didn't say be in control of others...be in control of yourself, of your desires, of your wants. Easier said than done, I know, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. So how do you control these wants? Well, for those of you that seek a fight every day, see fighting that desire as the fight itself. And rejoice when you succeed. This is no little task. Temptations are not to be taken lightly.

You were made with a void in your heart so that you would naturally seek Christ to be complete. The Holy Spirit was sent as our Comforter for a reason...God knows we need something...Him. So don't think it's silly that attractive naked men or women tempt you, or that you are prone to drink when something's bothering you--it makes the pain go away for a bit, or that you want to cut yourself--at least you feel something, or that you eat 7 meals a day because when you eat you don't have to think about stressful/painful things so much, or that you feel like when you talk a certain way/act a certain way you may hurt others--but it's the only way you think you can get respect....whatever your temptation, it isn't silly. That's the last thing it is. It is legitimate and it is real, and it is important. But most of all, it is conquerable.

1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us we are not tempted with more than we can handle and that God has made a way out for us. We just have to want that way out badly enough to search for it. Your temptation is real, it is a battle, and it will not be easy to defeat. I can tell you from experience. I don't say that to give you reason to slack off or just continue on filling the void that is meant for Christ with something else--whatever void-filler-of-choice is: eating, homosexuality, bitterness, anger, sex, drugs, alcohol, gossip, etc., etc., etc.--I say that to let you know
1)I care, and I am going to try to understand my best what you are facing. I cannot fix it, but I can sure pray for you and hold your hand through the fight.
2)Your temptation/temptations is/are real and it is serious. You must first admit this to yourself before you will ever get close to overcoming any weak area. The devil is not stupid, he is sly and cunning. He tempts each of us with what we are specifically weak in...helllllo, that only makes sense if he wants us to fall away from Christ. So when you struggle, know it's the real thing, but you are fighting against Satan, not just your mind or someone's set of standards/rules.
3)You can do it. You can do it. You can do it with Christ. Like the little engine that could, when your mind is overwhelmed and all you think about is cutting yourself, or drinking, or how you're going to fix this...remember, it's a hill to climb, but there's victory when you reach the other side...and oh, so much peace from God.
4) God can forgive you for any times in the past you have slipped up, when you've fallen into that temptation, etc. It doesn't matter if you have a baby, scars, an ex-bf or ex-gf (or both) to show for it, GOD CAN AND DOES FORGIVE when we turn to Him humble and seeking His desires. Yes he can. There's a guy at our church that has been to jail, done drugs, been a borderline alcoholic, and got his girlfriend pregnant. He accepted salvation, and you know what--that saved man is as forgiven as Sunday School teacher me...that's right forgiveness, wiping away of sins, it's the real deal, and we all can become clean in Christ.

So ask yourself: How often do you feel empty? What is different when you do? I find the greatest fulfillment when I focus all my vision, hopes, and intentions on Christ, His salvation and forgiveness from sin, and what small part I can play in His huge awesome purpose. I hope you will find this hope, and that the desires for Christ's kingdom will grow so much in you that it will become stronger than any temptation you will ever face. Know this, when you fall, acknowledge it and ask for forgiveness. I find Jesus Christ is the very best at picking me up and dusting me off. And yes, I make plenty of mistakes. Praise His wonderful name for the gift of forgiveness.