All the Pretty Things

All the Pretty Things

We are, we are, we're caught in the in between
Of who we already are and who we are yet to be
And we're looking for love but finding we're still in need
It's only what we have lost will we be allowed to keep

And we're waiting but our eyes are wandering
To all this earth holds dear

Look at all the pretty things
That steal my heart away
I can feel I'm fading
'Cause Lord I love so many things
That keep me from Your face
Come and save me

Tenth Avenue North

The lyrics in this song connect so well with the struggles we face everyday. It is a constant struggle to keep our mind's attention and heart's affection centered in Christ and not what we come across in our daily experiences with the world. Living in the world but not of the world is hard, and some worldly influences aren't easy to pick out. Sometimes we fail to realize just how much the world influences us in our relationships with each other and with God because of how subtle they are. That's why I am reminded over and over again to reevaluate my actions, my thoughts and see whether or not they line up with what God wants. I am working on making this a daily thing, and honestly it's not easy. It takes humility to look inwardly and ask God to pull out all of the bad things in our lives like our motives, actions, thoughts, etc. It forces us to come to terms with ourselves, but it allows us to move forward in the good God has planned for us. We get rid of all the things that weigh us down, and all of the lies the world places on us that leave us empty or insecure. So it will sting at first, but in the end there is healing and the awe-inspiring power of God's Holy Spirit working within our hearts, breaking down walls. Worth it? Chyeah!!!!

This is a Psalm close to my heart <3 Psalm 51 from my ESV bible. I hope these verses help you guys open up your heart to God and I pray He does a wonderful and awesome work in you and through you. I pray all of us can come together as a community of believers and see in ourselves what God sees, and have faith that He can do anything, no matter how inadequate we may feel. God is holy, He is loving, He wants to be a part of our lives, and He makes us adequate through Jesus. I pray to believe this in my heart and have the trust and faith it takes to become the woman God sees in me. I pray to see what God sees when He looks around at Bluefield College. I pray for His love and His wants to coincide with my own, and that awesome friendships happen!! Amen.

Psalm 51:

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you may be justified in your words

and blameless in your judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

O God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;

build up the walls of Jerusalem;

then will you delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

(Psalm 51 ESV)

We raise our white flagsWe surrender all to youAll for youWe raise our white flagThe war is overLove has comeYour love has won
We lift the crossLift it high, lift it high
Chris Tomlin