Approval

How many times have you been asked for approval? A better question how often do you seek others approval?
I have been growing my hair out since May. I finally have the ten inches I need to donate it it to Locks of Love. This is an organization which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair while undergoing cancer treatment. I am very excited about making this donation, but at the same time I am very nervous. I have really curly hair and I think it will go crazy when cut short. As much as I fear the outcome from getting rid of this much of my hair, it is something that I have been preparing myself for a while. I am actually eager to try a new hair cut. I have never had a professional haircut in my life. I have had many people share their opinions of my decision. I have hear that it will look great all the way to "you will look like a boy." Regardless of my outer appearance I know that hair will grow.
How does my hair problem provide some insight to you? Good question. It really doesn't directly, but the situation is similar to one of more importance. By getting this haircut I suddenly do not transform into a new person. I still remain Maggie. It is what makes me me that remains.
So often we try to seek people's approval in all areas of our life. We might not wear our favorite pair of sweatpants out of the house because of others' thoughts. We sometimes change our opinions because it might prevent us from getting the approval of someone we hardly know. Why do we rid so much on being accepted. Acceptance is something that everyone desires, but is that what we should hold on to with such importance. There have been times when I have felt strongly about a situation, but I have undertoned it to gain someone's approval.
In reality other people's approval does not matter. We should never settle our Faith or the way in which we show our love for Christ to get approval elsewhere. So what if someone sees you praying at the lunch table and thinks differently of you. You are standing up for your belief. "Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10 NIV). Christ is the one we truly serve. It is his opinion that we should care most about. If we seek Christ's approval how much better would every situation be. If we approached every situation wondering what would please god the most would we not be making the right decisions? This is not a simple task. God's approval doesn't always match up with man's.
This is something I have been thinking about for while. Seeking God's approval is something that I want to achieve. I do not find this task to be easy, but I strive toward it.
Before
After

Spit Clean

When I was reading the Bible on night I happened to open it to Mark 8:22-26. When I first read the passage I didn't get much out of it. I re-read it, and I still didn't get anything out of it. I put a little post it note by it because I wanted to go back to it. I have read this passage many times, and I am finally able to see how it applies to me. The Bible could be described as God's letter to us. There is a reason for each verse, although it might not always seem clear to us.... Back on focus.
I think it best to have the verse in front of you while you read my responce to it

The Healing of a Blind Man at Bethsaid Mark 8:22-26

22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged
Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the
village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus
asked, "Do you see anything?" 24He looked up and said, "I see people; they look
like trees walking around." 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes.
Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything
clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."

One of the first things I questioned about this passage is why would the Bible mention a situation where Jesus didn't make something happen the first time. Another thing that bothered me was the spit. After spending a lot of time in thought I have reached these conclusions:

Christ spits on the man's eyes in verse 23 to heal this blind man. I don't know about you but I often think of spit as a grotesque thing. It is something that is meant to stay in the mouth. We often see being spit on as a negative thing. Who would have ever guessed (other than the fact that it was Jesus) that spit could have such power. After being spit on by Christ, the man only saw things in a blur. I don't know about you but if I ever see people who look like trees I would be a little concerned.

Verse 25 is what truly gets me. 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. it was after the spit that Christ uses his hands. It is after that that the man's sight is fully restored.

How does this effect you?

Teh bad times in life will always come. We often think that God must be spiting down upon us form heaven. Things are going the exact opposite of what we desire. The "big picture" is blurred during these time... Similar to the blind mans blurred sight. The reason for the failed first attempt? God often does things in steps. His full plan isn't revealed as a whole. Instead we only see parts of it. When the tough times come God uses his hands. Christ didn't leave this man blind. Instead he used his hands to restore the mands sight. As Christians we need to realize that we are always in God's hands. Altogether it might seem that he is against us by bring up our hopes and then letting them fail, but this is not the case. We are under God's control. He will reveal the big picture in HIs time.

How does this relate to me?

When I first came to GAC it was like God was spitting on me. I saw part of his blurred picture. I knew I had a reason for being there, but it wasn't made fully evident. I would go home everyday in tears. I was unable to find true good friends. I was lonely. When it seemed like things couldn't get worse that is when Good placed his healing hand on me. I felt comforted and my sight was restored. Although I still don't see all of the big picture. I do clearly see that GAC is a part of it. I have been blessed by wonderful Christian friends and grand opportunities.

Everyone needs a little spit clean once in a while. We can often be blind by our own ambitions. We often try to separate ourselves from God. We fail to realize that jumping out of His hand mean death. God is in control... No matter how weird or terrible things are going there is a beautiful big masterpiece of a picture that is right in front of us. Christ is eager to reveal it to us in His time.