Reckless Abandon

Sunday morning, I was getting ready for church and thinking about a fundraiser I had to go to in the afternoon. I was excited about the fundraiser and excited to learn more about the cause but I was also a little nervous because money is tight. Not only am I moving to NC in three weeks but God has yet to reveal the job he is preparing for me and I only have enough money saved to very carefully last until September. Oh... and there's this little thing called The You Are Project and oh yeah... I kind of volunteered us to help remodel the living room of the home/shelter our friends just bought in Camden....

As the numbers behind my circumstances ran through my head, the 25-30 dollars I had budgeted for the event began to seem more and more precious and valuable and I found myself saying to God, "I love being able to give but am I digging myself into a hole? When do I say no? How can I say no when there are so many real causes and needs that are desperate for support? I know you will always provide for me but surely I can't keep saying yes to it all. That can't be what you mean... I need you to teach me how to know when it's okay to stop."

A few minutes later, when I was done getting ready I opened up my Bible to do a little reading before leaving the house. I'm currently in the middle of reading The Message version of 2 Corinthians and this is part of what I read:

"God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out."

I wish I could tell you that I immediately realized God was answering my question. But I didn't. Instead I noticed it said he gives "to the needy with reckless abandon" and thought, "Oh. What a funny coincidence," continued reading and headed off to church.

At the fundraiser, I not only won the 50/50 but I also won a basket of lottery tickets in a raffle. I left the event with three times more than I came with. As I drove home, all I could think about was how blessed I was and the words "He gives with reckless abandon" cycled through my mind until I could reread chapter 9.

"God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out."

And then I saw what I could not see before. As my mom pointed out, God, just like an earthly father, answered my question with words but when I was not able to understand his explanation he gave me a physical demonstration so that I could understand this message:

Why worry about when to say no when my God can "pour on the blessings in astonishing ways" so that I'm ready to do anything and everything, more than just what needs to be done? If I am going to be like my God and my God gives to the needy in reckless abandon then I need to give with reckless abandon, not just with my money but with my time and with my love.

Porn, Strippers, XXX... and Jesus?!

      

If you pay any attention to my Facebook posts or News Feed I am sure you have some questions about what it is I was doing in Pasadena last weekend. Actually you probably just have a lot of questions in general about the things I post.

I've been spending the last few months (since November when the above video was made) trying to figure out a way to explain it to all of you. I'm still not sure I know how but I'm going to try.

I believe we, men and women, were created by God to do huge things. We were not created to do life alone. We were created to experience life not only through relationship with others but also through relationship with the one who created us. I believe the best way for us to succeed in life, the best way to do life well, is by partnering with the one who designed us.

I also believe, from my own personal experiences, that many people are believing the lie that they are on their own to navigate life. We (people) are broken and searching for meaning and looking to the wrong things for that sense of worth and purpose. Unfortunately as we search for a means of escape and fulfillment we find ourselves feeling even more alone, let down and unfulfilled.

This longing for love, purpose, validation and value is why men and women work in the sex industry. This longing and brokenness is why the sex industry grosses more annually than the MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL combined. These men and women (consumers and producers/entertainers)are here because they are believing the voice that tells them this is as good as it gets. They are believing the lie that this will bring fulfillment, approval and love. They are also believing the lie that they have to keep coming back to keep that feeling of security, belonging and acceptance from fleeing.

Maybe I haven't worked in the sex industry but it isn't because I didn't believe that lie and I'm willing to bet you have believed it too. The truth is, even if we aren't struggling with bondage connected to the sex industry we do still have an underlying issue that is the same.

And that is why my heart breaks. That is why I am so passionate about this. That is why I must invest my life in these women (and men). Because I can't know the truth and not share it.

I know how I felt as I searched for answers, security, love and belonging. I know how lost I was and I not only see that when I look into the eyes of the men and women I meet at the porn shows and strip clubs but also when I look into the eyes of so many of you, my family and friends. I can't go through life ignoring that brokenness. I can't pretend it isn't there. I can't pretend I don't see it. I can't pretend I don't know.

Oh! And to answer your question about all those crazy posts

and what I was doing in Pasadena....

I'm partnering with XXXChurch.com and StripChurch to provide resources, support, truth and encouragement to men and women affected by involvement in the sex industry either as consumers or entertainers/producers.

XXXChurch.com is a non profit website that provides support through various resources for individuals who struggle with pornography addictions. They also provide resources for family members of men and women struggling with addictions and resources and support for individuals working in the industry.

StripChurch is a partner organization to XXX Church. They reach out to women working in strip clubs by loving them beyond measure and encouraging them through prayer, testimony and God's truths, in order to help them realize how valuable they are.

Can't Help Falling In Love...

The world loves to make us think that love is beyond control. The world tells us that we can't help who we fall in love with, just like in the song, "Can't Help Falling In Love".  But maybe we just like thinking that it is out of our control because then we don't have to take responsibility for our behavior, words and actions. Plus, if love is outside of our control then we have an excuse for when we "fall out of love" and abandon it all.

Maybe we like thinking of love as some magical gift from the Universe, God or the Fates that must be pursued. And in a way, I think this is true but only when referring to the Divine's version of love and not the world's.   

God is love and we are made in His image. We are called to do what He does and that is love without holding back, love when it isn't necessary, love when it isn't deserved. Just Love. So in a way, I don't think we have control over that but I do think Satan has twisted this natural thing created by God. He has skewed the definition by injecting it with lust, impatience, loneliness, selfishness and insecurity. He has put our natural instinct to love on steroids and instructed us on ways to show this love and he has lied to us.

But really... Love is sacrifice. Look at Christ, how he lived and how he died (all by choice). Really what we do with love is a choice. Loving should not be considered under our control. Love really is not a choice when you recognize who's image you bear. We were made to love but what we choose to do with love is a choice. How we choose to respond to love is a choice. We are responsible for our choices, actions and words. Maybe we can't help who we love but we can take responsibility for how we love and who's model we will follow; God's or the world's.