All the cool kids are doing it!

I read 1 Samuel 8-10.
So, the Israelites want a king, more specifically, they want Sam to choose one. The Lord points out to Sam that they've rejected Him as king, which is in itself a sad state of affairs. I feel like, though, that the only reason they want a king is so they can be like every other country. In fact, Samuel warns them of the horrors that will come with this king--what he will do to his people. And it's not like he doesn't know what he's talking about. He's a prophet. Still the people said to him, "No! We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight out battles."(8:19-20)
So, Samuel anoints Saul, who he knows is going to do awful things just to please his people so they'll stop whining. So, there's this process, the people see that Saul is "a head taller" than anyone of Israel, and immediately think he's the majestic ruler of all... What in the world...

I'm guilty of this. I know what I want, and it's gonna be awesome! No, no repercussions or consequences. Nothing bad will happen. As if I didn't know better. This isn't even bargaining with God, it's straight up calling Him a liar! Something looks so great, too good to be true. And let me tell you, it is. I've definitely told God that He's wrong. This isn't gonna turn out badly, everything's going to go so well, and people will finally take me seriously.
FYI: God's not wrong. Whatever you've asked for that he's about to give you--it really is going to fall apart, and in the end, you're just going to be hurt. Because it doesn't matter. This thing that you want, just because everyone else has it... Not for you. You're meant to stand out. Granted, whenever it does crumble under your feet, He will certainly be there to help you up again. He'll be there to forgive you for your selfishness, and He'll definitely start paving the way for success if you ask Him, and if you do it His way.

Brick Wall

God, I am doing so horribly at being with you, acknowledging you... Help me concentrate in your word, read what you say, and hear your voice. Help be listen, help me be a friend. Your friend.

I get so frustrated reading the Bible. I know it's not supposed to just be a storybook. I love reading. When I can't sleep, it calms my mind, when I'm bored, it takes me away, and there are so many many interesting things to learn just from reading what's around. ... So, I can't seem to figure out how to enjoy reading the Bible. I think it's all the details that really don't seem relevant to me. I don't care how many cubits long the altar was; I don't really care to read through the whole lineage of David, and while the wars are kind of neat, knowing in which order all the countries were pillaged by God's command, and how many men were killed in each one doesn't really excite me. So, how do I get past these details to what's really relevant in my life. I still have not read the entire Bible, but I feel I know the gist of history in it. Does that even matter? All I care about now is that Jesus died on the cross for me, willingly, without a fight, and without guilt. Do I need to know how many churches Paul wrote to in order to have a better relationship with God? I don't know. How do I read the Bible in a way that makes me want to read more and more? Even when I was a brand new Christian, I never had that thirst, that motivation. Is it wrong of me to not care about the stuff that happened before Jesus, or even post Jesus? Do I really need more than Jesus's sinless death, the Father's endless mercy, and the Spirit's surrounding love and guidance?

The Basics

In youth group today, we watched a Nooma video. That Rob Bell, he's something else. Well, the kids, other adults, and I had some great discussion, basically: what makes our Faith the right one for us; of all the people to walk the Earth, who(besides Christ) has been most Christ-like; and if someone were to follow me--watch how I spend my money, what I watch on TV, who I spend time with, what decisions I make--would he see Christ in me? I think these simple three questions are ultimately what guide my decisions each day. My faith works for me because of freedom and hope. Even if I screw it up, God is right there for me. He wants to forget about anything that makes me imperfect, and let me into his holiness. There's a spot for me in Heaven, no matter how messed up I make things. And I don't need a schedule or map of when and how to worship or draw near. He gives me the freedom to seek Him anyway I please. It's fantastic.

thank you God for your endless supply of mercy, and forgiveness. Even though I know you take me as I am, I still want to be better because of you. Guide me to be the best you know I can, to be so Christ-like in every day, that people see you. Please, make every encounter an opportunity to better someone else as well as myself.