In the race of life, there are moments when we forget why we are running. We focus on how to be better, faster, and stronger. We waste fruitless hours bemoaning the uneven ground, the unexpected rocks, the sand in our shoes, and more. We see something lovely, our breath momentarily suspended, only to trip over our own feet and hit the ground. It's a long, hard race. (Can I get an amen?) In this race, every person, at some moment in time asks the question, 'Why am I here?' or 'Why am I doing this?'. Indeed, why are you here?
Author: Elihu
Elihu Anderson is a California refugee currently thriving on the West Texas plains and founder of elihuscorner.com. When she isn't teaching, writing, or reading, she's sipping on coffee and visiting with a friend.
Why do you seek Jesus?
Why do you choose to follow Jesus? Do you pursue Jesus so that you will have wealth? Do you seek to be free from loneliness by joining yourself to a church? Do you seek to be honored and respected? I read things all the time from people who say that God intends for us to be wealthy and happy and a lot of other nonsense. God does not want us to possess mere happiness---he wants us to have joy. The joy of the Lord transcends circumstance and is part of an abundant life. True riches are found in Christ and cannot be altered by the government, stock markets, or thieves. Why do you seek Jesus??
Why are you sleeping?
I can't imagine how embarrassing that would be to have Jesus catch you sleeping when you were supposed to be praying. And yet, how often does Satan catch us unaware or "sleeping?"
3 Words You Need Every Single Day
Every single day we face some form of testing. Every day we are beset with a trial of some kind. Every day God is watching to see what we will do with the time we are given. How do you get through your time of trial? I have 3 words for you...
Does anybody care?!
For people like me who wage a daily war with depression, there is a phrase that pops up every so often, and we grow weary of saying it: "I'm depressed... Again." It's frustrating, upsetting, and draining. "Will this ever completely disappear? Surely people are sick of my black cloud... I know I am." You know you have to face the day again tomorrow. You know you'll likely wonder why you bothered to get out of bed. You feel like nobody cares. There is One who always cares. He already knows you're hurting. He holds all your tears in a bottle. He watches the ongoing fight.
No tests?
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. ~ Proverbs 17:3 ESV My children have taught me a great deal about parenting. For instance: when I was a starry-eyed parent-to-be I said things like, "I'll never yell at my children. I'll never say, 'because I said so.'… Continue reading No tests?
Feeling overwhelmed?
Somewhere, right now, there is a young mother standing in her house, the fingertips of both hands pressed into her head in frustration. The house gets cleaned, only to be dirty within a few minutes. She sits down to rest only to be interrupted by another of her children. The sink is clogged, the repairman is calling, the bills need paying and dinner needs preparing. Somewhere, right now, somebody you know is feeling overwhelmed. It might even be you.
Short-term memory loss.
Sometimes I read Bible accounts and have a face-palm moment. How could these people be so dense?! And then I realize something---I am just as foolish at times!
7 Marriage Principles We Should Teach Our Children
Many parents squirm over the prospect of their children dating and marrying---and for good reason. We who have been through that stage of life are well-acquainted with the pitfalls, dangers and temptations. We have observed (or experienced) them and are more than a little reluctant to let our kids face that particular gauntlet. Because we live in a society in which people choose their marriage partner, it is absolutely vital that we actively teach our children what marriage is and what to look for in a spouse.
Who do I tell?
Have you ever had your heart crushed by someone who was supposed to be a friend? Enemies can attack and leave some bruising, but nothing is as devastating as being hurt, neglected, ignored or betrayed by a loved one. Enemy attacks are like surface wounds; friend's attacks cut to the bone. When you feel this way, where do you take your pain? To whom do you relay your frustration?
Elihu's Corner 