Unfortunately, throughout life we experience insults, failures, betrayals, disappointments, and other negative experiences that challenge our own self-worth. They leave us searching for evidence of our value again. They leave us longing for validation.
Some may look for this validation in relationships, careers, material possessions, or even the number of “followers” we have on twitter. John chapter four speaks of a woman, a woman who had had five husbands, looking to draw water from a well. To her surprise she discovered a “living” water that could quench her thirst indefinitely. Unknowing she was standing before a man who could adequately fill her deepest voids. Her true Validator was staring right at her.
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13,14 NIV
There is an analogy I often use, if you’ve ever tried drinking juice while you’re really thirsty you know that it only soothes you for a short time. Almost as soon as you swallow the nagging need for water quickly returns. The true problem is not this need for validation; it’s how we choose to fill it. Constantly consuming “juice”, the superficial validation we find in popularity, material possession, and relationships, will leave you worn out from chasing the quick fix it brings. But Christ offers not only water but living water that can fill your needs indefinitely. He will heal you where you’re broken. Only He can fill your empty spaces. God is greater than your deepest voids. He loves and protects us. He gives you value. Only He can validate...
Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done: He'll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon. Psalm 37:5-6 MSG
-Paige A. Henry
Paige is a clinical therapist who works with adjudicated youth in Detroit, MI and a singer/songwriter. Check out her music at www.sydneyandpaige.com or follower her on twitter @paigeahenry
He enters the room. No words spoken and eyes wide with anticipation. Not sure how to react, he just stands. Eyes glossy. Standing. Palms sweating. Standing. Unfathomable thoughts racing through his mind, he dare not speak in fear that they come to pass. So, he stands. Helpless and speechless, he stands.
June 1, 2011, Joseph Antonio Bulgin stands helpless. He stands as his only son bleeds from his side. He stands as his only son cries in agonizing pain from the wounds covering his body. He stands because he is helpless within those four walls in which he stands. His school training has not prepared him for a moment like this. No words can be arranged on paper to present to the small audience that fills this room because this is uncharted ground. So he stands waiting for hope and reassurance in this time of duress. A prayer falls from his lips asking his Father in heaven to calm his spirit, asking his Father in heaven to take the lead, asking his Father in heaven to take control. Eyes glossy and palms still sweating, he stands.
How could a loving father stand and watch his only son in so much pain? How could he stand motionless and not lift a finger in fear of the death of his son?
As a boy, he heard a story of a Father who let His only Son leave their beautiful home and enter a world of dangerous people, places and things. He heard a story of a Father who watched His only Son achieve great things while away from their beautiful home. He also heard how this Father who had all the power in the world, did not lift a finger when the dangerous people of this Earth crucified and killed His Son. Jesus came to Earth, lived and died and conquered the curse of sin and death all while his Father stood.
So my father stood, like his Father in Heaven stood. My father stood firm in the assurance of life beyond the grave. He stood weak in the emotion of the situation but strong in the Controller of the situation. He stood unknowing of the why’s of the situation but confident in the Who that was in control of the situation. He stood knowing that the God he serves had complete control and he stood in agreement of the prayer, “Thy will be done.”’
June 1, 2011, Joseph Antonio Bulgin, my father stood for me as an example of a man who trusts a God bigger than any situation. My father stood firm in his faith that God has got it all in control, good or bad. I saw that in my father that day and although I pray I don’t have to display it in the same situation, I pray that one day I can display the same strength and faith in the God that sustained me, his son.
John 3:16-17 (NLT) “For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.”
Excerpt from 25 and Counting.
-J. Anthony Bulgin
http://www.janthonybulgin.com
Our Movement
Who is Uprise?
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Uprise seeks to increase young adult involvement and membership in local churches,
provide current and practical spiritual solutions to the needs of young adults,
serve and uplift others,
provide Christian cafes and other like events,
and support the creation and enhancement of young adult ministries.
Find us at facebook.com/experienceuprise or email us at uprisemovement@gmail.com
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