I am a singer, songwriter, wife, mother, Jesus follower. I send out a 2-minute read every Tuesday about Jesus and life in God.
Poured Out
|
Hi Friends, As many of you are aware, families in the community where I live are in transition. Some are leaving full-time ministry for the first time and entering the workplace. Some are getting part-time jobs to supplement participating in part-time ministry. Nearly every friend in this position that I’ve had the opportunity to talk with has stated some version of this: I still want to live a life poured out before the Lord. Although most would agree that living a poured out life is not contingent on being expressed in one particular time or place, we most often use this kind of language to refer to a ministry position. That’s one reason it can feel disorienting to transition out of ministry. Let’s talk about this. But first, a chorus I have been singing for years: Let every moment of my life be offered up in love Among all the things He showed us by becoming a man, Jesus displays exactly what it looks like to live a life poured out before the Lord. When He was a student, learning the craft of carpentry. When He attended a wedding, staying long, even prolonging the party. When He laughed and played with children in a field. Let them come! When He cooked fish over a flame for his friends for breakfast. When He touched the hand of Peter’s mother-in-law, caring for her in her sickness. When He slips away for time to be quiet and pray. You could replace each sentence above with this phrase: Jesus poured His life out in love before the Lord. Yes, every last thing this God Man does is holy. No separation between flesh and spirit, between sacred and ordinary. He’s shown us that every moment is one perfectly crafted to give Him our love. Not just “adequate”…perfectly crafted. It doesn’t matter if you’re able-bodied or intelligent. It doesn’t matter if you have money or training. It doesn’t matter if you’re in ministry or driving trucks across the country for a living. Whatever life brings, whatever trial or joy or work, He is right there. Right here. Ready to be found. Ready to receive. And so we pour our lives out in love before You, Lord. –Anna |
Anna Blanc
I am a singer, songwriter, wife, mother, Jesus follower. I send out a 2-minute read every Tuesday about Jesus and life in God.
Hi Friends, Welcome to week one of the Advent Series! This year I am writing these Advent devotionals for those overcoming spiritual anxiety. (You can read more on that here if you missed it.) There is healing for us in this Advent story, and it starts at the very beginning. In Luke 1:26-38, we see Mary visited by the Angel Gabriel and given a most shocking message. That she, a virgin, would bear the Son of God. She is overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, and it begins: Jesus spends His first 9...
Hi Friends, I’m planning something unusual for this Advent season. For the last couple years, I’ve taken the weeks leading up to Christmas to stare with you into the passages of Scripture about Christ coming as a baby. The birth of Christ is a storyline that’s rich in wonder. We could spend all 365 days of the year focusing on it and not exhaust all there is to see. This year, I want to immerse us in this story once again… But with an unusual twist. I am writing an Advent series for those...
Hi Friends, I’m in one of those marriages. You know the kind. One where my husband starts playing Christmas music the day after Halloween, and I am left dumbfounded that someone could so heedlessly skip right over the Thanksgiving season. Yes season! (I know about half of you are on team husband, but I press on.) I’m wanting to be more intentional this year about my thanks-giving. The cultivation of gratitude in my heart and life. And I’m starting this “thanks-giving” focus in an unusual...