Eyes to See // Micah

Before he was an apostle, Paul pursued his own way and blindly chased a deity of his own making. Consumed with zeal, yet deprived of sight, he eventually found himself rooted on a path, standing sword drawn, directly opposed to the real God. How does that happen?

While you and I hopefully will never literally square off with Christ, we can find ourselves so consumed with our vision for life that His way is lost on our path. Indeed the father of darkness would have all men rummage through life sightless.

It was not until Paul fully yielded to the light of Christ that the blinders fell off. It was then that a clear line of sight emerged from the fog of self will.

Like Paul, we gain real perspective by submitting our hopes, dreams and desires to Jesus. If we want God’s vision to guide our walk we must release our need to "have it our way" and ask the Light of the World for Eyes To See.

Acts 9:5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!”

Acts 9:9 “He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.”

Acts 9:12 “I HAVE SHOWN HIM A VISION of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him SO HE CAN SEE again.”

Acts 9:22 “Saul's preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.”

- Micah McElveen

Happily Wed // Micah

James 4:4-5 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?”

We all have ambitions, which flow from our hopes and desires. The first few verses in James 4 remind us that dissension in Christ’s family chiefly flows from ungodly ambitions being pursued in ungodly ways. Like a hot knife through butter, verse 4 cuts to the chase declaring, “You are with me or you are against me, choose this day whom you will serve… and if it is me, then love me exclusively and follow me wholeheartedly.”

He uses language from the bedroom, reminding us that we sleep around on God when we choose the world over Him. He explains that cheating creates division in the family and sows discord between us and God. He pulls from other scriptures, highlighting that God, like a good husband, has a zealous and jealous love for His bride. He reminds us that anyone who violates the intimacy meant between exclusive lovers, no doubt becomes the enemy of the betrayed.

Father, help us to quit vacillating and embrace the hope of Heaven, the desires of the Lover of Our Soul. Help us to align ourselves with the ambitions of our bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Transform our will to yours, Maker, Savior, and Lord, that we would walk in our union as lovers, Happily Wed.

- Micah McElveen

Unshakably Satisfied // Micah

Breathe that in for a moment. Try and get a mental image of what that looks and feels like... What would you give for that?

Satisfaction does not require retirement and is not a bedfellow of apathy. A truly satisfied person is not void of trial, challenge or toil nor are they empty of hopes, dreams and aspirations. Instead a content soul does not “need,” and is therefore not anxious or demanding. Satisfaction is the substance in one who has “learned to be content” while “pressing toward the mark.” The results of this sustained state leads to a fire forged strength, capable of surviving the rigor of life’s battles.

A satisfied individual is unshakable because they aren’t propped up by volatile external factors. Self-worth derived from co-dependence has given way to a vitality drawn from a deeper well.

While hard to achieve, much less describe, I do know one thing that must be present to find timeless unbreakable satisfaction and that is unfailing love. But where can we find such a love? A love untouched by circumstance that remains unstained by evil and continues undiluted by time? Unfailing love is found in God and is made available in the person of Christ whose Spirit resides in all called by His name. In Him alone can we become Unshakably Satisfied.

Psalm 90:14 “Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.”

Psalm 107:9 “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

John 6:35 “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall not thirst.”

- Micah McElveen