Month: October 2015

What’s in a name? EVERYTHING!

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Uncertainty, WorshipLeave a comment

You know that person who is always so happy you want to punch them in the face? On most days, I am that person. I love how happy I am. I truly believe that I can be joyous in most circumstances. Until, I end up doing something stupid! I’m sure this happens to you too. The day is fantastic and then one small thing happens, and your day is ruined! Well, that was my yesterday. My day was going on really well. I was annoyingly happy. I was singing. I had a skip to my heel… and then, I made a mistake. A mistake that pretty much wiped out all the work I had done the entire week. One mistake. That was all it took for me to look at myself in the mirror and say, “You idiot!” I was calling myself names.

According to the dictionary, a “name” is a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known. Your name is what you call yourself. It is your identity!

I was reading through the book of Psalms and I loved how David poured out his heart to the Lord. In doing so, he identified very distinct characteristics of God’s infinite persona. In Psalm 18:2, David refers to the Lord as a “rock,” “fortress,” “deliverer,” “shield,” and “stronghold.” When he was fleeing from Saul/Absalom, David took refuge in God and in His protection. So it is obvious why he called God the names that he did.

This made me think of how we identify ourselves. Sure I have a name. Rachel. It’s beautiful and I love it. But then I thought about all of the other names I call myself – Strong, independent, ugly, selfish, fat, lazy, idiot…!!! Most times, when I call myself those names, I truly believe that’s who I am. In that moment, that is my identity. Yesterday, when I called myself an idiot, in that moment, I truly believed that I was “an utterly foolish or senseless person.”

Take a moment now and think about all the names we associate with ourselves, with our families, our friends and with strangers. We say, “alcoholic,” “addict,” “gay,” “straight,” “divorcee,” “widow,” “monster,” “murderer,” “liar,” “cheat,” … the list can go on. But may I suggest that our identity does not really rest in any of our shortcomings? It rests in the finished work of the cross. In thinking about what we often call ourselves, may I point out to you what Jesus calls us? John 1:12 says that, “to them that receive Him, He has given them the right be CALLED children of God.” In John 15:15 Jesus CALLS us His friends.

In saying this I am not discounting our failings and shortcomings. I am convinced that Jesus loves us too much to leave us the way He found us. What I am saying is – All have sinned and have come short of God’s glory – Each and every one of us. But if Jesus doesn’t identify us by our sin, then why should we?

If you are trying to figure out who you are… who you truly are, may I encourage you to look to Jesus because He calls you His “treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6).

In closing I have to say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

Overwhelmed Much?

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Chaos, Uncertainty, WorshipLeave a comment

Recently I committed to reading the Bible cover to cover. Wait, let me rephrase that. I recently committed to STUDYING the Bible from cover to cover. The difference between the two words makes a world of a difference! So far, I have been able to read from Genesis through Nehemiah. I am currently reading the book of Job.

Funny story – I was sitting by Bass lake earlier today, reading my Bible. An elderly lady walked past me and asked if I was reading my Bible. When I responded yes, she wanted to know what book I was reading and I told her. She smiled at me and asked me if the reason I was reading it was because I was having troubles. Lol!

It is unfortunate isn’t it that we associate the book of Job with the troubles he went through, his whining, annoying friends…? I know that the book has a happy ending, as I believe every story should. But what caught my attention isn’t the ending. It is the beginning. Let me explain.

If you know the story of Job at all, you will remember that God permits Satan to try Job because God was confident that he would not turn his back on Him. Job was living a happy and content life. But before he knew it, BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! Four catastrophes occurred, one after another.

  1. The Sabeans attacked and took all the oxen and the donkeys.

  2. Lightening struck all of his sheep.

  3. The Chaldeans made a raid and stole all the camels.

  4. ALL of Job’s children died – Not one, not two… ALL of them! 

Let’s take a moment and think about this. The Bible says that each of these incidents were reported to Job by a servant… the one servant that survived each of these catastrophes. That said, I encourage you to read the passage for yourself (Job 1: 13-22) and take into consideration the words the writer of this book uses to indicate how the servants brought these reports to Job. The Bible says, “While he was still speaking…” These words precede every incident. In other words, before Job even had the time to process one tragedy, another struck. Before he could come to terms with one loss, another hit. Talk about beating the wind out of someone!

His response to this overwhelming heart ache? He fell to the ground and WORSHIPPED! (Job 1:20)

I don’t know what it is that you are feeling overwhelmed about. May be you’ve received information that is life changing? Perhaps you are apprehensive about the future? Could it be that your present makes no sense? Or, you’ve lost a dear one? May be you just found out that you have a huge payment to make and you are completely broke? May I be so bold as to say – Regardless of your situation, would you like Job consider bowing down in worship?

Worshipping God in times of testing isn’t the most easiest of things to do. It probably will not solve your problems. However, bowing down in worship will give you the strength, the courage and the peace you need to catch a breath and humble yourself before the Lord, reminding yourself of who truly is in control. Worship is our way of stepping back and letting God bring order in to our chaos!

I doubt any of us is as overwhelmed as Job was. So, despite what he was going through, if he could fall down in worship, so can we!

In closing I have to say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!

My Future – My Idol

On By Rachel ChadalavadaIn Future, UncertaintyLeave a comment

If you know me, you will know that I have been job-hunting since February this year. Some doors never opened, and some that opened, shut tight. As long as I was in school, I still had my Graduate Student Assistant position so I wasn’t worried or frustrated about not finding a job. And then, I graduated! I was happy, ecstatic, and jobless! Surely I would find something. Right? Evidently not!

I tend to be a planner. I like to know when and where my paycheck is coming from. I like to know where I am going, what I am doing. I like to be in the know of things. Apparently, that’s not how God works. After I graduated, the pressure of finding a job obviously went up and being an international student, I had only 90 days to find one. With that understanding, came the revelation that the lease on my apartment was up and I had to move. Without a job, a place to stay, or any income whatsoever, I was in a helpless state of affairs. I moved to Miami, Florida to stay at a cousin’s place while he and his family were out of town. 

My friends and family would agree that I am a rather patient person. I don’t get agitated very easily. So I felt I was justified in getting frustrated over my lack of employment, despite seeking after it for 7 months (February through August). I felt I did everything right. I began applying early. I prayed over every application I sent. I was faithful in applying. I did everything right. Then why was the Lord making me wait?

I was getting tired of people’s words of wisdom. “All in God’s time.” “God blesses those who wait.” “Good things happen to those who wait.” “They that wait on the Lord will renew their strength.” “God has a plan for you.” I know they meant well and were only trying to encourage me but it didn’t help my frustration. Rather, added to it. Why was God making me wait? Where did I go wrong?

So I decided to take it up with the Lord. My friends were finding jobs that they really wanted and would thrive in. They all seemed to have a plan. They knew where they were going. Me, not so much. It seemed unfair. I opened the Bible and I read. I spent time every day seeking after the Lord trying my hardest to see what He was trying to teach me. Evidently there was a lesson that I hadn’t learned. I had no doubt that my future was secure in the Lord. I had no doubt that He knew what He was doing. What frustrated me, was that I did not know what He was doing! 

One day as I opened my devotional, I read, “An idol is anything that takes God’s rightful place.” And everything began to make sense. The lesson that I was being taught over these past several months was just that. I had made my job seeking, my idol. Every waking moment I thought about my future. Every spare moment I was hunting for jobs. I even sought after the Lord ONLY to see where my life was headed. That was my mistake! How was I so blind to see that? I focused all of my energy on seeking after my future, and what’s next, instead of keeping my eyes on the One who holds that future. I had made my future, my idol. I let it consume me, so much so I was getting anxious and couldn’t sleep at night constantly thinking about where I was headed. 

If you are like me, waiting to see which door God is going to open for you, don’t fret. He’s got your back! Spend some time on the lessons that I learned and am still learning, that God might be teaching you as well.

  1. Is God #1 in your life? That’s His rightful place. Don’t give it to anyone, or anything else (Exodus 20:3).
  2. God is interested in your heart and what your heart seeks after (Jeremiah 17:10). 
  3. The Lord knows your need and if you look closely, you will see His providence. Do you have food, shade, and clothing? (Matthew 6:26-34).
  4. Your actions speak louder than your words. If you say you trust God and are still fretting over what will be, you probably have a little more trusting to do (Proverbs 3:5).
  5. God does have a plan for your future. It is for your good. It is for you to prosper. He will fulfill His plans (Isaiah 46:10).
  6. Seek the Lord. Seek Him not to find out what your future holds. Seek Him, to know Him. He’s worth seeking after (Matthew 6:33).
  7. Lay out your cards on the table. The Lord is concerned about you. He won’t dismiss your worries (Psalm 55:22).
  8. The waiting itself isn’t as important as the process of waiting. You are being refined. Embrace it. God never leaves His work incomplete (Philippians 1:6). 
  9. God sees the bigger picture (1 Corinthians 2:9).
  10. God has the best in store for you. Does anyone love you more than Him? (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; John 15:13; John 10:10).

While I do have a job now, once January gets here, I will have less than 20 days before I will need to leave America to go back to my country if I am not employed. Yes, I am still waiting. But now as I wait, my eyes are on Jesus, knowing full well that He is Lord (Psalm 46:10). 

So as you wait on the Lord, remember to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NASB).

In closing I have to say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!