I've learned contentment In all things

^{Philippians 2:5-8}"Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion."

I could continue to read this scripture over and over and it still makes no sense to me. Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness. Jesus Christ part of the Holy Trinity. He was fully God and fully man! This man who was prophesied about through out the whole old testament. Whom the Jews would know as their Messiah. Who would be the greatest teacher of all. A miracle worker. Who would come to set them free. He would not only be part of a Royal Heritage as The Father's only son but also part of the Royal line descending from King David. This one who was in the beginning. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, He was there.

And yet He came and made himself of no reputation. He came and literally went to the lowest place. He didn't claim 'special privileges'. He came to SERVE! He came to set us FREE! 

The Lord has been teaching me a lot about crucifixion. This summer has definitely been one of the hardest seasons of my life. I feel as though I've been in a pressure cooker. I've felt the death of a lot of things. But all in all, I'm realizing where my real dreams and ambitions lie. And if they are not first and foremost rooted in Him, then I don't want them. 

I'm realizing that when I said 'Lord you have my heart' And "I lay down my life for your name's sake." He took me at my word. :) He agreed to have my 'everything' in exchange for His 'everything'. I would say that's a pretty good trade. If my everything looks like laying down the American dream. Laying down a big ministry. Laying down money. Laying down friends and picking up my cross and following Him then I say yes! He never said this is going to be an easy path. "That it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22) But the word also says  "For whoever finds me finds Life, And obtains favor from the LORD" (Proverbs 8:35) Jesus didn't come to make us slaves and to create robots who have no mind or will of their own. But He came to set us free and to make the ultimate sacrifice, so we could be with Him for eternity. We were dirtied in our sin. Bound and locked in chains. 

But He came and went to the lowest place and in His humility, He died a gruesome death upon a Cross. This one that we adore! This one that we worship. He came. He came with me and you and us in mind. Knowing that He was the only one who could pave the way. In order to restore the dreams and plans in His heart. To create and make a people that He could dwell with. The ultimate dream in His heart was US!! And Jesus did whatever it would take to win us back!! 

Therefore, if Jesus Christ ".. made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7) Then I can surely take up my cross and embrace anything that He calls me to walk through. 

Jesus we remember
Your love
Jesus we remember
Your suffering

The pinnacle of love
Upon a tree
There's a Man hanging there
And He's bleeding for me

This is Your Maker
This Your Creator
This is Your Husband
Dying for His bride

You loved me
To the end.