Greater

I learned recently that in the first 100 years after the Great Wall of China was built, it was breached only three times.  And none of those times included any damage to the wall itself.  All the enemy had to do was bribe the gatekeeper.

A week ago I ripped the sinks and countertop out of our 2nd upstairs bathroom and began a little remodeling up there.  I enjoy a good home project and more than once Kevin has come home to find a countertop taken off or a giant hole in the ceiling because I got inspired by something I saw on Pinterest.  On a good day, I regard home improvement as a hobby.  Something that keeps my hands and mind busy, my creativity fed.  On a bad day I am obsessed with it.  As if a new set of sinks and a countertop is the answer to whatever anxiety or frustration I am feeling at the moment. 

All too often I find myself paying more attention to what's going on around me than focusing on what's going on within me.  Like a gatekeeper at the Great Wall, it matters not the magnitude of what I've built, tended and painted.  If I am not willing to tend to what's inside me first, all the enemy has to do is walk right through.

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."  1 John 4:4

There's a great song from MercyMe called Greater and it is based on this verse.  I take great comfort in knowing that no matter what is going on around me, that none of it is greater than the God whose spirit lives inside me.

Are there circumstances you are trying to control in order to make you feel better about something that's going on inside of you?  Or maybe it's your circumstances that are the problem.  Your clothes, your house, your job, your friends....they just never seem to measure up.  Take comfort--there is still peace to be had.  Peace when in plenty, and peace when in want. 

For the One that is in you will ALWAYS be greater than what's going on around you.

XOXO....Kelly

"Greater" by MercyMe

 

Bring your tired
And bring your shame
Bring your guilt
And bring your pain
Don't you know that's not you're name
You will always be much more to me

 

Every day I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I'm not right
But that's alright

 

'Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

 

Bring your doubts
And bring your fears
Bring your hurt
And bring your tears
There'll be no condemnation here
You are holy, righteous and redeemed

 

Every time I fall
There'll be those who will call me
A mistake
Well that's OK

 

'Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

 

(He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
'Cause the cross already won the war

 (He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

I am learning to run freely
 Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more

 (He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
'Cause the cross already won the war

 (He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more

(He's Greater, He's Greater)

 

'Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

 

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
'Cause the cross already won the war

He's Greater, He's Greater

 

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more

My God is greater (He's Greater, He's Greater)
Than he who is living in the world