If I took a snapshot of your life right now, would I see you standing in the dark before the morning?

A couple weeks ago, I put a call out for bloggers and readers of Faith Barista to share their stories of rejection.  We have also been exploring the whole notion of God’s blueprints for our lives and trying to grapple with why He allows pain.

Thank you for sharing your amazing stories.

Skin In The Game

I loved finding the mystery behind our mixed experiences of fears and faith.  It’s beautiful and real to see them co-exist.

Sometimes, when we get snagged by our duplicity, we can stand frozen.

But, Jesus is bigger than our doubts.  He can meet us in that haze of indecision and grab us by the hand. He lovingly waits to show us there is more to life.

There’s no formula on how He’ll do it, but the crazy thing is this:  He wants us to put skin in the game.

Worship Smoothie

Today, I’d like to dedicate this Worship Smoothie — Before The Morning, by Josh Wilson — to those of us who stand at the edge of change.

We’re not guaranteed perfection in life.  Total bummer, huh?  We may get hurt, make mistakes, and God forbid, find out we’re flawed (really?).

But, the lure of the Gospel is this:  God promises to make the bad out of good.  His reputation is staked on bringing life out of death.  He hung on the cross to show us He can do it.

The rub is whether we’d be willing to walk that same path… sometimes through darkness… in order to see the light up ahead.

If you’ve ever wondered why God had you walk in the dark —

yet were brave enough to keep trying —

you are daring to believe —

Life is not a snapshot

So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight

‘Cuz the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

~Lyrics to “Before The Morning”, by Josh Wilson

I’m going for it — whatever that plan of God’s is for me.  I can only find out, if I’m willing to try.

I’m glad that I can find some faith friends along the way, here with you.  You’ve given me encouragement, by giving me a peek at life before the morning.

Let’s help each other and keep walking.  There’s Light up ahead.

What changes put your skin in the game?

Hope you enjoy the smoothie as much as I did. Happy Friday.

Remember… Fill That Glass Half Full!

"Before The Morning"
Lyrics By Josh Wilson
Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you
If there’s a God who loves you where is He now
Maybe there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Someday somehow you’ll see you’ll see
Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
'Cuz the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
My friend you know how this all ends
You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer
And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
It’s just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
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To read about the story behind the song, "Before The Morning", click here.