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Quiet Time

    by Kasia Kedzia

Extraordinarily Personal
Date Posted: December 8, 2015

Sometimes I think that I need to do extraordinary things to impact the world. We want a purpose, to impact greater change, to do or be a part of something bigger. We can forget that as Christians, we already are. It’s the small everyday things we can do and say that can change someone’s eternity and show us God.

Ps51:16-17 (msg) “Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.”

It’s giving up your seat on the bus or train for someone, or giving someone $5 at the register when the debit card limit is $10 and they have no cash. It’s a smile, eye contact, and many other forms of warmth and mercy that we can give every day. In the moments we give and live in these ways people see God, and so do we. These are mercy-filled moments. It’s remembering Jesus never withdrew his mercy and grace from anyone. It’s how He loved.

When I felt like mercy was being withheld from me by someone, though I longed for it, I turned to God. He filled me with His mercy and it is now out of this fullness I am able to pour it out on to others like I was never able to before. God always shows us mercy. How amazing!

Ps119:132 (NIV) “Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.”

It struck me the other day how Jesus could have just waved his hand over the crowds and healed them all at once. Yet he chose to meet each need individually, in intimate ways, so we could see that this is God’s character, this is our God with us, one-on-one. I would have chosen efficiency, He chose intimacy. My choices are so different now as He continues to transform me.

John 5:14 “Later, Jesus found the man at the Temple and said to him, “See, you are well now. Stop sinning so that something worse does not happen to you.”

John 9:35 “When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, Jesus found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

Not only did Jesus choose personal intimate moments, but he went back and found these men again. He comes back for us in the full spectrum of moments - our pain, trials, and daily moments of whatever, the hard, uncomfortable, and unbearable.

Brene Brown writes, “When we lose our tolerance for discomfort, we lose joy.” Whether I am in the midst something I don’t understand or when I am a bit too certain and think I understand completely, Jesus always finds me. Our God is personal, vulnerable and intimate. When we are close to Him we can love like He loves. We can face what we dread the most. We can lean into our painful moments. God’s way is harder but it’s best. When we connect with His love for us, we are free to love like He loves. We are free to be seen for who we are because we are secure in who we are in Him. We don’t need to self-protect, worry, or promote because He’s already got us. We can see and do the extraordinary in the ordinary moments. Not because of who we are but because of who He is. So go ahead, love, show mercy, and change the world, one person at a time.

1Peter5:6-7 (msg) “So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.”

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Biography Information:
Gods brought me a long way from the New York City Housing Projects. I studied the Bible, repented, and was baptized for the forgiveness of my sins when I was 17 and have been repenting and striving towards heaven ever since. The hardest thing about becoming a Christian at 17 was trusting that God would take care of me, meet my emotional teen needs, and help me overcome my enormous insecurity...what else would a teen girl have trouble with?

Since those first days, I have made it out of the Projects, finished my Masters degree in International Development, and moved  to DC  to work in my field. As a young single Christian woman my struggles today are a little different than they were when I first came to know God, but who am I kidding, not much. It's the every day battle for my heart to be pure before God, to strive to please him, and help others to seek and know Him.

Over my years of a faithful walk with God I have received much grace and compassion and have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Through out it all one thing has stayed consistent: God's word. Through His word I have been inspired and it has kept me faithful even when faith seemed like a foreign concept and God seemed deaf to my prayers. I started emailing my Quiet Times which helped me stay accountable as I shared my struggles and fought for understanding. Some wrote back and said they too were inspired and could relate. I hope some of my times can help inspire others who are seeking and fighting just like I am, to get to heaven and take as many as possible with me along the way.

Like what your read? Check out my blog: http://stronggirlforlife.wordpress.com/