"Because I said so." Four words we all dreaded to hear when we were kids and the oldest parenting motto in the book. Looking back I can see that my parents knew best and an explanation wasn't always warranted because I was either too young to comprehend or I simply couldn't see the bigger picture. We're wired to want to know the "why" behind things. Curiosity is intrinsic. It's natural to ask questions and want more information before we commit to something. I think this is how we approach God sometimes. We know what his commands are, yet we want to understand all the ins and outs before we make up our mind to obey.
Reading through Ezekiel I've noticed how many times God is referred to as "the Sovereign Lord" and I'm reminded that his power is supreme, absolute, unlimited, unrestricted, ultimate and unconditional. This same powerful God desires to give me abundant life (John 10:10), which He says three times in chapter 20 comes from obeying His laws. "I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live." I don't know about you, but I would like to choose life. In the midst of a broken world though, sometimes it's difficult to see things as black and white, good versus evil.
Reading through Ezekiel I've noticed how many times God is referred to as "the Sovereign Lord" and I'm reminded that his power is supreme, absolute, unlimited, unrestricted, ultimate and unconditional. This same powerful God desires to give me abundant life (John 10:10), which He says three times in chapter 20 comes from obeying His laws. "I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, by which the person who obeys them will live." I don't know about you, but I would like to choose life. In the midst of a broken world though, sometimes it's difficult to see things as black and white, good versus evil.
Ezekiel goes on to compare Israel to a prostitute in the way that she served other gods and was striving to look like the nations around her. This may seem like an extreme comparison, but as I considered this I realized that living like the world and giving my heart over to worldly desires and idols is akin to cheating on God. Several questions came to mind while I was processing through this idea. I thought about how I would never cheat on any person (and people are imperfect), so why is it so easy for us to cheat on God (who is perfect)? Why are we as believers not more convicted by looking like the world around us? How have we become so complacent to think that simply believing in God is enough but not have our lives be a reflection of that belief?
I think we need to take a lesson from our childhood and apply that value of trust we have in our parents to our relationship with God. Obedience for the sake of obedience is still obedience and I think sometimes that's what we're called to. We need to learn to stop trying to understand everything and start trusting "the Sovereign Lord" who tells us point blank that obeying his commands leads to life. Not only is He sovereign, He is a good Father who desires to give us good things yet we still question that his ways are best when we look around and see all that the world has to offer. Instead of getting wrapped up in what we're "giving up" or "missing out" on, we should remember that in a battle of God versus the world, God wins every time (John 16:33). "Because He said so."
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
-James 1:23-25
Photography by Justin James
I've never really worn polka dots, but what I love about this dress is that the combination of the print and the silhouette create a vintage vibe. When I first tried it on, I felt a little like the mom from "Leave it to Beaver" and could totally see this dress worn with a strand of grandma's pearls and simple flats. Instead of that classic look, I decided to funk it up with some gold jewelry (the double strand necklace can be worn 6 different ways!) and gladiator heels. One of my favorite things about fashion is there's always room to think outside the box and experiment with your style. I found this Michael Kors polka dot dress while shopping Neiman Marcus Last Call online and swiped one of the last ones so unfortunately this exact dress is no longer available, but I did find some similar options that are equally as adorable and linked them below.
Jewelry: Socialite Pink
Rudy earrings $16 | Endless Possibilities necklace $138 | Kendall (gold) bracelet $59
(discounts available thru Socialite Pink Instagram)
Shop similar items:
I've never really worn polka dots, but what I love about this dress is that the combination of the print and the silhouette create a vintage vibe. When I first tried it on, I felt a little like the mom from "Leave it to Beaver" and could totally see this dress worn with a strand of grandma's pearls and simple flats. Instead of that classic look, I decided to funk it up with some gold jewelry (the double strand necklace can be worn 6 different ways!) and gladiator heels. One of my favorite things about fashion is there's always room to think outside the box and experiment with your style. I found this Michael Kors polka dot dress while shopping Neiman Marcus Last Call online and swiped one of the last ones so unfortunately this exact dress is no longer available, but I did find some similar options that are equally as adorable and linked them below.
Jewelry: Socialite Pink
Rudy earrings $16 | Endless Possibilities necklace $138 | Kendall (gold) bracelet $59
(discounts available thru Socialite Pink Instagram)
Shop similar items:
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