Tag: music

The Fringe of Christmas

Published on by tinavila202 Comments

Podcast version available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Anchor!

Special things sure have a way of losing their sparkle when they grow familiar.

  • That shiny new car can quickly get all banged up without a second thought after awhile.
  • New sneakers get all the scuff marks scrubbed out initially. But before long that crisp white fades to a sad beige hue.
  • And the Christmas story can easily become a snooze-fest after we’ve heard it a zillion times.

If you’re familiar with the Christmas story, then you know how difficult it can be to find new meaning amongst the hustle and bustle, and the tinsel and twinkle that inevitably comes with the Christmas season. Going through the motions can numb us to the true wonder of it all.

Well in recent years, I’ve been intentional about finding ways to engage with the story of Christ’s birth at Christmastime.

Here’s the pro tip: Plant yourself in the story!

Not as Tina, an obscure writer with a good sense of fashion and a humble sense of humour. Not even as a fly on the wall, or a third-party observer.

But as one of the many people we encounter in the biblical accounts of God becoming a human and making His home among us. (John 1:14)

There are lots of people in the Christmas story, but this year I was especially drawn to the shepherds. Theirs is one of the more well known of Christmas stories, so it’s a good one to explore together.

The Shepherds

You can read the full account of the angel and the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20.

When I do, I imagine myself as a shepherd, hanging out with my sheep and fellow herders. I plant myself in the story, gather the facts, and ask reflective questions.

So let’s try this exercise together!

First, gather the background facts.
Here are some important things about shepherds:

  • Shepherds were fringe members of society in every way.
  • Their work forced them towards the outskirts of towns where their sheep could graze freely.
  • Their work was filthy and undignified, which meant that respectable members of society looked down on shepherds.
  • In fact, most members of society avoided associating with shepherds altogether.

Second, gather the story details.
Here is the gist of the shepherds’ part of the Christmas story:

  • Shepherds were up in the middle of the night watching over their sheep.
  • Out of nowhere (the Bible uses the term suddenly!), an angel appeared in the sky announcing the birth of the Messiah in King David’s town, and instructions on where to find Him.
  • An army of angels then joined the angel glorifying and praising God, and proclaiming peace on those whom God favours.
  • When the angels left them, the shepherds resolved to go find this baby immediately and hurried off to do so.
  • Once their eyes confirmed what the angel had said, they hurried off again to tell everyone they could about the birth of the Messiah.
  • Finally, anyone who heard their report was amazed.

Let’s reflect on this together.

Would the angelic announcement of the Messiah’s arrival inspire the same reaction if I had been among the shepherds that day?

Additionally,

  • Do I believe that the angel’s announcement is actually good news, like they said?
  • Do I believe it’s meant to bring great joy to all people? Why, or why not?
  • If God’s incarnation (meaning: God, coming to earth) really is good news to me, then does my reaction to this good news mirror the shepherds’?
  • Do I share their sense of urgency to tell anyone and everyone about this good news?
  • Did it change anything for me, the way it changed everything for them? Why, or why not?

After having reflected on these as a way of connecting with the story more personally, I ask a few more WHY questions.

But instead of WHY questions to myself, I like to ask God.

Disclaimer: My constant desire is that what I read in the scriptures will tell me more about God. About His character, His will, His purposes, the way in which He works in and through our world. The Christmas story is no exception!

Here are some of my Why God questions about the angel and the shepherds:

  • God, why did you choose to make this epic, angelic announcement to the fringe of society?
  • God, why not announce this important news to the religious leaders (Pharisees), political leaders (kings, governors), or even influential persons (scribes, intellectuals, wealthy businesspeople)?
  • God, why in the middle of the night?

Here’s what we can learn about God by asking these questions:

  • God announced the birth of His Son through the angel to the shepherds because the shepherds had nothing to lose. They were already rejected, unpopular, among the least important members of society.
    Their reaction was enthusiastic and pure. They trusted the angel’s announcement at face value, and – if I had to speculate – did exactly what God would have wanted in response: which is to go and tell everyone!
  • In contrast, God did not choose the highest members of society to be the first to know that His Son, the Messiah, had entered the world because they probably would not have responded as the shepherds did. God wanted the news of His Son’s arrival to spread, and fast. The shepherds did so with no inhibition.
    The religious elite would likely have responded with scepticism. I believe this because of the way they respond to Jesus throughout the His earthly ministry as documented in all four gospels.
    The political leaders would likely have responded in fear, as exhibited by King Herod in Luke 2:3 where it says he was greatly disturbed at the news.
    And any other influential persons would likely have responded with the same dejectedness we see this in the rich young ruler who realized what he’d have to give up to follow Jesus. (Mark 10:17-27)

All of these reactions, although speculated, tell us a lot about God. He isn’t out to impress the best of the best. He made Himself small, like a baby. Brought Himself low, like a member of the lower class. Born in a barn so that anyone can reach Him. Born in obscurity. Basically anonymous. Unknown. Common. Ordinary.

  • And the middle of the night? Well, that’s easy. The darkness is where God always meets us! When we were still sinners. Children of darkness and sin. That’s where He reaches down to pull us up. He doesn’t wait for us to claw our way to the light, or somehow clean up our act well enough to be worthy of Him. Because that’s impossible.

My favourite children’s Bible The Jesus Storybook Bible says,

As silent as snow falling, He came in. And when no one was looking, in the darkness, He came.

– Sally Lloyd-Jones

It’s all part of God’s upside down kingdom. Changing the world through a baby. Announcing His arrival to the fringe of society, to lowly shepherds, in the middle of the night. Because if He came to the best of us, the rest of us could never reach Him. And that’s what’s so magical about Christmas. We don’t have to. Because He came down to reach us.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

What’s in the Ears

If you know me, you know it was nearly impossible to narrow down a Christmas song for this week. I tried real hard. This isn’t even a Christmas song but it’s on the new Maverick City Christmas album and it brings me ALL the way back to my high school choir days from the 90s. Hope you enjoy!

Friend, may you have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by loved ones, and FILLED with God’s love. Anything else is gravy. Thank you for concluding From the Overflow‘s second year with me. I love connecting with you here. God bless you.

Podcast version available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Anchor!

The Art of Waiting Well

Published on by tinavila202 Comments

*Podcast version on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Anchor!

This is could easily be the extended version of my last blog post, Count the Fruit. There was just too much to say about the fruit of the Spirit that I couldn’t help but keep writing this week. So if you haven’t checked that out, please do!

A little behind the scenes of my writing will tell you that I read Bible passages in almost every English-language translation, and try hitting the original Greek text too, in order to get the most out of what the authors are saying.

Well, this was no different. And I was particularly struck by the Amplified Bible translation of the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

– Galatians 5:22-23

Did you catch what it said about patience? Oh my WORD! That’ll preach.

Patience isn’t just about the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting.

I mean, am I the only one who feels personally attacked with words like that? (I feel like Michael Scott from The Office when he declares that he is the victim of a hate crime!)

The point is that if we are truly surrendered to God, walking with Jesus, and filled with the Spirit, then the result of His presence within us will. be. this. fruit!

It’s literally the cause-and-effect theory in action.

Why does it matter how we wait?

  • If I’m not hurting anyone, why does it matter how I wait?
  • If it doesn’t make the wait any shorter, why does it matter how I wait?
  • If I’m not gaining anything from it, why does it matter how I wait?
  • What difference does it make??

I’m reminded of that line by John Wooden that says:

The true test of a person’s character is what they do when no one is watching.

So maybe it doesn’t change anything in your circumstances to wait well. But something happens inside us when we do.

  1. Perhaps you wait in ANGER
    Your default is irritability and frustration. You have a short fuse and should not be crossed if you don’t receive the answer you’re waiting for in a timely manner.
  2. Perhaps you wait in ANXIETY
    Your default is to be overwhelmed and filled with stressful, anxious thoughts. You can’t get your mind to settle, and you can’t function as what if‘s overtake you.
  3. Perhaps you wait in LISTLESSNESS
    Your default is apathy and disinterest. You lose any kind of ability to function because waiting on that one thing becomes all that matters. And life loses all meaning without that piece of the puzzle in place.

What do all these characteristics have in common?

They are symptoms of distrust in God.

Focusing on our circumstances makes the process of waiting unbearable.

It puts all the responsibility on our circumstances to fulfill us – our needs, wants, expectations, goals, and more. It’s not meant to be this way. We will ALWAYS be disappointed with this approach.

But those who wait for the Lord? Ohhhhh….. they will renew their STRENGTH! They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint.

– Isaiah 40:31

How is this even possible?

How can strength be RENEWED… not just sustained, propped up, extended… but renewed. Only God, y’all. Only God.

Because if His Spirit is filling us, even though we may begin weary and worn out… renewal comes as we focus on Him over our circumstances.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

– 2 Corinthians 4:18

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for Him, He thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and He is now seated at the right side of God’s throne.

– Hebrews 12:2

So how do we wait well?

Worship while you wait

Because He is worthy ALWAYS. Even when we’re not getting what we want.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.

– Psalm 42:5

Bring it to God

Because He alone can sustain and fill us with hope in the waiting.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Romans 15:13

These can only happen when we expose TWO LIES, and disarm their power over our thinking patterns.

Culture feeds us the following lies that are masquerading as RESPONSIBILITY and MATURITY.

1. The Responsibility of Being in Control

  • Culture tells us that we’re somehow being responsible when we get busy trying to control every potential outcome of our circumstances. It is the illusion of control, and believing the lie that we can decide when and how things will turn out. Of course, we can control some things. So distinguishing the difference between things we can control, and things we cannot control, is critical.

Listen, those of you who are boasting, “Today or tomorrow we’ll go to another city, spend some time there, go into business and make heaps of profit!” But you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring. For your fleeting life is but a warm breath of air that is visible in the cold only for a moment and then vanishes!

– James 4:13-15

2. The Maturity in Worrying

  • Culture also tells us our worry is a sign of maturity. Because if we dwell on our problems and consider all possible outcomes, then we are morally good for worrying about them. We believe that immature people simply don’t understand what’s at stake, or don’t consider all the factors. When in fact, we’re really just believing the lie that we care more because we worry more.

Does worry add anything to your life? Can it add one more year, or even one day? So if worrying adds nothing, but actually subtracts from your life, why would you worry about God’s care of you?

– Luke 12:25-26

It goes on to talk about how if He cares so much about birds and plants, wouldn’t He care for YOU all the more?

Bottom Line

Waiting well matters. Not just for my witness, but for my mental health and the state of my soul! It’s worth reflecting on how we wait, and ask God to help us trust Him with all the unknowns so that the result of His presence within us could be the fruit of His Spirit. And that is the true art of waiting well.

What’s in the Ears

I cannot even deal with how good this song is. Hit it at the 7:00 mark if you feel like a good cry over words to build you up in your season of waiting. You’re welcome.

Have you mastered the art of waiting well? I can assure you, I have not! But I’d love to know if any of this has been helpful to you! You can let me know in the comments or send me a message. And feel free to share this too if it resonates!

*Podcast version on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Anchor!

Too Much and Not Enough

Published on by tinavila20Leave a comment

Confession: I don’t know what it is about 7pm, but once it strikes, I hit a wall and can no longer parent. It’s like I’m a character out of Cinderella who’s out past curfew and turns into a pumpkin.

Being a stay-at-home parent means you’re ON for your kids at all times. And with one kid who isn’t a lover of sleep, it means we sure do see lots of each other during all hours of the day and night.

By the time we’re finished with dinner, I have a hard time even being around my kids. Is that TMI? My tank is empty. I’ve reached my limit and I have nothing left. I just can’t seem to be enough for them.

*Disclaimer, my kids are freakin’ awesome. They may feel like too much, but they’re really not. They’re just regular kids, with regular needs. However, I am a human mama with human limitations. I don’t have boundless energy or infinite patience. Even on my best days, my kids can feel like way too much! And I can often feel like I’m not enough.

Regular kids + mama with limits = high chance of not being enough for them.

**Disclaimer 2: I know I can also be a little much. Being married to an introvert, I’ve learnt that when my husband has had a difficult day, I can be a little overbearing with my questions, requests and anecdotes.

It requires a conscious effort on my part to Tone. It. Down! and not be overbearing, demanding, naggy, clingy, desperado… ya know, all the most sought after qualities every man loves in his lady.

But it doesn’t stop there, folks!

Being too much or not enough is a struggle in many relationships dynamics.

Take friendships: we can all think of that one needy friend – hey, maybe you are that friend!

That one person who never seems to get enough of your time or attention. Who needs more of you than you can give, or are willing to give!

With unhealthy boundaries, we can feel like we’re stretched too thin in meeting the demands of our time and relationships.

We can feel like we’re either too much for some people, or not enough for others. To some, we may feel like a burden or a nuisance. While to others, no matter what we do or how much we give, it’s never enough.

This is the tension we all have to manage as people created with limitations in our time and mental capacity. We simply cannot be all things to all people (Scripture taken out of context, don’t @ me!).

He loves me. Even when I’m annoying and clingy!

To find any success in these areas, I humbly propose the following:

  • Recognize the struggle
  • Put healthy boundaries in place to manage time and responsibilities
  • Ask God for His empowering strength to face each day and its demands
  • And voilà! You win at life!

Ok, ok I’m obviously making ridiculous mom jokes. But the truth is that the heart of this blog post isn’t about boundaries, tips on time management, healthy vs. toxic friendships, or anything else like that.

What I’ve come to realize is this: our culture of unrealistic expectations means that we can so easily feel suffocated by the needs of others. Or on the flip side, we can feel the pressure to shrink ourselves in order to not be so overbearing.

Whichever side you tend to lean on, neither gives us a healthy view of God. That’s what I really want to shed light on here, and that’s the real tragedy of this whole thing.

Allow me to make a few things clear:

  • You will NEVER be too much for God.
  • You will NEVER be not enough for God (excuse the double negative, I’m making a point).
  • You will NEVER be misunderstood by God.
  • You will NEVER be a burden to God.
  • You will NEVER be annoying to God.
  • You will NEVER be insufficient to God.

Why? Because God is not like us! He doesn’t get tired. He doesn’t lose His patience. He doesn’t expect something from us that He knows we were never meant to give.

He doesn’t roll His eyes at our neediness. He doesn’t get exasperated at our worry. He doesn’t get frustrated with how long-winded our ramblings can be.

Yes, He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6) and He is angry at our sin (Isaiah 59:2).

But amazingly, God—so full of compassion—still forgives us! He covered over our sins with His love, refusing to destroy us all. Over and over He holds back His anger, restraining wrath to show us mercy.

Psalm 78:38 (narrative edit by me)

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by the people who overwhelm me, I have to consciously remind myself that God doesn’t get overwhelmed by me. He doesn’t need a break from me. He doesn’t get His fill or reach His limit of “Tina time”.

Because the Lord longs to be gracious to me; therefore He will rise up to show me compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!

Isaiah 30:18
Sweet scooter gang

Where do you go to fill up when you’re empty? Who could ever truly be enough for you when you’re just not enough?

1 I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, He who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord Himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.

– Psalm 121
  • God is always always always available to us. ALWAYS! (Hebrews 4:16)
  • He created us for Himself! For the sole purpose of being in relationship with Him. (Romans 11:36)
  • He is fully aware of all our limitations and toxic traits, and they do not deter him from us. (Hebrews 4:15)
  • He knows every little thing about us, and still loves us completely. (Psalm 139 – all of it! Read it with fresh eyes when you need the reminder that God doesn’t think you’re too much or not enough.)
  • When we put our faith in His Son, Jesus, we are covered by Him, and can have full access to fountain that never runs dry. (John 4:14)

When you’ve been burnt enough times by people who want you to be less of yourself, or demanding more than you have to give, please please please – remember that Jesus is not like that. Yes, He asks us to lay down our lives to follow Him (Luke 9:23), but it’s so He can give us abundant life in return!

I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!

– John 10:10

I’d say that’s a trade in our favour, friends! So when you feel hesitant to go to God with your frustrations, questions, qualms, and needs – don’t! Don’t feel hesitant! He’s not burnt out by you. He has more for you than you could ever need.

What’s in the Ears

This week we’re showcasing not 1, but 2 songs!

The first was an obvious choice and truly ministers to the heart.

This is a perfect song for our topic too! It’s a recent release and the whole album is really powerful.

Talk to me, friend! Do you ever feel like you’re too much or not enough for your people?
Where does this land for you? Do you ever project those feelings onto God? Let me know in the comments or send me a DM!