This morning I was reading in Genesis 45. It is a very well known story to me. It is the account of Joseph revealing himself to his brothers in Egypt. I've heard it a million times, but today it spoke something new to my heart.
Verses 4-8 reads: "And Joseph said to his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. And now, be not grieved, and be not angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been these two years in the land: and yet there are five years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. So God sent me before you to preserve a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance. And now it was not you that sent me here, but God and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and governor over all the land of Egypt."
Joseph seemed to have a deep wisdom filled understanding about his mission to Egypt. He understood God had sent him and brought him through some very unfair and unjust treatment, put him in jail, and seemingly left him forgotten, but all for a purpose. God brought him to and through it all to preserve a remnant on earth. Wow! I wish I had that perspective! I find it incredibly easy to feel unjustly treated or like life isn't fair, or feeling like God has forgotten all the hopes and dreams He once placed on my heart. I often look around and see other's being blessed and walking in the fullness of God's calling on their lives and I wonder, "why not me Lord?" But not once in Genesis, that I can find or that I remember, did Joseph ever do that! And though he landed in a very posh environment in the end, we must not forget his unjust treatment from his brothers, being falsely accused, living in jail.....All that stuff wasn't fair! He could have grown bitter and angry. He could have screamed out to God: "DON'T YOU REMEMBER THOSE DREAMS YOU PLACED IN MY HEART AND MIND!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING GOD!? THIS IS NOT FAIR!" He doesn't do that though. Instead, no matter where he was placed, he put forth his best, gaining favor in the eyes of all those who spent time with him. That would never have happened if he had complained, pouted, thrown a fit, grown angry and bitter. And in the end, he was able to look at his brothers and say, "hey, no worries! I'm not mad at you! You were just helping God out to bring me to this place so I could save you!"
Again, WOW! It made me take a quick look at my life. I've gone through a few things, but nothing like Joseph went through. Sure, I have felt unjustly treated at times, misunderstood, forgotten, and have felt life is not fair. But do I complain or do I put forth my best in every situation? UGH! Unfortunately, I often complain. I had to ask myself this morning: "In my life, through the situations I have been placed in, what remnant is God desiring to save through me and through my life?" I'm not sure I have the answer for that....and if you had asked Joseph that question when he was thrown into the pit by his brothers or when he was thrown in jail having been falsely accused and then forgotten, I'm not sure he would have known exactly what God was up to either. HOWEVER, it didn't change how he chose to react.
I found this so challenging. I don't know what God is up to in my life. I really don't. I have hopes and dreams, visions and heart cries that have not been answered. They seem to be on the back burner and some of them look like the flame has even been snuffed out all together. But, I do know this: I believe God is up to something bigger than me through my life. I believe He has placed me strategically in order to save a remnant at the perfect time. I believe the hopes, dreams, visions, and heart cries He has given to me have not been forgotten and have yet to be fulfilled. And I believe the change in my heart at this moment needs to be this: though I feel often forgotten, I have not been. And it is this place that God has called me to do one thing. That one thing is to serve Him faithfully without complaining, whining, pouting, or doubting. He has called me to put forth my best right where I am at, whether I feel like the place I am at makes sense or whether I feel like it could possibly have anything to do with the dreams I still hold in my heart that look like they will never happen. Isn't that what Joseph did? He was sold into slavery and that was the farthest thing from being at a place where his family might fall at his feet like he had seen in his dreams, but he served faithfully. Then he was falsely accused and sent to jail....he wasn't getting any closer to those dreams he had been given. In fact, this must have felt like a step backwards, but he served faithfully anyway. When he did see a ray of hope for getting out of jail when he interpreted the dreams of the baker and the cupbearer, it was dashed because the cupbearer forgot about him for two years, but, again, Joseph continued to serve faithfully.
What a challenge. Serve faithfully NO MATTER WHAT. God hasn't forgotten you or the dreams He gave to you. He isn't stalling or trying to make life hard. But He is preparing and making a way in our hearts and lives so that HE can save a remnant through us in His perfect timing.
I hope this challenge seeps down from my head into my heart and changes my reactions in life. I want to be found faithful in every situation so that when the time comes I will be ready to have my life used to save the remnant God desires to save.
Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Our Own Worst Enemy
Something has set me on fire this morning and before I continue on with my day, I feel a need to get it out. It is the issue of hypocrisy. I hate hypocrisy and I think most people do and I have noticed that people call each other out on it a lot. I notice it more than I used to, but I believe that is because it is often aired out on social media now. Sometimes I see it between a Christian and a non-Christian, other times I see it between democrats and republicans, but the one that brings me the most pain is when I see it done between brothers and sisters in Christ.
See, I can understand why a non-Christian might call us out on issues that look hypocritical. We say one thing and sometimes do another. It's the truth. Non believers see that and, quite frankly, I have not problem with them calling us out. Why? Because we have been called to a higher standard and if we talk the talk and don't walk the walk.......then there are probably issues in our lives we need to deal with. We can't get mad at them for pointing out something that doesn't make sense. I'm not saying we do not stand up and defend our faith, because we are commanded to always be ready to give an answer. (1 Peter 3:15) However, we need to take a serious look at our hearts if we are preaching one thing and walking out another. They may have a point, and who knows, that God is not using them to call us up to answer that higher standard and to be accountable, not only to the hope inside of us and our personal relationship with Christ, but that we are walking out what we believe, which is a mightier testimony than any Bible thumping sermon.
As far as democrats and republicans go? Well, that is simply politics and the only thing I have to say about that is this: As a Christian republican who stands up for her rights and what she believes in, I am still called to speak the truth, BUT IN LOVE! Good grief. Tearing the other side apart from limb to limb will only prove their point. Yes, stand for the truth. Yes, be honest about how you feel and where you stand and what you believe in, but do it in love.
And that brings me to the issue of Christians calling each other out. I hope you hear my heart in this. I believe in accountability. We need it. We need our brothers and sisters in Christ to support us on all sides, even if that means coming to us and saying, "I see you are struggling. How can I pray for you? How can I help you?" That hurts sometimes, knowing that others see our failings, and just because it hurts doesn't mean it isn't good for us. The most growth I have made in my life is when another sister or brother has come to me and in love called me out. So, as I continue, understand that I am not talking about helping each other stay accountable in our Christian walk. What I am talking about though, is brothers and sisters in Christ pointing the finger at each other and blaming, calling each other hypocritical, and airing each other's issues out on the public clothes line of criticism. You know what? Let's be honest. On one issue or another, we are all hypocrites! Why? Cause we aren't perfect. None of us are. And before anybody says, "Well, at least I don't go around doing or saying...........", I suggest you take a good long look at your attitude. You may not be a hypocrite in areas that others can see, but I would venture that you may be very hypocritical in your attitude towards others.
Why has this gotten me so hot this morning? Because as I sat and read one more attack someone put on Facebook, I could understand and I could sympathize.......with the attacker. You know what? I could understand their lashing out. I could understand, because I have been there too. I have been the one with the attitude, pointing my finger, and saying "how can they call themselves a Christian and do that or say that or act that way." Yep, I have. And as I found myself sympathizing with the attacker and getting out my finger, I felt convicted. As my hackles raised a bit, I felt God place me in front of the mirror and told me to take a look at myself. He reminded me I can be the same way. Why do I feel a need to call others out on their hypocritical, far from Christian actions and words? Because, I think they ought to pay for their wrong doings, especially when it looks like their actions have simply been swept under the rug, not dealt with, and that they haven't had to pay. That is how we all think isn't it? Isn't that the bigger issue? We want justice and until we see justice done we hang onto this other persons sin and indiscretion. We use it against them every time we get an opportunity. We gossip, we point fingers, sometimes we just blow up in their face. "You should have to pay for that! And how can you call yourself a Christian!?" Church, listen to me! We have become our own worst enemy! How often do we stand like the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in John chapter 8 pointing our fingers, blaming, armed with rocks, ready to pelt the living day lights out of another brother or sister? I challenge myself and anyone reading this, before you open your mouth to blame another brother or sister or spend time ruminating on another's sin, or participate in gossip, go look in the mirror first. Are you free from sin? Have you walked out everything you have preached? Have you ever stumbled? Have you ever fallen? The answer will be yes. And then we must ask ourselves this question: How much grace and forgiveness did we need in our moment of sin? How much grace did we want extended to us?
Galatians 5:13-26 addresses it perfectly: "For ye have been called to liberty, brethren; only do not turn liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by LOVE serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; but if ye bite and devour one another, see that ye are not consumed one of another. But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill flesh's lust. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire; but if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strifes, jealousies, angers contentions, disputes, schools of opinion, envyings, murders, drunkenesses, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you before hand, even as I also have said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit God's kingdom. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity, meekness, self-control: against such things there is no law. But they that are of the Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let us walk also by the Spirit. Let us not become fain-glorious, provoking one another, envying one another."
And before we get all spiritual and say, I'm not a drunk or a witch or.....let's stop ourselves and read a bit more carefully the part of this scripture that says angry, jealous, contentious, disputing, and strife causing people don't inherit the Kingdom of God anymore then the drunkard or the witch. Ahem. I hope you see my point.
Let's stop pointing the finger at others and start looking inward a bit more. Yep, they may have sinned, but before we got all hot and bothered about their sin and make sure that everyone else knows about it, let's take a long hard look at our own sin and get just as hot and bothered about that and be willing to air out our own dirty laundry as a way of at least being transparent. If we are really concerned about being Holy people and a Royal Priesthood, then lets remember that starts with each of us personally.
It reminds me of John 21 in which Jesus is speaking to Peter and asks him three times, "Do you love me?" Each time Peter responds with Yes and each time Jesus gives him a task. As the discussion continues, Jesus says to Peter in verse 18: "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go. Now this he said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!'"
Notice, Peters response to Jesus. It wasn't, "Ok Lord, thanks for sharing with me." It was this: "Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!'"
Notice, how Peter took the attention off of himself and said, "yeah but what about him?" And notice what Jesus did? He looked at Peter and said, "that's none of your business. I told you to follow me!"
I realize this dialogue isn't speaking specifically about sin, but it does demonstrate what we do ALL the time. We like to take the attention off of what God told us to do and go, "Yeah, but what about them? What about their sin? How can they be one of yours and act like that?" Hmmmmm. And you know what Jesus says to us, "None of your business. I said you need to follow me."
As a family of Christ, as a body of Christ, as brothers and sisters, we cannot afford to attack each other anymore. A house fighting against itself cannot stand strong. We are all hypocrites. We have all sinned. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. That is why He came. To Sanctify us and save us from our own depravity. We are all in the same boat here. None of us can stand up and say, "I'm perfect and I have already arrived." None of us can. People are going to sin. They are going to fall. They are going to stumble. I am going to sin. I am going to fall. I am going to stumble. Our actions may not and will not always match up with our words. We are on the same playing field and on the same team. So, instead of beating each other up and killing each other and defeating each other, let's start standing by each other. I didn't say we would condone each others falleness. No, we stand to support each other in loving accountability. What I am saying is, put your rocks down. That person, your brother, your sister, they may have fallen short AND maybe it doesn't look like justice was done or they didn't have to answer for the failure, but so have you and so have I and how God chooses to deal with that person, is none of our business. Let's put our rocks down, bring in the dirty laundry, and go stand in the bathroom of our life and look in the mirror for a bit. Let's turn our gaze inward and when our Heavenly Father gently points out the smudge on our faces, let's get out the washcloth of His Mercy, wet it down with His forgiveness and Grace, and allow Him to make us clean. That way, when we see our brother or sister stumble or fall, we can understand. We can sympathize and compassionately stand beside them. We can pray for them and trust, that just as Christ has dealt with and is continually dealing with our smudges, He will do the same for them.
See, I can understand why a non-Christian might call us out on issues that look hypocritical. We say one thing and sometimes do another. It's the truth. Non believers see that and, quite frankly, I have not problem with them calling us out. Why? Because we have been called to a higher standard and if we talk the talk and don't walk the walk.......then there are probably issues in our lives we need to deal with. We can't get mad at them for pointing out something that doesn't make sense. I'm not saying we do not stand up and defend our faith, because we are commanded to always be ready to give an answer. (1 Peter 3:15) However, we need to take a serious look at our hearts if we are preaching one thing and walking out another. They may have a point, and who knows, that God is not using them to call us up to answer that higher standard and to be accountable, not only to the hope inside of us and our personal relationship with Christ, but that we are walking out what we believe, which is a mightier testimony than any Bible thumping sermon.
As far as democrats and republicans go? Well, that is simply politics and the only thing I have to say about that is this: As a Christian republican who stands up for her rights and what she believes in, I am still called to speak the truth, BUT IN LOVE! Good grief. Tearing the other side apart from limb to limb will only prove their point. Yes, stand for the truth. Yes, be honest about how you feel and where you stand and what you believe in, but do it in love.
And that brings me to the issue of Christians calling each other out. I hope you hear my heart in this. I believe in accountability. We need it. We need our brothers and sisters in Christ to support us on all sides, even if that means coming to us and saying, "I see you are struggling. How can I pray for you? How can I help you?" That hurts sometimes, knowing that others see our failings, and just because it hurts doesn't mean it isn't good for us. The most growth I have made in my life is when another sister or brother has come to me and in love called me out. So, as I continue, understand that I am not talking about helping each other stay accountable in our Christian walk. What I am talking about though, is brothers and sisters in Christ pointing the finger at each other and blaming, calling each other hypocritical, and airing each other's issues out on the public clothes line of criticism. You know what? Let's be honest. On one issue or another, we are all hypocrites! Why? Cause we aren't perfect. None of us are. And before anybody says, "Well, at least I don't go around doing or saying...........", I suggest you take a good long look at your attitude. You may not be a hypocrite in areas that others can see, but I would venture that you may be very hypocritical in your attitude towards others.
Why has this gotten me so hot this morning? Because as I sat and read one more attack someone put on Facebook, I could understand and I could sympathize.......with the attacker. You know what? I could understand their lashing out. I could understand, because I have been there too. I have been the one with the attitude, pointing my finger, and saying "how can they call themselves a Christian and do that or say that or act that way." Yep, I have. And as I found myself sympathizing with the attacker and getting out my finger, I felt convicted. As my hackles raised a bit, I felt God place me in front of the mirror and told me to take a look at myself. He reminded me I can be the same way. Why do I feel a need to call others out on their hypocritical, far from Christian actions and words? Because, I think they ought to pay for their wrong doings, especially when it looks like their actions have simply been swept under the rug, not dealt with, and that they haven't had to pay. That is how we all think isn't it? Isn't that the bigger issue? We want justice and until we see justice done we hang onto this other persons sin and indiscretion. We use it against them every time we get an opportunity. We gossip, we point fingers, sometimes we just blow up in their face. "You should have to pay for that! And how can you call yourself a Christian!?" Church, listen to me! We have become our own worst enemy! How often do we stand like the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in John chapter 8 pointing our fingers, blaming, armed with rocks, ready to pelt the living day lights out of another brother or sister? I challenge myself and anyone reading this, before you open your mouth to blame another brother or sister or spend time ruminating on another's sin, or participate in gossip, go look in the mirror first. Are you free from sin? Have you walked out everything you have preached? Have you ever stumbled? Have you ever fallen? The answer will be yes. And then we must ask ourselves this question: How much grace and forgiveness did we need in our moment of sin? How much grace did we want extended to us?
Galatians 5:13-26 addresses it perfectly: "For ye have been called to liberty, brethren; only do not turn liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by LOVE serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; but if ye bite and devour one another, see that ye are not consumed one of another. But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill flesh's lust. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire; but if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strifes, jealousies, angers contentions, disputes, schools of opinion, envyings, murders, drunkenesses, revels, and things like these; as to which I tell you before hand, even as I also have said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit God's kingdom. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, fidelity, meekness, self-control: against such things there is no law. But they that are of the Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let us walk also by the Spirit. Let us not become fain-glorious, provoking one another, envying one another."
And before we get all spiritual and say, I'm not a drunk or a witch or.....let's stop ourselves and read a bit more carefully the part of this scripture that says angry, jealous, contentious, disputing, and strife causing people don't inherit the Kingdom of God anymore then the drunkard or the witch. Ahem. I hope you see my point.
Let's stop pointing the finger at others and start looking inward a bit more. Yep, they may have sinned, but before we got all hot and bothered about their sin and make sure that everyone else knows about it, let's take a long hard look at our own sin and get just as hot and bothered about that and be willing to air out our own dirty laundry as a way of at least being transparent. If we are really concerned about being Holy people and a Royal Priesthood, then lets remember that starts with each of us personally.
It reminds me of John 21 in which Jesus is speaking to Peter and asks him three times, "Do you love me?" Each time Peter responds with Yes and each time Jesus gives him a task. As the discussion continues, Jesus says to Peter in verse 18: "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go. Now this he said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!'"
Notice, Peters response to Jesus. It wasn't, "Ok Lord, thanks for sharing with me." It was this: "Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!'"
Notice, how Peter took the attention off of himself and said, "yeah but what about him?" And notice what Jesus did? He looked at Peter and said, "that's none of your business. I told you to follow me!"
I realize this dialogue isn't speaking specifically about sin, but it does demonstrate what we do ALL the time. We like to take the attention off of what God told us to do and go, "Yeah, but what about them? What about their sin? How can they be one of yours and act like that?" Hmmmmm. And you know what Jesus says to us, "None of your business. I said you need to follow me."
As a family of Christ, as a body of Christ, as brothers and sisters, we cannot afford to attack each other anymore. A house fighting against itself cannot stand strong. We are all hypocrites. We have all sinned. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. That is why He came. To Sanctify us and save us from our own depravity. We are all in the same boat here. None of us can stand up and say, "I'm perfect and I have already arrived." None of us can. People are going to sin. They are going to fall. They are going to stumble. I am going to sin. I am going to fall. I am going to stumble. Our actions may not and will not always match up with our words. We are on the same playing field and on the same team. So, instead of beating each other up and killing each other and defeating each other, let's start standing by each other. I didn't say we would condone each others falleness. No, we stand to support each other in loving accountability. What I am saying is, put your rocks down. That person, your brother, your sister, they may have fallen short AND maybe it doesn't look like justice was done or they didn't have to answer for the failure, but so have you and so have I and how God chooses to deal with that person, is none of our business. Let's put our rocks down, bring in the dirty laundry, and go stand in the bathroom of our life and look in the mirror for a bit. Let's turn our gaze inward and when our Heavenly Father gently points out the smudge on our faces, let's get out the washcloth of His Mercy, wet it down with His forgiveness and Grace, and allow Him to make us clean. That way, when we see our brother or sister stumble or fall, we can understand. We can sympathize and compassionately stand beside them. We can pray for them and trust, that just as Christ has dealt with and is continually dealing with our smudges, He will do the same for them.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Trust, Patience, and Abraham
I have a really nasty habit of becoming restless. I am sure it is not all bad, as it is the restless who often are motivated to get things done. However, it is also the restless who struggle with discontentment and impatience. I like new. And I LOVE exciting. Put the two together and you have my undivided attention. Give me too much of the norm, same ol' same ol' thing, and I get droopy, bored, and restless.
This past week, I found myself once again feeling restless. I spent some time talking to God about it. Laid it all out about how I was feeling. "God, I want more and I want to be part of something great and big for you." The issue took me to my knees and in prayer and tears I become overcome with more, Jesus I just want more of you. Everything else, my boredom, restlessness, and the many thoughts running through my head began to disappear as I realized my desire was simply for more of Jesus. But one thought remained. Jiggling and clanking around in the back of my mind. "God I want to be part of something great for you."
I am not going to try and figure out if this is a good or bad desire, because the point is what God spoke to me and has continued to speak to me since then. Two simple phrases. Listen. To My. Voice. Follow. My. Voice. "That's it?! Just listen? Just follow? But the things you have given me to do, the things I have to do, they are not earth shattering and heaven shaking!" And that is when He brought a wonderful, faithful, friend of His to my mind. Remember Abraham? All He did was listen to My voice and followed my voice by obeying me. Earth was shattered and heaven was shaken. My mind went back to what I had read that morning in Genesis. God asked Abraham to leave his family, his land, his home, his everything and travel till God told him where to stop. I suppose Abraham could have said, "I don't see the point in this. What will me leaving my home accomplish for you?" But Abraham didn't ask that. He simply listened and followed the voice of God. Later, God gave Abraham a promise that He would give him a son and make him the father of a countless nation. Abraham, though he did laugh a bit and question this idea, could have said, "this is unthinkable. Undoable. I'm not even going to try." But that isn't what Abraham did. He listened and followed the voice of God. I realize Abraham made mistakes and didn't always do things perfectly, but he did have a measure of faith, trust, and patience that led him into the promise and the will of God for his life. It led him to being called the friend of God.
My point? I need that. I want that. Patience for the ideas and promises God has laid on my heart. Abraham waiting a LONG time for Isaac. A long time. But God was faithful, in His time, to fulfill His promise to Abraham. I desire to trust that what God has asked me to do, commissioned me to do, prompted me to do is for a purpose and a reason. It is for my own good, but more importantly it is fulfilling God's purpose on earth through me. Just like Abraham trusted that God knew what He was doing when He told Abraham to move.
My encouragement to myself and to anyone who reads this: God has a purpose for your life. Those things He has called you to, no matter how small or insignificant they seem to you, become earth shattering and heaven shaking when you walk in them in love and obedience to your heavenly Father. Those dreams He has placed in your heart? Don't worry. He placed them there and He will fulfill them in His timing. Trust Him. Listen to His voice. Faithfully follow His voice. Patiently wait for the fulfillment of His Word.
What He has started He will bring to completion in and through you. And what He has spoken will not return to Him void.
Patiently Trust. Listen. Follow.
This past week, I found myself once again feeling restless. I spent some time talking to God about it. Laid it all out about how I was feeling. "God, I want more and I want to be part of something great and big for you." The issue took me to my knees and in prayer and tears I become overcome with more, Jesus I just want more of you. Everything else, my boredom, restlessness, and the many thoughts running through my head began to disappear as I realized my desire was simply for more of Jesus. But one thought remained. Jiggling and clanking around in the back of my mind. "God I want to be part of something great for you."
I am not going to try and figure out if this is a good or bad desire, because the point is what God spoke to me and has continued to speak to me since then. Two simple phrases. Listen. To My. Voice. Follow. My. Voice. "That's it?! Just listen? Just follow? But the things you have given me to do, the things I have to do, they are not earth shattering and heaven shaking!" And that is when He brought a wonderful, faithful, friend of His to my mind. Remember Abraham? All He did was listen to My voice and followed my voice by obeying me. Earth was shattered and heaven was shaken. My mind went back to what I had read that morning in Genesis. God asked Abraham to leave his family, his land, his home, his everything and travel till God told him where to stop. I suppose Abraham could have said, "I don't see the point in this. What will me leaving my home accomplish for you?" But Abraham didn't ask that. He simply listened and followed the voice of God. Later, God gave Abraham a promise that He would give him a son and make him the father of a countless nation. Abraham, though he did laugh a bit and question this idea, could have said, "this is unthinkable. Undoable. I'm not even going to try." But that isn't what Abraham did. He listened and followed the voice of God. I realize Abraham made mistakes and didn't always do things perfectly, but he did have a measure of faith, trust, and patience that led him into the promise and the will of God for his life. It led him to being called the friend of God.
My point? I need that. I want that. Patience for the ideas and promises God has laid on my heart. Abraham waiting a LONG time for Isaac. A long time. But God was faithful, in His time, to fulfill His promise to Abraham. I desire to trust that what God has asked me to do, commissioned me to do, prompted me to do is for a purpose and a reason. It is for my own good, but more importantly it is fulfilling God's purpose on earth through me. Just like Abraham trusted that God knew what He was doing when He told Abraham to move.
My encouragement to myself and to anyone who reads this: God has a purpose for your life. Those things He has called you to, no matter how small or insignificant they seem to you, become earth shattering and heaven shaking when you walk in them in love and obedience to your heavenly Father. Those dreams He has placed in your heart? Don't worry. He placed them there and He will fulfill them in His timing. Trust Him. Listen to His voice. Faithfully follow His voice. Patiently wait for the fulfillment of His Word.
What He has started He will bring to completion in and through you. And what He has spoken will not return to Him void.
Patiently Trust. Listen. Follow.
Monday, February 3, 2014
It Is Well
take in the beauty unfolding in front of you. Snowflakes begin to softly fall and you let down your guard, you stick your tongue out and catch a snowflake. You giggle, open your arms out wide and spin in utter delight and fall down only to land in a powdery spray of snow. It blankets itself around you like a goose down comforter. You open your eyes and take in the glory of the blue gray sky and wonder at its vastness and its perfect quietness. Struck by the peace that is surrounding you, your heart is filled with love and joy for the One who made all of this just for you.
Beautiful, isn't it? Wish you could actually be transported away to a wonderland of peace and quiet in which you rest in the everlasting Love of the Lover of Your Soul.....no worries, just peace, just joy?
This is what I felt challenged with this morning as I drove home from dropping my children off at school. That perfect wonderland, created by the One who loves me more than life, doesn't have to be imagined. It is here, already. I was overcome by the beauty of the snow landscape this morning, the glistening of the trees, and the mystery of the fog. Gorgeous! Cold? Yes! But, I am challenged by the thought that it is so easy to miss out on the beauty that is around us because we are focused on the negative side of things. We miss the beauty of the forest because of that one big annoying tree we can't get around. Instead of taking in the glory of what is all around us, we sit and stew and pout over that one stinkin' tree......and we miss out.
Listen, I know, this winter has been cold, hard, expensive, inconvenient and we are all getting good and ready for the bright summer sun, green leaves, shorts, and sun tans. I am not trying to belittle the trouble this winter has been, but I have to challenge myself. I can focus on the negative and be stuck in an attitude of doom and gloom OR I can focus on the beauty. It's gorgeous! It is a perfect, peaceful wonderland glistening with HIS love for me. That thought puts a smile on my face in light of below zero temps, stuck vans, frost on the INSIDE of my windows, and cold fingers and toes. It helps me to smile in the midst of all the rest.
I desire to apply this to every area of my life. Is it not the hope that He offers to us in a world that is less than perfect? In the midst of hard times does He not still offer us His beauty, His peace, and His love in abundance so that we cannot help but say, "It is well" and be able to laugh in joy at the future and things to come?
I am going to leave us with the words of a song penned by Horatio Spafford. It is easy to sing a song and not realize the pain through which the words were birthed. Horatio Spafford lived through the 1871 Chicago Fire which ruined him financially. His further business interests were hit hard during the economic downturn of 1873. During this time, he and his family, planned to make a trip to Europe. At the last minute, Horatio's plans changed because of business issues he needed to deal with and he was not able to join his wife and his daughters on the SS Ville du Havre. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship collided with another vessel and sank rapidly. All four of his daughters died. His wife survived and sent him a telegram with these words...."Saved alone." Shortly after, Horatio boarded another ship to meet up with his grieving wife and as he passed by the area where his daughters had died, he was inspired to write this now famous hymn:
It Is Well With My Soul
(Original lyrics)[1]
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,a
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul! b
a "know" (at the end of the third line) was changed to "say".
b "A song in the night, oh my soul" (last line)
was changed to "Even so, it is well with my soul".
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
True Beauty
1 Peter 3 is one of those sections of scripture that us women don't like to always talk about. The area of submission can bring up all kinds of emotions and thoughts. God has taught me a lot already about submission, that it isn't a stomping on of who I am, but a protection and a covering on my life. I have learned to appreciate and love walking in submission, although, ask my hubby and God; I don't always do it perfectly. It actually wasn't the first two verses of 1 Peter 3 that I was struggling with, it was the ones that follow:
"Your adornment must no be merely external-braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."
I knew these verses we intended to do a work in my heart, cause I could feel my spirit react and tears threatened to fall from my eyes and down my face. I knew there was something deeper to this than just talking about what I choose to wear as jewelry and if I should even wear jewelry at all. There was more to it than if I should braid my hair, wear it down, in curls, or completely cover it. There was something deeper. I struggled with this verse for a couple of days and then God opened my eyes to better understand my hang up. Gentleness, quietness, meekness all are signs of weakness to me.....They all feed into the one thing I really hate and that is being unheard, misunderstood, and walked all over like a rag rug. These are things in my life, that as a young teenage girl I had said, " I will never let anyone run all over me. I will be heard. I will stand up and fight."
What God began to reveal to me, though, is that strength is not found in bullying my way through, shouting the loudest, and making sure I bring about justice, but true strength comes from allowing Him to fight for me. If I allow Him to fight for me, I don't have to be worried about being run over, unheard, or misunderstood. All that fight in me, is like all that jewelry, fancy clothing, and perfectly coifed hair. They are all a distraction of the true beauty that is laying underneath it all. It is a distraction of the finer thing....simplicity, sweet obedience, meekness, gentleness....which are far more valuable and beautiful then the sparkling distraction of the jewelry.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Monkey in A Jar
You know that story, the one about how to catch a monkey? You put beans or a banana in a jar. Then you wait. When the monkey comes, he sees the treat and the temptation is too great. He sticks his hand in the jar and grabs a hold of his treasure, only to find, that now he can't remove his hand from the jar because his fist is too big to get through the jars opening. Refusing to let go of what he holds grasped in his hand, he finds himself stuck and vulnerable because he is too focused on keeping his hand in a tight, balled fist, desperate to hang on to what he has found.I am that monkey. I find myself with my hand stuck in a jar because I am having a hard time letting go of my wants, desires, wishes, and dreams. I don't want to let go, because if I do, I may never be able to have my dreams. What if I never get to experience them? Fear of loosing what I want, keeps me there, stuck, vulnerable, and attached to this silly jar.
I have been in this place before. (you would think I might have learned my lesson the first time). I once was so wrapped up in my self worth and how I felt about myself that I couldn't let go of doing things my way instead of God's way. I was afraid if I gave God the control He would take with it what I desired the most; to feel loved, wanted, desirable, good enough. Eventually, I let go, gave God the control, and experienced freedom I had never had before. Not only did I have freedom, but I found God also gave me the desire of my heart and taught me and showed me how much He loved me, wanted me, desired me, and that I was good enough for Him.
But lately, I have found myself with my hand stuck back in the jar over other issues and I feel God calling again for me to let go of my dreams, my hopes, my wants and slip my hand back out of that jar. I know He will supply all of my needs, but what if my needs are not what I want? What if His desire and plan for my life is not what I desire and doesn't match up with my plans? What if it is isn't pretty? What if it isn't nice? What if He asks me to sacrifice? These are my fears. And yet, I know from previous experience, that when I let go, God begins to work. He doesn't leave me hanging. He fills the desires of my heart and brings me freedom. He works good in my life and it is usually better than I could have imagined.
I have moments, even days, where I find myself loosening my grip and begin to slip my hand from that jar. In those times, I feel peace, freedom, and joy.....and then just as quickly the fear of the unknown creeps back in and in my worry and anxiety; my hand shoves down to the bottom and I grab back onto my treasure.
Today, I want to let go. For good. No matter what the outcome is. I want to leave my dreams in that jar, remove my hand, and grab the hand of my heavenly Father instead. Hanging on to Him for dear life instead of my dreams. Knowing that beside Him I will find safety and freedom.
Philippians 4:6-7 talks about the "monkey in the jar" syndrome. It spells it out and even tells me exactly what I can expect to happen when I let go.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
I will paraphrase in my own words:
Don't worry and don't be afraid. Instead of hanging on so tightly, relax your fist, give thanks and don't complain and whine. Lay your requests at the feet of Jesus. When you do this, you will experience a peace that you cannot understand and your heart and your mind will be guarded and protected from anymore worry, fear, and anxiety.
Take my life today, Lord, and let it be, all for you. Let nothing, no worldly goods, wants or desires, get in the way of your perfect plan for my life. I lay at your feet all my hearts desire knowing that you will provide for me as you always have. I give thanks for your peace that will cover my heart and my mind today from unfounded fears and a heart full of anxiety. I put my hope and my trust, my heart and my desires, my plans and my dreams in You. Amen
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Hurumph!
I will just admit this right now. This posting is more for me than you, but I know I need to proclaim it, so I pray in my proclaiming that you will be also blessed.
This is one of those weeks or maybe months. Not because anything really drastic is wrong, but just because things aren't moving fast enough for me. I am not getting the answers I want. I have not been able to find any easy solutions or quick remedies or random money laying around so I can just go do what I want. It has put me in a funk. A deep down, grouchy, you-probably-don't-want-to-talk-to-me-today kind of funk cause I'm likely just to complain. I laid this all out this morning to God. And yesterday morning too. I told him EXACTLY how I feel, thankful He can handle my funky days. I told Him things are not going my way, that I want answers, and clear direction.....but He has remained quiet. I told Him I don't like that very much either. I told Him I don't like not knowing and it causes me a lot of stress. I told Him I don't want to do anything today. I told Him my head knows I have a choice......embrace today and what I have been given or waste the day away with a bad attitude....but my heart has not received the memo. And then, knowing I really needed to do it, but not really wanting to, because I knew what it would say, I opened my Bible. I have been reading Psalms backwards and today am at Psalm 34. I told God I didn't want to read because the early chapters in Psalms are all about David telling God to get his enemies for him....not the encouragement I was looking for. I am already in a funk. I didn't want to read about David's funk. But, I went to Psalm 34 anyway, and isn't it just like God to line up the perfect Psalm for me on the perfect day. It wasn't about David's funk at all, in fact; in the middle of all those other Psalms where he is asking God to slay his enemies and bring him vindication lies these words:
"I will bless the Lord at ALL times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Yep. That is good. I am looking for a blessing, cause I want God to bless me i.e. give me all the things that I want. And this verse says, "I will Bless the Lord." That will take a change of focus today away from me and my wants to Him and His wants i.e. His best for me. And then it goes on to say:
"My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice."
Yeah, that means I have to boast about what God has already done instead of complaining about what I want Him to do that I don't feel He has done yet and I fear He may never do. I have to boast of His goodness in my life so that others will hear and be blessed and also rejoice in His goodness. And then I read:
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together."
Now, I not only need to bless Him, boast of Him, but I need to gather others with me and together magnify Him......just being honest.....my heart is still not getting the memo about all this. And here is the kicker:
"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears."
That is the one that makes me want to cry. He seems silent about all my wants, but loudly and clearly He is telling me to turn myself back to focusing on Him. He is perfect love and in love there is no fear.....of anything. No fear of not getting my wants. No fear of the future. No fear of the what if's, wish I could's, and wish I had's. No fear.
So, today, as the truth in my head takes an elevator ride to the depths of my soul I am going to declare this, even thought I don't feel like it:
God is good! He has blessed me abundantly! I will bless His name and praise Him forever because He is a good God. He is faithful and just. He has cleansed me, forgiven me, and redeemed me. What more is there to want? He has cradled me in His right hand and has sheltered me underneath His wings. He has not forgotten me and He has an awesome plan for me. Even in the middle of my selfish wants and all my fears, He places Himself, stands like a rock, firm, and says to me: Bless my name. Praise me. Fill your mouth with my praises. Invite others to praise me with you. Magnify my name. Seek me and I will answer you and take away all of your fears.
Join me today, whether your soul and heart have received the memo yet either, in praising Him. Blessed be His name!!! Let us stand, hand in hand, arms raised, and voices shouting to heaven and sing: God, you are a good God! Your mercies endure forever! Great is your name and you are greatly to be praised! Amen.
This is one of those weeks or maybe months. Not because anything really drastic is wrong, but just because things aren't moving fast enough for me. I am not getting the answers I want. I have not been able to find any easy solutions or quick remedies or random money laying around so I can just go do what I want. It has put me in a funk. A deep down, grouchy, you-probably-don't-want-to-talk-to-me-today kind of funk cause I'm likely just to complain. I laid this all out this morning to God. And yesterday morning too. I told him EXACTLY how I feel, thankful He can handle my funky days. I told Him things are not going my way, that I want answers, and clear direction.....but He has remained quiet. I told Him I don't like that very much either. I told Him I don't like not knowing and it causes me a lot of stress. I told Him I don't want to do anything today. I told Him my head knows I have a choice......embrace today and what I have been given or waste the day away with a bad attitude....but my heart has not received the memo. And then, knowing I really needed to do it, but not really wanting to, because I knew what it would say, I opened my Bible. I have been reading Psalms backwards and today am at Psalm 34. I told God I didn't want to read because the early chapters in Psalms are all about David telling God to get his enemies for him....not the encouragement I was looking for. I am already in a funk. I didn't want to read about David's funk. But, I went to Psalm 34 anyway, and isn't it just like God to line up the perfect Psalm for me on the perfect day. It wasn't about David's funk at all, in fact; in the middle of all those other Psalms where he is asking God to slay his enemies and bring him vindication lies these words:
"I will bless the Lord at ALL times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Yep. That is good. I am looking for a blessing, cause I want God to bless me i.e. give me all the things that I want. And this verse says, "I will Bless the Lord." That will take a change of focus today away from me and my wants to Him and His wants i.e. His best for me. And then it goes on to say:
"My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice."
Yeah, that means I have to boast about what God has already done instead of complaining about what I want Him to do that I don't feel He has done yet and I fear He may never do. I have to boast of His goodness in my life so that others will hear and be blessed and also rejoice in His goodness. And then I read:
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together."
Now, I not only need to bless Him, boast of Him, but I need to gather others with me and together magnify Him......just being honest.....my heart is still not getting the memo about all this. And here is the kicker:
"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears."
That is the one that makes me want to cry. He seems silent about all my wants, but loudly and clearly He is telling me to turn myself back to focusing on Him. He is perfect love and in love there is no fear.....of anything. No fear of not getting my wants. No fear of the future. No fear of the what if's, wish I could's, and wish I had's. No fear.
So, today, as the truth in my head takes an elevator ride to the depths of my soul I am going to declare this, even thought I don't feel like it:
God is good! He has blessed me abundantly! I will bless His name and praise Him forever because He is a good God. He is faithful and just. He has cleansed me, forgiven me, and redeemed me. What more is there to want? He has cradled me in His right hand and has sheltered me underneath His wings. He has not forgotten me and He has an awesome plan for me. Even in the middle of my selfish wants and all my fears, He places Himself, stands like a rock, firm, and says to me: Bless my name. Praise me. Fill your mouth with my praises. Invite others to praise me with you. Magnify my name. Seek me and I will answer you and take away all of your fears.
Join me today, whether your soul and heart have received the memo yet either, in praising Him. Blessed be His name!!! Let us stand, hand in hand, arms raised, and voices shouting to heaven and sing: God, you are a good God! Your mercies endure forever! Great is your name and you are greatly to be praised! Amen.
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