NOTHING

When it seems I've lost so much; friends, being understood, possessions, structure and routine, the hobbies I enjoy, and when my hopes, dreams, and plans all seem completely impossible.  It is in this place my love and faith in God is tested.  Do I trust Him?  Is He really my EVERYTHING?  Do I love Him more than all these "things" that make up what we call life on this earth?  When prayers seem unanswered and life keeps going on, Lord do I still love and trust You?  On my walk tonight singing "for You I will lose this life, I will pick up my cross."  This life is temporary and these present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be seen.  I am loved, I am not alone.  In every season He is faithful and a steadfast firm foundation.  When I am Nothing, only then can He truly become my everything.  It feels very dark right now, but somehow I still have peace, still have hope, and the Lord will lighten my darkness! 

WEEDS

I was taking a walk the other day and a man was spraying his weeds attempting to kill them off. He was not happy with the chemicals he had and in short exchange of words I said "hopefully it will do something." Where he remarked, "it doesn't help when you have neighbors with THAT." As I glared to my right, his neighbor's yard was infested with weeds. It was so infested, it had pretty much choked out any grass from growing. I could not help but sympathize with him. It seemed even if he worked diligently at ridding his yard of the weeds, his neighbor's neglect of his weeds would inevitebly affect the maintenance of his yard.

As I walked away I was contemplating the unseen weeds in each of our lives. Those things that choke out good in our lives, the sins that so easily entangle (Heb. 12:1) us, etc. It was a reminder to be aware of who we are choosing to live life with. In some cases, as in this man, we may not have much say in who are neighbor is. However, we do have a choice who we choose to run the race of life with. Our friends, whether we like it or not, are people that influence our thinking, choices, and growth. Therefore, it is important to evaluate who we spend a lot of time with and whether or not they are attempting to rid their life of the weeds or living comfortably in them. If it is the latter, their weeds may outgrow into your life.

Not and Never

After conversing with a friend this past week I became aware how often we say "I will not," "I would never" or, "I will never." As I pondered on these phrases I began to wonder how can I really say I surrender all, if these phrases are still in my vocabulary.

Let me clarify that these phrases, when used to remove oneself from evil or sin are necessary. However, in a lot of cases, we have preferences (likes and dislikes) that may hinder God's will for our lives.

Can I hold onto my own way and will and still be clay in the Potter's hand? Relinquishing everything and being willing to hear His voice lead us in directions and ways we may not have considered requires us to let go of the "not" and "never" in our vocabulary.

God may just direct you to do the very thing you said you would "NEVER" do! He's funny like that.

Waiting

My 6 yr. old sister Michaela recently drew a picture of a tree with a nest, holding an egg and a bird sitting in the nest. Above the nest at the top of the tree were music notes. While I was thinking about the picture I was thinking about how an egg is a lot like faith. There are things moving and happening inside an egg for weeks that are completely concealed from the eye. But, the bird faithfully guards, protects, and sits on the egg waiting for the perfect moment where life will spring forth. God has many eggs being created in our lives. We don't see them, yet they are there. We must wait upon God to bring forth our future and not try to force it. If the bird were to become impatient and break open or peck the egg it would be premature and destructive to the outcome. In the same way if we are not patient and wait upon God for His outcome for things in our lives, we too will have an outcome that will be premature. Rather than bring us good it will be damaging.

Also, the music notes remind me that it is important to wait in an attitude of worship and thanksgiving. It is easy when things don't happen in our timetable to become discontent and as a result, complain and grumble. We must trust God's timing and know that the things He is working inside the egg which we cannot see are better than we can imagine!

Lord, give us the patience to wait and wait with praise and thanksgiving.

Within v. Without

Luke 17:21 "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

I am afraid we redefine the presence of God with those things "without" rather than "within." Jesus said eternal life is to know Him and that knowing comes from within us not from outside of us. There is so much today to stimulate our senses. We rely on visual images, flashing lights, relevent music, dramatic audio versions of the Bible to draw near to God. While these things can be tools in our walk with God individually as well as corporately, we cannot depend on certain outward conditions to worship and spend time with God. The true test of our relationship is "when the music fades, and all is stripped away. . ." as the old worship song says. We must not replace our senses in the natural for the real manifest presence of God. Let us "be still and know that He is God" (Ps. 46:10). Lord, teach us to live "the inward life" in all we do, and like Brother Lawrence "practice the presence of God."

Avocado

I have been told that if you are not going to use the entire avacado you leave the center in it to prevent it from turning brown. I would like to think of this like keeping Jesus at the center of everything we do and say. If He is our source and life line we will be healthy spiritually and good will continue to come forth, but if we remove Him from His rightful place, there will be some rottenness coming out. Jesus said He is the vine and we are the branches. If a branch is removed from the vine it may last a couple days on the ground, but soon it will dry up and become brittle. It is vital that we remain in Jesus or we too may end up rotten and brittle.

Difference is Good!

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14

When I observe all the variety in flowers, trees, birds, etc. I am amazed at the unique design, colors, sounds, etc. It would appear by observation of God's creation that He enjoys variety and difference.

The same is true of you and I. We live in a society and culture that wants us to conform to one another. There is an  underlying current that says we should all live, talk, walk, like, and dislike as everyone else does so that we "fit in" or "belong." Although there is a certain amount of etiquette in each culture, etc., it is a tragedy if we begin to lose our own identity and uniqueness in trying to "fit in" with those around us. God made us each with different personalities, likes, and dislikes.  We need to express ourselves and share the TRUTH. If we say and do only what we believe others will approve of or be comfortable with then we choose to live a LIE. We should not shrink back from being ourselves within the boundaries of God's will and word. We rob ourselves of freedom and society of our unique gifts, talents, opinions, etc. when we focus on the approval of everyone around us rather than that of God. Go ahead and BE YOU, the best you that you can be!