Author: mmccullum

Faith Foundation #4: God Loves You

Sitting in the crowded front room of the houseboat, I listened intently as our camp director shared foundational truths with our young staff.  It was the spring of 1988 and I was at my first training weekend for a leadership position I’d hold later that summer.  Opening my Bible, I wrote the four key points our director shared inside the front cover. He emphasized that they were the most important and basic principles of our Christian faith and encouraged us to commit them to memory so we could share them with our campers.

Recently I returned from serving as a leader for our high school ministry’s annual summer camp. I found myself once again on a houseboat with that same Christian camp. I am almost 30 years older, but those same four truths were as relevant and fresh today as they were back when I first learned them.

They continue to stand as the foundation to our faith. Once we understand them and live like they’re true, we have a firm foundation that we can build on for the rest of our lives. Over the next few posts, I’ll highlight each truth as part of the Faith Foundations series I began earlier this summer. If this information is already familiar to you, use these posts to help you share with others that don’t know them.

Truth #1 God Loves You and has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)

John 3:16 is so familiar to many of us that it begins to lose its impact. If that’s the case with you, stop for a minute and let the truth sink in deeper. God allowed His precious and perfect Son to suffer and die to save the world. He didn’t have to do it, He chose to. He knew it was the only way to make it possible for us to be in relationship with Him.  Some of us have heard this so many times that it no longer leaves us in awe of God’s grace and mercy. If that describes you, ask Him to reignite the joy and thankfulness in you that have grown cold.  And if you’re wondering why Jesus had to die for us then stay tuned–my next post will tackle that topic.

Sometimes it’s not easy to personalize this verse because it’s about the whole world. We forget that God sees each of us uniquely and individually.  Scripture tells us He knows the number of hairs on our heads and that He knew us as we were being formed in our mothers’ wombs. If you struggle to believe God loves you personally and intimately, try re-framing the verse in a more personal way: God loved me so much that he gave his only son so that if I believe in Him, I won’t die, but will have eternal life.

Because He loves us, God also has a wonderful plan for our lives. The gospel of John explains, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10, NIV) Living in a relationship with God is the only way to have the rich, full, abundant life we crave.  Many of us search for significance and fulfillment in other places, but the satisfaction never lasts. Only through a relationship with God can we find true meaning and significance that impacts us now and forever.

How would your life look if you lived every day like you knew you were loved deeply and passionately by the Creator of the universe? How would it impact the way you see yourself and interact with others? If you live like you believe it’s true, you will become a conduit for God to work in and through you. Why not commit this truth to memory so you can share it with someone else who needs to know it today?

For further inspiration, click on the link and enjoy Hawk Nelson’s song “Live Like You’re Loved.”

 

Facing Our Fear of Commitment

The sign hangs on the wall in our house as a reminder.  It reads, “Here I am, send me!” It’s a simple statement from Isaiah 6:8 that reminds us that whenever we leave home, we are being sent out by God to be His ambassadors. It expresses a willingness to be used by Him, wherever and whenever He chooses. Whether we are headed to an obviously “Christian” activity or not, our desire is to be a blessing and encouragement to those we encounter. Sometimes this happens informally, other times it means getting involved and making an ongoing commitment to serve in a ministry.

The word “commitment” is a scary one for many people. We’re intrigued by the idea that  God uses us to accomplish His purposes, but signing on to do it regularly sometimes feels daunting. I think these fears can be addressed and alleviated with some clarification from Scripture. With a change in focus, committing to serve becomes thrilling instead of frightening.

Fear #1: I’m Not Ready Yet

Look back at that verse from Isaiah quoted above. Only three verses earlier in Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah is lamenting that he is unclean and unworthy of being in God’s presence. Yet a few verses later, he enthusiastically agrees to be God’s message-bearer to the people after the Lord cleanses and equips him.  Isaiah’s willingness qualified him for the job.

Many of us sit on the sidelines missing out on what God wants to do in and through us because we don’t think we have what it takes.  We forget that the Lord will give us exactly what we need to serve Him, He won’t leave us hanging. God equips the called, He doesn’t call the equipped. But we have to make first step by being willing to commit.

Fear #2: I Don’t Have the Time

We live in a culture that celebrates busyness. For many of us, we find value and meaning from keeping a packed schedule.  We rarely take time to stop, pause, and make intentional decisions about where we do and don’t say “yes.” Because of this, we feel frantic and often miss opportunities to invest our time in the places that would most benefit ourselves, others, and our relationship with God.  However, when we make commitments based on God’s agenda instead of ours, we can feel confident about where we say “yes” and “no.” And just to be clear, this doesn’t mean only commitments with overtly “churchy” connections. God also uses secular commitments to help us grow, to connect with others, or to prepare us for future opportunities.

God never ceases to amaze me with the ways He multiplies my time when I ask Him (which is pretty often). He also helps me to recognize where my priorities are out of order.  Sometimes I make things important that really aren’t. When my agenda aligns with God’s, He gives me the time to serve Him and to accomplish the other things I need to get done.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8, NIV)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34, NIV)

Fear #3: I Don’t Know Enough

With the encouragement of a trusted mentor, I started leading my first Bible study at the ripe-old age of nineteen. I’d had exposure to the Bible throughout my childhood, but was hardly confident planning lessons and leading others in discussions. But I was willing and I had some godly people who were further along in their faith to guide me.

One of the best parts about agreeing to serve in a pre-existing ministry is that there is a built-in support system for you. No one expects you to be a Bible scholar. Most ministries are looking for willing people and gladly provide the training and support you need to thrive.

For a biblical example, look at the story of Apollos in Acts 18. He was teaching and preaching the Scriptures accurately, but with an incomplete knowledge. Then a godly couple named Priscilla and Aquila pulled him aside and “explained the way of God more adequately.” Afterwards, he was a great help to the disciples in spreading the gospel. Like him, we can take what we know and let God use it. In addition, we can submit ourselves to the wisdom and teaching of those ahead of us on the journey.

Reject Fear, Reap a Harvest

Every follower of Jesus is called to share the gospel and to love and serve others. It’s up to us to determine where and how we’ll do that. Once you get beyond your fears, you’ll discover the thrill of being used by God. You’ll experience a sense of joy and fulfillment that will rejuvenate your spirit and cause your faith to grow exponentially.

All around me, I see ministries desperate for more help. I see Women’s Ministries groups longing to serve more women but being limited because they don’t have enough help in key leadership roles.  I see Children’s Ministries staff that would love to welcome more kids into their midst but are hindered by not having enough volunteers.  I see Student Ministries teams eager for more adults to pour into the spiritually hungry teens streaming through their doors. Each of these things reminds me of a familiar passage about Jesus in the gospels:

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”  (Matthew 9:36-38, NIV)

Will you become one of the few workers in the field that experiences the joy of reaping a great harvest? If the idea of committing to serve feels way beyond you, then you’re in the right place. The sooner we learn it’s not about us and start depending on God, the more we can be used by Him. Click on the link and be inspired by TobyMac’s song “Beyond Me.” Then, pray and ask where God might be calling you to commit.

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Foundations #3: Don’t Shipwreck Your Faith

Wading into the water, the waves lapped at my shins as I clutched a boogie board in my hands. I was thirteen and trying hard to show I was old enough to handle myself in the ocean waves.  As the youngest, I’d spent my childhood trying to keep up with “the guys”–my nickname for my four older siblings. More often than not, I was too little to participate in whatever fun activity they were doing. I’d taken one too many rides on the carousel while they rode roller coasters at Disneyland. Now that I was a teenager, I was determined not to miss out.

My two older brothers had been skeptical about having me join them riding the waves in Hawaii. Promising they would come back in to get me, they suggested going out first to test the conditions. I was convinced it was a ploy to ditch me and refused to go along with their plan. What I didn’t consider was that being four and six years older than me gave them a significant advantage in the waves. They were stronger, heavier, and more experienced in the ocean.  They also had swim fins; I did not.

The surf was breaking a long way from shore and by the time we made it out, I was already tired.  We paddled hard to catch a few waves and quickly realized there was a strong current pulling us toward a lava bed about 100 yards away.  We tried repositioning ourselves, but were no match for the strong riptide. Without fins, I just couldn’t generate the kind of power needed to swim out of it.

Not wanting to leave me, my brothers quickly made the decision that we would swim for the shallow lava bed. Once there, we could get out, climb up the steep incline to the road and walk back to the beach. To avoid getting tossed by a wave, we would have to time our exit just right.  Jagged black formations ominously jutted out of the water as we swam toward them. I continued to kick frantically and watched as one of my brothers reached the edge of the lava. He stood up as the first wave in a new set rolled in. Before I knew what was happening, I was engulfed in frothing water and being raked across the jagged lava. Flailing, the force of the water kept my head submerged while the receding wave began pulling me back out to sea. I was utterly helpless and would have been pummeled further or even drowned had my brother not reached down and caught my arm.  Gasping for breath, we stumbled across the lava bed and headed for the road bloodied, battered, and glad to be on dry land.

An hour later back at our vacation condo, the magnitude of what had just happened began to sink in. Standing alone in the shower, I cried realizing that my stubborn pride could have cost my life and the lives of my brothers.  I was so sure that they were purposely preventing me from having fun that I’d missed the fact that they were trying to keep me safe. No one had to say, “I told you so” to me, I already knew what a huge mistake I’d made.

Sometimes I wonder how often we do the same thing with God. We want our way so desperately and we’re so convinced we know best that we plunge ahead without thinking of the consequences. We can’t possibly imagine that the “fun” He’s keeping us from could be harmful. So, we do things our way and come out bruised, battered, and stunned.  Sometimes, we even blame God for the messes we’ve created.  Yet despite this, He’s always there to pick us up again.

Just like it’s never wise to swim alone, it’s never wise to live the Christian life alone. God designed us to be in community, not just to enjoy fellowship, but to support and encourage one another. We need fellow believers to hold us accountable and to spur us on in our faith. At every stage of life, we need authentic Christian connections to help us through challenges and to keep us pointed in the right direction. Life transitions are the places where we’re prone to get off course. Whether you are heading off to college, just entering the workforce, newly married, starting a family, moving to a new home, preparing for an empty nest, or entering retirement, there are a few things you can do to keep your faith from shipwrecking during the season of change:

–Invite someone you trust to hold you accountable and to spur you on in your faith: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV)

-Be intentional about finding and connecting with other believers: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25, NIV)

-Know your weaknesses and limits and don’t put yourself in situations where you’re likely to compromise your faith: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly…Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:15,16,22, NIV)

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Tim 3:1-5, NIV)

-Seek and listen to wise counsel: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim 3:14-15, NIV)

In keeping with the ocean/ shipwreck theme, I couldn’t resist including this song. Click on the link and enjoy “My Lighthouse” by Rend Collective.

Faith Foundations #2 The Bible: Don’t Leave Home Without It

Sitting alone in my dorm room, I turned the page and began the day’s reading assignment in my Student Bible. Prior to my first year of college, I hadn’t spent much time studying the Bible or praying on my own. But as a lonely freshman, I’d begun to find a new sense of comfort and peace as I learned to spend time alone with God. That was the first day that I read something that seemed like it was meant for me specifically. Grabbing a 3×5 card, I wrote out 1 Peter 1:6-7 and pinned it to my bulletin board so that it would continue to encourage me when I felt down. Over that year, I read it so many times that I memorized it unintentionally.

That is when I first realized the value of studying the Bible on my own. I’d participated in Sunday school, youth group and Christian camps since I was a kid. I was familiar with random Bible verses, but really didn’t know how to apply them to my life. Once I started reading it daily, however, my eyes were opened to God and His Word in a new way. The difference was that this time, instead of having someone else tell me about it, I was grappling with it for myself and beginning to see how the words mattered in day to day life. As my perspective changed, I started filtering my choices through the truth of God’s Word instead of the ever-changing messages I was receiving from the world.

Looking back, I see how the time I spent studying the Bible alone and with others impacted significant choices in my life in those formative years.  Here are a few that come to mind:

Friends: I discovered that God’s Word has a lot to say about the company we keep. Our friends influence our attitudes, choices and behaviors. I began to realize that choosing friends required careful discernment if I wanted to continue growing in my walk with God. I had to be patient with the process of finding like-minded people and to cultivate relationships with those who would point me toward God. I also had to be aware of how non-Christian friends were influencing me and and began praying about how I could influence them positively. (Something I still do to this day.)(See Proverbs 12:26 for more on friendship.)

Fun: For many people, college is characterized as a time to let loose and have fun in ways that generally aren’t honoring to God. At youth group in high school, I had often been presented with a long list of external activities that “good” Christians should avoid. I knew these things weren’t right, but felt like applying them meant leading a pretty boring and “un-fun” life.  Later, when I studied the Bible personally, I began to understand why God discourages us from embracing many types of worldly fun. I saw the bigger picture and realized that many of the “fun” things people around me were doing were destructive for the long run and were limiting them from growing in other ways. I realized that my outward behaviors showed what was going on inside my heart. The lure of joining the crowd and ignoring my conscience no longer held the same pull for me that it had in the past. Choosing to be social without plunging into worldly behaviors in college saved me a lot of heartache and enabled me to continue growing in my walk with God. My counter-cultural behavior also opened doors for conversations about faith with inquisitive people. (See my blog Choosing to Be Different- No Other Gods Session 1 for more on this.) Those years laid a strong foundation that prepared me for a rich and fulfilling life afterwards. I also learned there were many other positive ways to have fun that still honored God. (See 1 Peter 4:1-7 and 2 Timothy 2:22-26 for more on the purpose for avoiding worldly behaviors.)

Dating Relationships: Studying the Bible helped me to be wise and discerning in the types of guys I dated. I learned what character qualities to value and how to determine the kind of man I wanted to marry. I learned how to build a solid foundation for marriage by not getting involved in unhealthy situations that would impact my relationship with my husband later. I also began to see the value in dating someone who was spiritually like-minded.  It’s pretty hard to pursue God consistently when you attach yourself to someone who doesn’t care about Him very much. No matter how funny, attractive, smart, talented, witty or successful a guy was, I knew that the first thing I needed to determine was whether or not he loved and followed Jesus. If he didn’t, that was a deal breaker for me. (See Hebrews 13:4 and 2 Corinthians 6:14 for more on this topic.)

When we only engage the Bible sporadically through the filter of others who have studied it, we miss out on being personally transformed. It’s a little like the game of “Telephone” from childhood. Someone whispers a phrase in a person’s ear and that person whispers it in the next ear and so on.  By the time you get to the end, the original message has been changed dramatically and is garbled.  The same thing can happen when we’re hearing about the Bible, but not reading it for ourselves. Things can be taken out of context, misconstrued and lost in translation.  We get a false impression of God and a poor understanding of what He’s teaching us through His Word. Conversely, through directly and consistently engaging it for ourselves, we hear Him speak to us personally and can be transformed as a result.  The teaching we hear from others reinforces what we’re learning on our own.

Psalm 119 is one of my favorite passages that explains the value of knowing God’s Word and keeping it in the forefront of your mind. It reminds us that the Bible is a much more reliable foundation for our lives than the whims of popular opinion.  I’ve included a few verses to whet your appetite below, but make some time to go and read the rest for yourself.

“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119, 89-105, NIV)

If you want to learn more about the benefits of God’s Word, spend some time studying the following verses and pray that God shows you one that you can personalize today:

  • Deuteronomy 6:6-9
  • Joshua 1:8
  • James 1:22
  • 2 Timothy 2:15
  • Hebrews 4:12
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Your Words” by Third Day is one of my favorite songs about the value of knowing God’s Word. Click on the link let it remind you of the truth you can access through Scripture.

Faith Foundations #1

With most of my commitments taking a break for the summer, I’ve been thinking a lot about transitions lately. The biggest change I’m anticipating, though, is having my oldest child graduating from high school and leaving for college in August.  This week he turns 18 and becomes a legal adult. I can hardly believe it.  My husband and I have prayed and prepared for this season for a long time.

As I gear up for his departure, I decided this summer’s blog posts would focus on different key Scriptures that have been personally meaningful to me. My prayer is that I can entrust these foundations of my faith to others, including my son.  To kick off the series, I’m sharing a story I wrote several years ago when he was learning to drive. I hope it sets the stage for future posts about foundations of faith that equip us for the road ahead.

I hope you’ll join me this summer as I reflect on what God has taught me through the highs and lows of my journey with Him. And maybe, my son and a few others heading off to college can glean some wisdom to carry with them as they begin the next chapter of their lives. As you read the story, think about what God might be teaching you right now…

Giving Up the Driver’s Seat

The pavement glistens in the weak sunlight as my son and I walk through the parking lot, thankful for a break in the storm. As I dig for the keys in my purse, my fifteen-year-old sidles up beside me and flashes a grin.  “Hey Mom, I brought my permit.  Can I drive home?”

            Looking up at the sky, I try to gauge if the clouds are dissipating or gathering momentum for another deluge.  Weather forecasters have been calling the storm an “atmospheric river,” and are predicting we’ll be doused with heavy rain throughout the weekend.   

            “I don’t know, buddy.  How do you feel about driving over the bridge if it starts raining again?  Do you know what to do?”  I’m trying to decide if this is a good chance for him to gain experience behind the wheel or if it’s dangerous in the volatile conditions.  I fret about the long drive and the ten-mile stretch across a bridge spanning storm-tossed waters.

            “Mom, I got this.  Besides, you always say you want me to experience driving in all kinds of conditions before I get my license.  We may not have another storm like this before I turn sixteen.”

            He has a point.  We are in our third year of a drought and he may not have many opportunities to drive in wet weather.  Handing him the keys, I say a silent prayer and think, this is one of the best or worst parenting decisions I’ve ever made.    

            Buckling myself into the passenger seat, I realize teaching my firstborn to drive is yet another adventure in parenting.  From the time he was little, I’ve braced myself for each new transition.  When he was only a preschooler, a lump would form in my throat every time we drove by the elementary school he would eventually attend.  Milestones like starting Kindergarten and middle school have been filled with emotion for me. Equipping my kids for adulthood means they will need me less and rely on themselves more.  This is the way things should be, but it doesn’t make letting go any easier.

            A few minutes later, we’re merging onto the freeway when the first drops start coming down. The storm unleashes its fury just as we make the ascent onto the bridge. The windshield wipers can’t clear the water fast enough, even going at full speed.  Our lives are literally in the hands of my fifteen-year-old son.  I’ve never been more keenly aware that he is in the driver’s seat; I’m just along for the ride.

            The car ride reminds me of the way my husband and I have been parenting since the birth of our oldest. Although it has often been tempting to try and orchestrate circumstances for our son who loves order and predictability, we felt this would not equip him to handle difficulties as he grew up. We believe our kids need to learn how to navigate life’s challenges so they’ll be strong and capable people.  However, this moment in the car is the first time I’ve ever helped my son navigate an actual storm.  

            As he drives across the bridge I keep a watchful eye on the road and reassure myself with memories of other challenging circumstances that have been catalysts for his growth. I remember when he struggled with a chaotic classroom environment in elementary school but had ultimately mastered tuning out distractions and remaining focused.  I’d never realized how thankful I am he’d learned that lesson until I look out the window at the stormy skies.  Behind the wheel, he doesn’t flinch despite the slick pavement and minimal visibility.

            The more I think of past challenges he’s overcome, the more confident I feel.  When we finally ease into the driveway at home, relief and pride wash over me.  My son didn’t panic once on the harrowing drive. I am exhausted; he seems unfazed.

            In a few months, this boy, my firstborn, will be leaving home.  He’ll launch into adulthood as he begins a new chapter in college. But, if the past is any indicator, I know he is going to navigate the road ahead with the same cool confidence that he did that day on the bridge.  His quiet faith, strong character, and unwavering integrity have been prayed into his life since before he was born.          

            And although my heart aches to think of the day he’ll leave home, I know with God at his side, his words to me in the parking lot that day will still be true: “I’ve got this, Mom.”

            I can think of no song more fitting to share with this story and to  kick off this series than “The Words I Would Say” by Sidewalk Prophets.

 

 

Take Time to Reflect

Logging onto my Facebook page, my emotions caught me by surprise as an old picture I’d posted appeared on the screen. Written above it was a heading saying, “Three years ago on this day…”Most of the time those memory prompts bring a smile to my face, but sometimes they make me sad. Last year on this day if I’d posted a picture on Facebook, it would have been one of me crumpled on the pavement after a bike crash. Or it could have been one of me sitting in the emergency room later the same day hearing from a doctor that I’d broken my elbow and wrist. (Thankfully, no one took photos to post of those two glorious events).

Although my memory of last May is not a happy one, it evokes tremendous thankfulness in me. First and foremost, I revel in the fact that I’m not in pain or hampered by having my right arm in a sling.  As I made my kids’ lunches today, I thought back to last year and remembered how little I could do on those first days after my crash. I felt weak and helpless and had no choice but to let others step in to support me with even the simplest tasks. I’m thankful not to be in that position now.

Yet with a year’s worth of perspective, I am also grateful for the ways God used that difficult time to teach me. Days before my crash, I had begun a new volunteer position as coordinator for a large women’s Bible study at church. I was adjusting to working with a team after several years serving in a solo role blogging for the ministry.  As coordinator, I knew I had to depend my team, but putting that into practice didn’t come easily to me.

Looking back, I see that God used my injury last year to prepare me for my new role leading the team. I think He wanted to remind me of the importance of the Body of Christ that is manifested through followers of Jesus:

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14, NIV)

During the time I was recovering from my injury, God used many people to help me. They didn’t always do the things the way I did but I learned to appreciate the differences instead of being frustrated by them.  This prepared me to serve on a team with a variety of women who had a multitude of gifts and perspectives. I learned to trust them and to give them room to use their gifts and to follow God’s leading in their specific roles. Many times they thought of things that enhanced our ministry that had never crossed my mind.  Everyone would have missed out on what they had to offer if I had stifled their gifts or tried to do everything on my own.

During my recovery, I also discovered that trying to behave like a superhero is not a good idea. I learned to let people help me and to share my burdens instead of muscling through things on my own strength. I began to accept my weaknesses and to trust God to provide others that would compensate for them: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV)

During this past year serving as coordinator I’ve realized that I have to trust God and let others help me. When I’m confronted with a problem or challenge, I recognize my limitations and seek wisdom from Him and insight from those serving alongside me.

I’ve also learned the value of trying “softer.” When I’m tempted to push through something difficult and force a solution, I’ve learned to step back and pause. Sometimes the wisest thing to do is nothing– to rest and wait for God’s timing instead of trying to force things on my time table. Pulling back creates space for rest, rejuvenation, and perspective.

We live in a culture that prizes self-sufficiency.  The value we place on individualism causes us to forsake community and to try and do it all on our own. Self-sufficiency often leads to pride and a false sense that we don’t need others or God. We gain an unrealistic view of ourselves and a lack trust for others. Sometimes, it takes a difficult circumstance to remind us that we need each other.

So what strikes you from my reflections?

  • Is there a past painful experience in your life that God wants to use to teach you?
  • Do you recognize the different gifts God gives to others?
  • Do you celebrate opportunities to see the ways the Body of Christ works as a whole?
  • Do you hold so tightly to individualism and self-sufficiency that you’re missing out on being in community?
  • Do you have weaknesses or hardships in your life right now that could be springboards for growth?

Summer provides a good opportunity to take a break from life’s hectic pace and to reflect on the places God is trying to teach you that you’ve been too busy to see. Why not take some time to be still and consider what God is doing in your life? Use Hillary Scott’s song “Still” to inspire you. And if you’d like to read more about what I learned last year, go to the “Archives” field on the right side of this page and select May 2016 and June 2016 from the drop down menu. The posts about this incident are entitled:

  • “When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong”
  • “The Myth of Self-Sufficiency”
  • “Productive Pain”
  • “Making Room for Margin”
  • “With Every Broken Bone, I Lived”

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” (Psalm 46:10, NIV)

 

 

 

Staying Engaged with God

Pedaling my bike up the steep trail, I wiped the sweat running down my face. My lungs heaved and my heart pounded.  Lush green grass and colorful wildflowers bordered the trail, a testimony to the heavy rains that had kept me off my bike for most of the winter and spring. Being my first ride of the season, I could feel the full effects of my time off. There is no better cardio workout than a good mountain bike ride, but the first few times out can be a little rough. Still, I knew the temporary pain of getting back in shape was worth the pay-off. If I stuck with it my mind, body and spirit would all be healthier.

As I rode, I thought about the parallels between the physical and spiritual realms. And then I remembered Paul’s words:

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.” (1 Timothy 4:7-9, NIV)

Most of us would agree that pursuing and maintaining physical fitness improves our health and quality of life.  There is so much more we can do and accomplish when our bodies are working properly. Daily maintenance has positive effects that benefit us now and in the future. Although it’s hard work to get in shape, once exercise becomes a part of our routine, it’s easier to stay physically fit and worth it over the long haul.

Paul’s words in 1 Timothy remind us that pursuing and maintaining spiritual fitness is even more important because it affects both our present lives and our eternal lives. Yet maturing spiritually doesn’t happen automatically, it requires effort and intentionality, just like physical training.

As we move toward the summer months, many of us fantasize about the freedom that comes with a less regular schedule. Vacations and spontaneous outings call out to us. We look forward to reading books for pleasure, spending time with friends and family, or traveling to different places. But lurking within that haphazard schedule is the danger of getting lax in our spiritual disciplines.  Looking forward to the ease and comfort of a day on vacation doesn’t bring us to our knees in prayer the way daily challenges do. And having unscheduled days often means a lack of accountability. We get complacent about staying in God’s Word when we’re left on our own too long.  After all, if your Bible study group is on a break, there isn’t any homework to guide you, is there?

So right now, before summer starts, let me ask you a question.  How will you train yourself to be godly this summer? How will you stay engaged in God’s Word and in prayer during lazy days with less structure and accountability? Summer is a fun time to deviate from your normal routine, but that doesn’t mean you should abandon the practices that keep you spiritually in tune.  Need some ideas of things to keep you engaged? Here are a few you can try:

  • Choose a new devotional to read daily. Take the time to do the suggested activities and to read and study the Scriptures included. Instead of rushing through it, make the time to absorb what it says.  Here are two I’ve enjoyed this year:
  • Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore
  • Draw the Circle: The Forty Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson
  • Choose a Bible study to go through and invite a friend or two to do it with you. Schedule times when you can meet during the summer to discuss what you’re learning. Text or e-mail each other in between so you can hold one another accountable.  Here are two I’d recommend:
  • Breathe by Priscilla Shirer
  • Women of the Word: The Family Tree of Jesus by Marybeth McCullum (I’ve revised and updated this since it was done at Focused Living in 2015-16) Click here for more information
  • Read a book to gain deeper insight on a topic you want to learn about. Get some biblical perspective from a trusted Christian author.  Here are a few I’d recommend:
  • The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
  • Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
  • Forgive and Forget by Lewis Smedes
  • I Give You Authority by Charles Kraft
  • Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
  • Boundaries and/or Boundaries with Kids by Cloud and Townsend
  • Go back and finish a Bible study workbook that you didn’t complete or that you rushed through during the year.  Take the time to let the lessons sink in and then apply them to your life.
  • Subscribe to an online study or devotional from one of your favorite Christian authors. (You can start by subscribing to this blog if you don’t already.) Or check out the offerings at Proverbs31.org.
  • Join a summer Bible study at a local church. If you want information about options at CPC Danville, click here.
  • Wherever you find yourself this summer, I pray that you will use the slower pace and the less predictable schedule to draw near to God, to savor His Word, and to grow deeper in your faith.
  • Let Micah Tyler’s song “Never Been a Moment” remind you of God’s constant loving presence and His longing to connect with you in every season of life.

 

Sober Minded and Alert: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Do you have someone in your life that’s a “Button Pusher”? That person that says or does something that triggers negative reactions in you like insecurity or self-consciousness. Maybe it’s someone that has a knack for making you feel “less than” in some way.  All of us have different “hot buttons” that trigger negative thoughts, feelings and reactions.  Understanding what they are and what pushes them helps us to deal with them more effectively.

As we begin to understand ourselves and what sets us off, it is critical to recognize that Satan is the worst “Button Pusher” of all. Through keen observation, he knows our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, and our insecurities.  He sees what triggers us and knows when he can capitalize on a situation and use it to derail us.  And that’s why Peter says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV)

Being sober minded and alert helps us to recognize when and where the enemy is prowling around in our lives.  The key is identifying places we leave ourselves open to attacks so that we can take measures to avert the lion’s pounce.

I recently experienced what happens when I’m not alert and sober minded on a trip to Mexico. I was serving as a leader with our church’s youth group and we were there to build simple homes for needy families. It was a challenging trip on many levels– physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Each day we’d wake up at 6 at our campground to eat breakfast and pack lunches before taking a bumpy bus ride to our work sites.  Days were spent doing hard manual labor: hauling buckets of gravel and cement, hand-mixing concrete and stucco, hammering and sawing wood, etc. Filthy, sore and tired, we would return to camp in time to bathe (sort of), eat dinner, worship, hear a message, and have small group discussions in our tents.

As fulfilling as it was to be serving the Mexican families and the youth group students, I felt utterly depleted on every front by halfway through the week. Physical exhaustion and minimal opportunities for time alone had reduced my quiet times to a few pre-dawn moments when I asked God to fill and strengthen me before I climbed out of my sleeping bag to pull on my overalls.  A quick reading of a devotional or Bible passage and some fleeting prayers throughout the day were my main spiritual sustenance. Everything else that keeps me centered was put on hold for the week.

By the trip’s midpoint, my physical, spiritual and relational reserves were at an all time low. I was ripe for the prowling lion looking for someone to devour, and he didn’t miss the opportunity.  Throughout one day, the enemy used several challenging circumstances to send me on a downward spiral. I was convinced that I was a failure as a leader and that I had nothing to offer in the way of building expertise. Several of my “hot buttons” had been pushed, causing old insecurities to rear their heads. And I believed every lie the devil lobbed at me.

When I finally pulled away from the group to call home late that evening, I dissolved in tears as I recounted the day to my husband. Immediately reading the situation, he told me I was believing the enemy’s lies and offered to pray for me. My exhaustion had opened me up for spiritual attack, but my husband’s prayer quickly changed that. By the next morning, I awoke with a whole different outlook and could see how deceived I’d been. The prowling lion had been sent packing, thanks to the power of prayer.

Personally, I know I’m more prone to having the devil pounce when I’m not staying grounded in the things that keep me healthy and aligned with truth.  Here are a few times when my hot buttons can be pushed:

  • I haven’t spent time in God’s Word or prayer
  • I haven’t taken care of my physical needs (exercise, adequate sleep, healthy eating, preventive medical care, etc.)
  • I haven’t been connecting with healthy people who help me stay aligned with God (which means I’ve missed Bible study, church, small group or other gatherings of believers)
  • I’ve let unhealthy thoughts roam freely in my mind
  • I’ve let negative attitudes and emotions rule me
  • I’ve been overly focused on myself
  • I’ve been comparing myself to others
  • I haven’t spent time nurturing healthy relationships that matter to me
  • I’ve spent too much time with people who don’t care about God or point me towards Him
  • I’ve spent too much time in front of screens (TV, computer, phone, iPad, movies)
  • I’ve been reading things that influence me negatively or taint my worldview
  • I haven’t been honest with myself, God or others about something I’m struggling with
  • I’m sinning and not seeking God for forgiveness
  • I’m holding onto offenses others commit against me instead of letting them go or forgiving them

When I’m alert and clear thinking, I see how the devil uses these things against me. It doesn’t take long to recognize they are like a button with the words “push me” glowing on top. When I’m unaware and not thinking clearly, I give the roaring lion a lot more room to roam in my life and it takes much longer to recognize he’s been messing with me.  I think this is why Peter reminds his readers twice in two chapters to be alert and sober-minded (4:7 and 5:8).  The sooner we realize how the enemy is scheming against us, the faster we can pray and stop him in his tracks.

Is it time to take stock of your own “hot buttons” and to figure out where and when you’re unintentionally inviting the prowling lion to pounce?

The best way to remain sober minded and alert is to immerse yourself in God’s Word. Click on the link and be encouraged by “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaVg0cWkgA

Clarifying Spiritual Gifts

I’ll never forget the Christmas when our firstborn son was finally old enough to appreciate holiday traditions.  On the morning of December 25, he jumped up and down anticipating the thrill of opening the packages peeking out from the top of his stocking. He tore into the first gift and held the prize high above his head, shouting with glee: “BIG BOY UNDERWEAR!!” Our ploy to make potty training alluring seemed to be working. He ran to his bedroom and returned moments later to model them proudly.

The next Christmas, he received underwear in his stocking again. His reaction was not quite as exuberant the second time around. Since then, both of our boys have continued to receive this “gift,” more for the sake of tradition than anything else. With each phase of development, their reactions have been age appropriate.  They’ve gone from the glee of  toddlers to the embarrassment of grade schoolers to the annoyance of  tweens to the resignation of teens. They know that as long as stockings are hung on the mantel, underwear will be one of the gifts inside them.

Until a few years ago, I viewed my spiritual gifts similarly to my boys’ reaction to the yearly underwear. I thought they were practical and useful, but not especially exciting. The problem was that I’d confused spiritual gifts with my natural abilities.

I am good at organizing people and events. This isn’t meant to sound proud—I say it in the same way I would tell you I have brown hair and hazel eyes. Because of this skill, I have served different ministries in a variety of administrative roles.  Although I haven’t particularly derived joy from my service, I’ve recognized the part I’ve played enabled these ministries to impact others.  I’d resigned myself to the fact that administration was one of my spiritual gifts, albeit a less “fun” one than some of the others.

The problem was, I was serving Jesus without the power of the Holy Spirit.  I was using my natural abilities for kingdom purposes, but it wasn’t exhilarating for me because my true spiritual gifts hadn’t been activated. Scripture tells us that each person who accepts Christ receives the Holy Spirit. When this happens, we receive spiritual gifts: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit…All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:4 & 11, NIV)

Through a class I took on spiritual gifts, I’ve learned that they are given through the Holy Spirit and that using them brings a sense of deep joy and personal fulfillment. I’ve encountered people who have the gift of administration and that’s how I know I don’t have it. They get as excited about organizing and overseeing things as I do about teaching, shepherding, and encouraging others. It took trial and error to realize this over time.

The gifts God gives us are to be used to glorify Him. They energize us and build up fellow believers: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11, NIV)

Discovering my spiritual gifts helped me recognize when to say “yes” and when to say “no” to invitations to serve. It was freeing when I realized declining opened opportunities for others with gifts that were better suited to the requests. I stopped trying to fill open slots where needs were greatest and started praying for God to lead me to the places He wanted to use the gifts He’d given me. Instead of focusing on pleasing people, I considered how I could best please God. I learned that when I’m serving in an area where I’m gifted spiritually, it doesn’t feel like work. When things get challenging, I lean into God for wisdom and strength instead of trying harder based on my own abilities.

If you’re like I was and you’re just guessing what spiritual gifts you have, can I encourage you to find out?  Take inventory of past experiences and see what you can learn from them. Start by taking a short survey provided by CPC Danville. Simply click here and follow the prompts.

For a more detailed look, check out the book S.H.A.P.E Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life by Eric Rees. Commit to discovering more about who God has made you to be. Then you can activate your gifts and experience the joy of using them to further God’s kingdom. Click on the link and make Francesca Battistelli’s song “Write Your Story” your prayer today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-aeDEvOzVU

Inspired by Week 8 in 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press, 2016

Rees, Erik; S.H.A.P.E. Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life; 2006, Saddleback Resources.

Note- this post is a re-written version of one that I wrote in October, 2014 entitled “Spiritual Gifts, Natural Abilities, Unplanned Ministries and Just Plain Obedience.”

A “Half Full” View of Suffering: 1 Peter 3:13-22

A friend of mine wears a necklace that has a flat, rectangular charm with a drawing stamped onto it. A simple sketch depicts a drinking glass with a line running horizontally through the middle of it. Beneath the glass are the words “Half Full.”  It’s only a two-word statement, but it communicates volumes about how she views life. Think for a minute.  If you see a glass that has equal amounts of air and water in it, is it half empty or half full?  The way you answer says something about whether you see life through a positive or a negative lens. It’s all a matter of perspective: a glass is simultaneously half full and half empty. It just depends on the viewpoint of the person describing it.

The same holds true with the topic of suffering– our perspective on it can lead us to deep spiritual growth or debilitating self-pity and bitterness. Since suffering is mentioned in every chapter of the book of First Peter, it’s clear God has a few things to say about it:

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed…For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” (1 Peter 3:13, 14a, 17,18, NIV)

So how can we consider ourselves blessed when we experience suffering, especially when it comes as a result of doing what is right?  Scripture gives us some clear answers about its purpose.  And while suffering isn’t an enjoyable thing for anyone, good can result from experiencing it. Here are four reasons you can consider yourself blessed when you suffer:

Refinement: Hebrews 2:10 tells us that Jesus was “made perfect through what he suffered.” Suffering was part of the process He had to endure to bring us to salvation.  So, when He died on the cross, He accomplished one of His primary reasons for coming to earth. In the same way, suffering is a process that accomplishes something in us. Peter explains this in 1 Peter 1:6-7 when he says we suffer trials so that our faith may be proved genuine. Just as fire refines gold and removes the impurities, suffering refines us, causing us to turn toward God when we recognize everything else is worthless by comparison.

Humility: Suffering removes the illusion of control that so many of us cling to unconsciously. No matter how wealthy, powerful, or accomplished we are, no matter how closely we walk with God, no matter how much we may try to avoid it, all of us will experience suffering at different times.  It reminds us that we aren’t in charge, God is. The apostle Paul learned to rejoice in suffering when he realized it kept him from becoming conceited.  After pleading with God to remove an unnamed and ongoing struggle he had, he says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

Paul then explains why God’s choice not to end his suffering brings him joy instead of causing him to become angry or bitter: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)

Character: A life of ease may feel good, but it is through suffering that our characters are shaped.  Paul explains the qualities we gain through suffering when he says: “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:2-5, ESV) Suffering builds our endurance and when we persevere through it, we gain character and hope. These qualities become part of a firm foundation that sustains us through future challenges we’re bound to face.

Comfort: Suffering is a jumping off place for showing the love of God to others. When we lean into the Lord and allow Him to speak into our suffering, He gives us hope, help, and comfort. Seasons of suffering become the times when seeds of faith sprout and grow stronger in us. And when we recognize that our suffering can be used for good, we begin to look beyond ourselves, becoming a conduit for God to impact others. Through us, He blesses people struggling through similar issues: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (1 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

Looking back, I see different times of suffering in my life with a strange sense of fondness. Of course, I didn’t enjoy the difficult things I’ve had to endure, but I see how God used them to reveal Himself to me, to make His Word relevant in my life, and to connect me with others in ways I never would have experienced in good times.  So, while I don’t look forward to future seasons of suffering, I know they will come.  And when they do, I will choose to view them through the “half-full” lens and to look expectantly for how God wants to use them in my life.

If you are in a time of suffering, imagine Jesus is singing to you as you listen to “Brother” by NEEDTOBREATHE. And if you’re on the other side of a season of suffering, consider who you could reach out to with the sentiments in this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRSLz_KgUsM

*Inspired by Week 7 in 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway   Press, 2016.