Category: Trusting God

When Plans Reroute

I didn’t see it coming. With one swift move on the game board, my son thwarted my carefully constructed plans. We’d been playing the game Ticket to Ride and I had been quietly building my railway empire laying my black trains on tracks spanning from east to west. With each turn, I’d been amassing the cards I needed to connect cities between New York and Seattle. The route was obvious and the rail lines I needed had remained unclaimed for many rounds of play. It was a good sign that no one had drawn cards that would impede my progress. However, in one move, my son’s blue game pieces blocked my westward path in Helena, Montana.  

Despite my disappointment, I studied the game board carefully and discovered an alternate course I hadn’t considered. It was less direct and forced me to veer south to Salt Lake City, but would still enable me to link New York and Seattle on my fictional railway line. After a few more rounds of play, I successfully reached my destination, although the route looked much different than I’d planned.

Playing that game has been an illustration of my life in the past year. Time and time again I’ve anticipated plans moving in one direction only to have them rerouted. Family members have had illnesses and injuries that have caused major shifts in our routines and schedules, cars have broken down and created significant inconveniences, and ministry commitments have had unexpected and abrupt changes that have required continual flexibility.

While none of these life derailments has been catastrophic, each of them has had the potential to cause major discouragement and bitterness in me. Through a negative lens, I could tell you about many situations from the past year that have caused frustrations layered upon inconveniences compounded by heartbreak. However, choosing a negative focus would only  encourage me to have a sour attitude or to wallow in self-pity.

Think about it. Any time something doesn’t go according to our plans and we react negatively,  it’s because we think we’re being ripped off. We believe we deserve to get what we want. Really, this is veiled entitlement—the assumption that everything should go the way we prefer. And when our expectations aren’t met, we feel indignant, disillusioned, angry or bitter. The resulting behaviors are rudeness, impatience, self-absorption, and harsh treatment of others.

Most of us like control and when life goes according to plans, we assume we have it. But what if that control we thought we had was only an illusion? What if we learned to loosen our grasp on the need for control and to trust God when our plans get rerouted? What if we saw roadblocks as an inevitable part of life instead of an anomaly?

Like my train route on the game board, there are times when we are so singularly focused on getting from Point A to Point B that we can’t imagine any other way for something to work out. Yet when we’re open, flexible and willing to accept unexpected changes and interruptions, we leave room for God to teach us a few things along the way. This is how we grow.

Scripture emphasizes this idea: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21, NIV) So when things don’t go according to plan, maybe instead of getting frazzled and upset, we’d be better off asking God to show us His purpose. Surely there is something we can learn from each rerouted journey we face.

Better still, we might consider including God in our plans and asking for His guidance and involvement from the start:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  (James 4:13-15, NIV)

God reveals His will through His Word. When we’re continually studying it, applying it to our lives, and pursuing a relationship with Him, we can find peace knowing our plans align with His.  Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean things will always go smoothly. Life is messy. People are complicated. Things change. We can rail against this and throw a tantrum or learn to accept it and let God refine us through it. And when our plans do get rerouted, instead of getting upset, our first inclination can be to rest in the knowledge that God is still in control.

If you’re in a season of “rerouting,” be encouraged by Micah Tyler’s song “Even Then.”

Dive In

The waves were firing at the Wedge. People were flocking to the iconic spot at the end of Newport Beach’s Balboa Peninsula to watch the twenty foot waves crash on the shore. Because of the location’s fame in the world of wave riding, an eclectic mix of people milled around on the beach. Despite a powerful rip current, some were eager to brave the frothing water to body surf, boogie board, or use a traditional surfboard. Apparently, the thrill was worth the potential pummeling they’d receive.

Standing on the beach, I dug my toes into the sand and counted on one hand the number of heads bobbing in the water waiting to catch a wave. By comparison, there were several dozen spectators on shore despite the early hour and the coastal fog that still lingered. Looking around, it was clear a variety of locals, tourists, and photographers had come to watch the spectacle. They were eager to see those in the water take the ride of their lives or get churned in the rinse cycle and spit out on the sand.

And, as often happens at unexpected times, it got me thinking about what a fitting analogy it was for our spiritual lives. Some of us are like those wave riders. We love the thrill of pushing our faith to the limits and seeing how far it stretches. We accept challenges that force us to trust God because we know we can’t conquer them with our own strength. We believe the promises in His Word and act on them. We seek to align our thoughts, dreams, and goals with the Holy Spirit and invite Him to work in and through us to further God’s kingdom.

Others of us, however, like to play it safe. We value the comfort and safety of Christian community. We like the security of knowing God will never leave us. We see the Bible as a book to study for gaining knowledge and discussing important concepts. Like the spectators on the beach, we’re amazed and impressed when we hear stories of the stunning ways God has worked in the lives of others, but we’re fairly sure those kinds of things will never happen to us (and we’re pretty ok with that, actually). Spectators love to hear inspiring testimonies, but they don’t welcome the events that caused them into their own lives.

You don’t have to look far to see the “wave riders” in Scripture—they’re the ones whose names and stories we know well. People like Abraham, who left the only land he’d ever known to follow God to a new place. Or Moses, whose conversation with the LORD through a burning bush prompted him to lead the people of Israel out of captivity in Egypt. Or Mary, the unwed teen who praised God at the news of her pregnancy instead of fretting over the social ridicule that would surely follow. One of my favorites is Peter, who walked on water while his friends watched in amazement. The story in Matthew 14 describes how Peter and the other disciples were struggling in their boat against heavy winds and rough seas. Around three in the morning, a figure emerged from the storm and walked toward them on the waves. They cried out in fear, thinking it was a ghost. The story continues;

 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. (Matt 14:27-29, NLT)

The other disciples witnessed the miracle, but only Peter got to experience it firsthand. Ironically, even his faith wavered once he got out of the boat and took his eyes off Jesus:

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. (Matthew 14:29-32, NLT)

Both the spectators (the unnamed disciples) and the participant (Peter) recognized the power of Jesus at work and praised Him as Almighty God. But only Peter would carry the memory of wobbling across the water toward Jesus while his drenched robes threatened to pull him under. Peter’s first inclination wasn’t to try and swim or to shout for his friends to throw him a rope, but to call out to Jesus to save him. I wonder how many times he envisioned that and found reassurance in the challenging years of ministry that would follow.

Maybe you already know the joy of diving into God’s great adventure and experiencing His power first hand. You’ve thrown yourself into the waves, trusting that He would be there to guide you and give you the ride of your life. Or, perhaps you’ve dipped your toes in a time or two but have gotten spooked. Maybe you’ve let life circumstances hold you back or  you’ve been perfectly content just standing and watching. Perhaps you’re not so sure you want to contend with the challenges that come with surrendering and trusting God fully.

Regardless of your experiences in the past, can I encourage you to pray about this right now? Ask God to show you one place where you can step out in faith and trust Him. Then, be alert to where He’s prompting you to act, take a deep breath, and dive in. Live like you believe His Word is true and then marvel at how He works in and through you. Once you ride your first wave, there’s a good chance you’re going to want more. And unlike those brave souls at the Wedge, you don’t have to face challenges alone. You can trust Jesus’ words to his disciples: “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!”

Get some inspiration to stop being a spectator and to dive into the water from Matthew West’s inspiring song “All In.”

Following the Shepherd’s Voice

Leaning forward, I placed my frozen yogurt on the table and looked into her eyes. “Maggie, I love you and you will always be welcome at D-Group, but I guarantee you won’t want to come if you continue down the path you’re on.” My bluntness caught her by surprise and she quickly refuted my prediction, assuring me she’d never stop coming to youth group or meeting with the girls in our Discipleship Group. She was sure she could toggle between the high school party scene and her fragile faith.

I’d met Maggie a year and a half earlier on our church’s annual houseboat trip. She was an incoming freshman brimming with enthusiasm. I was a young, new leader ready to pour into a group of high school girls. Maggie and her best friend were the first ones I met that week and we made an instant connection. The three of us spent a lot of time together that summer. Once school started, we gathered weekly with a group of girls their age to share life and study the Bible. But by the beginning of her sophomore year, other activities began to have more allure to Maggie. Parties and popularity seemed more shiny and exciting than youth group, Bible study, and church friends.

Maggie was confused, not sure which voices to heed. She’d tasted enough of God at youth group to know He was good, but her parents had never really encouraged her involvement there. False friends promised fun and excitement that seemed more appealing than the solid and stable lives of the Christians who cared about her. In the years that followed, Maggie popped in and out of my life less and less. She was always invited and included in our group’s activities, but rarely came. It saddened me to learn that this funny, talented, bright-eyed girl later struggled through addiction and a string of bad relationships.

Like many of us, Maggie had a lot of voices speaking into her life and she didn’t know which ones to trust and follow. Sadly, she’d been exposed to Biblical truth, but strayed further and further from Jesus as deceptive voices lured her down other paths.

I pictured Maggie as I read Jesus’ words in John 10 this week. In the passage, He describes Himself as a shepherd who lovingly leads His flock: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28, NIV)

Listening to Jesus and following Him sounds simple, but with so many voices clamoring for our attention, it’s not always easy to know which ones to ignore. I think that’s where things went sideways for Maggie—she listened to the loudest voices rather than evaluating which ones truly cared for her.

Earlier in John 10 Jesus explains “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 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 10:9-10, NIV). The most dangerous thief we’ll ever encounter is the devil. Although he can’t snatch us from God’s hands, he’ll do whatever he can to steal our joy, kill our hope, and sabotage our faith.  In another passage, Jesus describes the devil by saying, “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44b, NIV)

So how do we differentiate between the loving voice of our shepherd, the deceitful voice of the devil, and the unreliable voice of the world? Without a doubt, the best way is by evaluating what those voices are telling us in comparison to the unchanging truth of God’s Word. Studying the Bible consistently is critical.

Discerning between these three voices also requires thought and prayer. A few years ago, someone gave me a printed guide that helps me to recognize what voices to follow based on the tone, motive, and character of the messages I’m hearing. Over time, I’ve added on to the guide as I’ve had experiences with the different voices. I’ve included it below to help you tune your ear to the voice of the Shepherd over all others.

God’s Tone of Voice: Soothing, quieting, peaceful, encouraging, inspiring

Satan’s Tone of Voice: Insistent, demanding, hurried, mesmerizing, rash, accusing, defeating, discouraging, doubt-inducing, pride-building, vengeful, bitter, self-centered, critical, negative

The World’s Tone of Voice: Comparison focused, fearful of what others think, bases value on exterior qualities, struggles with wanting to measure up, stirs up insecurity

God’s Motives/ Character: Builds relationships, empowers us to do what is right, gives us courage, provides wisdom, gives peace, stretches us and challenges us to grow, reassures us, convicts to bring positive and healthy changes, offers grace, understands, forgives

Satan’s Motives/ Character: Destroys, deceives, accuses, divides, isolates, turns people away from God, induces guilt, creates self-loathing, capitalizes on doubts and insecurities, exaggerates faults, magnifies misunderstandings, makes sin appealing and acceptable

The World’s Motives/ Character: Pleases people to gain acceptance, works hard to fit into the right mold, satisfies self, looks out for self above all else, judges/compares self and others, does what is comfortable and convenient, avoids hard things, keeps up appearances, bases values and standards on popular opinion

Lysa TerKeurst, Finding I Am: How Jesus Fully Satisfies the Cry of Your Heart, Lifeway Press, 2016.

Hard Pressed, but Not Crushed

Speeding across galaxies, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker set out on a mission to rescue Princess Leia from imprisonment by the sinister Darth Vader. Arriving at the evil Empire’s main base, they free her from her cell but must evade multiple foes on the way back to their ship. At one point, their only choice to avoid enemy pursuers is to dive into a chute that deposits them into a garbage bay on the space station. Standing in stinking debris surrounded by metal walls, they quickly realize that their escape route has led them to a dead end. As they search for a way out, the purr of a motor kicks into gear and the room lurches ominously. Within moments, the walls start closing in on them and they realize they’re lodged inside a gigantic trash compacter. Scrambling atop the heaps of refuse, the characters make vain attempts to brace the walls and save themselves. They are hard pressed on every side and it seems they’ll be crushed in a matter of minutes.

You may laugh when you read this, but I envisioned that scene from the 1977 hit movie “Star Wars: A New Hope” as I read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Although most of us have never experienced the hardships Paul endured, (or being inside a trash compacter on a space station) I think we can relate to the idea of feeling “hard pressed on every side.” The pressures and demands of life feel crushing at times, especially when we face challenges on multiple fronts.

Lately it seems I’ve encountered a significant number of people who feel hard-pressed by difficult circumstances. Relationship challenges, health issues, struggling kids, aging parents, wayward grandchildren, financial difficulties, traumatic experiences, and day to day stress have left them feeling overwhelmed. However, I’ve also noticed that those who follow Jesus find their strength by leaning into Him for hope and wisdom.

Their examples inspire me and make Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians come to life. He explains “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV) Despite our human weakness, we have access to God’s all-surpassing power. The NIV study Bible explains that our insufficiency as human beings reveals the total sufficiency of God. Rather than focusing on the perishable container (our frail humanity), we choose to focus on the priceless contents (the Holy Spirit).

Doing this requires us to be intentional in our perspective. Our natural inclination is to look horizontally and focus on the walls closing in on us, lamenting that we will soon be crushed. A wiser choice is to fix our gaze on God and maintain a vertical focus, trusting that He will use our troubles  for our good and His glory. Paul explains it this way: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)

Even hardships that last for many years are light and momentary in comparison with the vastness of eternity. And God promises to be with us, to give us access to His power, and to help us every step of the way.

You may have noticed that I didn’t tell you what happened to our heroes from Star Wars as the walls were closing in. Their attempts to stop them from moving were fruitless because they didn’t have the physical strength. However, they were clear-thinking enough to seek aid from an outside source. Although it took a bit longer than they’d hoped, help did come through for them just in the nick of time. It’s a cinematic example of what happens when we stop trying on our own strength and tap into God’s limitless power.

Just for fun, instead of a song I’ve included a two-minute clip of that scene from Star Wars so that you can get the full visual experience of being hard pressed on every side. You’ll hear Luke Skywalker pleading several times “Shut down all the garbage smashers on the detention level!” If you’re feeling hard pressed today, call upon God’s all-surpassing power instead of trying harder on your own. Shout out to Him, fix your eyes on what is unseen, and watch how God works in your heart, mind, and circumstances.

Kelly Minter, All Things New: A Study of 2 Corinthians, Lifeway Press 2016.

Thoroughly Equipped

I remember the first time my family went to the snow when our kids were very young. Taking a toddler and a pre-schooler on a trip to Tahoe in the dead of winter wasn’t something we could have done without significant advance preparation. Not wanting to invest a lot of funds in gear our boys would outgrow quickly, we devoted our energy to borrowing anything friends would lend us: mittens, boots, jackets, snow suits, socks, long underwear, hats, goggles, and sleds (of course). We knew that forgetting just one of these items would have put a damper on enjoying outdoor activities in the frigid conditions. We had to be thoroughly equipped to create a positive experience. Forgetting even one mitten or boot would have ruined the whole adventure.

In much the same way, God knows that we need to be thoroughly equipped to carry out His will. His Word promises us He’ll give us everything we need for spiritual impact: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

Just as my husband and I did the work to provide our boys with the gear they needed for the snow, God does all that’s required to equip us for every good work. He doesn’t miss a single detail. Our responsibility is to study His Word so that we can put on the spiritual equipment He’s prepared for us there. We simply receive what He provides and allow His Spirit to work through us. Scripture reminds us of this several times:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3, NIV)

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13, NIV)

Beth Moore explains, “We are equipped and made capable by Scripture even for good works that don’t necessitate sharing the Word. Scripture is just as strategic for equipping the man or woman of God who works in government, stays home with the kids, or fixes car engines. That’s the power of it. The Word of God works wherever the person of God works.” (p. 142)

None of us is exempt from being used by God, no matter what station in life we hold. Looking back over my past, I can see how the Lord used me whenever I made myself available to Him. From college onward, I recognize God’s handiwork–sometimes it was through my actions and quiet influence, other times it was through my words. Each season of my life has afforded new ways to impact others with God’s love and truth. The opportunities to be used by Him have changed with every chapter, but they’ve never ceased.

We’re headed into the home stretch of studying 2 Timothy so it’s time to take stock of what we’ve been learning. “If we get to the end of this study with a good look over our shoulder at the journeys of Paul and Timothy but no clear gaze ahead at the path we’re called to walk with equal tenacity, we will have missed the mission in 2 Timothy’s message. We—common people with common problems–get to carry on the uncommon legacies of Paul and Timothy. To do so deliberately will be to do so most effectively.” (p. 133)

It’s time to pray about how we’ll let this study change us. If we walk away with more head knowledge but no real plan to act on what we’ve learned, we’ll have missed the point. So I’ll ask a few questions to help you clarify your thoughts: How is God stirring in you as you study 2 Timothy? What are you learning about how to turn your vertical focus into a horizontal impact? If you’ve been following Jesus for a while, can you look back and see how God has equipped you previously? Is there anywhere new you sense Him calling you to step outside of your comfort zone? These may be scary questions to answer, but don’t let them intimidate you. Remember that God is trustworthy and He has good things in store for you. All you have to do is let Him equip you. He’s already prepared everything, you just need to tell Him you’re available to receive it.

“Do Everything” by Steven Curtis Chapman gives some good encouragement on this topic. Click on the link to enjoy the song.

Beth Moore, Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy, Lifeway Press, 2016.

Lessons from the Soldier, Athlete & Farmer

Rushing to the sidelines, the goalie yanked off his lacrosse helmet and pulled his pads over his head in one swift motion. Calling a “time out,” the coach tried to remain calm as he gathered the team to decide what to do. The foul called against the goalie had earned him a three-minute exclusion from the game and his teammates needed a quick plan to cover for him. As the referee signaled the end of the time out, another player hastily pulled on the goalie’s protective gear and sprinted out on the field. Kneeling in the penalty box, the goalie watched as his teammates tried to block shots on the goal with one less player on the field.

It’s unusual for a lacrosse goalie to receive an exclusion penalty, and it often means the opposing team will score. That day, my son’s high school teammates couldn’t hold off their opponents. Although they had been dominating the game until then, the three excruciating minutes with their goalie in the penalty box shifted the momentum. They were never able to recover and ended up with a disappointing loss.  It was a hard way to learn the importance of following the rules. When one player gets called on a personal foul, it affects the whole team.

To me, this is a great picture of what Paul describes in 2 Timothy 2:5, “Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”

An athlete needs self-discipline to learn and follow the rules of a game to compete successfully. Similarly, Christians self-discipline to study and follow God’s Word if they want to live a life that pleases Him and blesses others. Not engaging the Bible consistently makes it difficult to grow in faith or be effective in sharing the gospel.

Believers also derail spiritual growth when they ignore sin in their lives. Unconfessed sin impedes authenticity in our walks with God, discourages fellow believers, and diminishes our ability to impact others. When we study God’s Word, it studies us. With the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we begin to change our actions and thoughts.

In the same passage in 2 Timothy Paul also gives the example of a soldier, “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” (2 Timothy 2:3-4, NIV)

Like soldiers, we make it our goal to please God as our “commanding officer.” We don’t entangle ourselves in worldly affairs that will lead our faith off track. Jesus mentions in John 18 that His kingdom is not of this world. We need to keep that in mind and remember we serve God first. Doing this enables the Holy Spirit to flow through us so we can impact others with His love. Rather than letting the light of Christ be snuffed out by ungodly influences, we strive to shine brightly so we can draw others toward God’s love and grace. We follow His lead, not the world’s.

Also, like soldiers, we focus on executing orders from our commanding officer, God, instead of operating on our own agendas. We trust that the Lord sees the big picture that we’re unable to have from our vantage point. Having a vertical focus helps us to trust His wisdom above ours.

Paul’s third analogy compares us to the hardworking farmer who is diligent with planting seeds and patient waiting for them to grow. A farmer knows the seeds are taking root and rising toward the surface, even though he can’t see the results above ground immediately. He understands the crop will come eventually and tends to it with patience and care.

Similarly, we sow seeds of faith in others through our actions and words, patiently trusting that God is at work in ways we can’t see: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11, NIV)

Like the farmer waiting for crops to emerge from the soil, we may not always see the ways God is moving and working in the hearts of others, but we can trust Him and be patient with the process.

Having the self-discipline of an athlete, the focus of a soldier, and the patience of a farmer enables us to be strong in the grace of Jesus. With these qualities, we’ll be equipped to receive the wisdom and truth of the gospel and to entrust it to other reliable people who will, in turn, be qualified to teach others.

For King & Country’s song “Fix My Eyes” describes the actions of a life of faith and reminds us the only way we can fulfill God’s purposes is through fixing our eyes on Him. Listen carefully and you’ll recognize a reference from 2 Timothy 2 in the lyrics to the song.

Beth Moore, Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy, Lifeway Press 2016.

Faith Foundation #9: Trust Brings Peace

Digging in my paddle against the current, I pulled hard. Choppy water slapped against my board and threatened to topple me as the afternoon breeze gained force. What had started as a relaxing jaunt around the bay had quickly turned into a punishing workout. With my knees bent and my head low, I gritted my teeth to get through the most exposed part of the harbor. Between the large boats chugging by and the lack of protection from the wind, it felt a little like riding a scooter on the freeway. Rounding the final bend, the calmer waters between two islands finally came into view.  No matter how rough the main part of the harbor got, I could always count on easy paddling through that peaceful little channel.

It wasn’t long before I saw the connection between that experience and one of my favorite passages in the Bible: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV).  It took determination to paddle against the strong current toward calm water.  We need to use that same kind of steadfastness in our minds when we’re struggling for peace. Every moment our thoughts can draw us further towards it or further away from it, but a steadfast mind is resolute and unwavering. It isn’t deterred by the wind and waves of circumstances, nor is it overwhelmed by them. Trusting God enables us to see beyond our present situations to the One who is more powerful than the strongest current or the fiercest wind.

Over the past few weeks I’ve returned to this mental picture of the safe harbor many times as I’ve been preparing to launch my firstborn child to college. It is an intense season in our family on every level—physically, relationally, spiritually and emotionally. My heart aches as I think about my son being 1500 miles from home. The years have flown and it’s hard to believe our family  is transitioning into this new era. More than once I’ve felt like the waves of circumstances and emotions are going to topple me, but then I stop and picture that safe, calm channel.  I remind myself to remain steadfast in trusting God and I invite Him to soothe my aching heart.

Every season of life brings new challenges and new opportunities to trust God. If we rely on easy circumstances to be the source our peace, we’ll often find ourselves without it. But if we trust God, who sees a much bigger picture than we do, we can mentally stay in that safe harbor, no matter how hard the wind is blowing or how rough the water gets.  Learning to rely on Him takes practice, but it brings the only peace that can sustain us over the long haul.

In keeping with the water theme of this post, click on the link to be encouraged by Rend Collective’s song “My Lighthouse.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA8VtUPgqTc

And if you want to know what the storm in my mind looks like right now, click on the link to hear Nichole Nordeman’s song “Slow Down.” (Don’t watch it if you don’t have tissues handy or if you’re someplace where you don’t want to cry.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clcNB_EUao8

 

 

 

 

Faith Foundation #8: Trust and Obey

She was one of those students brimming with potential. As her freshman English teacher, I was eager to see her tap into it, but she seemed more interested in boys, clothes and popularity. When she did turn in work, it was mediocre at best. And then one day, she surprised me with a new attitude. Handing me a completed assignment, she gushed, “I worked on this all night, I can’t wait for you to see it.” Pleased by her newfound enthusiasm, I leafed through the stack of papers later that day eager to find hers. To my disappointment, the assignment she’d completed didn’t follow the guidelines I’d explained to the class. It was obvious she’d put a lot of effort into creating some beautiful artwork, but none of the other requirements had been met. There was no way I could give her full credit for it. I’d explained the instructions verbally and in writing, but she’d chosen to ignore them and do things her way.

Handing the assignment back the next day, I affirmed her for her effort, but explained why she didn’t earn the maximum points possible. Sadly, no amount of encouragement or explanation I gave her could break through her stubborn shell. She glared at me with arms folded for the rest of the period. As the year progressed, I think she saw me as an unreasonable and unfair task master. Eventually, she just gave up trying. Her stubbornness and pride led her to miss the opportunity to learn from the experience.

While I would never be so presumptuous as to equate myself with God, I think many of us see Him similarly to the way my student saw me all those years ago. We want to approach Him on our terms instead of His. Rather than taking the time to learn how to live faithfully and obediently, we follow our own path and then don’t understand why we don’t feel more connected to Him.

Accepting God’s free gift of grace offered through Jesus marks the beginning of a lifelong process of growing in a relationship with Him. Author and pastor Eugene Peterson describes this journey as “a long obedience in the same direction.” That “o” word (obedience) is a hard one to accept in our culture today. Like my student, most of us want to do things on our terms. We pray hoping God will bend to our wills instead of inviting His will to be done. The idea of obeying Him doesn’t sound nearly as attractive as the free gift of grace.  Yet, the two were meant to go hand in hand.

Jesus taught His disciples about the importance of obedience saying: “If you love me, keep my commands… Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:15 & 21, NIV)

Years after hearing Jesus teach, John expanded on the importance of obedience by explaining, “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says,’I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:3-6, NIV)

The idea is that once we receive God’s grace, we show our love for Him by responding with obedience. Doing this makes His love complete in us over the course of a lifetime. It shows that we trust Him, whether or not we understand what He’s doing.

I’m guessing right now you may be wondering two things. First, how are we supposed to know all of the commands Jesus wants us to obey? Second, how can I ever follow them obediently when I still struggle with sin every day?

The short answer to the first question is simple: you need to read the Bible consistently. The more you study Scripture, the more it will study you. As you discover God’s plan for your life and begin to incorporate His ways into your choices, you’ll begin to surrender different areas of your life that you’ve been trying to control on your own.  As you respond to His Word by trusting Him and taking steps of obedience, you begin walking a new path that puts God in the lead instead of you. Make time consistently to study His Word intently, discuss it with others, wrestle in prayer over the things you don’t understand, and ultimately you will be changed by it.

Going back to the second question above, you may be wondering how it’s possible for an imperfect and sinful person to be obedient and walk as Jesus did. We can’t be obedient to God based on our own will power or good intentions. Jesus knew this, which is why when He explained the importance of obedience to the disciples, He also said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you…the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:16, 17, 26, NIV)

When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live in us. He is our tutor, our guide, and our advocate. He gives us wisdom when we ask for it, He convicts us when we’re dabbling with sin, and He gently leads us in the way God calls us to go. He speaks to us through God’s Word, searches our hearts, and intercedes for us in our prayers (see Romans 8:26-27 if you’ve never heard this before).

God’s grace gives us access to Him for eternity but our trust and obedience are the keys to living the abundant life He intends for us now. Not surprisingly, there aren’t many popular songs today about the concept of obedience.  There is, however, a great old hymn called “Trust and Obey.” Click on the link to hear Big Daddy Weave’s version of this song and let the truth of the lyrics marinate in your mind.

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.”

 

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)