"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -2 Corinthians 4:18
Who? What? When?
In high school, I was highly (slightly ridiculously) competitive concerning grades. Who scored highest on that test? Whose average was the best mid semester? Who knew the answer to that tricky question on the pop quiz?During a troubling time in a church I attended, I could not see an end in sight to the problems. What was causing this issue to drag on and on? What was stopping everyone from "just getting along"? What needed to happen to fix it all? When my daughter was a baby, a combination of well-meaning (most of them anyway) question askers and my first-time mom worries caused me to fret over milestones. When would she start crawling? When would she begin pulling up on furniture on her own? When would she speak for the first time?
Seeing It All From Heaven's View
All those "Who? What? When?"'s over situations that, from Heaven's viewpoint, were hardly earth-shattering. Now I could not remember who scored what on a specific test if I spent an hour trying. Now I have peace over those turmoil-inducing church crises. Now not even my daughter's baby book that I slacked off filling out can tell me when she began crawling. Sure, I am proud that I worked hard to achieve honors in school, grateful that God guided me through that tough time at church, and so appreciative that my little girl is healthy, but quite disappointed in myself that I allowed those and so many other temporary circumstances to consume my thoughts.
Makes Me Want to Scream
How I wish it were effortless to focus on the unseen, the eternal, rather than the seen, the temporary! Here is the issue: God gave us physical senses. Eyes that see everything from piles of dishes in the sink to our loved one's broken heart. Ears that hear criticism from "friends", slanderous gossip about our family, and news of how yet another item is added to our already too long "to-do" list. Nerves that enable us to feel the pain that is inevitable in this life. The temporary is in front of us screaming in our face, behind us tapping on our back, to our left tugging on our arm, to our right leaning on our shoulder. Every day of every week of every year. It is enough to make me want to, at times, get mad, give up, walk away, or scream. None of that really helps, though, except maybe a well-placed (the middle of Wal-Mart is probably not ideal), well-timed (preferably when you are alone) scream. That actually can make room in your brain for other things. So.....Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Warning and Confession Ahead
Now that I have done a little brain-clearing, I can tell you about what God has been sharing with me about how to shift my gaze from all that surrounds me to that which is above me. Warning: it is not easy! Confession: I have not yet even begun to master this! Why do you think God and I have been chatting about it? ;) Earlier in my post, I mentioned how the sights, sounds, and feelings this temporary world evokes can be overwhelming. In order to get in touch with the eternal world and the eternal One, first of all, I have to make time to be alone with the Lord and quiet my heart before Him as much as possible that I may accurately see Him, hear Him, feel Him. He has convicted me to get up earlier than everyone else in my home and have time to pray, read His Word, and seek Him then. As a severely set in stone non-morning person, I am less than thrilled about that specific instruction for me, but I know that it is necessary. Want to hear something funny? I was praying about it, then opened my Bible to read, and it fell open to John 20:1, "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb..." Seriously, I laughed out loud. It was as if God was saying, "This lady got up before the sun on the first day of the week (which, in Becca-world, means MONDAY) to go out and seek Me. You can, too." Early morning...Mondays...He is calling me far from my comfort zone, ladies. Only because He knows I need it, though. Ask Him what you need. He will tell you.
Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord
Another crucial step in zeroing in on the eternal sights is utilizing our spiritual senses. In Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV), we read these words, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe..." Ask God to open the eyes of your heart to what He is working in and around you and help you focus on that, rather than all this temporary world and its evil ruler is trying to accomplish. Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV) tells us, "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." Request that God open your spiritual ears to His wisdom more than the criticism, gossip, and horrific news around you, that He open your spiritual heart to understanding Him and His ways more than trying to understand the understandable in this world.
In this world, we absolutely have to take care of and deal with the temporary weekly, daily, hourly. All that God asks is that we make every effort to focus on Him and the glorious eternity with Him that awaits His children while we do so.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Our every sense is bombarded by the temporary on a minute-by-minute basis. Help us to fix our eyes, ears, and heart on You. What you have to show us. What you have to tell us. What you have to offer us. We know it is hard, but we also thank You that nothing is too hard for You. We love you, God. Thank You for being eternally You. In Jesus's name, Amen!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
One of Those Days
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
One of Those Days
Today has been one of those days. One of those days when the devil has been like an obnoxious sports fan screaming in my ear. You know, the ones that just do not know when to sit down on the bleachers and shut up? Yeah, one of those. He has loudly reminded me of everything that is the least bit wrong in the world (both my world and the world in general) since I groggily opened my eyes this morning. Then he proceeded to salt my wounds with new wrongs to add to the pile I allowed him to heap upon my shoulders. But enough about him. You see, there is giving the devil our awareness (meaning we recognize him and his schemes for what they are), and then there is giving him our attention (meaning we switch our focus from the Savior and his work to Satan and his).
Becca the Builder
"What did you do when all this happened?", you might ask. Well, I did what any type A, organization lover would do: I made a list. "On paper?" No, no, no...in my mind. There are only 50, 604 other lists up there, so what's one more, right? "So, was this a prayer list? You're a Christian; I'm sure this was a prayer list." That would be the spiritually logical action to take, but again no. I went into "Becca the Builder" mode and made a fix-it list of how I planned to repair everything and everyone around me. Not myself, mind you. No time for that. The rest of the world needs my intervention much more.
The List:
1. Hammer the attitude problem of the person giving me grief.
2. Drill some common sense into government policies that are sorely lacking in it.
3. Chainsaw that person I know away from that bad habit that is hurting them.
4. Sand the rough edges off of the personality that is rubbing many the wrong way.
5. If all else fails, break out the demolition crew and destroy some stuff.
I Needed the Nails
The list is meant to be humorous, but there is nothing funny about how I handled this situation. See, I took it all on as MY job, MY responsibility, MY war to fight. Not only is it not my place to fix everything and everyone, I am not even able to do that. In my own power, I cannot even repair what is broken within me. Yes, there is a (whether real or proverbial I know not) Fix-It List with my name on it in Heaven, and I am certain that it is not short enough to be on a Post-It. But God and I work through that list together. In His time. In His way. And, most certainly, in His power. When He desires that I act on a situation, speak His words into someone else's life, or just seek Him in prayer and His word about a troublesome area in life, He speaks to me, not in an angry yell flinging insults at a player on a team, but in a "still, small voice" (see 1 Kings 19:11-12). If I would have taken the time to quiet my heart and listen for Him, I would have realized that I did not need a drill, chainsaw, or, even a hammer. I just needed the power of the nails...the power of the cross...the power of my Savior.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your power that never fails, never quits, and is more than enough for us all. Forgive us when we give the devil our attention. Help us keep our focus on You and You alone. Forgive us for attempting to fix it all in our own strength. Thank You that we don't have to. This world is full of problems, but You are full of promises, ones that are never broken. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus's name, Amen!
One of Those Days
Today has been one of those days. One of those days when the devil has been like an obnoxious sports fan screaming in my ear. You know, the ones that just do not know when to sit down on the bleachers and shut up? Yeah, one of those. He has loudly reminded me of everything that is the least bit wrong in the world (both my world and the world in general) since I groggily opened my eyes this morning. Then he proceeded to salt my wounds with new wrongs to add to the pile I allowed him to heap upon my shoulders. But enough about him. You see, there is giving the devil our awareness (meaning we recognize him and his schemes for what they are), and then there is giving him our attention (meaning we switch our focus from the Savior and his work to Satan and his).
Becca the Builder
"What did you do when all this happened?", you might ask. Well, I did what any type A, organization lover would do: I made a list. "On paper?" No, no, no...in my mind. There are only 50, 604 other lists up there, so what's one more, right? "So, was this a prayer list? You're a Christian; I'm sure this was a prayer list." That would be the spiritually logical action to take, but again no. I went into "Becca the Builder" mode and made a fix-it list of how I planned to repair everything and everyone around me. Not myself, mind you. No time for that. The rest of the world needs my intervention much more.
The List:
1. Hammer the attitude problem of the person giving me grief.
2. Drill some common sense into government policies that are sorely lacking in it.
3. Chainsaw that person I know away from that bad habit that is hurting them.
4. Sand the rough edges off of the personality that is rubbing many the wrong way.
5. If all else fails, break out the demolition crew and destroy some stuff.
I Needed the Nails
The list is meant to be humorous, but there is nothing funny about how I handled this situation. See, I took it all on as MY job, MY responsibility, MY war to fight. Not only is it not my place to fix everything and everyone, I am not even able to do that. In my own power, I cannot even repair what is broken within me. Yes, there is a (whether real or proverbial I know not) Fix-It List with my name on it in Heaven, and I am certain that it is not short enough to be on a Post-It. But God and I work through that list together. In His time. In His way. And, most certainly, in His power. When He desires that I act on a situation, speak His words into someone else's life, or just seek Him in prayer and His word about a troublesome area in life, He speaks to me, not in an angry yell flinging insults at a player on a team, but in a "still, small voice" (see 1 Kings 19:11-12). If I would have taken the time to quiet my heart and listen for Him, I would have realized that I did not need a drill, chainsaw, or, even a hammer. I just needed the power of the nails...the power of the cross...the power of my Savior.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your power that never fails, never quits, and is more than enough for us all. Forgive us when we give the devil our attention. Help us keep our focus on You and You alone. Forgive us for attempting to fix it all in our own strength. Thank You that we don't have to. This world is full of problems, but You are full of promises, ones that are never broken. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus's name, Amen!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Why Problem-free Barbie wouldn't make a good BFF
"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." -2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Problem-free Barbie...I know someone who wants to be friends with you. Yes, you! Exciting, right? She is great. Smart, beautiful, funny, popular. You will love her. Well....there is one tiny thing wrong with her: the fact that there is nothing wrong with her. She and her husband never engage in World War III over dirty laundry covering the floor or the toilet seat lid being left up. Her children would not dream of disobeying her instruction, let alone turn into a pile of snot, tears, and screams over a bag of Cheetos in the middle of Wal-Mart. Struggles dealing with selecting carrot sticks over Triple Fudge Cake with a scoop of ice cream on the side do not exist in her world; healthy choices come naturally to her. Her checkbook balance is always exceedingly larger than the small stack of neatly piled bills on her kitchen counter.
...with matching daughter and accessories
For you younger readers, she has a daughter that would love to hang out with you, too. The only thing is, she is just like her mom. Her friends would not dream about tweeting about her being that "someone" that drives them crazy, makes them sick, is the biggest hypocrite they have ever known, you get my drift. She could have any guy she wants, and the one she has is just as gorgeous as she is, never pressures her to go anywhere she does not desire to, agrees with her every word, and never ignores her calls/texts because he is watching "the" football game or playing "Call of Duty". She never misses a three-pointer in basketball games, forgets to study for a quiz, or runs out of gas a mile from the nearest gas station. Oh, and she and her parents always see eye to eye on everything, her super-small sized Buckle jeans are never too tight, and she has yet to see a pimple appear on her face just before picture day.
No, thanks..I'll pass
So, what do you think? When is a good time for them to come over? I'm sorry, did I just hear you scream, "NEVER!!!" at the screen? Yeah, I thought so. Same here. Your ideas about people like that would most likely live in the realm of: A) "She is fake and hiding something...there's probably a body or two in her trunk and a plenty of skeletons in her closet behind those Buckle jeans." B) "I don't want to be friends with her. My imperfect self would soon become the first and biggest problem she's ever had!" C) "That chick and I would not have one thing in common. She doesn't have one problem, and many days, I have as many as a kid with chicken pox has spots." D) All of the above. Before we move forward, allow me to put your mind at ease with the following statement: this post is not a rant on nutritious food selections, wealthy folks, or Buckle jeans. Personally, I admire the steadfastly healthy, would love to be rich, and, in my mind, Buckle jeans are two hundred and one kinds of fabulous. Nor am I asserting that the above mentioned scenarios are the greatest problems in our world. The point that I am bordering on taking too long to make is that no one wants a BFF that does not know what it means to go through the fire of life's problems, both seemingly big and small, and come out with your split ends, eyelashes, and heart singed. And no one would dare seek out a person like that to minister to them.
From hurt to healing
For years, I have heard that oftentimes a person's ministry arises from the pain that God has walked with them through and their mistakes that God has redeemed for His good. As I grow older and gain that wonderful-to-possess-but-often-agonizing-to-obtain quality known as "life experience", I agree more and more. Our hurt can truly become a huge part of another's healing. Take a moment to soak in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV): "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." God lavishes Himself upon us in times of intense pain, certainly because He loves us, but also that, we will, in turn, pour His love, comfort, and strength into the hearts of those around us struggling to beat through a similar pain. Who is better qualified to counsel a rape victim than another who endured the same horrific experience only to find hope and healing in our Savior? Who could better understand a sister in Christ facing the betrayal of a so-called friend than another who has pulled that same proverbial knife from her back and found healing in the Great Physician? And here's an even deeper one for us to ponder: who has a better awareness of the daily death to self involved in serving God than the sinless One who prayed "...yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42) before taking the sin of the world upon His shoulders and dying on a cross that we sinners might live eternally (reference 1 Peter 2:24)? That's right. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that not only do we have sisters in Christ who have faced problems and trials as we do, but a Savior who has as well: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."
I'd like a drive-thru deliverance with a side of fries, please...
So, Mrs. Desert Rose, are you telling us that you rejoice when people cause you to think you are going bald from pulling your hair out over them? That you jump for joy when severe illness strikes your family? That you host a party every time your bills seem like mountains compared to your molehill budget? No, sweet sisters, I am not. God's Word does state in Romans 5:3-4: "...we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." But I know in my life, it is rarely easy to glory during the suffering. My flesh would much rather skip the suffering and pick up some perseverance, character, and hope in the drive-thru line at McDonald's along with a chocolate shake and an order of fries. It does not work that way, though. I can honestly assert, however, that the trials in my life, painful and non-joyous though they were/are, have largely assisted me in the ongoing process of maturing in Christ, sculpted me into a servant better fit for His service, and given me loads upon loads more sympathy for others facing trouble of any kind. I needed it. Sure as glory did not want it...desired a "drive-thru deliverance" with all my fleshly heart...but needed it. Even if only because someone else would need the lesson I learned from it all. I do not pretend to have a clue why you or I have both the minor annoyances and major heartbreaks that we do in this life, but I do believe whole-heartedly that God can and will use our pain for good and for His glory.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that our pain never goes unnoticed, unredeemed, or unused by You. Not only do You walk with us through the fire, but You graciously allow us to come out on the other side and help pull others through. Let us never forget what a blessing and honor it is to use our pain for others' healing and Your glory. Forgive us for too often repeatedly asking, "God, why did I go through that?" Instead, help us to ask, "God, who is going through something similar to what I did, and how can I help them in Your name?" Thank you, Jesus, for descending from glory, walking our sod, facing our trials, remaining perfect in spite of them, and taking on all of our filthy imperfections on an old rugged cross to save us all. Every time we think our hill to steep to climb, our cross too heavy to bear, remind us of Calvary, of Your sacrifice, Your love, and Your power that we are filled with because of it. God, life so often drags us down. Thank You for lifting us up and sending fellow Christians to do the same. May we always be obedient to do so for others. In Jesus' name, Amen!
Problem-free Barbie...I know someone who wants to be friends with you. Yes, you! Exciting, right? She is great. Smart, beautiful, funny, popular. You will love her. Well....there is one tiny thing wrong with her: the fact that there is nothing wrong with her. She and her husband never engage in World War III over dirty laundry covering the floor or the toilet seat lid being left up. Her children would not dream of disobeying her instruction, let alone turn into a pile of snot, tears, and screams over a bag of Cheetos in the middle of Wal-Mart. Struggles dealing with selecting carrot sticks over Triple Fudge Cake with a scoop of ice cream on the side do not exist in her world; healthy choices come naturally to her. Her checkbook balance is always exceedingly larger than the small stack of neatly piled bills on her kitchen counter.
...with matching daughter and accessories
For you younger readers, she has a daughter that would love to hang out with you, too. The only thing is, she is just like her mom. Her friends would not dream about tweeting about her being that "someone" that drives them crazy, makes them sick, is the biggest hypocrite they have ever known, you get my drift. She could have any guy she wants, and the one she has is just as gorgeous as she is, never pressures her to go anywhere she does not desire to, agrees with her every word, and never ignores her calls/texts because he is watching "the" football game or playing "Call of Duty". She never misses a three-pointer in basketball games, forgets to study for a quiz, or runs out of gas a mile from the nearest gas station. Oh, and she and her parents always see eye to eye on everything, her super-small sized Buckle jeans are never too tight, and she has yet to see a pimple appear on her face just before picture day.
No, thanks..I'll pass
So, what do you think? When is a good time for them to come over? I'm sorry, did I just hear you scream, "NEVER!!!" at the screen? Yeah, I thought so. Same here. Your ideas about people like that would most likely live in the realm of: A) "She is fake and hiding something...there's probably a body or two in her trunk and a plenty of skeletons in her closet behind those Buckle jeans." B) "I don't want to be friends with her. My imperfect self would soon become the first and biggest problem she's ever had!" C) "That chick and I would not have one thing in common. She doesn't have one problem, and many days, I have as many as a kid with chicken pox has spots." D) All of the above. Before we move forward, allow me to put your mind at ease with the following statement: this post is not a rant on nutritious food selections, wealthy folks, or Buckle jeans. Personally, I admire the steadfastly healthy, would love to be rich, and, in my mind, Buckle jeans are two hundred and one kinds of fabulous. Nor am I asserting that the above mentioned scenarios are the greatest problems in our world. The point that I am bordering on taking too long to make is that no one wants a BFF that does not know what it means to go through the fire of life's problems, both seemingly big and small, and come out with your split ends, eyelashes, and heart singed. And no one would dare seek out a person like that to minister to them.
From hurt to healing
For years, I have heard that oftentimes a person's ministry arises from the pain that God has walked with them through and their mistakes that God has redeemed for His good. As I grow older and gain that wonderful-to-possess-but-often-agonizing-to-obtain quality known as "life experience", I agree more and more. Our hurt can truly become a huge part of another's healing. Take a moment to soak in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV): "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." God lavishes Himself upon us in times of intense pain, certainly because He loves us, but also that, we will, in turn, pour His love, comfort, and strength into the hearts of those around us struggling to beat through a similar pain. Who is better qualified to counsel a rape victim than another who endured the same horrific experience only to find hope and healing in our Savior? Who could better understand a sister in Christ facing the betrayal of a so-called friend than another who has pulled that same proverbial knife from her back and found healing in the Great Physician? And here's an even deeper one for us to ponder: who has a better awareness of the daily death to self involved in serving God than the sinless One who prayed "...yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42) before taking the sin of the world upon His shoulders and dying on a cross that we sinners might live eternally (reference 1 Peter 2:24)? That's right. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that not only do we have sisters in Christ who have faced problems and trials as we do, but a Savior who has as well: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."
I'd like a drive-thru deliverance with a side of fries, please...
So, Mrs. Desert Rose, are you telling us that you rejoice when people cause you to think you are going bald from pulling your hair out over them? That you jump for joy when severe illness strikes your family? That you host a party every time your bills seem like mountains compared to your molehill budget? No, sweet sisters, I am not. God's Word does state in Romans 5:3-4: "...we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." But I know in my life, it is rarely easy to glory during the suffering. My flesh would much rather skip the suffering and pick up some perseverance, character, and hope in the drive-thru line at McDonald's along with a chocolate shake and an order of fries. It does not work that way, though. I can honestly assert, however, that the trials in my life, painful and non-joyous though they were/are, have largely assisted me in the ongoing process of maturing in Christ, sculpted me into a servant better fit for His service, and given me loads upon loads more sympathy for others facing trouble of any kind. I needed it. Sure as glory did not want it...desired a "drive-thru deliverance" with all my fleshly heart...but needed it. Even if only because someone else would need the lesson I learned from it all. I do not pretend to have a clue why you or I have both the minor annoyances and major heartbreaks that we do in this life, but I do believe whole-heartedly that God can and will use our pain for good and for His glory.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that our pain never goes unnoticed, unredeemed, or unused by You. Not only do You walk with us through the fire, but You graciously allow us to come out on the other side and help pull others through. Let us never forget what a blessing and honor it is to use our pain for others' healing and Your glory. Forgive us for too often repeatedly asking, "God, why did I go through that?" Instead, help us to ask, "God, who is going through something similar to what I did, and how can I help them in Your name?" Thank you, Jesus, for descending from glory, walking our sod, facing our trials, remaining perfect in spite of them, and taking on all of our filthy imperfections on an old rugged cross to save us all. Every time we think our hill to steep to climb, our cross too heavy to bear, remind us of Calvary, of Your sacrifice, Your love, and Your power that we are filled with because of it. God, life so often drags us down. Thank You for lifting us up and sending fellow Christians to do the same. May we always be obedient to do so for others. In Jesus' name, Amen!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
"You Could Ruin This" and other lies
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13
Scary white rectangles
Lately I have enjoyed making canvas paintings as gifts for friends and loved ones. Without question, the most daunting part of the process is gazing upon the initially blank white canvas. My mind is bursting with a vision of what I desire my trusty brush and colorful paints to create with that rectangle of possibility, but my heart simultaneously gurgles with dread over what a slip of my hand on what should be a steady line or an unexpected splatter of paint could do to my carefully made plan. I could ruin this painting. What I envision being an artistic combination of words, shapes, and emotion to hang on a friend's wall with pride could become an item not even finished and stuffed in a black plastic bag to be left by the road on trash day. It's not even the wasted money that would bother me most, though as someone who makes a whole-hearted attempt to be thrifty that would be a factor. The failure, that's what would sting. Trying and not succeeding. Visualizing an accomplishment and reality smashing that vision to bits. That fear keeps the canvas blank sometimes.
"You could ruin this"
Isn't that the way we often are when God calls us to a new task for His Kingdom? When He urges us to witness to a friend. When He commands that we drop a bad habit that we cling to like a worn out, smelly security blanket. When He gives instruction to step up into an area of ministry. When He issues a call that looks like a hand grenade to our comfort zone. Oh, we're equipped to handle it. God never asks anything of us that He has not placed within us to give (see Hebrews 13:20-21). He provides the vision, the canvas, the paint, the brush, and even His hand to guide our own, BUT He will not paint the picture for us. Our Lord desires willing servants, not robots programmed to perform without choice or emotion. Could He have created us that way? My highly sophisticated answer to that question is: duh! Of course He could've; He's GOD. If He willed it so, we could all be blue people with one leg and three eyes. I'm personally thankful that He did not make that choice, nor the choice to enslave His children with no will of their own. That He loved us enough to let us choose Him and His will. I don't know about you, but no matter how much I desire to please our God and do His will to the best of my ability through His strength, the sight of Him placing a blank canvas within my heart still scares me motionless (if only temporarily) at times. Even though I'm blissfully aware of the verse that provides the truth that God is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Ephesians 3:20), I still hear Satan's seductive whisper masquerading as a reality check as I pick up my proverbial paint brush. "You could ruin this."
"You could ruin this friendship and the reputation of every Christian by trying to witness when you have no clue how to do so. Someone else will do it, someone better."
"You could ruin this comfort you have going by trying to get rid of this habit. It's not really that bad of a habit anyway. It makes you feel good, doesn't it?"
"You could ruin this ministry by taking part in it. You're not knowledgable enough, not holy enough, not trained enough, not popular enough, not good enough."
"You could ruin it all. Better safe than sorry. Best to stay where you are and not rock the boat."
Liar, Liar
Sound familiar? Oh, the devil's a professional liar. He's an expert in his field. Knows all the tricks of the trade and uses them to his full advantage. Partial truths...he plays on them. Painful fears...he exploits them. No wonder the Bible refers to him as "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). The fact is that you and I CAN truly mess up a lot...if we attempt it on our own with no guidance by, inspiration from, and strength and wisdom through the Lord God Almighty. Even then, nothing is beyond His redemption, but that's not the case at hand. We're referring to the blank canvases that are handwritten invitations from God to do His bidding. Invitations addressed to us, His children, engraved with His power and anointing, stamped with His seal of approval, and sealed with His promise: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Don't miss the "all" and the "through Christ" in that promise; those phrases are key in declining the devil's handwritten invitation to attend a pity party with some of his best friends: But-I-Might, But-I-Can't, and But-I-Won't. You don't want to hang out with those guys. Their names are weirder than most celebrity baby names, and they are serious downers. You and I are better off admitting to God that the blank canvas terrifies us (He's already aware anyway; it's that whole all-knowing thing He has going on), claiming Philippians 4:13 in the name of Jesus, and using that paint for what it was made to do. So what if you miss a stroke or splatter a little paint? That mistake just might turn out to be part of God's masterpiece.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the "blank canvases" in life, those handwritten invitations to do Your work, help grow Your kingdom, shine Your light into this dark world. Thank You that even though it can be intimidating, scary, and way out of our comfort zones, we never face one bit of it alone. You are always with us and within us...equipping us, strengthening us, guiding us, comforting us, and ultimately blessing us for our obedience to You. Help us to remember that even if there were no heavenly or earthly reward for following You and doing Your will, it is an honor and privilege to serve the God who created us, loved us, and therefore redeemed us through the blood of the Lamb. Enable us to see Satan's deceit for what it is and to combat his lies with Your truth. We want to paint works of art for You and with You, oh Lord. Help us, we pray. In Jesus's name, Amen!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Are you wrong?
"I praise You, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." -Psalm 139: 14
Man, I'm not surprised!
As far as we can tell, a man penned the above verse. Are you surprised? I'm not. I would actually be shocked if a woman wrote it. Before you get offended and write me an incredibly nasty comment below this post, let me be clearer than most of the handprint smudged, hairspray spritzed, dust sprinkled mirrors I look at in my house: I am completely aware that there are numerous men who have caught the self-criticism virus that many of us ladies seemingly picked up somewhere between the delivery room when we were born and the kindergarten classroom when we start school. I am also (admittedly) jealously conscious of the fact that there are women completely secure in their God-given identity. For that I say "Praise God!", but sadly there are far too many women, who, like me, are far too tough on themselves to talk to God about how grateful they are for how awesome He made them.
Being wrong isn't always a bad thing
I've known for quite a while now that I am by far my worst critic, which considering the bone-breaking (yes, it's not just caused by sticks and stones) comments people have made both to and about me before is really saying something some days. Sunday night, however, I was caught completely off-guard in the realization that I (and those other bone-breakers) might not be one hundred percent correct in those criticisms. After posting a Facebook status about how I am just not one of those people who know just the right thing to say at just the right moment, a self-assessment that I have lamented and prayed over for years, comments starting popping up below it from my friends. They said many different things, but the gist of it was, "You're wrong. You are an encouragement to many. Your words have had a positive impact on my life." What?!?! Me?!?! Are you ladies sure you didn't mean to post those words about someone else? Shockingly, truly shockingly, they didn't, which led me to comment honestly: "Well, I can't say I've ever enjoyed being told I'm wrong this much. Thank you for your kind words!" and another time: "Thanks for the sweet 'disagreements'! Maybe God has been answering my prayers more than I know!"
Tooting God's horn, not mine
Again, allow me to add a clarifier. That status was not posted as a "I'm going to say something bad about myself so others will tell me how wrong and awesome, fabulous, super, spectacular, amazing, etc., etc. that I am" and this blog post has no aim like that whatsoever as well. It is to say that when we trash ourselves, whether in good-natured humor or full-on attack, we belittle God's creation, God's precious, beloved child, and God's hand at work in that child. This will hit home with my fellow-mama readers: there is not much that makes my blood boil, eyes light up with the fire of anger, and teeth clench more that when someone says anything remotely disparaging about my child or her development. Jesus is the only one who can hold my tongue at those times, and, even then, embarrassingly, sometimes I jerk it away from Him in the moment. And one of these days when inevitably I hear my sweet, beautiful girl utter something hurtful about herself, it will pierce my heart. Someone speaking badly of my daughter angers and hurts me so deeply, because I know her like no one else does. She grew inside my body for nine months. I have been with her every day at some point for two years and almost five months now. I witness her beauty, her victories, her setbacks, her pains, her joys, her fears, everything. Even though not everything she does is good, I have no doubt that she is fearfully and wonderfully made and a blessing to me unlike anything I've ever experienced in my life. How much more must our Heavenly Father despise it when any of His children think or say hateful words about themselves? He created us! He "knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13). He knows we're not perfect, nor does He expect us to be. He is "El Roi", the God who sees me. He sees our flaws, our strengths, our sin, our desire to do better, our doubt, our faith, but he sees it all under the heading of "fearfully and wonderfully made". He sees it under the blood of the Lamb, which cleanses, redeems, and transforms. Why can't we do the same?
What are you wrong about?
I've attempted whole-heartedly to explain to many a friend that she views her own image in a distorted mirror. She sees the sink full of dishes at the end of a long day and labels herself a failure as a wife and mother. The child who prays heartfelt prayers every night because of her example of faith says she's wrong. She sees the lack of formal training in her area of service and labels herself unqualified. The list of people she has enormously blessed through being obedient to God's call says she's wrong. She sees the few people who refuse to like her for whatever reason and labels herself unlikable. The hundreds of acquaintances and friends who rejoice in seeing her so they can soak up the light of the Lord that radiates from her say she's wrong. She's wrong. I'm wrong. And if you are unrelentingly critical of yourself, I can promise that you are wrong, too. Not about everything. We know a lot about our various professions, what kind of cereal our kids love, our husband's pet peeves (surely none of them relate to us ;)), what brand of makeup we prefer, the quickest way to heal a boo-boo or broken heart (depending on the patient), I could go on and on. We are right about so many things, but when it comes to our assessment of ourselves, many times, sisters, we are very wrong. Let's pray and ask God to show us what we're wrong about and how we can get in line with how He sees us...fearfully and wonderfully made. Let's not let the men be the only ones praising God for how awesome they are ;)
Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Me! Not just my friends, my child, my husband, but me, too. Please help me to never forget that. I ask you to show me every area in my life that I have allowed the devil, the world, and my own mistaken thinking to lead me to wrong beliefs about. Help me to seek You, Your Word, and Your truth to correct these harmful lies. Even in areas where I struggle, enable me to see Your work in me and know that even though I haven't "arrived" yet, there is progress being made. I pray that I would always rejoice over Your creation and Your hand at work in it, even...maybe especially...when that creation is me and it's my hand that's in Yours. I love you and praise You for who You are. In Jesus's name, Amen.
Man, I'm not surprised!
As far as we can tell, a man penned the above verse. Are you surprised? I'm not. I would actually be shocked if a woman wrote it. Before you get offended and write me an incredibly nasty comment below this post, let me be clearer than most of the handprint smudged, hairspray spritzed, dust sprinkled mirrors I look at in my house: I am completely aware that there are numerous men who have caught the self-criticism virus that many of us ladies seemingly picked up somewhere between the delivery room when we were born and the kindergarten classroom when we start school. I am also (admittedly) jealously conscious of the fact that there are women completely secure in their God-given identity. For that I say "Praise God!", but sadly there are far too many women, who, like me, are far too tough on themselves to talk to God about how grateful they are for how awesome He made them.
Being wrong isn't always a bad thing
I've known for quite a while now that I am by far my worst critic, which considering the bone-breaking (yes, it's not just caused by sticks and stones) comments people have made both to and about me before is really saying something some days. Sunday night, however, I was caught completely off-guard in the realization that I (and those other bone-breakers) might not be one hundred percent correct in those criticisms. After posting a Facebook status about how I am just not one of those people who know just the right thing to say at just the right moment, a self-assessment that I have lamented and prayed over for years, comments starting popping up below it from my friends. They said many different things, but the gist of it was, "You're wrong. You are an encouragement to many. Your words have had a positive impact on my life." What?!?! Me?!?! Are you ladies sure you didn't mean to post those words about someone else? Shockingly, truly shockingly, they didn't, which led me to comment honestly: "Well, I can't say I've ever enjoyed being told I'm wrong this much. Thank you for your kind words!" and another time: "Thanks for the sweet 'disagreements'! Maybe God has been answering my prayers more than I know!"
Tooting God's horn, not mine
Again, allow me to add a clarifier. That status was not posted as a "I'm going to say something bad about myself so others will tell me how wrong and awesome, fabulous, super, spectacular, amazing, etc., etc. that I am" and this blog post has no aim like that whatsoever as well. It is to say that when we trash ourselves, whether in good-natured humor or full-on attack, we belittle God's creation, God's precious, beloved child, and God's hand at work in that child. This will hit home with my fellow-mama readers: there is not much that makes my blood boil, eyes light up with the fire of anger, and teeth clench more that when someone says anything remotely disparaging about my child or her development. Jesus is the only one who can hold my tongue at those times, and, even then, embarrassingly, sometimes I jerk it away from Him in the moment. And one of these days when inevitably I hear my sweet, beautiful girl utter something hurtful about herself, it will pierce my heart. Someone speaking badly of my daughter angers and hurts me so deeply, because I know her like no one else does. She grew inside my body for nine months. I have been with her every day at some point for two years and almost five months now. I witness her beauty, her victories, her setbacks, her pains, her joys, her fears, everything. Even though not everything she does is good, I have no doubt that she is fearfully and wonderfully made and a blessing to me unlike anything I've ever experienced in my life. How much more must our Heavenly Father despise it when any of His children think or say hateful words about themselves? He created us! He "knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13). He knows we're not perfect, nor does He expect us to be. He is "El Roi", the God who sees me. He sees our flaws, our strengths, our sin, our desire to do better, our doubt, our faith, but he sees it all under the heading of "fearfully and wonderfully made". He sees it under the blood of the Lamb, which cleanses, redeems, and transforms. Why can't we do the same?
What are you wrong about?
I've attempted whole-heartedly to explain to many a friend that she views her own image in a distorted mirror. She sees the sink full of dishes at the end of a long day and labels herself a failure as a wife and mother. The child who prays heartfelt prayers every night because of her example of faith says she's wrong. She sees the lack of formal training in her area of service and labels herself unqualified. The list of people she has enormously blessed through being obedient to God's call says she's wrong. She sees the few people who refuse to like her for whatever reason and labels herself unlikable. The hundreds of acquaintances and friends who rejoice in seeing her so they can soak up the light of the Lord that radiates from her say she's wrong. She's wrong. I'm wrong. And if you are unrelentingly critical of yourself, I can promise that you are wrong, too. Not about everything. We know a lot about our various professions, what kind of cereal our kids love, our husband's pet peeves (surely none of them relate to us ;)), what brand of makeup we prefer, the quickest way to heal a boo-boo or broken heart (depending on the patient), I could go on and on. We are right about so many things, but when it comes to our assessment of ourselves, many times, sisters, we are very wrong. Let's pray and ask God to show us what we're wrong about and how we can get in line with how He sees us...fearfully and wonderfully made. Let's not let the men be the only ones praising God for how awesome they are ;)
Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Me! Not just my friends, my child, my husband, but me, too. Please help me to never forget that. I ask you to show me every area in my life that I have allowed the devil, the world, and my own mistaken thinking to lead me to wrong beliefs about. Help me to seek You, Your Word, and Your truth to correct these harmful lies. Even in areas where I struggle, enable me to see Your work in me and know that even though I haven't "arrived" yet, there is progress being made. I pray that I would always rejoice over Your creation and Your hand at work in it, even...maybe especially...when that creation is me and it's my hand that's in Yours. I love you and praise You for who You are. In Jesus's name, Amen.
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