God has been speaking to me about something. I've been pondering the issue and seeking guidance in the Scriptures. Last night a note in my Bible from 20 years ago caught my attention and focused my thoughts.
I've been noticing that I feel unsettled when brothers and sisters in Christ share with me that they've told others not to worry about not meeting a commitment because "Sandra will understand". I'm glad that people don't see me as a demanding, judgmental and unforgiving person, but somehow it's uncomfortable to think that my opinion is being used as a standard for anybody in terms of their Christian life. Let me see if I can clarify.
I believe that God tells His people what He expects from us. The Bible is full of specific directions and general principles to guide our behavior. For example, those who love God are to follow the dictates of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) in how we live, not only on the outside but also on the inside (Matthew 5:28). We are expected to worship God and Him only and details are given about what true worship looks like and what it requires. (Genesis 22:1-5, 24:26,27,47,48; Hebrews 12:28,29; John 4:24) There is a whole list of duties for the Christian from tending our personal relationship with God through body life and into the sharing of the Gospel.
Obedience to God's mandates is not a matter of what feels comfortable, or seems to be the best idea, or follows a majority vote. Our loving Father has clearly communicated His directions to His chosen offspring. The Lord Jesus explains, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15) That means spending consistent time in prayer, meditating on and memorizing His Word, plumbing the depths of the Scriptures through study, and being part of a corporate body that worships regularly. Among other characteristics, we are to be truth tellers and word keepers. (Acts 5:1-11; James 5:12) These are some of the basics of what might be called Christian duties. It's up to those who are truly members of God's family to bring our lives in line with His standards by His design and guidance. (Philippians 2:13)
God compares His people to a human body with various, interrelated parts that are valuable and necessary one to another. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) We are meant to be in community where we encourage and challenge each other with hearts full of praise and gratitude for all that our heavenly Father has done for us. (Romans 12:15,16; Colossians 3:15,16) We are to look to the interests of others as we avoid judgementalism, being cautious to tend to the places where our lives do not meet His measure. (Philippians 2:4; Matthew 7:1-5)
These points of understanding are some of those I incorporate as I run the race set before me. (Hebrews 12:1,2) They are why when someone explains the reason they didn't meet a certain responsibility I do my best to offer a gracious response. My Daddy knows how far short I fall of His standards and accepts me as I am, not because I in myself am desirable, but because I am encased with the righteousness of His Beloved Son. He is full of forgiveness and grants me grace out of the richness of His mercy. (Exodus 33:19, Romans 9:15, Ephesians 2:4) How can I offer less to my siblings?
I trust that God knows what the circumstances were and the obedient response that was required. He knows each heart and what it needs - perfectly. It's not up to me to judge the soundness of the reason nor the condition of my sibling's heart. I admit that it's a bit more difficult at some times than others. There was the day I was told that Sunday morning was the only time someone's refrigerator could receive its necessary weekly cleaning. Then there are the moments when the thought floats through my mind that a sibling seems quite able to schedule all manner of activities but is somehow incapable of attending a Bible study or prayer meeting or accomplishing a task they arranged. I do better on some days than others and rejoice that God's Word is living and active, accomplishing His purpose - enlightening my mind and disciplining my heart. (Hebrews 4:12, Exodus 55:11)
The crux of my dilemma is that I am beginning to feel that some of my siblings may be misreading/mistaking my gracious response as a release from their Christian duty. My compassionate remark cannot be the final step in the process we all need to undertake as we pursue holiness. (1 Peter 1:15,16) I need to check my own heart and life. Do I allow the understanding of others when I display my weaknesses to be my measure of approval or acceptance? How do I receive the empathy offered by a sister who may have struggled in a similar way or her encouragement to persevere under God's principles? Do I adjust my personal expectations to match those of others? Or do I bring the whole collection of circumstances, behaviors and attitudes to my loving Father in prayer and through His Word? Do I aim primarily at His standards and priorities for righteousness in my inner life and outward behavior? (Matthew 6:33)
Paul makes it clear whose standard we are to meet. Just because Sister Suzy says she's not upset when I say I haven't been able to attend a meeting or meet a commitment I made doesn't make it okay. God knows what the situation was. He knows how tired I really was and whether or not I used that as an excuse because my heart wasn't really open to worship or pray or study, or if I simply changed my mind about doing what I said I would do. It doesn't really matter what anybody else thinks.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1) God is the only name listed. God is the One we are to please. Yes, we need to be gracious to our siblings. We are to urge and inspire each other in developing godly attitudes and actions. (Hebrews 10:24) We must not become standard-setters for each other. Our Savior and King is the authority to whom we must yield.
While we enjoy the horizontal relationship with which our Father has blessed us, let's be careful not to let it become a poor, sinful and dangerous substitute for our intimate relationship with Him - not on any level, for any reason, at any time. A dear sister expresses it this way, "We are to play to an audience of One."
Thank you, Lord, for granting the opportunity to communicate this glimpse into the spiritual life you nurture in us. Please cause each of us you've called to yourself to glorify you and enjoy you forever. Amen
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
PING and Providence
Curt and I recently spent three weeks in China. It seems only appropriate that my first post after returning would be based on "The Story About PING", a classic children's book by Marjorie Flack and Kurt Wiese. In case you don't know the tale, Ping is a "beautiful young duck" whose home was "a boat with two wise eyes on the Yangtze River". We didn't visit the Yangtze, but we did enjoy our time in Kunming and Beijing.
If you haven't read the book, don't despair, it may actually be easier for you to grasp what I'm trying to share. If you know the story well, I pray that you'll be right beside me as I unpack my thought process.
Our trips are filled with lots of motion and interaction. Planes, buses, taxis, cars, and our feet keep us active. The friends we meet and make keep us hearing about and sharing the goodness of the Lord in all circumstances. Nevertheless, the Spirit provides many, often subtle, opportunities to get to know the Father more intimately and grow in grace.
When things don't go according to plan, assuming there was any possibility to have any semblance of a plan, there is always a choice to make - trust God or freak out. It was at one such juncture on the faraway streets of China that I began to ponder my options. The situation was scary and there simply wasn't anything I could do about it. I wanted to trust my loving Father. After all, He's God, Maker of heaven and earth, the One who made me and called me, who sent His Son to shed His blood for my soul and then gave me to my Redeemer to shepherd through this life with the guidance of His appointed Counselor, the Holy Spirit of God. What better place to put my trust!
The truth is that I find it a lot easier to sense my confidence and trust in God when I'm having an intellectual discussion than in the midst of overwhelming trials. I chalk that up to my human frailties and life in a fallen world. Even as the crisis was unfolding I caught my inner self reminding me that God knows the end from the beginning. Not only that, but His sovereign hand controls all of the steps in between. And God coordinates each and every detail along the way for the benefit of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
"Okay then," I decided, "I can trust You, my Father, in this harrowing experience because You know exactly what's going to happen and it will be for my good. I have no idea what it will entail and, just so you know, my feelings are telling me to bail out right now."
Believe it or not, that's when PING came to mind.
You see, I had read the story to a group of children the day before. If you've read it, you will be where I was - knowing how the tale would end though the children did not. I knew what Ping's life was like on the Yangtze River with "his mother and his father and two sisters and three brothers and eleven aunts and seven uncles and forty-two cousins." I knew how Ping's days would unfold, what he would do and eat, and how he would feel about the Master's behavior at the end of the day. I even knew how Ping would react on that fateful day.
Those of you who don't know PING are sitting beside the children in my story hour. You're also sitting with me as I felt the panic rise as the helplessness of my situation washed over me in my crisis. What's Ping/am I going to do? What's going to happen to Ping/me? How's it all going to turn out - for Ping and me?
I began to contemplate how I might have had Ping's story unfold had I been the author. I'm not sure I would have had Ping choose to do what he did. I could have written the story to save Ping from the results of his decision. Ping would have had a much happier day, if he chose differently. Then it dawned on me that Ping might not learn the valuable lesson, if he didn't have to face the circumstances he did.
Hmmmm, maybe my adjusted version wouldn't address Ping's maturity level too cleanly. Perhaps he'd be right back where he was on page one. I conceded that there might be some wisdom in the authors' addressing Ping's growth and development in the first instance. My version might have appeared more gentle, but I might not be serving Ping's best. It was interesting to contemplate such possibilities having the inside knowledge.
My crisis continued to unfold. I asked the Lord for His intervention and, impatiently, some insight into how the terror was supposed to be good for me.
Suddenly, I saw the comparison between the author of a book and the Author of life. I knew what was going to happen to Ping only because I'd already read the book. God knows what's going to happen in my life because He's the Author of it. God knows what my life is like on Loon Pond with my Honey. He knows how my days will unfold, what I will do and eat, and how I will feel about what comes across my path. He even knows how I will react in the face of every situation.
I am not able to read ahead in the book of my life. I am as unfamiliar with the upcoming pages as those of you who haven't read the book are unfamiliar with what happens to Ping. Whenever I read PING aloud I find a sweet, secret sort of confidence that may echo with those of you who know the story. As the children walk through the ups and downs of Ping's adventure they may wonder what will happen. They may feel the same tension that Ping experiences. Until the last page they don't know how it will turn out, but I do.
I know the end of Ping's story so I don't go through any of my listeners' wonderings or feelings. I walk with the first-time hearers appreciating their responses and hoping to communicate the calm assurance that it will be a "happily ever after" ending. When I close the cover and look up we rejoice together that Ping is safe at home. I catch a glimpse of what my walk with my Father might be like from His vantage point. God knows what's coming. He is not subject to the doubt and emotional stirrings we experience. He is communicating His calm assurance about the just and joyous rewards of heaven. "No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." Isaiah 64:4; Corinthians 2:9
I am able to rest in the everlasting arms of my Father as I remember His perfect, sovereign providence. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11 "And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 Amen
If you haven't read the book, don't despair, it may actually be easier for you to grasp what I'm trying to share. If you know the story well, I pray that you'll be right beside me as I unpack my thought process.
Our trips are filled with lots of motion and interaction. Planes, buses, taxis, cars, and our feet keep us active. The friends we meet and make keep us hearing about and sharing the goodness of the Lord in all circumstances. Nevertheless, the Spirit provides many, often subtle, opportunities to get to know the Father more intimately and grow in grace.
When things don't go according to plan, assuming there was any possibility to have any semblance of a plan, there is always a choice to make - trust God or freak out. It was at one such juncture on the faraway streets of China that I began to ponder my options. The situation was scary and there simply wasn't anything I could do about it. I wanted to trust my loving Father. After all, He's God, Maker of heaven and earth, the One who made me and called me, who sent His Son to shed His blood for my soul and then gave me to my Redeemer to shepherd through this life with the guidance of His appointed Counselor, the Holy Spirit of God. What better place to put my trust!
The truth is that I find it a lot easier to sense my confidence and trust in God when I'm having an intellectual discussion than in the midst of overwhelming trials. I chalk that up to my human frailties and life in a fallen world. Even as the crisis was unfolding I caught my inner self reminding me that God knows the end from the beginning. Not only that, but His sovereign hand controls all of the steps in between. And God coordinates each and every detail along the way for the benefit of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
"Okay then," I decided, "I can trust You, my Father, in this harrowing experience because You know exactly what's going to happen and it will be for my good. I have no idea what it will entail and, just so you know, my feelings are telling me to bail out right now."
Believe it or not, that's when PING came to mind.
You see, I had read the story to a group of children the day before. If you've read it, you will be where I was - knowing how the tale would end though the children did not. I knew what Ping's life was like on the Yangtze River with "his mother and his father and two sisters and three brothers and eleven aunts and seven uncles and forty-two cousins." I knew how Ping's days would unfold, what he would do and eat, and how he would feel about the Master's behavior at the end of the day. I even knew how Ping would react on that fateful day.
Those of you who don't know PING are sitting beside the children in my story hour. You're also sitting with me as I felt the panic rise as the helplessness of my situation washed over me in my crisis. What's Ping/am I going to do? What's going to happen to Ping/me? How's it all going to turn out - for Ping and me?
I began to contemplate how I might have had Ping's story unfold had I been the author. I'm not sure I would have had Ping choose to do what he did. I could have written the story to save Ping from the results of his decision. Ping would have had a much happier day, if he chose differently. Then it dawned on me that Ping might not learn the valuable lesson, if he didn't have to face the circumstances he did.
Hmmmm, maybe my adjusted version wouldn't address Ping's maturity level too cleanly. Perhaps he'd be right back where he was on page one. I conceded that there might be some wisdom in the authors' addressing Ping's growth and development in the first instance. My version might have appeared more gentle, but I might not be serving Ping's best. It was interesting to contemplate such possibilities having the inside knowledge.
My crisis continued to unfold. I asked the Lord for His intervention and, impatiently, some insight into how the terror was supposed to be good for me.
Suddenly, I saw the comparison between the author of a book and the Author of life. I knew what was going to happen to Ping only because I'd already read the book. God knows what's going to happen in my life because He's the Author of it. God knows what my life is like on Loon Pond with my Honey. He knows how my days will unfold, what I will do and eat, and how I will feel about what comes across my path. He even knows how I will react in the face of every situation.
I am not able to read ahead in the book of my life. I am as unfamiliar with the upcoming pages as those of you who haven't read the book are unfamiliar with what happens to Ping. Whenever I read PING aloud I find a sweet, secret sort of confidence that may echo with those of you who know the story. As the children walk through the ups and downs of Ping's adventure they may wonder what will happen. They may feel the same tension that Ping experiences. Until the last page they don't know how it will turn out, but I do.
I know the end of Ping's story so I don't go through any of my listeners' wonderings or feelings. I walk with the first-time hearers appreciating their responses and hoping to communicate the calm assurance that it will be a "happily ever after" ending. When I close the cover and look up we rejoice together that Ping is safe at home. I catch a glimpse of what my walk with my Father might be like from His vantage point. God knows what's coming. He is not subject to the doubt and emotional stirrings we experience. He is communicating His calm assurance about the just and joyous rewards of heaven. "No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." Isaiah 64:4; Corinthians 2:9
I am able to rest in the everlasting arms of my Father as I remember His perfect, sovereign providence. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11 "And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 Amen
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Rock and Sand
Have you ever had an occasion when it seemed that brand new words somehow appeared in the text of your Bible? It happened to me recently and I've been contemplating the incident ever since.
As I was preparing to lead a study my research took me to the end of Luke chapter 6. That's where the parable of the wise and foolish builders is recorded. I passed my eyes casually over the words asking the Spirit to make the connection for me to the topic of the study. When I read verse 48, "He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock."(NIV) My antennae went up and my mind was suddenly in red alert mode.
Where in the world did those words, "dug down deep and laid the foundation" come from? I honestly couldn't remember ever having read them before. I rushed to the concordance and found that the same parable is also recorded in Matthew 7. Sure enough, those specific words do not appear there. Verse 24 ends with, "like a wise man who built his house on the rock". I realized that the Matthew passage must be the only one I'd previously read.
These kinds of discoveries are one of the ways the Lord reaches into my occasionally relaxed attitude about His Word and grabs my attention. I began to ponder the additional detail provided in Luke and asking the Spirit to guide my thinking. The insights I was given have stuck with me and I've already shared them with a number of friends.
You see, the picture I had from the Matthew passage was of two men who built similar houses - one set on a rock and the other set on a sandy beach. Old Yankees like me understand that important difference because we've weathered Nor'easters and hurricanes along the New England coast. Anything set on sand will surely be washed away, while things set on a rock are much more secure.
I have to admit though that there were times when my image of two identical houses caused me some discomfort. You see, I have witnessed times when structures have been washed right off of rocky islands. But God's Word is God's Word and He said the house on the rock stood firm under the onslaught of a storm. That was good enough for me.
What joy and delight to have the Luke version of the parable clarify the situation. The man who built his house on the rock "dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock". (Luke 6:48) He wasn't going to take any chances on having the precious structure he labored over washed away by any outside threat. He put his back into the task and excavated until he found rock solid enough to secure the foundation and support the entire house. He wanted his home to be secure for the long haul so he began by applying himself to the task of setting it on solid footing.
The parable took on a whole new perspective. It's possible that the wise and foolish man's houses did look identical to a passerby during beautiful weather - perhaps even surrounded by lovely landscaping. It would be when the "torrent struck" (v. 48, 49) that the difference would become obvious. The wiseman's house with the firm foundation set on rock would not even be shaken. The foolish man's house with an insufficient foundation would "collapse and its destruction [be] complete." (v. 49) The importance and value of the support below the surface would be clear to even the casual observer. One building much as it was before the storm, the other in shambles.
The spiritual comparison is easy to make. The person who humbly approaches God for wisdom builds their life on the solid foundation of a relationship with Him through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the truth of His Word, and a loving desire to be a doer of that word and not a hearer only. (James 1:22) Such a life will be sustained and unshaken when the storms strike. No amount of wind, rain, hail, trials, struggles, loss, deprivation, opposition, persecution, etc. will move such a life. "God's solid foundation stands firm." 2 Timothy 2:19
The person who stands alone builds their life on the foolishness of their own thinking. Such a life cannot withstand the storms that threaten it. Wind, rain, and all the pressures of this fallen world will cause such a life to collapse and be totally destroyed. "He who trusts in himself is a fool." (Proverbs 28:26a)
Hallelujah that God indwells His people by the power of the Holy Spirit. He leads and guides us according to the Father's wisdom. "For in Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) Christ Himself calls out to His Father for our protection. "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ... My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." (John 17:9,15)
Praise God that He always keeps His promises. (Numbers 23:19) He is the refuge for the righteous and we are secure in Him. (Hebrews 6:13-20)
Then it dawned on me - no wonder sanctification is hard, often dirty work. The process is represented in this parable by digging down until we find rock that is solid enough for a foundation on which to secure the building called my life. Plumbing the incredible depths of the unshakable truths of Scripture and seeking an intimate relationship with God Himself take time and effort. There's a lot of dirt and filth to dig through both in my heart and the world around me. We shouldn't be surprised by the effort or the muck.
Thank you, Lord, for this glimpse at the awesome work of salvation that provides the solid rock for my sanctification. Please continue to work out your good purpose in my life and cause me to stand firm amidst any and all dangers and evil that you alone might be glorified and your Name hallowed in all the earth. Amen
As I was preparing to lead a study my research took me to the end of Luke chapter 6. That's where the parable of the wise and foolish builders is recorded. I passed my eyes casually over the words asking the Spirit to make the connection for me to the topic of the study. When I read verse 48, "He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock."(NIV) My antennae went up and my mind was suddenly in red alert mode.
Where in the world did those words, "dug down deep and laid the foundation" come from? I honestly couldn't remember ever having read them before. I rushed to the concordance and found that the same parable is also recorded in Matthew 7. Sure enough, those specific words do not appear there. Verse 24 ends with, "like a wise man who built his house on the rock". I realized that the Matthew passage must be the only one I'd previously read.
These kinds of discoveries are one of the ways the Lord reaches into my occasionally relaxed attitude about His Word and grabs my attention. I began to ponder the additional detail provided in Luke and asking the Spirit to guide my thinking. The insights I was given have stuck with me and I've already shared them with a number of friends.
You see, the picture I had from the Matthew passage was of two men who built similar houses - one set on a rock and the other set on a sandy beach. Old Yankees like me understand that important difference because we've weathered Nor'easters and hurricanes along the New England coast. Anything set on sand will surely be washed away, while things set on a rock are much more secure.
I have to admit though that there were times when my image of two identical houses caused me some discomfort. You see, I have witnessed times when structures have been washed right off of rocky islands. But God's Word is God's Word and He said the house on the rock stood firm under the onslaught of a storm. That was good enough for me.
What joy and delight to have the Luke version of the parable clarify the situation. The man who built his house on the rock "dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock". (Luke 6:48) He wasn't going to take any chances on having the precious structure he labored over washed away by any outside threat. He put his back into the task and excavated until he found rock solid enough to secure the foundation and support the entire house. He wanted his home to be secure for the long haul so he began by applying himself to the task of setting it on solid footing.
The parable took on a whole new perspective. It's possible that the wise and foolish man's houses did look identical to a passerby during beautiful weather - perhaps even surrounded by lovely landscaping. It would be when the "torrent struck" (v. 48, 49) that the difference would become obvious. The wiseman's house with the firm foundation set on rock would not even be shaken. The foolish man's house with an insufficient foundation would "collapse and its destruction [be] complete." (v. 49) The importance and value of the support below the surface would be clear to even the casual observer. One building much as it was before the storm, the other in shambles.
The spiritual comparison is easy to make. The person who humbly approaches God for wisdom builds their life on the solid foundation of a relationship with Him through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the truth of His Word, and a loving desire to be a doer of that word and not a hearer only. (James 1:22) Such a life will be sustained and unshaken when the storms strike. No amount of wind, rain, hail, trials, struggles, loss, deprivation, opposition, persecution, etc. will move such a life. "God's solid foundation stands firm." 2 Timothy 2:19
The person who stands alone builds their life on the foolishness of their own thinking. Such a life cannot withstand the storms that threaten it. Wind, rain, and all the pressures of this fallen world will cause such a life to collapse and be totally destroyed. "He who trusts in himself is a fool." (Proverbs 28:26a)
Hallelujah that God indwells His people by the power of the Holy Spirit. He leads and guides us according to the Father's wisdom. "For in Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) Christ Himself calls out to His Father for our protection. "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ... My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." (John 17:9,15)
Praise God that He always keeps His promises. (Numbers 23:19) He is the refuge for the righteous and we are secure in Him. (Hebrews 6:13-20)
Then it dawned on me - no wonder sanctification is hard, often dirty work. The process is represented in this parable by digging down until we find rock that is solid enough for a foundation on which to secure the building called my life. Plumbing the incredible depths of the unshakable truths of Scripture and seeking an intimate relationship with God Himself take time and effort. There's a lot of dirt and filth to dig through both in my heart and the world around me. We shouldn't be surprised by the effort or the muck.
Thank you, Lord, for this glimpse at the awesome work of salvation that provides the solid rock for my sanctification. Please continue to work out your good purpose in my life and cause me to stand firm amidst any and all dangers and evil that you alone might be glorified and your Name hallowed in all the earth. Amen
Monday, September 7, 2009
Suitcases and Horizons
The traveling I do is often misunderstood. Some folks think that just because I get on an airplane and go to some faraway place that I must be on vacation. Others realize that I am in the service of our Risen Savior as He blesses me with outreach opportunities for sharing the gospel. Though ministry to those the Father sets before me is the stated purpose, the trips I make have another eternal impact.
Case in point:
Last week I realized that it was only seven more days until I needed to be ready to go to the airport. I pulled out my suitcases and piled the items I was preparing to take with me into them. Curt thoughtfully weighed the two I would be checking and the larger carry-on. They were within the allowable limits so I relaxed with a sigh and went on with other tasks.
This particular journey will include three destinations. Each stop will entail a variety of activities. There will be a mixture of group gatherings, family meetings, and individual consultations. As you can imagine, besides the packing, there are a lot of other preparations that need to be made for the trip. In the midst of all of that, there are also the task before me at home. It's important to take care of the responsibilities I will leave behind. Needless to say I was busy.
A few days ago the Lord gave me the impetus to move along in the packing process. This step usually doesn't happen until much closer to my departure date, but my main goal for this trip is to "remain in the vine" so I responded. John 15:4 I dutifully organized the materials and placed them into the available space. As the suitcases I intended to check filled up I moved things into the larger carry-on. When I was done I realized there was no room left for clothes. 8-0 I decided to continue "resting" which took me to the other activities of my day.
The next day I began the process of laying out clothes. I concentrated on choosing the bare minimum - underwear, one skirt, two sleeveless and two short-sleeve blouses, a spare pair of slacks. I switched from my handy little cosmetic carrier to a zip-lock baggie for my toiletry items. Hurrah, I was able to tucked everything into hollow corners. Then it was time to do the final weight check.
At first I thought everything was fine though the larger carry-on was way too heavy. I figured I'd just have to get help to put it into the overhead compartment ... and disguise how much effort I'd have to use to drag it around with me. ;-) Then Curt discovered that the airlines have changed the weight limits for baggage. Oh no!! My mind started to race. "What am I going to do with the six pounds I need to take out of that one bag." "There simply is no more space and I can't add another carry-on, what now?" "I only have three more days until I fly out." "I can't leave any of this stuff behind."
The Spirit delivered the warning, "Remember, Sandra, your number one goal for this trip is to 'rest in the vine'." Thank you, Jesus.
I turned my mind to the Word of God and the promises it contains. "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
I settled back into the Truth. I was able to release the concern and tension and put the solution into God's omnipotent hands. After all, there were plenty of other tasks to occupy my time and attention. I shared the need through an email to a group of colleagues asking for their prayer and put down the topic completely. It was a blessed opportunity to let God be God. Amen
Through a series of events that I will keep to myself for the privacy of those involved, God put a check into my hands for the amount needed to check a third suitcase - less than 24 hours after the request for prayer was posted. Hallelujah! I need to stick with my limited wardrobe and the zip-lock baggie, but nothing has to be left behind. Oh, the Lord is good! His mercies are not only new every morning. They are sweet!
Yes, this is an incredible victory for the benefit of those God has called me/us to serve. The curriculum and materials I will deliver will be a serious encouragement to their growth in grace as they build families under Christ. I praise His Holy Name for these blessings. There is another level to the dynamic that is becoming more and more obvious as the years unfold. God uses scenarios like this on each trip to encourage, reinforce and refine for my faith. Only He would know about the connection I would make with horizons.
I was praising God for the various details of His intervention - the funds for the additional suitcase, the hearts He moved to make it happen, the speedy timing, etc. Of course the peace that I'd been given was high on the list. I began to ponder God's faithfulness in allowing me to meet the #1 goal of this particular journey in the face of possible catastrophe. Hmmm, how did He work in me to accomplish such a breakthrough?
I was reminded of a particular skill taught me by my father, a retired member of the US Coast Guard. When you're out on the water and you're looking for something such as a buoy or landmark, the best way to find it is to scan the horizon. I've had plenty of opportunity to verify his words as I was raised on the ocean. My experience confirms the truth of His statement. If my eyes fixate on a specific spot, I am unable to locate anything. If I move them back and forth across the horizon, I am much more likely to pick up the marker I seek.
Curt has confirmed the same training and results from his time at sea with the US Navy. When he went to serve his night duty watch, he was expected to arrive early so that his eyes would get accustomed to the dark. Then he was to constantly scan the horizon to pick up any objects that might appear. In this way, he was more likely to be successful. That was the normal responsibility of anyone on watch, day or night.
The situation with the suitcases could have followed the old pattern of anxiety, confusion, frustration, and so on. Instead God intervened and short-circuited all of that unhealthy, unproductive angst. He led me to continue in the other tasks before me as I waited on Him for the solution. Philippians 2:13 I was to "remain in the vine" as I went about my routine. My reward came when His provision popped up on the horizon.
This latest episode in my divine education is a blessed one. I praise God that His answer was so specific and speedy. It is not always so, but He knows my needs and desires and always responds perfectly. This glimpse is especially poignant. I can assure you that in the future I will be much more likely to apply my head and hands to the task before me as my eyes scan the horizon for my Daddy's intervention.
What victory there is in yielding to the Father's will. What joy there is in trusting the "ever-present help in trouble". Psalm 46:1
Case in point:
Last week I realized that it was only seven more days until I needed to be ready to go to the airport. I pulled out my suitcases and piled the items I was preparing to take with me into them. Curt thoughtfully weighed the two I would be checking and the larger carry-on. They were within the allowable limits so I relaxed with a sigh and went on with other tasks.
This particular journey will include three destinations. Each stop will entail a variety of activities. There will be a mixture of group gatherings, family meetings, and individual consultations. As you can imagine, besides the packing, there are a lot of other preparations that need to be made for the trip. In the midst of all of that, there are also the task before me at home. It's important to take care of the responsibilities I will leave behind. Needless to say I was busy.
A few days ago the Lord gave me the impetus to move along in the packing process. This step usually doesn't happen until much closer to my departure date, but my main goal for this trip is to "remain in the vine" so I responded. John 15:4 I dutifully organized the materials and placed them into the available space. As the suitcases I intended to check filled up I moved things into the larger carry-on. When I was done I realized there was no room left for clothes. 8-0 I decided to continue "resting" which took me to the other activities of my day.
The next day I began the process of laying out clothes. I concentrated on choosing the bare minimum - underwear, one skirt, two sleeveless and two short-sleeve blouses, a spare pair of slacks. I switched from my handy little cosmetic carrier to a zip-lock baggie for my toiletry items. Hurrah, I was able to tucked everything into hollow corners. Then it was time to do the final weight check.
At first I thought everything was fine though the larger carry-on was way too heavy. I figured I'd just have to get help to put it into the overhead compartment ... and disguise how much effort I'd have to use to drag it around with me. ;-) Then Curt discovered that the airlines have changed the weight limits for baggage. Oh no!! My mind started to race. "What am I going to do with the six pounds I need to take out of that one bag." "There simply is no more space and I can't add another carry-on, what now?" "I only have three more days until I fly out." "I can't leave any of this stuff behind."
The Spirit delivered the warning, "Remember, Sandra, your number one goal for this trip is to 'rest in the vine'." Thank you, Jesus.
I turned my mind to the Word of God and the promises it contains. "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
I settled back into the Truth. I was able to release the concern and tension and put the solution into God's omnipotent hands. After all, there were plenty of other tasks to occupy my time and attention. I shared the need through an email to a group of colleagues asking for their prayer and put down the topic completely. It was a blessed opportunity to let God be God. Amen
Through a series of events that I will keep to myself for the privacy of those involved, God put a check into my hands for the amount needed to check a third suitcase - less than 24 hours after the request for prayer was posted. Hallelujah! I need to stick with my limited wardrobe and the zip-lock baggie, but nothing has to be left behind. Oh, the Lord is good! His mercies are not only new every morning. They are sweet!
Yes, this is an incredible victory for the benefit of those God has called me/us to serve. The curriculum and materials I will deliver will be a serious encouragement to their growth in grace as they build families under Christ. I praise His Holy Name for these blessings. There is another level to the dynamic that is becoming more and more obvious as the years unfold. God uses scenarios like this on each trip to encourage, reinforce and refine for my faith. Only He would know about the connection I would make with horizons.
I was praising God for the various details of His intervention - the funds for the additional suitcase, the hearts He moved to make it happen, the speedy timing, etc. Of course the peace that I'd been given was high on the list. I began to ponder God's faithfulness in allowing me to meet the #1 goal of this particular journey in the face of possible catastrophe. Hmmm, how did He work in me to accomplish such a breakthrough?
I was reminded of a particular skill taught me by my father, a retired member of the US Coast Guard. When you're out on the water and you're looking for something such as a buoy or landmark, the best way to find it is to scan the horizon. I've had plenty of opportunity to verify his words as I was raised on the ocean. My experience confirms the truth of His statement. If my eyes fixate on a specific spot, I am unable to locate anything. If I move them back and forth across the horizon, I am much more likely to pick up the marker I seek.
Curt has confirmed the same training and results from his time at sea with the US Navy. When he went to serve his night duty watch, he was expected to arrive early so that his eyes would get accustomed to the dark. Then he was to constantly scan the horizon to pick up any objects that might appear. In this way, he was more likely to be successful. That was the normal responsibility of anyone on watch, day or night.
The situation with the suitcases could have followed the old pattern of anxiety, confusion, frustration, and so on. Instead God intervened and short-circuited all of that unhealthy, unproductive angst. He led me to continue in the other tasks before me as I waited on Him for the solution. Philippians 2:13 I was to "remain in the vine" as I went about my routine. My reward came when His provision popped up on the horizon.
This latest episode in my divine education is a blessed one. I praise God that His answer was so specific and speedy. It is not always so, but He knows my needs and desires and always responds perfectly. This glimpse is especially poignant. I can assure you that in the future I will be much more likely to apply my head and hands to the task before me as my eyes scan the horizon for my Daddy's intervention.
What victory there is in yielding to the Father's will. What joy there is in trusting the "ever-present help in trouble". Psalm 46:1
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