Life has had me marinating in the richness of the Psalms lately. This morning as I read the familiar words of Psalm 104, Holy Spirit did what He often does and arrested my attention on a verse I've not previously given much attention to. It wasn't highlighted nor underlined in my Bible, but suddenly it sort of jumped off the pages and into my spirit.
As the words surrounding this particular verse began to describe how God laid the foundations of the earth, my heart was struck with awe as I tried to imagine that spectacular moment. I marveled at the thought of Him clothing the globe with waters, His voice thundering. Then I read:
"The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place which YOU APPOINTED FOR THEM."
Before I could read on, the realization gripped me that BOTH the mountain AND the valley are His handiwork. BOTH. Mountains high and valleys low...God placed them both on the planet with the sound of His voice, and EVERYTHING He has made is both good and pulsating with purpose.
Oftentimes, I have been guilty of thinking only the "mountaintop" moments of life are His doing, not so-- it is both the glorious mountains and the shadowy valleys that God takes credit for. If The Almighty created and appointed them their place, will He not also be there with us? His Word confirms and assures us He will! He gives us hinds' feet for high places (Psalm 18:33) and also accompanies us through dark valleys (Psalm 23:4).
The high places are treacherous, with the potential for great falls. We need Him there.
The low places are cavernous, threatening to swallow us whole. We need Him there.
No matter what the current topography of our lives looks like, we need Him THERE.
Thank God that He promises to never leave us or forsake us! He delights to be our much needed Navigator-- leading us through the ups and the downs, as well as the various twists and turns. He enjoys being our Companion--equipping us with everything necessary for the journey. I am amazed. I am grateful. Through this simple scripture today, I am once again reminded that the very same God who artfully arranged the landscape of our lives with precision and purpose, is fiercely committed to being our forever Guide as we journey on!
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Monday, May 9, 2016
Above ALL else...
"Above ALL else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it..." Reading these words in Proverbs 4:23 this morning, and hearing a powerful Bible teacher highlight them as well, I was struck with the intensity of such a phrase. Above...all...else.
There isn't a lot of wiggle room there. It doesn't say, "in addition to", or "along with", or "as you have the chance". No, directly and decisively, the God-breathed Scriptures tell us to make the act of guarding our hearts THE top priority.
The original text says, "with all diligence". When best translated, this verse is shaking us awake and warning us to patrol our hearts with all the alertness of a prison guard. Let nothing escape, nor anything enter, without our express permission. Wow.
As I pondered this, I sensed the Lord ask me if I'd like to learn how to guard my heart. I assumed I already knew how. That's the thing with God, however, He knows what we "know" (think we know) and what we really KNOW... and DON'T know. If He's asking and offering to teach us something, there is clearly something MORE to know. There is always so much more to know of His ways, His will, and His Word.
There's a lot of room between, just doing the best that I know how to do-- guarding my heart whenever I actually think to do so, and guarding my heart with all diligence--ABOVE ALL ELSE--making it top priority in my life. I have much to learn.
Today, I am responding then, "yes, Lord, train me, equip, empower, and grace me to guard my heart. Teach me how to watch over all that You are working into it and out of it, so that nothing ever invades and nothing ever pours out except what will only and always brings You glory...ABOVE ALL ELSE!
There isn't a lot of wiggle room there. It doesn't say, "in addition to", or "along with", or "as you have the chance". No, directly and decisively, the God-breathed Scriptures tell us to make the act of guarding our hearts THE top priority.
The original text says, "with all diligence". When best translated, this verse is shaking us awake and warning us to patrol our hearts with all the alertness of a prison guard. Let nothing escape, nor anything enter, without our express permission. Wow.
As I pondered this, I sensed the Lord ask me if I'd like to learn how to guard my heart. I assumed I already knew how. That's the thing with God, however, He knows what we "know" (think we know) and what we really KNOW... and DON'T know. If He's asking and offering to teach us something, there is clearly something MORE to know. There is always so much more to know of His ways, His will, and His Word.
There's a lot of room between, just doing the best that I know how to do-- guarding my heart whenever I actually think to do so, and guarding my heart with all diligence--ABOVE ALL ELSE--making it top priority in my life. I have much to learn.
Today, I am responding then, "yes, Lord, train me, equip, empower, and grace me to guard my heart. Teach me how to watch over all that You are working into it and out of it, so that nothing ever invades and nothing ever pours out except what will only and always brings You glory...ABOVE ALL ELSE!
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Whatever it Takes
When writing is as natural an expression to you as talking, it is somewhat grieving when you realize it's been well over a year since you've done any real writing at all...yikes! As I sit here this morning, soaking in some sun, enjoying a beautiful airy breeze, and the sounds of early spring outside the window, I find myself compelled and inspired to write.
All around me on this peaceful morning, there's a low hum of busy activity. As I mentioned, the sounds of spring surround me. Birds are happily singing their songs as they build their nests, the bees are determinedly buzzing from one colorful bloom to the next, and somewhere up the road I detect the distinct motor of a riding lawnmower zipping around a well-manicured lawn. I am mesmerized...and somewhat jealous. Yes, jealous...of the chirping birds, the busy bees, and the chubby, middle-aged man (in my imagination) who is cutting his grass on this joyous Saturday morning.
Before you judge, I can explain. See, I am usually the one bustling around in a flurry of activity. I'm the one who is comfortable being a busy bee. I like multi-tasking, and "to-do" lists, and full schedules. Although, I may, however, not be one for yardwork... I'd be doing SOMETHING this Saturday morning. In fact, I'd be serving at an outreach at this very minute if it weren't for one small fact... I am in a time-out. That's right, a time-out...a God-directed, God-mandated, and dare I say, God-given, TIME OUT.
Every December I find myself asking God for His Word for me for the next year. This year was no exception. Usually God will, if I am listening, give me one word or one verse that becomes the theme of my year, setting the tone for what is to come. Because of some very exciting things He was doing in my life at the time, I was eager to hear what was sure to be a very profound and life-altering word. Although I received many great & encouraging words through those closest to me as the year came to an end, the word that God gave me seemed somewhat out of place with the rest...little did I know just how this word would shape and define my life in the coming months.
January rolled by with the usual fresh anticipation and a great zeal fueling some personal goals... it was full steam ahead. I was happily, busily, buzzingly busy busy busy and loving it! I was, in my own estimation, balancing everything with flair and spinning plates with ease...until...I wasn't. Looking back, perhaps I wasn't so balanced...in retrospect, perhaps I was spinning plates when... gulp...The Lord was asking...or better said, warning me...to PUT THEM DOWN!!!
It is said, that hind-sight is often 20/20, so too, unfortunately, is recognizing the voice of God. Now that my initial hissy-fit regarding being in time out is over, I ponder the clear warning signs I missed and sadly, DISMISSED. I see how the very thing God allowed me to preach a message on, "The Dangers of Living on "E", He had really been inviting me to PRACTICE.
However, I was "too busy". I managed to silence the nagging insistence of His voice with my own prideful reasonings. I would rest, "after"... and kept filling in that blank and putting rest off while piling on more. My Pastor always says, "rest or God will rest you." Such a great saying, really. I agree, wholeheartedly...until it applies to me. This is not because of the expectations or demands of others, it's not because I don't know the power of the word "no", it's not because I think I'm the only one who can do certain things...it's because something in me is fractured and truth-be-told, sometimes the hamster wheel of busyness helps me avoid the painful reality of that truth.
But God.
He and I have a deal. I pray stupid, foolish, sincere prayers, and He answers them. When I ask Him to do WHATEVER it takes to make me, free me, heal me, and use me for His glory, He always answers with a relentless, "yes". And...He...means...it. The "problem" is, it's usually on His terms and not mine. He never seems to consult with me as to whether or not the timing or the methods are convenient or acceptable to me. Maybe, just maybe, you can relate.
So I sit here this morning, surrounded by a flurry of motion and movement and busyness and activity, and I am still. Like David, in Psalm 23, God is making me lie down and after nearly 3 months of stubbornly trying to tell God when I will "get up" from my time out, and admittedly, the occasional tantrum, I have stopped fighting Him. Instead of foolishly coveting the birds and the productivity of the bumblebees, I will consider them a reminder of God's constant care...
"Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds...walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:26-34 MSG
AMEN.
I am entering into His rest. I am allowing Him to address the things I often ache to avoid. I am finding His presence to be enough and His grace to be sufficient. And I am FINALLY settling into the word He had for me for 2016, "REST, RECIEVE, RESPOND"... and it only took this hard-headed daughter an on-going illness and a severely fractured ankle to position me to do so, but..."whatever it takes, Lord, WHATEVER it takes."
All around me on this peaceful morning, there's a low hum of busy activity. As I mentioned, the sounds of spring surround me. Birds are happily singing their songs as they build their nests, the bees are determinedly buzzing from one colorful bloom to the next, and somewhere up the road I detect the distinct motor of a riding lawnmower zipping around a well-manicured lawn. I am mesmerized...and somewhat jealous. Yes, jealous...of the chirping birds, the busy bees, and the chubby, middle-aged man (in my imagination) who is cutting his grass on this joyous Saturday morning.
Before you judge, I can explain. See, I am usually the one bustling around in a flurry of activity. I'm the one who is comfortable being a busy bee. I like multi-tasking, and "to-do" lists, and full schedules. Although, I may, however, not be one for yardwork... I'd be doing SOMETHING this Saturday morning. In fact, I'd be serving at an outreach at this very minute if it weren't for one small fact... I am in a time-out. That's right, a time-out...a God-directed, God-mandated, and dare I say, God-given, TIME OUT.
Every December I find myself asking God for His Word for me for the next year. This year was no exception. Usually God will, if I am listening, give me one word or one verse that becomes the theme of my year, setting the tone for what is to come. Because of some very exciting things He was doing in my life at the time, I was eager to hear what was sure to be a very profound and life-altering word. Although I received many great & encouraging words through those closest to me as the year came to an end, the word that God gave me seemed somewhat out of place with the rest...little did I know just how this word would shape and define my life in the coming months.
January rolled by with the usual fresh anticipation and a great zeal fueling some personal goals... it was full steam ahead. I was happily, busily, buzzingly busy busy busy and loving it! I was, in my own estimation, balancing everything with flair and spinning plates with ease...until...I wasn't. Looking back, perhaps I wasn't so balanced...in retrospect, perhaps I was spinning plates when... gulp...The Lord was asking...or better said, warning me...to PUT THEM DOWN!!!
It is said, that hind-sight is often 20/20, so too, unfortunately, is recognizing the voice of God. Now that my initial hissy-fit regarding being in time out is over, I ponder the clear warning signs I missed and sadly, DISMISSED. I see how the very thing God allowed me to preach a message on, "The Dangers of Living on "E", He had really been inviting me to PRACTICE.
However, I was "too busy". I managed to silence the nagging insistence of His voice with my own prideful reasonings. I would rest, "after"... and kept filling in that blank and putting rest off while piling on more. My Pastor always says, "rest or God will rest you." Such a great saying, really. I agree, wholeheartedly...until it applies to me. This is not because of the expectations or demands of others, it's not because I don't know the power of the word "no", it's not because I think I'm the only one who can do certain things...it's because something in me is fractured and truth-be-told, sometimes the hamster wheel of busyness helps me avoid the painful reality of that truth.
But God.
He and I have a deal. I pray stupid, foolish, sincere prayers, and He answers them. When I ask Him to do WHATEVER it takes to make me, free me, heal me, and use me for His glory, He always answers with a relentless, "yes". And...He...means...it. The "problem" is, it's usually on His terms and not mine. He never seems to consult with me as to whether or not the timing or the methods are convenient or acceptable to me. Maybe, just maybe, you can relate.
So I sit here this morning, surrounded by a flurry of motion and movement and busyness and activity, and I am still. Like David, in Psalm 23, God is making me lie down and after nearly 3 months of stubbornly trying to tell God when I will "get up" from my time out, and admittedly, the occasional tantrum, I have stopped fighting Him. Instead of foolishly coveting the birds and the productivity of the bumblebees, I will consider them a reminder of God's constant care...
"Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to Him than birds...walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think He’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:26-34 MSG
AMEN.
I am entering into His rest. I am allowing Him to address the things I often ache to avoid. I am finding His presence to be enough and His grace to be sufficient. And I am FINALLY settling into the word He had for me for 2016, "REST, RECIEVE, RESPOND"... and it only took this hard-headed daughter an on-going illness and a severely fractured ankle to position me to do so, but..."whatever it takes, Lord, WHATEVER it takes."
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