To It and Through It

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3).

Hiking through the lush forest covered in dew I'm lost to all that is around. Lost in thoughts that entangle my spirit and smother my soul with distress. Lost to the beauty in my midst because I'm blinded by trials I'm mulling over in my head. Lost to the reality of God's presence on this crisp early morning as my feet hustle through the rustling leaves beneath me. The sound of a twig snapping breaks my concentration forcing my gaze to the left. In a small meadow my eyes behold a previously invisible wonder that captivates me and stops me right in my tracks.

As the mist clears and the sunbeams appear, I'm treated to a field of silk saucers suspended in air between the brush. Beckoning my husband near to view this pretty scene our curiosity moves us closer to these objects. They are hundreds of spider webs in the shape of cups about the size of our hands! They sparkled like tiny angels for a few minutes before disappearing behind the cloudy light. What a beautiful reminder of all the things God sees that escape our sight each day!

That memory revisits me every time I walk in the woods. It's a reminder to me that we who walk with Jesus are never alone. If He brings us to a wilderness life experience He not only brings us through it, but He'll give us glimpses of beauty along the rough path. We just have to call out to Him and be on the watch for His reply. Miracles and the splendor of God's glory become visible when we humbly seek His face daily. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3).

Your fellow herald for Jesus,

Mary

Healing Thorns

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me" (2 Corinthians 12:7).

It was 4:00 AM when a searing pain in my foot roused me from my restless slumber. Six days post surgery things were worsening instead of improving. The pain medication did little to dull what felt like a stake driven through my foot. Exhausted and scared that something was seriously misaligned I poured out my fears and begged God for relief. Three years I struggled on and off with foot pain praying God would heal me without surgery, but He didn't. Now that I had succumbed to the surgeon's hand I wanted no part of suffering. But the Lord had allowed this thorn to show me a great revelation that humbled my proud heart.

As tears streamed down my face I felt a stirring in my soul as the Holy Spirit brought to mind this profound truth--Jesus Christ understands. My prayers for a pain-free life suddenly turned to praises that Jesus knows what horrific pain feels like. I thanked my Savior that He endured much worse when a nail was driven through His perfect feet on the cross. I blessed Jesus for His willingness to suffer and that He comforts me in my pain whether it is physical or emotional. He gets it because He experienced it too!   

The Bible records the prophecy given to Isaiah about the Messiah hundreds of years before Jesus was born. "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Still think God doesn't care or relate to your pain? No other earthly king ever suffered out of love for his people as our heavenly King Jesus did. Knowing that Jesus cares and understands comforted me while my foot continued to throb.

Most days I live under the illusion that I can control events in my life until God allows suffering to remove conceit from my heart. My thorns have taken many forms over the years: financial hardship, devastating loss of a loved one, a barren womb and empty arms that longed for my own children. Even Jesus had His own thorns to bear as He prepared to be crucified for us sinners. "The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head" (John 19:2). As the Father weaves together thorns for our lives they can be transformed from a crown of shame to one of glory as we humbly submit to His will in thanksgiving.

The Apostle Paul also beckoned the Lord three times for relief from his thorn only to be told that God's grace was sufficient for him (2 Corinthians 12:9). The power of Almighty God was more visible in the sustaining of Paul under torment than if He had removed what tortured Paul. God's grace and strength enabled Paul to praise God while he was in pain. Recalling those Scriptures in my hour of need carried me through my own suffering as I praised God for His mercy and love.

Life is messy and it hurts. For some it's more painful than it is for others, but the challenge is always the same. When we reach a crossroad will we look to the cross and follow Jesus who heals the brokenhearted, or will we let the thorns that pierce our hearts drive a bitter wedge between us and God? I was fortunate. A doctor visit revealed my foot pain was caused by friction between the bandage and my wound. It had rubbed the skin raw. Applying balm and getting rest healed me within a few days. While I'm still recovering from surgery I am no longer experiencing intense pain.

What about you? Are you making regular appointments with the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, who can help you find relief and insight regarding the thorns in your life? Suffering hasn't been fun or easy but it led to my salvation and gave me compassion toward others in pain. Will you trust God to use your thorns to heal you spiritually if not physically? "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassing great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me" (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Your fellow herald for Christ,

Mary

 

Basking in the Son’s Light

“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, who I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5)!

What’s your idea of a perfect day? Does it involve several uninterrupted hours of quiet solitude where you allow yourself such luxuries as reading a book or taking a nap? Conversely, would you fill the day with lots of activity that leaves you exhausted but utterly satisfied when it’s over? Does spending time conversing with Jesus even enter your mind, or is that too much of a task to be completed instead of a privilege His followers are granted? Such thoughts recently convicted me during my less-than-perfect day whilst I set about seeking perfection on my own.

Perhaps you’re like me. Days that satisfy you the most change with the seasons. I often oscillate between the introvert and extrovert in me (although I am a strong extrovert in nature). I relish the big Christmas party we host each December just as much as rainy quiet nights watching a movie fireside. I must admit I am usually thinking about other people that I can spend my time with. My King is not always first on my guest list.

It is July now, so my favorite days are those spent hiking with my husband followed by a dip in our community pool. The evening is topped off with a light and healthy meal, and good conversation between us. We’ve bonded. Our bodies, minds and hearts were exercised. A spirit of thankfulness permeates the air with the words of our evening prayers and reflections. Still I am left to wonder, as I listen to my husband’s voice, how much time did I make to listen to Jesus’ voice?

Earlier this week, when Jon was working the night shift, I found myself very blue after a long stressful work day. As is often the case with my corporate job I fight back tears of frustration over all that is heaped upon my desk. Longing for comfort to help me erase the scars from the day’s battle, I took a long fast walk around the neighborhood. It was hot and humid. Arriving back at my doorstep sweaty and drained I was still without relief. “What can I do next to make me feel better?” I thought. “I know--I’ll go to the pool!” Surely that will lift my spirits. Changing quickly I grabbed a towel and made my way to the clubhouse gates where refreshment awaited me.

Feeling the warm water envelope my body like silk gently touching my skin I began to swim, unaware of the beauty around me. My head was face down in the water, concentrating on pushing my troubles away with each stroke, when suddenly everything changed. The day became perfect. Flipping over on to my back, I gazed upward on the magnificent sky as my hands glided across the water. The scene was indescribably beautiful as sunbeams hidden behind painted clouds of lavender, pink and orange illuminated the fringes with a silvery light. Although the sun was not visible it was very much present, and actively at work in the twilight sky. Instantly, sorrow left my heart as my eyes beheld the glory before me that summer evening. Soaking up the sun’s healing light my mind began to contemplate, “Is not the light of God’s Son, which never fades like the sun in the sky, what I should really be basking in?”

When I’m face down in trials it feels like Jesus is not present. But my thoughts deceive me. Christ is only temporarily shielded from my view. He exists just the same as the sun shining brightly behind the clouds. I need to lift my heart’s eyes to the heavens where God speaks to me, and invites me to listen for His voice above all earthly sounds. The pleasure the sun’s warmth gives me pales in comparison to the love of the Son of God. Because Jesus is perfect each day I spend in communion with Him can be harmonious no matter what imperfections the day brings, including the ones I offer before Him myself. With God’s help I’ve begun to change my definition of a perfect day. How about you? “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, who I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5)!
Your fellow sojourner,

Mary

My Father and Me

Previously posted on my web site in June 2009:
http://extravagantlife.net/site/

“Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).

Today is Father’s Day. After church, my husband and I went for a two-hour hike in the state park up the street from our house. As we wandered through the seven-mile woodland path that takes us through varied terrain, my thoughts began to focus on the fathers in my life. First, there is my earthly father who passed away six-and-one-half years ago. I no longer grieve his passing maybe because I see so much of him in those of us who are here. My siblings and I share some of Dad’s physical traits as well as his points of view. We’ve often heard people say, “You Singer kids look so much alike.”

The second father is not mine. Rather he is my husband and a father of three daughters from a previous marriage. There’s a tenderness to the way my husband relates to his daughters, and I admire his diligent pursuit of a relationship with them that is full of life. He has always communicated his love for them, and willingness to be a counselor in times of need. Just as I bear a family resemblance to my earthly father, so do my husband’s girls to him. I see it in their eyes or their laugh and in their dispositions. We often joke about the differences between the Singer and Wick families, and relish in the knowledge that we also share commonalities too.

But of all the fathers I know whether relatives or friends, the most important one is my heavenly Father. He is the one constant in my life. He is ever-present, never-changing, and always moving toward me in love. He desires closeness with His children. I don’t have to worry that one day He won’t be there for me. He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. God knows no limits; He has no life span as physical fathers do. God the Father has always existed in spiritual form and graciously gave us a glimpse of His character in the physical form of His Son, Jesus. What a gift it is to be able to say, “Jesus is the representation of His Dad and He invites everyone to join His family!”

It is sad to hear people say that they don’t believe God is a loving Father because of the traumatic experiences they’ve incurred with their natural fathers. Humans are very flawed, but this cannot be used as an excuse to turn away from God Almighty. He knows our pain and has provided a way to have a loving Father-child relationship with Him. This can only happen when we have a close personal relationship with His Son, Jesus. Likewise, when we are born again spiritually and indwelt with the Holy Spirit we reflect a new gene pool to the world. It’s no longer my fleshly parents that the world notices, but my spiritual Father and His Son.

Knowing that I am God’s adopted daughter both comforts and challenges me. While I am not a physical parent, I am still called to be a mentor to those the Lord puts in my life. This is true for all Christians. We are to make manifest the glory of God by allowing Him to display His love for others through us. Jesus Christ is our perfect example who does not expect perfection from us, only the willingness to be used. Once we surrender to His will, then He can speak to a weary soul through our words and deeds; drawing that hurting sinner into a relationship that forgives and heals.

So on this day when we honor our human fathers my greatest prayer is that people I encounter throughout my life would say, “She looks just like her Father and I want to be part of that family too!” If you still mistrust the character of God the Father, just remember to take your questions to His Son. “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).
Your fellow sojourner,

Mary