“Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” (Genesis 22:2).
April 19, 2001 was my first Isaac moment, but it hasn’t been my last. It was on that day my four-year battle to trust God completely for something I had wished for all my life culminated in a moment of joyful surrender. This was not of my own doing. The power of the Holy Spirit brought me to that altar, kept me there in stillness, and carried me through to healing on the other side. Although my sacrifice was differed from Abraham’s, there were some parallels.
Abraham was asked to offer up his child whom he’d loved and nurtured for many years. Isaac was a living being. My offering was only a dream, the desire for a child. Abraham’s altar was high on a mountain top in the thick brush with wildlife in his midst. Mine was a cold sterile operating room surrounded by a well-trained medical team. God had promised that Abraham’s genealogy would be more numerous than all the stars he could see, or the grains of sand he could count. Better still, the Messiah would come from his bloodline; from Isaac’s descendants. There was no profound promise from God to me. Still, He wanted to bring new life through my surrender just as He did with Abraham’s. Mine sprung forth in a different way; one that I never expected. The mystery is still unfolding.
Every Christian will face at least one Isaac moment. These are times of testing and cleansing when Jesus asks us to lay before Him all those people, plans, and possessions we have clung to so dearly. Why? Is God cruel? No! He simply has to remind us that while we live in the temporal there is eternal work to be accomplished, and He gives us the privilege of joining Him in this amazing birthing process. Does this mean you or I can save another person’s soul? No! Only the Holy Spirit can do that. But what’s going on in our lives speaks volumes to those who are watching. If we praise God with tears in those hard times of surrender, the door is open for hearts to be transformed by the work the Father is doing.
To have the faith and trust in God’s provision that Abraham did as he raised his knife to slay Isaac may seem impossible. But perhaps that is because we are putting restraints on what we believe Jesus can do if only we obey His voice. Learning to walk by faith and not by sight does not come natural, but we serve a loving God who wants to help us in a supernatural way. On the other side of those Isaac moments we see the spiritual fruit of the sacrificial seeds we planted. We do not produce the harvest. We are not the creator. But what a blessing it is to be one of Christ’s seed for His glory. There is no greater joy than to welcome new believers into the family of faith, and to walk in mutual love and encouragement towards heaven.
Looking back nine years I have gained some perspective on the cost of my offering even though I do not have full understanding of the reasons behind it. God is gracious to allow this limited view. It’s all I need to know today. Who would have thought that my story would be published and Jesus would use it to draw readers closer to Him? My career goals never including authoring a book and speaking to others about God’s extravagant love that He’s longing to share with them.
How about you? What is your Isaac? Have you left it on the altar, or are you running back to snatch it off before God’s work is finished? This has often been my struggle too. Let us pray together for Jesus to increase our faith. There is so much more He wants to do through us if only we would set aside our own agendas believing His is much better. “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” (Genesis 22:2).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Great Words; Great Hope
"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said."
These are great words filled with hope for those who believe in the sacrifice on the cross, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Praise God we have a reason to celebrate! Jesus is not dead--He reigns in heaven, seated at His Father's right hand, and one day will return to rapture His followers. Knowing that we will one day be united with Him forever brings great joy to my heart.
I pray the miracle of the Easter message encourages you to rejoice in the knowledge that the victory has been won. Believers in Christ can celebrate resurrection day every day; not just once a year on Easter Sunday. Some of the greatest words man has ever heard ring true for all generations: "He is not here; He has risen, just as He said."
You fellow sojourner,
Mary
These are great words filled with hope for those who believe in the sacrifice on the cross, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Praise God we have a reason to celebrate! Jesus is not dead--He reigns in heaven, seated at His Father's right hand, and one day will return to rapture His followers. Knowing that we will one day be united with Him forever brings great joy to my heart.
I pray the miracle of the Easter message encourages you to rejoice in the knowledge that the victory has been won. Believers in Christ can celebrate resurrection day every day; not just once a year on Easter Sunday. Some of the greatest words man has ever heard ring true for all generations: "He is not here; He has risen, just as He said."
You fellow sojourner,
Mary
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Glory Bound
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).
Last Friday a close friend lost her nine-month battle with cancer. While we knew the end was inevitable, none of us expected it that particular day. She’d had a good week; I was looking forward to seeing her on Saturday. Two weeks earlier I’d booked a flight to New York where a planned gathering with our mutual girlfriends was scheduled for that afternoon. But it was not to be. The night before my flight the news we’d been dreading came calling. She’d had a seizure and never woke up. Her soul was glory bound.
This was my first experience helping a seriously ill friend prepare for heaven. In the weeks leading up to her departure I held nothing back with regard to spiritual matters. Praise God His Spirit prepared me and prompted me to share what He placed on my heart! While there have been moments of weeping these last few days, I’m filled with great peace because she is with her Lord and Savior.
In the home of one of our girlfriends we assembled to share photos, stories, laughter and tears over the loss of our friend. What a blessing to have these special relationships that were formed in our childhood years. Of the twelve of us she was the first to die, and yet I know she is more alive now than she has ever been. She’s seen God! How I wish I could get her commentary on that meeting, but one day that sweet conversation will take place.
Before leaving my friends to return to my family, one of the girls asked me to lead the group in prayer. Standing side-by-side hand-in-hand we offered praise to the Father for His glorious abundant blessings. We thanked Him for mercifully taking our friend peacefully and with dignity. Those who witnessed her death saw no suffering. She is now healed and whole in heaven, and we grieve with hope of the reunion we’ll have with her there. This separation is only temporary.
As we slowly resume our daily routines now that her funeral has passed, I smile as I see Jesus at work. We watched a loved one die, but in reality we have learned how to really live. Grace abounds, forgiveness is more easily granted, broken relationships are healing, and people are examining their faith walk. It’s all good and it’s all because of God.
For those who have believed in salvation by Christ alone, we are gifted by His Holy Spirit to display His love and glory. In Him our earthly life takes on new meaning and we find joy even in sorrow. What a privilege to be used by Jesus to offer true and lasting hope to a hurting world as we invite others to join the glory bound. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Last Friday a close friend lost her nine-month battle with cancer. While we knew the end was inevitable, none of us expected it that particular day. She’d had a good week; I was looking forward to seeing her on Saturday. Two weeks earlier I’d booked a flight to New York where a planned gathering with our mutual girlfriends was scheduled for that afternoon. But it was not to be. The night before my flight the news we’d been dreading came calling. She’d had a seizure and never woke up. Her soul was glory bound.
This was my first experience helping a seriously ill friend prepare for heaven. In the weeks leading up to her departure I held nothing back with regard to spiritual matters. Praise God His Spirit prepared me and prompted me to share what He placed on my heart! While there have been moments of weeping these last few days, I’m filled with great peace because she is with her Lord and Savior.
In the home of one of our girlfriends we assembled to share photos, stories, laughter and tears over the loss of our friend. What a blessing to have these special relationships that were formed in our childhood years. Of the twelve of us she was the first to die, and yet I know she is more alive now than she has ever been. She’s seen God! How I wish I could get her commentary on that meeting, but one day that sweet conversation will take place.
Before leaving my friends to return to my family, one of the girls asked me to lead the group in prayer. Standing side-by-side hand-in-hand we offered praise to the Father for His glorious abundant blessings. We thanked Him for mercifully taking our friend peacefully and with dignity. Those who witnessed her death saw no suffering. She is now healed and whole in heaven, and we grieve with hope of the reunion we’ll have with her there. This separation is only temporary.
As we slowly resume our daily routines now that her funeral has passed, I smile as I see Jesus at work. We watched a loved one die, but in reality we have learned how to really live. Grace abounds, forgiveness is more easily granted, broken relationships are healing, and people are examining their faith walk. It’s all good and it’s all because of God.
For those who have believed in salvation by Christ alone, we are gifted by His Holy Spirit to display His love and glory. In Him our earthly life takes on new meaning and we find joy even in sorrow. What a privilege to be used by Jesus to offer true and lasting hope to a hurting world as we invite others to join the glory bound. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Tell Jesus Thank You
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
It was an “out of the boat” moment; one I had been praying for. But when it arrived I almost let it pass out of fear. Stepping forward in faith is often much easier to talk about than live out, especially when others are watching you. My first reaction, when talking to a dying friend long distance as a mutual friend placed her cell phone on speaker, was to play it safe; not rock the boat of anyone’s spiritual convictions. After all, who am I to cast judgment on her faith? It’s not polite to seek assurance of her salvation, is what my mind was saying. But isn’t that what real love does? Shouldn’t I share the truth of Christ’s penalty for our sins so those who believe this will be guaranteed a place in heaven with Him? Now or never had arrived and I had a choice to make.
The call with my friend was pre-arranged the day before. My friend is losing her ability to speak and write. She’s dying of brain cancer. Knowing friends would be visiting her on Wednesday, the time was set for me to call one of the women’s cell phone. After a restless night with little sleep, I felt a strong urging to pray with her on the phone. Hours before the call I said, “Lord, you calmed the raging seas when you walked on water. Surely you can calm the storm that rages in my girlfriend’s head, even for a little while”. Simple as that prayer was, it carried a big request. My friend had not been able to make complete sentences for a week. In my hour of need I was asking for a miracle—the ability for her to understand me and me to understand her.
When I dialed the number I had no idea what I would find on the other end. Each day brings many changes in my friend’s condition. The cancer is spreading rapidly. My girlfriend, whose cell number I was calling, had offered to be the mediator as she held up her phone on speaker. A third girlfriend introduced herself, so now there were four of us connected. Nervously I said hello to my dying friend. To my delight a beautiful exchange of words took place between us. I was able to tell her I loved her and she replied in kind. What joy! But God told me I wasn’t done yet.
In an instant, I asked if it would be alright if I prayed with her. She muffled “yes” along with my girlfriend’s utterance of “go for it, Mare” setting the stage. Fumbling at first, I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me out of my comfort zone. Suddenly I was speaking as He directed. Recently my friend had slyly interjected into a sentence that she would put in a good word for me. This statement came on the heels of her latest MRI results—the tumor was growing and time was running out. I did not initially understand what she meant. Then it hit me. She was offering to put in a good word for me when she went to heaven.
There was no time to waste. Jesus had given me this chance to share Scriptures with her, and to tell her something precious. “When you get to heaven tell Jesus I said thank you”. As the cell phone owner began to speak she couldn’t contain her excitement. She hadn’t seen our sick friend so lucid and able to complete a sentence until this exchange. Praise God for this moment! He’d taken my trembling spirit and walked beside me that day. I felt as if I were really in that hospital room hundreds of miles away.
In this season of grief I am learning from death how to really live. I want to have more moments like Peter did—scared but willing to step out of the boat into the raging water where only complete dependency on Christ can uphold me. As I make this journey, I am comforted by the reality that God wants to bring glory to His name through all who are willing to trust and obey. What a treasure to be able to share with my friends that for all who love Jesus the best is yet to come. I’m still telling God “thank you” for this story, and for the gift of eternal life. Are you? “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
It was an “out of the boat” moment; one I had been praying for. But when it arrived I almost let it pass out of fear. Stepping forward in faith is often much easier to talk about than live out, especially when others are watching you. My first reaction, when talking to a dying friend long distance as a mutual friend placed her cell phone on speaker, was to play it safe; not rock the boat of anyone’s spiritual convictions. After all, who am I to cast judgment on her faith? It’s not polite to seek assurance of her salvation, is what my mind was saying. But isn’t that what real love does? Shouldn’t I share the truth of Christ’s penalty for our sins so those who believe this will be guaranteed a place in heaven with Him? Now or never had arrived and I had a choice to make.
The call with my friend was pre-arranged the day before. My friend is losing her ability to speak and write. She’s dying of brain cancer. Knowing friends would be visiting her on Wednesday, the time was set for me to call one of the women’s cell phone. After a restless night with little sleep, I felt a strong urging to pray with her on the phone. Hours before the call I said, “Lord, you calmed the raging seas when you walked on water. Surely you can calm the storm that rages in my girlfriend’s head, even for a little while”. Simple as that prayer was, it carried a big request. My friend had not been able to make complete sentences for a week. In my hour of need I was asking for a miracle—the ability for her to understand me and me to understand her.
When I dialed the number I had no idea what I would find on the other end. Each day brings many changes in my friend’s condition. The cancer is spreading rapidly. My girlfriend, whose cell number I was calling, had offered to be the mediator as she held up her phone on speaker. A third girlfriend introduced herself, so now there were four of us connected. Nervously I said hello to my dying friend. To my delight a beautiful exchange of words took place between us. I was able to tell her I loved her and she replied in kind. What joy! But God told me I wasn’t done yet.
In an instant, I asked if it would be alright if I prayed with her. She muffled “yes” along with my girlfriend’s utterance of “go for it, Mare” setting the stage. Fumbling at first, I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me out of my comfort zone. Suddenly I was speaking as He directed. Recently my friend had slyly interjected into a sentence that she would put in a good word for me. This statement came on the heels of her latest MRI results—the tumor was growing and time was running out. I did not initially understand what she meant. Then it hit me. She was offering to put in a good word for me when she went to heaven.
There was no time to waste. Jesus had given me this chance to share Scriptures with her, and to tell her something precious. “When you get to heaven tell Jesus I said thank you”. As the cell phone owner began to speak she couldn’t contain her excitement. She hadn’t seen our sick friend so lucid and able to complete a sentence until this exchange. Praise God for this moment! He’d taken my trembling spirit and walked beside me that day. I felt as if I were really in that hospital room hundreds of miles away.
In this season of grief I am learning from death how to really live. I want to have more moments like Peter did—scared but willing to step out of the boat into the raging water where only complete dependency on Christ can uphold me. As I make this journey, I am comforted by the reality that God wants to bring glory to His name through all who are willing to trust and obey. What a treasure to be able to share with my friends that for all who love Jesus the best is yet to come. I’m still telling God “thank you” for this story, and for the gift of eternal life. Are you? “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Overindulgence Encouraged
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8).
Six weeks post New Years Eve, how are your resolutions going? Did your list include trimming back on unnecessary expenses in order to live more fiscally balanced? What about your diet? Are you eating less but still not healthy? Were you like me; feeling undernourished and over stimulated after the holidays? Has the thought of consuming anything sweet lost its appeal? Have you abandoned those well-crafted goals and reverted to overspending and overeating just in time for today’s Super Bowl parties? Maybe it’s time to go to a place where overindulgence is encouraged. Care to join me?
As I wrote the goals and dreams in January I hoped to accomplish in 2010, I did something different this year. I prayed for God to give me a list that reveals what He wants to do through me and in me. In years past I’d make the list without consulting Him; then pray for His help to fulfill my desires. I had it backwards. God does not exist to serve me, but I to serve Him. His plans are perfectly designed to transform me into the image of His Son. In the end, following God’s resolutions will find me happier than checking off a self-constructed list of items I hope to experience one day.
Asking Jesus to help me formulate my list, I held nothing back as He encouraged overindulgence of Him. God wants me to spend as much time as possible feasting on the tenderness of His words written to satisfy every hunger soul. God never says to us, “You’ve had enough of Me, Mary. Go away and stop grabbing one more morsel of truth from my Scriptures. You’ve prayed so much you are overflowing to maximum capacity.” On the contrary! God is always offering us more of Himself without limitation.
Of all the sweetness that life’s pleasures hold, there is none as satisfying as the love of my Lord. God is always willing I partake in the bounty of His presence. The Bible is full of God’s delightful recipes that are blessings for our lives beyond anything we can create ourselves. My desire for the rest of my days is to fill my palate with all that the Father wants to give me. The Scriptures are a paradox of delicacies that quench my deepest longings while leaving me hungry and thirsty for more. What a treat!
Won’t you come to the table the Lord has prepared for you to sample His goodness and mercy? It’s the place where sinners are welcome and forgiveness is granted when hearts are repentant and surrendered to Christ. His soul-food menu is an all-you-can-eat buffet, and your bill has been paid with His shed blood. Jesus extends the invitation to everyone to accept His sacrificial payment, but you can’t join this feast until you respond with heartfelt thanks.
One taste of His heavenly sustenance will find you increasing your helping size. You will joyfully discover He delights when we overindulge on all His offerings. We cannot be overweight in the goodness of God, only underweight if we push ourselves away from the table believing we’ve had enough. No need to worry about portion control—keep asking for more! God is a generous giver and wants His children to be well fed. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Six weeks post New Years Eve, how are your resolutions going? Did your list include trimming back on unnecessary expenses in order to live more fiscally balanced? What about your diet? Are you eating less but still not healthy? Were you like me; feeling undernourished and over stimulated after the holidays? Has the thought of consuming anything sweet lost its appeal? Have you abandoned those well-crafted goals and reverted to overspending and overeating just in time for today’s Super Bowl parties? Maybe it’s time to go to a place where overindulgence is encouraged. Care to join me?
As I wrote the goals and dreams in January I hoped to accomplish in 2010, I did something different this year. I prayed for God to give me a list that reveals what He wants to do through me and in me. In years past I’d make the list without consulting Him; then pray for His help to fulfill my desires. I had it backwards. God does not exist to serve me, but I to serve Him. His plans are perfectly designed to transform me into the image of His Son. In the end, following God’s resolutions will find me happier than checking off a self-constructed list of items I hope to experience one day.
Asking Jesus to help me formulate my list, I held nothing back as He encouraged overindulgence of Him. God wants me to spend as much time as possible feasting on the tenderness of His words written to satisfy every hunger soul. God never says to us, “You’ve had enough of Me, Mary. Go away and stop grabbing one more morsel of truth from my Scriptures. You’ve prayed so much you are overflowing to maximum capacity.” On the contrary! God is always offering us more of Himself without limitation.
Of all the sweetness that life’s pleasures hold, there is none as satisfying as the love of my Lord. God is always willing I partake in the bounty of His presence. The Bible is full of God’s delightful recipes that are blessings for our lives beyond anything we can create ourselves. My desire for the rest of my days is to fill my palate with all that the Father wants to give me. The Scriptures are a paradox of delicacies that quench my deepest longings while leaving me hungry and thirsty for more. What a treat!
Won’t you come to the table the Lord has prepared for you to sample His goodness and mercy? It’s the place where sinners are welcome and forgiveness is granted when hearts are repentant and surrendered to Christ. His soul-food menu is an all-you-can-eat buffet, and your bill has been paid with His shed blood. Jesus extends the invitation to everyone to accept His sacrificial payment, but you can’t join this feast until you respond with heartfelt thanks.
One taste of His heavenly sustenance will find you increasing your helping size. You will joyfully discover He delights when we overindulge on all His offerings. We cannot be overweight in the goodness of God, only underweight if we push ourselves away from the table believing we’ve had enough. No need to worry about portion control—keep asking for more! God is a generous giver and wants His children to be well fed. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Thursday, January 21, 2010
God is Still Good
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:10-11).
To say it’s been a rough week is an understatement. With the earthquake in Haiti sending shock waves of sorrow around the planet, one can’t help but wonder why ordinary life is often suddenly interrupted by extraordinary pain. Many are asking, “Where is God? Doesn’t He care? How can a loving God allow this? Is God good?” Ever wonder if it’s wrong to ask these questions? I have. Admittedly so, I have been counted among the doubters of God’s character more that I’d like to confess. As much as I disdain pondering such thoughts, I don’t believe the Father is angry that I voice them as long as I’m seeking His enlightenment. It’s the hardened attitude of my heart and mind that can get me into trouble; not the longing to make some sense out of catastrophe.
Over and over I find myself challenged when tragedy strikes my own household, and the lives of loved ones. After all, it’s much easier to offer a pat answer or quick prayer combined with your favorite Scripture for someone suffering thousands of miles away than the person directly touching your life. We can all claim that God is good until it’s our home that’s been ravaged by a natural disaster, or our life has been turned upside down with bad news. How strong is our faith in Jesus to sustain us then? When the world crumbles beneath our physical and spiritual foundations, how do we react? Do we stumble or stand? Praise God for forgiveness when I’ve failed this test!
Sometimes I have felt the Holy Spirit working through me to offer a word of encouragement to others at their lowest hour. I rejoice in those moments because they bless my soul too, and I’m very aware that the words that pour forth are not fashioned by me. Whenever I have prayed for the right words to say, God has delivered them on one condition. My soul had to be stilled to hear His voice above all the clamoring in my brain. Any attempt on my part to seek a shortcut always leads to lifeless words offering no relief to the wounded.
God has afforded me many opportunities to trust that He is good, but it has not been so easy for me. How do I offer hope to the friend who is going through an unwanted divorce, or the couple who just lost the son we’d all prayed for in a miscarriage? What do I say to the relative who’s falling deeper into an emotional and financial pit because every job he’s offered is cancelled before he starts because of funding? What hope do I have for the friends who are battling cancer and may not survive? How do I convey with sincerity that Jesus loves and cares about them? Do circumstances determine God’s goodness, or do I need to look elsewhere? In times like these my own thoughts and feelings cannot be trusted. Only God’s word can be.
Looking within myself will never give me the answers I need to life’s most difficult questions. I’m too flawed, even as God’s daughter. The only way for me to develop the mind of Christ that is available to all of His sheep, is to look at the words of the Good Shepherd in the Scriptures. What have I learned? That God is the only thing that is good, and that the sorrow I feel is part of living in a sin-filled fallen world. This was never God’s plan for the human race. Everything was beautiful and perfectly balanced in the Garden of Eden until sin forever destroyed that earthly paradise. But all was not lost forever for those who chose to believe the penalty for every sin was paid in full at the death of Jesus on Calvary’s cross. He’s alive in heaven, and one day we will join Him in paradise for there will be no sin in the presence of a holy God.
Until then, suffering will be part of our human experience on planet earth. But is does not have to be senseless. There is comfort in knowing that while we don’t have complete understanding surrounding devastating events, or have to like them; God can bring healing out of destruction if we allow Him to. Haiti is a reminder to us all of how fragile we are, and we must all be ready to meet our Maker. How prepared are you?
It’s so tempting to run from God instead of running to Him when you’re crushed in spirit. This is exactly what Satan wants—to destroy your relationship with Jesus who offers true hope regardless of your circumstances. Don’t let him win! Run as fast as you can to the feet of your Savior and ask Him to live in your heart. He will help you. Be still and know (learn) that He is good when life is not. There is great comfort in that truth. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:10-11).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
To say it’s been a rough week is an understatement. With the earthquake in Haiti sending shock waves of sorrow around the planet, one can’t help but wonder why ordinary life is often suddenly interrupted by extraordinary pain. Many are asking, “Where is God? Doesn’t He care? How can a loving God allow this? Is God good?” Ever wonder if it’s wrong to ask these questions? I have. Admittedly so, I have been counted among the doubters of God’s character more that I’d like to confess. As much as I disdain pondering such thoughts, I don’t believe the Father is angry that I voice them as long as I’m seeking His enlightenment. It’s the hardened attitude of my heart and mind that can get me into trouble; not the longing to make some sense out of catastrophe.
Over and over I find myself challenged when tragedy strikes my own household, and the lives of loved ones. After all, it’s much easier to offer a pat answer or quick prayer combined with your favorite Scripture for someone suffering thousands of miles away than the person directly touching your life. We can all claim that God is good until it’s our home that’s been ravaged by a natural disaster, or our life has been turned upside down with bad news. How strong is our faith in Jesus to sustain us then? When the world crumbles beneath our physical and spiritual foundations, how do we react? Do we stumble or stand? Praise God for forgiveness when I’ve failed this test!
Sometimes I have felt the Holy Spirit working through me to offer a word of encouragement to others at their lowest hour. I rejoice in those moments because they bless my soul too, and I’m very aware that the words that pour forth are not fashioned by me. Whenever I have prayed for the right words to say, God has delivered them on one condition. My soul had to be stilled to hear His voice above all the clamoring in my brain. Any attempt on my part to seek a shortcut always leads to lifeless words offering no relief to the wounded.
God has afforded me many opportunities to trust that He is good, but it has not been so easy for me. How do I offer hope to the friend who is going through an unwanted divorce, or the couple who just lost the son we’d all prayed for in a miscarriage? What do I say to the relative who’s falling deeper into an emotional and financial pit because every job he’s offered is cancelled before he starts because of funding? What hope do I have for the friends who are battling cancer and may not survive? How do I convey with sincerity that Jesus loves and cares about them? Do circumstances determine God’s goodness, or do I need to look elsewhere? In times like these my own thoughts and feelings cannot be trusted. Only God’s word can be.
Looking within myself will never give me the answers I need to life’s most difficult questions. I’m too flawed, even as God’s daughter. The only way for me to develop the mind of Christ that is available to all of His sheep, is to look at the words of the Good Shepherd in the Scriptures. What have I learned? That God is the only thing that is good, and that the sorrow I feel is part of living in a sin-filled fallen world. This was never God’s plan for the human race. Everything was beautiful and perfectly balanced in the Garden of Eden until sin forever destroyed that earthly paradise. But all was not lost forever for those who chose to believe the penalty for every sin was paid in full at the death of Jesus on Calvary’s cross. He’s alive in heaven, and one day we will join Him in paradise for there will be no sin in the presence of a holy God.
Until then, suffering will be part of our human experience on planet earth. But is does not have to be senseless. There is comfort in knowing that while we don’t have complete understanding surrounding devastating events, or have to like them; God can bring healing out of destruction if we allow Him to. Haiti is a reminder to us all of how fragile we are, and we must all be ready to meet our Maker. How prepared are you?
It’s so tempting to run from God instead of running to Him when you’re crushed in spirit. This is exactly what Satan wants—to destroy your relationship with Jesus who offers true hope regardless of your circumstances. Don’t let him win! Run as fast as you can to the feet of your Savior and ask Him to live in your heart. He will help you. Be still and know (learn) that He is good when life is not. There is great comfort in that truth. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:10-11).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Tunnel Vision
When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 ).
Looking around my neighborhood this January evening there are many families, like ours, whose homes still brightly adorn their Christmas lights. We are one of the first households to put ours up, as well as the last to remove them. Their vibrancy is such a comfort to me at a time of year when the days are short, the nights are long, and the skies are cold. Yet in the midst of all the festivities of the 2009 holiday season I found myself wandering in mental and emotional darkness. Was your vision was obscured too?
In essence, I let the cares of the world weigh heavy on my small shoulders and exhaust me to the point of tears. Perhaps you were like me; one who took her eyes off of the Creator of light while trying to conjure it up yourself. Praise God for forgiveness of confessed sin, and a revelation of what my New Years resolution should be. Maybe it is your resolution too.
It’s hard for me to resist entertaining any time of year. Much as I’ve tried to shelve it, my God-given gift of hospitality cannot stay dormant for long. The promptings of my heart always lead me to volunteer to host an array of celebrations. Many times the Lord uses these occasions as ministry opportunities. My dilemma this Christmas wasn’t the parties we hosted, but my frustration over lost peace and joy. I’d shut down my spiritual lantern.
The demands of work were robbing me, and I was angry. I wanted a slower pace to be able to delight in the mystery of the nativity more. Instead, my mind was cluttered with an endless list of tasks to complete. The harder I worked the further away from soul-rest and physical rejuvenation I ended up. My reaction to life’s hectic pace sent me out of balance.
Crying out to Jesus I confessed my anger and waywardness. To an outside observer I was functioning normally, but God and I knew the real truth. My energy was drained because I’d rushed through the most important part of the day, my quiet time with God, in my haste to tackle my to-do list. Falsely believing my normally perky personality was enough to carry me through the onslaught of Satan’s daily attacks, I neglected to let my Savior fight the battles for me. His light implanted in my spirit was dimmed.
Thankfully, God left me in the blackness long enough for me to discover that all my best attempts cannot create a light that sustains life. Only the Giver of all life Himself can. Today Jesus illuminated my bleak thoughts with John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life, and Genesis 1:3-4: And God said, “Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.”
Several truths brightened my mind after pondering those Scriptures. First, the source of the light’s existence is God, not I. Second, God said the light is good and the light of the world is Jesus. Third, God separated the light from the darkness. This indicates a life of distinction that shines, not one that blends in with the dark side. When light mixes with blackness it becomes gray, just like my mood was. If I want more peace, joy and fulfillment my luminary has to be the Holy Spirit. I project whatever is inside me, good or evil. The only good light is the heavenly One, the holy One Jesus Christ.
As God’s daughter I am asking Him to ignite my soul afire with His passions for my life so the only resolutions I make and keep are the ones He’s purposed for my life. May we all desire His glory overshadow the demands and pleasures of earth so that the glow beaming out of us is ever-pointing others to Jesus. In a world that is often gloomy, I pray many in 2010 will be drawn out of their tunnel as they believe these words: When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 ).
Your fellow sojourner,
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