Expect the Unexpected

"When (Jesus) had finished speaking, 

he said to Simon,

'Put out into deep water, 

and let down the nets for a catch.'  

Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night 

and haven't caught anything.  

But because you say so, 

I will let down the nets.'  

When they had done so, 

they caught such a large number of fish 

that their nets began to break."

Expect the unexpected when following Jesus.  He doesn't work in ways I anticipate.  He doesn't do things the way they've always been done.  Jesus is unpredictable.

I live in a physical world created to behave in a predictable way.  Every morning the sun rises and every evening it sets.  The cycle of the moon phases can be used to tell time and fishermen know the tide schedule like they know the back of their hand.  

Knowing what to expect makes me feel like I'm in control, and I like to be in control.  The problem is. . . I'm not in control.  God is.

Trusting Jesus means letting Him work in supernatural ways that push the limits of my common sense.

Implausible Position

Joseph, favored son of Jacob, found himself in an Egyptian prison after a series of unfortunate events.  But God had a plan for good, and after spending several years in prison and some thirteen years after he was first sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph found himself to be placed in a position of second-in-command in all of Egypt. 

How does a foreign slave end up being put in charge of the whole land of Egypt unless it is by the supernatural work of God?  Joseph found himself in this position not for his own glory or comfort, but in order that God could use him to draw His people to Egypt for help during a time of drought and famine.  Ultimately, this would be the mechanism by which God's people would become enslaved in Egypt and would eventually need a savior to rescue them.

What position do I hold that could be used for God's glory and to further His Kingdom?  Community leader?  Mother?  Teacher in a seemingly hopeless situation?  Mail Room Clerk?  CEO of a large corporation?  Mechanic in a dead end job?  Father?  Wherever God has placed me, he has chosen that position for a reason.  He has put me in contact with particular people for His purposes.  He has a plan that will defy common sense. 

If I find myself in a position I never dreamed I'd hold, it's time to look for where God is working and join in.  

Improbable Calling

Flash forward 400 years and witness a middle-aged man, self-exiled from his once lofty position in the Pharoah's palace to Midian, where he lived as a lowly shepherd.  As he was tending the flocks one day, Moses encountered the Lord in the unlikely location of a burning bush on a hillside.  Curiously, the bush burned but was not consumed.

It was there that Moses received his calling from God.  "I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 3:10)  The Lord spent some time reassuring Moses, giving him several signs he could use to show that his message came from the Lord.  

Still, Moses could not get over his logic which told him, "Hey. . . you can't speak worth a lick!" Apparently, Moses had experienced some embarrassing or awkward incidents which left him with the impression that he wasn't any good at talking to people.  Especially large crowds of people.  Or leaders of powerful countries.  

It's easy to get caught up in my past experiences, snagged by my flaws and unable to move forward out of the fear of failure due to my own imperfections and weaknesses.  

But, as God said to Moses, "Who gave man his mouth?  Who makes him deaf or mute?  Who gives him sight or makes him blind?  Is it not I, the LORD?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."  (Exodus 4:11-12)

God is well aware of my flaws when He calls me to a certain task.  He made me that way, defects and all.  And He is not calling me because of my impeccable qualifications or my flawless record.  No.  He is calling me so that in my weakness, He will get all the glory.  He will supernaturally work through me to overcome those flaws.  And people will know that only God could do something like that!

Common sense says to pick he best person for the job, but God says the best person for the job is the one He picked.  

Incredible Strategy

Forty years later, the next generation of Israelites now led by Joshua, finds themselves on the cusp of a new adventure.  They finally get to enter the Promised Land they've been hearing so much about!  But there is one problem.  First, they must conquer the might city of Jericho.  This metropolis is surrounded by a lower retaining wall that measured about 12-15 feet high supplemented by a 20-foot wall built on top of that.  Further up the hill stood the inner wall, rising about 46 feet about ground level.  

Leveling this mighty fortress would not be easy.  But God had a plan. . .an incredible strategy. . . for the Israelites to leave the battle in His hands while they simply walked around the walled city, day after day.  On the seventh day, the wall collapsed as they finished their seventh trip around the city and, "every man charged straight in, and they took the city. " (Joshua 6:20)

What impossible feat has God placed before me today?  Waiting for a husband or wife?  Climbing out of debt?  Controlling my tongue?  Loving my enemies?  Healing a sick body?Whatever it is, God is up to the challenge!  

The biggest acts are not the ones accomplished with good strategy and common sense but which are left in God's hands and consequently give rise to spectacular endings.

My expectations can get in the way of God's supernatural work in my life.  If I only expect ordinary things from God, I will miss the implausible positions He places me in, the improbable ways He calls me to action, and the incredible strategies He uses to topple unbreachable foes.       In a nutshell, I should expect the unexpected when following Jesus.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will leave the battle in God's hands and stop limiting the scope of His work in my life.

How do I minimize the power of God in the way I expect Him to work?

When do I show a lack of faith in not giving a problem completely over to God and let Him solve it?

Lure or Repellent?

"Our actions will show that we belong to the truth,

so we will be confident when we stand before God."

1 John 3:19 NLT

Eric Liddell was an athlete and missionary to China whose Olympic track experiences were made into a 1981 movie called, "Chariots of Fire."  He knew the importance of walking the Christian walk, not just preaching about it.  When it came time to compete in his best event, the 100-yard race during the 1924 Olympics, he declined because the finals were scheduled to be held on a Sunday.  Out of reverence for God and his commandments, he switched to the 400-yard race in order to honor God by keeping the Sabbath holy.  

This decision made Eric the focus of much animosity in his home country of Scotland.  Some publicly called him a traitor for dropping out of a race he was destined to win.  In their eyes, he had let their country down.  But Eric's love for God and his passion to glorify Him was more important than any medal he could win for his country. 

Eric knew what it meant to, "do (everything) as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:17 NLT)  He claimed that, "We are all missionaries.  Wherever we go, we either bring people nearer to Christ, or we repel them from Christ." 

Do my actions serve as a lure or a repellent?

Listen Well

Most of the time when I am listening to someone else talk, I am directing at least half of my attention toward what I will say next instead of in trying to understand what the speaker is saying.  This can cause a problem.

Not many people speak just to hear the sound of their own voices.  Rather, they say things in order to get their point across, to be understood and to be heard.  If I am not listening with the goal of understanding but am instead focusing on what I have to say, people will lose their trust in me as a listener.  No one, including my family members, will come to me for comfort during a time of trouble and I will have lost the opportunity to point them to God for encouragement, wisdom and peace.

James 1:17 instructs me to be, "quick to listen, slow to speak. . ."  It's so easy to give advice, counseling others on how they should handle their problems.  But my greatest need is to be understood.  Sometimes, the help I am so quick to offer is not really desired.  

It's like what Philip Stanhope, the Earl of Chesterfield said during the 1700's.  "Many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request."

My desire to hear and understand others will serve to draw people nearer to Christ.

Slow to Anger

Laurence J. Peter, 20th Century educator and author of the Peter Principle, said, "Speak when you're angry--and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret."

I have regretted many a speech in my lifetime.  James not only advised in James 1 to focus more on listening to others, but he also said to be, "slow to get angry.  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." (v19-20)

Anger can rise up when my rights have been violated, when my expectations haven't been met or when I've been hurt.  Once anger rises, self-control and rational thought go out the window.  No good can come out of anger of this kind.

If my life is going to serve as a beacon of light in a dark world, I must let go of my selfish desire to be treated with respect by all people, for my expectations to always be met and for my feelings to never be hurt.  Focusing on me and my desires makes for an easily angered person.  Focusing on God and His master plan puts things into perspective and gives me a better outlook.  

My desire to see situations in the light of God's plan will dissipate anger and serve to draw people to Christ.

Control the Tongue

When I was a child, my neighbor let my sister and I ride their horse, "Pawny."  She was a bit ornery, but we had fun just the same.  It always amazed me how we could control this giant beast by placing a tiny bit in her mouth.  She may not want to go where we led her, but she gladly complied once the pressure was placed on her sensitive mouth through the bit .

In the same way my tongue is, "a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.  Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." (James 3:5)  Words are important; they can either be used to build up or to tear down.  

As powerful as the tongue is, it can be controlled. James claimed that, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." (James 1:26)  All the work I do, all the knowledge and wisdom I attain, all the sermons I preach with my life can be undone by a loose and destructive tongue.

Many times I think controlling my tongue is out of the question, but I must consider the words of the angel Gabriel, "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37)

God will give me the power to control my tongue so that other's will be drawn nearer to Christ.

My actions speak louder than words.  As I live my life in front of others as a testimony of God's love, may I learn to be a good listener, be slow to anger, and trust God for the strength to control my tongue.  In these ways, my life will serve as a lure, drawing others to Christ.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will trust in you to protect me instead of thinking I need to defend myself, consequently using my tongue in destructive ways.

How do focus on getting my thoughts across more than trying to understand another's ideas?

How does my tongue set a fire, damaging those I love the most?

Know Him

" ' 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.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,

and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.' "

Jeremiah 29:11-13

I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of 12.  For the next 15 years, not much changed in my life.  Don't get me wrong, I went to church every Sunday where I learned what it meant to follow Jesus.  I read the Bible on a regular basis.  I prayed.  But these were all rituals. . . duties I could check off my list once finished.  These were things that were expected for a good Christian to do. Right?

It depends.  The thing about my life is that God was not a part of all these rituals.  Sure, I knew He was there and that He was the main character in this story I was learning as I read the Bible, but I didn't know Him personally, like I knew my sister, or my parents, or my friends.  He was this benevolent Being that was there, but separate from me in some way.

As I grew up, got married and began the job of raising a family of my own, my sister sent me a book called, "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby and Claude King.  God used that Bible study to transform my mind and teach me about walking with Him on a personal level.  I learned that God is at work all around me and it is up to me whether I'll be a part of what He's doing, or just watch as a spectator on the sidelines.  I began to choose to participate, and my life has never been the same!

Hope for the Future

The first thing I noticed was that I sensed this excitement within me as I looked for evidence of God working around me.  I was getting to know the One with the plan for my life!  His plan was to give me hope and a future.  As I went through my day, raising my four daughters who were all in diapers at the time, I sensed a meaning in the drudgery.  Being there for my triplet daughters and their older sister was a part of a plan that God had for my life! 

Knowing there is a purpose gives me hope.  It means there is a blueprint that will give rise to a magnificent structure that no man can destroy.  It means every diaper I change, every runny nose I wipe, every shoe that I tie (and retie) is a part of that plan and serves a purpose in the scheme of God's blueprint!  It is not mindless drudgery as I so easily can think.  It is vital, necessary and crucial to the plan God has for me.  As David said in Psalm 39:7, "But now Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in you." 

Getting to know the God who has the plan for my life gives me a sense of hope for a meaningful future.

Prayers are Heard

After I committed my life to getting to know God in a more intimate way, I noticed my prayers were different.  Instead of an empty habit or practice, it became a two-way conversation.  I knew my prayers were being heard by the Almighty God, and I was sensing His presence in a whole new way.  I had always known He was there, but now it was as if He was sitting beside me and we were talking.  

Jesus described this personal way of talking to God as a relationship between a Father and son.  He said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)  He then goes to explain that as much as an earthly father gives good things to his son, our heavenly Father will give so much more to those who ask.

This is not to say that God is a vending machine, but that He is a loving Father who listens to our prayers and responds in a very real way.  David enjoyed a close relationship with God, and he put it this way.  "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)  As I grow closer to God and take pleasure in getting to know Him, He will transform my heart to be more in tune with His.  

Getting to know God opens up a whole new way to pray as I become more in sync with Him.

Seek His Will

Growing up, I could never understand my parents and why they did the things they did.  When I became a parent, I could appreciate the decisions they made as they did what was best for their children.  It never seemed quite fair as a child, but when I became familiar with the role of parenting, my perspective changed.

This transformation process takes place as I grow closer to God.  I read in Romans 12 that I can either conform to the pattern of this world, or I can choose to "be transformed by the renewing of (my) mind. Then (I) will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (v2)

As I learn more about God and His ways, I can put those words into action, or I can let them sit on the page.  If I trust God at His Word and allow Him to change me, I will begin to recognize what He is doing all around me.  I will begin to see things with new eyes as I identify His work in the everyday things of life, and my life will take on new meaning.

Getting to know God gives me an opportunity to learn how to recognize His will for my life.  

As a Christian, I can either go through the motions, or I can go deeper.  If I choose the latter, I will discover a sense of hope for a meaningful future, a rich and fruitful prayer life, and a greater awareness of God's will for my life.  Walking with Christ is as significant as I make it.  I want to know Him today even more than I did yesterday!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will seek God with all of my heart.  Then I know that I will find Him.

How do I go through the motions of what I think I should do without ever going deeper?

Am I in a relationship with a living God or a part of a religion filled with rituals and routines?

  

All I Need

"By his divine power, 

God has given us everything we need 

for living a godly life.  

We have received all of this by coming to know him, 

the one who called us to himself 

by means of his marvelous glory and excellence."

2 Peter 1:3

There are a lot of things I think I need.  I believe I cannot survive without my favorite beverage, or a special pillow to lay my head on at night, or a much loved television show, or a treasured heirloom.  While all of these things certainly make life a little more comfortable, meaningful and enjoyable, life is not meant to be about my contentment.

Whereas I do believe God wants us to enjoy life and His creation, I don't think I am called to go after comfort, for it can easily become an idol.  As soon as I place a thing, a belief or a relationship in the category of "need," it has become something I will have a hard time giving up.  And anything I hold onto as necessary for life has taken on more importance than Jesus.  He is all I truly need.

There is a pastor in Iran named Youcef Nadarkhani who understands this truth.  He is reported to have received a final execution order for his unwillingness to recant his faith in Jesus Christ and instead place his trust in Allah.  Youcef knows Jesus as his personal Savior.  As a result, he is willing to lay down his life for his Friend because Jesus is more valuable than his very life.

What do I gain by coming to know Jesus in such an intimate way?

Life

Jesus called Himself the gate, or the only way to gain entry to eternal life, as recorded in the Gospel of John chapter 10. He said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (v 10b)

My life does not meet God's standard of perfect obedience to His law.  In this way, I am a sinner who earns death for my disobedience.  But out of His great love for me, God offers life through faith in Jesus Christ.  When He died on the cross, He willingly took the punishment for my sins, giving me a second chance at life.  Instead of facing the death penalty, I now look forward to an abundant life both here and in eternity.  

With the hope of heaven firmly within my grasp, what else do I need?

Purpose

"What is the meaning of life?"  Philosophers have been trying to answer this question for all time.  Plato believed meaning came from attaining the highest form of knowledge.  Aristotle thought a meaningful life came by doing everything with the goal of doing good while Aristippus of Cyrene believed pleasure was the supreme good so true meaning came from fulfilling one's immediate gratification. 

While these truth-seekers came across some interesting philosophies, they all fell short in the end.  True meaning cannot be found apart from the One who created me.  In order to find my purpose, I must ask my Creator.

It's like the mystery icon on the dashboard of my Yukon.  I cannot for the life of me figure out what purpose the symbol serves using my own understanding, intellect and reasoning.  I must go to the manufacturer of my vehicle to learn the purpose for which this icon was created. 

God tells me in Jeremiah 29:11 that He is the one who knows the plans for my life, and despite what I am going through right now, those plans give me hope and a future.  Not only is He the author of the blueprint for my life, but for the lives of every human.  David's prayer found in Psalm 86:9 reveals the purpose for my life.  "All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name." 

I am here to to glorify God; for every part of my life to showcase His attributes and point to Him.

With such a clear purpose for my life, what else do I need?

Peace 

Many young women who have competed in beauty pageants like to cite the elusive "World Peace," as their goal for humanity.  Likewise, the Nobel Peace Prize was created with the goal of rewarding those who do the most work toward promoting peace between nations.  Peace is a noble goal, but where peace is really needed is within one's self.

Freedom from strife and turmoil can only be found in relationship with Jesus.  He said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

With the peace that passes understanding guarding my heart and mind, what else do I need? 

There are many things I think I need, but when it comes down to it, the only thing I truly need is a relationship with Jesus.  Through Him I receive salvation, a sense of purpose and a peace that cannot be explained.  He truly has given me all that I need!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will redefine the meaning of the word "need."

What things am I holding onto so tightly that I cannot get a good grip of Jesus?

What hinders the peace Jesus has given me?

Going the Distance

"And whatever you do, 

whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Colossians 3:17

"Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

 Who, being in very nature God, 

   did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 

 but made himself nothing, 

   taking the very nature of a servant. . ."

Philippians 2:5-7a

I have heard it said that, "No good deed goes unpunished."  While it may sometimes seem this way, this sentiment is more of a cry of frustration when I do things for the wrong reasons than an adage by which to live.

As a follower of Christ, I can choose to do things out of "Christian duty," or obligation or to fulfill an expectation others have for me.  It's almost as if I'm carrying out the work in accordance with a job description for Christians that could go something like this.  "Love others at all times, serve tirelessly, think of others more highly than self, preach the gospel at every opportunity and do it all with a gracious and gentle spirit."

That is a tall order!  While all of those criteria came straight from scripture, I cannot expect to fulfill them in my own strength or out of sheer will.  Jesus reminds me in John 15:5 that I can't do it on my own.  He said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Trying to do things out of my own strength with lead to discouragement, frustration and disappointment.  But there is a better way.

Motivation

Steven Curtis Chapman sings a song which speaks to my desire to do things that matter.  The monotonous, everyday things seem meaningless and doing them day in and day out can lead to feelings of frustration, discontentment and bitterness.  I think, What's the point.  No one cares, no one ever thanks me and I don't think I'm making much of a difference.  

Take a moment to listen to, "Do Everything."

Why do I do the things I do?  If I do them to please others, I will grow increasingly discouraged and may become irritable around those I am serving.  

If, instead, I do it out of a love for God, seeking to please Him in all that I do, there will be peace and contentment in my heart.  I want to be able to say, as the Apostle Paul did in Galatians 1:10, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

If my motivation for doing all the things that must be done in life is to please God, I will not grow discouraged.

Expectations

As a wife and mother, I have a lot of expectations.  Some of them are reasonable, some are excessive.  All, however, are completely mine.

During my husband's Army career, our family moved to Germany.  As part of the preparation for this transfer, we received a packet of information about the country in which we'd be living.  Knowing what to expect was very helpful and made for an easier transition.

Expectations influence my attitude.  Paul explained in Philippians 2:5-7 (see above) how I can improve my attitude and keep from becoming frustrated when my expectations regarding how I should be treated are not met.  Knowing what to expect from others is beneficial.

Jesus is God the Son, creator of heaven and earth and worthy of all praise.  In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.  (Philippians 2:9-11)  If He came to earth as a human and expected to be treated as a lowly servant, to be spat upon and treated like dirt, how can I as a sinful human who is the enemy of God without the blood of Jesus expect better treatment?  

If my expectation is for others to treat me as Jesus was treated instead of demanding respect and regard, then I will not be disappointed

Attitude

William Bennett, conservative politician and writer said, "There are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes."  The way I see myself and my lot in life influences my outlook.  Knowing that God has located me in the position I now hold, placed specific people around me according to His plan and gave me the responsibilities that sometimes feel overwhelming can change my attitude.  

Everything happens for a reason and there is no such thing as a fluke.  If I believe this, my attitude will be one of thankful acceptance.

There is a lot of work to be done, as Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." (Luke 10:2)  But how long I last out in the field depends upon my motivation for doing the work, and my expectation in how I will be treated.   Both result in an attitude that can either make me or break me.  

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can do everything to please God, not to make myself look good or to meet others expectations for me.

How does my attitude quickly take a nose dive as I am met with unforeseen difficulties?  

How does my expectation that others will treat me with respect show a desire to glorify myself instead of God?

Strength in the Wait

"Wait on the LORD: 

be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the LORD."

Psalm 27:14 KJV

It's hard for me to sit still while I'm waiting.  If I'm waiting for a ride to pick me up, I set up surveillance out the window, pacing around the house, watching the clock.  If I'm in line waiting for my turn at the checkout, I keep my eyes busy, taking in everything around me.  I try to hold a conversation, but it is hard to concentrate as I wait. It seems like the act of waiting brings about a spirit of restlessness within me.  I consider waiting to be a negative thing.

In God's book, however, waiting is a good thing. He tells us in Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) that, ". . . they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  

Waiting produces strength.

I may be waiting for healing, a heart to soften, circumstances to change or my acceptance of those circumstances to develop.  I could be waiting for deliverance, answers or understanding.  Sometimes I'm waiting for help, release from a difficult situation or to see a sliver of light piercing through the darkness.  

Whatever I'm waiting for, God will use it to strengthen me.

Heart

It's easy to feel discouraged, especially when hard things keep happening in my life. I feel like quitting, giving up and letting go.  But God has a plan, and keeping this in mind helps to give me hope.  As long as I'm alive, there's always hope!

It reminds me of a story I read about former Governor of New York Mario Cuomo.  When he was a child, a 40-ft Blue Spruce from his family's yard was uprooted during a storm.  As it lay in the street, his family despaired. All, that is, except Mario's father who rallied them together to lash ropes around the tree and, as a tiny band of five warriors, strained to right the tree.  With the strength of his father's determination, they came together and accomplished the amazing feat of replanting that tree where it still stands to this day!  

It would probably never occur to me that a large tree like that could be stood up and have the chance to grow again.  Maybe this is part of the reason I lose heart; I fail to see the possibilities.  My vision is too short.  My expectations are low. 

When Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel as recorded in Luke 1, she asked how she would become pregnant since she was a virgin.  The messenger explained how God's spirit would come upon her and that, "Nothing is impossible with God." (v 37)

Remembering God's sovereign power works to encourage me and give me hope.

My heart can be strengthened when I remember that with God, the sky's the limit and anything is possible.  

Faith

I can buy creams that claim to firm my skin, conditioning treatments that promise to strengthen the hair, and toothpastes that declare their ability to fortify the tooth and rebuild enamel.  All of these assertions go against science which tells me that growth only occurs from the inside out.  Very little, if anything, can be done to strengthen these tissues with topical applications.

It's the same with my faith.  It takes training to grow my faith, not an application of truths from the outside.  Simply reading about or learning of God's Word will not grow my faith.  Instead, it must be tested through trials and difficulties when I get the opportunity to trust what I've learned about God.  Will He really deliver?  Can I trust Him with my life?  Does He love me?  All of these questions will be answered as I struggle through the hard times at His side. 

 My faith is strengthened through the training found in life's trials.

Resolve

We live in a culture where it's easy to fade into the background and fail to stand for anything.  There are so many voices telling me that all religions are the same, marriage takes on many different forms, or there really is no such thing as truth.  

As a follower of the Truth, I know there is only one Way to God, that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and that Jesus is the Truth. 

Paul encourages me to, ". . .stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)  Since I know I have the hope of heaven and the resurrection, there is nothing to fear in this life.  I have everything to look forward to through faith in Christ.  I should live this life with abandon, determining to do my best to stand firm for what is important.

My resolve is strengthened when I remember to what I have to look forward.

Waiting on the Lord is difficult.  Sometimes I'd rather take matters into my own hands and speed things up a bit.  But if I do wait on Him, I will be encouraged with the power of God's sovereignty,  I will learn that God can be trusted as I struggle through the trials, and I will stand firm as I keep in mind the eternal reward that awaits me.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will remember the value that comes with waiting patiently.

How do I show my disdain for waiting by the way I choose to wait?

In what ways can I choose to take a stand for God in a culture that disregards His Truth? 

God Values Me

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? 

Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Don’t be afraid; 

you are worth more than many sparrows."

Luke 12:6

Self-esteem.  The quest to build a child's sense of worth is a fairly new concept.  No parent of my parent's generation would have even considered their child's self-worth when deciding how to raise him.  Instead, the parent was more concerned with building character, and instilling a good work ethic and understanding of how they fit into society.  The pursuit of our children's self-esteem has destroyed good parenting sense and the consequences are evident all around us.

I cannot feel good about myself apart from God.  This is because God created me and my sense of value and worth comes from Him, not from myself.  Attempting to build my self-esteem based on my own performance, qualities and traits is futile.  It is like trying to find a speck of light  within the depths of a cave; it can't be found.

David knew his worth to God.  He told God that, "I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back;  I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence.  I look behind me and you're there,  then up ahead and you're there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can't take it all in!" (Psalm 139:1-6 MSG)

Since David knew how much God valued him, he didn't suffer from low self-esteem.  It wasn't because he thought he was so great.  Rather, he knew God was great and loved him as one whom is lovingly created in God's own image.

Because I am aware of God's great love for me, there are a lot of things I don't have to do anymore.

Find My Worth

Irving Berlin, composer of such classics as "God Bless America" and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas," once said that he thinks the songs he wrote which did not become hits are wonderful.  He valued those songs because they came from his heart and were reflections of him.  It mattered not so much whether others liked them, but that the songs were special to him as their author.

It is easy to look at my own life and judge success or self-worth based on the world's values.  How much money do I make?  What is my title?  How many people do I influence?  What neighborhood do I live in?  What kind of car do I drive?

But God does not judge my worth in this way.  Like Mr. Berlin, I am worthy because He created me.  As one of His children, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)

As one made in God's image, I need not look for my worth.  My esteem comes from knowing the One who made me.

Prove my Usefulness

I have spent a lifetime trying to prove my usefulness.  If my mother asked for three of four paper towels, I would make sure to fetch four.  If she needed my help at 3 in the morning, I would rise from my slumber to lend her a helping hand.  I was trying to prove myself to her.

As I grew older, I translated this pattern over into my relationship with God.  I went out of my way to serve in the church, trying to be helpful wherever needed.  When we lived next door to a single mother of four girls, I mowed her lawn each week, just to be helpful.  I tried to do everything I thought I needed to do to prove myself to God. 

Soon, I grew weary and bitter.  No one cared what I was doing!  My neighbor never offered a word of thanks.  Why should I continue putting myself out when no one gives a rip?

I was doing all these "good' things for the wrong reasons.  I did them out of a selfish desire to prove myself useful to God.  As Oswald Chambers said, "It is never a question of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself.  When we are abandoned to God, He works through us all the time."

I was not allowing God to work through me out of my love for Him.  Instead, I was trying to make myself look good to a God who already knows everything about me, including my motives.  I cannot hide from God. 

As one made in God's image, I need not prove my usefulness.  My value comes from loving the One who made me.

Fear

I have many fears.  There is the fear of my true self being discovered by others.  The fear of losing everyone I love.  The fear of pain.  The fear of failure.

As I grow closer in my walk with the Lord through faith in Jesus Christ, I discover that He loves me with a love that can never fade.  As I take this truth to heart, the fears fade.  John explained the kind of love God gives us in 1 John 4:18 (NLT).  "Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love."

Allowing God's love to flood through my being washes all my fears away.  My worth to Him is not based on who I think I need to be, or what I think I need to do.  Instead, my value is found in His great love for me.  

As one made in God's image, I need not fear.  My significance comes from the amazing love God has for me.

Possessing high self-esteem does not guarantee my well-being.  Instead, it usually leads to self-centeredness, a high level of self-awareness and overestimation of self-importance.  

As I understand my worth to the loving God who created me, I can stop trying to find my worth and prove my usefulness as His child.  I can also find the strength to let His love wash away all my fears.  In this way, I will truly realize my value to my Father.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will look to God for my worth.

How do I hang onto the belief that I need to prove myself to God or anyone else?

What fear am I unwilling to surrender to the God who loves me no matter what?