New Life

"'I am the gate;

whoever enters through me will be saved.

They will come in and go out,

and find pasture.

The thief comes only to steal

and kill

and destroy;

I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full."

John 10:9-10

I have missed meeting with you here on Writings on the Doorframe where we dig through God's precious and life-giving Word together.  You see, I have been on an incredible journey of life and love over the past couple of weeks.  Today, it is time to tell the story.

All across the land of the free, there are people who are living in bondage.  This is not a spiritual bondage, although it does touch them spiritually.  It is not an emotional bondage even though their emotions are moved.  Instead, this is a physical form of slavery in which the person is bound to a machine; a contraption that ultimately keeps them alive but also dictates their weekly schedule and restricts their ability to live a life that most of us take for granted.  This slave master is kidney failure, and the shackles are known as dialysis.

While this process of filtering one's blood and essentially doing the job of the kidney by removing waste, salt and extra water, maintaining safe levels of certain chemicals, and helping to control blood pressure does save the patient's life, it is far from flexible.  In order to keep healthy, the patient must endure these four-hour treatments three times a week as well as restrict fluid intake and maintain a healthy diet that restricts salt, potassium and phosphorus.  All in all, the life of someone with kidney failure is not easy.

Journey

Almost a year ago, I began a journey that would lead me through a roller coaster of emotions, but would ultimately give me a greater vision of God's sovereignty and His amazing plan for each of our lives.  It was last year that I first learned that my neighbor, Adrian, was seeking a living donor.  He had been diagnosed with kidney failure and began dialysis about a year-and-a-half before.  As soon as the news of the search came to my attention, I knew in my heart that God wanted me to donate my kidney to him.

Since I was a little girl, I possessed this hidden desire to donate an organ.  I couldn't explain it, and didn't share it with another soul, but I wanted to help someone out in this way.  Once I heard about the plight of this husband of a giving wife and father of two special girls who had grown up in our afterschool program, I began the process to donate my kidney.

After undergoing rigorous testing and being approved as a match for Adrian, we were scheduled for surgery in August.  This, however, proved to be a false start when God suddenly pulled the plug at the last minute due to an antibody Adrian developed toward my blood.  After many tears and prayers, my neighbor and I entered into a kidney exchange program through the MUSC Transplant Center.  

Within a few months, a match was found for my neighbor, and one for me as well.  As part of this complicated network, nine people in all were able to receive new life as part of the chain to which Adrian and I were connected.  My faith grew as I witnessed the better plan God had unveiled.

As a result, I have been recovering from surgery for the past few weeks and have been given a glimpse into the important work many dedicated people do to help save the lives of many every day.  I was also struck by the magnitude of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to give me new life.  When He gave His life on the cross, suffering for hours under the brutal treatment of Roman soldiers whose hearts had grown cold and were accustomed to inflicting pain, He willingly gave of Himself so that I could live.  He exchanged His perfect life for my sinful one.  He took the punishment I earned through my sin so that I could live in relationship with my heavenly Father forever.  This Truth struck me in a fresh way after the surgery.

Sacrifice

As I lay in the hospital bed the first night after surgery, the pain set in.  My attentive nurse had just administered some medication and left me in peace for a time.  As I lay in the dark, listening to my dear husband's even breathing as he slept on the couch beside me, I waited for the pain to subside.  Clutching my pillow, I realized that I'd been wounded in a similar way as had my Savior.  

Instead of suffering alone, however, I'd been meticulously cared for by my husband as well as the medical staff.  My wounds were cleaned and closed, my pain was controlled and I was given every comfort possible to promote my healing.

Jesus, on the other hand, was left to suffer alone as He struggle to breathe while hanging on the cross.  The thousands of lacerations, puncture wounds and abrasions were left to bleed openly.  Every movement increased His pain until He must have nearly fainted from the intensity of it all.  Still, He chose to enter into such an act of sacrifice so that I could live.  So that you could live.  So that all who believe in His precious Name would be saved. (Romans 10:9)

While I did choose to sacrifice my kidney so another may live, it is not this act of surrender and obedience that really matters in the end.  The sacrifice that truly makes a difference in the life of any man or woman is the one that Jesus made as He died a sinner's death.  In so doing, He made a way for each of us to enjoy a full, rich life as we live in relationship with Him.  He also made a way for us to dwell in His presence forever in the eternal home which He is currently preparing for us.  (John 14:2)

Bought

I have met quite a few amazing people over the past year.  Each is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those who are living in the bondage of kidney failure.  None, however, are as dedicated as is Christ to freeing us from the shackles that hold us to our sin nature.  I see these two, kidney donation and Jesus sacrificing His life, as one and the same in many ways.  Both give new life.  Both involve the sacrifice of one for the good of another.  Both are a kind of exchange.

Therefore, as I went through this process, it was always the spiritual new life that was more important to me.  The physical life that would come through the new kidney was merely an illustration of the new spiritual life that I hoped would come as a result.  

Here's my kidney after it was removed from my body and before it was shipped to it's new owner.

I wanted to send this message to the recipient who lives on the other side of the country.

Here is Sara preparing my kidney for transport.  She is my precious kidney coordinator who works hard to hammer out all the details involved with pulling off a successful kidney transplant.  She is a gem!

Here we are the day after surgery: Adrian, Sara and I.

I look forward to meeting with you here at Writings on the Doorframe in the days to come.  It is my hope that what I have shared of my experience touches you in a powerful way as you realize the amazing sacrifice Jesus made so that you can enjoy new life.  This abundant life is similar to what Adrian and countless others are now tasting as they enjoy the benefits paid for by another.   As you walk through each day, taking each breathe in wonder with what God has graciously given to you, may you live with abandon to the Giver of New life:  Jesus Christ our Lord!  

Korah's Rebellion, My Rebellion

"Korah son if Izhar,the son of Kohath, the son of Levi,

and certain Reubenites-- Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab,

and On son of Peleth--

became insolent and rose up against Moses.

With them were 250 Israelite men,

well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.

They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron

and said to them,

'You have gone too far!

The whole community is holy, every one of them,

and the LORD is with them.

Why then do you set yourselves 

above the LORD's assembly?'"

Who do they think they are, anyway?  Moses and Aaron are getting a bit too big for their britches as far as I can see.  Every one of us is chosen by God to belong to Him as His treasured possession, so why do they think they're special? (Exodus 19:4-6)  I mean, they haven't even done what they've promised. . . we have not entered the land promised to us by God.  They just seem to be jerking us around.

These could have been the thoughts of the man who led the lethal rebellion that resulted in the death of him and two of his buddies, their families, 250 of their followers as well as an additional 14,700 who continued to rebel even after a frightening display of God's sovereign power and who ultimately met their own brutal demise. (Numbers 16)

Korah made the foolish mistake of wanting more than what the LORD had provided.  He was given the important job of caring for the holy things of the Tabernacle, along with the rest of the Kohathites, but he grew jealous of the position in which God had placed Moses.  He mistakenly believed Moses had elevated himself to his position of leadership.

While this seems like quite a bold and treacherous claim to make, I can often make the same kind of mistake.

Perspective

"Women will not achieve full equality until every woman can pursue her dreams free from discrimination.  NOW declared full support for same-sex marriage in 1995, claiming that the choice of marriage is a fundamental constitutional right under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment that should not be denied because of a person's sexual orientation.  Feminism is rooted in freedom, independence and love.  Lesbian women should be able to marry their partner and be entitled to the same rights as their heterosexual sisters."  (Equal Marriage NOW: Talking Points)

Almost any behavior can be justified along the lines of rights or a sense of fairness.  The above statement is taken directly from the National Organization for Women's website and reflects their deceptive practice of using our desire to extend the same civil liberties and privileges equally to all people as a weapon that is destroying marriage as God defined it.  Unfortunately, these zealous rebels miss the point as far as I'm concerned.  Instead of arguing about who has the right to get married, the question that should be asked is, who has the right to define marriage?

Modern society is extremely concerned with rights.  Rights to bear arms.  Rights to speak freely.  Rights to live as I see fit.  If I take this worldly perspective and try to apply it to God's kingdom, I will run into trouble.  There are many things God teaches that seem unfair to me.  There is much in His Word that flies in the face of my selfish sin nature.  There is a lot that I have a hard time reconciling to my own way of thinking.

And herein lies the rub.  Either I accept God's ways and fall into line with what He expects from me, or I rebel against Him and go my own way.  I can't get my way and follow God at the same time.  I can't look out for my rights and follow God at the same time.  I can't focus on my desires and follow God at the same time.  

By the way, understanding is not a pre-requisite for obedience. (Proverbs 3:5-6) I have always had a hard time obeying an order or request if I don't understand the purpose for that command.  This gets me in trouble when dealing with governmental requirements because they often don't make sense to me.  It also, however, gets me in trouble with God because His ways and thoughts are so much higher than mine; I can't possibly expect to comprehend His line of thinking or His reasons for doing things!  (Isaiah 55:8-9)

My walk with Christ, then, is deeply rooted in a need to submit.  I must surrender my rights to myself over to God, allow the people He has placed in authority over me to lead me, and bow to His will in my life.  This continual act of submission flies in the face of my sin nature as well as to what the culture around me asserts.

I am in danger of rebelling against God and His chosen leaders when I insist on preserving my own fleshly, worldly perspective.

Jealousy

"Keeping up with the Joneses."  This well-known idiom describes a mindset where I work to match the lifestyle of my friends and neighbors.  It is easy, when living in such a materialistic society, to get caught up in this way of life.  I visit a friend's home, admiring her sense of style and decor, and suddenly find myself discontent with my own perfectly comfortable and adequate home.  All at once, what I have doesn't seem like enough.

I often find this same principle at work in my spiritual life as well.  God has given me gifts meant to build up the body of Christ.  Instead of being content with the jobs He has granted me to do, my eye wanders to what my sister or brother in Christ are accomplishing.  I then find myself desiring their gifts, trying to mimic their ministries, or nosing in on their area of responsibility.

While God has supernaturally gifted me with the ability to serve His people in specific ways, I may feel inadequate, uninterested, or displeased with His choice for me.  Other times I may want more than what He has given me, feeling slighted or unfulfilled in my role.  Then there are times when I simply feel insecure with the position in which He has placed me.  Whatever the reason, any time I don't serve where God has placed me, the Body of Christ suffers.                  (1 Corinthians 12:11, 14, 18)

I am in danger of rebelling against God and His Church when I am not satisfied with what God has given to me.

Justification

She walked the neighborhood, going door-to-door to try to drum up support for her cause.  When she came to my home, I quickly dismissed her quest for a following.  I refused to jump on her bandwagon, choosing instead to defend the woman this neighbor so stubbornly insisted on slandering.  

We all can recall a time when we've been hurt by another.  Sometimes it's a close friend whose words or actions cut deeply, other times it's an acquaintance, co-worker or relative who wounds.  Whatever the source, we've all suffered at the hand of another.

When I take this hurt and do as my neighbor did, seeking to garner support for my desire to pay back, I can be assured that I am in the wrong.  If I need to gather a following in order to give me a sense of justification, then I had better examine my motivation.  Am I seeking revenge?  Am I trying to defend my own position?  Am I concerned only with my reputation?

When living life together with other believers, there will be times when my toes are stepped on, my rights are violated, and my feelings are hurt.  The question to always ask is, does this bring dishonor to God?  If it's only me that is offended and I feel the need to build a following before trying to work it out with my brother or sister, I most likely have the wrong motivation.  In other words, if I need to rally support in order to rationalize my defense, it's probably me whose been wronged, not God. 

I am in danger of rebelling against God and His family when I sense a need to justify my own position.

God took drastic measures to end the revolt led by Korah.  His greed and jealousy cost the lives of many, but my own desire for more than what God has given me has a similar price.  Therefore, I would be wise to keep a godly perspective, guard against discontent, and examine my heart when feeling slighted by a brother or sister.  In these ways, I'll avoid building a rebellion of my own.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus to avoid lusting after more than what God has graciously given to me.  

How am I concerned with my own rights more than I focus on obedience to God and His ways?

When do I feel jealous of what others have?

The Profile of a Pharisee

"While the Israelites were in the wilderness,

a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. . .

Then the LORD said to Moses,

'The man must die.

The whole assembly must stone him

outside the camp.'"

Numbers 15:32,35

His hand was useless, hanging limply by his side, unable to perform even the simplest of tasks.  Suddenly, Jesus was there.  "Stand up in front of everyone."  The man looked around.  Is He talking to me? the man wondered.

Meanwhile, the Pharisees were lurking in the shadows, watching Jesus intently, hoping He would heal the man so they could nail Him for working on the Sabbath.  Jesus, however, knew their thoughts and intentions.

"Which would be lawful; to do good or evil, to save life or to kill?"  No one knew what to say, but anger burned within the heart of the Healer as He surveyed their stubborn hearts.  "Stretch out your hand,"  Jesus said, and then He restored the man's hand to normal.  It was then that the Pharisees knew they must kill Jesus, and they plotted how they could do such a thing.  (Paraphrased from Mark 3:1-6)

Reading this Gospel account of the healing of a broken man, it's hard to understand why the Pharisees would be so zealous when it came to enforcing the Sabbath law.  In the context of the Old Testament passage found in today's reading, however, it's easy to see why they might have become so obsessed with this pursuit.  In their effort to protect people from the righteous wrath of God, the law grew to be more important than people.

I must be careful to avoid this same pitfall and myself become like the Pharisees in the way I think.  In an effort to uphold God's standard, I could end up missing the point.

Sin

The debate over homosexuality rages as followers of Jesus struggle to know how to handle such an affront to God's holiness.  While God is pretty clear about how He views this practice, believers don't agree on where to stand when it comes to the Gay community. (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Take a hard stand and ban practicing homosexuals from church as a way to honor God and His righteousness?  Let them worship side-by-side with others in an effort to show God's grace?  Welcome them wholeheartedly, even to the point of placing them in positions of leadership so as to demonstrate our shared sinful nature and how God can use anyone to accomplish His will?

While I'm not here to debate the issue of homosexuality in the Church, I do think this dilemma brings up a good point.  It is easy to get to the place where I am quick to condemn sin but slow to extend grace and let the truth of the Gospel convict another.

When Jesus was faced with a similar problem in the Jewish Temple, He handled it in a way that surprised everyone.  The Jewish leaders brought in a woman who was caught committing adultery, according to the Law.  As she stood before the group, these leaders said to Jesus, "Teacher, here is a woman who was caught in the act of adultery.  According to the Law of Moses, she must be stoned.  What do you say?"

Instead of responding, Jesus bent down and wrote in the dirt at their feet.  The men looked at each other, perplexed.  "Did you hear us?  What shall we do?  The Law is clear on this point!"  Slowly, Jesus stood up.  "Whoever is without sin can throw the first stone."  Then, He squatted down and again wrote in the dusty soil.

These pompous men lowered their heads.  The fight left their bodies and slowly, one by one, they dropped their stones and left, knowing that not one of them was completely innocent.  When all the accusers had left, Jesus stood and faced the woman.  "What, no one condemned you to death?"

"No one, sir."

"Then neither do I.  Go and leave your life of sin."

(paraphrased from John 8:3-11)

God did not send His precious Son down into this broken, darkened world to find us guilty.  Rather, He came to save us from the death penalty our sins earned. (John 3:17)  Therefore, I should likewise be in the business of loving people enough to share the Truth of the gospel in love, leaving the job of convicting to God.  The salvation of each individual person is what I must find important, not the kind of sin by which they are enslaved.

When I am quick to condemn sin but slow to extend grace, I am in danger of becoming like the Pharisees.

Revenge

The Pharisee invited Jesus to dine in his home.  As He reclined at His host's table, a woman approached Jesus from behind, weeping deeply.  Jesus had changed her life as she listened to His teachings, encouraging her to turn from her sinful ways and walk on the path of life.  Her gratitude was deeply felt and she looked for a way to honor Him for what He had done in her heart.

She bent and, through the tears, kissed His feet, wiping them with her hair.  Then, she produced an alabaster jar of perfume with which she proceeded to anoint His feet.  Meanwhile, Simon, the host, looked on in disgust.  If this man whom I showed kindness to by inviting Him to my table really was a prophet, He would know what kind of a woman it was who made such a shameful display, he thought, clucking his tongue.

Knowing his thoughts, Jesus addressed His host.  "Simon, suppose there were two men who owed a certain lender some money.  One owed a year-and-a-half worth of wages, while the other owed about a months' worth.  Since neither had the means with which to pay him back, the lender forgave both the debts.  Who do you think would love him more?"

"Probably the one whose debt was larger,"  Simon replied.

"Exactly, "  Jesus replied. "Ever since I came to your home, this woman has washed my feet with her tears and liberally covered them with kisses while anointing me with perfume.  You, however, did not even extend the courtesy to wash my feet, give me a kiss of greeting or anoint my head with oil.  Her great love shows how her sins have been forgiven.  Whoever has been forgiven little, loves little."  (Paraphrased from Luke 7:36-50)

Simon was quick to want God's wrath to fall on this "sinful woman," believing in his heart that she was deserving of punishment.  He did not, however, understand the darkness of his own heart and thus his own need for forgiveness.  

There is no doubt that I live in a dark world where sin runs rampant and God and His ways are consistently trampled upon.  It is easy, then, for me to develop a callousness against those who are caught up in the trap of the devil, believing the lies that sound so good to their sin nature and who are living to please themselves. (2 Timothy 2:25-26) Instead, I must understand the heart of God and His desire for each of His children to turn from their wicked ways and be saved.  He is never slow to deliver judgement, but rather merciful.  (2 Peter 3:8-9)

When I am quick to call for God to unleash His fury against a sinful world, I am in danger of becoming like the Pharisees.

Control

Jesus delivered the man who had been living in darkness since birth.  Once he could see, the Pharisees questioned him.  "How is it that you've been healed from your blindness?"

"The man they call Jesus put mud on my eyes and asked me to wash in the Pool of Siloam.  Once I did, I could see."

The Pharisees began to argue among each other, some claiming He could not be from God since He healed on the Sabbath, others acknowledging the miracle He performed.  They asked the former blind man what he thought.

"He must be a prophet."

These leaders questioned the parents and the man, trying to prove Jesus' guilt.  All they could conclude, however, was that a man once blind, now could see.  Still, they were determined to convict Jesus in some way.  When they later encountered Jesus, He told them they were the ones were truly suffered from blindness.  (paraphrased from John 9)

These Pharisees were convinced that they stood on the side of God, believing it was their job to convict those who opposed them.  Unfortunately, they had it backwards.  It was they who were guilty and completely oblivious to this fact.

I easily fall into the same trap, leading a crusade against what I judge as wrong yet completely blind to the ways I am fighting against God.  Instead of pointing the finger at others, then, I would be wise to pay more attention to the three fingers pointing back at me.  When I focus on submitting to God's leading in my life, I will be less likely to notice the sins of others.  

Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs me to not depend on my own understanding or way of thinking, but to completely submit to God's will in every area of my life.  This means that when I come up against a godly teaching that doesn't make sense to me, I must go against my own thinking and embrace what God is showing me.  When I do this, He'll make it clear where to go from there.  If I don't, however, I'll end up going out on my own, against God.

When I am quick to follow my own lead, essentially rejecting God's,  I am in danger of becoming like the Pharisees.

When I read about the Pharisees in the New Testament, it is clear how they oppose God and His ways.  I could never imagine acting in such a way, I tend to think.  In reality, however, I am always at risk of reverting to their way of thinking.  Therefore, I must value sinners above the need to condemn the sin, forgive liberally while resisting the urge to enact revenge on a dark world, and submit to God's leadership instead of insisting on doing what seems right to me.  In these ways, I'll guard against the tendency to live like a Pharisee.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can be sensitive to my sinful ways, thus realizing my need for God's mercy.

How do I focus more on the sins of others instead of my own?

When do I desire to take the lead against the sin around me instead of submitting to God's authority?  

Too Little, Too Late

Early the next morning they set out for the highest point

in the hill country, saying,

'Now we are ready to go up to the land the LORD promised.

Surely we have sinned!'"

Numbers 14:40

The land promised to them by God was filled with good things; grapes larger than they could ever imagine, luscious pomegranates, scrumptious figs.  All in all, it was just as God had said:  It was a land flowing with milk and honey.  

Unfortunately, it was also a land occupied by imposing giants, powerful tribes of threatening people and fortified cities.  In light of the bad news, the Israelites chose to ignore the good news and forget the power of the Almighty, His constant presence and faithful deliverance.  They chose to grumble against Moses and Aaron, blaming them for leading them to this place where they would surely die.  (Numbers 13-14)

The Israelites saw the error of their ways and attempted to go to this land promised to them by their faithful God.  They decided it would be better for them to obey later rather than never.  God, however, had already struck down the men who had come back with the bad report and declared that the rest of the unfaithful, wicked community would never set foot in the promised land. (Numbers 14:36-38)  Their show of faith was too little and came too late.

How often I do the same.  I know God wants me to trust Him, yet the cares of this world get in the way.  How can I avoid stubbornly taking advantage of God's grace by refusing to accept the good He has for me now, even if that good seems to be wrapped up in a package of suffering, hard times and difficulty?

Stop Complaining

Murphy's Law is a 20th Century saying that states simply, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong."  This pessimistic point-of-view often frequented my lips as I navigated life with little faith and a worldly mindset.  As I grew closer to God, however, He showed me that my focus on the negative was a form of complaining.  I completely missed all the good because I concentrated so much on the bad.

It is easy to get caught up in a cycle of grumbling.  I live in a fallen world that is filled with difficulties and hard times.  When I choose to see only the negative, however, I am completely missing all the good that God has placed all around me.

I fall sick and I wonder if I'll ever catch a break, thinking only about the work I'll miss or the ministries I'll let down in my absence.  Meanwhile, I'm missing the point that God is forcing me to slow down and take some time to rest from my hectic schedule.  Instead of rejoicing in the fact that I have a Father who looks out for my welfare, I whine and moan about my so-called bad luck.

Other times I may struggle with paying the bills, feeling sorry for myself that I work so hard but can barely eke out a living.  Meanwhile, I'm missing the faith-building opportunity to trust my Father who knows my needs and provides in ways that reveals His power and sovereignty.  (Matthew 6:32-33)  Instead of praising God for His good provision, I object to living in a constant state of strain.

Then there are the times I seem to be living in a perpetual state of grieving as I lose one loved one after another.  I wonder what God has against me that He would take so many away at once.  Meanwhile, I'm missing the chance to experience the comfort only the Father of compassion can give as I rest in His loving arms.  (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)  Instead of soaking in His grace and mercy so that I can later use it to comfort others who are suffering, I complain about my bad state of affairs.

True faith sees the good that comes from God mixed in with all the bad.

Stop Assuming

She had never seen things happen this way.  The angel told her she would bear a child, but she had never been with a man.  It would have been easy for Mary to doubt the angel Gabriel's message based on her past experience and knowledge of how things usually work.  Instead, she believed the Word sent straight from God and trusted that everything would happen as the angel had said it would.  (Luke 1:26-38)

I often jump to conclusions, assuming if something seems impossible, then it won't happen.  If the doctor says there is no hope, I tend to agree with him, forgetting that I worship a God of the impossible.  (Matthew 6:26)  

If I watch my child travel down a road headed away from the Lord, I may think he's never coming back, forgetting that I worship a God who specializes in changing hearts.  (Ezekiel 36:26)  

If I lose my dream job, it's hard for me to imagine there could be anything better, forgetting that I worship a God who holds the blueprint of my life in His hands.  (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

True faith sees a way where there seems to be none.

Stop Fearing

She lived in a constant state of fear, worrying about the safety of her children, fretting over the darkness of this world, refusing to submit to God's calling to use her in a way that took her out of her comfort zone.  Fear paralyzed this woman to the point where God no longer ruled her life.

I live in a world with much to fear.  Terrorists seek to destroy freedom-loving people everywhere.  Killers hunt for their next victim.  Rapists stalk unsuspecting women.  Financial ruin threatens my sense of security.  If I'm not careful, fear can hamper my faith, rendering me useless in God's kingdom.

Instead, I can choose to believe that if God is for me, who could be against me? (Romans 8:31) Many could try to thwart my efforts, or steal my peace, or stand in my way, but God is bigger than all.  Even my Enemy whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy has no power against the One who created him out of nothing.  (John 10:10)

We were not created to live in fear.  (Romans 8:14-15)  Instead, we were made to walk with our Shepherd who loves us and will never let us come to ruin.  (Psalm 23, Psalm 55:22)  While Satan loves it when I am paralyzed by fear, God gave me a spirit of power, love and self-discipline to propel me through the darkness.  (2 Timothy 1:7)  I must choose to walk in this strength, however;  it does not come naturally to my weak and lowly flesh to turn away from the temptation to fear.

True faith sees only God's power and sovereignty in the midst of a world filled with frightening possibilities.

The Israelites were standing on the cusp of the Promised Land, so close to grabbing hold of the good things God had stored up for His people.  Instead, they chose to doubt, complaining and grumbling about the hardship of the path God had chosen for them.  When they finally did agree to comply, their feeble attempts to obey after the fact were too little, too late.  To avoid falling into this same trap, I must be careful to walk by faith, looking for the good mixed in with the bad, believing there is a way when circumstances seem impossible to navigate, and seeing only the hand of my mighty God in the midst of a dark and scary world.  In these ways, I will walk by faith not by sight, and please my Father who is always by my side.  

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to turn away from fear.

When do I make it a habit to live in a state of ingratitude by feeling sorry for myself?

How am I revealing my lack of faith by losing hope too soon?