No Neutral Ground

"He who is not with me is against me,

and he who does not gather with me, scatters.

When an evil spirit comes out of a man,

it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.

Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.'

When it arrives,

 it finds the house swept clean and put in order.

Then it goes and takes seven other spirits

more wicked than itself,

and they go in and live there.

And the final condition of that man

is worse than the first."

Luke 11:23-26

Sweden has long been known as a neutral country, refusing to take one side or the other but simply staying out of any conflicts or wars.  Today this philosophy is spilling over into the social realm as many Swedes are pushing for a gender-neutral government and society.  This year they have added a new pronoun into their official online version of the National Encyclopedia to be used as a gender-neutral replacement for "he" or "she."  "Hen" is now the preferred pronoun to be used to refer to a person without specifying their gender.  

While these progressive Swedes have deceived themselves into thinking gender does not matter, their foolishness does not change the Truth. God created man in His own image and made a distinction between males and females.  To God, gender does matter.  (Genesis 1:27)

This is how God operates.  There is truth and then there is falsehood.  There is right and there is wrong.  There is male and there is female.  While the world likes to try to convince us that there is a neutral ground or a gray area, God says otherwise.  Either I am working with Jesus, or I am working against Him.  I'm on His side, or I'm on the Enemy's.  I'm furthering the Kingdom of God, or I'm hampering His work.

I don't like to think of myself as working against God, but there are several ways in which I do just that.

Clean it Up

A friend of mine is trying to quit smoking.  She is finding out that there are a lot of different programs, treatments and methods available to help her stop this destructive and unhealthy habit.  While she wants to quit, she knows from past experience that it is virtually impossible to expect success from anything that resembles cutting out the nicotine cold-turkey:  It is beyond her own strength and ability to withstand the resulting side-effects.

It's like this with any bad habit or routine.  I may have the desire to stop cursing and resolve to never again utter a four-letter word, but the moment I'm weak and temptation strikes, I'm prone to going back to my old ways.

My attempts to try to clean up my act and behave more "Christian-like" work against what God wants to do in my heart.  He wants to transform my thinking and soften my heart, making it more sensitive to sin.  If, instead of surrendering to God, I try to sweep myself clean of everything evil and sinful in my own effort, my "house" will be empty and vulnerable to attack from the Enemy of my soul.

I am not saved by works, nor can I ever think to rescue my own self from the influence that sin has over me.  Instead, I must rely on the power that comes through my faith in the blood of Jesus which fills me with His Spirit.  (Romans 7:24-25)

Nineteenth-Century missionary Andrew Murray recognized his own helplessness against sin.  He said, "Remember the great need you have of the grace and assistance of God.  You should never lose sight of him--not for a moment."

I am made right with God through faith in Jesus. (Romans 1:16-17)  And this gift of grace is what opens up a relationship with a holy God who finishes what He started when He first called me.  He doesn't leave me as I was when I first began to call Him "Father."  No!  He begins His work in me from the moment I accept Jesus as my Savior and submit myself to Him as my Lord, and He doesn't quit until He's finished.  (Philippians 1:6)  As my friend likes to say, "Be patient with me, I'm under construction."

I am called to live a holy, pure life.  This process of sanctification, however, is not a job I can take on myself.  Instead, it is the result of God's hand in my life as I surrender myself to Him and exchange my will for His.  (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)

When I try to clean up my own act in my own effort, I work against God and what He wants to do in His power, for His glory.

Fake it

I have heard it said that we should, "fake it 'til we make it, " meaning that with a positive attitude I can make anything happen.  Do I want to have the confidence of a rock start?  Pretend like I do until it comes naturally.  Have I always visualized myself as a novelist?  Tell myself I am and soon I'll be writing like the pros.  Am I up against a devastating bout with cancer?  All I need is optimism and everything will turn out alright.

Unfortunately, there is only so far a positive attitude will take me if there's nothing to back it up.  It reminds me of a movie set where it looks like I'm seeing a real city landscape, but when I walk around to the backside of the storefronts, I find out it was all a facade: there are no real businesses to back up the claim of a town.

Does this translate to my walk with Christ?  Can I fake a humble heart until it actually exists?  I don't think so.  A sense of humility comes from recognizing my weakness and inability to do anything good in and of myself.  It also acknowledges that God is big enough to use me even if I can't see myself able to do anything for Him.  In other words, humility is the ability to take myself out of the equation and focus completely on God and His glory.  

Jesus is the picture of humility.  He is God.  He has every right to be treated with respect, honor and glory.  He should be exalted.  Even though He knew all of these things, He chose to lower himself to the position of a mere man out of obedience to His Father.  He didn't demand to be treated as He deserved, but instead took the treatment He was unjustifiably given.  Jesus was all about His Father's will, not His own position or rights.

This kind of attitude cannot be faked.  It comes through a process God takes me through as I admit my weakness and need for Him.  He guides me through struggles, presents difficulties into my life and serves us a generous portion of suffering, using these as tools to humble me.

When I try to fake it till I make it, I work against a God who knows how to humble a man or woman.  (Daniel 4:37)

Work

My husband has always been a hard worker and admires anyone who holds a high work ethic.  If you want to impress him, put your nose to the grindstone and get the job done!

It's easy to transfer this attitude that hard work pays off into my walk with Christ.  I like to think that I can impress God with all the labor I'm putting in for him.  I gladly volunteer in any capacity within the church when help is needed.  I cheerfully take on projects that no one else will do.  I pitch in whenever a call for assistance is placed.  

When I work for God, I'm the one in control of what I do, when I do it and who I work with.  I'm not following His lead, but running ahead, desperately trying to get His attention.  If I want Him to notice me, all I need to do is sit down and acknowledge His presence. (Psalm 46:10 , Jeremiah 29:13)  When I focus on my relationship with Him, it gives Him the opportunity to show me what He wants me to do. He changes the way I think as I spend time with Him, allowing me to see things more from His perspective.  (Romans 12:1-2)

Waiting is hard.  Pausing and letting God take the lead means that I'm admitting I'm not in control.  Trusting God does not come naturally.  When I'm unsure how I'll pay the bills, faith is resting in His provision despite what my checking account tells me.  When I'm living a nightmare that seems to never end, faith is leaning on His protection regardless of how vulnerable I feel.  When I'm tired of fighting the good fight, faith carries on in the face of fatigue.

Letting God work for me is not without it's rewards.  Isaiah so eloquently penned these words so long ago, but they still ring true today: ". . .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." (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

When I try to work for God I'm working against Him and soon run out of steam; but if I wait for Him and follow His lead, I'll never grow weary.

In God's kingdom there is no neutral ground:  Either I'm working with Jesus or against Him.  I don't intend to oppose Him, but I do just that when I attempt to clean myself up, fake the fruit of the Spirit, and work for God in my own strength.  It is my desire to instead work alongside Jesus to gather the harvest to which He has called me.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can firmly plant my feet on Jesus' side.

How do I try to clean my outside up while inside I'm still as dirty as can be?

When do I try to fake humility and which people in my life know the "real me?"

Let Him Choose

"For everyone who asks receives;

he who seeks fins;

and to him who knocks,

the door will be opened.

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish,

will give him a snake instead?

Or if he asks for an egg, 

will give him a scorpion?

If you then, though you are evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in heaven

give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 11:10-13

I didn't want to move. Period.  I had finally settled into contentment in the on-post housing at Ft Lewis, Washington.  After many adjustments of my attitude and lessons in learning to accept, I felt at ease where God had placed us.  That is, until He decided to up and move us again!

Our new destination was South Carolina; back to the heat and ways peculiar to that region of the country.  I wasn't sure if I was up to the challenge, but my husband and I decided to take a weekend trip to try to find a house.  Instead of living in government housing, we were ready to purchase our own home.  

After spending a day looking at all the houses our Realtor had lined up for us to see, we couldn't decide.  I should rephrase that; I couldn't decide.  My husband knew exactly where God wanted us: in a brand new development on the north side of town.  I hated that house.  The lots were small, there seemed to be very little privacy and worst of all was the fact that there were no trees!  Sure, each finished lot boasted their own baby tree proudly standing at attention in the front yard, but how long would that take to grow to maturity?

I love trees, especially in the South where the sun and heat can be unrelenting in the summer time.  Without trees, our lot looked like a barren moonscape and I could not bear to live there!

Well, I did finally submit to God's choice for our home, and I couldn't be more pleased.  The expanse of the entire backside of our pie-shaped lot is covered in trees and large bushes. Birds flit around in the park-like landscaping, making our yard feel like a sanctuary.  Not only are the surrounding to my liking, but God is using our entire family in ministry throughout our neighborhood where many are hurting and in need of the Savior.  God certainly knew what He was doing when He chose that location for us.

It's hard to let someone else choose for me.  I worry that they might pick something crazy or unpleasant.  When it comes to God, however, there is no need to fear.  If I let Him, He'll give me something better than I could have chosen for myself.  As I wait in peace for Him to work, I can ponder the many reasons why I can trust Him. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Good God

I had good intentions when I vowed to give the best Christmas presents ever that fateful year.  As the time ticked away with the day approaching ever more quickly, I struggled with paying the bills and squirreling away some money for gifts.  In addition to suffering a lack of funds, I also experienced a deficit of another kind: ideas.  I'm not good at giving gifts in the first place, so now that the pressure was on, it seemed even worse than normal.

When Christmas day finally rolled around, the results were less than spectacular.  I did not overwhelm anyone with my generosity as they graciously and dutifully thanked me for their presents.  I meant to give in a way that really reflected how I felt about my family and friends, but it ended up looking more like a token gift given out of necessity.

This never happens to God.  He is generous, compassionate and able to fulfill all He sets out to do. (Matthew 20:1-16) His gifts are always good because He is a good God.  (James 1:17)  He doesn't change His mind, lose His motivation or come up short on resources.  He is willing and able to give good things to those who ask.  In fact, I would even go so far as to say God is unable to give a bad gift.  Whatever He bestows upon me is good, even if it doesn't seem so at the time.  

Since God is a good God, I can trust that His gifts will be good gifts.

Master Planner

One thing I enjoy doing around the holiday time is putting together jigsaw puzzles.  I find it difficult, however, to work on a puzzle when I can't see the finished picture that is usually printed on the box.  It is helpful for me to see the final product in order to be able to put the other pieces in their proper places.

Just like that jigsaw puzzle, there is a master plan for my life.  David said,  "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  (Psalm 139:16) But my activities are not just pre-known, but pre-planned. (Ephesians 2:10)  The only variable is whether or not I'll decide to follow the design for my life, even if only God can see the final product.

In order for me to follow the good plan for my life, I must know the One who created those plans.    God is the one who holds the blueprints so that I will seek Him, and I am told that when I look for Him with all of my heart, I will find Him.  He's not inaccessible or unreachable like a celebrity or a busy therapist.  I don't need to go through an agent or make an appointment to reach God.  All I need to do is desire Him more than anything.  When my heart yearns for Him, He'll make Himself known in ways only He can.

I'll experience a peace that doesn't make sense as I follow His plan for my life.  My days will begin to take on great meaning and purpose as I discover the path He has for me.  Situations that used to cause confusion and struggle now seem simple and straightforward.  He is holding me, directing me and guiding me.

Since God is the one with the plan, only He knows what fits into that plan.  The condition of my relationship with Him is critical to my success in walking the path He has laid out for me.

Since God is the Master Planner, I can trust Him to lead me down the path of righteousness.

All Knowing

"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. . .

You know me inside and out,

you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

before I'd even lived one day."

Psalm 139:2-4, 15-16 MSG

God knows me better than I know myself.  As much as I know my children, He is more familiar with my daughters than I am.  Even though I think I can predict my husband's ways, God is much better acquainted with him than I am.  God is omniscient.

Unlike the ordinary man who was pretending to be a great and powerful deity in The Wizard of Oz, God truly is all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-loving.  He always keeps His promises and never lets His sheep down.   All at once He can know me intimately yet love me fully.

When Dorothy killed the Wicked Witch of the West, just as the Wizard requested, this fake claimed to need some time to think about it before he made good on his promise to send her back home.  Obviously, the guy was trying to by himself some time, never thinking that Dorothy would be able to do as he bid.

God, however, never plays games with me.  He knows what is best for me and places situations and challenges in my life that will grow me closer to Him and serve to purify me, making me more Christ-like.  Nothing is wasted, and He never needs to buy more time to figure out what to do.  

Since God is all-knowing, I can trust Him to choose what's best for me.

Even though I have a hard time being out of control, I can trust God to be in control of every detail of my life.  I can trust Him because He is the Giver of good things, the One who holds the blueprints for my life, and the Omniscient God who loves me.  These are more than enough reasons to trust Him to be the Manager of my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God in every way.

How do I pay more attention to my plans than in seeking out God and His plan?

When am I afraid that God would not love me if He knew the real me?