Keep on Track

"They said to him,

'John's disciples often fast and pray,

and so do the disciples of the Pharisees,

but yours go on eating and drinking.'

Jesus answered,

'Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast

while he is with them?

But the time will come when the bridegroom

will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.'

He told them this parable:

'No on tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one.  If he does,

he will have torn the new garment,

and the patch from the new will not match the old.

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

If he does, the new wine will burst the skins,

the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.

No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.

And no on after drinking old wine wants the new,

for he says, 'The old is better.'"

Luke 5:33-39

The pastor sensed God's leading of his church down a different path.  Instead of focusing purely on teaching and discipling those within the congregation, he felt the new emphasis was to be on outreach.  He wanted to spend more time on sending out believers into the community in which they lived, encouraging each church member to form relationships with those they work with, live around and do business with.  He also strongly felt God's Spirit directing him to dedicate more of the church budget to overseas missions.

In order for this man of God to follow His Father's lead, though, he would need to support of the elders and deacons.  Unfortunately, this group had been doing things the same way for years and were resistant to change.  Their motto was, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

How often do modern-day congregations fail to act as conduits of God's grace because they are afraid of change?  Many times installing a new color of carpet, or switching from pews to chairs is considered to be so radical that leaders debate for weeks without ever coming to an agreement.  

It was kind of like this in Jesus' time, only instead of arguing about decor and budgets, Jewish leaders were disputing the way Jesus didn't follow long-held traditions like fasting.  Instead of being led of the same Spirit, these men were in opposition to what God was doing through the Messiah.  They didn't recognize His lead because they didn't know Him for themselves.  They only knew of Him.

It's important to guard against the same traps the Jewish leaders fell into.  These mindsets are common and run naturally within my own sin nature, but if I pay attention, I can avoid these familiar pitfalls.

Rigidity

She gets up early every morning, well before the sun rises, to study her Bible and have her quiet time.  She never misses a Wednesday evening or Sunday morning service if she can help it.  She faithfully teaches Sunday School to the children and is careful to tithe each month.  She never forgets to pray before each meal and always corrects anyone who uses the Lord's name in vain.  She is serious about her faith.

The puzzling thing that she can't get past is that she has no peace.  Her heart is mostly in turmoil and she constantly feels tired.  She works hard to maintain her strict schedule, but it leaves no time for pleasure or rest, and she's getting burned out.  She doesn't know what she's doing wrong.  Where is the joy and peace promised? (Galatians 5:23-24) Why does she so quickly lash out at clerks and waitresses who are just trying to help her when she's shopping or dining out?  Why does she go through life with a perpetual scowl?

There is a difference between following God's lead and doing a thing because I think it's what I must do to be a good Christian.  One brings all the fruits of the Spirit, while the other leaves me feeling exhausted from the effort.  Maybe I think I can fool others or even myself into thinking I'm on good terms with God, but if my heart is not fully in-tune with Him, He's not impressed.

Stubbornness or inflexibility can easily be disguised as one of the fruits of the Spirit: Self-control.  On the outside, my insistence on teaching Sunday School every week may look like faithfulness, but on the inside I could be trying to make up for past sins.  Sticking to a schedule can be helpful, but if I never leave room for God to work spontaneously, I'll miss out on the blessing of being used by Him.

As a child of God, I must guard against strictness and focus solely on cultivating a relationship with my Father.  When I'm in-tune with Him, I'll recognize His voice and be able to follow His lead.  If, however, I'm focused on my routine and list of do's and don'ts, I'll miss out on what God is doing all around me.

Rigidity runs counter to God's Spirit and makes me resistant to following His lead.

Blinders

Horse trainers sometimes use blinders to keep their animal focused on where they are going instead of getting distracted by what's around them.  Blinders are helpful for horses, but they do limit the peripheral vision.

I often have spiritual blinders on in the way my perception is clouded or blurred:  I only see what I want to see or what I'm used to seeing.  If God introduces a new way, I balk because it doesn't fit within my line-of-sight.

Perhaps I'm used to a traditional style of worship at church.  One Sunday I am shocked to hear drums, electric guitars and keyboards.  What happened to the organ?  I think.  I'm not sure if I can worship God this way.  Is it even appropriate?  The truth is, any instrument can be used to praise the Lord.  (Psalm 150)

Other times I may be walking down a busy street, fighting the crowds jostling for a seat on the city bus.  Suddenly, a filthy homeless woman accosts me with her panhandling sales pitch.  My way of thinking has already been established on this subject and I automatically reject her plea, quickly pushing past her so I can get to my next appointment.  My narrow sight blocked out God's gentle urging in the periphery of my vision to take time to treat her to a meal.

Maybe I strongly feel that God helps those who help themselves.  When someone who is down and out, without a job and in the middle of a nasty divorce, needs a little help and encouragement,  I look the other way knowing that the poor fellow just needs to pull himself up by his bootstraps and carry on.

God said, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55:9)  If I only rely on my own way of thinking, common sense and logic, I will miss out on the higher way of God.

Tunnel vision leads to a very limited field of sight, while God's vision encompasses all of eternity.

Service

The city boy placed the cart in front of the team of horses.  Perplexed at how he should fasten it to the harness, this inexperienced horseman thought the horses would push the vehicle instead of pulling it.  Once he rigged it up, he found out the hard way how absurd his idea was.  The power of the team needed to go first and the cart would follow easily behind.

It's the same with me and God.  I constantly feel the need to do things for God.  I want to please Him and think that the more I do, the more thrilled He'll be with me.  Unfortunately, that's getting the cart before the horse.  Before I can do anything, I need to be attentive to His lead.  It's like J. Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, said. "I used to ask God to help me.  Then I asked if I might help him.  I ended up asking him to do his work through me." 

I can't be in control of where God wants me to serve, and He certainly doesn't need my help, but I am created to be used by Him.  When it's Him working through me, it's like riding a wave into shore; before I know it I'm laying on the beach having exerted no effort in getting from point "A" to point "B".  The power of the surf did all the work.

In order for me to learn how to live in relationship with God, I will need to start with where I am.  Oswald Chambers explained this well.  He said we often tell ourselves, "'I can't be expected to live the sanctified life in the circumstances I am in; I have no time for praying just now, no time for Bible reading, my opportunity hasn't come yet; when it does, of course I shall be all right.' No, you will not.  If you have not been worshiping as occasion serves, when you get into work you will not only be useless yourself, but a tremendous hindrance to those who are associated with you."

If I insist on doing for God and never spend any time being with God, I'll never be used by God.  My connection to Him is more important than what I do for Him.

Putting service for the Lord over my relationship with Him hampers His work through my life.

It's easy for me to get into a rut, thinking I should stay on the same path I've always traveled.  But if I don't guard against rigidity, putting up blinders and placing service over relationship, then I will miss God's change in direction.  Instead I'd rather, "Listen for God's voice in everything (I) do, everywhere (I) go; he's the one who will keep (me) on track." (Proverbs 3:6 MSG)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can follow God's lead.

How do I get caught up in doing for God, instead of letting God work through me?

When do I have blinder's on when it comes to certain issues? 

  

Dining With the Down and Out

"After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector

by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth.

'Follow me,' Jesus said to him,

and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house,

and a large crowd of tax collectors

 and others were eating with them.

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law

who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples,

'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'

Jesus answered them,

'It is not the healthy who need a doctor,

but the sick.

I have not come to call the righteous,

but sinners to repentance.'"

Luke 5:27-32

His life was changed by the power of the blood of Jesus.  No longer did he crave the things of his old life.  Gone were the old strongholds, replaced now by a conviction and desire to please God.  Instead of turning to his old habits to help him get through the hard times, he leans on the strength of God.  As he experiences all the changes going on inside of him, his friends begin to notice the difference.  

"I don't know what it is, but you're no fun to hang out with anymore."

The transforming man can't explain it, but he doesn't feel comfortable around all his old sinful vices, so he decides to separate himself from those in the world.  He prefers to stick around those with the same goals and values as he, after all, "Bad company corrupts good character." (1 Corinthians 15:33) So he lets go of all his old friends and makes new, Christian ones.

This new believer used solid reason and logic to decide to move away from his old life, and many times that is a good idea until one's faith has grown strong enough to survive.  But what if I took it further and continued to only associate with the "righteous?"  If I made a list of all my friends and acquaintances, can I name any non-believers?

This raises some interesting questions:  Do I feel uncomfortable being around the down-and-out, like alcoholics, drug-addicts, the career-homeless or the prostitutes who prowl the street at night?  Would I invite someone to dinner in my home who hadn't bathed for weeks?  Have I ever thought to sit on the bus beside someone who looks strung-out on drugs?  Have I ever cared to learn the name of the beggar I pass every day on my way to work?

Jesus loved to hang out with people like this.  He knew that He was the way and the truth and the life, and He loved His sheep enough to bring them salvation; even if it meant He might get a little dirty or ruin His reputation with the church people.  Jesus was all about pleasing His Father.

What about me?

Seek out the Sick

The schedule is cram-packed with good, wholesome activities for the whole family.  There are plenty of opportunities to serve and to be made useful in the body of Christ.  I never really have to leave the safety of the church building: my membership is all-inclusive!

While this is the approach of many modern-day congregations, it was never the tactic used by Jesus.  An important part of His ministry was to teach in the Temple and the synagogues (Luke 4:15, John 18:20 Luke 19:47), but most of the time He was out in the field, getting close-up and personally involved in the lives of the people He loved.

If I am going to become more Christ-like, I will have to allow God to change my mind-set.  Instead of mainly being concerned with my own character or holiness, I will need to start to love others right where they are.  That means I may need to visit somewhere I'd usually never be caught dead going, or to talk to people I  would, as a rule, avoid like the plague.

My God, whose Spirit courses through my being, is all about the down and out.  He said in Ezekiel 34:16, "I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.  I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy.  I will shepherd the flock with justice."  When He prompts me to reach out to a hurting soul cloaked in ugliness, I can either drop my fears and doubts and let Him work through me, or stay away where I feel more comfortable.

If I want to be like Jesus, I need to seek out the sick.

Follow Jesus

It is said that a man dubbed the Pied Piper entered the town of Hamelin in 1284, promising, for a fee, to rid the place of all rodents.  The townsfolk agreed and the man subsequently took out a fife and began playing it as he walked through the town.  All the rats and mice followed him to their death in the river.  Once the deed was done, however, the people reneged on their deal, sending the man away discouraged and bitter.  When he returned, he once again played the fife, but this time it was the children, 130 in all, who followed them to their demise in a mountainous cave.  No parent ever saw their precious ones again.

While Jesus did not use the same kind of magical powers the Pied Piper utilized, He did possess a command that drew His sheep to Him.  When He said, "Follow Me," those who belonged to Him left everything behind to join Him.

Levi was a pretty well-to-do man.  As a tax-collector, he most likely gathered more money than the Romans required, pocketing the excess for his own personal use.  As you can imagine, tax collectors were not popular citizens.

When he encountered Jesus, however, everything else suddenly seemed irrelevant and unimportant.  He was drawn to leave all his lucrative career behind.   What he didn't leave behind, however, were his old friends.  When he threw a banquet for His Savior, he invited the whole crowd including all his tax-collector colleagues.  He wanted them to meet and get to know the One who had changed his life.

What am I willing to leave behind for Jesus?  A career, like Levi?  What if He asks me to leave the home I worked so hard to attain so I can live among the down-and-out?  If He gives me the option to follow Him into the unknown, will I take it?  

Living as a disciple of Jesus is not about my comfort, its about His mission.  It's not about my rights, it's about God's glory.  It's not about my reputation, it's about His message.  Following Jesus means I'll have to leave behind anything that gets between me and Him.

If I want to follow Jesus, I'll need to rid myself of all obstacles.

Obey Jesus

Secular humanists believe they have the ability within themselves to decide what's right and wrong for them.  With no God to provide structure for decent and moral living, every human is then left to decide for themselves how to live.  As evidenced by today's impure and destructive culture, this line of thinking is far from healthy.

While it may seem great for me to live my life based on what seems right to me, it can never work since each person selfishly looks out for her own best interest.  I will naturally always choose what will benefit me.  That's why the teachings of Jesus are so radical.

When Jesus said to give generously, but not to let anyone know what I'm doing, (Matthew 6:2-4) that goes against my desire to look good to others.  Suddenly, what used to be a win-win situation; someone is helped by my generosity and I get a boost in my reputation, now becomes a private exercise in devoted obedience.

When Jesus said to not go after what I need, but to instead focus on Him and His kingdom, letting God provide, it feels very unnatural. (Matthew 6:25-34) My whole purpose for living may be so wrapped up in providing for myself and my family that I don't know how to refocus my attention on living for Him.  It seems irresponsible and reckless.

When Jesus said to turn the other cheek, the idea runs smack dab into my desire to defend myself.  (Matthew 5:38-41) How can I let it go?  And risk looking like a wimp or a fool?  Never!  

Doing what Jesus said goes against my nature, but with the power provided by His Spirit, it is possible.  The only thing in the way is me.

If I want to obey Jesus, I need to clear out my self to make room for more of Him.

I like to live a comfortable life and I don't want to be bothered by anything that disrupts that objective.  When I take Jesus as my Lord and Savior, however, He begins to turn my life upside down.  I'll want to seek out the sick, leave everything behind to follow where He leads me, and to do what He says at all costs; to the glory of God.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can follow Jesus wherever He goes.

How do I fall behind because Jesus is going somewhere I'm afraid to go?

When do I let peer pressure influence my actions instead of acting out of pure obedience to God?

Willingness of a Savior

"While Jesus was in one of the towns,

a man came along who was covered with leprosy.

When he saw Jesus,

he fell with his face to the ground and begged him,

'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.

'I am willing,' he said.

'Be clean!' And immediately the leprosy left him.

Then Jesus ordered him,

'Don't tell anyone, but go,

show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing,

as a testimony to them.'

Yet the news about him spread all the more,

so that crowds of people came to hear him

and to be healed of their sicknesses.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

Luke 5:12-16

He tripped and fell, skinning his tender knee on the unforgiving pavement.

"Waaaaa!  I want my Mommy!" the toddler screamed before running off to find his savior.  When the mother caught sight of her distraught child, blood dripping down his shin, she responded immediately.  "Come her, Baby.  It's okay, I'll get you fixed up and you'll feel better in no time."

Suddenly, the little boy's cries turn into sniffles as he put himself into the caring hands of his mother.

This mom didn't have to think about whether or not she'd help her beloved son.  Instead, she was eager to end his suffering.  It's the same with Jesus.  He is always ready to help me, if only I'd put myself into His caring hands.

My healing is dependent upon Jesus' willingness to save me, not on my worthiness or degree of need.  No matter what the pain, He is willing and able to help me.  For that reason, I can trust Him, believe in Him and base my faith on His integrity.  He's a voluntary Savior.

Trust

My daughter adopted two feral kittens a couple of years ago.  Knowing nothing but the streets they came from, these two skittish kitties needed lots of patient and gentle care.  Over time, they have gradually built a level of trust in their human family.  They've progressed from scared, timid felines hiding under the furniture, to the more friendly, playful cats we know today.  Wild cats are used to thinking of humans as predators so it takes commitment to show them otherwise.

It's not so different with me and Jesus.  Even though He has shown me to be trustworthy, I tend to shy away from letting Him get too close.  I may be afraid He's going to condemn me for my sinful ways, forsake me for my lack of faith, or expect from me more than I can give.

The truth is that He came to the world to save it, not condemn it (John 3:17), there is nothing that can separate me from from His love and He'll never leave me (Hebrews 13:5  Romans 8:35).  As long as my heart is willing, what I have to give is enough.  (Psalm 51:17)  If I let Jesus into the deepest recesses of my soul, He will become my best friend.  (Revelation 3:20)

Because Jesus is willing to help me, I can trust Him with my life.

Believe

I hear a lot about the concept of belief in this age of "if it feels good do it" and "anything goes" mentalities.  People can believe in many different ideas and philosophies, but there is only one God and one Truth. (Isaiah 44:6  John 14:6)  If there is belief, there must be a concept, idea or entity in which I place that belief.  I can't just believe.

Since Jesus is able to do more than I ask or imagine, I would rather believe He will provide for my needs.  (Ephesians 3:19-21)  Since Jesus is the Mighty Counselor, I feel secure in putting my relationships into His capable hands.  (Isaiah 9:6)  Since Jesus is the Savior of the world, I accept His sacrifice as the only thing giving me life eternal, freedom from condemnation and peace with God and others.  (Acts 4:12)

Believing is what takes place in my heart, but if it's true acceptance my life will be changed as I surrender more of myself to Jesus.  Oswald Chambers said it's as if Jesus is challenging me: "If you would be My disciple, give up your right to yourself to Me."  Then he goes on to say, "When once the surrender has taken place we never need 'suppose' anything.  We do not need to care what our circumstances are, Jesus is amply sufficient."

Where am I questioning?  Maybe it's when I'm sitting in the doctor's office again, waiting for yet another test result as the pain persists to ravage my body.

Perhaps I wonder whether Jesus really can help when I cry myself to sleep over the pieces of my broken marriage.

It could be that I'm not believing Jesus can do a thing to improve my unstable job situation or less-than adequate living conditions.  

I can believe Jesus will do as He's said He will do, without a second thought.  In my mind, I can make it as if it's already happened.

Because Jesus is willing to help me, I can believe He is able to do anything.

Basis

When I sit in my Lazy Boy recliner, I feel confident in lowering my full weight to rest on it because I know it's made with sturdy craftsmanship:  It's integrity comes from the way it was constructed.

Likewise, my faith in Jesus is based on the fact that He is, "the same yesterday and today and forever," (Hebrews 13:8) as well as, "the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22:13)  He is also the, "author and perfecter of my faith" who is seated at the right hand of God Almighty.  (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus and His teachings do not change with the times, He is an integral part of all of creation, and He is the One who makes my faith possible.  I can base my confidence on all of these truths.

It is easy, however, to get caught up in all that Jesus has done for me.  He has freed me from guilt and shame.  He has given me a peace that I would not otherwise experience.  He has given me a sense of purpose and meaning as I follow Him.  These, however, can all be considered to be icing on the cake.  My faith is not based on these "perks" or benefits.  If it was, the moment life gets difficult, my conviction would waver.

Instead, my faith is based on the solid Rock of Jesus.  (1 Peter 2:6)  On Him, my confidence is sure.

Because Jesus is willing to help me, I can base my faith on His identity and integrity.

There's no question that Jesus wants to take up a bigger space in my life.  He is willing to heal, to restore and to bind up my broken heart.  Consequently, I can trust Him in all things, believe He can do all things, and base my faith on Him who is all things.  Jesus is my all in all.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can cast away all doubt and keep my eyes solely on Jesus.

When do I let fear block my belief in the One who can set me free?

How is my faith based on what I get out of my relationship with Jesus instead of on who He is?

Miraculous Catch

"When he 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.

So they signaled their partners in the other boat 

to come and help them,

and they came and filled both boats so full

that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, 

he fell at Jesus' knees and said,

'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!'

For he and all his companions were astonished

at the catch of fish they had taken,

and so were James and John,

the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon,

'Don't be afraid;

from now on you will catch men.'

So they pulled their boats up on shore,

left everything and followed him."

Luke 5:4-11

The way seemed murky as I climbed, unable to see my hand in front of my face I faltered, so gloomy was the Way.  Am I on the right path?  I thought I'd feel more sure than this, more fulfilled.  But all I sense is uncertainty and doubt.  As I place my foot in the fogginess that lies before me, I stumble, feeling loose rocks giving way below.  Where are you, Lord?  I thought You promised to never turn from me or leave me alone.  I sure could use your guidance right about now!  I'm afraid!

Suddenly a light shines in front of me, guiding me, giving me hope.  All is not lost.  My God is still with me, and I with Him.  As long as He is leading me through the unknown of tomorrow, I'll be alright today.  

I feel like this hesitant traveler many times.  When I don't see what's going to happen, or fail to understand why things are turning out the way they are, I tend to lose hope.  It's easy for me to get discouraged and think God has left me.  I find myself wondering where I went wrong and what I've done to deserve this kind of life.

The thing is, life is not based on a formula.  I am not guaranteed certain results if I stick to a specific equation.  Just because some people say that if I add "A" plus "B" I'll get "C" doesn't make it true.  Sometimes God gives me "D" or "X."  He's in charge of the outcome.

For this reason, living my life is an exercise in faith.  I do what God calls me to do and leave the results to Him.  I drop all expectations I have for how I think people should behave, how circumstances should pan out, and what blessings I think I should receive.  Instead, I strive to keep my eyes on Jesus and my heart inclined toward Him.  Then I will be able to accept His hand in my life.

Sometimes my current circumstances seem hopeless and ineffective, but Jesus has a way of calling me into transition.

Ridiculous Command

"Go to the Pharaoh of Egypt and demand that he let My people go."

"Prepare yourself to deliver a baby in your old age."

"Even though you are My worst enemy, you will now become My greatest ally."

"The older will serve the younger."

"March around the city and the walls will tumble down."

These are all absurd commands and promises made to God's people.  The statements were received with doubt, incredulity, obedience, confusion or compliance.  No matter how it was received, each one who heard the message must have processed the command in a different way.  

Some may have thought, how in the world could I do something so big?  Others most likely said to themselves, but I've already tried every possible solution and I've come to the conclusion that this is just how things are.  I just need to accept it.  I bet there was at least one person who wondered, is God crazy?  This is not how things are done!  We'll be the laughing stock. . . 

God deals in the realm of the impossible, in the ways of His higher thoughts, and outside the boundaries of societal norms.  God just doesn't think the same way I think!  (Isaiah 55:8-9)  In order for me to follow Him through faith in Jesus Christ, I must let go of all my ways.  I have to accept that when God speaks to me through His Word, other believers or directly through His Spirit that it won't make sense to my human, fleshly mind. 

When God gives me an answer, trusting Him means I'll obey even if I don't see how it could work.

Unexpected Blessing

We are a people of fence-sitters.  A friend of mine was talking about surveys recently, and he said that when designing a questionnaire, it is important to avoid neutral answers like, "I don't know" or "neither agree or disagree" because not only do these provide no feedback, but people usually don't want to take a position so they'll naturally pick these choices.  It's the easy way out.

In life, in the way God designed the world, we must pick a side.  Either I am for God or I am against Him.  Either I am following Him or I'm going away from Him.  Either I win or I lose.  There is no middle ground, despite what I like to tell myself. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28  Matthew 12:30)

If I choose to obey, blessing will follow.  Either God will give spiritual or material blessings, or a combination of the two, but I can count on good coming out of my obedience to God.  He loves my compliance better than any other sacrifice I can make, whether that be my service, my material goods or even my life.  He'd rather have my heart.  (1 Samuel 15:22)

Once I see the work of His hand in my life, I will begin to realize how unworthy I am to receive the good He has for me.  I will begin to understand the depth of my sin compared to the height of His holiness.  It will begin to dawn on me that there is no good in me while He is made of Light.  

Then my humbling process will begin as it did when Isaiah received a vision from God.  The impurity of his own soul became overwhelming as he gazed upon the glory of God. (Isaiah 6:5) It's kind of like if I showed up to the White House for a formal event in my Sunday best but once I got there I realized how shabby my dress looked compared to all the designer gowns I saw around me.  God's perfection has a way of revealing the reality of the filthiness of my heart.

When God blesses my obedience, I will be humbled by the work of His Holy Hand in my lowly life.

New Thing

Some people like to live a life of adventure, experiencing something new every day and expecting the unexpected.  I, however, prefer to keep my life orderly, scheduled and organized. If I don't have a list of things to do, I'm lost.  I like to know what my day's going to look like.

As you can well imagine, God is constantly pushing me to loosen up and be open to interruptions in my schedule.  Those, I've been told by my exuberant husband, are "divine appointments."  As much as I want to keep on God's timetable, I have to admit it's a constant struggle to release control of my calendar.

The Lord is the God of the new thing.  He said through the prophet Isaiah, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."  (Isaiah 43:19)

When I say, "He's as hard-headed as they come.  He'll never change His ways,"  I can remember that God is the author of writing a new chapter in the life of my loved one.

If I'm stuck in a cycle of abuse, or drug and alcohol dependence, I can bank on the truth that God can give me new resolve and break the viscous cycle.

For the times when I think to myself, I always mess everything up.  There's no way I can succeed in pleasing God.  I can turn away from the past and look forward to the future of freedom found in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

As I stand in His blessing, I am faced with a new and unknown future.  Instead of fearing what God is bringing me to, I can remember that He has always been, and will always be, with me every step of the way, helping me and protecting me from harm.  (Deuteronomy 31:6  Psalm 118:6-7)

When God transitions me into something new, I need not fear for He is with me.

My life is not always what I envisioned it to be.  Instead of fretting over what might have been, I would rather choose to look for His light and follow His guidance, humbly receive the blessing He chooses for me, and to allow Him to transition me into a new thing.   During this process, I can take courage from the thought that if God is with me, who can stand against me?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember the power behind the One who is for me! What do I have to fear?

How do I dismiss God's calling as absurd, ridiculous or impossible instead of remembering Who He is?

When do I balk at trying something new because I'm afraid it won't work?

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?