A Dynamic God

"In my distress I called to the LORD;

I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came before him, into his ears.

The earth trembled and quaked,

and the foundations of the mountains shook . . .

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;

he drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy. . ."

Psalm 18:6,7a,16,17

There is no deeper longing in the human heart than to be heard.  Arguments often times are generated by each side desperately trying to make their case known while neither seeks to understand.  I often search for a listening ear, a compassionate shoulder on which to cry, someone who cares.  Meanwhile, marriages crumble, relationships collapse and the heart is estranged.  Does anyone hear?

God is not far-removed and disconnected from His image-bearers, stuck in one place and hopelessly one-dimensional.  He is intertwined and intimately involved in our lives, complex and dynamic.  He desires relationship as much as I do, yet He is perfectly equipped to maintain such a bond.  He always hears, never fails to understand my heart's cry, and responds in a way that will bring goodness and blessing into my dry and broken spirit.  He is the One I've been searching for all this time.  He is the One who can fill this deepest need.

Receives.  He is a holy God.  He is on the throne in heaven on high.    He must be far too busy and way too hallowed to listen to lowly me, or so I think.  In reality, I was made to live in relationship with Him.  I was not meant to go it alone, bear my own burdens and solve every problem I face.  He wants me to come to Him as a daughter approaches a loving Father who desires nothing more than to care for His child (Matthew 6:32-33, Hebrews 4:16).

Our God, the Maker of heaven and earth, is not an aloof God who is consumed with power and stingy with His gifts.  No.  Through faith in Jesus Christ, He is welcoming and approachable.  He listens to my desperate cries for help.  My petitions never fall on deaf ears, but always reach His consciousness where He is grieved for me.  My sufferings move the heart of God.

God always hears my prayers.

Responds.  It is good to know that I am heard and fully understood.  My heart longs for such love, and I have it through Christ.  Even more astounding than such a powerful God being attentive to my cries, however, is a mighty God who actually does something in response.

My Father doesn't just hear me, but my voice moves Him to action.  When I am wronged He burns with anger.  When my heart hurts He is grieved as a Father who wants nothing more than to take His child's pain away.  When I am in distress He leads me to a place of safety (Psalm 18:16-19).

God is always at work on my behalf.  He doesn't just leave me to my own devices, but constantly meddles in my life, giving me more than I could ever have on my own.  Sometimes this kind of attentiveness hurts as He molds me into the shape of His Son.  Other times it makes my heart sing as I see His love in action.  Still, I can trust in Him always, knowing He is on the job and will never let me down.

God responds to my prayers.

Reflects.  God hears me always, then responds in ways only He can.  But there is more.  The Lord is a God of order, of government, of symmetry.  He is not a random God, but One who cannot be mocked.  Therefore, I can expect to reap what I sow, to receive what I give (Galatians 6:8).  In other words, God reflects back to me what I think of Him and the way I live my life.

It reminds me of a parable I once heard of a wise man posted at the gates of a great city.  A traveler approached and asked the elder, "What kind of people live in this place?"  

The man replied with a question of his own, "What were the people like from where you came?"

"Oh, they were nasty and cruel, always looking to make a buck."

"Then that is what you will find here as well."  

The newcomer went on his way and entered the city.

Soon, another weary traveler approached the sage.

"Tell me, sir, what kind of people live in this place?"

He countered again by asking how the people were in the place from which he came.

"Oh, they were wonderful!  Kind and thoughtful, generous and caring."

"Then you will find the same here."

The moral is that I find what I seek and my perception is colored by my expectations as well as my own attitude.

This is similar with God.  He does not change, but it is I who determines the side of Him I will see.  If I'm faithful, trusting in Him as my only hope, I will see Him as faithful.  If I live with integrity, He is to me a God who cares about how I live.  If, however, I live to please myself, not caring if I deviate from His best for me, He will appear as my antagonist.  I will soon grow angry at Him, wondering why His hand always seems against me, while in truth, it is I who is contrary to Him (Psalm 18:25-28).

Therefore, I have a responsibility to constantly check my attitude, to ask God to show me where I'm off, to test my own motives (Psalm 139:23-24).  The minute I sense a change in the way I view God, it is necessary that I stop and take inventory of my heart.  How am I doubting Him?  Where am I becoming lax, thinking sin is not a big deal and giving myself a pass?  How am I sowing seeds of the flesh?

God reflects my own attitude back toward me.

Thankfully, God is nearby, intimate and approachable, not stagnate, dead or unresponsive.  As such, I can trust Him to always hear my cries, to respond in a way that is best for me, and to reflect what I give to Him.  Yes, let me relate to Him as the living, responsive and dynamic God He is!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to spill my heart out to Him, no matter how ugly it may seem.

How do I expect less from God than what He is able to give?

When do I think God does not hear me, turning bitter and angry in response?

Because of Who He is

"I love you, LORD;

you are my strength.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

and my place of safety.

I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

and he saved me from my enemies."

Psalm 18:1-3 NLT

God is worthy to be praised.  It is easy to extol His virtues after a successful rescue mission, or when He protects me from harm, or on the occasion of witnessing a work of His mighty hand.  

If I believe He is so great, however, I can choose to always give Him praise, as if I believe I am already saved, guarded, and delivered, even before I am.  Yes, I can praise Him at all times because of who He is.

Rock.  The door to the barn shifted in the bitter cold Northerly.  As big as it was, rising 15 feet up, it's weight was no match for such a strong wind.  I found some large boulders nearby that would do the job of shoring up the door for the next storm.  Heavy as they were, these rocks would not be moved by any force of nature.

Stones have that reputation.  They are used as paperweights to keep light sheets from blowing off the desk, or can be fashioned into a foundation for a house, or can even stand as a landmark for generations to use to find their way.  A rock is going to stay in place even when mighty trees could be uprooted by strong gusts or heavy rains.

God is this rock.  He's unmovable.  He doesn't change (James 1:17).  He isn't susceptible to suggestion (Isaiah 40:13).  God is solid and dependable (Numbers 23:19).  For this reason, I can take refuge in Him.  Despite what is going on around me, I can always find Him right where I left Him.  I can believe He is there even if I don't sense His presence because He is my solid, unwavering rock.

When everything is swirling around me and I don't know which way is up, I can stand on this firm foundation, gaining my bearings once again.  When I begin to sink down into the pit of despair, feeling hopeless and discouraged, I can step up onto this solid pillar of strength, finding firm footing again.  When I'm confused and unsure, like I'm wandering through a wilderness of uncertainty, I can look for Him as a beacon of guidance, knowing I will find Him in His steadfastness.

I can praise God because He is my solid Rock.

Fortress.  The wind was relentless up on top of the mountain.  While the view was gorgeous, all of Puget Sound laid out before me, the bitter cold was made worse by the gusts blowing right through my clothes.  I made my way to the stone tower, hoping to find some shelter.  As soon as I stepped inside the solid structure, I was surprised how much warmer it felt.  I had found a fortress against the storm.

Life is like a storm, relentlessly pounding against me, wearing me down.  In such an environment, I need shelter.  I need a fortress that will protect me from harm.  I need a refuge where I will be safe.

God is that fortress.  No matter what happens in this world, I can find security in Him.  His solid nature can guard my mind from confusion, providing a refuge from the tantalizing lies I am tempted to adopt as truth.  His protecting Spirit keeps me from bearing too strong a temptation, giving me a way out in His mercy (1 Corinthians 10:13).

I can praise God because He is my Fortress.

Deliverer.  When I went through Lifeguard training, one of the important skills I learned was how to escape from an aggressive victim.  Those who are trying to save themselves, thrashing around in desperation, make for a dangerous rescue because they can take the rescuer down with them.  For this reason, a lifeguard prefers to help someone who knows their need for help and has surrendered to the lifesaver's efforts.   

It's the same with me and Jesus.  I am unable to help myself, but that doesn't always stop me from trying.  Before I can be saved, however, I must realize my need for a Savior.  If I don't think I'm in jeopardy or danger, or believe that I can somehow save myself, I won't see my need to be delivered nor will I make a good candidate for saving.  It is necessary for me to feel the weight of my sin in order to truly appreciate what Jesus did for me on the cross, but it's also important that I fully give into His rescue plan, trusting fully in Him as my Deliverer.

Sometimes I think I'm partially responsible for my own deliverance, like I can play some kind of role in my own rescue.  In reality, God is the only One who is able to deliver me from the punishment of my own sins.  After all, I am unable to meet His perfect standard as is required to enter into His holy presence (Romans 3:23).  I need the blood of Jesus to save me from the wrath of God my sins have brought down upon myself (Romans 6:23).  Trying to take part in my own salvation is even more ridiculous than me thinking I can save myself when I'm drowning.

Other times I feel guilty for letting Him bear such a load so I attempt to take some of the burden back until I cry, "I can't take this anymore!"  I can even get the idea that I can help myself this time, thinking that I'll let God handle the next crisis, until I buckle under the pressure of trying to be my own savior.

I can praise God because He is my Deliverer.

I don't have to wait until God comes through.  Instead, I can praise Him now for what He is always doing on my behalf, honoring Him as my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer.  I can always worship Him for who He is, not just what He's done.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can praise God in the midst of the storm, giving Him accolades for who He is.

When do I withhold praise until things turn out the way I want?

How am I guilty of only worshiping God for what He has done for me instead of admiring His character and attributes?          

City of God

"We have a strong city;

God makes salvation its walls and ramparts."

Isaiah 26:1

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for me

will find it."

Matthew 16:25

I have to admit that I'm afraid.  I have heard all the stories of God's amazing feats.  I have listened to testimonies of others who have trusted God and how He has provided.  I have seen His mighty works myself.  But I'm afraid to step off into the darkness.

Two of our daughters have finished one year at an expensive university where they are studying art.  God called them to this particular school and opened all the doors for them to begin classes last summer.  They have learned a lot in just one year.  Although they receive funds from the Veterans Administration for school as part of their father's retirement benefits and were awarded a Pell grant last year, they still racked up some debt in student loans.

The thought of my daughters starting off their adult life with debt has weighed heavily upon me and as I completed the financial aid packet this year, I strongly sensed God leading us to trust Him for the money.  When the award letter came back, they received no grants this year; only loans:  It was time for us to trust Him and reject the loan offers.

God knows my heart and sees my hesitancy to fully commit this expense to Him.  In response, He has shown me in the past few months how He will provide if I'll only trust Him.  For instance, He delivered wicker patio furniture, a weekend away for my husband and I, landscaping bricks to replace the wooden ones destroyed by termites and even some new hula hoops for the kids in the neighborhood: all at no cost to us!  As I scooped up this most recent acquisition, tears sprang to my eyes: Thank you Lord for showing me how much You can give to me if only I'll let you!  

David reminds me in Psalm 23 that, "The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need." (NLT)  In fact, I need look no further than Him for everything.

God is the Wall

Up until the invention of firearms, most cities were enclosed with a wall both for protection and to provide a visual boundary.  God told His people through the prophet Zechariah that, "I myself will be a wall of fire around (the city of Jerusalem). . .and I will be its glory within."  (Zechariah 2:5)  God was reminding them that He was their source of security.  As His child, I can take this reminder to heart.

Insurance is a big business in America today.  Agents try to get me to buy coverage to protect me, my family and my belongings in case of fire, flood, natural disaster, storms, accidents, and the like.  There is always a new threat looming on the horizon for which I am presumably at risk.  It is easy to put my trust in insurance to protect me from the unknown.  

This reminds me of some difficulty we ran into while running our free afterschool program ministry.  Due to the liability inherent with hosting groups of children in our home three times a week, we are unable to purchase liability insurance to cover our belongings or us in case someone decides to sue us.  The only coverage we have is on the house itself.  Many would call us irresponsible or even reckless, but we continue to run the program out of obedience to God and He has always protected us.  

This same attitude can cross over into all areas of my life.   I don't need to fear what man may do to me: "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?"  (Romans 8:31b-32 NLT)  God has already shown me how much He will sacrifice for me in giving His One and Only Son, so won't He shield me from gossip, legal threats or sickness?  

Oswald Chambers wrote about being devoted to Jesus Christ to such an extent that nothing would distract my attention from Him.   "Jesus says--Go steadily on with what I have told you to do and I will guard your life.  If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance."  I can be my own worst enemy, getting in the way of the work Jesus is doing to take care of me.

If only I will keep my focus on my Lord who is, "my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."  (Psalm 18:2)

God is the Inheritance

Families have been torn apart by arguments over money and inheritance issues.  Grudges are held for years because one sibling is left more in the will of a deceased parent than another was given.  My husband's family has been plagued by this difficulty.  Siblings refused to talk to one another because of a few acres of land and a rundown shack.  It was sad to see relationships fall by the wayside because of an old cow pasture!

The tribe of Levi did not have this issue because while all the other tribes were receiving their allotment of land, God told them that, "The Levites, however, will not receive any allotment of land.  Their role as priests of the LORD is their allotment." (Joshua 18:7 NLT)  He also said that He himself is their inheritance.

I know they must have had some feelings of jealousy as everyone else worked their land, improving it's value so their children would inherit something tangible.  It's great to know God is their only possession, but hard to swallow when everyone around them had vineyards to cultivate, houses to call their own and flocks to tend.

It's not so different than me.  God has promised me that when I seek Him with all of my heart, I will find Him.  But many times my heart looks elsewhere.  I long for adventure, excitement and affection when I'm stuck washing the same dishes a thousand times, wiping runny noses and endlessly tying shoes on little feet.  Where's the joy in that?

If I look in the wrong places to find fulfillment, I will be disappointed.  If, however, I do everything for the glory of God and seek His kingdom only, I will never feel discontent.  God will then truly be my one and only possession; the only belonging that is worth holding onto.

If I will look to God as my precious inheritance, then I will do as David did and say, "I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart."  (Psalm 9:1)

God is the King

It is expected that the 2012 campaign will cost a whopping $8 billion.  We place a lot of faith, and money, in the people who lead our country.  A friend of mine once said, "It doesn't matter who is in power; we'll still have the same problems."

I want to think that the right person in office will change everything, but my friend is probably right: in the scheme of things, the president doesn't have that much influence.  

Back in the time of the Judges, the people if Israel looked to God as their leader.  Even though He was the most well-equipped for the job, the Israelites grew restless and wanted a king like everyone else.  Their stubbornness got them into trouble as they suffered through one evil king after another.  Every once in a while a good king would come along who loved God and served Him only, but most of the time it was bad news.  

In the same way, I have been promised a God who is king over all the earth, but I want to be like those around me.  I listen to the advice of talk show hosts before I'll heed the counsel found in God's Word.  I am quick to change my ways to match those of my favorite celebrity while ignoring the example Jesus gave during His 33 years on earth.  I easily follow a friend whom I admire yet forsake God's Spirit Who dwells within me.  

Letting Jesus reign as King of my life is different than electing a president to lead a country.  As my Lord, He will do amazing things through me as I submit to His will.  Watchman Nee, 20th century Chinese Christian put it this way; "To have God do his own work through us, even once, is better than a lifetime of human striving."

If only I will allow Jesus to serve as Lord of my life, than I will be able to say he is my, "King of kings and Lord of lords." (1 Timothy 6:15)

I can trust God with all things.  Unfortunately, it is all too easy for me to look to other sources for my protection, sense of worth and leadership.  God, however, is my everything!  Not only can He supply all my needs, but He is my protection, my inheritance and my King.  Today, I choose to live in the City of God.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will trust God as the One who is, and was, and is to come.

How do I fail to give my whole heart to God?

When am I stingy with my life, keeping so much of it for myself instead of dedicating it to God?

Driving Force

"May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD,

my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

I watched as the bird flitted around in the bushes, singing a song of praise to the One Who made him.  He jumped into the bird bath, relishing the cold water as he splashed and ruffled his downy attire.  Feathers fluttered and wings waved as the created glorified the Creator by behaving as he was meant to live.   

It's so easy for me to get caught up in living my life for me, in a way that pleases myself and depending on my own abilities and strength.  After all, that is how the world around me exists.  But I am not of the world.  I live here, but this is not my home!  As a follower of Christ, I belong to Him and His family.  Like the bird who was created to bring glory to the Creator in the way he lives His life, so I am made to live for Him.  

The driving force of my life could be to succeed by the world's standard, cultivating a successful and meaningful career, marrying and having 2.5 children, a couple of cars in the garage and a mortgage to boot.  Or, the thing that compels me and inspires me to continue on could be to live as God intended me to live when He first created me.

My Motivation

Businesses hire motivational speakers to inspire and drive workers toward a goal of pulling together to improve their performance and enhance the bottom line.  They often use stories of those who have survived unspeakable tragedies and came away with a renewed sense of purpose. 


Most of these kind of motivations for living a meaningful and fruitful life can be quite powerful, but temporary at best.  The drive to be the best I can be fades as the pivotal experience disappears from the reflection found in my rear view mirror.  The influence of the past on my future is limited.


Even my work for the Lord can start to shift toward a worldly campaign.  I can start assessing my success or failure based on statistics or production.  In this way I lose focus with that is important: pleasing God.  


As Oswald Chambers wrote in My Utmost for His Highest, "Never court anything other than the approval of God. . . We have a commercial view--so many souls saved and sanctified, thank God, now it is all right. . . Salvation and sanctification are the work of God's sovereign grace; our work as His disciples is to disciple lives until they are wholly yielded to God.  One life wholly devoted to God is of more value to God than one hundred lives simply awakened by His Spirit."  


If my goal is to triumph in the eyes of the world, I will be driven by the need to achieve.  But if my aim is to please God, I will perceive things from a godly point-of-view, focusing on the things that are important to God.   


David understood this principle; the motivation for most of his life was to win God's heart.  This showed most poignantly after he realized and repented of his sin with Bathsheba.  He knew the evil things that he had done were committed against God himself.  Then he prayed, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  (Psalm 51:10)


For all those months he had been living to please himself, and his actions, his words, his heart were all an abomination to God.  As he came back to a right relationship with his Father, he knew that his highest desire must return to what it was before: to please God and God alone.


If the driving force of my life is to bring delight to my Lord, then the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart will be pleasing to Him. 

My Help

I remember this huge boulder in my neighbors yard when I was growing up.  It was said to have come from Mt. Rainier, a dormant volcano which loomed in my childhood skyline.  The nice couple that lived next door allowed me and my friends to play on the giant rock.  We would dig little caves underneath for our dolls, or make homes for ourselves between the trees and the hardness of the stone.  Sometimes we'd climb up on top and imagine ourselves to be explorers of a new region, setting our eyes on the fertile landscape for the first time.  We loved that rock. 

It's kind of like God in my life.  He is the fortress where I can take shelter from the harshness of the world.  When the going gets tough, I can find refuge in Him, like a safe haven that goes with me wherever I go.  During the times when flaming arrows of life are hurling toward me, He stands between me and the danger, keeping me from harm.  He is the strength that saves me.  (Psalm 18:2) 

I am often tempted to find help in other places.  I run to my friends or family, asking them for advice and guidance.  I expect my husband to always protect me.  I am hurt when friends don't provide the safe place I am looking for, instead pointing a finger and tell me where I'm wrong.  I try to find comfort and shelter in the pursuit of my hobbies, the affection of my pets or the satisfaction of a job well done.  Eventually, they all fall short.  I still need help.  

As the psalmist reminds me in Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."  Instead of going to other sources for my support, I need look no further than God.  He is always ready to help, whenever I am ready to receive.

If I look to other things for my source of help, then I will leave myself vulnerable.  If, instead, I trust in God as my ever-present source of help, then I will stand strong as a mighty oak.  

My Inspiration

Job was given a raw deal.  He lived his life in a way that please God, but the Lord allowed Satan to test him, giving him one heartbreak after another.  In one day he lost all of his children and all of his possessions in a series of unprovoked attacks and tragedies. As if this weren't enough, he was then inflicted with a horrible skin disease that covered his entire body.  Job suffered greatly.

Despite all this pain and anguish, Job did not blame God.  He lamented, he mourned, he questioned the purpose of his existence, but he didn't point the finger at His Creator.  How was he able to carry on?  The answer lies in Job 19:25-27 when he proclaimed, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes--I, and not another.  How my heart yearns within me!"  

The hope that inspired Job to drive on, day after day as he sat in pain and suffering, was that the One who had bought him from certain death was alive and he would one day see Him face to face.  This can be our hope as well. 

Jesus made a way for me to live forever with Him when he took the punishment meant for me and my sin.  In this way, God bought me back from slavery to sin and the indebtedness I carried against Him.  I have been redeemed.  And because of this, I have hope for my future.

If the hope I have for life eternal through faith in Jesus is my inspiration, then I can endure any calamity or circumstance God brings my way.

God intends me to live in a way that glorifies Him.  But I can't do that when I am distracted by all the desires, temptations and difficulties that come my way.  If, instead, I focus on pleasing God as my motivation, trusting in Him as my help, and remembering the hope I have to give me inspiration, then I will please God as the birds do. 

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can strive to please God and make that my driving force.

How do I find my motivation in other areas besides in pleasing God?

When do I take shelter in the arms of others instead of in my Rock? 

Green Leaves

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water 

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

I remember travelling across this great country of mine and being amazed at the varying variety of landscapes.  Majestic mountains gave way to prairies filled with waving wheat that surrendered to breathtaking canyons and rock formations.  There is no doubt that this land is filled with differing scenery.

One of the most curious sights, however, was found while driving through an arid region seemingly devoid of life.  Miles upon miles of travel revealed nothing more than dry, dusty terrain.  Suddenly, I spotted a crowd of cattle crammed into the shade of a single luscious tree.  Upon closer inspection, I discovered this lone tree was growing on the banks of a small stream.  Where no other plants seemed to have survived, the placement of this tree beside a life-giving source of water had assured it's survival.

I can be like that tree.  Even in the darkest of times, when nothing seems to be going right I can stand tall and serene, confident that my God will supply all my needs.

God is Trustworthy

I know no man who is worthy of my confidence 100% of the time.   I can place my trust in others, but at some point, they will let me down.  I, in turn, can do my best to diligently strive for excellence in the area of dependability and responsibility but I, too, will fail at some point.  We all are hopelessly flawed.

God, however does not have this problem.   David wrote in Psalm 18:30, "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."  God will never let me down.  It goes against His character to collapse under the weight of my trust. 

Another reason I cannot trust another human to fulfill all my needs is because there is a lack of understanding.  God knows me better than I know my self.  No human can know another as intimately as God knows me.  This concept is beautifully recounted in Psalm 139:2-5.  David said, "You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.  You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do.  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.  You go before me and follow me." (NLT)

As 20th Century writer Eugenia Price wrote, "With God our trust can be abandoned, utterly free.  In Him are no limitations, no flaws, no weaknesses.  His judgment is perfect, His knowledge of us is perfect, His love is perfect.  God alone is trustworthy."

Trusting God means I will never have to worry about whether He will let me down or misunderstand me.  

God Ordains my Position

I remember when we first moved to Germany under orders of the U.S. Army.  My husband had served several years by that time and was due for an overseas tour.  Our family of 6 arrived exhausted from a ten-hour flight and were immediately loaded onto a bus where we were driven to the local Army Kaserne or Post.

I was dismayed to see the vastness of the city, discouraged by the smell of pollution in the air and turned-off by the mass of humanity swarming everywhere.  How could I, a country girl, live in this large metropolis?

Well, God had placed me there in Frankfurt for a reason, and I soon grew to love the many parks, the amazing transportation system and the friendly people.  This country girl learned to live in the city.

God placed me exactly where He wanted me and it was up to me as to whether I would fight against His choice, or accept it.  

As St Francis de Sales, the 16th Century Bishop of Geneva said, "Truly charity has no limit; for the love of God has been poured into our hearts by His Spirit dwelling in each one of us, calling us to a life of devotion and inviting us to bloom in the garden where He was planted and directing us to radiate the beauty and spread the fragrance of His providence."

Trusting God means I will choose to bloom where I am planted.

God Transcends

One of the things I love about flying in an airplane is looking out the window at the landscape below. It gives me a different perspective as I watch the tiny cars driving along teeny ribbons of highway through miniature neighborhoods filled with thousands of microscopic people.  I enjoy observing others' lives from such an elevated position, wondering where everyone is going, what they are thinking, and what struggles with which they are wrestling.  

In an even greater way, God can see all that is happening and knows how it will all play out.  He knows the struggles with which I am wrestling.  He allowed the difficulties with which I now battle.  He ordained the position in which I now find myself.

God transcends all things; all circumstances, all trouble, all hopeless situations. This is why the angel Gabriel could say to Mary as recorded in Luke 1:37 that, ". . .nothing is impossible with God."

The transcendent nature of God is hard for my ordinary mind to comprehend.  This is because, as God said through the prophet Isaiah, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts. . .And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT)

Since God is above all things and therefore not affected by the turmoil that is going on in this world, I can trust Him with it all.  He has a perspective that gives Him the advantage, and his position above all things means He won't be swayed, changed or influenced by circumstances.  He is above it all.

Trusting God is possible because He is above all things and will not change.

I can be like that tree planted beside the live-giving streams of water.  I can enjoy healthy green leaves and luscious fruit no matter the circumstances.  But the only way this will happen is if I trust in God.  I can because He is trustworthy, He is sovereign, and he is above all things.  

God makes it possible for me to trust Him.  All it takes is a little faith.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will learn to trust God no matter the situation.  

How do I fail to bloom where God has planted me?

In what areas can I better trust God as I remember He is above all things?

Clear Conscience

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone

who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect,

keeping a clear conscience,

so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

1 Peter 3:15-16

Everywhere she goes, she is on the outside.  Her family has moved countless times, always with the hope that this place will be different. She wants nothing more than to be a part of a loving, supportive community.  She has much love to give.   But her heart breaks as she sees the same pattern occurring again as it always has before.  She is shunned.  She is ostracized.  She is on the outside.

This is the experience of a friend of mine.  It hurts my heart to see her suffer as she puts up a good effort to carry on, living life as God has called her to live.  But inside she is hurting.  

I, too, have been hurt by others with rumors shared, slander spread and judgments made.  As much as this kind of treatment hurts, there is something I can do to not only get through it, but to glorify God in doing so.

Devotion to Christ

Robert Louis Stevenson said, "Perpetual devotion to what man calls his business is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things."

The 21st Century life is a busy life, filled with fruitful activities, educational pursuits and interesting hobbies.  But every single thing I add to my schedule is as a result of a conscious choice.  When the business of life overwhelms me, it is because I have over-committed myself, leaving very little room for my relationship with my Savior. 

When I think of the word "devotion," I picture a loyal dog peering up into the face of his beloved master.  In his eyes, I can see he desires nothing more than to please his master.

This is how I want to be with Christ; wanting nothing more than to please Him.  Many times, however, other stuff gets in the way; things I choose to add to my life that distracts my attention from my Master.  Good things.  Beneficial things.  Enriching things.  But distracting things, just the same.

The Apostle Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 6:12 that, "You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'--but not everything is good for you. And even though 'I am allowed to do anything,' I must not become a slave to anything." (NLT)

How many times am I a slave to my job or my or my family's activities or schedules?

Devotion to Christ is a choice I make as I place Him in the top position in my life, giving Him my full, undivided attention.

 Preparation

Fire prevention experts advise people to create a plan for their families in case of fire.  Practicing that plan is important because it is easy for panic to paralyze anyone's common sense, rendering them helpless and at risk of injury or death in times of crisis.  But if a family has rehearsed what to do in case of a fire, the training kicks in at the time it is needed and lives are saved.

It is the same with sharing the hope I have.  People ask questions when they see behavior that doesn't match up to what they're used to seeing, and these questions are windows of opportunity.   "Why did you give your car away?"  "Why do all the kids flock to your house?"  or "How come you don't defend yourself and your reputation?"

If I haven't rehearsed what I will say, I may panic and not know how to respond.  This has happened to me plenty of times.  It is important that I think different scenarios through and seek God's guidance in how to respond.  It is also important that I study the Bible for myself and understand what it is that I believe.  If I can't explain my faith, I surely won't be able to witness to others when the time comes.  

Setting my heart on Jesus is vital, but preparation is also important in knowing what I believe and how I can respond to questions asked by non-believers.  

Gentleness and Respect

I have a small sign in my kitchen that says, "Seek to Understand."  I placed it there in an effort to remind myself and my family members that everyone desires to be understood and it shows respect for others when I try to appreciate their point of view.  When I don't make an attempt to empathize with another, I am showing that I really don't care about them.  

Our family has fallen into a bad habit of seeking to be heard instead of striving to listen.  It is easy for me to think of myself and my opinions, thoughts or feelings.  I assume everyone else wants to hear what I have to say as much as I want to say it!  

But James 1:19 challenges this assumption.  "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Furthermore, if I look into the book of Proverbs, I will find that God considers me a fool. "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions."

I can spend all the time in the world preparing my answers, but if I don't respect others, my testimony won't get anywhere.  As Ben Franklin said, "No one cares what you know until they know that you care." 

Treating others with gentleness and respect is a sure way to gain their trust. 

Living a life where others hurt me is difficult.  But when I devote myself to Christ, prepare myself in my beliefs and respond with gentleness and respect, I can rest easy knowing that God's got my back.  He'll protect me and even show others where they've been wrong, giving them a sense of shame regarding the wrong they've done to me.  

Then I can say as David proclaimed in Psalm 18:2, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shelf and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus.

How do I let other things distract me from the One who died for me so that I can live?

When do I respond in harshness and disrespect?