God. . .or not?

"There the Danites set up for themselves the idol,

and Jonathan son of Gershom,

the son of Moses,

and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan

until the time of the captivity of the land.

They continued to use the idol Micah had made,

all the time the house of God was in Shiloh."

Judges 18:30-31

It seemed like a good idea at the time.  After all, I didn't know any better.  My husband and I put together the pieces in the way we thought the bookshelf should go.  Without the instructions, we relied on our own experience of assembling kits, our background in using bookshelves and our opinion of how the finished product should look.  After we completed the product we discovered several "extra" pieces.  Obviously, our idea of how the shelves should be put together was different than what the creator of the furniture had intended.

This is similar to what happened to the tribe of Dan.  Without a godly leader to teach them the ways of God, they relied on what seemed right to them.  They ended up, then, with something that was different from what God intended.  They had a form of godliness but it wasn't of God (2 Timothy 3:5). It looked like a legitimate religion and made them feel good, but they failed to seek God Himself, nor did they desire to know Him personally.

Not surprisingly, I often make this same mistake.

My Wisdom

I used my own rationale, reasoning to myself that if I followed the game trail I would be able to more easily negotiate the wooded terrain.  What I didn't take into account, however, was the direction of travel.  Deer don't mind if they wander through a neighbor's pasture or trespass onto land that belongs to someone else.  Their only focus is to get from point A to point B.  I, however, had a different goal; to explore the 10 acres of wooded land my family was considering purchasing.  As a result, I got lost.

While it made sense to my way of thinking to follow this meandering path as a way to find my way through the dense forest, it didn't turn out very well in the end.  I suddenly found myself in a cow pasture I didn't even know existed and I had to trek through a herd of cattle before making my way to the road and circle back around to where I started.  Doing things my way was unsuccessful.

This is similar to what happens when I rely on my own insight, using my past experiences, background and reasoning to determine what I should do.  The path I choose takes me far away from God.  Consequently, if I want to do things God's way, I had better let Him lead.  

This means placing my confidence in the Lord's wisdom, believing that He has a way through my present circumstances that I know nothing about.  When I turn to Him, placing all my trust in His way, He will show me what I need to know when I need to know it (Proverbs 3:5-6).

It reminds me of the markers that indicate the borders of our property.  In order to find the boundaries, I would only need to locate those markers buried a few inches under the ground.  Without them, I don't know where my yard stops and my neighbor's begins.  All that it takes for me to discover the property line is to locate those markers that have already been positioned.

Similarly, God has laid out a race for me to run, a way for me to go, a path for me to take (Hebrews 12:1).  There is no need for me to figure out by myself what I should do with my life.  Instead, I need only seek out the Lord and, according to His timetable, He will unveil the markers that make His way clear (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

I follow my own form of religion when I rely on my own understanding instead of seeking God's plan.

My Power

In my own strength I could only get the seat out to the van from where it was temporarily stored in our garage.  Without my husband's help, though, I couldn't lift it into the vehicle and maneuver it back into place.  I possessed the will to do so and I could see how the latches on the bottom of the seat were designed to clamp into the anchors mounted on the floor of the van.  Without an outside source of power, however, I didn't have the strength to accomplish the task.

This is similar to my walk with the Lord.  I may think I know what needs to be done, or I have an idea of how things should go according to what I can handle, but I limit myself to what I can naturally do.  For instance, I may reject the idea that I could speak to a group of people because I get too nervous.  Instead of relying on the God who made my mouth and can enable me to deliver His message, I only go by what I think I am capable of doing.  In this way I limit God by my own weaknesses (Exodus 4:10-11).

Other times, I think that this is not the time to start the ministry God has placed on my heart.  After all, I reason, my life is too busy right now; I don't want to spread myself too thin.  Unfortunately, what I am failing to realize is that if God gave me a job to do, it is His strength that will accomplish the work, not my own.  Therefore, it doesn't matter if I'm poured out until I'm empty because God's power never runs out (Isaiah 40:28-29).

Then there are the times when I limit God to what I think I'm able to do.  Instead, God has amazing things to show me where He will prove that His arm is not too short (Numbers 11:23).

I follow my own form of religion when I limit God to what I can do instead of remembering that His power within me is able to accomplish far more (Ephesians 3:20).

My Love

Despite my efforts, the duck pond I excavated as a child drained quickly.  No matter how much water I added to the hole, it promptly drained out, leaving my ducks nowhere to swim.  This reminds me of my own ability to love; it is shallow and easily exhausted.  God's love, on the other hand, never runs out (1 Corinthians 13:7, 13, Psalm 136).

If I attempt only the acts of kindness that are within my own shallow ability to love, then, I am refusing to give God free reign to love.  Instead of letting His perfect love flow through me uninhibited, I kink the hose, cutting off the stream.  I manufacture a counterfeit religion based on my own ideas of love.

This happens when I put pressure on myself to respond to the cranky clerk with a soft answer, knowing it will turn away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). If she keeps pushing my buttons, however, my own well of love will soon grow dry and I'll snap, giving her a piece of my mind.  Instead, a genuine ability to love will only come forth when I surrender my desire to be treated with respect and let God show me the hurt that lies beneath her harsh words.  Then, as I take on the Lord Jesus Christ, He will respond through me with a level of compassion and understanding she has never before experienced (Romans 13:14).

Sometimes I attempt to love those who have been forgotten.  As I distribute the meals to the homeless, I smile warmly, attempting to show them how much I care.  Soon, however, I tire of the exercise and want to get back to my side of town. Instead, if I were to let God have His way, letting go of my own agenda, I'd soon find a genuine desire to personally get to know each person passing through the line, discovering a new-found acceptance of them as His image bearers.

I also make up my own form of religion when I try to reach out to my neighbors by a sense of obligation, knowing I am to be salt and light in a dark world.  Every time I hear the foul language spring forth from their mouths, however, and see the way they neglect their children, my efforts to show kindness draws to a close.  If I were to give up my tendency to point out their flaws, however, and simply let God remind me how much they need Jesus just like I do, I would not be able to fathom the compassion that flows out to them.  

I follow my own form of religion when I attempt to love others in the way I think I should instead of letting God perfectly love them through me (1 John 4:7-8).

While I may think it ridiculous that the tribe of Dan worshiped an image and thought they were doing right, I often set up my own form of religion and think it honors God.  Unfortunately, when I rely on my own wisdom, power and love, my attempts are proved a fraud.  If I want to follow God, I must do it His way.  Otherwise, I will find myself following a god that is not at all the One I seek.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay true to what God teaches in His Word.

When do I rely on my own understanding to try to negotiate the potholes of life instead of depending on God?

How am I making up things as I go instead of following the path God has marked out for me?


Originally published on April 2, 2014

In the Vacuum

"When I was in deep trouble,

I searched for the Lord.

All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven,

but my soul was not comforted.

I think of God, and I moan,

overwhelmed with longing for his help."

Psalm 77:2-3 NLT

Sleep was impossible for her.  Instead, she paced the floor, peering out the window between the curtains, searching the sky for some sign of Him.  Her heart was leaden, weighed down with every mother's worst nightmare that had become her reality.  The daughter she had worked so hard to protect, guide and nurture was suddenly gone, cruelly snatched from her home by an unknown evil.  

This mother needed her daughter back.  She yearned to once again hear her sweet laughter, be interrupted by her silly antics, to watch her peacefully sleep.  Instead, her home once warmed by the girl's presence was now empty as a tomb.  She wondered why God offered no solace for her aching soul.

God had not left my friend in her greatest hour of need, just as He had faithfully been with His people of old, as He had promised.  Sometimes, though, His silence is deafening and His inaction speaks volumes to my wounded heart.  This is when it's important that I follow Asaph's lead, turning my attention away from what distresses me and toward what will give me strength to carry on.

Remember.  He is mighty and strong.  He has done great things in the lives of His people, in the history of His nation, in the heart of this follower.  There were times when my head exploded as I tried to comprehend His ability to care so intimately about me along with the throngs of others He personally attended to.  How could He direct my footsteps so carefully while keeping His eye upon each wounded heart, wayward soul, and weakening spirit?  My heart rejoiced in such a Father as this.

So where was my praise now, as I sat in the quiet, failing to sense His presence nor see the work of His sovereign hand?  It was time to recall the acts that showcased His power and strength in the past, reminding me of what He is capable of doing, giving me a refresher of His might to jog my memory that He is a good God for which nothing is impossible.

I don't need to feel God's presence in order to remember His mighty acts of old.

Meditate.  I often use my brain power to analyze situations, searching for the perfect solution, rehashing prior situations to look for flaws and discover how I failed.  My mind is constantly at work, always thinking, never quiet.  Why not use such a powerhouse to meditate on God's mighty works?

When I think of meditation I often picture a woman whose legs are tied up in an impossible position that reminds me of a pretzel.  Her eyes are closed and her upturned hands rest quietly on her knees.  She sits without moving for an unbearable amount of time, clearing her mind of all thought while eerie music floats on the air and the smoke of incense filters through the room.

This may be one form of meditation, but there is another which would benefit me in times of trouble when God seems so far away.  Instead of clearing my mind, I can use it's power to ponder God's mighty works, thinking deeply about His constant character and how His faithfulness effects my life.  Instead of focusing on what is wrong in my life or in the world around me, I can center my attention on all the good found in the nature of God.  

I don't need to feel God's presence in order to meditate on how God's faithful and powerful nature has shown up in my life and in the lives of His people.

Praise Him.  There are things I know about God.  I read His Word which clearly speaks of His greatness, power and holiness, telling stories of His goodness, love and faithfulness and giving examples of His redemptive, supernatural and intimate nature.  I often mistakenly believe I must feel His Spirit moving in me in order to give Him praise.  In reality, it's when I don't sense His presence that my worship is most meaningful.

William Law, 18th Century priest, evangelical thinker and theological writer, left something behind for modern-day believers to ponder.  "One who makes it a rule to be content in every part and accident of life because it comes from God praises God in a much higher manner than one who has some set time for the singing of psalms."  This sounds like Romans 12:1 put in practice, does it not?  May it be my constant custom, then, to liberally give honor and glory to God for who He is, what He has done, is doing, and will do, and because He is always worthy of praise, no matter what is going on in my life.  When I humbly accept my lot in life, this submission to God's sovereignty speaks volumes to His heart.

I don't need to feel God's presence in order to accept my current situation while giving praise to Him for His many attributes.

Sometime God seems distant and silent, as if He no longer exists.  I wonder why He won't answer; is it something I've done or not done?  How have I failed?  It's easy to take it personally.  Instead, why not remember His acts of might and power, meditate on His nature, and be content with my circumstances while praising Him for who He is.  In these ways, I'll find peace in the vacuum.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my mind trained on God's faithfulness instead of depending upon my sense of His presence to sustain me.

When do I despair because I can't feel God with me?

How does my faith falter if I no longer sense His constant presence?

Work of God Displayed

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned,"

said Jesus,

"but this happened so that the works of God

might be displayed in him.

As long as it is day,

we must do the works of him who sent me.

Night is coming,

when no one can work.

While I am in the world,

I am the light of the world."

John 9:3-5

Why me?  he cried out.  It would have been better if I had never been born.  If I had died at birth, at least I'd now be at peace.  As it is, I am in misery.  Everything I ever loved has been taken away from me.  All that defined my life is gone.  The only one left is my wife and even she says I should curse God and die.  What did I ever do to deserve the hell my life has become? (Job 3)

Sometimes it's easy to forget God's Sovereignty and blame bad things on past sins and their consequences.  The truth is, however, that God often allows these times of trial into our lives in order to spotlight His power and glory.

Sickness

It seemed like she'd never feel normal again.  While her family attempted to live their lives with some sense of normalcy, she writhed in pain in her darkened room, crying out to God in her misery.  In the hours she spent in solitude, she wracked her brain for a purpose for the suffering.  Was it the sins of her father who used and abused her?  Could it be due to all the years of putting her own well-being on the back-burner while she tended to her large family?  Maybe it's because she never really knew God like she thought she did.

As this tormented woman searched for an answer within her own understanding, God was using the situation to bring the rest of her family to their knees.  One by one, each member began to submit to Him, giving their lives to the One who created them for a purpose.  Like a vine growing rapidly until it covers the ground, the love of God was invading this home.  Due to the suffering of the matriarch, the rest of the family sought out the strength of God to get them through.

I can't expect to understand why God chooses a certain event, circumstance or condition into my life.  What I can expect is that He has chosen it for a purpose and that He will bring good out of it. (Romans 8:28) 

It could be the time of suffering will be used to draw me closer to the God of compassion who can comfort me in a way I've never experienced.  Then, I'll have a tool with which to reassure others in similar situations.  (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Maybe I am forced into bed rest so I'll learn to accept help from others, bringing glory to God as they get to use their gifts to bring relief to my suffering.

Sometimes, the time of ill-health can be used to showcase the power of God as He not only heals my body, but mends broken relationships as well.

In times of sickness, I can't tell God how to get His glory.

Family Issues

She was worried about her sister.  From the time she could remember, her younger sibling was under the iron fist of their mother.  While her life was controlled to the minute detail, at least she was safe from harm.  

When the mildly developmentally disabled middle-aged woman finally met the love of her life, she quickly married and set up a home of her own.  The extended family was ecstatic, that is until they began to notice signs of abuse and alcoholism from her new husband.  She was better off at home with their mother, the siblings agreed.

While the above situation is heartbreaking, God is using it to spread the brilliance of His name.  Family members who had never considered the Lord as part of their lives are turning to Him for guidance.  The sister who is caught in the middle of the difficulty is trusting God in a whole new way.  And it is evident that God is putting people who have been where he is in the path of the husband.  

God is using this difficulty to move some to a higher level in their relationship with Him, and others to begin what they never before considered but will in the end save their eternal life.

In times of family difficulties, I can't tell God how to get His glory.

Accidents

They became fast friends; the victim and the Good Samaritan.  While they would never have normally befriended each other, that fateful day on the interstate sealed the deal:  The two women were meant to be connected.

God has a way of using circumstances to bring people together who would normally cross paths.  It could be they live on opposite ends of town, circulate through different social circles or come from completely different backgrounds.  Whatever the reason, the Lord knows how to put me in touch with those He designed to be a part of my life.

For this reason, when I find myself in a crisis, instead of fretting over the totaled car, I can focus on the people who are in my midst.  When an emergency suddenly presents itself, the knowledge that there could be more to the predicament in which I find myself than the difficulty itself can bring a bit of peace to my troubled heart.  Instead of assuming God is out to get me when I face yet another mishap, I can rest in the knowledge that He is at work bringing good into my life.

In times of calamity, I can't tell God how to get His glory.

It's all too easy to forget the sovereignty of God and instead blame the bad things that happen on my past sins or assume I'm only reaping the consequences of seeds I've sown.  Sometimes, however, God intentionally allows hard times into my life in order to bring glory to Himself.  He often uses sickness, family issues and accidents to showcase His power and might.  It is evident that I cannot tell God how to best display His awesome glory: only He knows what's best.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God when things go haywire.

When do I forget God is in control and assume I'm simply unlucky?

How am I failing to see how God is at work through the difficulties in my life?  

Uniquely Equipped

"For the Spirit God have us does not make us timid,

but gives us power,

love

and self-discipline.

So

do not be ashamed of the testimony

about our Lord or of me his prisoner.

Rather,

join with me in suffering for the gospel,

by the power of God."

2 Timothy 1:7-8

Their laughter only made the blood rise quicker until it reached the tips of my ears, turning my face red as a beet.  I couldn't believe what they were saying about my Lord Jesus Christ!  Attention always made me uncomfortable, but the comments I was about to say in defense of the One whom they were ridiculing would most assuredly draw negative attention, to say the least.  My thoughts betrayed my fear: How can I speak up and risk my reputation?  I've always been known as one who goes with the flow, but standing for Christ in the midst of such widespread contempt for Him would definitely rock the boat.

Living in a world that is opposed to Christ can cause any believer to quake in their shoes.  God, however, did not give us this spirit of apprehension.  Instead, He uniquely equipped us to testify about Him.

Power of God

False accusations flew like so many stones thrown with the intent to kill.  Those in authority, who had the influence to make his life a living nightmare, had been stirred into a frenzy.  Their intent was to bring him down.  Even with all their efforts, though, these troublemakers were about to experience a smack down like no other.  You see, Stephen, the one they accused, was full of God's grace and power.  No one could argue against the divine wisdom that came out of his mouth. (Acts 6:8,10)

Stephen went on to give a speech to the Sanhedrin that began with Moses and chronicled the history of God's people.  (Acts 7)  He ended by turning the accusing finger back on his adversaries, delivering a message of judgement from a holy God.  For this, Stephen lost his life.  While this may not seem like a victory, for God's kingdom, it is.  That fateful day, all who were present for the speech of Stephen heard the power of God as He communicated through the lips of a man.  

Stephen is not unique in that I, as a believer, possess that same power of God to speak the truth boldly to those who stand against the Lord.  All it takes is for me to be a willing vessel.  When I step forward in faith, He will deliver the right words at the right time and give me the courage to say them.  But I'll never know until I trust Him enough to step forward.

God's power uniquely equips me to testify about the Lord.

Love of God

There was no reason for her to stay; her husband had died, she didn't have any children, and her mother-in-law was planning to travel back to her hometown.  The only logical decision would be for Ruth to return home to her birth family.  Her heart, however, would not let her leave this woman that she had grown to love and respect. (Ruth 1:16-17)  

God's love empowers me to do things I normally wouldn't do, like forgive someone who hurt me, or reach out to someone who makes me uncomfortable, or consider my enemy to be my friend. There is no greater power than the love of God.

This love never gives up on people, even those who seem like they'll never care about the forgiveness that is theirs through Jesus Christ.  The compassion of God prepares me to speak the truth in a gentle and kind way to those who need to hear it.  When I live by way of the love that God so generously supplies, it will be the trademark by which I am known.  (John 13:35)

God's love uniquely equips me to testify about the Lord.

Self-Discipline

Nike began a successful advertising campaign with three simple words: Just Do It.  In a nutshell, this summarized the need for self-discipline when sticking to any exercise or training regime.  Successful athletes are known for this kind of discipline because they know it's the only way to excel in their sport.

In a similar way, I need a bit of discipline in my spiritual walk.  The Apostle Paul spent a lot of time teaching and discipling other believers. I am sure there were days that he didn't feel like talking to anyone.  Maybe he didn't have a good nights sleep and he was a bit grumpy, like I am prone to get.  Or, it could be that he just wasn't in the mood, or didn't feel his usual passion for training others in God's ways.  Some days are what I like to call, "bad hair days."

The amazing thing about God, is that he gives us a spirit of self-discipline for those days when I don't want to do what He's called me to do, but I can push through anyway with this spirit of obedience.

For the times when an opportunity to share the gospel is presented but I don't feel in the mood, I can follow-through despite my lack of passion. Instead of waiting to feel motivated to tell what I know about the Lord, I can just do it.

Self-discipline uniquely equips me to testify about the Lord.

I am living in a world that desperately needs to hear the message of love and grace that is found in the good news of Jesus Christ.  When I'm feeling afraid to speak up, I can tap into the power that comes from God, His trademark love, and the ability to follow-through despite my lack of motivation.  I have been uniquely equipped to testify through words and actions, but it is up to me to utilize these tools.  Then I will know what it means to not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop depending upon my own wherewithal and instead depend upon the spirit God has given to me.

How do I let my feelings dictate my actions (or lack of action)?

When am I afraid to speak up for Christ?  How can I purposefully depend upon the spirit God has given me during those times?