So What?

"Then the LORD turned to him and said,

'Go with the strength you have,

and rescue Israel from the Midianites.

I am sending you!'

'But Lord,' Gideon replied, 'How can I rescue Israel?

My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh,

and I am the least in my entire family!'

The LORD said to him,

'I will be with you.  

And you will destroy the Midianites

as if you were fighting against one man.'"

Judges 6:14-16 NLT

My dog ate my homework.

The sun was in my eyes.

I forgot.

I ran out of time.

These are common excuses I've heard throughout my life.  While it is tempting for me to use excuses to justify my failures, it doesn't do anything toward solving the problem my sin has created.  It takes humility and spiritual maturity to be able to own up to my weaknesses and wrongdoing.

As if it wasn't bad enough for me to try to explain away my failure to do right when dealing with humans, it simply isn't a good idea to try this same tactic when it comes to God.  Still, it doesn't keep me from trying.  Usually, my insecurities and fears drive me to such a point.

When God calls, I have a million excuses:  I'm ill-equipped, not well-suited, afraid, inexperienced.  What I must remember is that God calls the weak to shame the strong in order to receive all the glory for what is done and to keep me humble (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).  Therefore, I must trust Him and remember the only thing that matters; He is with me!

Wisdom

The world says that wisdom comes with experience and age, honed over the years when one has gone through difficult circumstances and come out on the other side with lessons learned and understanding gained.  God, however, says something different.

He says that He is the source of all wisdom.  When I need to know what to do, how to handle a situation or how to best use the resources God has given me, He will show me if I trust Him fully.  I must believe with all of my heart that He holds the answer to every question, the solution to all problems and the key to every locked door (James 1:2-8).  If I'm not completely confident in His ability to supply the know-how and understanding I need, He will withhold wisdom from me.

When I don't respect God as the giver of all good things and the dispenser of all that I need, I will doubt, thinking I may need to consult a wise friend to confirm His answer (Psalm 111:10).  Other times I may think it foolish to only depend on God to show me the way, wondering, what if He's busy or what if I miss His cues?  I could even prefer to listen to "an expert" since his advice sounds so practical and common-sense.  Whatever my excuse for not seeking God, it will only result in missing His guidance. 

When I seek the world's brand of "wisdom" I will find myself going after that which does not honor God.  My mission will become to elevate my own agenda and to win at all costs.  I'll look out for my own best interests and forget about others, figuring they can fend for themselves.  Jealousy will rear it's ugly head and I'll find myself miserable.

The wisdom God dispenses liberally, however, is wholly intent on honoring Him and furthering His purpose.  It doesn't promote the common practice of using others to get what I want but sees all people as bearers of God's holy image.  Peace will follow as God gets the glory for what He is doing in my life (James 3:13-18).

When I trust God enough to answer His call on my life, He will give me wisdom to know how to live.

Strength

I am weak.  As someone who has been given physical strength, however, this admission does not come easily.  While it may be natural for me to lift a heavy box, take two steps at a time, or open a tightly-closed jar, it's not so easy for me to do what is outside of my comfort zone.  For this, I need the strength of the Lord.

God is faithful to provide the power I need to love those who treat me with contempt.  It takes His strength to show kindness and compassion to someone who constantly throws sharp barbs at me.  Often, though, the harshest among us are the ones who are hurting the most.  God's love could break through the hard shell they've erected for protection.  

He is also the only One who can lift me up out of the pit of despair.  When my feelings tell me I'm no good and my life is without hope, the Lord is the One who can give me the strength to stand up and receive His mercy (Psalm 40:1-3).

In addition, the Lord can give me the ability to stand firm in times of confusion, speaking the truth in love.  When it seems to me that others are more equipped to stand up for what is right, if I'm the one who notices the wrong-teaching, it is up to me to set the record straight.  He will give me the strength to do my part so the body of Christ will be edified (Ephesians 4:14-16).

When I trust God enough to answer His call on my life, He will give me the strength to do what He's called me to do.  

Favor

I didn't know what to do.  I finished all the work, but was unsure of how to complete the job.  Since I didn't feel comfortable with the final stages, I let the project sit dormant for years.  As my friend is fond of saying, I failed to run through the finish line.

God is a strong finisher.  When He set out to create the world, He didn't stop until the task was done, looking at His work and declaring it good (Genesis 1).  I, on the other hand, tend to work with gusto in the areas where I feel comfortable and neglect what is not.  For instance, I have no problem cooking up a great meal, but would rather leave the clean-up to someone else.

When I buck my feelings, however, and instead trust God enough to plunge ahead, I will find that He sets all the pieces in place so that the job is not as bad as I thought it would be.  Before I know it, I'm doing what I thought I could never do because the Lord is making it all work out.  

If I don't feel comfortable speaking in public, for example, I can trust Him to give me the words I need to deliver the message He has for others to hear.  Or, when I answer His call to adopt a child even though I've never thought of myself as the motherly type, I will find my heart drawn to the little one who so desperately needs a home.  Even if I don't mind praying with my family but could never imagine leading a prayer in a group, trusting God enough to obey His gentle prods will result in words freely flowing from my mouth in a song of praise.

Not only will God equip me, but He has gone before me to set all the pieces in place in preparation for my arrival.  When I resist the urge to hold back but instead walk forward in faith, I will find doors opening up to allow my passage, people offering to help, and resources appearing as if from nowhere.  I'll only witness this kind of favor, however, when I trust God enough to take a step into the darkness where He is waiting for me.

When I trust God enough to answer His call in my life, His favor will enable me to finish the mission.

I have a million excuses as to why I can't do something to which God is calling me.  God's answer, however, is "So what?"  If He is with me, what is there I cannot do?  His presence gives me the wisdom I need to know what to do, the strength required to do the work, and the favor that is necessary to finish the job.  In other words, I have no excuse!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop using excuses and start trusting God.

When do I feel weak but forget that He is strong?

How am I trying to make things happen instead of following God's lead?   


Originally published on March 18, 2014 

Enlightenment

"Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works."

Psalm 119:27 ESV

The 18th century was a time of philosophical exploration, of great scientific finds, and the replacing of tradition by reason.  It was dubbed "The Enlightenment" and many great writings, inventions and discoveries, radical laws and revolutions were generated during this time period.  It seemed to be a time of great awakening.

In order for my mind to be awakened to God's Word and to come to a deeper understanding of His ways, I need Him to intervene.  I am dependent upon His grace to make Himself known to me; it's not something I can attain through my own effort and in my limited capacity.  What will happen when He does?  I will undergo a revolution of my own!

Strength.  I'm ready to give up.  I feel like I can't go on.  Life has become too difficult and I've lost the will to live for Jesus.  It seems easier just to let things happen as they may.  Great sorrow fills my soul as I realize how desperate is my situation.

I take a chance and cry out to my Father, sinking into His Word.  There I find strength as I submerge myself in the life-giving Truth.  As my mind is realigned with His perfect ways, right-thinking is restored and I see my situation from a different viewpoint.  Instead of only focusing on the difficulties surrounding me, my field of vision is taken over by the magnificence of God.  He gave me strength by putting things back into proper perspective with Him at the center of my attention.

"My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" (Psalm 119:28)

Guidance.  I'm easily distracted from the Truth.  Alluring ways entice me away from wholehearted devotion to Jesus.  I hear a repackaging of an old lie and I think I've found the answer; it appeals so to my flesh that I'm quickly drawn away.  I need help to stay on track.

Through faith in Jesus Christ I have a Spirit who shows me the better way.  While I may not be removed from temptation, He is faithful to provide a way out so that I can stand firm against that which lures me away from my First Love (1 Corinthians 10:13, Revelation 2:4). 

Sometimes these temptations are merely attitudes.  On the outside it may seem I'm committed to God and His ways, but my motivation may be off; I could be more devoted to pleasing people than God or driven my ambition instead of a passion for Christ or inspired by fear or guilt instead of love.  I need God to show me the fallacy of my ways and show me His in a way I can understand.

"Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!" (Psalm 119:29)

Heart.  It's hard to commit to something if I don't see the value of it.  When I was young, I didn't understand the importance of checking the oil in my car, even though I'd been told numerous time to do so.  Since I didn't see the value in making sure my vehicle's engine had enough oil circulating through it, I hardly ever bothered to pull the dip stick out to gauge it's levels.  Then one day the car wouldn't start.  The engine had been damaged beyond repair by driving without enough oil.  After spending hundreds of dollars to repair it, I suddenly understood the importance of checking my oil.

I tend to learn things the hard way, but when it comes to God, I can trust Him to open my heart so I will understand the value of living His way.  As I place myself in His hands like a pliable lump of clay, He forms me into the shape He created me to be.  Undergoing this transformation, I find myself drawn to the rightness of godly living.  This internal makeover gives me a greater appreciation for His way, and a deep desire to stick to the rocky path that leads to life.  Even when the going gets tough, I'll want to stand firm in Him because He has given me an affinity for Him and His Word.  

"I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!" (Psalm 119:32)

There is no way my puny mind can comprehend God's Word apart from His clarifying and instructive Spirit.  Therefore, I am dependent upon His grace to give me understanding.  As I lean on Him, I'll find the strength that comes from His Word, the guidance He provides through it, and the open heart I need in order to stick to it.  This is the kind of insight that comes from God; this is true enlightenment!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let Him enlighten me.

When do I lean on my own understanding instead of God's?

How do I sink into sorrow instead of letting God's Word give me strength?  

His Dwelling Place

"How lovely is your dwelling place,

O LORD of Heaven's Armies."

Psalm 84:1 NLT

I long for the dwelling place of God where I will be blessed and find peace and security.  Where is this blissful place?  In heaven on high, in the mansion Jesus is preparing for me?  Must I wait until this life is over to enter into His courts?  Or does the psalmist speak of the here and now, that I can enter into such a wonderful place in this moment?

Submit.  "Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise." (v 4 ESV)  Growing up, there were rules for those who lived in our house.  We were expected to clean up after ourselves, to share the load of daily chores, and to each take our turn in cooking and cleaning up the kitchen.  As children, we also were to submit to the decisions our parents made with the understanding that they were acting on our behalf, looking out for our best interest.  It was a pretty good system and I don't ever remember questioning whether or not my needs would be met or if I was protected.  I lived at peace under my parents' roof.

As a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, it is no different (1 John 3:1).  I live in His kingdom, in the here and now (Luke 17:21).  With God as my Father, it is my duty as His child to let Him have His way, to trust Him with the details of my life and to agree to His best for me.  Instead of running after things that are outside of His dwelling place, I can learn to be content with Him and what He provides for me (Matthew 6:31-33).

I live in God's wonderful dwelling place when I submit to my Father in all my ways.

Strength. "What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD. . ." (v 5 NLT)

Living in this world throughout my life, I have learned to depend upon myself, to lean on my own understanding about how the world works, and to do for myself.  I've become quite independent and am too proud to ask for help and let someone else do for me.  With such a mindset and way of living, I often feel pooped out and discouraged.  It's hard to live by my own strength.

As a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, there is a better way (Isaiah 40:31).  God never runs out of steam or feels depressed or downhearted.  In contrast, no matter how positive my attitude is, I will at some point reach the end of myself, but God has no borders.  He is without parameters nor does He have limits.  His power is unequaled and the end of it can never be found.  Therefore, when I trust in Him for my strength, I'll never run out and I'll find joy in such abundance.

I live in God's wonderful dwelling place when I let Him be my strength no matter what I face in life.

Value.  "A single day in your courts is better than I thousand anywhere else!" (v 10 NLT)

Throughout my life there have been many other places for which my heart has yearned.  I wanted success, notoriety, someone to love me, purpose, all the things that I thought would make my life meaningful.  I ran after them with gusto, sure that once I reached my goals I would finally have peace and contentment.  I never saw the value of God and the place He had prepared for me in His presence.

My Father has been drawing me toward Himself for my whole life, challenging me to taste and see that He is good (Psalm 34:8).  Now that I have seen the great plan He has for me and the security that comes from buying into His purposes for me, I want more of Him and no longer see what was so great about those other foolish pursuits (1 Peter 1:1-3).  What once held great value to me now means nothing (Philippians 3:8).  Finally I can see that His courts are better than anything else this world has to offer, and there is no place I'd rather be than sitting at His feet.

I live in God's wonderful dwelling place when I appreciate the value of living in His presence.

This world is dark and evil, and its hard to go on living in such a place.  I long for something better, and it overjoys me to realize I can enter into His dwelling place right now.  I can find His blessing in the here and now when I submit to His best for me, lean on His strength, and come to appreciate the value found in His presence.  In these ways I will find His dwelling place right here on earth, and my heart will sing His praises!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can receive this wonderful dwelling God yearns for me to enter.

When do I insist on having my own way, which turns out to be much inferior to God's best?

How am I leaning on my own strength and growing weary?  

    

No Matter What

"God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging."

Psalm 46:1-3

Think of your worst, your greatest fear.  Got a picture of it?  Okay, now, how will you face it?  If it came to pass, what would you do?

The answer is, "God."  He is how you and I face our greatest fear realized.

Refuge.  Wherever I am, He is there.  There is nowhere I can go where His Spirit is not there also (Psalm 139:7-11).  If I sink into the darkest depths of despair, He is there.  If I rise to the heights of success, He is there.  If I run far away in an effort to prove my worth by finding my own way, He is there.

My Father is always there.  It's not just that He is omnipresent, which He is.  Rather, it's the fact that His heart is always there with me.  He is a romantic, constantly seeking me out, as afraid I am of intimacy.  No matter how much I fear revealing the dark things found in the deepest parts of me, He is there.  And He is safe.  

I can trust Him with my greatest fears!  He will not turn away in disgust, withdrawing His love out of disappointment.  No!  I am secure in His steadfast love.  So secure that I can open up myself to Him and share it all with Him.  He is my refuge.  When no one else understands, He does.  When I feel abandoned by all, He is there.  When fear grips my heart, giving me an ugly countenance, He sees me as beautiful in the midst of the distress.

When facing my greatest fears, God is my safe place where I will always be accepted as a well-loved child.

Strength.  My greatest fear saps me of energy.  It leaves me helpless and vulnerable.  In the face of it, I lose all ability to think rationally, to push through the wall that rises up, to carry on.  Even though I loathe quitting, I want nothing more than to give up, letting the failure come because I think it's so much better than what I dread.

If I keep my eyes on my Father, however, as He stands steadfast in love before me, I will have the strength I need to persevere.  What seemed so impossible suddenly becomes possible in the presence of my Savior.  He rescues me from hopelessness and delivers me into a new realm where I can put one foot in front of the other, moving toward what scares me.  Instead of backing off, as is my natural self-preserving inclination, I have been given the supernatural ability to endure, to withstand the storm, to persist (Isaiah 40:28-31).

When facing my greatest fears, God is my source of strength to face my fears as I grow in His love for me.

Ever-present.  Soldiers spend a lot of time caring for their weapon.  When in combat, their firearm is their best friend, their hope for survival, their greatest ally.  Therefore, they want to make sure it works properly, that it can be counted on.  It is tested often, cleaned regularly, and maintained consistently.  When it is needed, it must work; their life depends on it!

When I'm facing what weakens my knees with fright, I want to know without a doubt that God is trustworthy and constant.  If I'm going to put my faith in Him, it will be with the understanding that He can be counted on.  I must realize that He will never let me down.

When I comprehend these aspects of God; His faithfulness, His proven dependability, His willingness to help me when I call on Him, I will be able to put my life in His hands.  He is exactly who He says He is in His Word.  He is close to the brokenhearted, hears me when I cry out to Him, and is my source of hope (Psalm 34:18, Psalm 18:6, Psalm 62:5).

When facing my greatest fears, God can be counted on as a well-proven presence in my life as I place my trust wholly in Him.

It's hard to think about facing that which sends my heart into panic.  If my greatest fear is realized, it will not be the end.  God will be my answer as I discover how safe He is, that His strength can be mine, and He is a constant presence that can be counted on.  In these ways, even though I'm in the middle of my worst nightmare, I'm finding that He is the answer, no matter what.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep close to the God who is always close to me.

When do I pull away from God, uncomfortable with His advances?

What do I fear the most and spend a lot of energy avoiding?     

     

Who is this King of Glory?

"Lift up your heads, you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,

the LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, you gates;

lift them up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?

The LORD Almighty--

he is the King of glory."

Jesus.  His birth is what I celebrate at this time of year.  I scurry around making preparations which often distract me from the purpose for Christmas: A time to joyfully celebrate a God who would send His Son to earth as a lowly human in order to reconcile mankind to Himself, placing His precious Son in the womb of a teenage girl so He could grow into a man who would die on the cross for me and for you.  Jesus.  He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

I invited Jesus in as King of my life, but do I really know Him?  Who is this King of glory?

Strength.  If I had to live the life Jesus lived while He was here on earth, I would have grown weary.  I would have reached a breaking point as I ministered to people who many times couldn't care less about the message I was delivering.  I would have been disgusted by the attitudes of the Pharisees who thought they were so good but couldn't even grasp a simple truth.  I would have grown tired of people always wanting something from me, the constant press of humanity against my flesh would have pushed me over the edge.  "Heal me.  Help me.  Give to me."  Yes, I would have quickly grown weary.

But Jesus has this strength that keeps Him coming.  He doesn't give up, never getting tired.  While His flesh may have felt the effects of keeping up such a fast pace and demanding schedule, His Spirit never grew weary (Isaiah 40:28).  He was always ready to deliver one more person from suffering, to lead one more captive to freedom, to offer one more thirsty soul living water.  And He still is.

Who is Jesus?  He is the One who is strong enough to bear my burdens, propel me forward and empower me to live for Him.

Mighty Warrior.  There is something about a battle between good and evil that draws me in.  Whether this story comes in movie or book form, it doesn't matter.  My heart beats faster when I witness a character standing up to the bad guy, going against the odds in the name of what is right or defeating evil.  

I think I'm drawn into such a narrative because Jesus is this kind of warrior in my life.  I have an enemy who is bent on my destruction, who wants nothing more than to steal my peace, kill my faith and destroy my life (John 10:10).  He lurks around like a prowling lion, looking for ways to trip me up and discourage me (1 Peter 5:8).  I sometimes feel so helpless against his attacks.  

Then I remember my Mighty Warrior who fights on my behalf and has already conquered such evil (John 16:33).  With Jesus at my side, there is no weapon meant to harm me that can succeed, no power working against me that can bring me down, no enemy tactic designed to wreak havoc that will triumph (Isaiah 54:17).

Who is Jesus?  He is my Mighty Warrior who fights my battles, giving me confidence to walk boldly forward despite the battle that swirls around me.

Lord of Hosts.  He is the Lord Almighty.  He is sovereign over all things.  He is the avenger of His people.  When it seems all hope is lost, that this world is going down in flames and there is nothing I can do about it, Jesus is still on the throne and it is in He that I place my hope.

I need not worry that evil is running rampant, unchecked and without consequence.  The Lord of Hosts is at His post and will bring about justice in due time.  When my heart hurts to see the innocent suffering at the hands of the wicked, I can rest easy knowing that the sovereign Lord is biding His time until His fury is unleashed.  My stomach is turned to witness how darkness is being portrayed as light, that which is wrong as if it was right, but the Lord Almighty sees all and will let no injustice go unpunished. 

Who is Jesus?  He is the Lord of Hosts, giving me courage to minister to the suffering, knowing that He will avenge.

Jesus is not just the babe in the manger I see portrayed at this time of year.  He set aside His divinity for a time in order to enter the world He created as an infant, but His true character has so many facets.  I have invited Him into my heart to rule over my life as my strength, my Mighty Warrior, and the Lord of hosts.   Who is this King of glory?  He is Jesus, and His many names say it all!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can never stop seeking to learn more about the King of my life.

When do I make Jesus one-dimensional, minimizing His true character?

Do I know the real Jesus, or am I just familiar with the Jesus portrayed in pop culture?

Him Who Called

"Because he was very thirsty,

he cried out to the LORD,

'You have given your servant this great victory.

Must I now die of thirst

and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?'

Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi,

and water came out of it.

When Samson drank,

his strength returned and he revived.

So the spring was called En Hakkore,

and it is still there in Lehi."

Judges 15:18-19

He was known for his wild outbursts, passionate tantrums and violent ways.  It seemed he couldn't control himself, often killing many in the course of one of his rampages.  He's not my idea of a leader that could be respected nor admired.  In my opinion, he was a selfish, immature man with serious anger issues.

Nevertheless, Samson was chosen by God to lead the people of Israel for 20 years.  Why would He set apart such an aggressive, cruel man to serve as their judge?  God intended to use such a man to bring judgement upon the Philistines and deliver His people from their enemy's hand. (Judges 13:5) 

As much fault as I can find in this man of strength who was bent on revenge, I can admit that Samson knew, at least in some small way, from where his strength came.  After killing 1000 men with the jawbone of a donkey, he became very thirsty.  Instead of drawing from his own resources, he cried out to the One he knew as the Source of all good things and the Provider of his needs.  Therefore, the spring God made in response became known as the "spring of him who called."

Likewise, I can be known as one who calls in my time of need.

Strength

I can't go on, its just too much.  It doesn't take much for me to reach the end of my rope.  Even small frustrations or stresses can deplete me of my own resources.  Living life in my own strength is an exercise in futility.

When I admit my need for God's strength and cry out to Him in desperation, He comes through, enabling me to take another step.  The prophet Isaiah reminded God's people of the wisdom of relying on His strength. (Isaiah 40:28-31) God doesn't get tired or run out of steam like I do.  Therefore, I can go to Him at any time and draw from His stores of power to accomplish what is impossible for my measly means.

Sometimes that means I'll soar to new heights, feeling like I'm on top of the world and can accomplish anything.  Other times His strength gives me that extra oomph I need to finish well.  Then there are the times when He enables me to simply keep putting one foot in front of the other.  

These are the times when I feel most inadequate and like I'm not good for much of anything.  In reality, I'm bringing glory to Him as I rely on His strength to keep me from giving up.  Persevering and resisting the urge to quit often takes the most power of all.

When I rely on God to supply the strength I need to carry on, I am leaving a legacy as one who calls upon the Lord.

Provision

Some call it "the rat race."  Day after day the routine is the same:  Get up, get dressed, get out the door, fight the traffic, find a parking spot, rush to the office, labor all day, get in the car, go home, go to bed, do it all over again.  Life can consist of a constant struggle to provide for my needs and those of my family.

While most would not consider this as much of a life, it is the reality for many.  For those who follow Christ, however, there is so much more.  I was made for a purpose that goes far beyond surviving.  Instead, He created me to thrive, doing meaningful things that impact eternity.  (Ephesians 2:10, John 10:10)

When I focus on pursuing what I think I need, however,  I lose sight of my true purpose.  Instead of fulfilling the purpose for which I was made, I become focused on things that hold no eternal value.  I spend my time making sure I have enough provisions, stocking up on savings to make sure my future is secure, and building my reserves so I have something to fall back on.

While I'm working so hard to provide for my own needs, I am missing out on the good things God has saved up for me.  I am forgetting I have a Father whose desire is to provide for me in ways I never imagined and who wants nothing more from me than my heart. (Ephesians 3:20,Matthew 6:31-33) While I'm wearing myself down in my pursuit of happiness, He is waiting for me to let Him give me my heart's desire. (Psalm 37:4)  Trouble is, I'm too busy trying to go after it myself.

God made me to focus on higher things. (Matthew 6:33) Instead of acting like those who do not know their purpose, I must live like I'm here to give God the glory for the great things He is doing in my life.  Instead of pretending like I'm left to fend for myself, I must live like I've got a Father who lovingly and faithfully provides for my needs.  Instead of getting caught up in the temporal,  I must live like the eternal is what is most valuable. 

When I rely on God to supply for my needs, I am leaving a legacy as one who calls upon the Lord.

Love

 It is the calling card of those who follow Jesus, the mark that sets me apart from the world, the sign of Someone's presence in my heart.  Love.  It is patient, kind, intent on protecting, trusting, hoping and persevering.  It isn't boastful or proud, dishonoring to others or easily angered.  Instead of seeking what's best for self, love looks out for the best interest of others.  Love rejoices when what is right and true prevails, never celebrating an injustice, even if its done to an enemy.  Love never fails.  (1 Corinthians 13)

This kind of love cannot be found in the world, nor is it available in my own darkened heart.  Instead, the love described above only exists in the Lord.  He is love, and He is my only source of love.  There is no way I can generate the kind of love God emits; it only comes from Him. (1 John 4:7-8)

Therefore, if I want to love as He has called me to love, I must draw from His deep well that flows through my life when I'm connected to Him.  When I make the effort to drum up some kind of compassionate feelings toward another, I'll fall short.  Only in relationship with the Source of love will I find myself able to care for others.  

When I rely on God to supply the love that is to be my hallmark as a believer, I am leaving a legacy as one who calls upon the Lord.

I am flawed in many ways, much like the infamous Samson.  While God used the man of strength in a way that fulfilled His sovereign purpose, He can use me similarly.  In order to leave a mark in this world that will last, however, I must rely on God for my strength, to provide for my needs, and to supply the love that I am called to show.  In these ways I'll leave a legacy as one who calls upon the Lord, the Giver of all good things.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can make it my goal to bring glory to God in all that I do.  

When do I run after my own needs instead of letting God choose what's best for me?

How am I guilty of relying on my own meager strength when I could be drawing from His unending stores?

Connected

"One of those days Jesus went out to

a mountainside to pray,

and spent the night praying to God.

When morning came,

he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them,

whom he also designated apostles:

Simon (whom he named Peter), 

his brother Andrew,

James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas,

James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,

Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot,

who became a traitor."

Luke 6:12-16

Here is a simple quiz you can take to help determine whether you are at risk for burning out on the job or in your ministry:

1.  Do you feel run down and drained of physical or emotional energy?

2.  Do you find that you are prone to negative thinking about your job or ministry?

3.  Do you find that you are harder and less sympathetic with people than perhaps they deserve?

4.  Do you find yourself getting easily irritated by small problems, or by your co-workers or team?

5.  Do you feel misunderstood or unappreciated by your co-workers or team members?

6.  Do you feel that you have no one to talk to?

7.  Do you feel that you are achieving less than you should?

8.  Do you feel under an unpleasant level of pressure to succeed?

9.  Do you feel that you are not getting what you want out of your job or ministry?

10.Do you feel there is more work than you practically have the ability to do?

Not only is this a great tool to use to determine whether or not I'm susceptible to burnout, but it is also an excellent way to gauge upon whose strength I am relying.

Jesus always stayed connected to His Father.  Consequently, His mind was always focused on His Father's will.  (Luke 2:49)  His habit of getting away from the task at hand and spending time in prayer with His Father kept Him in touch with the Source of all His power and gave Him an advantage when tackling the day to day frustrations that come with being human.

Wisdom

The world says that wisdom, or the power to judge and discern properly what is true and right, comes with age.  Psalm 111:10, however, says that, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."  Revering and placing God in the highest, most prominent position in my life begins a flow of His wisdom into my mind.  As I get closer to Him, He shows me how to live His way.   

Offering myself as a living sacrifice to God, committing myself to living for Him instead of for me, prompts Him to reveal His will to my transformed mind. (Romans 12:1-2) His way starts to become the preferred way for me.  

So when I'm connected to God and I'm faced with a major decision, my mind will be clear with the option He prepared for me at this time.  

When I'm following His lead and I come to a fork in the road, His preferred route will stand out to me as the clear path to follow.

When I am rightly related to my Father and disaster strikes, my heart will be at peace as He guides me through the steps He has for me.

Staying connected to my Father as Jesus did will give me wisdom to know His will for my life.

Strength

As a young adult, I competed in powerlifting.  As someone who was naturally strong, this sport seemed like a perfect outlet for me.  I ended up going to the Drug-Free Nationals and broke several records for my age group.  I had learned how to gain much physical strength.

But strong muscles do not naturally translate to emotional or spiritual strength.  If I'm physically fit, I am no better prepared to face the stresses and difficulties of life than my out-of-shape counterpart. 

I know a woman who is struggling with the loss of her daughter.  Her child did not die from a terrible disease, or run away from home.  No, this precious 14-year-old girl was abducted from the safety of her own bedroom.  To this day, the mother knows who took her, but not what her fate is.  Even though she is going through every parent's worst nightmare, she has an inner strength few can understand.  Some have called her cold and uncaring, others have assessed that she's in denial, still others wonder if she somehow played a part in this horrible act.  

The truth is, this mother has claimed, "The LORD as my strength and my shield." (Psalm 28:7) She knows from where her help comes (Psalm 121) and Who is the source of that assistance.  (Psalm 46:1-3)

Nineteenth-century clergyman Phillips Brooks put's it all into Kingdom perspective when he advised, "Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people!  Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers: pray for powers equal to your tasks.  Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle but you shall be a miracle.  Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God."

Staying connected to my Father as Jesus did will provide an unlimited source of strength to live for Him, no matter what comes my way.

Purpose

John the Baptist never suffered from an identity crisis.  He had been taught from the moment he could understand what his purpose was here on earth: "to make straight the way for the Lord." (John 1:23)  John's purpose was clear and he never wavered from fulfilling that plan until his death by beheading.  (Matthew 14)

Unfortunately, most of us don't know so clearly the plan God has for us.  (Jeremiah 29:11)  Just the fact that a plan exists, however, is enough to give my life meaning.  If, instead, I thought life was a giant cosmic mistake, a series of events that occurred randomly and unintentionally resulted in the complexity that is human life, I would tend to think my life was pretty worthless.  What's the point if there's no greater plan?  

Thankfully, there is a purpose for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and God is the author of that plan!  Knowing there is a reason for my life gives me an impression that I possess value and also gives me a sense that I'm a part of a bigger plan that includes more than just me.  My piece fits into all the other parts and helps to create the whole.  (1 Corinthians 12)

When I put my life into the hands of the Master Artist, He creates a masterpiece.  Solomon poetically penned the thought that, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)  Trusting God with my life means He's already done a beautiful thing, it's just a matter of waiting on the appointed time.  The fact that it will happen is a done deal.

As a child of God through faith in Jesus, I can count on the truth that God is transforming me into the image of His Son.  Continuing to walk in faith by obeying His personal guidance and allowing Him to keep up that transformational work means I'll develop godly desires to do what pleases Him. (Philippians 2:13-14)  This all comes through cultivating my relationship with the God who loves me.

Staying connected to my Father as Jesus did gives me a sense of purpose that guides me confidently through life as I follow His plan.

It's easy to burn out when I'm trying to live my life based on worldly wisdom, by working in my own strength and in creating my own plan for my life.  But endurance will come when I instead stay connected to my Father who dispenses His wisdom through me, gives me the strength I need when I need it and colors my entire life with a sense of purpose and design.  Then I will not only be able to avoid suffering from exhaustion and discouragement but will soar on wings like eagles.  (Isaiah 40)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay connected to my source of wisdom, strength and purpose.

How do I try to rely on my own strength?

When do I float through my day, bouncing from one thing to another, instead of intentionally living according to His will?