God Mixes It Up

"Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten

what He has made crooked?

When times are good, be happy;

but when times are bad, consider this:

God has made the one

as well as the other.

Therefore, no one can discover

anything about their future."

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

There are so many plans I could make and attempt to carry out in order to give me the life I want.  I recently read about a high school graduate who has his life planned out until he was 43 at which time he believes he will become President of the United States.  While this culture applauds such confidence and ambition, (evidenced by the fact that his story was printed on the front page of the local paper) is it a godly approach to life?  Can any of us really predict the future?  

Only God knows for certain.  Consequently, how should we live?

Control.  My grandmother did it before me and I have inherited her habit.  We share an affinity for weather reports.  While I don't record each day's conditions like she did, I am fascinated by forecasts.  A day is just not complete until I see what the weatherman thinks is headed our way for the coming hours.  The one thing I have noticed is that no one can predict the weather with 100% accuracy. I chalk this up to the sovereignty of God.

In the same way that rain can come on the day of the picnic even though sun is forecast, my own plans can be messed up by an unforeseen event.  Whether it is sickness, an accident, a natural disaster or some other crisis, God could allow hardship and suffering into my life at any time.  As a child of the King, I can be assured that whatever He approves of for my life will test my faith and grow my character (James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 5:3-5).  It all is part of His glorious design that will bring about His best for me while pointing others to Him (Romans 8:28).

As I live my life, peace will come when I rest in the truth of God's sovereignty: He controls my future.

Formula.  "God will give you a good life because you are taking care of children."  My Muslim friend confidently proclaimed this belief to me when my family ran a free afterschool program in our neighborhood.  Her faith taught her that good deeds produces a comfortable, carefree life and that Allah, her god, would reward endeavors performed with a pure heart by shielding her from hardship. 

The One True God does not follow this kind of mindset.  In fact, if I want to live on Easy Street, I had probably better avoid following Jesus (John 15:18-25, Malachi 3:3, John 16:33).  The blessings of God do not always translate into worldly or physical blessings.  Rather, the reward often comes later, after this life is over when I will enter into the presence of God by faith in Jesus (Matthew 5:12, Hebrews 10:35).  If I'm looking for the good life now, I may be disappointed.  If I'm hoping for all that He promises me in eternity,however, I will not be let down.

As I live my life, I'll learn to cope with hardship when I realize the struggles are not necessarily a result of my failures, but often a part of living a life in relationship with Jesus.

Blind.  After I go through a hard thing like a crisis or difficulty that brings pain and suffering, I often feel a bit gun shy, wondering what this present day will bring.  As I consider the hardship I just went through, I think it would be nice to know what's coming down the pike so I could brace myself.  In reality, though, such knowledge would be too much for me to bear.

Thankfully, God knows it is better for His image-bearers to live life blind to the future.  In His wisdom, He only reveals what I need to know at the time that is necessary so as not to overwhelm my frail being with unnecessary heartache.  Therefore, it is vital that I trust Him, realizing if He is wise enough to guard me from knowing too much about what is to come, He is also wise enough to know how to get me through tomorrow's untold sorrows. In fact, I can rest in the fact that He is already there.  His grace is all I need to withstand any heartache; upon this truth I can stake my life (2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 4:12-13).

As I live my life, I can rest in the knowledge that it's enough that God knows what is coming my way, and I can trust that He will get me through tomorrow's unknown.

I can make my plans but only God holds the blueprint for my life.  Therefore, I'd be wise to acknowledge that He is in control, there is no formula to living a stress-free life, and that living blind to the future is God's best for me.  While I'd love to have my life all mapped out so I know what to expect, I've found that God mixes it up.  What an adventure life with Jesus is!

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

When do I attempt to be the master of my own destiny?

How am I frustrated with my inability to control my days? 

  

Trust Brings Blessing

"For the LORD God is our sun and our shield.

He gives us grace and glory.

The LORD will withhold no good thing

from those who do what is right.

O LORD of Heaven's Armies,

what joy for those who trust in you."

Psalm 84:11-12 NLT

Fear grips her heart as the headlines scroll across the screen.  She ponders all that is happening and her chest tightens with anxiety.  Projecting forward into the future, she foresees calamity entering her own world and she cannot breath.  

It's easy to fall into such a trap while living in a world that is filled with things to dread and worry about.  Tragedy could strike at any time, so precariously balanced is my fragile life.  I want to trust God in all things, and I know that's what He wants from me, but it means letting go of the fear of the unknown, releasing my desire to have some semblance of control, and turning from the oh-so-familiar anxiety which I wear like a comfy sweater.

There are some things I can learn about God that will help me to trust Him.  And when I do place my faith in Him, there will be such joy!

Sun.  Without it, the inhabitants of earth would have no light.  It brings warmth to an otherwise cold planet, also serving as the center of orbit for this solar system, holding the planets on course.  Plant life uses it's radiation and heat to grow and produce and without it, there would be no life as we know it.  The sun is the source of life-giving energy as well as the center of our universe.

On a much grander scale, God could be compared to the sun.  He is the source of all good things and without Him, life would not exist nor would it be able to endure.  God made everything, and if it wasn't for Him, I would not be here thinking the thoughts I'm pondering about Him (Genesis 1).  Even though I'd like to think I'm pretty important in the scheme of things, mankind wasn't even brought into existence until the final day of a week filled with creative invention.  While I'm not an afterthought, I am certainly not the center of the universe.  That is God's rightful place.

As the source, He is also good so everything that comes from Him is good (James 1:17, 1 John 1:5).  This means I can trust what He gives, knowing that it will be beneficial to me and my life.  I need not fear anything with such a God as this in my life!

When I understand that God is the source of life and all good things, I can trust Him with my life.

Shield.  I scrambled for shelter as the hail stones pelted my exposed sin.  I had been caught out in the storm as I rode my bike home from school one day and while the adventure of it all had been exhilarating, I was glad to reach the protection of my home.  

Life can be like that sudden hail storm I experienced as a child.  I find myself out in the midst of difficulty, feeling like I'm exposed and vulnerable to the harm that often comes from every angle.  God wants to serve as my shield, my safe place in the midst of the hard times, the heartache and the struggle (Psalm 46:1-3), but I must enter into His shelter.

When I understand that God is my ever-present help in times of trouble, I can trust Him with my life.

Generous.  His character is kind and big-hearted.  He wants His children to experience all the goodness He has to give.  He is not stingy, giving only what is needed, nor is He conditional, withholding until I get my act together.   Instead, it is His desire to lavish heavenly gifts upon me as His well-loved child.

The thing is, I often look elsewhere for meaning and purpose, depending upon other sources to give me what I need.  Sometimes it's my own ability to provide and protect that I rely on.  Other times it's the people I respect as dependable and able to take care of me.  Then there are times I even believe good will come if I just let it, not even considering the source of such good things.

If I put all my eggs in God's basket, inclining my heart toward Him and expecting Him to give me what I need, I'll find Him come through every time (Matthew 6:32-33).  If I live as if He doesn't exist, as if my actions don't matter, then I'm not open to what He has to give and I'll miss out on all His blessings (James 1:5-8).

When I understand that God is a generous God who wants to shower me with blessings, I can trust Him enough to walk His way. 

It is hard to trust God, I'm not going to sugar-coat it.  But gaining a larger view of God helps make it easier.  When I understand that He is the source of all good things, my protection and a generous God, I will begin to see that I can place all my weight on Him, trusting Him implicitly.  You see, this God is truly trustworthy, and when I trust Him, I'll find much blessing in return.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can place all that worries me into the hands of a God who is able to handle it.

How do I hold back from letting God have free-reign in my life?

When do I forget all good things come from God?

     

True Wisdom

"O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

I will answer him and care for him.

I am like a green pine tree;

your fruitfulness comes from me.

Who is wise?  He will realize these things.

Who is discerning?  He will understand them.

The ways of the LORD are right;

the righteous walk in them,

but the rebellious stumble in them."

Hosea 14:8-9

They invested their time in our community.  Many hours were sacrificed in their quest to make our neighborhood pool safe and pleasant for the benefit for all who live here.  They selfishly gave out of a desire to make a difference.  Their reward?  Homeowner's cursed them out.  Some called them racist.  Still others threatened and belittled their efforts.  Finally out of discouragement and frustration, they quit serving; and no one can blame them.  

I can relate to this couple who tried to make their little part of the world a better place.  It's a worthy goal.  The problem is when I try to make a difference in my own strength.  I run into difficulties when I make an effort using my own knowledge.  My engine quickly runs out of steam and I hit the wall of discouragement when I am doing it for the wrong reasons.

The Apostle Paul says that God should be my motivation for everything I do.  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (Colossians 3:23)  If I change the reason why I do the things I do, I won't lose heart as easily.  When my expectation is that a human will appreciate all the hard work I am putting into a project, then I will feel disappointed, unappreciated and dejected when no one notices.  But if I instead expect no recognition except from my Father in heaven, then I will be able to withstand all kinds of mistreatment.

Following God and doing all for Him will never take me down a path that is wrong. Doing things out of obedience to His calling will always succeed in making a difference in God's Kingdom.   If I want true wisdom in how to live my life, I need look no further than Him.

Trust Him

Jesus was falsely accused, unfairly sentenced to death, spat upon, flogged, mocked, made fun of and beaten before He was finally nailed to the cross.  As He withstood this treatment out of obedience to His Father's will, salvation for all mankind was made available to those who trust in Him as their Savior.  But throughout the horrible ordeal, Jesus never stood up for Himself.  He never said a word in His defense.  Even though all power was made available to Him, He trusted His Father and His plan instead of lashing out at his accusers.  

Oswald Chambers said that, "Our Lord trusted no man; yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, never in despair about any man, because He put God first in trust; He trusted absolutely in what God's grace could do for any man.  If I put my trust in human beings first, I will end in despairing of everyone; I will become bitter, because I have insisted on man being what no man ever can be--absolutely right.  Never trust anything but the grace of God in yourself or in anyone else."

I admit that I give way to much credit to my fellow man.  I expect good treatment and a word of encouragement.  Instead, I receive ridicule and opposition.  I think it's reasonable for people to support my efforts, but no one shows up and I end up doing it all myself.  I give, give and give and people just keep taking.  

My problem is not that I'm doing the wrong things, but that I'm not leaving the outcome in God's hands.  He is in charge of the results, my own task is to do as He's asked.  If He wants me to mop the floor, I scrub away.  If someone tracks mud on it's sparkling clean surface 10 minutes later, that is frustrating, but it doesn't undo my obedience. My objective wasn't so much a clean floor as in doing as I'm told.   God is pleased.  

If He puts it on my heart to tutor a child, I plan lessons and carry out the mission.  If the student doesn't put forth the effort or fails to show up, I am not unsuccessful.  I have done my part and God is pleased.

If God opens the door for a business opportunity and I put my all into it, God is pleased with my efforts even if I never see a monetary blessing.  

Trusting God means I do what He says and leave the rest up to Him.  After all, His ways are right so following Him means I can't go wrong!

Willingly Choose

At the end of time when every human being will stand before the judgment seat of God, He informed us that, "Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God." (Romans 14:11)  I can either wait until that time to bow before my Maker, or I can honor Him by living His way now.  Everyone will acknowledge Him as God and Jesus as Lord; the only variable is time.  Either I do it now under my own volition, or do it then under God's compulsion.

Despite what is popular to believe today, there is such a thing as truth.  God's way is good and right.  As the Creator of this universe, He knows how best to run things.  I, however, only look out for my best interest.  I can't see the big picture so my choices mostly lead to destruction and emptiness.  

I have the option of willingly choosing today to submit my will to His, trusting Him for the outcome of my efforts and opting to walk in righteousness.   Paul instructs us how to do this in a practical way in Ephesians 4:29-32.  He says to only say things to build others up, telling them what they need to hear not what I want to say.  It is also important to sweep my life clean of bitterness, rage and anger, and to stop bringing others down either physically or with my words.  Instead, I can choose to act in a kind and compassionate way, cutting others a break as I remember how much God has forgiven in my life.

When I am under attack and being threatened with a law suit, I can rest in the knowledge that God is in control and He will serve as my Defender.  I can choose to live at peace with my foe.  

When I am feeling anything but loved in my marriage, I can choose to obey God and respect my husband.

When my temptation is to show disgust and loathing for those who treat me cruelly, I can instead decide to love them as God has loved me.    

Living God's way is a choice I can make now for, "He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous. . . will never be shaken." (Psalm 15:2 and 5)

Stubbornly Resist

One of my dogs can act pretty stubbornly at times.  If he's afraid of a sprinkler, for instance, he will dig his heels in and refuse to proceed.  The only way to be able to continue on the walk is for me to make a wide berth around the perceived threat.  

This is not uncommon behavior, in fact it's quite prevalent in human beings, especially in the toddler and teenage stages.  Have you ever tried to make a two-year-old child eat something he doesn't like?  He will stubbornly resist.

I can be just as inflexible in my insistence to live my life my way.   I know God wants me to put others needs above my own, but my flesh cries out to satisfy my own desires and strive to reach my selfish goals.  Many times I know I need help, but my pride holds me back from asking.  What will people think?  Other times it feels good to put a mean and nasty person in their place instead of loving them right where they are.

My nature is rebellious toward God and His righteous pathway.  It is easy and natural to fight against His ways.  In order for me to please Him and live a life of peace, however, it is necessary for me to stop digging in my heels and let Him lead.

Stubbornly resisting God is a lifestyle choice that will lead to strife and discord.  

The motivation for living my life can come from many different directions, but true wisdom comes from putting God first and acknowledging Him as the Lord of my life.  This will be evident in the way I trust Him enough to obey without worrying about the outcome, in my choice to willingly follow Him, and in how I let go of my natural tendency to stubbornly resist His ways.  Then I can consider myself to be a wise woman.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can strive to obtain this kind of true wisdom.

How do I fail to trust God, instead trying to work toward a certain outcome?

When do I dig in my heels against God's gently prodding?