In the Making

If we went to a museum and were able to secure a headset to do a guided audio tour, we would find that as we followed along, we would be given information about the works we are viewing and the artists who created them.

If we were in a foreign country visiting, we would need to be sure to secure an audio tour speaking our native language to be sure we would understand the informaiton we are being given.

If in either case we either turned the wrong way or were listening to the tour in a language we neither speak nor understand, what we would be listeing to would make no sense. We have to follow the directions and they have to be in a language we understand.

The same is true with our walk with the LORD. The Spirit deposited inside us speaks what it hears from God. (John 16:13) But in order for us to recognize the language, we have to be familiar with the words the Spirit will be saying. If we aren't, we will probably miss the message.

The Holy Spirit was given to us as a gift. A gift that is meant to be appreciated and used. 

In John 14:26, depending upon the translation we are reading, the Holy Spirit is described as the advocate, helper, comforter, or the counselor. The Greek word used is parakletos and means:

in the widest sense, a helper, succorer, aider, assistant; so of the Holy Spirit destined

to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after His ascension to the Father), to lead

them to a deeper knowledge of gospel truth, and to give them the divine strength needed

to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.

Now, if you are stubborn like me and someone offers you help, you might insist you can do it on your own. In the case of refusing the Holy Spirit's help by not acknowledging (a) its availability, (b) its desire to do its job, or (c) the need to read the word to understand it, we are setting ourselves up for a less than stellar performance.

And I can't help but wonder how many times I have been given the exact help, comfort, and wisdom I needed and didn't even realize or recognize it. I wonder if the same has happened to you.

But here's the hope: knowledge is power. If we can learn from this, we can move forward in it. We can make different decisions and actively choose to listen for that still small voice to speak words that sound familiar. 

Ya know, Moses understood this. He said in Exodus he didn't want to lead the people if the presence of God would not go with them. (Exodus 33:15) We have been given the presence of God through His Spirit. He truly is with us at all times. Not sure? Read Psalm 139. But the most beautiful part is that if we follow that Spirit closely, we might just see a masterpiece or two in the making. And anyone who witnesses the process in us will be given a guided tour of God's ability to create beauty.

Initial Response

According to the Merriam Webster student dictionary, a response is a reaction of a living thing to a stimulus. For better or worse, it's what we do when something provokes us.

I would be willing to bet that most of us, if not all of us, have responded in a way we wish we hadn't in a given situation. Most of the time this happens when we receive ALL of the information AFTER we have already acted like a real jerk and then realize if we had just waited we (hopefully) would have chosen a different behavior or words. I'm convinced this is why Ephesians 4:26 is included in the Bible. In your anger, do not sin.

Granted, there are times that our reactions would have been exactly the same. We might still not have chosen the high road. But the reality is, everytime we don't choose the better path we pay a price. We might harm a relationship, we might lose the respect of others, or we might damage our own hearts. Regardless of what our less than stellar response might be, there is always a cost associated with it.

But what about the times that our behavior might be justified? What if our response is warranted based on what is eliciting it? What then?

As much as I hate to say it, as hard as it is to accept, there is still a cost and I'm afraid the price is much higher, much more precious, and not something we should so willingly surrender to pay.

Exodus 32 is the account of the golden calf that Aaron made at the request of the Israelites because Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain and the people said we don't know what has happened to him. (Exodus 32:1 CSB) The people were so desperate for something to cling to they asked for a god instead of crying out to God. It's sad until you realize how often we do the same thing, but that's not the point.

While Moses was with God, the LORD  realized what was going on and said He was going to destroy the people. Moses intercedes on their behalf, appealing to the LORD and His promises and then descends the mountain with the two stone tablets God had given him. And what happened? As he approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses became enraged and threw the tablets out of his hands, smashing them at the base of the mountain. (Exodus 32:19)

Could he have asked why? Yes. Did he? No. He saw, he got ticked, and he threw the tablets.

As a teacher, my first inclination would be that he could have taken the tablets and shown them that God Himself wrote on them. That He cared enough to send a personalized gift with instruction that He'd already given. But no, he smashed them in anger.

So what was the cost....what did Moses ultimately pay with for his angry outburst? Proof. Actual, tangible proof that he had just spent forty days with the presence of God on top of a mountain. Yes, he would get another set of stone tablets, but those tablets would also become a reminder of the ones he lost, the original ones that came from a personalized retreat.

So here's my question: how often do we do the exact same thing?

How many of us have our morning quiet time with the LORD, to be filled with His Word and presence, only to lose every ounce of peace we were given within moments of human contact with people we either carried or married? You don't have to answer that. I'm pretty sure most of our answers are similar.

And just to point out the reality of this.....here I am writing, it's 5:28 AM on a morning we knew heading into that we had a two hour delay (so far) and I just looked at the man-child who emerged from his slumber and asked him why he was up. I did not say good morning, I did not ask if he wanted his coffee, I asked him why he was up. Perhaps instead I should be thankful and grateful that he is my baby, he is still home, and he is able to move and give me a good morning kiss. Just sayin'.

In John 14:27 Jesus tells us that He gives us His peace. We have it. It is ours. So if that's the case, why do we so willingly give it away? Do we really forget that easily that God knows exactly what is coming and that He's planned for it? Are we really putting the lifted countenance God gives us after spending time with Him on the altar to sacrifice so haphazardly?

Thankfully the second part John 14:27 Jesus tells us that He doesn't give as the world gives. When I read that and really thought about it, I realized that the world gives conditionally and will take things back as a punishment where Jesus gives unconditionally and abundantly because He knows us and what we need.

It's not easy to keep our responses in check all the time. Our flesh will always fight us with knee jerk reactions. But as we grow in Christ-likeness, our reflexes can improve and our spiritual muscles can get stronger. Let's stop giving up the peace we've been given. It's a gift straight from Jesus and it's meant to be treasured not sacrificed.

Mother May I

Do you remember in the book of Daniel when Darius was 'trapped' into condemning Daniel? To recap, the administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors went to the king to suggest that no one be allowed to petition any god or man except the king, and that if he does, the offender would be thrown into the lion's den. They knew Daniel would still pray to God and therefore they would have him dead to rights and he would surely die.

Sometimes I think God, in His perfect wisdom, sets us up much the same way.

I read Personally, I find it easiest to determine if the Spirit is leading me by reflecting on how I am thinking, acting, and feeling. If my thoughts, behavior, and feelings line up with the Word of God, I know the born-again part of me is responding to God's Spirit. (Nourish, p. 84)

I wrote the Spirit of God gives us strength to make right decisions so we learn to rely on the Spirit not on our own strength. (summary from Nourish, p. 84)

I prayed God, help me make the decisions you want me to make.

I opened my Devotions for a Healthier You to Day 37 (yes, we are 37 days in to 2018) and saw Proverbs 3:7-8 at the top of the page.

I realized I have a decision making flaw. I wonder if we all do.

* We can not determine or decide things with an unbiased heart.

* We can not (or at the very least should not) make today's best choice on yesterday's answer or wisdom

* Daily surrender, daily submission, and being led by the Spirit are choices continually made because our flesh will always find a way to influence us.

* If we don't consistently engage our heart and mind and make sure they line up with the Word of God, we will act and run on well-worn neurological pathways....aka bad habits

The problem for me, and maybe for you, is that we often try to be wise in our own eyes. Yes, it is possible, maybe even likely, that God has given us some instructions that aren't going to vary much from day to day. But, if we don't check in with Him just to make sure, we could end up off course pretty easily. And while it's tempting to think He spoke and therefore I know, do we really want to chance that something in our hearts hasn't shifted and He's got more for us today than He did yesterday? Call me crazy, but that sounds like an ordained FOMO.

When the instructions were given to Moses on what to do with Aaron to dress him for the priesthood, he was to have a breastpiece that would contain the Urim and Thummim for decisions so that they would be over Aaron's heart whenever he came before the Lord. (Exodus 28:30) We don't have that. We were given the Spirit of God instead to lead us into all truth. (John 16:13) But here's the catch: the Spirit can't lead very well if we don't ask and then follow. 

As kids, many of us played Mother May I. Before each and every step, before we even thought about taking an action and getting caught and having to go back to start, we asked if we were allowed to do what we wanted to do. Maybe, just maybe, if we saw the gift of the Holy Spirit as our perfect advisor in that way, we just might stop being wise in our own eyes. And maybe, just maybe, we might get the health and nourishment we are desperately seeking.

On Eagles' Wings

You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you

on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. 

Exodus 19:4 CSB

When I read that verse on Saturday I thought it was really interesting. Any time I've thought about being carried on eagles' wings I've typically thought about soaring above the problem. God's statement as related to the Exodus certainly doesn't match that idea.

I sat thinking about God's words and that His perspective of the Exodus included Him carrying out the Israelites on eagles' wings.  Part of me wonders if He said that very much on purpose to get the people to understand that being carried from His point of view is not the same as we might understand it. Personally, I think of it as the way I held my kids and carried them into the house or walked around with them in my arms. I suppose that's not always the case. And if I had to guess, I would think that our impression of this idea comes from Footprints in the Sand.

But if that perception is not entirely accurate there must be something we can learn from God's words and the story of the Exodus.

To be carried on eagles' wings:

* God uses a sign or signal to protect us (blood on the doorpost)......but we have to use it

* God provides for our needs (silver, gold, clothing)......but we have to ask for it

* God will lead us by day and night.......but we have to follow Him

* God will keep us from the enemy.......but we can't wander away

* God will wipe out those who seek to harm us.....but we can't turn back in fear

* God will listen to our complaints......but we must follow specific instructions to have our needs met

Not a single aspect of this concept allows us to just sit and watch things happen, or be lifted up and watch it from a bird's eye view; instead, we are active participants.

I will say there are times God swoops in and provides a dramatic rescue. But I don't think those are the norm. I truly believe He wants us to learn to be empowered by the strength He gives us through His Spirit and to realize that we aren't as weak as we think we are. I mean, if we think we are weak, what does that say we believe about the strength of His Spirit that lives in us? The same one that rose Jesus from the grave (Romans 8:11), the same one that is stronger than the one that is in the world (1 John 4:4), and the same one that causes us to walk (again a very active thing to do) in His ways (Ezekiel 36:27)?

Personally, I think the enemy is whispering in our ears way more than we think he is. I think we see things that others are doing, believe we could never accomplish those same things, and forget to attribute what they are doing to God's ability instead of their own. Ouch, I know.

So here's the challenge for today....if we find ourselves comparing what we are doing with what someone else is doing, let's stop and remember it is God who is giving them strength to do it. Whether or not they can acknowledge that fact is not relevant in any way. We know where the power is coming from. And instead of thinking we could never, let's remember that the same God is more than capable and willing to do something equally spectacular in us. The enemy has no business keeping us in defeat because we have a God who wants to carry us on eagles' wings and just needs our cooperation to do it. 

Invited

Weekly Recap ~ January 29th thru February 2

Monday we looked at how the enemy works to keep us distracted and occupied to keep us from believing the promise of an abundant life.

Tuesday we explored the idea that instead of waiting for God to reaffirm what His word says about is, we must just choose to believe it's been decided and accept it.

On Wednesday we took a verse we are all familiar with and examined the possibility that it might have an application we have easily overlooked.

Thursday was all about the value of following directions and the advantages of making sure we read them correctly.

Finally, yesterday we looked at the idea that what is enough for each of us will be different but that the advantage to making sure we are full is that we'll be loved right back to our personally designed rhythm of grace. 

Have a great weekend!

Defining Enough

Exodus 16: 4, 12, 18 CSB

"I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather

enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they follow My instructions.

"At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will eat bread until you are full. Then

you will know that I am the LORD your God."

the person who gathered a lot had no surplus, and the person who gathered a little had no

shortage. Each gathered as much as he needed to eat.

Last year I read a book titled Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. In this book, he mentioned a practice he started called The Daily Office. The essential idea is to stop at different points in the day to have time with God. Scazzero learned of the practice after spending a week with trappist monks and saw it as their means to remain aware of God's presence while they worked to enable them to maintain healthy balance in their lives. (p.157)

Scazzero continued his quest to understand this by studying David, Daniel, Jesus, and Benedict. He shares that All these people realized that the stopping for the Daily Office to be with God is the key to creating a continual and easy familiarity with God's presence the rest of the day. It is the rhythm of stopping that makes the 'practice of the presence of God' a real possibility. (p.159)

I was reminded of this concept yesterday when I read Matthew 11:28-29 in The Message.

Come to Me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?

Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. 

I'll show you how to take a real rest. 

Walk with Me.....watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you.

Keep company with Me, 

and you will learn to live freely and lightly.

For I am gentle and humble in heart

and you will find rest for your souls.

This is what I have realized since starting this:

1. If I don't move through my morning quiet time in mechanical way from one thing to the next, each thing I read has time to sink in.

2. Taking time throughout the day, in little pockets of time that are naturally built in (like when I sit down to eat my lunch or wait in the car for the kids to get out of school), has increased the level of calm in my heart because I am realigning my heart periodically.

3. I have yet to gather too much or too little. Sometimes God intervenes with a circumstance as if to say, "That's enough for now.....I'll see you in a little while." This was beyond evident yesterday when I planned on continuing in my devotional book after writing this:

I keep thinking of what I have yet to do and all I want to do is just be quiet and still and

let words wash me, make me new, help me see truth and uncover lies. I forgot how good 

it feels to be slow, deliberate, intentional, and flowing freely in the rhythm I was created

to move. I just want to keep breathing slowly, at the pace designed specifically for me.

Within 2 minutes, my husband sent me a text that he was on his way home from our daughter's orthodontist appointment ~ about 30 minutes sooner than I thought he would. He came home and needed to eat lunch. This involved chips which means no more 'quiet time' because now, chips. So what did I do? Go in our bedroom, close the door, put a pillow over my head, and took a short nap. If he hadn't come home when he did, I'd have kept going. But Jesus knew the unforced rhythm of grace I needed and that included an unscheduled nap.

4. This is not a cookie cutter plan. What I need in the morning is different than what I get mid-morning after I get a few things done. It's different than what I read at lunch, picking up the kids, and if I read later in the day. (typically if I am taking my kids to student ministry and I am waiting for them) Every day is unique. 

I realize this sounds luxurious. And I suppose in a way it is. I certainly feel lavishly loved. And if you'd asked me if I thought I could manage this 2 months ago, I'd have laughed ~ loud, hard, and long. But after being made aware of how much what seemed innocent (scrolling facebook) was robbing me of joy, I decided to try spacing things out instead of looking for updates. I realized that I can read while waiting in a doctor's office instead of staring at mindless tv. And I figured out that my car is a really quiet place to read.

But what we all need to realize is that God wants us to come to Him as often as we need. He knows what the perfect amount of time is. And after awhile, we'll all start to notice some pretty significant changes....in our attitudes, stress levels, ability to assess situations before responding, meet needs, etc. What I've been talking about, letting myself get filled and then serving from that overflow, is actually happening. And it's nice. Really nice. And it's not just for me. It's for you, too.

I may not know what your current schedule looks like, but God does. And I may not be able to tell you how it will fit into each day, but God can. And it may not feel like you have the strength to do this or remember to start, but God will remind you. He has so much for each of us and His Spirit will empower us to do what we feel we can't afford to even try. We have that Spirit in us and it is trying to raise our life back to where it was always meant to be: in communion with Him. Let's let Him love us straight back to the unforced rhythm of grace He's uniquely designed for our lives. It's worth it. I promise. 

The devotional book I am reading in the afternoons is Whispers of Rest by Bonnie Gray.

You can find more information on the book on her website or order it from Amazon or Target.