Mind over Matter?

Our thoughts are extremely powerful and have the amazing ability to determine our outlook on life. Our thoughts can be optimistic or pessimistic in nature. They can bring healing and peace, or confusion and discord.  In one of my college Business classes, I learned of an interesting phenomenon referred to as the Pygmalian Effect, or self-fulfilling prophecy.  In essence, it means that we believe certain things about ourselves, and the statements we make and beliefs we hold on to actually can alter our actions, thereby coming true. If we say, “I’m probably going to have a lousy day today,” we may inadvertently alter our actions so that such a prediction is fulfilled.  It may be an unconscious gesture, yet it seems to become our reality just by our thinking and saying it. Another person might espouse a self-fulfilling prophecy in a positive way by stating, “Today I’m going to have a great day,” and thereby may unconsciously act in ways that will actually make this prediction come true.  What I find very interesting is that even the Bible concurs. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Could this be the explanation why we are often our own worst enemy? Negative, untrue, self-talk programs us to believe what we think.  God tells us how much He loves us, yet we don’t receive His love because we believe we are unlovable. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to forgive us for our sins and die in our place, yet we find it difficult to believe we are forgiven. He has given us the promised Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, empowering us to live godly lives while offering us guidance and compassion, yet we fail to draw on His power because we can’t physically see or hear Him.  Or, we fail to believe Him altogether because He doesn’t appear to be coming through for us in the way we expected. I think it is safe to say that our biggest obstacle will always be our “thinking.” If not filtered through God’s written Word, our thoughts will often be tainted and untrue. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Only when we actively trust God and seek His truth with a humble and obedient heart can we get His perspective on our situation and wisdom for our journey. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Shifting gears just a little, let us discuss willpower vs. commitment with regard to our mind, thoughts and actions. Some people equate willpower as the driving force behind their thoughts and actions.  It is often referred to as the self-discipline, training and control of oneself, usually for self-improvement. Take weight loss, for example. It takes discipline and an enormous amount of self-control to begin an exercise program, limit caloric intake, and make lifestyle changes. While willpower initially motivates you to action, it alone is not enough to sustain your weight loss.  Spiritually speaking, willpower may be the discipline we need to begin reading our Bibles consistently or developing a regular prayer time, but if not backed by a sincere and personal commitment to God, we will find ourselves easily substituting our newly developed spiritual practices for the “busy” activities and demands that come our way.

I like to think of willpower  as running a sprint, whereas commitment is like running a marathon.  Our willpower will eventually fail us.  When the going gets tough, when disappointments come our way, or when we just don’t think we can make it through another day, our willpower will eventually fail us. Often we throw in the towel and give up altogether.  Commitment, on the other hand, is in it for the long haul.  It does not give up when life gets difficult. It does not surrender under pressure, but it moves steadily forward, even under opposition or great difficulty. It trusts. It believes. It perseveres. Its’ outlook remains positive even under adverse circumstances because it focuses on the promises of God.  “Yes, God is for me.  He will never leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love, no matter how I may feel or what may be happening around me. He will use all of my trials for good.”

Galations 6:7-9 reminds us, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  This principle is not only applied negatively, but also positively.  In the psychological sense, it is also referred to as the “law of attraction.” This law states that everything coming into your life is a result of what you have been attracting to your life by your thinking, saying, believing, and feeling. Picture your words and thoughts as magnets, and your emotions and feelings as super magnets. Everything around you, including all the negative thoughts you have complained about, you have attracted. Likewise, when you think positive thoughts, you are attracting similar thoughts to you.

Now, I’m not a “psychological” expert, but I know that I certainly don’t want negative thoughts attracted to me. I have learned over the years that my thoughts and feelings are extremely powerful and have the ability to bring confusion, doubt and despair or love, joy and peace into my life. Frankly, I prefer the latter. Therefore, it is imperative that I stop inward-thinking and make a shift to upward-thinking by refocusing on God. I need to replace my thoughts with His thoughts, and my ways with His ways. The best way I have found to do this is by reading and meditating on God’s Word. It is the ultimate truth that dispels the enemy’s attacks and lies. “God sanctifies us through His truth; His Word is truth” (John 17:17).  As Christians, we can have the mind of Christ.  God says so in His Word.  1 Corinthians 2:16, “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” This is where true commitment will come in, because it will require that you consistently immerse yourself in God’s Word. As you faithfully do your part, God will impart His mind to you by the power of His Spirit as He speaks and equips you to receive the truth.

Remember, that our emotions and feelings are fickle, up and down like a wild roller coaster ride, and therefore, not reliable indicators of the truth.  These emotions and feelings can easily feed our thoughts with distorted truth. Their panic-driven sensationalism often invades our deepest core beliefs as they wreak havoc in our souls.  We must fight back with the Sword of the Spirit, for it alone is the truth that will set us free.  We cannot allow our fickle emotions and unreliable thoughts to run our life. They may make a wonderful caboose, but they certainly make a terrible engine!

 “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

Spiritual Poverty

Have you ever wondered why a Christian, someone who knows and professes Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, struggles to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ?  Without sounding judgmental, I have known many who truly do believe that Jesus is the Christ, yet have forfeited any real spiritual growth in their lives.  Sure, there are times when some fruit is produced, yet the branches remain stringy and the fruit that they bear is sparse. Think of a cherry tomato plant, for instance. When it gets the proper nutrients, water, and sunlight, it flourishes as it produces hundreds of cherry tomatoes on its thick branches. If it gets a little water here and there and minimal sunlight, it may not die, but it will struggle to grow and produce fruit.  Of course, if it gets no water or sunlight at all, it will fail to grow altogether.   

The vital ingredients that are absolute necessary in order for them to grow into lush, fruit-bearing tomato plants are what they take in. In this case, sunlight, water, and plant fertilizer.  Consider this plant analogy when you think of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as water, sunlight, and fertilizer are necessary to produce an abundant crop, we desperately need to draw deep from the well of Jesus Christ in order to grow into the Christians He created us to be. Professing our faith in Jesus Christ may gain us salvation, but in order to bear fruit, we must stay connected to the vine. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). 

Okay, you understand that with your mind.  You need more of Jesus. Yet for some reason, it can take such a long time for that reality to travel from your head deep down into your heart. You know you should pray daily, read your Bible, and make Jesus Christ an integral part of your life.  And often you start praying or reading your Bible, yet you quickly fall away, old habits re-emerge and you are left “stuck” in the same place you were 10 years ago.  The reality is that if someone were to look at your plant, it would not have grown into that lush fruit-bearing plant that God intended it to be.  You become discouraged and frustrated as your efforts appear to be so minimal. You may even ask yourself “What is wrong with me? What’s the use? Why can’t I seem to move forward in my faith walk?”

As I recently read Scripture, I pondered on a verse that took on an entire new meaning for me. Taken from the book of Matthew, it is often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount or the Beatitudes. Jesus spoke to the crowds and addressed many topics. The very first verse is the one that struck me most. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).  As I meditated on the verse and asked God for insight, He brought some thoughts to my mind.  To be “poor in spirit” is to experience spiritual poverty, or to recognize one’s utter neediness and dependence on God.  It is to come to the end of ourselves, recognizing our own inadequacy to handle life, and that we are incapable of becoming the person God wants us to be without His Divine intervention. Being “poor in spirit” personifies a life that is not spiritually proud or self-sufficient, but desperately wants to know and love God.  It hungers and thirsts for the living God and desires to walk with Him intimately.  Knowing “about Jesus” is no longer sufficient. The person who is poor in spirit has arrived at the place in his life where nothing else satisfies—he now yearns to know Jesus personally and intimately. So he surrenders his life completely to Jesus as well as the many concerns that consume him.  He trusts that Jesus is fully in control and will never let him go. He takes his hand off the wheel and allows Jesus to be in the driver’s seat of his life.

Easier said than done, right?  Not really.  I believe there are two primary ways that we can experience spiritual poverty.  Unfortunately, one of them is quite painful as it involves suffering and brokenness. Suffering has the ability to bring us to the end of ourselves and to our knees quicker than anything else. Jesus said that He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. When we suffer we cry out to God and are desperate for healing. “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliver, O my God, do not delay” (Psalm 40:17).   “This poor man called and the Lord heard him, he saved him out of all his troubles” (Psalm 34:6). 

Brokenness brings us to God who alone has the power to heal our broken hearts. However, even in our brokenness we must come to Him and believe that He is with us and has the power to restore and redeem us.  Many people remain in their brokenness, while they languish in bitterness of soul, because they have not fully surrendered their lives, including their pain and sorrows, to Jesus Christ. Because they hold onto their pain, they don’t fully relinquish it to God, and He is unable to completely restore and heal them. Once they let go and surrender their deepest hurts to the Lord, He carries them gently as He strengthens them day by day.  Before long their faith and trust in Him grows and they come to recognize that God can use all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Yes, even the most gut-wrenching, painful experiences of our lives.

Even though Jesus Himself told us that in this world we will have troubles, we are to take heart for He has overcome the world. He loves us too much to leave us the way we are; and, therefore, the trials he allows have enormous capacity to bring us to spiritual poverty. However, I don’t believe that every single Christian is called to suffer immense pain or experience extreme tragedy in order to become “poor in spirit”.  I think most people would prefer to experience spiritual poverty through a less painful way—the way of Obedience. 

When we are obedient to God we put ourselves in the proper position as we align our life to God’s will.  The best way to become obedient is to immerse yourself in God’s Word and let the Holy Spirit take over.  I believe that to know God is to love Him; to love God is to obey Him; and, to obey God is to serve Him.  KNOW, LOVE, OBEY, SERVE. I truly believe that we will never love God until we get to know Him, and the absolute best way to know God is to become a lifelong student of His Word.  When you come to know God through the written Word you can’t help but fall in love with Him.  Besides, the Holy Spirit takes over and does miraculous transformation in your life and heart through the written Word.  When you fall in love with Jesus, your heart desires what He does, and obedience is the natural outflow of your love for Him. The Holy Spirit continually opens the eyes of your heart, He quickens you when you sin, and you quickly turn to God for forgiveness.  You desire to live your life in obedience to God as you surrender all areas of your life to Him. You recognize that He is Sovereign and that He will perfect all that concerns you.  This is living in total dependence on God, and He graciously replaces your worries, frustrations, doubts, and concerns with His perfect peace. You are experiencing “spiritual poverty” as you take your hands off the wheel and depend on Him to take you safely to your destination.

In closing, the notes in my NIV Bible describe the state of being “blessed” as the “ultimate well-being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the kingdom of God.” When we are “poor in spirit” Jesus says that we are truly blessed for ours is the kingdom of heaven. I think Jesus is telling us that—yes, we can have a little heaven while we inhabit the earth here and now.  And I am quite sure that what awaits us in heaven with Jesus is simply beyond our wildest imagination!

Confessions of a Weary Mom

 It was beginning to look like one of “those” days.  You now—the kind you’d rather not have. It was somewhat dreary outside and looked like rain was coming our way.  In just 2 short days my son would be leaving for his freshman year at Ohio State University.  We had spent 19 years preparing him for this big day, yet I was not prepared for the myriad of emotions I’d been feeling lately.  "I can’t believe that he is moving out of our home to begin his new life. Our childrearing years are over. Where did they go? It seemed like only yesterday when he was still holding my hand as we were strolling along.  I know I must let him go, but why does it have to sting my heart?"

As I was driving my 14 year old daughter to school I nearly struck a baby squirrel. Thankfully, a quick swerve left the little critter intact. It had been a month since the new school year began and I wanted to know how things were going for her. I wasn’t prepared to hear about her continued struggle with friendships.  It is not that she doesn’t have any friends, but I sense that she longs for deeper friendships.  In recent months she made a great new friend only to find out last month that she was moving. No one has filled that void.  Although she is filled with joy and silly laughter, she is very sensitive, and therefore, easily hurt. As her mom, I hurt even more. I can identify with those same feelings because I had them too when I was younger. Someone else was always smarter, prettier, and more popular than me.

Thankfully, I now know what to do—take all these concerns and hurts to God in prayer. But does she do that? I wasn’t even half-way home when the emotions overwhelmingly took over and I began to cry. "Why are kids so cruel? Please God, bring her good, strong friendships. Above all, help her to see that she needs you as her best friend.”

Again my thoughts turned to my son.  Two more days. “Oh, please Lord—help me to not make my kids my 'idol.' I know I must let them go even if it means they struggle a bit. I do believe you are with them and will protect them.” I felt my spirit begin to sink into despair. I couldn’t wait to get home. “I need to be with you, Lord. I need to hear from you. I want your perspective.”

In a few short minutes I arrived home. Instead of immediately sitting in my prayer chair to talk to God, I decided to check my e-mail. When I got online the headline caught my attention.  “Young mother kills newborn babies.”  Although I heard the faint whisper to not read the article, curiosity took over and I quickly pushed the button to open the screen so I could read the story.  I wished I had heeded that soft voice. Not only did the 25 year old mother give birth to her newborn twins in the bathroom of her parent’s home, she proceeded to asphyxiate them as they began to cry. She didn’t want her parents to know she was pregnant, so she hid the pregnancy, gave birth to the babies, killed them, and then disposed of them in a laundry basket.  Now she will be spending many years in prison for such a devastating crime. I was aghast with horror and began to weep profusely. “What on earth is wrong with this world? Why God, why?  She could have given those babies up for adoption. So many infertile couples would have loved to raise them as their own.”

I had enough. I am so grateful that I didn't chose to crawl into bed and become depressed, but instead I lit some candles, turned on worship music, and envisioned myself crawling into the lap of my heavenly Father. I was still crying but soon felt myself calm down. I talked to Him about all that concerned me.  I prayed for my children, and I prayed for strength.  I knew those little babies were with God, and that one day there would be no more tears, or heartache, or goodbyes.  That brought me solace.  As I continued to listen to the worship music it was as if a heavy cloud lifted off of me. I read my daily devotional and before long opened my Bible to soak in God’s Word.  I can’t even remember when the “cloud of despair” was lifted from me, but it was. I had spent precious time with my Savior, and in His love and grace He blessed me with His peace. I have learned over the years that is precisely why we must come to the Lord often.  Not just when we’re weary, but also when we’re busy, stressed, and need comfort and direction that only He can give. He never fails us.  What a few moments in His presence can do is absolutely amazing.

Unfortunately, the world will continue to have its troubles.  There will still be confusion, pain and heartache, but Jesus tells us to take heart for He has overcome the world.  And you know what?  I believe Him. Crawl into His lap and spend some solitary moments with Him, and before long all the cares of the world will drift away.  He will take away your confusion, despair and sorrow, and infuse you with His power, His strength, and His perfect peace.  And that is enough.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. " Matthew 11:28-30

"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."  Mark 6:31

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul."  Psalm 23:1-3

"O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."  Psalm 30:3, 5

Who Is Filling Your Cup?

One of our most basic human needs is the need to be loved.  Ask any psychologist what so many of his clients have in common.  Very often it is a deep-seeded insecurity that stems from feeling unwanted or unloved. In an effort to determine wherein the insecurity lies the psychologist often takes you back in time to your early childhood years.  Maybe someone close to you withheld affection or never validated you.  Or worse—maybe you were abused or neglected. But let’s be real honest here—we don’t have to live through detrimental experiences in order to need a little therapy.  Most, if not all of us, carry insecurities with us.  We’re just real good about hiding them and keeping them to ourselves. Why else do we turn to other people or even materialism to feel validated?  What is it about the human tendency to stockpile things or amass wealth?  Does it make us feel more secure if our investment portfolio is high?  Do we feel better about ourselves if we drive new car even though it puts us in tremendous debt?  Do we really believe that people will love us more if we have a certain look, wear certain clothes, and own certain material possessions?

I believe that God made us with a deep yearning to be loved and to love in return.  Every one of us desires to be loved unconditionally by someone.  Why else do we go to such extremes?  We attempt to change our appearance by continually striving to look thinner, younger, and more attractive. We buy the latest and greatest gadgets hoping that they will attract someone to us.  Often we put on a façade that makes us appear to have it all together hoping that maybe then we will be found worthy of true love.

Fortunately, there is Someone who does love us unconditionally. And we don’t need to do anything special or create a certain look either! In fact, He loves us just the way we are, and His love is unfailing and everlasting.  That Someone is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is the only One who can truly satisfy the deepest longings in our heart. The problem is that more often than not we look for something or someone else to fill us. We do not turn to Jesus first, but usually as a last resort, when all else has failed us. We could save ourselves a lot of heartache if we would go to Jesus first and find our satisfaction in His unfailing love. Oswald Chambers once wrote, “No love of the natural heart is safe unless the human heart has been satisfied by God first.”  I agree.

Picture with me that every day of your life you are given a cup, that when filled, will quench your thirst for the day.  This cup represents all of your unmet needs.  Your goal is to fill the cup every day because when it is full your unmet needs have been satisfied, your insecurities are gone, and you feel confident, strong, and loved. So, what do most of us do?  We wake up each morning and we take that empty cup with us wherever we go asking and sometimes even demanding that others fill it for us.  After all, we are thirsty, and we need someone or something to help fill our empty cups. Then we’ll feel better about ourselves.  Whether our cup is filled through words of affirmation, approval, control, success, or monetary gain, it doesn’t matter.  The bottom line is we are miserable until something—anything—is in that cup. The problem is that people or materialistic pursuits will never be able to satisfy our insatiable thirst.  We were made to be filled with the Living Water, the Holy Spirit of God.  Only He can quench and satisfy our deepest spiritual thirst.

Remember the story of the Samaritan woman who came to the well to draw water? Jesus was there and asked her for a drink. She asked how it could be that He would ask her for a drink since Jesus was a Jew and she was a Samaritan. In those days, Jews did not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10). She proceeded to ask where she could get this living water.  Jesus replied, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13).  Jesus was speaking figuratively letting her know that coming to the living water represented spiritual refreshment that only He could give.  He invited her to drink the water of life.  She had previously had five husbands and the man she currently was with was not her husband.  Could it be that she was looking for someone to fill her empty cup?  

In Jeremiah 2:13, the Lord said, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Broken cisterns represent idols that we create and pay homage to, and they always fail their worshipers. By contrast, only God, the spring of living water, provides life-giving power to His people. When we attempt to fill our cup with things other than with God, our cup is like a broken cistern.  It has cracks and it leaks, and therefore, will never fill and satisfy us the way that God intended.

In John 7:38, Jesus says, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” Again and again Jesus invites us to come to Him because He is the true fountain of life. He knows that life is difficult and offers us His strength.  Not only does He delight in filling our cup with His everlasting love and perfect peace, He will fill it to the fullest measure. The best part is that it will actually overflow onto all that we meet.  And no one is more pleasant to be around than someone who has had her cup filled with the living God.  Insecurities will be erased as she drinks in the love and acceptance of her Savior. She will no longer need the constant approval or affirmation from others. This will free her up to love others unconditionally too without placing unrealistic demands on them. 

When you awake tomorrow to begin your new day, think about your empty cup.  It needs to be filled. Will you draw daily from the well of living water?  Or, will you reach out your empty cup day after day to things that cannot fill it? Don’t forget that only the living water—Jesus Christ—has the power to quench your thirst.  Everything else will only be a cheap substitute.  The choice is yours to make.

“They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”  Psalm 36:8-9

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!...Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.”  Isaiah 55:1-3

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

The Classroom

Have you ever thought of the world as your classroom? All of life, including its many experiences and trials, can be likened to the “classroom of God.” We are the students, and He is our great Teacher. It is here, in this classroom that we will learn and grow. In many ways it is no different than a school classroom setting. Our success depends primarily on us—how well we listen to and learn from our teacher. It also depends on if we are willing to take the necessary time to read and thoroughly study the textbook. Periodic tests are given to ensure that we are learning the material.

In the brief life we have on earth, we will encounter trials and various experiences that will develop our character. Character transformation is God’s biggest goal for us for He wants us to become more like His Son, Jesus. Because He loves us so much, He cannot allow us to remain as we are. Sin has permeated our lives as we have become self-centered. He knows that we need discipline and correction in order to become less self-absorbed and more God-centered. He wants us to depend upon Him for guidance, for He is the only One who can help us successfully navigate through life. Therefore, he allows certain tests and life experiences to come our way in order to mature us. As we successfully pass the various tests, we will grow in wisdom and understanding. Through our many experiences and trials, we are transformed into the image of Jesus.

The Bible is God’s textbook—our instruction manual for life. It is inevitable that if you never look at your classroom textbook you will probably fail your class. In order to successfully pass the many tests of life, we, too, must be willing to diligently read, study, and meditate on God’s textbook. As we devour what we read, it becomes a part of us. When the various life-tests come our way, the Holy Spirit quickens us to remember what we have learned. Therefore, we are able to pass the tests with relative ease. Because we serve a merciful God, if we fail our test, He will give us as many re-takes as are necessary until we pass. He helps to clarify any misunderstandings and gives us another opportunity in the future to take a similar test. Even though He is merciful, it would behoove us to become quick learners, because we cannot move on to the next level of growth until we pass the tests as they come, one by one. Some tests are simply prerequisites and must be passed first. Otherwise, it is like taking Algebra II before completing Algebra I!

The Lord wants us to succeed, and He is our biggest fan. Although we are in large part responsible for our growth, He is there to offer us as much help as we need. He asks us to come to Him for help. He implores us to immerse ourselves in His Word—for it is the truth that will guide us along life’s path. The more we ready, study, and meditate on it, the more wisdom the Holy Spirit will impart to us. When trials come our way, not only will we be quickened by the Holy Spirit, He will supernaturally enable us to act out what we have learned. (For instance, keeping a tight rein on our tongue when ridiculed, or forgiving others who hurt us).

I believe that the Lord would prefer not to give His children tests because He knows that they are difficult and often hurt, but He also recognizes that they are necessary in order to deeply penetrate our hearts and enable the lessons learned to stick. What good would it be if we were book smart and able to easily memorize His Word, yet never lived out the truth of what we have learned? God says in James 1:22-25, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, he will be blessed in what he does.”

God desires His Word to become an integral part of our lives for it is alive and active and is powerful enough to transform us from the inside out. As we feast on each word, each chapter, each book, Jesus becomes more and more a part of us. As believers, Jesus’ very essence already exists in us, but when we consistently neglect to call upon the Lord, we act out of our own reasoning. Our mind will always seek to reason and rationalize all of the events and circumstances of our lives. However, when the Word is alive and active in us, it acts as a filter—filtering out that which is false and allowing the truth to be revealed.

God loves all of His children with a pure and unconditional love. He knows how very difficult and confusing life can be, and above all, He knows that we need His help. That is why He has preserved His written Word. Unfortunately, many of His children do not feast on it regularly, and some do not give any thought to reading it at all as they believe it is an antiquated history book. Then, when trials come, we do not know what to do, and often act out of fear and quickly succumb to sin and defeat. Not so for God’s students who immerse themselves in His written Word. They have learned to seek after God, and His Word has become a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path. They have grown in wisdom and stature. Their tests become far and few in between for they have successfully mastered much truth along the way. Their hearts and motives have merged with God’s and they can now see through the eyes of faith. They no longer question every single trial and disappointment. They have discovered the true meaning to life as they have walked and talked with God. They have spent countless hours in the classroom immersing themselves in His great instruction manual. They are God’s A+ students, and He has rewarded them greatly. His favor rests on them and He has given them a keen sense of spiritual understanding. Their hope lies in God alone, and they rest in His sovereignty.

Because they have sought out God’s precepts and obeyed them, God has granted them a peace that surpasses all understanding. They have built their house on the rock of His Son, Jesus Christ. He has become their refuge, their fortress. They have learned such valuable lessons in the classroom, yet have committed themselves to be lifelong learners until God calls them home. Because they have been given godly wisdom, God desires for them to be “tutors” to the other students—to come alongside those who are having difficulty, who can’t see the benefit of looking to God as the great Teacher, or have not turned to the great textbook for wisdom. They have been equipped with everything they will need to be effective helpers and encouragers.

I believe God wants all of His children to become A+ students. Everything we need is at our disposal. But just as any teacher cannot force a student to open the textbook and take the time to study, He will not force us either. He desires that we invite Him to be our Teacher so that we can learn and grow from Him. There are untold treasures awaiting us, but we alone must open these heavenly treasures. When we catch a glimmer of all the gifts God has waiting for us, no doubt we will wonder what took us so long to come. One thing is for certain—we will never want to go back to the way things were. We will have graduated on to the next phase of learning and begin to see the value of inviting God into every detail of our lives. With time, we will find ourselves passing our tests with greater ease as God’s very presence infuses us with truth. This is the only way to live the abundant life God died to give us. His Spirit will live in us and through us enabling us to be and do all that He has purposed for us in this life. Then, when our time one earth is finished, there will be nothing left undone and no regrets. The best part of all, God will be able to welcome us home with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come and see the reward awaiting you.”

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelations 3:20

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat…Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. Isaiah 55:1-2

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.   Hebrews 4:12

God's Timing vs. My Timing

Have you ever thought of “time” as something that is divinely appointed by God Himself? I don’t know about you, but it seems like I am always trying to control my “time.” Today I realized just how futile that is. It really hasn’t got me anywhere. In fact, I believe my over-planning has actually sabotaged me. I’ve been seriously overwhelmed by many things—good things I might add. However, my mind has been swirling around in a constant flurry of things I need to do. It is the busy month of May, and there are flowers to bloom, sporting events to attend, end of the year school activities and concerts, and last but not least—my son is graduating from high school. Our church has recently begun to challenge us to regularly serve in our community, as we rightfully should. Add a part-time job, the companionship of friends that I so long to enjoy, as well as a body that is screaming out for exercise—well, there just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. So, what do I do? I make lists. Priority lists. I try to set aside time for this and time for that, but so often the things I want to do just don’t happen in my way or in my time.

Believe me, I have sought the Lord for His opinion, and today my heart was ready to listen. As is sat in the stillness of His presence, I could hear Him whisper to my heart that all of the events and circumstances of my life are in His hands, but that I have made an “idol” out of my time. Wow—that hurt. “But Lord, there is just so much to do. How do I know what to do, when to do it, and what to let go of?” He led me to several passages wherein He talks about time. Ecclesiastes 3 is entitled “A Time for Everything.” “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot…..” In this chapter God tells us that we are subject to times and changes over which we have little or no control. Ecclesiastes 8:6 states “there is a proper time and procedure for every matter.” So I had to ask myself, “Why do I think that I can control time?” All I do is get myself agitated and give up when the goals I set don’t get accomplished in my perfect timing!

God was trying to get my attention to let me know that my job is to do what He has called me to do and not to get fixated on the timing of it all. Several months ago I began a project—writing a book that I wanted to dedicate to my college-bound son. I did great for the first month, and then as my deadline drew closer and closer I became frustrated because everything else seemed to be getting in my way of writing. So, what did I do? I stopped writing altogether. I wanted to present the completed book to my son as a graduation gift; however, that cannot happen now as his graduation is only 3 weeks away!

I just love how God gets our attention at times. I have been very overwhelmed lately, and today He turned my heart toward my unfinished project. He let me know that He did not command me to finish it by May. He just wanted me to be faithful to write it. The timing of its completion would be in His hands. Psalm 31:14 says, “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, You are my God. My times are in your hands.” In other words, if I would just do my part, God would make sure to do His. If I would have been faithful to do what He called me to do and not focus on the end outcome, I could have spared myself needless frustration.

While this may be just one small example, in the big scheme of things I can see how often I have thwarted my own progress by always trying to “control the outcome.” God graciously used this recent event to show me that I must take my strong grip off of the wheel, and allow God to steer my life. Several Bible stories of God’s people come to mind wherein God gave clear direction, and because the timing did not appear as they intended, they took matters into their own hands. I think of Abram and Sarai and how they ran ahead of God. God clearly told Abram that He would make him the father of many nations, but because Sarai was advanced in years and had not yet conceived a child, she persuaded Abram to sleep with her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. He did, and Hagar conceived a child – Ishmael. Then Sarai began to despise her (Genesis 16). God told Abram that his wife Sarai would bring forth a child, Isaac, and that His covenant would be established with him and his descendants after him. When Sarai found out about this she laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:12) I love the Lord’s response. “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.” (Genesis 18:14)

The story of Queen Esther is another “time” story. As a Jewess, she came to a royal position for such a time as this to deliver her people from annihilation (Esther 4:14). Then in John 2:4, Jesus tells His mother, ”Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.” In 2 Corinthians 6:2, it says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”Throughout the Bible it is evident that God’s timing is perfect. There truly is a perfect time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. There is a time to speak up, and there is a time to be silent. There is a time for action, and there is a time to be still. There is a time to weep, and there is a time to laugh. The fact remains that God’s timing is often different than our timing, yet His timing is perfect. The beautiful irony is that no one really wants all that stress and burden anyway. God wants to take the pressure from us so that we can focus on the one thing that is truly important—an intimate relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the burden-bearer; He is the one who carries us, equips us, sustains us, and enables us. He knows how easily we grow weary, and that we need His constant provision, strength, guidance, and yes, even His timing. For His timing is perfect—every single time!

I will resume writing on my book resting in God’s perfect timing for the completion of this project. And, no, it will not be ready by graduation, but who knows? Maybe I will still be able to present it to him before he leaves for college in September. The burden is no longer mine. My job is to simply write it! God will bring it to completion in His time, and not a day before.

For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Romans 9:9

It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Acts 1:7

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

Keeping Company with God

I find it amazing that the longer I sojourn with God, the more I realize how much I still need to learn and grow. I used to feel pretty good about myself when I would devote a half an hour (or more) of each morning to God. I’d delight myself in these early morning devotions as I felt completely one with God. I’d come to Him with complete transparency and tell Him everything—as if He didn’t already know! I’d worship Him, I’d thank Him for His goodness, I’d read my Bible, I’d pray for others, and I’d ask the Holy Spirit to guide me through my day. My quiet time with God was good and I felt satisfied. Then I’d quickly blow out my candle, close my Bible, and start on my mental “to-do list”.

Lately, however, I’m not as satisfied. I’ve come to realize that although I may have started out my day with God, far too often I’d forget all about Him as I went about my busyness. I didn’t like how I could feel so connected to God in the morning, and then not even give Him a second thought the rest of the day. I noticed that I became task-oriented and allowed my mental to-do list to direct my life instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me moment by moment.

What is moment by moment guidance anyway? The Bible often talks about abiding in the Lord, remaining in Him, lingering in His presence, coming away and resting in Him. After reading a few good Christian books, I quickly realized that I was not abiding in the Lord at all. Even though I spent precious moments with the Lord in our “sacred quiet place,” I left Him there when I was finished as I pursued my agenda for the day. No wonder I’d so easily get frustrated or fall back into sin. I simply wasn’t living in the power of the Holy Spirit. I needed to learn to take the “quiet” with me. I learned that the presence of God is not relegated to my devotional time in the morning or a quiet place. God is available to me at every moment and in every circumstance. Brother Lawrence calls this awareness “practicing the presence of God.”

As I started delving into the Scriptures, I realized that to abide in God means to live a life of constant communion with Him. That’s right—it is simply keeping company with God. The ironic thing is that doesn’t mean I have to sit still all day to be aware of His presence, nor do I have to do all the talking either. Keeping company with God is walking away from my intimate time with Him, but taking an “awareness” of His Presence with me. It is a realization that He is constantly with me, even in my often cluttered and busy life. Rather than yearn for simplicity and quiet and wish my two teenagers grown, I gave myself permission to enjoy the stage of life I am currently in. Yes, it is rather busy and often quite hectic, but I can learn to experience God even in these busy times. He is with me everywhere I go, not just in my early morning devotions.

I could sense God whisperering to my heart that it was time for me to become a “Noticer.” I needed to refocus my attention so I could notice Him while I was at work, while I was taking a walk with my dogs, or while I was having dinner with my family. I need to consciously remember that He’s with me when I go grocery shopping, when I’m having lunch with a friend, and even when I’m busy cleaning the house. There will always be places to go, things to do, and people to visit, but if I can learn to find God in the midst of every moment, then I will be living my life with an easy-ness even amidst the busyness.

Keeping company with God also means to talk to Him about every aspect of my day. And yes, this includes all of my feelings too. When someone hurts or disappoints me, rather than retaliate, why not tattle to God instead? His perspective is so much better and wiser than mine anyway, so why not ask for His input?

I think the key to making this moment by moment awareness a reality lies in taking frequent mini-breaks. Five minutes here and there to take a quick inward glance to get back into touch with His peace. A deep breath to refocus on His Presence. When we take little steps to make a conscious effort to maintain this intimacy we are keeping company with God. And you know what? It will not matter what is left undone at the end of the day. A successful day will not be measured by how clean my house was or how much I was able to check off my to-do list. A successful day will be measured by how well I stayed in touch with God. Did I obey his prodding to write that note of encouragement? Did I hear His whisper and smile at the cashier and wish her a nice day? Did I notice the elderely woman who needed help carrying her groceries?

Yes, it is important to have time set aside to be alone with God. During this time you are withdrawing from the world and its influences to be filled with God’s pure and holy presence. As He fills you with His grace and peace, He not only equips you, but asks you to take the strength gained there back into your everyday world where you live and work. That is called working out your salvation, and in doing so you will live a life pleasing to God. This process of perseverance, spiritual growth, and maturation is your active response to God’s amazing grace. And that, my friends, is Keeping Company with God.

..continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Philippians 2:13

Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20

As the Father has loved me so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9