Dry. Parched. Scratchy. Useless. Leave a sponge sitting out overnight, and when you come back to it in the morning, it's fairly useless. Dried out. Scratchy. It is actually so dry, it won't even wipe up the smalles amount of milk spilled on the counter. It's really useless. Believe me, I've tried. Groggy and bleary eyed waking up at 6:00 in the morning, spilling coffee. I grab the dry sponge and try to clean it up, and am almost irritated that it won't work. Ugh, I have to turn on the faucet and get it wet first. Then, TADDAA! Transformation. Get the sponge damp and suddenly its amazingly useful, cleaning up messes just like that!
Kind of like us. What? Are you scratching your head, thinking, "What IS Heather talking about this morning? She must not have had her coffee yet." Really, think about it, though. It struck me this morning as I read Psalm 119. It is a LONG pondering of thought from David about the regenerating, joy-filling, strength-giving power of God's Word, His commands. David is hiding out in the dessert, being pursued by his enemies. He's been lied about. He's been pursued. He's hungry. His life is in-danger, BIG time. And yet, he still writes this beautiful poetry about how much he loves God's commands, how he finds joy in following God's commands. "As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands." Psalm 119:143
David gets up early in the morning to ponder and think about God's commands. "I rise up early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope IN YOUR WORDS." Psalm 119: 147
He sets his mind on God's precepts throughout the day (Psalm 119:97).
He lays awake at night thinking about God's promise. (Psalm 119:148) Take note of that... David doesn't lay awake at night worrying about the hoard that is fine-coming the dessert searching for him, swords drawn and ready for action. He lays awake at night thinking about God's promise.
David is sustained by the powerful, saturating, life-giving words and commands of the sovereign Lord. Is he tired? You bet. He cries out for the blessing God has promised him. But David makes himself useful to God, a leader of the many people who are under his protection even as he hides in the dessert. How does he make himself ready and useful to God? By being saturated in God's word, in God's thought. He thinks on them. He ponders them and let's them transform his heart, his mind. David LOVES God's commands, His words, His laws, His thoughts. David is hungry for God. So, that's where his focus is. Without God, David would be dried up, useless (as we see later in his life when he stops focusing his heart and mind on God).
So, be like David. Don't be a dry, useless sponge sitting all crackled and scratchy on the messy counter of life. Ask God to give you a discerning mind, as David did (Psalm 119:169). As God to saturate you with HIS mind. Dive into His presence. Spend time in His Word. Spend time pondering His word. Set your heart on His word, His thoughts throughout your day. At night, don't let your troubles take over your mind. Rather, focus your thoughts on God's Word and His promises. Ask God to transform your heart and mind. And He will. It takes focus on your part. Rise early. Ponder at night. Ponder throughout the day. "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Heavy loads
"Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.". Matthew 11:28-30
This scripture passage was on my heart when I woke up this morning. God knows that I have been carrying a heavy load these past weeks, trying to make a way on my own out of the storm of unemployment and financial concerns we carry right now. Working and laboring to make the solutions come for the call Todd and I feel on our hearts. It's time to get back to a life of ministry, a vocation of ministry for Todd. When we are used to pulling in close to $90,000 a year, paying student loans, a mortgage on a house that is worth less now than when we bought it 6 1/2 years ago, paying off a life lived on credit cards 2 years ago during 8 months of unemployment and lots of medical bills, it seems an impossible move. Do you hear the stress? Feel the tension? It's a heavy load...for me. But not for God who made me and is larger than all of this.
Does He have a plan for you? You can count on it. Does He have the way mapped out to make it happen? You bet! Can He move the mountains? No problem for Him! So He says to you, and to me, "Stop struggling. Come under my leadership and let me guide you, and you can stop your feeble and stressful attempts. My yoke is easy. I won't whip you or wear you down as we plow on through. My way is so much easier. Rest your weary heart and mind."
"The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.... He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even youths will faint and be weary, and young men will fall down. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31
Did you catch that? "Those who wait on the Lord...." We need to wait for Him, rather than trying to plow on through ourselves. Can you picture what a newly plowed field would look like if the oxen were left to pull the plow on their own, unguided? Talk about a mess! You'd have patches of grass that they missed, tough areas that the plow skipped over, a haphazard random meandering. But, when the farmer gets behind the oxen and directs the plow, no area is missed. He helps push through those rough patches. He sets the perimeter, and completes the job so that a good field sits ready for a bountiful harvest.
How awesome is that? God is waiting for me to put on His yoke, come under His leadership, and work under his direction to plow a field ready for a bountiful harvest. So, do it His way. Wait on Him. He's got a plan and a direction for getting there. Follow his prompting. Don't be afraid. He's not going to whip you or work you down to exhaustion. Just like a good farmer, God cares deeply for you and your well being. He will take care of you and nourish you, and help you.
"For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.". Isaiah 41:13
Give up your heavy load today. Hand it over to the Lord who loves you. Take on His yoke and His direction, and you WILL find rest for your weary heart and mind. He promises it will be so. And our Lord is a faithful God. No empty promises. You can count on Him. So let's plow through those mountains with Him!
This scripture passage was on my heart when I woke up this morning. God knows that I have been carrying a heavy load these past weeks, trying to make a way on my own out of the storm of unemployment and financial concerns we carry right now. Working and laboring to make the solutions come for the call Todd and I feel on our hearts. It's time to get back to a life of ministry, a vocation of ministry for Todd. When we are used to pulling in close to $90,000 a year, paying student loans, a mortgage on a house that is worth less now than when we bought it 6 1/2 years ago, paying off a life lived on credit cards 2 years ago during 8 months of unemployment and lots of medical bills, it seems an impossible move. Do you hear the stress? Feel the tension? It's a heavy load...for me. But not for God who made me and is larger than all of this.
Does He have a plan for you? You can count on it. Does He have the way mapped out to make it happen? You bet! Can He move the mountains? No problem for Him! So He says to you, and to me, "Stop struggling. Come under my leadership and let me guide you, and you can stop your feeble and stressful attempts. My yoke is easy. I won't whip you or wear you down as we plow on through. My way is so much easier. Rest your weary heart and mind."
"The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.... He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even youths will faint and be weary, and young men will fall down. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31
Did you catch that? "Those who wait on the Lord...." We need to wait for Him, rather than trying to plow on through ourselves. Can you picture what a newly plowed field would look like if the oxen were left to pull the plow on their own, unguided? Talk about a mess! You'd have patches of grass that they missed, tough areas that the plow skipped over, a haphazard random meandering. But, when the farmer gets behind the oxen and directs the plow, no area is missed. He helps push through those rough patches. He sets the perimeter, and completes the job so that a good field sits ready for a bountiful harvest.
How awesome is that? God is waiting for me to put on His yoke, come under His leadership, and work under his direction to plow a field ready for a bountiful harvest. So, do it His way. Wait on Him. He's got a plan and a direction for getting there. Follow his prompting. Don't be afraid. He's not going to whip you or work you down to exhaustion. Just like a good farmer, God cares deeply for you and your well being. He will take care of you and nourish you, and help you.
"For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.". Isaiah 41:13
Give up your heavy load today. Hand it over to the Lord who loves you. Take on His yoke and His direction, and you WILL find rest for your weary heart and mind. He promises it will be so. And our Lord is a faithful God. No empty promises. You can count on Him. So let's plow through those mountains with Him!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Marinate. Ponder. Mull it over. Let it steep.
Life is busy. Did I just hear a few amens? It seems there is never enough time in the day to accomplish everything on our lists. Sometimes, life becomes all about the list. Feed the dog. Check. Write a note to the teacher. Check. Pay the bills. Check. Call a friend. Check. Exercise. Check. Read my Bible. Check.
Did that last "check" cause you to pause? Am I really looking at spending time learning at the feet of Jesus as just one more to do in my list for the day? Ouch. If that is our view on time in the Word, we need tweak our perspective.
When we view time in God's word as one more thing on our daily checklist, we are not giving it the importance it deserves. Chances are we also are not allowing it the time it requires to transform our hearts and minds.
David, God's golden boy, LOVED God. In his life, we see so many times the focus he had on God, as he was battling Goliath, as he was hiding in the dessert. The Psalms reflect David's desire to truly know God's word, and to be changed by being steeped in His principles.
"Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law.... Teach me, O Lord, to follow every one of your principles. Give me understanding and I will obey your law; I will put it into practice with all my heart." Psalm 119:18, 33-34. Don't for a minute think that your eyes will be opened and your heart and mind transformed by simply reading a few verses or listening to a sermon, but not allowing time to ponder. You need to spend time mulling God's word over. Think on it. Ponder it. Ask God questions and wait for the answer.
Seems a challenge, doesn't it? You've got lots to do, a schedule to keep. I know. I'm right there with you. So, make time. Get up earlier. Use your lunch break. Do your reading, and then ponder and talk to God while you exercise. Your time and your reverence for learning God's character, His heart, His will for you will result in fruit in your life. A changed heart. A transformed mind.
As a working mom, one of my challenges is cooking. I like to make good, healthy, yummy meals for my family. My husband and son love meat! A good piece of steak or a nice juicy chicken breast. I'm told a secret to a good piece of juicy meat is marinating. So often I am so rushed and cooking dinner is not a thought until its dinner time, that I don't allow time to marinate. So my meat is dry and not nearly as tasty as my cousins, who is fantastic at marinating his meat, preparing it to be great.
Take a lesson from that. Do you want dry faith and a mediocre mind for God's word? Or, do you want a fantastic, juicy faith that tempts everyone around you with its aroma? Well then, allow time to marinate in God's word. Think on it. Ponder it. Ask God questions and listen. Truth needs time to settle deep into our soul. Meditate on God's word. Let it transform your heart, and so change your mind.
Did that last "check" cause you to pause? Am I really looking at spending time learning at the feet of Jesus as just one more to do in my list for the day? Ouch. If that is our view on time in the Word, we need tweak our perspective.
When we view time in God's word as one more thing on our daily checklist, we are not giving it the importance it deserves. Chances are we also are not allowing it the time it requires to transform our hearts and minds.
David, God's golden boy, LOVED God. In his life, we see so many times the focus he had on God, as he was battling Goliath, as he was hiding in the dessert. The Psalms reflect David's desire to truly know God's word, and to be changed by being steeped in His principles.
"Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law.... Teach me, O Lord, to follow every one of your principles. Give me understanding and I will obey your law; I will put it into practice with all my heart." Psalm 119:18, 33-34. Don't for a minute think that your eyes will be opened and your heart and mind transformed by simply reading a few verses or listening to a sermon, but not allowing time to ponder. You need to spend time mulling God's word over. Think on it. Ponder it. Ask God questions and wait for the answer.
Seems a challenge, doesn't it? You've got lots to do, a schedule to keep. I know. I'm right there with you. So, make time. Get up earlier. Use your lunch break. Do your reading, and then ponder and talk to God while you exercise. Your time and your reverence for learning God's character, His heart, His will for you will result in fruit in your life. A changed heart. A transformed mind.
As a working mom, one of my challenges is cooking. I like to make good, healthy, yummy meals for my family. My husband and son love meat! A good piece of steak or a nice juicy chicken breast. I'm told a secret to a good piece of juicy meat is marinating. So often I am so rushed and cooking dinner is not a thought until its dinner time, that I don't allow time to marinate. So my meat is dry and not nearly as tasty as my cousins, who is fantastic at marinating his meat, preparing it to be great.
Take a lesson from that. Do you want dry faith and a mediocre mind for God's word? Or, do you want a fantastic, juicy faith that tempts everyone around you with its aroma? Well then, allow time to marinate in God's word. Think on it. Ponder it. Ask God questions and listen. Truth needs time to settle deep into our soul. Meditate on God's word. Let it transform your heart, and so change your mind.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Population Me
This morning, we loaded the family into the four-wheel sleigh and headed off to church. I have to admit, after a long day in the garden yesterday, a week full of projects at work, and too many late nights, I wanted to just stay in bed. We've already been gone several weekends for baseball tournaments, what's one more week? I rationalized. But we got up and went. And I am so glad we did.
I sat through much of service praying for Todd and I and our family. Seeking direction. Asking for blessing. But then, Dr. Jeff got up and shared about his trip to Guinea earlier this year. And my heart was touched. Suddenly, I was realizing the blessings we have to be grateful for. Even many of the poorest people in our country have so much when compared to people in many countries in our world. Even in the most challenging times, I have so much to be thankful for. We have access to healthcare. We have money in savings to pay bills while my husband searches for work, even if we had other plans for that money. (And of course, my plans have to be smarter than God's, right? Right. And I have a purple unicorn tied in my backyard!) My children are healthy and happy. We have a roof over our heads and two cars to drive.
When we focus on ourselves and the challenges we are facing, on the desires of our hearts, on what we want and where we are going, we miss the faces of the people around us. Did you see the tear in the eye of that mom in the store today? Did you see the loneliness in the eyes of that little old woman at the doctor's office today? What about the pain in the eyes of that girl with the dark eyeliner and the dark clothes?
The other night, I offered to bring dinner to a neighbor family who was in the midst of moving. We decided to have them come over for dinner, as they could not find the boxes with their dishes (oh, how well I remember that feeling!). By the time I got off work, I was having a "population me" moment. I was tired. Worrying. Stressed. And I just wanted to put on my sweats and make cereal for dinner, not enchiladas for 10. I was rather wishing I'd not offered dinner. But midway through the evening, I realized I was laughing, not thinking or worrying.
It's amazing how we are changed when we stop focusing on ourselves, and start opening up to the people around us. Our load feels lighter. In the midst of serving others, our world expands. We become the instruments of grace that we were intended to be. We were not created to live a life in isolation. We were created for relationship, with God and others around us. So today I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone, dare to share a smile, ask how you can help, reach into your wallet to share with the man on the corner, tell the girl with dark eyeliner you like her bracelet. Expand your population to two, four, twenty, four hundred. No more population Me.
This morning, we loaded the family into the four-wheel sleigh and headed off to church. I have to admit, after a long day in the garden yesterday, a week full of projects at work, and too many late nights, I wanted to just stay in bed. We've already been gone several weekends for baseball tournaments, what's one more week? I rationalized. But we got up and went. And I am so glad we did.
I sat through much of service praying for Todd and I and our family. Seeking direction. Asking for blessing. But then, Dr. Jeff got up and shared about his trip to Guinea earlier this year. And my heart was touched. Suddenly, I was realizing the blessings we have to be grateful for. Even many of the poorest people in our country have so much when compared to people in many countries in our world. Even in the most challenging times, I have so much to be thankful for. We have access to healthcare. We have money in savings to pay bills while my husband searches for work, even if we had other plans for that money. (And of course, my plans have to be smarter than God's, right? Right. And I have a purple unicorn tied in my backyard!) My children are healthy and happy. We have a roof over our heads and two cars to drive.
When we focus on ourselves and the challenges we are facing, on the desires of our hearts, on what we want and where we are going, we miss the faces of the people around us. Did you see the tear in the eye of that mom in the store today? Did you see the loneliness in the eyes of that little old woman at the doctor's office today? What about the pain in the eyes of that girl with the dark eyeliner and the dark clothes?
The other night, I offered to bring dinner to a neighbor family who was in the midst of moving. We decided to have them come over for dinner, as they could not find the boxes with their dishes (oh, how well I remember that feeling!). By the time I got off work, I was having a "population me" moment. I was tired. Worrying. Stressed. And I just wanted to put on my sweats and make cereal for dinner, not enchiladas for 10. I was rather wishing I'd not offered dinner. But midway through the evening, I realized I was laughing, not thinking or worrying.
It's amazing how we are changed when we stop focusing on ourselves, and start opening up to the people around us. Our load feels lighter. In the midst of serving others, our world expands. We become the instruments of grace that we were intended to be. We were not created to live a life in isolation. We were created for relationship, with God and others around us. So today I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone, dare to share a smile, ask how you can help, reach into your wallet to share with the man on the corner, tell the girl with dark eyeliner you like her bracelet. Expand your population to two, four, twenty, four hundred. No more population Me.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Making the impossible possible
Have you ever had one of those days when the deck seems stacked, and not in your favor, from the moment you get up? Admit it, we've all had those days. The kids are tired and don't want to get up for school, everyone is moving like molasses. They are cranky. You start to get cranky, despite your best efforts and intentions to stay cheerful. The dog has knocked over the garbage. The cat has puked on the floor. Your husband can't find his phone. You open the cupboard to make sandwiches, and realize their are only three pieces of bread left, but four people need lunches. You get everyone out the door, and turn to realize the house looks like it was hit by a tornado. On top of that, there is a stack of bills waiting to be paid, but you know there isn't enough money in the bank to pay them all. And, you've got that project to finish for your child's teacher.You think, "Oh, my bed looks so cozy and comforting." You'd like to crawl back in, pull the covers up, and make it all go away. I'll be the first to admit it... I have. There have been days I've just tossed in the towel, shut out what needed to be done, and crawled back in bed. Sometimes, that's okay. Sometimes, we just need a little extra rest for our bodies.
But, more often than not, what we need is a dose of strength, wisdom, and peace that comes not from ourselves, but from the almighty God who is never short on supply of these things, and He willingly offers them to us.
Over and over again in the Bible, we are shown pictures of God's amazing strength, situations in which He used the weak to overcome the strong. He accomplishes the impossible. The parting of the Red Sea so the Israelites could escape slavery in Egypt for freedom. A small, young boy, the little brother in the family, David, uses a rock and his slingshot to kill a giant. A savior is born into the home of a carpenter, through a lineage of prostitutes, murderers, people from "the other side of the tracks," not to a royal blood line.
Today, as I read 2 Samuel 21:15-22, I was reminded how our God overcomes the seemingly impossible for us. In this passage, David was weak from battle, weak and weary from running, hiding, fighting even his own son's armies. David was cornered by a giant. Not merely someone who was taller than him, but literally a giant. This man's spearhead alone weighed 7 pounds. That's a lot of lethal power in one weapon! David was about to breathe his last, when suddenly one of his men came and killed the giant. I do not imagine that was an easy task. And yet, God allowed it to be accomplished. God made it happen. In this passage, an account is given of how several giants were killed by David's men, because God was on David's side and made the impossible possible. David was the giant slayer through God's power as a boy, and when he grew up, his men were giant slayers through God's power.
God makes all things possible. Remember today how great and mighty He is! If you are walking with God today, you are walking with the maker of heaven and earth, the almighty! He has overcome. And He will help you overcome and make it through whatever seems impossible to you today. Just draw strength and wisdom from him. Don't just survive through today, but thrive through today, knowing that the God who helped David slay the giant, the God who saved David when he was weak and cornered is ready to strengthen you today.
God loved David, and through David God accomplished the impossible. For David God accomplished the impossible. God loves you, as well. For you and through you, God can accomplish the impossible. Just get connected and stay close to Him, your source of power, when you face the "impossible."
But, more often than not, what we need is a dose of strength, wisdom, and peace that comes not from ourselves, but from the almighty God who is never short on supply of these things, and He willingly offers them to us.
Over and over again in the Bible, we are shown pictures of God's amazing strength, situations in which He used the weak to overcome the strong. He accomplishes the impossible. The parting of the Red Sea so the Israelites could escape slavery in Egypt for freedom. A small, young boy, the little brother in the family, David, uses a rock and his slingshot to kill a giant. A savior is born into the home of a carpenter, through a lineage of prostitutes, murderers, people from "the other side of the tracks," not to a royal blood line.
Today, as I read 2 Samuel 21:15-22, I was reminded how our God overcomes the seemingly impossible for us. In this passage, David was weak from battle, weak and weary from running, hiding, fighting even his own son's armies. David was cornered by a giant. Not merely someone who was taller than him, but literally a giant. This man's spearhead alone weighed 7 pounds. That's a lot of lethal power in one weapon! David was about to breathe his last, when suddenly one of his men came and killed the giant. I do not imagine that was an easy task. And yet, God allowed it to be accomplished. God made it happen. In this passage, an account is given of how several giants were killed by David's men, because God was on David's side and made the impossible possible. David was the giant slayer through God's power as a boy, and when he grew up, his men were giant slayers through God's power.
God makes all things possible. Remember today how great and mighty He is! If you are walking with God today, you are walking with the maker of heaven and earth, the almighty! He has overcome. And He will help you overcome and make it through whatever seems impossible to you today. Just draw strength and wisdom from him. Don't just survive through today, but thrive through today, knowing that the God who helped David slay the giant, the God who saved David when he was weak and cornered is ready to strengthen you today.
God loved David, and through David God accomplished the impossible. For David God accomplished the impossible. God loves you, as well. For you and through you, God can accomplish the impossible. Just get connected and stay close to Him, your source of power, when you face the "impossible."
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Father, forgive them!
As I volunteered at an event for my son the other night, I suddenly found myself face to face with a person who hurt me personally and professionally. We live in a fairly small community. In the past few months, I have encountered this person numerous times. And each time, my heart and mind travel down paths that are neither emotionally or spiritually healthy, dragging me into a pit steeped in hurt and anger and bitterness.
I have never experienced the pain and confusion of such a betrayal before. Never have I battled against bitterness. I have encouraged others not to let bitterness rule and ruin their hearts. At this point in my life, I am gaining empathy and wisdom for the battle.
In my own battle, I see the ruin I have warned others against. Bitterness and anger, when allowed to rule the heart and mind, crowd out the simple and beautiful joys -- the laughter of our children, my sons exuberance over finding yet another grub in the garden, the caress of my husband's thumb on the back of my hand and all the love that simple act communicates. When we allow anger and bitterness to run unchecked, they begin to taint every part of us. We become angry. We become short tempered. We become spiteful, in thought if not also in word and deed, toward those we perceive to be slighting us. We turn from creatures of beauty and grace to shriveled little shrews bearing the warts of hatred and anger and battered pride. I don't know about you, but when I stew on how I've been wronged, I am grumpy and not fun to be around. My poor kiddos and husband!
As I lay in bed the other night contemplating an opportunity in my life, the niggling voices of doubt and anger arising from my betrayal started to surface and cloud the grace of the opportunity. And I started to get angry. No longer was I thinking and praying about the opportunity, but rather was following the twisted path of bitterness. Suddenly, God reminded me that I am not called to judge. I am called to be like Him. Jesus was accused, lied about, beaten, betrayed, and eventually died an excruciating and torturous death on a cross. Rather than yelling at his accusers and berating them, rather than telling his friends and family to watch out for those liers, rather than calling God's wrath and punishment down on them, He used precious breaths to utter these words, "Father, forgive them."
My breath was almost taken away as that realization hit me. Father, forgive them. Not, "Lord, please pay them back for every unkindness and betrayal they laid out to me." No, rather, "Father, forgive them."
We are called to follow the example of Christ. We are called to be transformed more every day until our hearts look like His someday. We are supposed to forgive, rather than hold onto a list of wrongs.
Today, take these verses with you and let them steep in your heart and transform you. Let go of your anger and bitterness. Pray, "Father, forgive them." You don't have to trust the people who have hurt you, but you do need to forgive them so that the light of God's grace and mercy can shine in you and bring you peace, so you can spread peace.
Romans 12:9
"Love must be honest and true. Hate what is evil. Hold on to what is good."
My translation: We are supposed to love, even when you find someone tough to love. Don't let negative thoughts about others grab a hold in your heart and mind. Battle those negative thoughts with thoughts of what is good. Battle the negative thoughts with prayers for those who have hurt you, and prayers for strength to forgive them.
Romans 12:14
"Bless those who hurt you. Bless them, and do not call down curses on them."
Wow, that is hard to do, isn't it? We want pay back when someone wrongs us. We often wish they will suffer as we have suffered. We want them to hurt for hurting us. Like little kids in shoving match, we want them to fall down, too. But, instead we are challenged to bless them, to wish good things for them. We just pile negative garbage up in our heads and hearts when we spend time wishing they would be punished by God for hurting us. Christ said that the greatest command, after loving God first, is to love our neighbors. Christ did not call down curses on the Jewish leaders when he hung on the cross, when people threw stones at him, when he was whipped. Rather, he called down a blessing -- asking God to please forgive them (Luke 23:34).
Romans 12:19-21
"My friends, don't try to get even. Leave room for God to show his anger. It is written, "I am the One who judges people. I will pay them back," (Deuteronomy 32:35) says the Lord. Do just the opposite. Scripture says, 'If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on their heads.' (Proverbs 25:21,22) Don't let evil overcome you. Overcome evil by doing good."
It's not up to us to judge or to "make sure they get what they deserve." Jesus told his followers that in this life we would suffer, and sometimes that suffering will be at the hand of other people. Take the burden of anger you feel against that other person off your shoulders and off your heart. Give it to the Lord. We will all be judged one day for our lives. Let Him take care of the judgement, and don't let anger eat you up so that you are judged for your anger and the words and actions that came out of your anger.
Let go of what you are holding to so tightly. You'll find that when you let go of the anger and bitterness, your hands, your heart, and your mind will be freed to grasp the wonderful blessings he has planned for those who truly love Him. Don't miss the joys today because you are holding onto the sorrows of yesterday.
Give it to the Lord, and say "Father, forgive them, and help me to forgive them, as well."
I have never experienced the pain and confusion of such a betrayal before. Never have I battled against bitterness. I have encouraged others not to let bitterness rule and ruin their hearts. At this point in my life, I am gaining empathy and wisdom for the battle.
In my own battle, I see the ruin I have warned others against. Bitterness and anger, when allowed to rule the heart and mind, crowd out the simple and beautiful joys -- the laughter of our children, my sons exuberance over finding yet another grub in the garden, the caress of my husband's thumb on the back of my hand and all the love that simple act communicates. When we allow anger and bitterness to run unchecked, they begin to taint every part of us. We become angry. We become short tempered. We become spiteful, in thought if not also in word and deed, toward those we perceive to be slighting us. We turn from creatures of beauty and grace to shriveled little shrews bearing the warts of hatred and anger and battered pride. I don't know about you, but when I stew on how I've been wronged, I am grumpy and not fun to be around. My poor kiddos and husband!
As I lay in bed the other night contemplating an opportunity in my life, the niggling voices of doubt and anger arising from my betrayal started to surface and cloud the grace of the opportunity. And I started to get angry. No longer was I thinking and praying about the opportunity, but rather was following the twisted path of bitterness. Suddenly, God reminded me that I am not called to judge. I am called to be like Him. Jesus was accused, lied about, beaten, betrayed, and eventually died an excruciating and torturous death on a cross. Rather than yelling at his accusers and berating them, rather than telling his friends and family to watch out for those liers, rather than calling God's wrath and punishment down on them, He used precious breaths to utter these words, "Father, forgive them."
My breath was almost taken away as that realization hit me. Father, forgive them. Not, "Lord, please pay them back for every unkindness and betrayal they laid out to me." No, rather, "Father, forgive them."
We are called to follow the example of Christ. We are called to be transformed more every day until our hearts look like His someday. We are supposed to forgive, rather than hold onto a list of wrongs.
Today, take these verses with you and let them steep in your heart and transform you. Let go of your anger and bitterness. Pray, "Father, forgive them." You don't have to trust the people who have hurt you, but you do need to forgive them so that the light of God's grace and mercy can shine in you and bring you peace, so you can spread peace.
Romans 12:9
"Love must be honest and true. Hate what is evil. Hold on to what is good."
My translation: We are supposed to love, even when you find someone tough to love. Don't let negative thoughts about others grab a hold in your heart and mind. Battle those negative thoughts with thoughts of what is good. Battle the negative thoughts with prayers for those who have hurt you, and prayers for strength to forgive them.
Romans 12:14
"Bless those who hurt you. Bless them, and do not call down curses on them."
Wow, that is hard to do, isn't it? We want pay back when someone wrongs us. We often wish they will suffer as we have suffered. We want them to hurt for hurting us. Like little kids in shoving match, we want them to fall down, too. But, instead we are challenged to bless them, to wish good things for them. We just pile negative garbage up in our heads and hearts when we spend time wishing they would be punished by God for hurting us. Christ said that the greatest command, after loving God first, is to love our neighbors. Christ did not call down curses on the Jewish leaders when he hung on the cross, when people threw stones at him, when he was whipped. Rather, he called down a blessing -- asking God to please forgive them (Luke 23:34).
Romans 12:19-21
"My friends, don't try to get even. Leave room for God to show his anger. It is written, "I am the One who judges people. I will pay them back," (Deuteronomy 32:35) says the Lord. Do just the opposite. Scripture says, 'If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on their heads.' (Proverbs 25:21,22) Don't let evil overcome you. Overcome evil by doing good."
It's not up to us to judge or to "make sure they get what they deserve." Jesus told his followers that in this life we would suffer, and sometimes that suffering will be at the hand of other people. Take the burden of anger you feel against that other person off your shoulders and off your heart. Give it to the Lord. We will all be judged one day for our lives. Let Him take care of the judgement, and don't let anger eat you up so that you are judged for your anger and the words and actions that came out of your anger.
Let go of what you are holding to so tightly. You'll find that when you let go of the anger and bitterness, your hands, your heart, and your mind will be freed to grasp the wonderful blessings he has planned for those who truly love Him. Don't miss the joys today because you are holding onto the sorrows of yesterday.
Give it to the Lord, and say "Father, forgive them, and help me to forgive them, as well."
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Helper and Shield
When I was in college, several of my friends and I decided we wanted to get out and enjoy a beautiful Spring day in the great green forests at the base of Mt. Rainier. Finals were approaching, and we needed to blow off some steam and expend some physical energy, rather than burying our heads in the books yet again. So, we piled into a paneled station wagon (picture the Brady Bunch family car), and headed off. It was a beautiful morning on Campus, sun shining, the day warming nicely.
Today, I don't recall our exact destination. I just remember that we shared lots of laughter. Being the Pacific Northwest, weather up in the foothills of Rainier was quite different than that in Tacoma. It was cool and cloudy, but hey, we were young and were keeping quite warm as we hiked and played. Someone was smart enough to pack a couple bottles of water, some snacks from the cafeteria, and some big green garbage bags in the one backpack we had brought with us.
A couple miles into our hike, the Northwest skies suddenly let loose, first with a light drizzle, and then a steady downpour. Picture it. We had no umbrellas. We all wore shorts and t-shirts. Some of us wore wool socks with sandals. I don't think we ever even made it to the end of the trail. We just turned around and headed back to the car as quickly as we could, ducking under trees as we were able in the biggest downpours. The boys were gentlemen, and let the two girls don the garbage bags over our shirts, so as to avoid an embarrassing wet t-shirt episode. We eventually made it back to the refuge of the car, soaked to the skin and chilled, but laughing all the way home!
Sometimes in life, we get caught in a storm, don't we? The rain pours down, and we are drenched. There is no direct escape from the rain storm. The only option is to keep going. If you stop and sit down and weep, you'll just get mired in the mud that pools around you, you'll catch a chill, and you won't get through the storm any quicker.
But, God offers us refuge and shelter through the storm. He is like those mighty, tall Northwest pine trees that towered over us to provide shelter during the heaviest downpours. He surrounds us like those makeshift garbage bag rain suits. The refuge may not look as pretty as you want it to, but it provides just what you need.
Today, remember that God promises to be your shelter and your refuge in the storm, as long as it lasts.
Today, I don't recall our exact destination. I just remember that we shared lots of laughter. Being the Pacific Northwest, weather up in the foothills of Rainier was quite different than that in Tacoma. It was cool and cloudy, but hey, we were young and were keeping quite warm as we hiked and played. Someone was smart enough to pack a couple bottles of water, some snacks from the cafeteria, and some big green garbage bags in the one backpack we had brought with us.
A couple miles into our hike, the Northwest skies suddenly let loose, first with a light drizzle, and then a steady downpour. Picture it. We had no umbrellas. We all wore shorts and t-shirts. Some of us wore wool socks with sandals. I don't think we ever even made it to the end of the trail. We just turned around and headed back to the car as quickly as we could, ducking under trees as we were able in the biggest downpours. The boys were gentlemen, and let the two girls don the garbage bags over our shirts, so as to avoid an embarrassing wet t-shirt episode. We eventually made it back to the refuge of the car, soaked to the skin and chilled, but laughing all the way home!
Sometimes in life, we get caught in a storm, don't we? The rain pours down, and we are drenched. There is no direct escape from the rain storm. The only option is to keep going. If you stop and sit down and weep, you'll just get mired in the mud that pools around you, you'll catch a chill, and you won't get through the storm any quicker.
But, God offers us refuge and shelter through the storm. He is like those mighty, tall Northwest pine trees that towered over us to provide shelter during the heaviest downpours. He surrounds us like those makeshift garbage bag rain suits. The refuge may not look as pretty as you want it to, but it provides just what you need.
Today, remember that God promises to be your shelter and your refuge in the storm, as long as it lasts.
"Oh Israel, trust the Lord!
He is your helper; he is your shield.
O priests of Aaron, trust the Lord!
He is your helper; he is your shield.
All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!
He is your helper; he is your shield."
Psalm 115:9-11
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