Uncomfortable
A storm was gathering – as is often the case on a humid south Florida afternoon. I went outside to listen as the thunder gathered – my mood was similar. I was in a waiting time, for a phone call, knowing it wouldn’t be right away.
My head was down, contemplating and letting my thoughts swirl. Then I sighed and looked up – and in the midst of mounting black clouds and departing white clouds was an opening – to the heavens beyond. And I was reminded, once again, of a mighty and awesome God.
God who forms the clouds and directs the storms and moves the winds. Creator who formed me, shows me the way, and lifts my head to the heavens. “Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8 ESV)
It takes years (at least for me) of walking with Jesus and seeing His faithfulness, to finally let go of keeping time. I want things in my time, on my schedule – so I can move on. To what’s next? Why do we always want what’s next when now is uncomfortable?
I’m learning (slowly) that there is much in the uncomfortable to learn from, to grow in, to be useful because of. “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that He will lift you up in His own good time.” (1Peter 5:6 GNT)
Sometimes I smile to think that we feel we’re the only ones who go through the things we experience. Yet man, from the beginning, has endured much strife – and much joy. Each life is marked by both.
There is His promise, and His Holy Spirit in us reminds our hearts, that though this life will have its highs and lows – a someday is coming. A someday when we lift our heads, it won’t be to see storm clouds or sunshine, it will be to see the Savior of our soul.
All the sighs are so that our faith grows and reminds us: “Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1 CEV) We will always be uncomfortable here; we must keep our faith eyes on the promise of what is yet to come.
Sometimes Wait
Maybe you noticed, maybe not, my post didn’t come out bright and early in the morning. Sometimes the message is ‘wait’. I’m not a good ‘waiter’.
Is waiting a hard thing for you? Some don’t notice the ‘waits’, they just keep doing life. Often, I get lost in the waiting, thinking when it’s over that’s when life starts again. Time for a makeover – better late than never.
In Psalm 27 David went in and out of confidence in the Lord. Knowing God was his ‘light and salvation, his stronghold’. Declaring trouble would come, ‘for in the day of trouble’. Asking for the Lord to protect him, ‘do not leave me or forsake me’. Finally, declaring God’s goodness and saying: “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14 NIV)
I think that David, like you and I, went from knowing He needed to rely on God and wait for Him, to being in despair throughout his life. Yet the Lord never did forsake him – and that is our truth as well. He will not leave us either.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4a NIV) Nothing changes with God – Jesus assured us of that. He told us He would be with us until the end of the age – and then we would be with Him.
So, in the waiting, the sometimes where we can’t get beyond what we are preoccupied with, faced with, feeling like we’re about to sink because of – we need to know God’s truth. Not ‘oh I know’ – know it because His Word is in us. We need to call it to mind and say it to ourselves or shout it out loud. And we can speak it to others who may be in the valley.
Long before the wait comes, long before the fear takes over, and long before we do walk in that valley – we must use that time to immerse ourselves in our Hope.
Then whether we’re living life and in the good times or we’re not sure what solid ground feels like, still this will be our call to the One in control: “As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” (Micah 7:7 NLT)
Get Close
Sometimes my grandsons just have to touch me. We can be playing trucks or train and suddenly my big-for-his-age four year old is in my lap, my growing-too-big two year old is putting my arm around him, and my too-heavy-to-lift one year old needs to bury his head in my shoulder.
Every now and then, usually when something like the loss of a loved one has happened – or tragedies like this past week – I just want to crawl into Jesus’ lap like a toddler and lay my head on His shoulder.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NIV) Must remember: though the distance between here and eternity may seem vast, He is oh so close.
A few thousand years ago, David, the one with the tag line ‘a man after God’s own heart’ – wrote numerous verses asking ‘how long, O Lord, will it be before You answer’? Some answers we see, others not so much, and perhaps never. For the answers we seek aren’t always God’s plan. Is He still good?
How we answer that question will look a lot like how well we know Him. A pastor recently said, “God is near, but you have to come close.” Only one way to get close, to hear Him, to know He is good no matter what: His Word, the Bible.
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” (James 4:8 NLT)
I can testify to His lap that I cannot see now, His arm around me that I can sense, and I have buried my head in His shoulder many, many times.
But I didn’t always know His closeness – and still sometimes I forget it. Sometimes I feel like I’m all on my own. The gentle reminder of a friend or His Holy Spirit draws me back to what is truth, what is real, and what is mine. Today, you and I, we can draw close and make it through one more day – for He is a moment to moment God and time is in His hands.
3 a.m.
I have those nights. Ones where I wake up – wide awake. So comfortable, don’t want to move – but now the brain starts going.
I try to remember to ask: “Who do you want me to pray for Lord?” – but sometimes even when I remember and pray – sleep is illusive. Get up, stay put, get more comfortable, maybe just a drink of water?
It’s quiet then. I tiptoe out and pat the cat’s head. All alone with my thoughts and yawns. No lights. That’s when I can hear – myself and my wonderings, the quirks of our aging home, and the prompting. The Holy Spirit nudging me to consider things anew in the dim light. “And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6 NLT)
Here’s the deal – I don’t always get answers. Sometimes I don’t even know the questions. I’m learning the best way to spend wide awake time in the wee hours is in the quiet with Jesus.
Sure, my mind wanders off in all kinds of directions. But even a little heartfelt prayer here and there points me in directions I wasn’t aware I needed to go. We wander off God’s path all too easily, maybe 3am is for finding our way back.
“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26b NIV)
Then again, maybe this wee hours time is for the friend we heard is getting divorced, the loved one who is making bad decisions, even a call to pray for our nation or a situation that seems out-of-control or hopeless.
Sleepy me hopes there aren’t too many of these 3am times. When there are, maybe I should learn to cherish them instead of worry about my lack of sleep – or worry about anything for that matter. After all, one thing is for sure: eight hours of sleep or five, God has it all figured out. He’s teaching me listen for Him when I can hear best.
Walk this way
I love going for a walk. Fortunately I live a short distance from a nature area where I can see the fish jumping, the birds soaring, keep my eyes open for gators and snakes, and an assortment of wildlife here and there.
An early morning favorite is a bridge that starts at street level and goes up high above the water then descends once again. The river is peaceful, not much traffic, an occasional rower can be seen in the distance. Health experts are always touting the benefits of getting out and walking.
There’s a lot said about walking in the Bible too. Not so much the physical activity, more the lifestyle. “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to WALK humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV, uppercase mine)
When God talks about walking, He’s telling us how to live our lives. Three lifestyle habits: acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly – can you even imagine how different our world would be?
How different you and I would be? Sometimes I don’t want to act justly – what does that mean anyway? One definition is to be impartial and fair. Oooh, that’s a toughie sometimes. We certainly want to be treated that way, but don’t always want to dish it out.
Then there’s loving mercy. Do we? I want to say ‘of course’. But where are our hearts when the worst happens to us or a loved one. How much do we love mercy then?
Walk humbly – believe it or not, this may be the hardest of all. Just when we think we are not proud – we find we are proud of not being proud! Oh boy, humble is a life-long learning. Too often I find myself learning it by being taken down a notch or two and it usually stings a bit.
Not enough room here to really get into all three of these. But it’s a good starting point: to know what God requires. He has not left us here to wander aimlessly never knowing how to please Him. He’s provided the written Word, He sent His Son, Jesus died for us, and now the Holy Spirit is right in us always ready to show us the way. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” (Isaiah 30:21 NIV)
Selfie
You know, selfie wasn’t even a word ten or so years ago. I look back pre-cell phone era and compare post-cell phone era and think: wow, self has become even more prominent, we can capture ourselves and share ourselves in an instant. Sad.
Nothing new under the sun really, all sin and sorrow is derived from a constant pursuit of self. From the first murder of Abel to the persecution throughout the world today. From the first lust of the flesh to sex traffic-ing today. From the first stolen property to identity theft today. All for self and the pursuit of fulfilling what can never be filled with good or bad intentions.
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1John 2:16 NIV)
This may seem like ‘them’ to you and me. But a closer look will reveal how self motivates each of us every day. But that’s the point of the Bible in many ways. An examination over time of how we mess up – and a Savior who came and literally showed us a better way.
Unfortunately it will be a life-long work in us to turn us from selfies to selfless. On this earth, won’t really happen. But the closer we get, the more abundant life will be. “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10 CSB)
Yes, the full life Jesus came to illustrate, to give, was never material abundance. His is an abundance of inner peace, knowledge that this life isn’t all there is, and that the more we give – the more we have. A life that can have joy in the midst of deepest pain. A life that can have love in the face of hate.
Hmm, indeed it takes a lot of work. But guess what – we’re not the workers, we’re the receivers. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, to work in us, and to go before us – we begin to see differently and to react differently.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and will bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 BLB) I think it’s time to put down the cameras and calls for look at me. Time to look at a hurting world, a neighbor, a friend, a family member and see like Jesus sees. Created in God’s image, one and all – and all needing only what the Selfless Giver has for us.
Change of Plans
Big plans, fun plans – three years in the making plans. Ever have those kind of plans – only to have them dissolve before your very eyes?
Happens all the time: broken down RV on the side of the road, missed flight, sick for the whole trip, something bad happens back home and have to leave when you just got there. Hard to sigh and look up, let go, and with opens hands say, “Jesus, what is Your plan?”
“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.“ (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)
Whether it’s trips or life – we plan, but God determines. It’s easy when all goes according to plan – but when everything goes awry? We question and try to come up with ‘plan b’ – we blame – we pout.
But we miss the Planner when we’re the leader. Setbacks or botched plans aren’t the point – they can put our focus on all the wrong things, but can they be used, instead, to see beyond ourselves and our disappointments?
“We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.” (Proverbs 16:1 NLT)
I know what you’re thinking – but I’m not advocating lack of planning. I’m thinking we often neglect to ask the Master Planner to direct us, to give us the right answers. We go head-long into what we want to do, and then ask ‘what happened’ when it all falls apart.
I think the lesson I just learned from a trip that seemed miserable in every possible way is this: before we get carried away with all the details, maybe a humble question or two is in order along the way. The Holy Spirit is with us in all things, so why not our plans? How about stopping long enough to listen with an open heart and ask: “What do you think, Jesus, how about these ideas?”
And, still, in this fallen world things won’t always go right. Will we linger long enough to see the Planner has something in mind regardless how bad things might look? Change of plans – life lessons unfolding before us. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13 BSB)
Must Listen
I’m not particularly athletic. At times I can be clumsy. But one thing I love, and wish I had started when I was much younger, is hiking in the mountains. I can’t do the strenuous trails. But I can walk long and slow and hear the wind rustle and the brook bubble and the quiet of it all.
Backtrack sixteen years ago. A sweet couple took us hiking – on several occasions. Then one time, as we came near the end of a trail, we were on a level path that ran along a shallow river. To get to the water was just a few stumbling feet down some rock. Down went everyone…except me.
I stood there hesitating. I could hear a voice saying: ‘don’t go down’. However, feeling foolish waiting behind won over and so I went. The end of the story is – I broke my arm – on the easiest part of the trail. The lesson is: listen.
That was the day I began to acknowledge that the Holy Spirit really does indwell us. Ever speaking to us. Yet we rarely listen. Or we write it off as self-talk. But once we accept Jesus, truth is, the Holy Spirit is in us.
And there is purpose in that indwelling – our protection, guidance so we can live and act for the Lord, and so we can learn the deep things of God’s Word and become wise (but not with worldly wisdom). “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” (1Corinthians 2:9b-10 BSB)
During the years since that fall, I’ve been on a journey: one leading to listening while also learning to seek out His voice.
It’s such a hard concept to grasp. We can grasp God, a Savior. But we easily write off the Holy Spirit. Too undefinable, too hard to explain – we think. But oh what wonder in discovering that Jesus’ words about sending a Counselor to be with us were not idle words. They were a promise. “When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.” (John 15:26 HCSB)
Like most things in this walk with Jesus, it does not come easy. Yes, the Spirit is with us always and forever, but He is not pushy. We must learn all about this aspect of God, this treasure given us in this mortal body. In order to hear Him, we must listen.
Can’t See
A little guy in my life is learning the joys of swimming. He’s gotten brave and put his head down in the water – kicked those legs and made it to momma – and now he’s trying to trust that he can make it back from momma to the side of the pool.
It’s kinda that way with us. We take a step of faith and ask Jesus to be our Savior. We test the water and see if He will catch us. But then we find ourselves (so we think) having to make it back to the side all on our own – we…doubt.
Doubt that if we can’t – He will. So often I think as long as I can do what’s needed to make a situation right, then God is good. But when I can’t cure the illness, soothe the hurt, help them find work – I begin to fret and get anxious and impatiently ask: “Jesus, will You fix it – please?”
We lose sight of the fact that God is way beyond today, done with the past, and has tomorrow all figured out.
In our broken world not all things will be ‘fixed’ like we think they should be. But the promise is not this world, the promise is eternity. It’s not about easy street here, it’s about no bumpy roads in forever.
“And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.” (1John 2:25 BSB)
Jesus asked the ultimate question of a crowd one time: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Luke 12:25 BSB) No one raised their hand.
His follow-up question was this : “If you can’t do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:26 BSB)
Good question. We get worked up and fret, lose sleep, worry, and doubt. And all the time we are forgetting to look up from our problem and take hold of the Problem Solver. He said adding a single hour to our lives is a ‘small thing’! All things ARE possible with God and all our worrying changes nothing. Think you’re gonna sink? That’s just because we can’t see with eternal eyes.
“He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11b NLT)
parisrenae 
Don’t Be Afraid
Posted on August 24, 2021 by Paris Renae
2 Comments
It’s been a hard week – not for me – for the whole world. The plight of the people of Afghanistan is overwhelming and evil appears to be in charge. And, sadly, a country I love, America, has blood on it’s hands for the role it just played in all this.
Yet, evil is never really in charge. Evil hearts win skirmishes and battles and the innocent pay the price. But what is here and now – and even when it gets much worse – is all temporary. Someday, the hearts and deeds of wicked men will be exposed – and someday this will abruptly end.
Are you ready?
We are called to always be ready, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of My return.” (Matthew 25:23 NLT)
Don’t be lulled into thinking it’s been so long, maybe it’s not true. Jesus is returning and His promises are true. It could be in ten seconds, ten years, or ten thousand years – it is His timing, not ours. And our readiness is important.
Why? Why should we constantly be looking for God’s Son to return? Micah 7 is a good commentary on our world today – guess there is nothing new under the sun. Yet we are to look for our Savior: “As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” (Micah 7:7 NLT)
Teach us, God, to lift up our eyes, hearts, minds, souls, and spirits in constant expectation of Your Son’s return. Find us faithful on that day. Until we see Him face to face, help us expose evil and be a balm for those downtrodden by it. And when it seems to overwhelm us, remind us: The Lord of heaven and earth is in control and not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His notice.
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31 NLT)
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