Last night I had a most cool opportunity to serve as the Public Information Officer for an emergency drill for the county I where I work. As a PIO, my job was to deal with the media and get a message out to inform the citizens of the disaster, safety issues and rescue efforts. My main focus was to get factual information out without creating a panic. Tough stuff to do in a drill...even more difficult in the midst of a real disaster. I could see how easy it would be to put a 'spin' on something in an effort think one was calming fears, or appearing to have it all together.
This got me to thinking about life as a believer. Recently, I have become more and more convicted about what I shall coin the 'acceptable' sins that seem to erode the effectiveness of our testimonies. The issues that we tend to gloss over because it isn't one of the 'big' sins listed in the Bible. The sins we tend to put a 'spin' on to make them sound not quite so bad. Yet, a simple study shows me just how out of whack that line of thinking is from a biblical standard. In Proverbs 6:16-19, we are told there are seven things that the Lord hates. As I peruse through that list, there are several on there that I know I have personally treated as not big deals...a 'white' lie here, a proud look there. Oh, and sowing discord among the brethren... yep, my gossiping has certainly caused problems between other believers. How easy it is to get sucked into the worldview (and, I believe mainstream religious view) of patting ourselves on the back because we haven't committed one of the big sins. It seems we are in some kind of ranking system and assuring ourselves that we are doing ok, and quite possibly better than the person sitting next to us in the pew on Sunday.
But not according to His word. Galatians 6:7 says, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, so shall he reap." And verse 8 explains, "for he that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption..." God takes sin seriously and He is not playing when he says we will reap what we have sown. I am convinced that He expects me to be serious about calling out sin in my life and repenting of it. That means I must walk away from it. And in His name and power, I have the capabilities of doing just that.
Just this past week I had coffee with my friend, Shannon, and I shared that I have been convicted about this. I shared one particular issue that has been bugging me. I will admit, it was hard confessing such a weak area of my life. As I said to her, I am old enough that this ought not be an issue, yet it is. There were two reasons for sharing with her: first, I know God's word in James 5:16 tells us to confess our faults one to another so that we can be prayed for and healed, and I know Shannon will do that for me. Second, I wanted her to understand that even though I've known the Lord for a long time, I realize that I don't have it all together, that this is a lifelong process, and that the Lord is so gracious to use me in spite of my weaknesses. Oh the humbling of confession...and the peace of it as well.
Hugs ~
Friday, September 28, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
The Silver Lining
Ugh. As I prepared to head to work this morning, I happened to look out the kitchen window only to notice that my sunroof on my car was completely opened. Not a problem most days, but we had a heavy duty thunderstorm that started in the wee hours of the morning. I raced out to close it to find a few inches of rain in the cup holders and everything else drenched. Great. It has been a stress filled week and honestly, this did not help matters in the least.
However, I am choosing to look at this as an opportunity. First, I need to take a serious look at my schedule and eliminate some activity. That window was left open because I was in too big of a hurry to get to the next thing last night after being late from the last thing I had to do. Not a good way to live life. Second, it's just a car. Yes, I want to be a good steward of what I've been given, but it's just a car. It will dry out, hopefully not have damage to deal with, and if not, well, it's just a car. Third, I will have the chance to visit with my mom as she drives me to work, God bless her! We don't get to do that often enough, so I will take advantage of it today! Finally, it was a great added bonus to my reading this morning in 1 Corinthians 15-16. The Lord wants me focused on the eternal, because that is what is important. Who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He will do is truly what is important. Not a car, or a delay in my schedule, or the annoyance of it all. Jesus.
Thank you, Lord, for silver linings!
However, I am choosing to look at this as an opportunity. First, I need to take a serious look at my schedule and eliminate some activity. That window was left open because I was in too big of a hurry to get to the next thing last night after being late from the last thing I had to do. Not a good way to live life. Second, it's just a car. Yes, I want to be a good steward of what I've been given, but it's just a car. It will dry out, hopefully not have damage to deal with, and if not, well, it's just a car. Third, I will have the chance to visit with my mom as she drives me to work, God bless her! We don't get to do that often enough, so I will take advantage of it today! Finally, it was a great added bonus to my reading this morning in 1 Corinthians 15-16. The Lord wants me focused on the eternal, because that is what is important. Who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He will do is truly what is important. Not a car, or a delay in my schedule, or the annoyance of it all. Jesus.
Thank you, Lord, for silver linings!
Monday, September 3, 2012
More Questions, Less Answers
1 Corinthians 8:2 ~ If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
This verse was my humble undoing this morning. I have found myself in week three already panicking over grades for graduate school. I sat here at my desk this morning and poured out the ugliness of my heart attitude to Jesus. I confessed that I had already broken my vow to myself to seek excellence, not perfection. I want to truly LEARN, not go through the motions for the sake of a grade. I must be willing to humble myself and admit that I do not know.
The truth is, I am a recovering 'know it all'. Now some may say that I haven't recovered enough, but that's a blog for another day. ;) I was one of those who hated to ask a question for fear of looking stupid. Little did I realize that by not asking, I confirmed that I was. A dear friend of mine, after assessing the downward spiral anothers life was taking, made a profound assessment: too many answers, not enough questions. It perfectly described the situation. Too many times, we believe we have correct answers, when in fact, we couldn't be farther from the truth. Sad truth is, that could be said about portions of my life.
I see this in all stages of life. Young adults who think that they are far brighter than anyone around them, middle-agers who think that because they've walked a few more miles that they have more answers, elderly who think the other two groups are completely clueless. However, the truth of this Scripture drills it down to this point...we ought to be asking far more questions than giving out answers.
Believers in Jesus Christ, this is especially true of us. It's so easy when we get a bit of the Bible under us to get in over our heads with 'counseling' others. We use lofty jargon or pat 'christianese' answers to address them. Sometimes we are guilty of beating others up carelessly with the Word, without giving a moment's thought to whether this really answers their need. The verse today should remind us that we must be very careful with our words, understanding that we may (probably) don't know as much as we think we do. I know I have been guilty of this so many times that it makes me cringe. So thankful that He is changing me, little by little!
Heavenly Father, thank you for your not so gentle reminder today that knowledge puffs up. Thank you for reminding me that I don't know nearly what I need to and that it is only by submitting to You and Your Word that I will really understand anything at all. Please remind me daily to ask more questions than to give out answers.
This verse was my humble undoing this morning. I have found myself in week three already panicking over grades for graduate school. I sat here at my desk this morning and poured out the ugliness of my heart attitude to Jesus. I confessed that I had already broken my vow to myself to seek excellence, not perfection. I want to truly LEARN, not go through the motions for the sake of a grade. I must be willing to humble myself and admit that I do not know.
The truth is, I am a recovering 'know it all'. Now some may say that I haven't recovered enough, but that's a blog for another day. ;) I was one of those who hated to ask a question for fear of looking stupid. Little did I realize that by not asking, I confirmed that I was. A dear friend of mine, after assessing the downward spiral anothers life was taking, made a profound assessment: too many answers, not enough questions. It perfectly described the situation. Too many times, we believe we have correct answers, when in fact, we couldn't be farther from the truth. Sad truth is, that could be said about portions of my life.
I see this in all stages of life. Young adults who think that they are far brighter than anyone around them, middle-agers who think that because they've walked a few more miles that they have more answers, elderly who think the other two groups are completely clueless. However, the truth of this Scripture drills it down to this point...we ought to be asking far more questions than giving out answers.
Believers in Jesus Christ, this is especially true of us. It's so easy when we get a bit of the Bible under us to get in over our heads with 'counseling' others. We use lofty jargon or pat 'christianese' answers to address them. Sometimes we are guilty of beating others up carelessly with the Word, without giving a moment's thought to whether this really answers their need. The verse today should remind us that we must be very careful with our words, understanding that we may (probably) don't know as much as we think we do. I know I have been guilty of this so many times that it makes me cringe. So thankful that He is changing me, little by little!
Heavenly Father, thank you for your not so gentle reminder today that knowledge puffs up. Thank you for reminding me that I don't know nearly what I need to and that it is only by submitting to You and Your Word that I will really understand anything at all. Please remind me daily to ask more questions than to give out answers.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Diva goes fishing....and learns something!
I had a truly excellent weekend. What I had originally planned as a time of having no company at the house ended up being just the opposite. I am getting used to God doing that to me...even if I still bristle at changing 'my plans'. However, the bristling is becoming less and less because of how He has changed me in the past 8 months. I am s-l-o-w-l-y learning to hold my plans, dreams, and future with open hands. You see, I don't want to miss one single opportunity/blessing/lesson that He has for me. They've been that good! This weekend was no different.
One thing I've learned is that I want to make the most of pouring Christ into my nephew and nieces lives whenever I can. It started Friday night when Logan wanted to watch 'Courageous'. I love that he is open to spiritual discussions, and this movie brought about many throughout the weekend. I am thankful for men like the Kendrick brothers who will risk the ridicule of not being 'Hollywood enough' with their productions but will make movies with incredible themes. I am thankful that Logan enjoyed it so much that he wanted to watch it twice!
On Saturday, we decided to go fishing at my neighbor's pond. Now, I can hear the giggles...yes, I am a bit of a girly girl or diva. Yes, I like hair product, make-up, and perfume. However, I would NEVER have survived growing up in the family that I did if I hadn't had some tomboy in me! I rode go carts, motorcycles, played softball, and learned to shoot a gun ~ really, really well! :) So back to my story...Logan and I took our night crawlers, stopped and picked up the fishing gear at Bill's and made our way to the pond. The hour that we spent down there was a prime time for the Lord to
teach me a valuable lesson about fishing...for the souls of men and women. As we got the lines baited and started casting in, I quietly prayed for the Lord to open doors for discussion with Logan. Those doors never came during our time there. What did happen were a lot of laughs...especially when I snagged my line on a branch, pulled it hard only to have the line come flying up and wrap itself around me. Logan looked at me with a straight face and said, "Aunt Carla, this isn't nice, but that was really funny!" Then we both cracked up! There were also periods of being quiet and patient as we waited for bites. There were moments of Logan being impatient and reeling in too quickly and losing his catch. There was a moment that I got a bite and he encouraged me to reel in and I told him that I would wait until it really bit...which it did and I caught a big mouth bass.
My "God moment" in all of this? As I was sitting there waiting for a bite, it dawned on me that I am often too impatient to wait for the bite in ministry. I will cast my line out and often reel it in without giving the person a moment to really take a bite and get ahold of the hook (the Word). I want the other person to accept Christ on the first cast or I want those I disciple or influence to get understanding on the first hearing of a lesson or counsel. Too often I am worried about the end product instead of just being in the moment! More often than not, it's not on the first cast that I get a bite. It's a process of casting, waiting, letting them nibble (or watching them swim away), watching them move around it, then take another nibble, until finally they decide to take a bite. What my prayer became at that point is that I will have the patience and mercy to allow them to process it, to figure out what the question is for their life, all the while keeping the focus of my responsibility to be ready with the Word. What a wonderfully, wild balancing act that is....
Thank You, Lord, for three incredible beings that are a part of my life! Thank You for giving me a deep desire for them to know You. Thank you for all the times You have shown me mercy when I haven't 'gotten it'! I love you, Jesus!
One thing I've learned is that I want to make the most of pouring Christ into my nephew and nieces lives whenever I can. It started Friday night when Logan wanted to watch 'Courageous'. I love that he is open to spiritual discussions, and this movie brought about many throughout the weekend. I am thankful for men like the Kendrick brothers who will risk the ridicule of not being 'Hollywood enough' with their productions but will make movies with incredible themes. I am thankful that Logan enjoyed it so much that he wanted to watch it twice!
On Saturday, we decided to go fishing at my neighbor's pond. Now, I can hear the giggles...yes, I am a bit of a girly girl or diva. Yes, I like hair product, make-up, and perfume. However, I would NEVER have survived growing up in the family that I did if I hadn't had some tomboy in me! I rode go carts, motorcycles, played softball, and learned to shoot a gun ~ really, really well! :) So back to my story...Logan and I took our night crawlers, stopped and picked up the fishing gear at Bill's and made our way to the pond. The hour that we spent down there was a prime time for the Lord to
teach me a valuable lesson about fishing...for the souls of men and women. As we got the lines baited and started casting in, I quietly prayed for the Lord to open doors for discussion with Logan. Those doors never came during our time there. What did happen were a lot of laughs...especially when I snagged my line on a branch, pulled it hard only to have the line come flying up and wrap itself around me. Logan looked at me with a straight face and said, "Aunt Carla, this isn't nice, but that was really funny!" Then we both cracked up! There were also periods of being quiet and patient as we waited for bites. There were moments of Logan being impatient and reeling in too quickly and losing his catch. There was a moment that I got a bite and he encouraged me to reel in and I told him that I would wait until it really bit...which it did and I caught a big mouth bass.
My "God moment" in all of this? As I was sitting there waiting for a bite, it dawned on me that I am often too impatient to wait for the bite in ministry. I will cast my line out and often reel it in without giving the person a moment to really take a bite and get ahold of the hook (the Word). I want the other person to accept Christ on the first cast or I want those I disciple or influence to get understanding on the first hearing of a lesson or counsel. Too often I am worried about the end product instead of just being in the moment! More often than not, it's not on the first cast that I get a bite. It's a process of casting, waiting, letting them nibble (or watching them swim away), watching them move around it, then take another nibble, until finally they decide to take a bite. What my prayer became at that point is that I will have the patience and mercy to allow them to process it, to figure out what the question is for their life, all the while keeping the focus of my responsibility to be ready with the Word. What a wonderfully, wild balancing act that is....
Thank You, Lord, for three incredible beings that are a part of my life! Thank You for giving me a deep desire for them to know You. Thank you for all the times You have shown me mercy when I haven't 'gotten it'! I love you, Jesus!
Monday, August 6, 2012
He loves me
Have you ever just wondered if the Lord is really paying attention to your situation? I had one of those moments this weekend. I was praying and it felt like my prayers were bouncing off the skylight in my bedroom and scattering themselves across the comforter on my bed. Not feeling a bit like I was truly reaching the ear of my Heavenly Father. The same prayers being tossed up with hopes that something would change with my attitude. I was really, really tired of feeling the same defeat. I wanted to know He cared about what I care about. I wanted to know that my Savior knew that I felt weak and that He was the strength I needed. Then I did something totally selfish. I simply said, "Please show me that you love me today." Yep, an appeal on behalf of my feelings. I wanted to feel loved. Oh, I know He loves me. But Saturday morning I wanted to feel it. As is unusual for me, I didn't even put parameters on what would make me feel loved. He's my God, my Father, the One who knows me better than I know myself. He knows what deep down makes me feel loved. So, after my request, I got myself up and prepared to start my busy day.
Now, God doesn't do His work on my time frames. He knows His girl is one who is truly into instant gratification, so He almost always makes me wait. But Saturday morning, He changed it up. He immediately delivered a message from one of my girls. It started, "Hey there! Thought I should let you know that I am playing you today." Now, when I read that first line it kind of scared me because I had no context and my mind raced to all of the nuances that statement held! :) Then, she proceeded to go on and explain how she was spending time with a young girl who needed an godly influence in her life...just like I had done in her life some 9 years ago. She went on to explain how she hoped the day would go and that her prayer was that she would be as godly an influence to this girl's life as I had been in hers. I sat there completely stunned, sobbing. My roomie kept asking what was wrong and I couldn't talk... I just sobbed. Never, ever in my life have I felt as loved by my Holy Father as I did in that minute! You see, this wasn't about some great, heroic thing I'd done...trust me, I have messed up SOOOOO many times in this situation as well as others. It was my Savior telling me that I matter to Him and He chooses me to be a part of His work. I don't think my feet hit the floor the rest of the day!
And as is God's way...He went further. Our church service was one of the best I've ever been to...nothing spectacular by any means. But OH the worship!! It was decidedly different for me yesterday. It was coming from a confident, love sodden heart and I knew the Lord was pleased! It was like He was saying, "Are you finally grasping just what you mean to me??!!" Then as if to drive the point home, another life that I have been allowed to be a part of was there to say goodbye to us. He is following the Lord to the mission field to translate the Bible into the heart language of the peoples of Paupa New Guinea. Again, I found myself weeping tears of joy. So proud of the man he has become. Remembering the young college student sitting at my dining room table talking about life, sharing struggles, connecting because of our Savior. Now he is a man taking his wife and yet to be born child to serve our God. Wow.
It's no coincidence that this was one of the songs we sang yesterday... God just really wanted me to know the He loves me!
Now, God doesn't do His work on my time frames. He knows His girl is one who is truly into instant gratification, so He almost always makes me wait. But Saturday morning, He changed it up. He immediately delivered a message from one of my girls. It started, "Hey there! Thought I should let you know that I am playing you today." Now, when I read that first line it kind of scared me because I had no context and my mind raced to all of the nuances that statement held! :) Then, she proceeded to go on and explain how she was spending time with a young girl who needed an godly influence in her life...just like I had done in her life some 9 years ago. She went on to explain how she hoped the day would go and that her prayer was that she would be as godly an influence to this girl's life as I had been in hers. I sat there completely stunned, sobbing. My roomie kept asking what was wrong and I couldn't talk... I just sobbed. Never, ever in my life have I felt as loved by my Holy Father as I did in that minute! You see, this wasn't about some great, heroic thing I'd done...trust me, I have messed up SOOOOO many times in this situation as well as others. It was my Savior telling me that I matter to Him and He chooses me to be a part of His work. I don't think my feet hit the floor the rest of the day!
And as is God's way...He went further. Our church service was one of the best I've ever been to...nothing spectacular by any means. But OH the worship!! It was decidedly different for me yesterday. It was coming from a confident, love sodden heart and I knew the Lord was pleased! It was like He was saying, "Are you finally grasping just what you mean to me??!!" Then as if to drive the point home, another life that I have been allowed to be a part of was there to say goodbye to us. He is following the Lord to the mission field to translate the Bible into the heart language of the peoples of Paupa New Guinea. Again, I found myself weeping tears of joy. So proud of the man he has become. Remembering the young college student sitting at my dining room table talking about life, sharing struggles, connecting because of our Savior. Now he is a man taking his wife and yet to be born child to serve our God. Wow.
It's no coincidence that this was one of the songs we sang yesterday... God just really wanted me to know the He loves me!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Summer of My Unsettling
Yet again, the Lord is unsettling me, which is becoming a bit commonplace this summer! This time, He is using the topic of words to move me. It all started about a week and half ago when we held a house meeting to discuss various topics and our conversation towards each other became the focus of discussion. I was becoming convicted about the lack of respect we were showing each other. It is just natural for me to 'jest' with others, but when I am feeling a bit hurt, my words become a weapon (again, will I EVER see complete victory???!!). This discussion with the girls really sunk deep into my heart because I found myself becoming very sensitive to what those around me were saying. Instead of building up, there were words of destruction. Instead of encouragement, there were words that left others broken. Then the Chick-fil-a issue came rolling across my facebook page. To be honest, I read it, thought "Go Mike Huckabee, way to stand up for what you believe" and then left it at that.
The Lord had other ideas...I have been struggling with fence riding a bit in my life. Trying to stay politically neutral, not wanting to draw attention to myself or my beliefs, just wanting to live comfortably...complacent. Then last Thursday morning as I got ready for work, I heard the background and actual interview given by Mr. Cathey. What he said blew me away...bold, loving, God honoring. I also heard the words of the opposition. It was then that the Holy Spirit quietly spoke to me asking, "What are YOU going to do about this? Where are you going to plant your flag, Carla?" Whoa. Didn't want to hear that. As He planned it, after hearing the interview, I almost immediately read Huckabee's eloquently written status on the issue and I re posted it to my page. I knew there would be those who disagreed. I knew they'd post. They did. God was then asking again, "Where do you stand?". I responded...on the Word of God. You see, there are times that I do believe the Lord calls us speak up and I felt this was one of them. I also believe that the Lord calls us to stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ when they are being bold. I also believe as an American, our freedom of speech is so closely tied to our freedom to practice our Christitanity that if we don't defend it, we may lose it all. Most importantly, there will come a day when I will have to answer to the Lord for my words and actions. I prayed every time I posted a response because more important to me than any political issue is that fact that Jesus Christ loves people, He came to die for all of us, and I wanted my responses to be LOVINGLY bold. And many times in the past, my words have not been loving at all...they've left a lot of shrapnel and have not pointed others to Christ in the least. Then, today, I went to Chick-fil-a for lunch. What an incredible experience that was...to see so many people standing up for a man's right to voice his opinion! The great thing was no words had to be spoken...it was a fun time with a lot of sweet people. I really do love being an American!
God wasn't done teaching me about bold words this week. As I headed to the restaurant today, I received a call from a friend wanting some counsel. Yep, you guessed it. I had the choice to say the biblical truth, which is the antithesis of what the world says, or I could skirt around the issue and wish her well. Again, that sweet whisper of the Holy Spirit says, "Where do you stand, Carla?" So she got the hard to do, but God will get a ton of glory if you follow His Word counsel. I know that was not what she really wanted to hear. I knew that when the issues of our lives collide with the Word of God, we have a choice to make and we often choose the easy, known way. I prayed for her to choose well. Tonight I got a call that blessed me beyond belief when she said she took my counsel...which wasn't mine at all but His Words!
There was a verse in my reading this morning that summed it all up for me: Proverbs 12:18
The Lord had other ideas...I have been struggling with fence riding a bit in my life. Trying to stay politically neutral, not wanting to draw attention to myself or my beliefs, just wanting to live comfortably...complacent. Then last Thursday morning as I got ready for work, I heard the background and actual interview given by Mr. Cathey. What he said blew me away...bold, loving, God honoring. I also heard the words of the opposition. It was then that the Holy Spirit quietly spoke to me asking, "What are YOU going to do about this? Where are you going to plant your flag, Carla?" Whoa. Didn't want to hear that. As He planned it, after hearing the interview, I almost immediately read Huckabee's eloquently written status on the issue and I re posted it to my page. I knew there would be those who disagreed. I knew they'd post. They did. God was then asking again, "Where do you stand?". I responded...on the Word of God. You see, there are times that I do believe the Lord calls us speak up and I felt this was one of them. I also believe that the Lord calls us to stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ when they are being bold. I also believe as an American, our freedom of speech is so closely tied to our freedom to practice our Christitanity that if we don't defend it, we may lose it all. Most importantly, there will come a day when I will have to answer to the Lord for my words and actions. I prayed every time I posted a response because more important to me than any political issue is that fact that Jesus Christ loves people, He came to die for all of us, and I wanted my responses to be LOVINGLY bold. And many times in the past, my words have not been loving at all...they've left a lot of shrapnel and have not pointed others to Christ in the least. Then, today, I went to Chick-fil-a for lunch. What an incredible experience that was...to see so many people standing up for a man's right to voice his opinion! The great thing was no words had to be spoken...it was a fun time with a lot of sweet people. I really do love being an American!
God wasn't done teaching me about bold words this week. As I headed to the restaurant today, I received a call from a friend wanting some counsel. Yep, you guessed it. I had the choice to say the biblical truth, which is the antithesis of what the world says, or I could skirt around the issue and wish her well. Again, that sweet whisper of the Holy Spirit says, "Where do you stand, Carla?" So she got the hard to do, but God will get a ton of glory if you follow His Word counsel. I know that was not what she really wanted to hear. I knew that when the issues of our lives collide with the Word of God, we have a choice to make and we often choose the easy, known way. I prayed for her to choose well. Tonight I got a call that blessed me beyond belief when she said she took my counsel...which wasn't mine at all but His Words!
There was a verse in my reading this morning that summed it all up for me: Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
Heavenly Father, I ask that you make me wise in my thoughts, my actions and my words. Let me be one who edifies, encourages, love and speaks your Word with authority and boldness. Please remind me that my rash words can damage as deeply as a sword. Thank you for loving me so much!
Heavenly Father, I ask that you make me wise in my thoughts, my actions and my words. Let me be one who edifies, encourages, love and speaks your Word with authority and boldness. Please remind me that my rash words can damage as deeply as a sword. Thank you for loving me so much!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Hang On
Exodus 16:1-3
1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
I've been thinking about this story a lot lately. I wish I could say it's because I am preparing a message on it or teaching it, but honestly, it's because I am living it. So many temptations to return to former ways besiege me on an almost daily basis. I just keep thinking it would be easier to go back, even if it isn't what is best. I am no different than the Israelites. They knew the circumstances in Egypt, but this unknown territory was frightening. They struggled in trusting the Lord because their eyes were on their circumstances. I struggle trusting too... wondering 'what if....' all the while knowing that if I dare allow myself to answer, I will find myself stuck in a place that closely resembles the Egypt of their day... a place the the Lord didn't intend for them to be. I know if I return to my Egypt, I will never completely find my specific purpose. So I hang on to His word and His promises that He cares for me in ways that I don't understand. I hang on to the fact that circumstances do not scare or intimidate my God. I hang on to the truth that if I walk uprightly and trust Him, He will be my buckle or shield. I hang on.
What about you? Is He asking you to leave your Egypt? Maybe it's a habit that has a stronghold on you...or a relationship that is not His best for you...or maybe He is asking you to step out in faith and serve Him in a way that stretches you? I know that fear you face. Just hang onto Him!
Father, you know all too well the challenges and temptations I face. You know there are times I want to run back to what is comfortable, known, but completely unsatisfying. You made me for more that just adequate. I ask you to remind me of the truths of your promises when my resolve is wearing thin. Thank you for bringing me out of Egypt and for walking with me to the promised land! I love you!!!
1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.
2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
I've been thinking about this story a lot lately. I wish I could say it's because I am preparing a message on it or teaching it, but honestly, it's because I am living it. So many temptations to return to former ways besiege me on an almost daily basis. I just keep thinking it would be easier to go back, even if it isn't what is best. I am no different than the Israelites. They knew the circumstances in Egypt, but this unknown territory was frightening. They struggled in trusting the Lord because their eyes were on their circumstances. I struggle trusting too... wondering 'what if....' all the while knowing that if I dare allow myself to answer, I will find myself stuck in a place that closely resembles the Egypt of their day... a place the the Lord didn't intend for them to be. I know if I return to my Egypt, I will never completely find my specific purpose. So I hang on to His word and His promises that He cares for me in ways that I don't understand. I hang on to the fact that circumstances do not scare or intimidate my God. I hang on to the truth that if I walk uprightly and trust Him, He will be my buckle or shield. I hang on.
What about you? Is He asking you to leave your Egypt? Maybe it's a habit that has a stronghold on you...or a relationship that is not His best for you...or maybe He is asking you to step out in faith and serve Him in a way that stretches you? I know that fear you face. Just hang onto Him!
Father, you know all too well the challenges and temptations I face. You know there are times I want to run back to what is comfortable, known, but completely unsatisfying. You made me for more that just adequate. I ask you to remind me of the truths of your promises when my resolve is wearing thin. Thank you for bringing me out of Egypt and for walking with me to the promised land! I love you!!!
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