Focal Verse: “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others” (1 Cor. 12:7 CEV).
I just finished reading Max Lucado’s book Cure for the Common Life. Before opening the cover (and after only reading the title), I fully expected the book to be about contentment. After all, whom of us after living the same routine day after day, week after week, doesn’t need a healthy dose of contentment?
After opening the cover, however, I discovered that my assumptions were incorrect. While contentment is something we can all use a little more of, Max went beyond teaching us to be content with where we are and gently pushed his readers to reevaluate whether we are living in our sweet spot.
Sweet spot. According to Max, our sweet spot is “a zone, a region, a life precinct in which you were made to dwell. He tailed the curves of your life to fit an empty space in his jigsaw puzzle. And life makes sense when you find your spot.”
You see, God didn’t create us to tarry on in a mundane life, day after day, just to get by. He made us to live in our sweet spot, where we will use the talents and interests he gave us to glorify him and to have fun doing it!
Do you know your sweet spot? If not, look at your life. What do you do well? What brings you joy? You’ll find your sweet spot when you identify the things you do well that you also love.
Once you’ve identified your sweet spot, realize that God created you in this special way to glorify him. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others” (1 Cor. 12:7 CEV).
Sure, God will call us to do things on occasion that aren't necessarily in our sweet spot. But he will also equip us for those tasks. I'm convinced he has called us to "live" in our sweet spot, and "visit" those places that aren't.
Let me give you an example. My "sweet spot" is studying, writing, teaching, and organizing events (not to be confused with organizing the house, as my husband would quickly point out). If I had it my way, every second of every day would be spent on these tasks, and I would be happily serving God in the area he called me to live. But there are times when God calls me to do things not in my sweet spot. For instance, when Drew was a few months old, I noticed that the same three couples were rotating in our church nursery during the morning worship service. I felt bad that these couples were missing out on worship every three weeks. Now I'll tell you that although I love my baby, working in the nursery is far from my sweet spot. But I saw the need and my husband and I agreed to put ourselves on the rotation. It wasn't easy. In fact, it got harder. When we signed up, another couple dropped out, and at the same time there was a "baby boom" of sorts in our church, so four people ended up having to be in the nursery most weeks. This meant that those of us who helped in the nursery ended up working in it 2 out of every 3 weeks, which was not a fun job for me. Yet, the need was there. God was bringing in new couples with babies, and this was a ministry we needed to help with.
Yes, sometimes true servanthood will require sacrifices and it won't always be the most desirable tasks. After all, I doubt Jesus felt that feet-washing was his sweet spot. What if he allowed someone else to take on that task while he continued in his sweet spot of teaching? If we see a need that God calls us to meet that doesn't fit with our sweet spot, we are not to excuse ourselves from the responsibility.
But I'm convinced that God called us to spend most of our time and energy serving in the areas in which we were equipped. As Paul says, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:6-8).
By identifying our sweet spot, we first recognize that God is the author of it. He is the one who gave us these talents, abilities, and desires, for His purpose. Then we can seek where God wants to use these gifts. Finally, when we are living in our sweet spot, we are enjoying the life God created for us and we're serving and glorifying Him. What could be sweeter?
Prayer of the Righteous
Focal Verse: "So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived." Genesis 19:29
My son is now at the stage where he wants to talk but only can enunciate a handful of words. As much as I can't wait for his vocabulary to increase, I've been warned that once he starts to talk, he won't stop. I've been warned of the barrage of incessant questions a curious toddler throws at a defenseless parent.
In Genesis 18, Abraham's conversation with God bears a resemblance to the conversation of a curious toddler. God tells Abraham he is going to go see if the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is as bad as the outcry against it. Abraham, knowing his close relative Lot is living in Sodom, starts questioning God, "What if there are 50 righteous people in the city? Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?" God answers that he will not. Not content with that answer, Abraham goes on to ask God the same questions over and over. "What if there are 45 righteous people?... 40 righteous people?... 30 righteous people?... 20 righteous people?... 10 righteous people?" With each question, God gives the same answer, ending with "For the sake of 10 righteous people, I will not destroy it."
Humor me for a side note here. We know that God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah the very next day, and looking at Abraham's conversation with God, we know that God promised he wouldn't destroy the cities if he found 10 righteous people. The very fact that the cities were destroyed tells us that there were not 10 righteous people in the city. I find it interesting that God showed no signs of impatience with Abraham and his repeated questioning. He knew Abraham's heart was pure, and he was only asking because he was worried about his dear nephew Lot and his family. In the last verse of chapter 18, it says, "When the Lord has finished speaking with Abraham...." I just wonder if Abraham wasn't finished with his questioning. Looking forward, we see the the only ones spared were Lot, his wife (for a short time), and his two daughters. My count is 4. Unless Abraham was thinking of Lot's other daughters and sons-in-law (which we don't know the number), perhaps he was going to keep going from 10 to 8 to 6 to 4 to 2 to 1, in his questioning. But after 10 righteous people, God ended the conversation. God knew he had to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and he also knew Abraham's heart.
We can look at Abraham's prayer like this. He wanted to convince God not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He knew Lot and his family had built homes there. He was concerned for their safety. He didn't want them to lose their homes and their way of life. We can assume Abraham thought of Lot as a righteous man by this prayer. (Also, looking forward to chapter 19, the angels were greeted by Lot at the city gate. Not a small detail, the men sitting at the city gate in that time were elders in the city and sometimes judges. Even though the city was wicked, for some reason - we hope because of his righteousness - he was held in high regard.)
God went to great lengths to save Lot and his family, even though I tend to think that the righteousness Lot had when he was in Abraham's company had probably been marred by living in the sinful city of Sodom. Not unlike us, he was easily influenced by the wealth and promise that Sodom offered. You know his heart wasn't completely devoted to God even at the moment God was trying to save him. Although he tried to convince his sons-in-law to escape with him, when they wouldn't and the angels said, "It's time!", Lot hesitated. He had to be pulled away from the city by the angels. And when they told him to go to the hills, he argued with them, asking to go to a small town. Lot wasn't reacting righteously at the most critical moment.
That takes us back to why God spared Lot. Clearly he didn't want to go. His heart was divided by what he knew he should do and what he wanted to do. I believe Abraham's simple child-like prayer is the key to Lot's survival. Read Genesis 19:29 again: "So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. (emphasis mine)"
It did not say, "So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Lot's righteousness and brought Lot and his family out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived."
Even though it took some background to get to this point, I believe it is well worth it. The words of James thousands of years later rings true to Abraham's prayer: "The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)
How many times do we say we're going to pray for someone but the prayer never makes its way from our minds to our God? How many times do we want to pray for someone but don't even bother because we don't think it will make a difference anyway? I have to admit I'm guilty of both.
Yet we look at Abraham's simple, child-like prayer, and we see that God honored it. He didn't do exactly what Abraham asked. Abraham wanted the cities to be spared, but God had a different plan. He had to destroy the cities, but he saved the ones that were on Abraham's heart, even though the Bible doesn't show any evidence that Lot's name was even mentioned in this prayer.
I'm hoping that by remembering Abraham's humble prayer, I can have the faith to approach the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," with the people I need to pray for. I can also have the peace of mind that although God may not answer my prayer in the way I had in mind, he will honor the prayer of his child.
I'll conclude with a verse from 1 Samuel 12:23a: "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you."
My son is now at the stage where he wants to talk but only can enunciate a handful of words. As much as I can't wait for his vocabulary to increase, I've been warned that once he starts to talk, he won't stop. I've been warned of the barrage of incessant questions a curious toddler throws at a defenseless parent.
In Genesis 18, Abraham's conversation with God bears a resemblance to the conversation of a curious toddler. God tells Abraham he is going to go see if the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is as bad as the outcry against it. Abraham, knowing his close relative Lot is living in Sodom, starts questioning God, "What if there are 50 righteous people in the city? Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?" God answers that he will not. Not content with that answer, Abraham goes on to ask God the same questions over and over. "What if there are 45 righteous people?... 40 righteous people?... 30 righteous people?... 20 righteous people?... 10 righteous people?" With each question, God gives the same answer, ending with "For the sake of 10 righteous people, I will not destroy it."
Humor me for a side note here. We know that God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah the very next day, and looking at Abraham's conversation with God, we know that God promised he wouldn't destroy the cities if he found 10 righteous people. The very fact that the cities were destroyed tells us that there were not 10 righteous people in the city. I find it interesting that God showed no signs of impatience with Abraham and his repeated questioning. He knew Abraham's heart was pure, and he was only asking because he was worried about his dear nephew Lot and his family. In the last verse of chapter 18, it says, "When the Lord has finished speaking with Abraham...." I just wonder if Abraham wasn't finished with his questioning. Looking forward, we see the the only ones spared were Lot, his wife (for a short time), and his two daughters. My count is 4. Unless Abraham was thinking of Lot's other daughters and sons-in-law (which we don't know the number), perhaps he was going to keep going from 10 to 8 to 6 to 4 to 2 to 1, in his questioning. But after 10 righteous people, God ended the conversation. God knew he had to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and he also knew Abraham's heart.
We can look at Abraham's prayer like this. He wanted to convince God not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He knew Lot and his family had built homes there. He was concerned for their safety. He didn't want them to lose their homes and their way of life. We can assume Abraham thought of Lot as a righteous man by this prayer. (Also, looking forward to chapter 19, the angels were greeted by Lot at the city gate. Not a small detail, the men sitting at the city gate in that time were elders in the city and sometimes judges. Even though the city was wicked, for some reason - we hope because of his righteousness - he was held in high regard.)
God went to great lengths to save Lot and his family, even though I tend to think that the righteousness Lot had when he was in Abraham's company had probably been marred by living in the sinful city of Sodom. Not unlike us, he was easily influenced by the wealth and promise that Sodom offered. You know his heart wasn't completely devoted to God even at the moment God was trying to save him. Although he tried to convince his sons-in-law to escape with him, when they wouldn't and the angels said, "It's time!", Lot hesitated. He had to be pulled away from the city by the angels. And when they told him to go to the hills, he argued with them, asking to go to a small town. Lot wasn't reacting righteously at the most critical moment.
That takes us back to why God spared Lot. Clearly he didn't want to go. His heart was divided by what he knew he should do and what he wanted to do. I believe Abraham's simple child-like prayer is the key to Lot's survival. Read Genesis 19:29 again: "So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. (emphasis mine)"
It did not say, "So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Lot's righteousness and brought Lot and his family out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived."
Even though it took some background to get to this point, I believe it is well worth it. The words of James thousands of years later rings true to Abraham's prayer: "The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)
How many times do we say we're going to pray for someone but the prayer never makes its way from our minds to our God? How many times do we want to pray for someone but don't even bother because we don't think it will make a difference anyway? I have to admit I'm guilty of both.
Yet we look at Abraham's simple, child-like prayer, and we see that God honored it. He didn't do exactly what Abraham asked. Abraham wanted the cities to be spared, but God had a different plan. He had to destroy the cities, but he saved the ones that were on Abraham's heart, even though the Bible doesn't show any evidence that Lot's name was even mentioned in this prayer.
I'm hoping that by remembering Abraham's humble prayer, I can have the faith to approach the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," with the people I need to pray for. I can also have the peace of mind that although God may not answer my prayer in the way I had in mind, he will honor the prayer of his child.
I'll conclude with a verse from 1 Samuel 12:23a: "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you."
To Live is Christ
On this Memorial Day, I would like to pay tribute to my longtime childhood friend, Michael Goins, who lost his life in August 2004. The following is something I wrote shortly after.
Focal Passage: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
Background Passage: Philippians 1:20-26
When your country is at war, your whole view of life changes. Suddenly life isn't all about what you do for a living, how much money you make, or your path to achieving the "American Dream." Even the mindset of the growing Christian changes somewhat. This is especially true when people close to you are fighting the war and even dying in the war. Sometimes your faith in God is challenged. And hopefully, these challenges will spur a deeper knowledge of God and his purpose for life.
In August of last year I lost one of my best childhood friends to the war. The common question, "Why, God?" wasn't absent from my prayers. Michael was a growing Christian, a light to all around him. A second lieutenant, he prayed for his troops and shared his faith when the opportunity arose. Why God chose to take this beacon of light home still doesn't quite register for me, but I've come to trust in God's sovereignty and be at peace with it.
Last month, a co-worker of mine, Eric, whom I've grown close to as well, stepped foot in Iraq for his tour of duty. I communicate with him often and pray for him daily.
One day I was praying for Eric's and his troops' protection, and I realized that I was praying the same prayer I prayed for Michael. The irony disturbed me somewhat. Then a verse came to mind that I had heard since childhood: "To live is Christ and to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21) I've never fully understood that verse. The strict grammar person that I am, I've always found the wording of it quite odd. Then I decided that God brought that verse to mind for a reason and I needed to research it more thoroughly. I looked up the verse online in 19 different versions, and it's funny because only a handful of those versions had any different verbiage for that verse. However, I found one that I felt truly conveyed the intentions of Paul in writing that verse: "Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose." (The Message) What a joyous verse! This version opened my eyes to a verse I've heard since I was young.
Our true home is in heaven with Christ. So to die truly is gain. But for the time that God leaves us here on earth, we have a mission to accomplish. A mission to love and glorify God. A mission to share Christ with others. A mission to be the light of Christ to all around us. And when we go to be with Christ, we will hear him say, like I know Michael did, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
(Eric returned home after 12 months in Iraq. Shortly after his return, he was promoted to Captain. He and his wife Karla welcomed a their first child, a baby boy, in January. Eric continues to work with me, and he is still active in the Army Reserves.)
Our Superhero
Focal Verse: "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners" Isaiah 61:1
Have you noticed that our culture has an obsession with superheroes? From the comic books young children have read for decades to the blockbuster movies of our day, we're fascinated with the extrordinary "among us" who save the day. I say "we're fascinated" because I am one of them.
A couple of years ago, my husband got me hooked on Smallville, the television show based on the teenage years of Clark Kent (aka Superman). Even to this day, this 27-year-old Mom can't miss an episode. What is it that's so enticing about superheroes? For me, it's their inherent goodness. Their ability to go beyond human limitations. Their humility and willingness to risk their lives to save a stranger. Their propensity to defend the defenseless. And, of course, you can't dismiss the fact that they're usually rather attractive with a beautiful (or handsome) romantic interest. We can get so involved in the show that we wish our real world could have real life superhero.
Yet... we do. We have our very own superhero in Jesus Christ. First, he's inherently good. ("Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." Hebrews 7:26)
Second, his abilities go beyond human limitations ("'Where did this man get these things?' they asked. 'What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!'" Mark 6:3a)
Third, he was the portrait of humility and not only risked his life but gave his life for us "(Who, being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:6-8).
Fourth, Jesus defends us when we cannot defend ourselves ("Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" Hebrews 7:25).
And finally, we can't forget the bond of a divine romance that is available to all of us. Jesus loves us so much he not only died for us but he also calls himself a bridegroom and us his bride. ("Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7)
How amazing! We have our very own "superhero" who LOVES us! who DEFENDS us! who RESCUED us! who DIED for us! who will SAVE us!
One final thought... Could it be that our culture's obsession with superheroes could be born out of our innate need for a Savior?
Have you noticed that our culture has an obsession with superheroes? From the comic books young children have read for decades to the blockbuster movies of our day, we're fascinated with the extrordinary "among us" who save the day. I say "we're fascinated" because I am one of them.
A couple of years ago, my husband got me hooked on Smallville, the television show based on the teenage years of Clark Kent (aka Superman). Even to this day, this 27-year-old Mom can't miss an episode. What is it that's so enticing about superheroes? For me, it's their inherent goodness. Their ability to go beyond human limitations. Their humility and willingness to risk their lives to save a stranger. Their propensity to defend the defenseless. And, of course, you can't dismiss the fact that they're usually rather attractive with a beautiful (or handsome) romantic interest. We can get so involved in the show that we wish our real world could have real life superhero.
Yet... we do. We have our very own superhero in Jesus Christ. First, he's inherently good. ("Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." Hebrews 7:26)
Second, his abilities go beyond human limitations ("'Where did this man get these things?' they asked. 'What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!'" Mark 6:3a)
Third, he was the portrait of humility and not only risked his life but gave his life for us "(Who, being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:6-8).
Fourth, Jesus defends us when we cannot defend ourselves ("Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" Hebrews 7:25).
And finally, we can't forget the bond of a divine romance that is available to all of us. Jesus loves us so much he not only died for us but he also calls himself a bridegroom and us his bride. ("Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7)
How amazing! We have our very own "superhero" who LOVES us! who DEFENDS us! who RESCUED us! who DIED for us! who will SAVE us!
One final thought... Could it be that our culture's obsession with superheroes could be born out of our innate need for a Savior?
Miracle of the Moment
Focal Verse: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" Matthew 6:33-34
Isn't it funny how we can sing every word of a familiar song, and yet the words go straight from our heads to our lips and completely bypass our hearts? Then one day we hear the song, maybe in light of a new circumstance, and we finally "hear" it for the first time.
This happened to me last week. Steven Curtis Chapman's song Miracle of the Moment came on the radio. For the first time, these powerful lyrics hit me.
You see, at this moment, my family is in somewhat of a holding pattern, waiting for circumstances to change so we can land at our destination. About a month ago, my husband's company decided to close down the branch he was working at. He had the opportunity to take a transfer to a branch 6 hours away, but after much prayer and contemplation, we decided not to move. Since then, he has been pursuing a couple of local opportunities, but neither company has been in any hurry to make a decision. So we are waiting for God to provide my husband a job.
On my side of things, I yearn to delve more into writing and teaching, but with working the hours I do, I simply don't have enough time to devote to my passion. I am waiting for God to work out my circumstances so I am free to give more of myself to pursue what I feel he made me to do.
These last few weeks, unknowingly, my mindset has become that of "just get through each day until God provides the next thing." I realized that while I feel I'm doing a pretty good job trusting God with our future, I'm doing a terrible job of being content now. I have looked at each day as a day to mark off my calendar, not as day to make the most of.
So you can probably see why these lyrics hit me pretty hard:
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss
The miracle of the moment
There’s only one who knows
What’s really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history
And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
I had to realize that God isn't "waiting" for anything. He could provide everything for us right now if he wanted to. But there is obviously a reason we are waiting. I am realizing that by simply looking at each day as a day to endure and get through, I could miss so much. Having my head in the clouds of my future, I could miss the opportunity to minister to someone. I could fail to appreciate the little things my son is doing at this stage of his life. I could miss little lessons like these that could help me the rest of my life!
Like me, is there something you're waiting for, that once it happens, all will be well? We can't forget that God's timing is perfect! There is a purpose for our waiting. If you recall King David, he was first anointed king in 1 Samuel 16. But he didn't become king until 2 Samuel 5 -- 18 chapters later! If you skim through those chapters, you see he isn't sitting on his hands, waiting for God to oust Saul from the throne and fulfill his promise. He was working! He was fighting for his people, seeking God, and writing many of the Psalms we read today.
I hope to take after David's example, and not only trust God with our future, but also look for the miracles in the here and now.
Isn't it funny how we can sing every word of a familiar song, and yet the words go straight from our heads to our lips and completely bypass our hearts? Then one day we hear the song, maybe in light of a new circumstance, and we finally "hear" it for the first time.
This happened to me last week. Steven Curtis Chapman's song Miracle of the Moment came on the radio. For the first time, these powerful lyrics hit me.
You see, at this moment, my family is in somewhat of a holding pattern, waiting for circumstances to change so we can land at our destination. About a month ago, my husband's company decided to close down the branch he was working at. He had the opportunity to take a transfer to a branch 6 hours away, but after much prayer and contemplation, we decided not to move. Since then, he has been pursuing a couple of local opportunities, but neither company has been in any hurry to make a decision. So we are waiting for God to provide my husband a job.
On my side of things, I yearn to delve more into writing and teaching, but with working the hours I do, I simply don't have enough time to devote to my passion. I am waiting for God to work out my circumstances so I am free to give more of myself to pursue what I feel he made me to do.
These last few weeks, unknowingly, my mindset has become that of "just get through each day until God provides the next thing." I realized that while I feel I'm doing a pretty good job trusting God with our future, I'm doing a terrible job of being content now. I have looked at each day as a day to mark off my calendar, not as day to make the most of.
So you can probably see why these lyrics hit me pretty hard:
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss
The miracle of the moment
There’s only one who knows
What’s really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history
And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
I had to realize that God isn't "waiting" for anything. He could provide everything for us right now if he wanted to. But there is obviously a reason we are waiting. I am realizing that by simply looking at each day as a day to endure and get through, I could miss so much. Having my head in the clouds of my future, I could miss the opportunity to minister to someone. I could fail to appreciate the little things my son is doing at this stage of his life. I could miss little lessons like these that could help me the rest of my life!
Like me, is there something you're waiting for, that once it happens, all will be well? We can't forget that God's timing is perfect! There is a purpose for our waiting. If you recall King David, he was first anointed king in 1 Samuel 16. But he didn't become king until 2 Samuel 5 -- 18 chapters later! If you skim through those chapters, you see he isn't sitting on his hands, waiting for God to oust Saul from the throne and fulfill his promise. He was working! He was fighting for his people, seeking God, and writing many of the Psalms we read today.
I hope to take after David's example, and not only trust God with our future, but also look for the miracles in the here and now.
A Tale of Three Mother's Days
Focal verse: "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
." Ephesians 4:11-12
My first Mother's Day was full of excitement and anticipation. I was six months pregnant and felt joy with every kick in my tummy. I had prayed for Drew and couldn't wait until August, when I would welcome him into my arms. My mom and mother-in-law gave me thoughtful gifts for my "first" Mother's Day, and although that little detail escaped my husband, I wasn't letting anything ruin this day. I longed for the next Mother's Day when I would officially be a mommy.
Yet my second Mother's Day was nothing like I expected the year before. After a difficult postpartum period of adjustment and depression, I spent most of Drew's first nine months trying to keep my head above water. Though I loved Drew dearly, I didn't enjoy the "baby" stage. I know many who love the baby stage will gasp at this statement, but I will venture to say it anyway. Most of the time the baby stage bored me. I wanted him to grow up so I could play ball with him, teach him his ABCs, have a conversation with him. So on my second Mother's Day, all I wanted was a break. Guilt encompassed this day like none other. It was my first Mother's Day, for heaven's sake! I should want to be with my child. Instead, I just wanted some alone time. I thought, "What kind of mother am I?" On a day where I was supposed to enjoy the blessings of being a mother, I felt like such a failure.
A year later, my perspective has changed quite a bit. This last year Drew has grown from the crawler to the runner. From the crier to the almost-talker. From the bottle to the fork and spoon. From the stage I didn't care for to the stage I love. When last year all I wanted was a break, this year all I wanted to do is spend time with my precious boy. While last year I felt like such a failure, this year I feel like a pretty good mom.
What changed? I realized that just because I wasn't fond of the baby stage, that didn't mean I was a bad mom. Just because I didn't end up being the kind of mom I expected to be, that doesn't mean that I can't embrace the mom I am.
For any mom reading this, next time you face a time of insecurity (because we all do from time to time), remember that God chose to give you the child you have because no one is better equipped to rear that child than you. And when you face times that go against your natural strengths, know that God will provide for you and your child. For me, God provided my mom and mother-in-law, who were able to fill in where I couldn't. I know that with Drew not even 2 yet, I have lots more stages to go through, and the next time I feel ill-equipped, I'll be able to embrace who I am and allow God to provide the rest.
Who knows what my fourth Mother's Day will bring. God-willing, I'll look at my 2 1/2 year old with all of the love in my heart, and then glance at another baby bump and know that with God's help, I will get through the baby stage once again. But this time, I won't have any doubt that I am a pretty good mom.
." Ephesians 4:11-12My first Mother's Day was full of excitement and anticipation. I was six months pregnant and felt joy with every kick in my tummy. I had prayed for Drew and couldn't wait until August, when I would welcome him into my arms. My mom and mother-in-law gave me thoughtful gifts for my "first" Mother's Day, and although that little detail escaped my husband, I wasn't letting anything ruin this day. I longed for the next Mother's Day when I would officially be a mommy.
Yet my second Mother's Day was nothing like I expected the year before. After a difficult postpartum period of adjustment and depression, I spent most of Drew's first nine months trying to keep my head above water. Though I loved Drew dearly, I didn't enjoy the "baby" stage. I know many who love the baby stage will gasp at this statement, but I will venture to say it anyway. Most of the time the baby stage bored me. I wanted him to grow up so I could play ball with him, teach him his ABCs, have a conversation with him. So on my second Mother's Day, all I wanted was a break. Guilt encompassed this day like none other. It was my first Mother's Day, for heaven's sake! I should want to be with my child. Instead, I just wanted some alone time. I thought, "What kind of mother am I?" On a day where I was supposed to enjoy the blessings of being a mother, I felt like such a failure.
A year later, my perspective has changed quite a bit. This last year Drew has grown from the crawler to the runner. From the crier to the almost-talker. From the bottle to the fork and spoon. From the stage I didn't care for to the stage I love. When last year all I wanted was a break, this year all I wanted to do is spend time with my precious boy. While last year I felt like such a failure, this year I feel like a pretty good mom.
What changed? I realized that just because I wasn't fond of the baby stage, that didn't mean I was a bad mom. Just because I didn't end up being the kind of mom I expected to be, that doesn't mean that I can't embrace the mom I am.
For any mom reading this, next time you face a time of insecurity (because we all do from time to time), remember that God chose to give you the child you have because no one is better equipped to rear that child than you. And when you face times that go against your natural strengths, know that God will provide for you and your child. For me, God provided my mom and mother-in-law, who were able to fill in where I couldn't. I know that with Drew not even 2 yet, I have lots more stages to go through, and the next time I feel ill-equipped, I'll be able to embrace who I am and allow God to provide the rest.
Who knows what my fourth Mother's Day will bring. God-willing, I'll look at my 2 1/2 year old with all of the love in my heart, and then glance at another baby bump and know that with God's help, I will get through the baby stage once again. But this time, I won't have any doubt that I am a pretty good mom.
Time for Encouragement
Focal verse: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" Isaiah 6:8
I was driving down the road one day during my lunch break, heading to my mom's house to see my son Drew, just like I have done almost every day since he was born. I was listening to K-Love, my favorite Christian radio station, like every other day. Sometimes the station airs call-ins from listeners, and this call-in struck me.
It was from a pastor's wife, who had been grappling with unnamed struggles. She said she was up at 3 a.m. unable to sleep, questioning God, "Do you see what I'm going through? Are you paying attention? Are you going to help me?" I can't remember her exact words, but they were obvious words of exasperation.
The next day, she said, out of the blue, someone called her, asking if there was anything she needed prayer for. She said at that moment, she realized God was speaking through this person, telling her that he hadn't forgotten about her. He was encouraging her through this person during this diffucult time.
While her reason for calling in was to share and to remind us how much God cares about every little detail in our lives, I started thinking about the person who called her. She didn't indicate that this person was particularly close to her. This person didn't seem to have any idea what she was going through. But this person was sensitive enough to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and He used her to encourage His struggling child.
How many times lately have I encouraged someone simply because I was sensitive to the Lord's leading? I didn't want to answer that question. Between working more than 45 hours per week, taking care of my house and my toddler son, and teaching a Bible Study on Wednesday nights, how in the world would I fit in time to be still and let God show me how he wanted to use me in everyday life?
That's when I realized it's not a matter of finding time but instead a matter of preparing the heart. It's a matter of in the course of the everyday, even if it's just in the car on the way to one of our many commitments, pausing, and asking God, "Show me who needs your encouragement today. Show me where you are at work and how you would like me to join you."
How many times does God yearn to use us to encourage someone else, but it doesn't get done simply because we just weren't listening?
I was driving down the road one day during my lunch break, heading to my mom's house to see my son Drew, just like I have done almost every day since he was born. I was listening to K-Love, my favorite Christian radio station, like every other day. Sometimes the station airs call-ins from listeners, and this call-in struck me.
It was from a pastor's wife, who had been grappling with unnamed struggles. She said she was up at 3 a.m. unable to sleep, questioning God, "Do you see what I'm going through? Are you paying attention? Are you going to help me?" I can't remember her exact words, but they were obvious words of exasperation.
The next day, she said, out of the blue, someone called her, asking if there was anything she needed prayer for. She said at that moment, she realized God was speaking through this person, telling her that he hadn't forgotten about her. He was encouraging her through this person during this diffucult time.
While her reason for calling in was to share and to remind us how much God cares about every little detail in our lives, I started thinking about the person who called her. She didn't indicate that this person was particularly close to her. This person didn't seem to have any idea what she was going through. But this person was sensitive enough to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and He used her to encourage His struggling child.
How many times lately have I encouraged someone simply because I was sensitive to the Lord's leading? I didn't want to answer that question. Between working more than 45 hours per week, taking care of my house and my toddler son, and teaching a Bible Study on Wednesday nights, how in the world would I fit in time to be still and let God show me how he wanted to use me in everyday life?
That's when I realized it's not a matter of finding time but instead a matter of preparing the heart. It's a matter of in the course of the everyday, even if it's just in the car on the way to one of our many commitments, pausing, and asking God, "Show me who needs your encouragement today. Show me where you are at work and how you would like me to join you."
How many times does God yearn to use us to encourage someone else, but it doesn't get done simply because we just weren't listening?
Peace for the Perfectionist
Focal Verse: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
I am a perfectionist in many areas of my life. Probably the one area in which I strive to be perfect is the one area in which I will never even be close to being perfect. That area is my Christian walk. When I was saved at the age of ten, I started a daily quiet time with God. Through the years, I've strove to be God's perfect little soldier and "be all I could be."
The problem? I am nowhere NEAR perfect. And when I'm reminded of that, frankly, I get dejected, distraught, and downright depressed. Being all I could be won't cut it. I'm a flawed, sinful being. Even my best is nowhere near the holiness of God.
But in the midst of my realization of my flawed self, 1 Corinthians 12:9 brings peace, joy, and hope! My weaknesses are prime opportunity for God to work! I can look back at where a weakness was revealed to me and how the Holy Spirit turned that weakness into a victory, and I only praise God! Only HE could take a weakness that was woven into the fiber of my very being and inject his spirit for it to become a victory.
What another beautiful picture of my Savior. Instead of shaking his finger at my wounded-by-sin self, he tenderly reaches to pick me up, reminding me that in HIS strength (and my obedience), I can be rid of the weakness that crippled me for so long.
So, therefore, I boast in my weakness, because I know this is yet another opportunity for Christ's power to rest in me!
I am a perfectionist in many areas of my life. Probably the one area in which I strive to be perfect is the one area in which I will never even be close to being perfect. That area is my Christian walk. When I was saved at the age of ten, I started a daily quiet time with God. Through the years, I've strove to be God's perfect little soldier and "be all I could be."
The problem? I am nowhere NEAR perfect. And when I'm reminded of that, frankly, I get dejected, distraught, and downright depressed. Being all I could be won't cut it. I'm a flawed, sinful being. Even my best is nowhere near the holiness of God.
But in the midst of my realization of my flawed self, 1 Corinthians 12:9 brings peace, joy, and hope! My weaknesses are prime opportunity for God to work! I can look back at where a weakness was revealed to me and how the Holy Spirit turned that weakness into a victory, and I only praise God! Only HE could take a weakness that was woven into the fiber of my very being and inject his spirit for it to become a victory.
What another beautiful picture of my Savior. Instead of shaking his finger at my wounded-by-sin self, he tenderly reaches to pick me up, reminding me that in HIS strength (and my obedience), I can be rid of the weakness that crippled me for so long.
So, therefore, I boast in my weakness, because I know this is yet another opportunity for Christ's power to rest in me!
David and...the Lion and the Bear
Focal verses: "'Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.'" 1 Samuel 17:36-37
Sometimes it's easy, when we read Bible stories we have heard since childhood, to read them without much thought. We know the story, so we skim through it, thinking we know all there is to know.
Reading through the story of David and Goliath, I came across something I had never considered before. We tend to focus on the climax of the story, the grand finale, when David courageously defeated the mighty Goliath. But if we look a few verses before the final act, we can eavesdrop on David's plea to Saul to let this young man get a chance to defeat Israel's foe. We see that David didn't just blindly approach this battle. Sure, he knew it would be won only by the power of God, and he certainly walked by faith. But he also had a little experience to draw from.
I had to stop and picture young David, the shepherd, going nose-to-nose with a lion and a bear. A lion and a bear. That's no small feat! Yet the young warrior knew that credit was due to his Almighty God for delivering him. Could it be that God in these moments, was preparing young David for his destiny with Goliath? God was preparing David for his moment in history, his opportunity to bring glory to his God.
Where are you today? Are you fighting your lion and bear? Going on with your everyday life, fighting battles that seem useless? Are you wondering if there is ever going to be a grand purpose to your struggles? Take heart! David was doing what he thought he would do the rest of his life - tend sheep - and nothing more. Little did he know all God had in store for him!
Or are you fighting your Goliath? When the battle seems insurmountable, reflect on the battles that God has help you win already. God has equipped you for your Goliath, and all you have to do is continue to trust in him. Take heart in David's words to Goliath, "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." (1 Sam. 17:47)
Sometimes it's easy, when we read Bible stories we have heard since childhood, to read them without much thought. We know the story, so we skim through it, thinking we know all there is to know.
Reading through the story of David and Goliath, I came across something I had never considered before. We tend to focus on the climax of the story, the grand finale, when David courageously defeated the mighty Goliath. But if we look a few verses before the final act, we can eavesdrop on David's plea to Saul to let this young man get a chance to defeat Israel's foe. We see that David didn't just blindly approach this battle. Sure, he knew it would be won only by the power of God, and he certainly walked by faith. But he also had a little experience to draw from.
I had to stop and picture young David, the shepherd, going nose-to-nose with a lion and a bear. A lion and a bear. That's no small feat! Yet the young warrior knew that credit was due to his Almighty God for delivering him. Could it be that God in these moments, was preparing young David for his destiny with Goliath? God was preparing David for his moment in history, his opportunity to bring glory to his God.
Where are you today? Are you fighting your lion and bear? Going on with your everyday life, fighting battles that seem useless? Are you wondering if there is ever going to be a grand purpose to your struggles? Take heart! David was doing what he thought he would do the rest of his life - tend sheep - and nothing more. Little did he know all God had in store for him!
Or are you fighting your Goliath? When the battle seems insurmountable, reflect on the battles that God has help you win already. God has equipped you for your Goliath, and all you have to do is continue to trust in him. Take heart in David's words to Goliath, "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." (1 Sam. 17:47)
A Different Spirit
Focal Verse: "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it." Numbers 14:24
An angry father is lecturing his wayward children. They had collectively shamed the family name. They turned their back on him and grumbled against him. It didn't seem to matter to them that He always took care of them and loved them. They rebelled and followed their own desires with no consideration. He is fed up with them and is letting them know it.
In this chapter of Numbers, Israel is getting a lecture. God is in the midst of telling Moses that his generation of Israel would not see the Promised Land. God was not happy with his people. He had performed miracles to rescue them from their bondage and slavery in Egypt, and here they were grumbling, complaining, and sinning. And only because Moses petitioned God, did God not destroy them completely. If you read this chapter, you're sense the anger in the lecture.
Then comes verse 24.
Calmness. Pride. There was one faithful child in the bunch, and he was not forgotten. God remembered Caleb's faithfulness in the midst of a whole generation of rebellion. God didn't overlook him with the rest of his "brothers." In fact, while the rest of his generation would not see the Promised Land, God made an exception with Caleb.
Oh, that God would look at me that way! That I may be of a "different spirit" and please God the way Caleb pleased God! My desire is that I will please God where he can say, "Because my servant Jill has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring her into [her Promised Land], and her descendants will inherit it."
I believe God has a Promised Land for New Testament believers. A place where we are at peace, serving God, loving God, and walking with God. I believe it's God's desire that we live in that Promised Land, just as he desired for Israel to live in their Promised Land.
Don't overlook the end of the verse. God has blessed me with a wonderful son who is now just starting to talk, and I want him to know God above all else. And the promise of this verse is that if God sees my spirit is a spirit of serving him, my descendants will be able to enter into their own Promised Land with God as well!
Oh, that I may have a different spirit!
An angry father is lecturing his wayward children. They had collectively shamed the family name. They turned their back on him and grumbled against him. It didn't seem to matter to them that He always took care of them and loved them. They rebelled and followed their own desires with no consideration. He is fed up with them and is letting them know it.
In this chapter of Numbers, Israel is getting a lecture. God is in the midst of telling Moses that his generation of Israel would not see the Promised Land. God was not happy with his people. He had performed miracles to rescue them from their bondage and slavery in Egypt, and here they were grumbling, complaining, and sinning. And only because Moses petitioned God, did God not destroy them completely. If you read this chapter, you're sense the anger in the lecture.
Then comes verse 24.
Calmness. Pride. There was one faithful child in the bunch, and he was not forgotten. God remembered Caleb's faithfulness in the midst of a whole generation of rebellion. God didn't overlook him with the rest of his "brothers." In fact, while the rest of his generation would not see the Promised Land, God made an exception with Caleb.
Oh, that God would look at me that way! That I may be of a "different spirit" and please God the way Caleb pleased God! My desire is that I will please God where he can say, "Because my servant Jill has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring her into [her Promised Land], and her descendants will inherit it."
I believe God has a Promised Land for New Testament believers. A place where we are at peace, serving God, loving God, and walking with God. I believe it's God's desire that we live in that Promised Land, just as he desired for Israel to live in their Promised Land.
Don't overlook the end of the verse. God has blessed me with a wonderful son who is now just starting to talk, and I want him to know God above all else. And the promise of this verse is that if God sees my spirit is a spirit of serving him, my descendants will be able to enter into their own Promised Land with God as well!
Oh, that I may have a different spirit!
God Knows
Focal Verse: "The children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them." Exodus 2:23b-25 (KJV)
The Hebrew word for "sighed" in verse 23 literally means to groan or moan. This would indicate complaining or grumbling, not necessarily "crying," as indicated in the New International Version. Notice that the Israelites didn't groan to God. I'm convinced that they didn't pray. They didn't petition him. They didn't even ask for his help.
But God heard them. The Hebrew term for "had respect unto" in verse 25 is yàda', which means "to know," "to understand," or "to have sexual relations." These words indicate a sheer intimacy unlike any other. God heard their groans, and he understood, recognized, and knew - he intimately knew the Israelites' pain like a husband and wife intimately know one another. And not only did he know their pain, he did something about it. In Exodus chapter 3, he prepares to take the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage into the Promised Land.
What does that mean for us? God KNOWS us. He KNOWS our pain, our hurts, and our needs. He even knows us better than we knows ourselves. No matter what type of situation we are in, he knows. Remember this verse next time you endure something you're just not quite sure you can handle, and rest in the fact that God knows your pain and hears your groans. He may not take away the source of your anguish right away, but rest in the fact that he walks with you while you endure it.
The Hebrew word for "sighed" in verse 23 literally means to groan or moan. This would indicate complaining or grumbling, not necessarily "crying," as indicated in the New International Version. Notice that the Israelites didn't groan to God. I'm convinced that they didn't pray. They didn't petition him. They didn't even ask for his help.
But God heard them. The Hebrew term for "had respect unto" in verse 25 is yàda', which means "to know," "to understand," or "to have sexual relations." These words indicate a sheer intimacy unlike any other. God heard their groans, and he understood, recognized, and knew - he intimately knew the Israelites' pain like a husband and wife intimately know one another. And not only did he know their pain, he did something about it. In Exodus chapter 3, he prepares to take the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage into the Promised Land.
What does that mean for us? God KNOWS us. He KNOWS our pain, our hurts, and our needs. He even knows us better than we knows ourselves. No matter what type of situation we are in, he knows. Remember this verse next time you endure something you're just not quite sure you can handle, and rest in the fact that God knows your pain and hears your groans. He may not take away the source of your anguish right away, but rest in the fact that he walks with you while you endure it.
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