After all these years of being a Believer - and I still got it wrong. I've read Numbers 11 more than once during my walk with the Lord, but evidently, I didn't pay very close attention to the description of manna. I thought it was actual bread. I thought the Lord miraculously sent down a white, wafer-like substance that the people collected and ate. That's why, when I read Numbers 11:7-9, I was surprised:
Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color like the color of bdellium. The people went about and gathered it, ground it on millstones or beat it in the mortar, cooked it in pans, and made cakes of it; and its taste was like the taste of pastry prepared with oil. And when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.
"Why all the whoopla about manna?" you might ask. Well, my curiousity wasn't sparked by the actual manna, itself. Instead, it was the work that went into using the manna that caught my attention. The Israelites had to go out and gather the substance. Can you imagine trying to pick up enough seed-sized pieces of manna for a day's meal? That was a lot of work, I'm sure. And then after that, they had to bring home their "super food," grind it in a hand mill or beat it in the mortar, and then bake it. Whew...it makes you realize that they did a little more than just sit around and watch camel wrestling while they were in the desert. The Isralites worked. They provided for their families. Yes, God gave them the substance to use - the perfect Super Food - but He didn't spoon-feed it to them.
Can you imagine what would have happened to the Israelites' work ethic - not to mention their waistlines - if all they had to do was roll off their mat in the morning, shove a few pieces of manna in their mouths and roll back over? They would have become lazy and unable to take care of themselves. They wouldn't have known what to do when they reached the Promised Land and their pre-packaged food from heaven disappeared. They would have had to re-learn how to work...how to cook...how to live off the land.
God was so wise in NOT spoon-feeding them, don't you think?
And yet, how many times do we want God to spiritually spoon-feed us!?! Okay, I'll head this one my direction. How many times do I want God to spiritually spoon-feed me?
I want to be close to Him - without working at it. I want to be holy - without spending time DOING what the Bible tells me to do. I want to hear from Him - but I'm not willing to sit down long enough to wait to hear from Him. I want self control to be evident in my life - but won't put down that extra piece of pizza. It's there...it needs to be eaten right???
No, it doesn't.
II Peter 1:3 (NLT) says that God has given us everything we need for living a
godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One
who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.
Guess what that verse tells me. It tells me that we want it all, and we CAN have it all! It's all available to us. We CAN be in close fellowship with Him. We CAN be holy in our thoughts and behaviors. We CAN hear from Him, because He wants to speak to us. We CAN put down that extra piece of pizza and have a little self control! Why? Just like manna in the wilderness, through Christ, God's provided us with exactly what we NEED to grow. He's given us His Word to guide our daily lives. He's given us the ability to communicate with Him through prayer. He's given us the Spirit, so that He can communicate with us. He's given us everything we need for life...for living a godly life.
We just have to roll off our mats, grab a basket, put some muscle into our faith and get to work.
That's a great thought, but what does putting faith to work actually look like? It looks like making intentional moves towards loving God with all our hearts, our souls, our minds, and our spirits. It looks like choosing to love others as ourselves and putting their needs above our own selfishness. It looks like spending time with Him - not just once a day, but all day - thinking about Him, talking to Him, listening for Him. It looks like honoring His Word by responding to His commands with a resounding, "Yes Sir!" It might even look like exhibiting some self control by putting down that extra piece of pizza - even though it might go to waste!
That's what it looks like. Now, the question is...will you join me in living it?
God in Heaven...In Your wisdom, You've given us everything we need to live the godly life we desire, without spoon-feeding us. You knew we'd be lazy if you did! Thank You for Your provision for us through the death and resurrection of Christ. Thank You for wanting us to draw near to You through prayer, through worship and through Bible study. May we honor You by doing those things today - all day. Praise You, Lord Jesus. Praise You.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
My Letter to the Editor of the Selma News
I've always wanted to write a Letter to the Editor You know...just to let him know what I think about some of the things that he writes in his newspaper, but I never have. So, today, I'm breaking a long-standing tradition of NOT doing something that I've always wanted to do. So, Mr. Rick, get ready!
Dear Mr. Editor,
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (NLV Phil. 1:3-6).
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ for this will bring much glory and praise to God (v. 9-11).
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms (Eph. 1:15-20).
Sincerely,
Belinda Kirk
There, I did it. I wrote my letter to the editor.
Isn't it about time you wrote a letter to someone, too - a letter of encouragement, telling them how they have affected your life and how much they mean to your family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? You never know what might happen, because you choose to uplift a brother or sister in Christ. Your letter might be the thing that keeps them going for another day...that makes them really want more of Christ...that makes them press on, when they want to give up.
So, just do it. Put down the paper, grab a pen, and write that note. Whether it's scribbled on a napkin or the most elegant stationary, I can guarantee, it will become a precious piece of art to the one who receives it.
Dear Jesus,
Teach us how to encourage one another and challenge us to do it more often. Help us not allow ourselves to get so busy that we put off doing the things that Your Word is full of - encouraging one another. Thank You, Lord, for the people you have placed in our lives that have meant so much to our walk of faith. Thank You for their lives and their obedience to You. We praise You, today, Jesus...and always.
(Just so you know...Mr. Rick is the Newspaper Editor of the Selma News which allows my husband and me to write a Christian column each week. He's a Godly man who's not afraid to share the Good News with his readers.)
Dear Mr. Editor,
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (NLV Phil. 1:3-6).
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ for this will bring much glory and praise to God (v. 9-11).
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I
pray that your heart(s) will be flooded with light so that you can
understand the confident hope He has given to those He called—His holy
people who are His rich and glorious inheritance.
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms (Eph. 1:15-20).
Sincerely,
Belinda Kirk
There, I did it. I wrote my letter to the editor.
Isn't it about time you wrote a letter to someone, too - a letter of encouragement, telling them how they have affected your life and how much they mean to your family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? You never know what might happen, because you choose to uplift a brother or sister in Christ. Your letter might be the thing that keeps them going for another day...that makes them really want more of Christ...that makes them press on, when they want to give up.
So, just do it. Put down the paper, grab a pen, and write that note. Whether it's scribbled on a napkin or the most elegant stationary, I can guarantee, it will become a precious piece of art to the one who receives it.
Dear Jesus,
Teach us how to encourage one another and challenge us to do it more often. Help us not allow ourselves to get so busy that we put off doing the things that Your Word is full of - encouraging one another. Thank You, Lord, for the people you have placed in our lives that have meant so much to our walk of faith. Thank You for their lives and their obedience to You. We praise You, today, Jesus...and always.
(Just so you know...Mr. Rick is the Newspaper Editor of the Selma News which allows my husband and me to write a Christian column each week. He's a Godly man who's not afraid to share the Good News with his readers.)
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The God Who Sees
She was different. She wasn't like the others. This young girl had a place of prominence in the home of Abraham. Hagar was Sarah's maidservant, and even though she had been "purchased," the position she held was one of honor and trustworthiness.
But all this changed, when Sarah - her "master" - became impatient with God.
God had promised a son to Abraham and Sarah years earlier, but the promise had not been yet fulfilled. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands, and give Hagar to Abraham as a concubine. Sarah's impatience and ultimate lack of trust in God, led to Hagar being thrust into a relationship that ultimately, they both probably regretted.
It wasn't Hagar's fault. She didn't deserve to be treated like a pawn in the lives of others, but it happened.
She became pregnant, and it was obvious that when she did, her feelings for Sarah changed. Maybe she was angry that Sarah would claim her child as her own. Maybe her pregnancy intensified her feelings of being "used." Whatever the reason, Hagar began to "despise" Sarah.
Of course, Sarah didn't like this one bit. She "dealt harshly with her," so Hagar "fled from her presence" (Gen. 16:6).
And this is where I think the story really gets interesting. You see, Hagar fled into the wilderness and ended up by a spring of water. I'm sure by this time, a lot of the anger she had been experiencing was now melting away in her tears. What would she do? Where would she go? She had no one - she thought - except the child who grew within her womb. Then, she heard a voice: "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?" (Gen. 16:8).
It was the Lord's voice, and get this, He didn't just speak to her...He called her by name! She wasn't an Israelite. She wasn't part of the Chosen Ones. She was a foreigner...and yet, God spoke to her and called her by name.
She told Him she was fleeing her master, and the words He spoke in response, have tugged at me all week. You would think that God would put His arm around her and tell her everything would be alright. You would think He'd commend her for remaining with Sarah so long, despite her treatment. You would think God would snap His fingers and make everything okay. Sure, Hagar had been angry with Sarah and probably a little nasty, but this situation wasn't her fault. She had been thrust into servanthood, and now motherhood, without ever wanting either...at least not in this way.
Yet, God didn't remove her from the situation. He didn't let her stay in the wilderness. Instead, He told her to do something hard...to go back and "submit herself" under the hand of Sarah.
Why would He do that? Why would He tell her to go back into the uncomfortable situation from which she had just fled?
Not taking into account God's ultimate plan, the main reason she had to go back was that it was simply the right thing to do. She "belonged" to Sarah. Period. God told her to do the right thing...the hard thing...and then He told her He would protect her and her son. He told her that Ishmael would indeed, grow up and that her descendants would be as a multitude too difficult to count.
At this, "Hagar called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees" (Gen 16:13).
Hagar came to recognize that the God of Israel saw her in the midst of her hard situation - that He saw she had not asked for what life had given her - that His eyes were upon her...
...and for Hagar, THAT was enough...
...enough to go back to Sarah...enough to endure the hostility and resentment...enough to live in a home of strife....enough to do the right thing and go home.
Beloved of God, you probably won't find yourself in a situation exactly like Hagar's today, but you might find yourself running from one where you're being treated unfairly - a hard life that wasn't your fault. Let me encourage you. First off, God sees. He sees you in the midst of your hard place, and He hasn't left you alone. He sees your struggles. He sees your heartaches. He sees...and even though He may not take you out of that hard place, He has a plan. Your job is to trust that and in response, to do the right thing... to be obedient to Him and not run away from the path He's chosen you to walk, no matter how difficult...to desperately search out His voice in the midst of all the others and obey it without reservation.
Sometimes, just the fact that He sees, has to be enough.
I AM IN NO WAY advocating for you to remain in an abusive relationship. I am advocating, however, for you not to run away from the hard place you find yourself in, just because it's hard...just because You haven't seen God show up yet. He is there, my friend, and He sees you.
Jesus, today, I pray for those who find themselves THERE...who find themselves in places, not of their own making. I pray that You would show Yourself to them - that You would come along side and comfort and encourage them that You do, in fact, see them - that their struggles have not gone unnoticed by You. I pray they will be encouraged today to do the right thing in the face of those things that attempt to steal their joy and their lives. You want to and can do this, Father. Show Yourself to them, today. I praise You, Lord...for You, alone are worthy.
But all this changed, when Sarah - her "master" - became impatient with God.
God had promised a son to Abraham and Sarah years earlier, but the promise had not been yet fulfilled. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands, and give Hagar to Abraham as a concubine. Sarah's impatience and ultimate lack of trust in God, led to Hagar being thrust into a relationship that ultimately, they both probably regretted.
It wasn't Hagar's fault. She didn't deserve to be treated like a pawn in the lives of others, but it happened.
She became pregnant, and it was obvious that when she did, her feelings for Sarah changed. Maybe she was angry that Sarah would claim her child as her own. Maybe her pregnancy intensified her feelings of being "used." Whatever the reason, Hagar began to "despise" Sarah.
Of course, Sarah didn't like this one bit. She "dealt harshly with her," so Hagar "fled from her presence" (Gen. 16:6).
And this is where I think the story really gets interesting. You see, Hagar fled into the wilderness and ended up by a spring of water. I'm sure by this time, a lot of the anger she had been experiencing was now melting away in her tears. What would she do? Where would she go? She had no one - she thought - except the child who grew within her womb. Then, she heard a voice: "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?" (Gen. 16:8).
It was the Lord's voice, and get this, He didn't just speak to her...He called her by name! She wasn't an Israelite. She wasn't part of the Chosen Ones. She was a foreigner...and yet, God spoke to her and called her by name.
She told Him she was fleeing her master, and the words He spoke in response, have tugged at me all week. You would think that God would put His arm around her and tell her everything would be alright. You would think He'd commend her for remaining with Sarah so long, despite her treatment. You would think God would snap His fingers and make everything okay. Sure, Hagar had been angry with Sarah and probably a little nasty, but this situation wasn't her fault. She had been thrust into servanthood, and now motherhood, without ever wanting either...at least not in this way.
Yet, God didn't remove her from the situation. He didn't let her stay in the wilderness. Instead, He told her to do something hard...to go back and "submit herself" under the hand of Sarah.
Why would He do that? Why would He tell her to go back into the uncomfortable situation from which she had just fled?
Not taking into account God's ultimate plan, the main reason she had to go back was that it was simply the right thing to do. She "belonged" to Sarah. Period. God told her to do the right thing...the hard thing...and then He told her He would protect her and her son. He told her that Ishmael would indeed, grow up and that her descendants would be as a multitude too difficult to count.
At this, "Hagar called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees" (Gen 16:13).
Hagar came to recognize that the God of Israel saw her in the midst of her hard situation - that He saw she had not asked for what life had given her - that His eyes were upon her...
...and for Hagar, THAT was enough...
...enough to go back to Sarah...enough to endure the hostility and resentment...enough to live in a home of strife....enough to do the right thing and go home.
Beloved of God, you probably won't find yourself in a situation exactly like Hagar's today, but you might find yourself running from one where you're being treated unfairly - a hard life that wasn't your fault. Let me encourage you. First off, God sees. He sees you in the midst of your hard place, and He hasn't left you alone. He sees your struggles. He sees your heartaches. He sees...and even though He may not take you out of that hard place, He has a plan. Your job is to trust that and in response, to do the right thing... to be obedient to Him and not run away from the path He's chosen you to walk, no matter how difficult...to desperately search out His voice in the midst of all the others and obey it without reservation.
Sometimes, just the fact that He sees, has to be enough.
I AM IN NO WAY advocating for you to remain in an abusive relationship. I am advocating, however, for you not to run away from the hard place you find yourself in, just because it's hard...just because You haven't seen God show up yet. He is there, my friend, and He sees you.
Jesus, today, I pray for those who find themselves THERE...who find themselves in places, not of their own making. I pray that You would show Yourself to them - that You would come along side and comfort and encourage them that You do, in fact, see them - that their struggles have not gone unnoticed by You. I pray they will be encouraged today to do the right thing in the face of those things that attempt to steal their joy and their lives. You want to and can do this, Father. Show Yourself to them, today. I praise You, Lord...for You, alone are worthy.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The Grammar Nut
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, O God, my Strength and my Redeemer. Ps. 19:14
I'm an English grammar nut. Yes, I know, sometimes I DO start my sentences with "And" and "But," but believe me, I know I'm not really supposed to begin sentences with conjunctions in formal writing. It's taken a lot of practice for me to be able to utilize those words in that capacity. I still cringe, but I'm also a grammar rebel at heart!
Because of my grammar fixation, my eyes pay attention to every little comma, every set of quotation marks, every semicolon, etc... This morning was no exception. As I read the Gideon-placed, hotel Bible, the abundant use of a possessive pronoun held me captive. In the above verse, the word "my" appears 4 times - my mouth, my heart, my Strength, my Redeemer.
My Mouth:
The psalmist prayed "let the words of my mouth...be pleasing in Your sight." Personally, I'd almost rather see "let the words of someone else's mouth." That way, it wouldn't be so personal...so convicting. Yet, the psalmist wanted this to be personal. He wanted HIS words coming out of HIS mouth to please Jesus.
My Heart:
Again, wouldn't it be so much easier and less convicting if the things spoken of - the feelings we allow to consume us, the fears we let overwhelm us, the thoughts we let override our righteous behavior - if all these things, belonged to someone else! However, the psalmist knew it would not do any of us any good to pray for others in this regard, unless we, ourselves, were right before the Lord.
My Strength:
The last two possessives in the verse are really sweet...the first being, "my Strength." You know, God never uses words in His Word without a purpose. That's why I find the psalmist calling God - my Strength - very sweet. He was asking his personal God to let the words and the things he would think throughout his life, be pleasing. He also knew this wasn't just going to happen. He knew his own sinfulness and weaknesses. So, in order for his words and the motives of his heart to be pure, the psalmist would need supernatural help. He would need HIS God to be his Strength.
My Redeemer:
And then (there's that grammar rebel again!), he uses the possessive pronoun one more time - "my Redeemer." Now, this is beautiful to me. For you see, the psalmist probably knew that eventually in his human form, he would not choose to use God as his Strength. He would stumble, and the words of his mouth and the meditations of his heart would be less than pleasing to his God. Yet, he knew God to be not just his Strength, but his Redeemer. He knew that even if he did fail, God could and would "buy back" or "redeem" his failures for his ultimate good and for God's glory. How beautiful is that!?!
So, in light of all this, there's only one thing to do at this point - make this verse our very own - make it personal. Let's pray...
Lord Jesus, today, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You today, O God, my Strength and my Redeemer.
I'm an English grammar nut. Yes, I know, sometimes I DO start my sentences with "And" and "But," but believe me, I know I'm not really supposed to begin sentences with conjunctions in formal writing. It's taken a lot of practice for me to be able to utilize those words in that capacity. I still cringe, but I'm also a grammar rebel at heart!
Because of my grammar fixation, my eyes pay attention to every little comma, every set of quotation marks, every semicolon, etc... This morning was no exception. As I read the Gideon-placed, hotel Bible, the abundant use of a possessive pronoun held me captive. In the above verse, the word "my" appears 4 times - my mouth, my heart, my Strength, my Redeemer.
My Mouth:
The psalmist prayed "let the words of my mouth...be pleasing in Your sight." Personally, I'd almost rather see "let the words of someone else's mouth." That way, it wouldn't be so personal...so convicting. Yet, the psalmist wanted this to be personal. He wanted HIS words coming out of HIS mouth to please Jesus.
My Heart:
Again, wouldn't it be so much easier and less convicting if the things spoken of - the feelings we allow to consume us, the fears we let overwhelm us, the thoughts we let override our righteous behavior - if all these things, belonged to someone else! However, the psalmist knew it would not do any of us any good to pray for others in this regard, unless we, ourselves, were right before the Lord.
My Strength:
The last two possessives in the verse are really sweet...the first being, "my Strength." You know, God never uses words in His Word without a purpose. That's why I find the psalmist calling God - my Strength - very sweet. He was asking his personal God to let the words and the things he would think throughout his life, be pleasing. He also knew this wasn't just going to happen. He knew his own sinfulness and weaknesses. So, in order for his words and the motives of his heart to be pure, the psalmist would need supernatural help. He would need HIS God to be his Strength.
My Redeemer:
And then (there's that grammar rebel again!), he uses the possessive pronoun one more time - "my Redeemer." Now, this is beautiful to me. For you see, the psalmist probably knew that eventually in his human form, he would not choose to use God as his Strength. He would stumble, and the words of his mouth and the meditations of his heart would be less than pleasing to his God. Yet, he knew God to be not just his Strength, but his Redeemer. He knew that even if he did fail, God could and would "buy back" or "redeem" his failures for his ultimate good and for God's glory. How beautiful is that!?!
So, in light of all this, there's only one thing to do at this point - make this verse our very own - make it personal. Let's pray...
Lord Jesus, today, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You today, O God, my Strength and my Redeemer.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
His Banner Over Me is Love
When I was little, I loved watching the Miss America Pageant. There was just something about all the beautiful girls with the gorgeous dresses and the bigger-than-life hair that captivated me. I especially loved the talent part of the competition and would often imagine myself singing and dancing right along side all the lovely ladies. Oh, and the Top Ten was always sooo exciting back then. If you were anything like me, I would always pick who I thought it should be and rant and rave when the judges weren't "right."
I know you are wondering where in the world this is going, but trust me, I have a method in my madness. My "madness" is not necessarily to get you thinking about beauty contests and all the pageantry that accompanies them. Instead, my "madness" is to get you thinking about someone being identified by something.
Every young girl in that pageant wore something around her torso that identified her with her state. This "banner" was a very important part of her reign, because it told everyone around her who she was and what she represented. Even when she wasn't wearing it, the essence of the banner still lingered with her. She was who that banner said she was - at all times - regardless. She was "Miss So-and-So."
The banner was her identity.
Now, let's move that concept into the spiritual realm. Song of Solomon 2:4 says, "His banner over me is love." To me, that's one of the coolest things I've come to understand lately. When I was a little girl, I had no idea what the phrase meant. I sang songs about "His banner over me being love," but never could understand it...until now.
A banner identifies us. It tell us who a person is. It tells us who we are. It explains something about someone or something that everyone needs to know in order for things to make sense.
When I think about God's banner over me being love, I picture it this way. Every day, I walk around with a "flag" or banner over my head that identifies me...that tells people who I am. The banner displays four words...four powerful, life-changing words: "I love her...God." God's banner over me identifies me as His beloved. It tells others (and me) that no matter who people say that I am, He loves me. It doesn't matter if my hair is standing on end or my eyes are sagging from exhaustion. It doesn't matter if I am at church in the middle of a prayer meeting, or somewhere else in the middle of doing something I'm not supposed to be doing, my God still looks on me and loves me. I am, and always will continue to be, the object of His genuine, deep affection...of His love.
You see, UNLIKE the "Miss America" banner, the banner that God places over me can never be taken away. Period. It will always remain. Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You see, UNLIKE the "Miss America" banner, the banner that God places over me can never be taken away. Period. It will always remain. Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Praise God that His banner over me will always be love! I can't think of a more beautiful way to be identified! : )
Jesus, thank You. Thank You that You love me, You really do. And thank You that You always will. Remind me of that love today - of Your banner today - that can never change or be changed. I love you, Lord. I truly do.
Monday, August 20, 2012
The Eyes of the Lord
I couldn't help it. I just couldn't help it.
I'd been sitting in my bright red, Georgia stadium chair, wincing and flinching at every move - every drill - every exercise. My poor little (almost-as-big-as-me) boy was going through torture, and I was going through it with him...just not on the field. He was completely drenched from sweat, and yet, the coach wanted them to line up and run the drill again. I could tell he was exhausted. My "Momma's heart" wanted to step out on the field, pull the coach off to the side and politely say, "Don't you think they've had enough for tonight?"
If it hadn't been for the horrid pictures of "Momma's boy" popping into my mind, I might have done it. Instead, I thought better of myself and decided to stay quiet. I knew Alex didn't want to quit running...not just yet. I knew he "had it in him," but I wondered if he knew.
Back and forth, his body's form crossed my line of vision, running so fast and hard his body heaved with every step. I didn't know if he could take much more...and yet, he kept on pushing...driving to be better and stronger.
I wasn't the only one who noticed my son's effort. The coach's billowing voice rose above all the moans and groans on the field, "I see you, Kirk! I see you!" And wouldn't you know it...the boy who looked as if he was on his last leg, somehow, after hearing his coach's words of encouragement, found new strength to fight harder to finish the race....to push through the exhaustion and pain that was pounding in his thighs and calves with every step. Somehow, those words spurred my son on to greater strength...strength I don't think he knew he had.
So I couldn't help it. I just couldn't help it. I teared up. Pools of salty water welled up in the corners of my eyes, and I almost lost it, for quietly off in the distant places inside my spirit, I heard those words repeated. Except this time, the recipient was different. This time, the Author was different: "I see you, Kirk. I see you."
II Chron. 16:9 says that the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him, (NIV). Isn't that cool? God's eyes roam the earth not to judge those He loves, but to strengthen those who love Him - who are devoted to Him. That should mean something to us. It should bring us great comfort that we're not hidden from God's sight. He sees us. He sees our struggles...our difficulties...our weakness...our victories. He sees us when we think we're too tired to go on and just can't take another step. And it's at those points where He does what only He can do. He comes along side of us and strengthens us with His kindness. He encourages us with the knowledge of His presence. He spurs us on and responds to us and our situations according to His great love for us.
Dearest Jesus,
Thank You for your comfort. Thank You for searching me out and fulfilling my need for encouragement today. Thank You for strengthening my tired body and mind...for exchanging my energy for Yours. Thanks for being such a good and gentle Father.
I praise You, Jesus. I praise You.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I Shouldn't Be Alive
Once in a blue moon, the kids will watch a TV show called I Shouldn’t Be Alive. Occasionally, I get sucked into the plot, as people endure some horrific accidents, only to emerge from the impossible situations, alive and well.
The program lasts an hour - minus commercials. So, in actuality, it’s probably only about 45 minutes. But, because of its length, you can imagine the detail with which the writers go to keep the audience attentive. They quickly draw you in by causing you to “know” the person or people involved. You “become acquainted” with someone you’ve never met...and then something tragic occurs. Well, of course, you’ve got to watch the rest of the show to see what happens to your new-found friend!
There’s just something so captivating about someone being in a near-death experience and then being able to beat the odds and remain alive. It always makes me think of how thankful these people need to be to the Lord for sparing them - for giving them one more chance to find Him. For the most part, though, you don’t hear a lot of them talking about how God led their rescuers to find them, or how God gave them the strength to pull themselves along the desert floor, until they could reach the safety of their plane wreckage. Most of the time, you just hear them speak of their strong desire to never give up, and their decision to fight for their lives, until the end.
Well, can I just say, as I thought about my own life the other morning, I realized their were many times that I, too, was in a life-threatening situation and lived to tell about it. At those times, Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” was so very evident! Whether it was the time our family car rolled off an embankment and tumbled into the water or the time a pack of wild dogs came to visit my brother and me in the field, there have definitely been times in my life that were very questionable as to whether or not I would survive. Yet “Somehow,” I did - without a scratch!
Thinking about those instances in particular, made me think of a few more times the hand of God had been evident in my early life. I thought about God’s protection and how I could see His plan for my life at those moments - how I could picture Him saying, “Enough” or “Leave her alone,” and instantly, my circumstances obeyed His every command.
I thought long and hard about those things...and I was thankful and humbled at the thought of His preciousness towards me.
And then, I began to think about other times - times when I didn’t emerge from my “accidents” unscathed - times when Jeremiah 29:11 didn’t look so obvious - when it seemed that everything that could have gone wrong, did. But you know, something about remembering God’s plan in days’ past - remembering just how “in control” I had seen Him be - made me think more confidently about His plans in days’ present. It assured me that in those hard times, His control didn’t lessen. His protective nature wasn’t dulled towards me. Instead, His provision remained constant and the times when He didn’t command my circumstances to “Stop,” His plan - His perfect plan - just looked a little bit different than what I expected.
Thank You, Lord, for Your plan for me - for Your saving graces on the days I knew I was in a fight for my life, and even on the days I didn’t. Thank You for Your control over my circumstances and their obedience to Your will. Thank You that I can trust You to see what needs to happen in my life - and in me - in order to make me more like You. Help me, Lord, to remember Your plan...Your design for my life...when the days get hard and situations seem insurmountable. I praise You, Lord. Praise You, Jesus.
“For God causes all things to work together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8:28).
The program lasts an hour - minus commercials. So, in actuality, it’s probably only about 45 minutes. But, because of its length, you can imagine the detail with which the writers go to keep the audience attentive. They quickly draw you in by causing you to “know” the person or people involved. You “become acquainted” with someone you’ve never met...and then something tragic occurs. Well, of course, you’ve got to watch the rest of the show to see what happens to your new-found friend!
There’s just something so captivating about someone being in a near-death experience and then being able to beat the odds and remain alive. It always makes me think of how thankful these people need to be to the Lord for sparing them - for giving them one more chance to find Him. For the most part, though, you don’t hear a lot of them talking about how God led their rescuers to find them, or how God gave them the strength to pull themselves along the desert floor, until they could reach the safety of their plane wreckage. Most of the time, you just hear them speak of their strong desire to never give up, and their decision to fight for their lives, until the end.
Well, can I just say, as I thought about my own life the other morning, I realized their were many times that I, too, was in a life-threatening situation and lived to tell about it. At those times, Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” was so very evident! Whether it was the time our family car rolled off an embankment and tumbled into the water or the time a pack of wild dogs came to visit my brother and me in the field, there have definitely been times in my life that were very questionable as to whether or not I would survive. Yet “Somehow,” I did - without a scratch!
Thinking about those instances in particular, made me think of a few more times the hand of God had been evident in my early life. I thought about God’s protection and how I could see His plan for my life at those moments - how I could picture Him saying, “Enough” or “Leave her alone,” and instantly, my circumstances obeyed His every command.
I thought long and hard about those things...and I was thankful and humbled at the thought of His preciousness towards me.
And then, I began to think about other times - times when I didn’t emerge from my “accidents” unscathed - times when Jeremiah 29:11 didn’t look so obvious - when it seemed that everything that could have gone wrong, did. But you know, something about remembering God’s plan in days’ past - remembering just how “in control” I had seen Him be - made me think more confidently about His plans in days’ present. It assured me that in those hard times, His control didn’t lessen. His protective nature wasn’t dulled towards me. Instead, His provision remained constant and the times when He didn’t command my circumstances to “Stop,” His plan - His perfect plan - just looked a little bit different than what I expected.
Thank You, Lord, for Your plan for me - for Your saving graces on the days I knew I was in a fight for my life, and even on the days I didn’t. Thank You for Your control over my circumstances and their obedience to Your will. Thank You that I can trust You to see what needs to happen in my life - and in me - in order to make me more like You. Help me, Lord, to remember Your plan...Your design for my life...when the days get hard and situations seem insurmountable. I praise You, Lord. Praise You, Jesus.
“For God causes all things to work together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8:28).
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