28 “ Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30
I love these verses. Those of you who read my writing on a consistent basis, know that I do! When I found them years ago, it was the first section caught my attention the most: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest." But it hasn't been until the last couple of years, that the next verse in that passage has truly become a treasure to me in learning, not just about rest, but truly how to find it.
Recently, one simple phrase from those verses has visited my mind over and over again. I hear it in my spirit when I'm frustrated. I hear it when my temper flares. I hear it when my day is oh soooo long. Learn from Me. Christ says, Learn from Me.
Sounds like I'm back in school, doesn't it? Well, maybe that's because I am! By using this phrase, Christ is trying to get me to understand that in order to receive the peace I so greatly desire, I have to do some homework. It's not good enough to simply get up and spend time with Him in the morning before life starts. This relationship - my surrendering to His lessons - has to be an all day long thing. I have to put pencil to paper - for peace. I have to learn from Him.
I've found the main help in learning from Christ consists of recognizing when my relationship with Him is in jeopardy. I'm not talking about eternal security. I'm talking about recognizing when sin is crouching at my door and about to pounce on me, thus hindering my ability to hear my Father's Words and let Him teach me.
For example, when I feel myself getting frustrated, and I hear those sweet Words of His - learn from Me - I CHOOSE to submit my anger to Him. I literally tell Him that I am angry, and I am sorry for my anger. I tell Him in my mind - and sometimes out loud - that my heart is not right before Him, and I need help. I submit myself. I bow my head and relinquish my right to myself. And when my anger subsides, I know I have learned from Him. That's when peace abounds and anger is replaced. It's strange indeed, but oh so amazingly true.
So I ask you today...are you learning from Him? Are you filled with the peace God promises or with frustration and anger? Then let me encourage you, to ask God for ears to hear Him. Ask Him to show you the sin that so easily entangles you. Ask Him to help you learn from Him, and then join me in study hall, and we'll do our homework together!
Thank You, Jesus. Thank You that You love to teach us Your will through Your Word. Thank You that You have provided ever instruction for godly living that we will ever need. Thank You that as we follow these instructions and learn from You, Your peace abounds in us. We love You, Jesus. We love You.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
God's On the Move
Yesterday while tending my garden, I spotted something in the middle of one of my rows that surprised me. It was a pea plant. Actually, there were three of them, all scattered in different places. I didn’t plant them there. I planted them on the top of the row, not the middle. I thought back and figured out what happened. A storm front came through a couple of days after I planted them. I remember being afraid that all the seeds would be washed away, but fortunately, I only lost a few...and then, evidently, found them!
I had to do something. I couldn’t just leave those little pea plants there in the middle of the row to be trampled on or tilled deep into the earth. So, I dug my hoe deep beside each one and carefully transplanted them on top of the row where they belonged. As I dug the last little plant, it seemed to scream at me: “But I’m happy here! I don’t want to go!”
Of course, it really didn’t scream at me, but it just looked so happy...so comfortable...so healthy, living there in the middle of the row. Hmmm....
I have to admit, many times when God wants to move me - whether it be a physical move (staying in a hotel and another home for the past 3 ½ months) or an emotional move (choosing to be joyful, when I really don’t feel like it), I don’t often respond well. I look at Him and whine, “But I’m comfortable here. I like it here. Please don’t move me. I don’t want to go!” And yet, what I say and what I need are two totally different things. Because you see, God sees what’s GOING to happen to me if I don’t move. He knows that the figurative feet of children and adults are headed my way, as I sit comfortably in the middle of the row. He also knows the tiller is coming, and that would be the ruin of my existence. He knows these things, and I don’t. He sees them and I don’t. He understands the perils of my remaining where I am, and I don’t.
So, what’s my alternative?
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Is. 43:18-19.
I know that God was speaking to the Israelites in this passage, but I think we can apply it to us, as well. God wants to do something “new” with us, too. He wants to make “ways” for us in our deserts and “streams” for us in our wastelands....even when we don’t want Him, too. He wants to take us to new places in our walks with Him...places we’ve never been before...amazing places full of life and abundance.
So, if God is moving you today...physically or emotionally...let Him do it. Instead of whining at Him and telling Him how much you don’t want to be moved, praise Him. Praise Him that He is in control and knows what’s headed down your path. Praise Him for His gentle hand and His loving touch. Praise Him that your “new place” will cause growth and produce fruit for you and for others around you. Choose to praise Him, my friend, in the “new things” and then watch as He opens up the “ways” in your deserts and gushes forth the “streams” in your wastelands.
Lord, we love you. Help us, Lord, to trust Your moving hand. Help us to fully comprehend the way You move us and realize that if we stay where we are, we will be of no use to anyone, including You. Strengthen our hands as we continue to work and our feet as we continue to walk in Your ways. We praise You, Father, for being sooooo very good. I praise You, Lord. Praise You.
I had to do something. I couldn’t just leave those little pea plants there in the middle of the row to be trampled on or tilled deep into the earth. So, I dug my hoe deep beside each one and carefully transplanted them on top of the row where they belonged. As I dug the last little plant, it seemed to scream at me: “But I’m happy here! I don’t want to go!”
Of course, it really didn’t scream at me, but it just looked so happy...so comfortable...so healthy, living there in the middle of the row. Hmmm....
I have to admit, many times when God wants to move me - whether it be a physical move (staying in a hotel and another home for the past 3 ½ months) or an emotional move (choosing to be joyful, when I really don’t feel like it), I don’t often respond well. I look at Him and whine, “But I’m comfortable here. I like it here. Please don’t move me. I don’t want to go!” And yet, what I say and what I need are two totally different things. Because you see, God sees what’s GOING to happen to me if I don’t move. He knows that the figurative feet of children and adults are headed my way, as I sit comfortably in the middle of the row. He also knows the tiller is coming, and that would be the ruin of my existence. He knows these things, and I don’t. He sees them and I don’t. He understands the perils of my remaining where I am, and I don’t.
So, what’s my alternative?
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Is. 43:18-19.
I know that God was speaking to the Israelites in this passage, but I think we can apply it to us, as well. God wants to do something “new” with us, too. He wants to make “ways” for us in our deserts and “streams” for us in our wastelands....even when we don’t want Him, too. He wants to take us to new places in our walks with Him...places we’ve never been before...amazing places full of life and abundance.
So, if God is moving you today...physically or emotionally...let Him do it. Instead of whining at Him and telling Him how much you don’t want to be moved, praise Him. Praise Him that He is in control and knows what’s headed down your path. Praise Him for His gentle hand and His loving touch. Praise Him that your “new place” will cause growth and produce fruit for you and for others around you. Choose to praise Him, my friend, in the “new things” and then watch as He opens up the “ways” in your deserts and gushes forth the “streams” in your wastelands.
Lord, we love you. Help us, Lord, to trust Your moving hand. Help us to fully comprehend the way You move us and realize that if we stay where we are, we will be of no use to anyone, including You. Strengthen our hands as we continue to work and our feet as we continue to walk in Your ways. We praise You, Father, for being sooooo very good. I praise You, Lord. Praise You.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Saltwater, Sin and a Shark
I'm always on the look-out for good, educational books for my kids, and the other day, I found a "whopper." The title, The Old Farmer's Almanac Kids, doesn't really make the book sound like a fascinating kids' book, but once you open it, the stories just seem to jump off the page...for example, this true tale about a helpful shark. It seems that in 1799, a ship captain by the name of Thomas Briggs was arrested for smuggling goods between Aruba and the U.S.. He declared his innocence at his trial, knowing the defense didn't have much evidence to go on. However, the trial took an unexpected turn when a a British captain entered the courtroom with evidence to convict Briggs. Evidently, the captain had caught a shark at sea, finding papers in its stomach, detailing Briggs' smuggling operations written in his own handwriting! Briggs, realizing he was doomed, confessed to the crime and was convicted.
After reading the next few paragraphs, I hope you'll understand why I took you on this little historical detour. Reading this morning in Micah 7, I found this verse: You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (19), which led me to another verse: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Ps. 103:12).
Unlike Thomas Briggs, as Believers our sins - when forgiven - will never be brought against us again. Briggs was tried and convicted, because his sins were thrown into the depths of the sea, but resurfaced to prove his condemnation. Praise be to our God, who not only casts our sins into the sea when we ask for forgiveness, but separates them from us as far as the east is from the west. Our sins will never resurface to bring judgement upon us, because there are no longer any papers of accusation to be found.
On occasion, though, our sins DO resurface to haunt us. We go fishing on our own, reel in the shark, cut it open and pull out the papers one by one, convicting ourselves before Christ, nullifying in our own minds the forgiveness He's already granted. Ridiculous, don't cha' think?
On the other hand, sometimes the papers resurface for another reason. Un-confessed sin will not remain underwater. As followers of Christ, when we refuse to repent from a sin or choose to hide from it, the Spirit will go fishing on His own. He wants to bring you back into a right relationship with the Father, and He won't let that shark stay at the bottom of the ocean. He'll drag it up, inch by inch until you realize your waywardness from Christ, repent from your sin, and draw near once again to the Father.
So today, if you're struggling with the heaviness of your sin, do one of two things. First of all, if this thing that haunts you is un-confessed, confess it, repent (turn) from it, and follow after Christ. Yet, if this sin that haunts you has already been covered by the blood of Jesus, toss the thing back into the depths of the ocean where it belongs! Don't let Satan or your own mind use guilt to convict you and hold you captive over something that you've already been forgiven for. Guilt ties your hands and feet - to bind you - so that you will never know that you are not a convicted criminal, but FREE...and if the Son sets you free, you are free, indeed...no matter what.
Jesus, I praise You today for being my Redeemer...for taking my guilt upon the cross and removing it through Your sacrifice of life. Thank You that I no longer have to be bound by my past, nor held tight from my future because of my sin. Thank You that You took care of that for me. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You!
After reading the next few paragraphs, I hope you'll understand why I took you on this little historical detour. Reading this morning in Micah 7, I found this verse: You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (19), which led me to another verse: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Ps. 103:12).
Unlike Thomas Briggs, as Believers our sins - when forgiven - will never be brought against us again. Briggs was tried and convicted, because his sins were thrown into the depths of the sea, but resurfaced to prove his condemnation. Praise be to our God, who not only casts our sins into the sea when we ask for forgiveness, but separates them from us as far as the east is from the west. Our sins will never resurface to bring judgement upon us, because there are no longer any papers of accusation to be found.
On occasion, though, our sins DO resurface to haunt us. We go fishing on our own, reel in the shark, cut it open and pull out the papers one by one, convicting ourselves before Christ, nullifying in our own minds the forgiveness He's already granted. Ridiculous, don't cha' think?
On the other hand, sometimes the papers resurface for another reason. Un-confessed sin will not remain underwater. As followers of Christ, when we refuse to repent from a sin or choose to hide from it, the Spirit will go fishing on His own. He wants to bring you back into a right relationship with the Father, and He won't let that shark stay at the bottom of the ocean. He'll drag it up, inch by inch until you realize your waywardness from Christ, repent from your sin, and draw near once again to the Father.
So today, if you're struggling with the heaviness of your sin, do one of two things. First of all, if this thing that haunts you is un-confessed, confess it, repent (turn) from it, and follow after Christ. Yet, if this sin that haunts you has already been covered by the blood of Jesus, toss the thing back into the depths of the ocean where it belongs! Don't let Satan or your own mind use guilt to convict you and hold you captive over something that you've already been forgiven for. Guilt ties your hands and feet - to bind you - so that you will never know that you are not a convicted criminal, but FREE...and if the Son sets you free, you are free, indeed...no matter what.
Jesus, I praise You today for being my Redeemer...for taking my guilt upon the cross and removing it through Your sacrifice of life. Thank You that I no longer have to be bound by my past, nor held tight from my future because of my sin. Thank You that You took care of that for me. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Our Vital Necessity
Steve (my wonderful, handsome, loving, caring, dishes-doing-to-let-me-know-he-still-loves-me husband) and I set aside some Scripture verses as our own, when we decided to get married. Jeremiah 29:11-13 became our life verses and almost 19 years later, they still bring many beautiful memories to mind for me:
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. 12Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
I'm sure many people hold the same verses near and dear to their hearts, but yesterday, as I read the Amplified Bible, I found some additional "meat" to satisfy my Spirit: Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me (as a vital necessity) and find me when you search for Me with all your heart (vs. 13).
As a vital necessity - I read over those words again and again and questioned myself. Was I really searching for God as my vital necessity or was I just merely searching for all the benefits that come from being His child - His joy, His peace, His will? I decided, it's not the benefits I want to know. It's Him. I really, really, REALLY want to know Him.
To do so, however, requires something - a searching. God doesn't just pop out of a bottle like a genie or follow us around like a puppy, waiting to be addressed. Nope. Instead, He says we have to search for Him - determinedly, thoughtfully, desperately - to find Him. After all, God is our VITAL NECESSITY...and our search for Him should exemplify that.
Let's imagine for a moment. If you were stranded on a desert island with no food or water, what would be the first thing you would look for? Silly question, right? I can almost - I said ALMOST - guarantee that you wouldn't look for a new pair of palm leaf shoes or the latest coconut hair handbag to take up space in your new closet - handwoven from vines! No, you'd look for the vital necessities for life - the things you need to live on a minute by minute basis. Nothing else would matter...not your checkbook, not your car, not cable TV...not even the fact that you had to climb up jagged peaks and cut your hands and feet to pieces to get to the only clean water source on the island. Nothing would matter to you, EXCEPT finding that vital necessity.
That's the way we are to search for God...as THE (word change, my own) Vital Necessity of life. Oh, and guess what? When we search for Him in this manner, He promises to be found. How cool is that!?!
Now, I'm not suggesting we all go out and seclude ourselves on an island, so we can focus completely and totally on finding God. That would be totally out of God's will, unless He specifically told you to do so...and I don't know of many people He's instructed to do that!
I am suggesting though, that we change our way of thinking about finding God. I'm saying we need to search for Him, not just at church on Sunday or Wednesday, but all the time - being constantly aware that He is our Vital Necessity, and we must find Him to find life. That means we must be in a spirit of prayer at all times. It means we must read His Word, as much as possible during the day and memorize as much of It as possible. Searching for God as our Vital Necessity means we must be in an attitude of anticipation throughout the day, so as not to miss what He does next. It means searching for Him around every corner of your life, as you would for clean water on a deserted island.
Scripture says, THEN we will find Him. We will find our Vital Necessity for life.
Now, let me ask you again, "How cool is that?!?"
Dear Jesus, we want to know You. We want to learn how to search for You as our Vital Necessity for life. Teach us, Lord to do so. Correct our eyes when we look away and our feet when we turn from Your direction. Thank You, Lord, that you promise that when we seek for You in this manner, You WILL be found. What a Treasure You are to us, Lord. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
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. 12Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
I'm sure many people hold the same verses near and dear to their hearts, but yesterday, as I read the Amplified Bible, I found some additional "meat" to satisfy my Spirit: Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me (as a vital necessity) and find me when you search for Me with all your heart (vs. 13).
As a vital necessity - I read over those words again and again and questioned myself. Was I really searching for God as my vital necessity or was I just merely searching for all the benefits that come from being His child - His joy, His peace, His will? I decided, it's not the benefits I want to know. It's Him. I really, really, REALLY want to know Him.
To do so, however, requires something - a searching. God doesn't just pop out of a bottle like a genie or follow us around like a puppy, waiting to be addressed. Nope. Instead, He says we have to search for Him - determinedly, thoughtfully, desperately - to find Him. After all, God is our VITAL NECESSITY...and our search for Him should exemplify that.
Let's imagine for a moment. If you were stranded on a desert island with no food or water, what would be the first thing you would look for? Silly question, right? I can almost - I said ALMOST - guarantee that you wouldn't look for a new pair of palm leaf shoes or the latest coconut hair handbag to take up space in your new closet - handwoven from vines! No, you'd look for the vital necessities for life - the things you need to live on a minute by minute basis. Nothing else would matter...not your checkbook, not your car, not cable TV...not even the fact that you had to climb up jagged peaks and cut your hands and feet to pieces to get to the only clean water source on the island. Nothing would matter to you, EXCEPT finding that vital necessity.
That's the way we are to search for God...as THE (word change, my own) Vital Necessity of life. Oh, and guess what? When we search for Him in this manner, He promises to be found. How cool is that!?!
Now, I'm not suggesting we all go out and seclude ourselves on an island, so we can focus completely and totally on finding God. That would be totally out of God's will, unless He specifically told you to do so...and I don't know of many people He's instructed to do that!
I am suggesting though, that we change our way of thinking about finding God. I'm saying we need to search for Him, not just at church on Sunday or Wednesday, but all the time - being constantly aware that He is our Vital Necessity, and we must find Him to find life. That means we must be in a spirit of prayer at all times. It means we must read His Word, as much as possible during the day and memorize as much of It as possible. Searching for God as our Vital Necessity means we must be in an attitude of anticipation throughout the day, so as not to miss what He does next. It means searching for Him around every corner of your life, as you would for clean water on a deserted island.
Scripture says, THEN we will find Him. We will find our Vital Necessity for life.
Now, let me ask you again, "How cool is that?!?"
Dear Jesus, we want to know You. We want to learn how to search for You as our Vital Necessity for life. Teach us, Lord to do so. Correct our eyes when we look away and our feet when we turn from Your direction. Thank You, Lord, that you promise that when we seek for You in this manner, You WILL be found. What a Treasure You are to us, Lord. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Will You Have a Husky in the Morning?
This morning during breakfast, my little one reminded me of a quote that I read on Facebook a couple of days ago. He, of course, never saw the quote, but I did...and it stuck. I can’t remember who posted it or what time of day I saw it, but the words and their meanings will forever be etched in my memory. Now this is probably not word-for-word, but I think you’ll get the point:
What if you awoke tomorrow with just the things you thanked God for today?
For me, that quote hit home. If the tables were turned and the statement said, “What if you awoke tomorrow with just the things you asked God for today,” then my life might be pretty rich. But I’m afraid I would be a little - no, a lot lacking in the vital necessities of life, if the statement remained the same.
This morning, as Seth prayed, I was reminded of the statement once again. He, (as usual) began his prayer thanking God for all the people that He had made. He thanked God for the trees and the dogs...for all the animals in the world...for Huskies...for birds...for making the moon...and his family. Prayers like this one from him, go on and on and most of the time, they are prayers of thanksgiving. If that quote came true, my little boy would have everything he loved and needed - and SOOO much more, right down to the Husky!
To my shame, I’ve already “fessed up” and said that I would be pretty desperate. What about you? What would your life look like if you had only those things around you today that you thanked God for yesterday? Would your life be filled to the brim and overflowing? Would you, too, have a Husky? Or would you be wandering the streets, desperately searching for the bare essentials like me? I tell you what...let’s not be lacking in the area of thankfulness.
God tells us that we are to be thankful in everything...for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess. 5:18. (NAS). He tells us that for many reasons. It’s not just because He wants to hear our thanksgiving, but it’s also because He knows what it does for us. It reminds us of how blessed we truly are. It reminds us WHERE those blessings come from. It focuses our attention away from ourselves and to the One who is the Giver of all good gifts. Being thankful lifts our spirits, our countenances, and our moods. He knows that, so in His wisdom, He commands us to do it. It is, after all, God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
So, right now, think of...and thank God for at least 10 things in your life that He has graciously provided for you. Go ahead, and do it. I’m not writing any more until you do!
Okay, now, throughout the day, make a conscious effort to tell Him “Thank you.” When you wash your hands, tell Him “Thank You” for the hot water. When you eat your dinner, tell Him, “Thank You” for His provision. When you lay your head down at night, tell Him, “Thank You” for a place to sleep and for the sleep that will come...and if it doesn’t come, just think...you have the rest of the night to ponder things to thank God for!
Dearest Jesus, we do thank You for everything. You have given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. You have given us, most importantly, eternal life. You have given us breath in our lungs and air to breathe. I could go on and on Lord, for You know my heart. Help me to be ever thankful today...more than yesterday, and not as much as tomorrow. I love you, Lord. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
This morning during breakfast, my little one reminded me of a quote that I read on Facebook a couple of days ago. He, of course, never saw the quote, but I did...and it stuck. I can’t remember who posted it or what time of day I saw it, but the words and their meanings will forever be etched in my memory. Now this is probably not word-for-word, but I think you’ll get the point:
What if you awoke tomorrow with just the things you thanked God for today?
For me, that quote hit home. If the tables were turned and the statement said, “What if you awoke tomorrow with just the things you asked God for today,” then my life might be pretty rich. But I’m afraid I would be a little - no, a lot lacking in the vital necessities of life, if the statement remained the same.
This morning, as Seth prayed, I was reminded of the statement once again. He, (as usual) began his prayer thanking God for all the people that He had made. He thanked God for the trees and the dogs...for all the animals in the world...for Huskies...for birds...for making the moon...and his family. Prayers like this one from him, go on and on and most of the time, they are prayers of thanksgiving. If that quote came true, my little boy would have everything he loved and needed - and SOOO much more, right down to the Husky!
To my shame, I’ve already “fessed up” and said that I would be pretty desperate. What about you? What would your life look like if you had only those things around you today that you thanked God for yesterday? Would your life be filled to the brim and overflowing? Would you, too, have a Husky? Or would you be wandering the streets, desperately searching for the bare essentials like me? I tell you what...let’s not be lacking in the area of thankfulness.
God tells us that we are to be thankful in everything...for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess. 5:18. (NAS). He tells us that for many reasons. It’s not just because He wants to hear our thanksgiving, but it’s also because He knows what it does for us. It reminds us of how blessed we truly are. It reminds us WHERE those blessings come from. It focuses our attention away from ourselves and to the One who is the Giver of all good gifts. Being thankful lifts our spirits, our countenances, and our moods. He knows that, so in His wisdom, He commands us to do it. It is, after all, God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
So, right now, think of...and thank God for at least 10 things in your life that He has graciously provided for you. Go ahead, and do it. I’m not writing any more until you do!
Okay, now, throughout the day, make a conscious effort to tell Him “Thank you.” When you wash your hands, tell Him “Thank You” for the hot water. When you eat your dinner, tell Him, “Thank You” for His provision. When you lay your head down at night, tell Him, “Thank You” for a place to sleep and for the sleep that will come...and if it doesn’t come, just think...you have the rest of the night to ponder things to thank God for!
Dearest Jesus, we do thank You for everything. You have given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. You have given us, most importantly, eternal life. You have given us breath in our lungs and air to breathe. I could go on and on Lord, for You know my heart. Help me to be ever thankful today...more than yesterday, and not as much as tomorrow. I love you, Lord. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Way He Heals
Sometimes God heals us "out of" our circumstances, and then again, sometimes, He heals us "through" them. I'll never forget learning that eye-opening truth in the Beth Moore Bible study, Daniel. For some reason, that statement made perfect sense to me. Something as difficult as the healing or "non-healing" of God, was finally made accessible and totally understandable to my finite brain.
Both of these situations - healing "out of" adversity and healing "through" adversity - can be found in the Biblical narrative of Naaman.
Naaman was a man who had everything going for him. In II Kings 5, we learn that he was a powerful man in the Syrian army - 2nd in command. He was well-respected by his master, the king. He was a valiant warrior (vs.1). Even his name in Hebrew, means "delightful, pleasant, beautiful"(Bible.org). Despite his stellar reputation and brilliance, Naaman was a physically desperate man. In the last part of verse one, the description of Naaman takes a tailspin: "but he was a leper." Boom. That was it. Unless something miraculous happened, the Great Naaman - the leader of the Syrian army - the pride of Syria - was doomed.
Fast forward: Naaman was healed "out of" his adversity. He journeyed to see Elisha, who sent word for him to wash in the Jordan river seven times. Naaman, unappreciative of the lack of pomp and circumstance presented to him at his arrival at Elisha's house, was angered. He had no desire to take a dip in a dirty river. After all, there were cleaner rivers back in Syria. However, after much pleading by his servant, the prideful Naaman, humbled himself and did as the prophet had said. He went into the dirty Jordan a leper and came out of the dirty Jordan, cleaner than ever! And get this...after experiencing his healing, Naaman became a believer in YAWEH and ultimately took that belief of the One true God, back to his pagan land of Syria.
Yeah! All's well that ends well.
But wait, there's more. There's another player in this saga...a much smaller player...who's healing didn't come in a "Yeah!" moment. Nope. God didn't heal her "out of" her adversity. Instead, God healed her "through" it.
We don't know a lot about this little girl, other than she was a slave to Naaman's wife after being stolen from her home by the raiding Syrians. I can't even begin to imagine living the life of this little one. It must have been traumatic.
On the upside, she was probably treated very well and had the finest things life could offer a servant girl. But she was still a slave and all alone...separated from her Mom and Dad, brothers, sisters, and friends forever. She knew she would probably never see them - nor her homeland again. Everything she had known was gone...never to be revisited again.
If I was in her shoes, it would probably please me to no end that my captor/master had contracted the disease so feared by my people. I would secretly glory in the revenge taken upon this man who ripped me from my home to live in bondage for the rest of my life.
We're not told if she ever felt this way, but somehow, somewhere, in the midst of her adversity, this little girl found healing "through" these emotional scars. For you see, it was she that told Naaman's wife where he could find healing. Obviously, God did an amazing work in her little life, so that she didn't hold a grudge against her master, but instead, decided that God knew all things and that He still had all things under control, whether it looked like it or not. She allowed God to heal her deep hurts THROUGH her circumstances, as she trusted Him to be in control OF her circumstances.
I find it interesting that we never hear of her again. We don't know if she received her freedom for her advice, but more likely than not, she didn't. I believe she probably stayed with Naaman's wife the rest of her life - taking care of the one who's husband stole her away from her family. But somehow, I don't think it mattered to her, because she saw God not only heal her THROUGH her adversity, but also change everyone else in her life BY her adversity.
Whatever place you find yourself in today, whether you need healing physically or emotionally, or both, know that God can heal - that He does heal - that He wants to heal. But also recognize that that healing may not come in the way you'd expect. Also, know that what He's doing in the adversity that you wish He'd take away may not just be for your good, but for the good of those around you. And finally, just know that He knows what He's doing. So whether He chooses to heal you out of it or through it, trust Him to know which is best.
Both of these situations - healing "out of" adversity and healing "through" adversity - can be found in the Biblical narrative of Naaman.
Naaman was a man who had everything going for him. In II Kings 5, we learn that he was a powerful man in the Syrian army - 2nd in command. He was well-respected by his master, the king. He was a valiant warrior (vs.1). Even his name in Hebrew, means "delightful, pleasant, beautiful"(Bible.org). Despite his stellar reputation and brilliance, Naaman was a physically desperate man. In the last part of verse one, the description of Naaman takes a tailspin: "but he was a leper." Boom. That was it. Unless something miraculous happened, the Great Naaman - the leader of the Syrian army - the pride of Syria - was doomed.
Fast forward: Naaman was healed "out of" his adversity. He journeyed to see Elisha, who sent word for him to wash in the Jordan river seven times. Naaman, unappreciative of the lack of pomp and circumstance presented to him at his arrival at Elisha's house, was angered. He had no desire to take a dip in a dirty river. After all, there were cleaner rivers back in Syria. However, after much pleading by his servant, the prideful Naaman, humbled himself and did as the prophet had said. He went into the dirty Jordan a leper and came out of the dirty Jordan, cleaner than ever! And get this...after experiencing his healing, Naaman became a believer in YAWEH and ultimately took that belief of the One true God, back to his pagan land of Syria.
Yeah! All's well that ends well.
But wait, there's more. There's another player in this saga...a much smaller player...who's healing didn't come in a "Yeah!" moment. Nope. God didn't heal her "out of" her adversity. Instead, God healed her "through" it.
We don't know a lot about this little girl, other than she was a slave to Naaman's wife after being stolen from her home by the raiding Syrians. I can't even begin to imagine living the life of this little one. It must have been traumatic.
On the upside, she was probably treated very well and had the finest things life could offer a servant girl. But she was still a slave and all alone...separated from her Mom and Dad, brothers, sisters, and friends forever. She knew she would probably never see them - nor her homeland again. Everything she had known was gone...never to be revisited again.
If I was in her shoes, it would probably please me to no end that my captor/master had contracted the disease so feared by my people. I would secretly glory in the revenge taken upon this man who ripped me from my home to live in bondage for the rest of my life.
We're not told if she ever felt this way, but somehow, somewhere, in the midst of her adversity, this little girl found healing "through" these emotional scars. For you see, it was she that told Naaman's wife where he could find healing. Obviously, God did an amazing work in her little life, so that she didn't hold a grudge against her master, but instead, decided that God knew all things and that He still had all things under control, whether it looked like it or not. She allowed God to heal her deep hurts THROUGH her circumstances, as she trusted Him to be in control OF her circumstances.
I find it interesting that we never hear of her again. We don't know if she received her freedom for her advice, but more likely than not, she didn't. I believe she probably stayed with Naaman's wife the rest of her life - taking care of the one who's husband stole her away from her family. But somehow, I don't think it mattered to her, because she saw God not only heal her THROUGH her adversity, but also change everyone else in her life BY her adversity.
Whatever place you find yourself in today, whether you need healing physically or emotionally, or both, know that God can heal - that He does heal - that He wants to heal. But also recognize that that healing may not come in the way you'd expect. Also, know that what He's doing in the adversity that you wish He'd take away may not just be for your good, but for the good of those around you. And finally, just know that He knows what He's doing. So whether He chooses to heal you out of it or through it, trust Him to know which is best.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
So What Do We Do Now?
So what do we do now? Easter is over. The excitement and thrill of the resurrection of Christ stands as a distinct, yet distant, memory of this passed Sunday. All the celebrations and giving of thanks...all the Easter musicals performed by church choirs...all the deliciously prepared meals and Easter egg hunts...they're all over until next year.
So what do we do now? Do we just go on with life, never considering the resurrection until next spring?
In deciding that, I think we somehow have to get it into our heads that Easter Sunday or Resurrection Day, isn't just one day a year. It's not just an event that happened over two thousand years ago or something that we build ourselves up for once a year. The resurrection of Christ is SOO much more.
To Christians, it is everything.
Our faith, as Believers in Christ, hinges on the belief that God resurrected Christ. Without this supernatural event in the life of the Christ, Christianity would be a joke, and we would be the most pitiful of all people caught believing in a lie. There would be no hope of eternal security and no promise of an abundant life.
But JOKE, it is not. For the resurrection DID happen. Christ DID appear to His disciples, as well as over 400 other people before He finally ascended into heaven. He DID appear to the two men on the Road to Emmaus and teach them about Himself using the Old Testament. He did reconcile a beautiful relationship between Himself and Peter, who denied Him three times before mere men. He did eat fish, walk through walls, and cook breakfast for the disciples.
He truly DID rise again.
But what do we do with that information in the 21st century? What relevance to our everyday lives does it have, if any? What changes do we need to make in light of what we not only know to be true, but what has taken place deep within our own souls?
Well, what did the disciples of Christ do in the light of the resurrected Christ? Do you think they just celebrated one day by having a good meal, singing some musical stanzas down by the Sea of Galilee, hiding some Easter eggs (okay, so they didn't have Easter eggs back then), taking a nap and then going on with their daily life?
Not hardly.
The resurrection of Christ infiltrated the early disciples' lives. It affected their decisions. It took cowards who deserted Jesus in the garden and turned them into men and women willing to pay the ultimate cost for their belief in the resurrection. It changed them...not just internally for eternity, but daily for the rest of their lives.
Take Peter, for example. This boisterous disciple who denied Christ three times BEFORE the resurrection, never denied Him AFTER. He became the leader of the early Church and preached all throughout the countryside, telling others of the resurrection of Jesus. He penned at least two books of the Bible, while enduring persecution by the Jews and Romans...eventually being crucified for his faith. That doesn't sound like someone who treated the resurrection as just another day. That sounds like someone who really lived it out...who really believed that Christ's resurrection was real and had meaning for his "every day." He said, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope (emphasis mine) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (I Peter 1:3-5).
The "living hope" of the resurrection obviously changed Peter's day-to-day. My question is...shouldn't it change ours? And my answer to you and myself is a resounding, "YES, YES!" This "living hope" that Peter preached about shouldn't just be a part of my Easter experience, it should be with me when I awake every morning. It should exude from me when I go to the grocery store or drive my car in downtown traffic. It should shine from my life, so that others may wonder what it is that makes me so strong, when I should be so weak...for this hope that Christ gives to us, because of His resurrection is a living hope. It is alive and active in us...on a daily basis.
So what does it take for this living hope to become a part of our daily lives? It takes thought and effort. It takes intentionally spending time with Jesus. It takes making ourselves focus on the "Author and Perfector of our faith," when all we can physically see at the moment looks less than perfect. It takes concentrating on His thoughts every minute of the day...about how He wants to orchestrate our lives - good and bad - into something useful for His kingdom. It takes time spent contemplating the greatness and goodness of God. I think then, we will start to understand this hope that lives within us through the resurrection of Christ. Then, we will "live" Easter all year long.
My prayer is that you and I will truly experience this living hope in life today...that where-ever you and I may go, our hope will go with us and be lived out in us. May the resurrection be a celebration of our daily lives today...and not just our Easters.
Dear Jesus...Help us today to live a life of hope...the hope You provided, when You folded Your grave clothes ever so neatly and opened the grave for all to see You weren't there! Help us focus on the things that cause that resurrected life to surface in us today...things that remind us of our hope in You. Thank You for Easter, Jesus...and for the daily reminder that You live in us. We love You. Praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
So what do we do now? Do we just go on with life, never considering the resurrection until next spring?
In deciding that, I think we somehow have to get it into our heads that Easter Sunday or Resurrection Day, isn't just one day a year. It's not just an event that happened over two thousand years ago or something that we build ourselves up for once a year. The resurrection of Christ is SOO much more.
To Christians, it is everything.
Our faith, as Believers in Christ, hinges on the belief that God resurrected Christ. Without this supernatural event in the life of the Christ, Christianity would be a joke, and we would be the most pitiful of all people caught believing in a lie. There would be no hope of eternal security and no promise of an abundant life.
But JOKE, it is not. For the resurrection DID happen. Christ DID appear to His disciples, as well as over 400 other people before He finally ascended into heaven. He DID appear to the two men on the Road to Emmaus and teach them about Himself using the Old Testament. He did reconcile a beautiful relationship between Himself and Peter, who denied Him three times before mere men. He did eat fish, walk through walls, and cook breakfast for the disciples.
He truly DID rise again.
But what do we do with that information in the 21st century? What relevance to our everyday lives does it have, if any? What changes do we need to make in light of what we not only know to be true, but what has taken place deep within our own souls?
Well, what did the disciples of Christ do in the light of the resurrected Christ? Do you think they just celebrated one day by having a good meal, singing some musical stanzas down by the Sea of Galilee, hiding some Easter eggs (okay, so they didn't have Easter eggs back then), taking a nap and then going on with their daily life?
Not hardly.
The resurrection of Christ infiltrated the early disciples' lives. It affected their decisions. It took cowards who deserted Jesus in the garden and turned them into men and women willing to pay the ultimate cost for their belief in the resurrection. It changed them...not just internally for eternity, but daily for the rest of their lives.
Take Peter, for example. This boisterous disciple who denied Christ three times BEFORE the resurrection, never denied Him AFTER. He became the leader of the early Church and preached all throughout the countryside, telling others of the resurrection of Jesus. He penned at least two books of the Bible, while enduring persecution by the Jews and Romans...eventually being crucified for his faith. That doesn't sound like someone who treated the resurrection as just another day. That sounds like someone who really lived it out...who really believed that Christ's resurrection was real and had meaning for his "every day." He said, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope (emphasis mine) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (I Peter 1:3-5).
The "living hope" of the resurrection obviously changed Peter's day-to-day. My question is...shouldn't it change ours? And my answer to you and myself is a resounding, "YES, YES!" This "living hope" that Peter preached about shouldn't just be a part of my Easter experience, it should be with me when I awake every morning. It should exude from me when I go to the grocery store or drive my car in downtown traffic. It should shine from my life, so that others may wonder what it is that makes me so strong, when I should be so weak...for this hope that Christ gives to us, because of His resurrection is a living hope. It is alive and active in us...on a daily basis.
So what does it take for this living hope to become a part of our daily lives? It takes thought and effort. It takes intentionally spending time with Jesus. It takes making ourselves focus on the "Author and Perfector of our faith," when all we can physically see at the moment looks less than perfect. It takes concentrating on His thoughts every minute of the day...about how He wants to orchestrate our lives - good and bad - into something useful for His kingdom. It takes time spent contemplating the greatness and goodness of God. I think then, we will start to understand this hope that lives within us through the resurrection of Christ. Then, we will "live" Easter all year long.
My prayer is that you and I will truly experience this living hope in life today...that where-ever you and I may go, our hope will go with us and be lived out in us. May the resurrection be a celebration of our daily lives today...and not just our Easters.
Dear Jesus...Help us today to live a life of hope...the hope You provided, when You folded Your grave clothes ever so neatly and opened the grave for all to see You weren't there! Help us focus on the things that cause that resurrected life to surface in us today...things that remind us of our hope in You. Thank You for Easter, Jesus...and for the daily reminder that You live in us. We love You. Praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
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