Crossing the Creek (or Watch out for Cow pies)

Lately, I have been lingering and working on a song.  It is one of my heart songs right now: Perfect Peace. While it's a little older, it's one that I needed now.  It begins: "Stay close by my side; Keep your eyes on Me. Though this life is hard, I will give you perfect peace.  In this time of trial, pain that no one sees.  Trust Me when I say that I will give you perfect peace."  This is something that I've been struggling through for quite a while.  Though I seek to be obedient, to know Him more, to follow His guidance, it seems that I am out in the pasture, lost in the fog that surrounds me, and though I know He's there, I can't see Him, can't touch Him, and most painfully, can't hear Him.

This has been a very difficult journey.  Not in that it has been a life or death struggle, that I have been persecuted, or even that I lost it all.  Rather, it has been inside, searching out the depths of my soul, seeking to find all the cobwebs, dustballs, and dirty, smelly socks, as well as the "stuff" that has been cluttering up my view, and my hearing.  It has been different than any of my other journeys.  I have always had a sensitivity to His voice.  I have known, even in the hard times, that He is there, and even if just a whisper, I have heard Him tell me, "This is the way, walk in it."  However, on this part of the journey, it seems as though I have no cell service - signal is lost.  Though I know He is with me, I know He speaks through His Word, and through others, there's something about the silence....  It's agonizing...excruciating at times, and often leaves me questioning everything.

But one thing that has come from it is to realize, or more importantly, accept, that He has created me in a unique way.  I have always known He is with me, and I have learned first hand that sometimes, He isn't audible.  But I know Him well enough to know that He knows me intimately.  He knows where I need admonition, encouragement, strength, and humbleness.  Sometimes, there isn't just one right answer.  It's a question I often pose to my own students..."Is there only one way to solve this problem?"  Many times, the answer is yes; but other times, there may be several strategies.  All very similar in actuality, but dependent upon each student and what they are willing and able to do; dependent on their strengths and learning styles.  Maybe it's up to me to make the decision.  Which method (or path) will I choose?  Will I attempt it at all, or will I just skip it?  Will I follow the paved road, or the beaten path, or like my journey to find the perfect picture, will I wander down where there is not path, and simply leave a trail...one that can be seen after I have travelled, but sometimes only by those really seeking, and find the beauty that so many miss.

I have always detested following the crowd and doing what everyone else does because it's the "cool" or "right" thing to do.  Yet as an adult, I have found myself in positions that seem to encourage compromise on those views, and fitting into a particular mold.  While I have tried to "fit in," I find more and more that I am a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.  It's painful for me, and a waste of time for the round hole.  All the while, there's a round piece that would be a perfect fit...and even more, somewhere is a square opening that is made for me.  I am not sure where it is right now, but I know that it must be there...It goes back to the dreamer that He instilled in me.  The free-spiritedness that adulthood tries to stifle.  Yet somehow, it's not enough to settle.  All the while, knowing that there is something out there, more than I can imagine, more than I can achieve, more than I am doing now, something that only He can achieve.  Something that can make Monday mornings the best day of the week as a new week begins.

So, as I stated last post, it's time to discover how the hard times, the painful times, the challenges, and more recently, the unknown steps lead me closer to Him, and to the adventure that lies ahead.  It's like the Indiana Jones movie, where there is a wide cavern that has to be crossed, but no apparent way across, but all it takes is one step.  The Rock is there all the time...even when I don't see Him.  Even when the cavernous void distracts me, even when my fear of heights paralyzes me.  Just like Peter, I must keep my eyes on the Way.  Only He can direct me. Only by keeping my focus on Him can I have the peace of mind to step out, or to jump off.

So where is that?  I don't know.  David says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet..."  That's just enough for the next step.  So that's what I'm focusing on.  Just a small mound...just like the ones I use to cross the creek.  Doesn't have to be large...I don't have to know where the next one is.  Only once I step out, can I find the next one across.  I just have to know that I'm not stuck on the first side, sinking into the mud, missing the opportunity to explore the beauty and the journey that's across the creek.  Sometimes it's a little unnerving, like when I'm out and the sun starts to set.  The woods are darker.  I hear things in the brush, but I follow the water to find my way out.  And then I see the light of the sun (Son) and know that even if I'm exhausted I can make it home.

So here I stand, at the edge of the creek.  Ready to take the first step on a knot hole.  Ready to be able to see the beauty in the journey it will take me on.  Ready to let go of the comfort and security that causes discontentment, and jump...even though I may feel sick on the way down!  In the end, it will be worth it!  So I'm heading down to the creek, watching out for cow pies (distractions & slip-ups that cause quite a stink at times!), ready to find the first step across...

The Silver Mine

Sometimes life is difficult...sometimes God shows us His mercy by the trials we must endure.  From "Jesus Calling: "Sometimes my blessings come to you in mysterious ways: through pain and trouble.  At such times you can know my goodness only through your trust in Me.  Understanding will fail you, but trust will keep you close to me."...:Listen to me!  Tune out the other voices so that you can hear Me more clearly."

Seems like this has been the story of much of my life...Even more prophetic is that this is taken from March 31...my birth date...as if this is the message He must constantly remind me of as I begin my next year with Him.

This has been a struggle much of my life.  Throughout my journey with Him, God has revealed Himself to me through my circumstances in the different perspectives of His name...My Saviour (Elohe Tishuathi), My Sustainer (Jehovah Uzzi), My Provider (Jehovah-Jireh), My Great Physician (The God Who Heals - Jehovah-Jireh), My Lord (Adonai), The Most High God (Worthy of all Praise - El Eyon),
The God that Sanctifies you (Jehovah Mekaddishkem).   There are so may more, but these are areas that have had a huge impact on my life...


I suppose the most difficult has been the God who sanctifies.  Sanctify means to make holy, to purify, to set apart.  It's like silver.  To purify the silver and separate the pure silver from the dross.  The refiner must hold the silver in the hottest point of the flame, in order to purify it.  But he must keep his eyes on it the entire time, because if it's left a moment too long, it destroys the silver.  He knows the exact moment at which the silver is purified because he can see his own image clearly in the silver.  Only then is it refined and ready for use.  


How much more does that apply to us...as God seeks to refine us, His fire consists of the trials we endure.  The hotter the fire, the purer the result.  But His eyes are constantly on us to as not to destroy...For as He said in John 10:10: "The thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance."


Imagine that...going through the flames, coming out purified...not charred...in order to have an abundant life.  Reminds me of three others who had a fiery trial...


"I am the living One who sees you and longs to participate in your life.  I am training you to find Me in each moment and to be a channel of my loving blessing." (JC)


So that means even in my areas of service, that aren't my passion; even in the middle of a crowded wal-mart with lots of stamps, in a classroom of students who don't seem eager at all to be there, even on the way to work behind one who drives 15 miles under the speed limit, or the next guy who goes 15 miles over and swerves through traffic...even when I can't see the forest for the trees, and I have no idea how I will ever reach my next destination, ever fulfill my heart's passion, even when His favor falls in my less favorite area of service.  


Even in all these times, He is training me to be a channel of His love.  How will I fare?  Only He knows.  Prayerfully, I seek to honor Him and be successful in His eyes to lead others to Him.  Perhaps a little selfishly, I pray for opportunity to pursue and grow and use my passion to do the same...to make the less joyous task more pleasurable and fulfilling.  But mostly, to know that I have been the one He created me to be, and completed the task He has given me to fulfill.


Now to discover the details of that task...

Are You THE Alice?

Seems like in our world today, we've become accustomed to immediate results, get what you want when you want it, no assembly (aka "effort") required.

How far we have wandered from our roots, both as a nation and as Christians.  When our forefathers fought for our freedom, our independence, they went in knowing it wouldn't be easy.  It cost many their lives,  It took determination, even when the opposition was bigger, badder and meaner.  But somehow, they pulled through.  Not by luck, not by power or prestige, not by ingenuity, but by determination and devotion to something bigger than themselves.

It was the same with the early church.  They didn't have power, fortune or popularity, but they, like our forefathers, had determination and devotion to Someone greater than themselves.  It was this devotion that empowered them to do amazing things - "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord (Zech. 4:6).

Yet where has that determination and devotion gone?  i am constantly amazed, even distraught, to see the lack of ambition, fortitude, determination, even effort, in so many of our students today.  Somewhere we (all of us) have dropped the ball.  We have failed to instill in them the value of responsibility, commitment, devotion and determination that, in the past, has changed the world.

We see a society where we judge our success by our circumstances; even in our relationships.  When everything is going well, life is good; God is please with me; i am in my element.  But things suddenly spiral downward when we have hurdles, obstacles, difficulties, loss or conflict.  We cry out, "God where are you?  Why do you not stop these things?  Why can't things be back to 'normal'?"

What we have forgotten is that anything worth attaining is worth fighting for.  Anything that appears easy usually isn't, or worse, has strings attached.  Most importantly perhaps, that we display our true character, our real strength, in the valleys...when we can't see more than the next step, when it seems that the opposition is overwhelming.

It is in these moments that we have to face reality.  We must break down the protective barriers that have, in all purposes, kept us from His desire for us to truly be an agent of change, an intersection between where we are and where we could be.  We must be able to travel the lonely road, where it feels like there is no one else around.  To trust His guidance and His providence even when He is silent.  To pursue His character, even when we feel so inadequate.  Only then can we truly understand, "Not my will, but Yours be done."

The journey is not easy...if it were, the world would pursue it.  The path is not always clear...for then everyone would travel it.  The cost is great...many will not be able to pay it.  But the reward is eternal; invaluable.

So the decision remains...Will we forsake it all for the One thing?  Will we value our legacy over our property?  Will we follow Him at all cost?  Or in the thoughts of Absalom (Blue Caterpillar - Alice in Wonderland)...are you THE Alice, or "not hardly Alice?"

We Are His Hands

I just finished a course on Essentials in Worship Theology.  In our study we looked into the four echoes of God in the world around us – beauty, relationships, spirituality and justice. All of these things led us to see God as the Creator, King, Trinity and Savior. We are to be the instruments through which His person is revealed to the world in which we live. We have experienced Him; now we must reflect His glory.

We are to be the hands and feet of His heart, His love. We are to act justly, to “do the work of Christ, to be the means of his action in and for the world.”(1) This requires us to step out of the comfort to which many of us have become accustomed, and no longer just go to church, but now to go out and “be” the church.

The course culminates with a final project, of our choice.  This video is a reminder of the responsibility we have as the church. To share His story with those who haven’t heard; to proclaim to the world that Jesus is Lord; to invite them to be a part of the new creation; to love with His unconditional, unfailing love; to provide not only for their spiritual needs, but also for their physical needs.

Pictures are from Daniel Lipparelli, with Transformed International in Kenya, where they are indeed being His hands and feet to carry out His kingdom work in the world around them.

(1) N.T. Wright, Simply Christian (HarperOne, 2006) p. 201