Questioning In Despair (Verses 1-2)
“O Lord, how long will You forget me? Forever?
How long will You look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
With sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?”
The Psalmist asks four questions regarding this time under tension and it appears he has reached his wit’s end. His first question to God is out of the psalmist’s deep feeling of separation from Him. “O Lord, how long will You forget me? Forever?” This feeling of being away or, better yet, forsaken by God is so strong that the psalmist is even drawn to think he will be away from God forever.
This feeling of separation is reiterated when the psalmist asks, “How long will You look the other way?” Again, the psalmist expresses his feeling that God has removed him from His sight. He feels God is no longer paying attention to him and is even dismissing his requests, cries, and pleas.
This struggle with separation has not just afflicted the psalmist in a physical way (being physically separated from God) but also spiritually and emotionally.
“How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
With sorrow in my heart every day?”
The psalmist is apparently dealing with severe spiritual trauma and emotional anguish. It seems the trial he is facing is so intense and his feeling of separation so severe, it has affected him for emotionally and spiritually. Furthermore, the feelings are so strong and constant that he feels he cannot find any respite.
Finally, the psalmist’s last question is directly related to his oppressor. “How long will my enemy have the upper hand?” Due to his strong feeling of separation from God, the psalmist feels that, without God, whatever is oppressing him is defeating him.
These four questions are very strong, direct, and clearly give evidence of the psalmist’s yearning for a solution and deliverance from his trial as soon as possible.
So what can we learn from this?
Elder Keelan Atkinson once said, “Be sure that your experience does not cause you to question the character of God. God is bigger than your experience.” In his despair, the psalmist cried out to God but, in his questioning, he was careful not to question God’s character. When we are faced with trials, it can cause us to question God’s purpose for the trial but we must be very careful not to question God’s character because of the trial.
Pleas (Verses 3-4)
“Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.”
After questioning the duration of the trial, the psalmist’s pondering turns to petitioning. His first plea, “Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!”, flows directly from his questioning. The psalmist cries out to God, asking Him to forsake and ignore him no longer. It is noteworthy that the psalmist refers to God as his God (“O Lord my God”). Even through this time, when the psalmist feels a sense of separation from God, he can still speak with a sense of belonging or ownership to God.
His second plea gives evidence to the reader of this psalm that David, the psalmist, believes he is facing a situation of life and death and is in dire need of rescue. “Restore the sparkle in my eyes, or I will die.” The psalmist asks God to bring him back to a place where God’s presence is felt and he is safe even from death. The psalmist recognizes that separation from God will ultimately lead to death and, unless his Lord intervenes, that is where he will be heading.
David’s final two pleas to hand-in-hand as he pleads for God to deny his opposition the sense of victory over him. These pleas are a further request for deliverance from the trial the psalmist is facing.
“Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, ‘We have defeated him!’”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.”
Through these pleas, we can see that the psalmist believes his deliverance and even the victory is determined by and dependent on God, the One to Whom he is crying out to. The psalmist’s situation is dire and he is longing for deliverance, but he recognizes that deliverance does not and will not come from his own hands and abilities but from God.
So, what can we learn from this?
In our times of distress, when all hope seems lost and deliverance appears to be absent, we can take David’s lead and cry out to God. God wants to know how we feel and, although He already knows, He likes to hear it from us. David cried out to the One in Whom he believed his deliverance is found. We should learn to do the same.
Hope and Action (Verses 5-6)
“But I trust in Your unfailing love,
I will rejoice because You have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord
because He is good to me.”
In the final part of Psalm 13, we see a pivotal shift in the psalmist’s voice and course of action. At first, the psalmist questions out of a feeling of abandonment and out of a deep longing for deliverance. The psalmist recognizes his need to be rescued by One greater than himself because he cannot do so on his own. This drives him to cry out to God, in Whom he believes his deliverance is found. This petition makes up the second part of this psalm. The third and final part, deals with the psalmist’s actions which stem from his hope in God.
The psalmist’s first act is to trust in hid God’s “unfailing love”. This first action gives the reader insight into David’s past and, because of the psalmist’s experiences, he believes he can rely on God’s consistent care and providence. Martin Luther wrote,
“When we look back on how God has led and brought us through so much evil, adversity, and danger, we can clearly see the ever-present goodness of God, which is far above our thoughts, minds, and perceptions.”
When faced with this current trial, the psalmist was able to look back and see how God had already seen him through so much that trusting Him now, is the right and best course of action. David had something to hold on to and had found a source of assurance in troubled times.
Furthermore, the psalmist writes that he “will rejoice because You have rescued me.” This statement is a marvelous display of the psalmist’s faith. As he is in the midst of his trial, he is able to rejoice because he believes his pleas have been heard, answered, and deliverance has come. Faith is very clearly demonstrated in this passage, where David can already look to the end of his time of trial and see that the Lord has delivered him The psalmist’s intent to give praise to God for the outcome, in the midst of a dire situation, is proof that the gravity of the situation does not exceed the hope, confidence, and assurance of deliverance we have in the One Who saves.
The psalmist’s final act is also an act of praise.
“I will sing to the Lord
because He is good to me.”
Beyond the trial, and throughout his life, the psalmist can see God’s consistent and constant goodness to him and continues to give God praise. This is the final piece of comfort leading to action that the psalmist demonstrates.
So, what can we learn from this?
Despite what we go through, the Lord will always remain faithful to His children. He hears their cries, provides deliverance, and is worthy of all praise. We can find much comfort in this psalm, especially when we are going through our own trials, because deliverance has already come.
This psalm reminds us that the Lord may not come when we call, but He’s always on time. His timing is perfect, His love in unfailing, and, through Him, our deliverance is certain. All praise and glory to Him.
Side Note: Contrasting “Rejoice” (Verses 4 and 5)
It is interesting to note that the opposer rejoices in the downfall of the one being opposed. To gloat in the defeat of the one who is crying out for deliverance is a mark of joy for the opposer. On the other hand, the one being opposed rejoices because his deliverance or rescue from his opposer is assured. His deliverance did not come by his own hands but from the One Who has plucked him out of his situation. To be rescued from opposition is the mark of joy for the one being opposed.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Dueling Loves
Our society and even the world does not know the true meaning of love. All around us we can see countless examples of abuse, neglect, and manipulation and, in some cases, such acts are claimed to be done “out of love.” I believe that, without God, love is something that can never be fully understood, and can never be properly and effectively demonstrated.
Let’s take a look at society’s love
When the divorce rate in our present society is around 50% and climbing, it can be said that there is a problem. So, what is the cause of this problem? In short, it’s a misunderstanding of what love is. Love, in society’s eyes, is something more akin to an act of perpetual exchange where one gives and the other takes and such giving and taking is expected from the others involved. If you were to ask someone in society why they love the other person, you would probably get a list of things the person does. “I love them because they do this, and this, and this…(for me).” Essentially, love is based largely on what someone does for the other person and, once those needs or deeds are met or stop, it is assumed that love has dwindled, died, and has essentially faded away. In society’s eyes, it is possible to fall out of love with someone and, at times, is just as quick and easy as it was to fall in love with that same person. Between “lovers”, the highest/greatest expression of love in our society is the act of sex and, sadly, even that has been diluted to a simple, emotionless act between others. This whole term of “irreconcilable differences” is quite confusing to me because they are essentially a list of things that one does not do for an other but you never see the following excuse on such a list: “He/she will not let me love them enough.” The list of “irreconcilable differences” is just a want list for a selfish person who believes love is something that they are entitled to and is of immediate benefit to them. This is a selfish, self-focused, and self-driven view of love that depends very little on the other person and depends almost entirely on what a person can offer another and, personally, this is a very sad state.
Now, let’s take a look at God’s love
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a one’s friends.” (John 15:13). The love of God is a selfless love. He loves us not because we can give Him anything (in our fallenness, we fall far short of being able to offer God anything) but because He has chosen to do so. He loves s so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins; not just to die for us, full stop, but die in order to give us life. How incredible is that?! This is a love that does not depend on what we do or what we have done but is entirely unconditional. A love that does not depend on what we do but solely depends on God’s willingness to love us despite what we have done or do. To God, the highest or greatest expression of love is atoning sacrifice and, even more, it is a love that we can never be separated from, even through the toughest of trials.
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one-for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one-for Christ Jesus dies for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honour at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39).
How does that translate to how we are to live and love?
As Christians, love must play an important part in our lives. We are called, commanded, and challenged to love others the way God loved and loves us. We are not to love people because we can get something our of it for that is not love, it is lust. We are to love others expecting nothing in return, pouring ourselves out for God’s glory; encouraging and caring for one another and loving them despite their shortcomings, for we have many ourselves. Without being exposed to and experiencing God’s perfect love, it is impossible to be truly loved and it is also impossible to truly love others. No person can truly love themselves without first experiencing God’s perfect love. No friend can truly love the other without first experiencing God’s perfect love. No spouse can truly love the other without first experiencing God’s perfect love. No parent can truly love their child without first experiencing God’s perfect love. Without God drawing us out of the world, opening our eyes, and exposing us to His perfect love, it is impossible for us to truly love others.
Now, I will be honest with everyone who is reading this, I am writing this partially on impulse but mostly for myself because, I’m currently learning what it feels like to love someone enough to hurt, and I mean really hurt. And is has been through this hurt that I have begun to truly appreciate just how much God loves someone as wretched as me. So many times have I bought into society’s view of love. So many times have I tried to “love” someone because I got something out of it. But, lately, I have begun to truly strive to love someone unconditionally; to give and not expect anything in return, to encourage and not expect even a “thank you”, to trust regardless of my vulnerability, to love despite what they say or do, and to be willing to die in the place of the ones I love. And how incredible has this experience been! By God’s grace, I pray He will grant me the opportunity to grow in His love so I will be better able to love others the way He loves me.
In society, heartbreak is a time to turn further into oneself and find spend time focusing on “loving” oneself and “heal” by forgetting the ones we loved. Such a healing process may take a long time and, if the wound ever heals (which I believe rarely happens), a most hideous scar is always present to remind the individual of the hurt they experienced. But (this is probably the most incredible thing about God’s love) true love, God’s perfect love, is powerful enough and deep enough to heal even the deepest of wounds and sooth even the most broken heart. To fall on one’s knees and surrender to the greatest love brings a comfort that no amount of “comfort food” could provide. To place all the hurt and all the tears at His feet pacifies far better than the most intense of workout or writing sessions. To cling to God’s promises consoles and encourages immeasurably better than the most heartfelt of Hallmark cards. To experience God’s perfect love, gives us the ability to continue to love through all the pain, through all the heartache, through all the doubt, through all the sorrow, through all the loss, through anything we could ever experience in this life. God’s love covers even our deepest pain and, again, How incredible is this love?!
Let’s take a look at society’s love
When the divorce rate in our present society is around 50% and climbing, it can be said that there is a problem. So, what is the cause of this problem? In short, it’s a misunderstanding of what love is. Love, in society’s eyes, is something more akin to an act of perpetual exchange where one gives and the other takes and such giving and taking is expected from the others involved. If you were to ask someone in society why they love the other person, you would probably get a list of things the person does. “I love them because they do this, and this, and this…(for me).” Essentially, love is based largely on what someone does for the other person and, once those needs or deeds are met or stop, it is assumed that love has dwindled, died, and has essentially faded away. In society’s eyes, it is possible to fall out of love with someone and, at times, is just as quick and easy as it was to fall in love with that same person. Between “lovers”, the highest/greatest expression of love in our society is the act of sex and, sadly, even that has been diluted to a simple, emotionless act between others. This whole term of “irreconcilable differences” is quite confusing to me because they are essentially a list of things that one does not do for an other but you never see the following excuse on such a list: “He/she will not let me love them enough.” The list of “irreconcilable differences” is just a want list for a selfish person who believes love is something that they are entitled to and is of immediate benefit to them. This is a selfish, self-focused, and self-driven view of love that depends very little on the other person and depends almost entirely on what a person can offer another and, personally, this is a very sad state.
Now, let’s take a look at God’s love
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a one’s friends.” (John 15:13). The love of God is a selfless love. He loves us not because we can give Him anything (in our fallenness, we fall far short of being able to offer God anything) but because He has chosen to do so. He loves s so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins; not just to die for us, full stop, but die in order to give us life. How incredible is that?! This is a love that does not depend on what we do or what we have done but is entirely unconditional. A love that does not depend on what we do but solely depends on God’s willingness to love us despite what we have done or do. To God, the highest or greatest expression of love is atoning sacrifice and, even more, it is a love that we can never be separated from, even through the toughest of trials.
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one-for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one-for Christ Jesus dies for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honour at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loves us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39).
How does that translate to how we are to live and love?
As Christians, love must play an important part in our lives. We are called, commanded, and challenged to love others the way God loved and loves us. We are not to love people because we can get something our of it for that is not love, it is lust. We are to love others expecting nothing in return, pouring ourselves out for God’s glory; encouraging and caring for one another and loving them despite their shortcomings, for we have many ourselves. Without being exposed to and experiencing God’s perfect love, it is impossible to be truly loved and it is also impossible to truly love others. No person can truly love themselves without first experiencing God’s perfect love. No friend can truly love the other without first experiencing God’s perfect love. No spouse can truly love the other without first experiencing God’s perfect love. No parent can truly love their child without first experiencing God’s perfect love. Without God drawing us out of the world, opening our eyes, and exposing us to His perfect love, it is impossible for us to truly love others.
Now, I will be honest with everyone who is reading this, I am writing this partially on impulse but mostly for myself because, I’m currently learning what it feels like to love someone enough to hurt, and I mean really hurt. And is has been through this hurt that I have begun to truly appreciate just how much God loves someone as wretched as me. So many times have I bought into society’s view of love. So many times have I tried to “love” someone because I got something out of it. But, lately, I have begun to truly strive to love someone unconditionally; to give and not expect anything in return, to encourage and not expect even a “thank you”, to trust regardless of my vulnerability, to love despite what they say or do, and to be willing to die in the place of the ones I love. And how incredible has this experience been! By God’s grace, I pray He will grant me the opportunity to grow in His love so I will be better able to love others the way He loves me.
In society, heartbreak is a time to turn further into oneself and find spend time focusing on “loving” oneself and “heal” by forgetting the ones we loved. Such a healing process may take a long time and, if the wound ever heals (which I believe rarely happens), a most hideous scar is always present to remind the individual of the hurt they experienced. But (this is probably the most incredible thing about God’s love) true love, God’s perfect love, is powerful enough and deep enough to heal even the deepest of wounds and sooth even the most broken heart. To fall on one’s knees and surrender to the greatest love brings a comfort that no amount of “comfort food” could provide. To place all the hurt and all the tears at His feet pacifies far better than the most intense of workout or writing sessions. To cling to God’s promises consoles and encourages immeasurably better than the most heartfelt of Hallmark cards. To experience God’s perfect love, gives us the ability to continue to love through all the pain, through all the heartache, through all the doubt, through all the sorrow, through all the loss, through anything we could ever experience in this life. God’s love covers even our deepest pain and, again, How incredible is this love?!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A Real Love, A Right Desire, & An Unstoppable Movement: A Few Thoughts
It seems that the format of my posts may be moving from a singular thought to a collection of thoughts that have really stuck with me throughout the week (or weeks). Today, I have three thoughts for you and they are not in any particular order.
A Real Love
I don’t think we will ever be able to fully understand love, in this life, and I believe God has done this on purpose. If we full and truly understood it, and lost that great sense of wonder as to how far it reached and how deep it went, we most likely would not appreciate it as much as we should when we truly experience it. As I thought about this and related it to what I have been contemplating recently, I’m really amazed by the potential potency of this feeling/emotion/state-of-being.
“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Due to depth and all-encompassing nature of this feeling, to say you love someone, writing about your love for someone, believing that you love someone, and even praying about your love for someone should evoke some strong feelings that can and will be made evident in your actions towards and in relation to that person.
“[Love] bears all things. believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Bearing the weight of love is a burden one must bear willingly if this feeling is true; believing and moving forward with the hope and faith that God will enable you to make your love for others evident to them and even to you.
As Christians, we get to truly experience what is feels like to be loved perfectly and, though we stumble and fail to love the ones we care about as completely as we should, God is still gracious in allowing us to experience the feeling and ability to love and be loved by others.
A Right Desire
What a blessing it is to be able to study God’s Word and grow in faith with each new day. But, there are times when reading the Bible can be an incredibly humbling experience. One verse that has recently been a blessing and a chastening Word to me has been Psam 37:4:
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
To me, this verse has become quite the double-edged sword and can be very difficult to wield correctly and effectively.
To find delight in the Lord means that we find delight in serving, living for Christ, and basking in his glory and grace to us every moment of our lives; trying to make our faith evident in every thought, every word, every action to the point where our entire character is a reflection of Christ’s presence in our lives. Learning to live this way is a life-long process that requires daily dedication. Like training for a sporting event, to perform at our best requires daily dedication and motivation to reach the goal before us.
What do you desire? It’s been most interesting answering that question lately because there seems to be a direct correlation between my desires and to what extent I am delighting in the Lord. As I wrote above, to delight in the Lord means that we strive to live like Christ every day. If I delight myself in the Lord, the desires of my heart should fall in line with His will. And if His will is that I serve Him with all my heart, soul, and mind (being like Christ), then my delight should be in being Christ-like.
A double-edged sword that is both a blessing and a chastening Word. It’s definitely something I’ll have to keep trying to live up to and trusting that I will be able to effectively do so.
An Unstoppable Movement
Last night, during our mid-week Bible study, we looked at Matthew 16:13-18 and took a closer look at the last portion of verse 18:
“...upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
It’s been said that the best defense is a good offense and, as Christians, we have been called to not only defend the faith but to go forward, to all the Earth, and spread the Gospel of Christ; essentially going on the offensive because Christ is very interested in His church gong to the ends of the earth. While we work to accomplish this task we will be faced with opposition but it is at that time that we further remember that we are part of an unstoppable movement.
Many people view this passage and view this faith as a defensive one, where we are on the receiving end of an oppressive force but, with a faith as radical as ours, it is expected that what we believe will challenge the belief and social systems of the society around us.
The gates of Hell are ineffective against the force of Christ’s church and it’s interesting how so many christians fail to realize that the gates of Hell are a defense again the Church; the gates are not trying to keep us in, they’re trying desperately to keep us out. Hell’s gates will not withstand the force of God’s power so we must not think that our calling is a grueling task. We must remember who has called us; God, the greatest power in the universe.
At a time when I’m contemplating so much, hoping about so many other things and wondering what comes next, it’s encouraging to know that I have this wonderful opportunity to try to love people completely, desire truly, and be part of an unstoppable movement. The days have been good and continue to get better.
A Real Love
I don’t think we will ever be able to fully understand love, in this life, and I believe God has done this on purpose. If we full and truly understood it, and lost that great sense of wonder as to how far it reached and how deep it went, we most likely would not appreciate it as much as we should when we truly experience it. As I thought about this and related it to what I have been contemplating recently, I’m really amazed by the potential potency of this feeling/emotion/state-of-being.
“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Due to depth and all-encompassing nature of this feeling, to say you love someone, writing about your love for someone, believing that you love someone, and even praying about your love for someone should evoke some strong feelings that can and will be made evident in your actions towards and in relation to that person.
“[Love] bears all things. believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Bearing the weight of love is a burden one must bear willingly if this feeling is true; believing and moving forward with the hope and faith that God will enable you to make your love for others evident to them and even to you.
As Christians, we get to truly experience what is feels like to be loved perfectly and, though we stumble and fail to love the ones we care about as completely as we should, God is still gracious in allowing us to experience the feeling and ability to love and be loved by others.
A Right Desire
What a blessing it is to be able to study God’s Word and grow in faith with each new day. But, there are times when reading the Bible can be an incredibly humbling experience. One verse that has recently been a blessing and a chastening Word to me has been Psam 37:4:
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
To me, this verse has become quite the double-edged sword and can be very difficult to wield correctly and effectively.
To find delight in the Lord means that we find delight in serving, living for Christ, and basking in his glory and grace to us every moment of our lives; trying to make our faith evident in every thought, every word, every action to the point where our entire character is a reflection of Christ’s presence in our lives. Learning to live this way is a life-long process that requires daily dedication. Like training for a sporting event, to perform at our best requires daily dedication and motivation to reach the goal before us.
What do you desire? It’s been most interesting answering that question lately because there seems to be a direct correlation between my desires and to what extent I am delighting in the Lord. As I wrote above, to delight in the Lord means that we strive to live like Christ every day. If I delight myself in the Lord, the desires of my heart should fall in line with His will. And if His will is that I serve Him with all my heart, soul, and mind (being like Christ), then my delight should be in being Christ-like.
A double-edged sword that is both a blessing and a chastening Word. It’s definitely something I’ll have to keep trying to live up to and trusting that I will be able to effectively do so.
An Unstoppable Movement
Last night, during our mid-week Bible study, we looked at Matthew 16:13-18 and took a closer look at the last portion of verse 18:
“...upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
It’s been said that the best defense is a good offense and, as Christians, we have been called to not only defend the faith but to go forward, to all the Earth, and spread the Gospel of Christ; essentially going on the offensive because Christ is very interested in His church gong to the ends of the earth. While we work to accomplish this task we will be faced with opposition but it is at that time that we further remember that we are part of an unstoppable movement.
Many people view this passage and view this faith as a defensive one, where we are on the receiving end of an oppressive force but, with a faith as radical as ours, it is expected that what we believe will challenge the belief and social systems of the society around us.
The gates of Hell are ineffective against the force of Christ’s church and it’s interesting how so many christians fail to realize that the gates of Hell are a defense again the Church; the gates are not trying to keep us in, they’re trying desperately to keep us out. Hell’s gates will not withstand the force of God’s power so we must not think that our calling is a grueling task. We must remember who has called us; God, the greatest power in the universe.
At a time when I’m contemplating so much, hoping about so many other things and wondering what comes next, it’s encouraging to know that I have this wonderful opportunity to try to love people completely, desire truly, and be part of an unstoppable movement. The days have been good and continue to get better.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Worrying about yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
I’d be lying if I said that there was nothing on my mind but, for those who know me, what else is new. Lately, my thoughts have spanned the broad spectrum of life; faith, relationships, work, school, training, finances, which door to walk through (opportunities), you name it, I’ve thought about it.
But as I was thinking about these many things, this evening, I was drawn to this really profound passage that’s profound but, also, exactly what I needed to read today.
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plan or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. See the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” - Matthew 6:25-34
With everything that’s going on in my life, everything that I’m facing, and every thought or concern that crosses my mind, I have to remember that, ultimately, God will take care of me. My only responsibility is to serve Him, everything else will follow suit.
But as I was thinking about these many things, this evening, I was drawn to this really profound passage that’s profound but, also, exactly what I needed to read today.
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plan or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. See the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” - Matthew 6:25-34
With everything that’s going on in my life, everything that I’m facing, and every thought or concern that crosses my mind, I have to remember that, ultimately, God will take care of me. My only responsibility is to serve Him, everything else will follow suit.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Stop Running
Stop Running.
I was once told that if a man get beat, it’s because of his feet. And this saying stems from the old adage that he who turns and runs away, lives to fight another day. Though these sayings contain some degree of truth, they are not and never will be the final solution, especially when it comes to challenges we face in life.
Running away from challenges may provide a sense of respite for a little while but, unless the challenge is faced head-on, there will be another time when we will be confronted by the same challenge.
For how long can you run away from what is challenging you? Until you have nowhere else to escape from it? Until you run out of energy to resist it? Or until you realize that you (by God’s grace) have had the courage and strength to confront it all along?
When God opened your eyes to the Truth and saves you from this life, He promised that he would never leave you. He promised that He would never leave you ill-equipped to face life’s challenges and win. He gave you His word that He would never allow you to face any situation, without Him, that would cause you to fall or fail.
So, since this is true and if you believe this is true, why are you running? And from what or whom are you running from?
The samurai considered it a great dishonour to die in battle with his back to the enemy (as if he were running away). Similarly, the Spartans clung to a similar idea when facing opposition. As Christians, we have one better than the samurai and the Spartan. We have been assured the victory in life as well as death. And, since we live to serve the Sovereign One, the One who holds all power, who or what do we have to fear? What purpose do we have in running away?
“Blessed if the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” -- James 1:12
Stop running.
A wise man once told me that “It is faith that determines what we do.” And, as I continue to contemplate this small piece of advice, I’m finding it to be so true.
“Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself...You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” -- James 2:17-18
Our actions or response to the things we face in this life can be a great indicator of the things we hold to in this life and how tightly we hold to them. Like a child holds to their stuffed animal or “security blanket” in times of fear, there are things we turn to, as adults, when we are confronted by things in this life. So, my question to you is, what do you cling to and does it give you any security, comfort, or resolve? Or do you, as stated above, simply run away (in a sense clinging to nothing, or your own abilities to avoid whatever is challenging you)?
When I was 15 , I turned to writing as a way of dealing with my troubles. As I started to become more serious about fitness, I turned to intense bouts of exercise to “clear my head” or leave my problems on the gym floor or in the ring. But it wasn’t until a couple of years ago, when I was struggling with something so great, that I realized the great limitations of my will, my pen, and my body when it came to dealing with challenges in this life.
What I was wrestling with, drained my pens dry and filled countless notebooks (now referred to as the “Suicide Journals”) but left the issue unresolved. Exercise brought me to the point of severe exhaustion but my challenges had more than enough energy to continue tormenting me. Running away only changed my surroundings but my problems would either follow me or even meet me there. My options were whittled down to just two; to end everything right then (hence the name for the journals) or to hold to the God’s promises that I read and heard about so many years before. That was it.
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” -- James 1:2-4
Looking back, I can see how all the trials in my life brought me to that point, and all that I face in life is meant to keep me there. My stubborn pride and self-determination had to be worn down. My eyes had to be opened to the Truth and understand that this short life is not the only thing. I had to finally admit that I could not make it through life or find fulfillment by my own strength or abilities and I was called to something greater. I had to submit to God’s will and purpose for my life and submit to his instruction.
It was not until I reaching this point, being shown the only sure thing in this life, that I can face every day knowing that whatever I now face in this life, even my struggles of coming to grips with this amazing, life-altering-but-oh-so-worth-it faith, that everything will be more than alright.
So, as I am currently facing and will continue to face challenges (as I imagine you are too), I want to encourage you to hold to the promises God gave you. Spend time every day discovering their true scope and hold them closer than your next breath. May your faith in God, the Sovereign One, dictate how you live, respond, and react to the things you face in this life.
“Beyond This Door”
Don’t you see that more than you could know or hope for lies beyond this door?
Like a treasure buried deep, it waits to be discovered, waits to be released.
Open up your heart for just a moment. Let true freedom take its hold and I promise you that what you’ll find is more than what you’ve always preconceived.
If you could see beyond the here and now, I know that everything would change. But you’re hard and scarred by what the past has made you into; shaped what you believe.
I know you’ve been failed and I know that you’ve tried.
It’s always the same time and time again but, you have to know, that nobody else can stand in your place and face the crowds.
This life’s not long and, like a breath, it comes and goes. So, un-guard your heart and let these walls around you fall.
--Tim & Jon Neufeld
I was once told that if a man get beat, it’s because of his feet. And this saying stems from the old adage that he who turns and runs away, lives to fight another day. Though these sayings contain some degree of truth, they are not and never will be the final solution, especially when it comes to challenges we face in life.
Running away from challenges may provide a sense of respite for a little while but, unless the challenge is faced head-on, there will be another time when we will be confronted by the same challenge.
For how long can you run away from what is challenging you? Until you have nowhere else to escape from it? Until you run out of energy to resist it? Or until you realize that you (by God’s grace) have had the courage and strength to confront it all along?
When God opened your eyes to the Truth and saves you from this life, He promised that he would never leave you. He promised that He would never leave you ill-equipped to face life’s challenges and win. He gave you His word that He would never allow you to face any situation, without Him, that would cause you to fall or fail.
So, since this is true and if you believe this is true, why are you running? And from what or whom are you running from?
The samurai considered it a great dishonour to die in battle with his back to the enemy (as if he were running away). Similarly, the Spartans clung to a similar idea when facing opposition. As Christians, we have one better than the samurai and the Spartan. We have been assured the victory in life as well as death. And, since we live to serve the Sovereign One, the One who holds all power, who or what do we have to fear? What purpose do we have in running away?
“Blessed if the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” -- James 1:12
Stop running.
A wise man once told me that “It is faith that determines what we do.” And, as I continue to contemplate this small piece of advice, I’m finding it to be so true.
“Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself...You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” -- James 2:17-18
Our actions or response to the things we face in this life can be a great indicator of the things we hold to in this life and how tightly we hold to them. Like a child holds to their stuffed animal or “security blanket” in times of fear, there are things we turn to, as adults, when we are confronted by things in this life. So, my question to you is, what do you cling to and does it give you any security, comfort, or resolve? Or do you, as stated above, simply run away (in a sense clinging to nothing, or your own abilities to avoid whatever is challenging you)?
When I was 15 , I turned to writing as a way of dealing with my troubles. As I started to become more serious about fitness, I turned to intense bouts of exercise to “clear my head” or leave my problems on the gym floor or in the ring. But it wasn’t until a couple of years ago, when I was struggling with something so great, that I realized the great limitations of my will, my pen, and my body when it came to dealing with challenges in this life.
What I was wrestling with, drained my pens dry and filled countless notebooks (now referred to as the “Suicide Journals”) but left the issue unresolved. Exercise brought me to the point of severe exhaustion but my challenges had more than enough energy to continue tormenting me. Running away only changed my surroundings but my problems would either follow me or even meet me there. My options were whittled down to just two; to end everything right then (hence the name for the journals) or to hold to the God’s promises that I read and heard about so many years before. That was it.
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” -- James 1:2-4
Looking back, I can see how all the trials in my life brought me to that point, and all that I face in life is meant to keep me there. My stubborn pride and self-determination had to be worn down. My eyes had to be opened to the Truth and understand that this short life is not the only thing. I had to finally admit that I could not make it through life or find fulfillment by my own strength or abilities and I was called to something greater. I had to submit to God’s will and purpose for my life and submit to his instruction.
It was not until I reaching this point, being shown the only sure thing in this life, that I can face every day knowing that whatever I now face in this life, even my struggles of coming to grips with this amazing, life-altering-but-oh-so-worth-it faith, that everything will be more than alright.
So, as I am currently facing and will continue to face challenges (as I imagine you are too), I want to encourage you to hold to the promises God gave you. Spend time every day discovering their true scope and hold them closer than your next breath. May your faith in God, the Sovereign One, dictate how you live, respond, and react to the things you face in this life.
“Beyond This Door”
Don’t you see that more than you could know or hope for lies beyond this door?
Like a treasure buried deep, it waits to be discovered, waits to be released.
Open up your heart for just a moment. Let true freedom take its hold and I promise you that what you’ll find is more than what you’ve always preconceived.
If you could see beyond the here and now, I know that everything would change. But you’re hard and scarred by what the past has made you into; shaped what you believe.
I know you’ve been failed and I know that you’ve tried.
It’s always the same time and time again but, you have to know, that nobody else can stand in your place and face the crowds.
This life’s not long and, like a breath, it comes and goes. So, un-guard your heart and let these walls around you fall.
--Tim & Jon Neufeld
Friday, January 2, 2009
Looking at 2009.
Many people look at a new year as a chance for new beginnings; an opportunity to start fresh. The new year brings new hopes, dreams, goals, and sometimes a new outlook on life or a situation. But stepping back to view our lives as a whole, a new year is really a continuation of all that has been going before. This is why I found it most interesting to see my studies through the book of Philippians straddle 2008 and 2009.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” -- Philippians 1:6
For me, this past year has been a great reminder of this very verse; that I am (and will be) a constant work in progress until my last breath. As we progress in our faith, this truth should become more evident. If we look back on our lives and think of all the things God has seen us through, the trials we have faced, the periods of doubt and unbelief, the times we wrestled with our calling in this life, our sense of worth, even the days before our eyes were opened to the Truth, we can see how God has kept us and has orchestrated every event in our lives to see us to this point; to bear witness to the arrival of another year. And He has promised us that He will continue to see us through this life, to the very end.
How great is it to know and believe that God will see His plans for our lives (and the lives of others) through to completion. Through hard times, this promise is true. Through the good times, this promise is still true. And this promise will remain true even if we see death in this life. Either way, God has given us these promises:
“”I will nor fail (leave) you or forsake you.” -- Joshua 1:5b
“ Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -- Joshua 1:9
And also the one at the beginning of this post.
Just like Joshua, we can go forward into this year without fear, and with the assurance that God will continue to refine us and shape us into the people He wants us to be.
But does it simply end there? Not at all.
“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete be being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” -- Philippians 2:1-2
If our eyes have been truly opened to the Truth, then our responsibility is to live in a way that makes our faith evident at all times. As believers in Christ, we know that our faith and purpose is not found in the temporary things in this life and we have been witnesses to the destructive nature of the pursuits of what this world deems as valuable.
We have seen how the pursuit of wealth has cause others to use, abuse, and cheat others, in order to make that extra dollar, convinced that they are not rich enough. We have seen many people exercise, nip, tuck, and starve themselves in the hope of attaining a twisted sense of beauty that this world esteems, convinced that unless they are this or that they are not beautiful enough. We have seen others, cram, cheat, and plagiarize their way to better marks or promotions, thinking that if they do not find themselves within a certain academic or positional bracket, they are not smart enough. We have witnessed others become social chameleons, or change their attitudes, appearances, and even their lifestyle in an attempt to seek someone else’s favour and, if they fail to do so, they believe they are not good enough. The examples are virtually endless but, with every single one, the results and rewards are fleeting and forgotten when this life is over. So, if all of the values of this world are only here in the moment, what’s the point? In this life, if you are only living for this life (the now), the only satisfaction you will have, the only comfort you may ever experience, and the only purpose you may ever find (if you ever do), is here in the now. And, tomorrow, when all you had yesterday leaves you dissatisfied, what will you do, and to whom will you turn to fill that void?
“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” -- Philippians 3:7-11
As Christians, whose eyes have been opened to the Truth, we have been called out of this hopeless pursuit of the world and into a fulfilling life of living for something more than just the present and One greater than ourselves. We can be what (and whom) we have been called to be (be it through the professions we find yourselves in, the schools we attend, etc.) not simply to attain any temporary reward but to be an example to others on how we are to truly live this life, and in honour of the One who created us. So, we strive (individually and communally) to be the best we can, not for money, not for an aesthetic, and not for the approval of others (or even ourselves), but to honour God in all that we do because He is the one who has given us the ability and opportunity to function in this way.
As I look back on my 26 years on this life-journey, there are times when the travels have not been easy. I have spent a lot of years struggling with the questions of why I was even here, what I was supposed to do with my life, and why I have had to experience so many difficult things in my short time. I’m sure many of you have also wrestled (or are struggling) with the same questions and, truthfully, these are some of the hardest questions to answer because the very answers are foundational to everything and every circumstance we face in this life. But, if we truly believe the Truth and spend regular time in the Word, applying the many lessons found within it, and praying for guidance to move in the right direction, strength to make it through the each the day, faith to trust God in all things, and courage to even stand alone, the answers will come and, day by day, we will find ourselves living a life of purpose, passion; facing every new day (and new year) reminded of the promise that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” -- Philippians 1:6
We can face every challenge in life knowing that, without God, life’s problems have no lasting solutions and we can be thankful that we know the Solution. This is not always easy and there will be times when your faith will cause you to lose much but, as much as it hurts initially, we have a great comfort in knowing that our fulfillment and worth is not found in friends, or family, or work, or wealth, or health, or any other thing. Our worth and greatest gain is found in God and nothing can ever take that away. After having our eyes opened to the Truth, we can never be the person who says they have “given up” on God because, firstly, He has never given up on us and, secondly, if we truly believe, with what could we ever replace the Truth? How amazing is it to believe in something that is worth dying for, yet having the opportunity to live it every day (Philippians 1:21).
So, as we begin this new year, may it not be a time of starting over, but a time of continuation.
May your faith grow ever stronger, may your purpose be surer, may your focus be sharper and evermore heavenward. And may you continue to move forward by God’s grace and His strength. Encourage those around you to do the same. Pray for them. And may you continue to live a life of purpose.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” -- Philippians 4:13
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” -- Philippians 1:6
For me, this past year has been a great reminder of this very verse; that I am (and will be) a constant work in progress until my last breath. As we progress in our faith, this truth should become more evident. If we look back on our lives and think of all the things God has seen us through, the trials we have faced, the periods of doubt and unbelief, the times we wrestled with our calling in this life, our sense of worth, even the days before our eyes were opened to the Truth, we can see how God has kept us and has orchestrated every event in our lives to see us to this point; to bear witness to the arrival of another year. And He has promised us that He will continue to see us through this life, to the very end.
How great is it to know and believe that God will see His plans for our lives (and the lives of others) through to completion. Through hard times, this promise is true. Through the good times, this promise is still true. And this promise will remain true even if we see death in this life. Either way, God has given us these promises:
“”I will nor fail (leave) you or forsake you.” -- Joshua 1:5b
“ Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -- Joshua 1:9
And also the one at the beginning of this post.
Just like Joshua, we can go forward into this year without fear, and with the assurance that God will continue to refine us and shape us into the people He wants us to be.
But does it simply end there? Not at all.
“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete be being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” -- Philippians 2:1-2
If our eyes have been truly opened to the Truth, then our responsibility is to live in a way that makes our faith evident at all times. As believers in Christ, we know that our faith and purpose is not found in the temporary things in this life and we have been witnesses to the destructive nature of the pursuits of what this world deems as valuable.
We have seen how the pursuit of wealth has cause others to use, abuse, and cheat others, in order to make that extra dollar, convinced that they are not rich enough. We have seen many people exercise, nip, tuck, and starve themselves in the hope of attaining a twisted sense of beauty that this world esteems, convinced that unless they are this or that they are not beautiful enough. We have seen others, cram, cheat, and plagiarize their way to better marks or promotions, thinking that if they do not find themselves within a certain academic or positional bracket, they are not smart enough. We have witnessed others become social chameleons, or change their attitudes, appearances, and even their lifestyle in an attempt to seek someone else’s favour and, if they fail to do so, they believe they are not good enough. The examples are virtually endless but, with every single one, the results and rewards are fleeting and forgotten when this life is over. So, if all of the values of this world are only here in the moment, what’s the point? In this life, if you are only living for this life (the now), the only satisfaction you will have, the only comfort you may ever experience, and the only purpose you may ever find (if you ever do), is here in the now. And, tomorrow, when all you had yesterday leaves you dissatisfied, what will you do, and to whom will you turn to fill that void?
“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” -- Philippians 3:7-11
As Christians, whose eyes have been opened to the Truth, we have been called out of this hopeless pursuit of the world and into a fulfilling life of living for something more than just the present and One greater than ourselves. We can be what (and whom) we have been called to be (be it through the professions we find yourselves in, the schools we attend, etc.) not simply to attain any temporary reward but to be an example to others on how we are to truly live this life, and in honour of the One who created us. So, we strive (individually and communally) to be the best we can, not for money, not for an aesthetic, and not for the approval of others (or even ourselves), but to honour God in all that we do because He is the one who has given us the ability and opportunity to function in this way.
As I look back on my 26 years on this life-journey, there are times when the travels have not been easy. I have spent a lot of years struggling with the questions of why I was even here, what I was supposed to do with my life, and why I have had to experience so many difficult things in my short time. I’m sure many of you have also wrestled (or are struggling) with the same questions and, truthfully, these are some of the hardest questions to answer because the very answers are foundational to everything and every circumstance we face in this life. But, if we truly believe the Truth and spend regular time in the Word, applying the many lessons found within it, and praying for guidance to move in the right direction, strength to make it through the each the day, faith to trust God in all things, and courage to even stand alone, the answers will come and, day by day, we will find ourselves living a life of purpose, passion; facing every new day (and new year) reminded of the promise that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” -- Philippians 1:6
We can face every challenge in life knowing that, without God, life’s problems have no lasting solutions and we can be thankful that we know the Solution. This is not always easy and there will be times when your faith will cause you to lose much but, as much as it hurts initially, we have a great comfort in knowing that our fulfillment and worth is not found in friends, or family, or work, or wealth, or health, or any other thing. Our worth and greatest gain is found in God and nothing can ever take that away. After having our eyes opened to the Truth, we can never be the person who says they have “given up” on God because, firstly, He has never given up on us and, secondly, if we truly believe, with what could we ever replace the Truth? How amazing is it to believe in something that is worth dying for, yet having the opportunity to live it every day (Philippians 1:21).
So, as we begin this new year, may it not be a time of starting over, but a time of continuation.
May your faith grow ever stronger, may your purpose be surer, may your focus be sharper and evermore heavenward. And may you continue to move forward by God’s grace and His strength. Encourage those around you to do the same. Pray for them. And may you continue to live a life of purpose.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” -- Philippians 4:13
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Plan For 2009:
Well, 2008 has almost drawn to a close and, I must say, what a year it has been. I'm not going to take the time to review all that has transpired over the last year but I will say that I have learned a lot and still have much to learn.
I'm going to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone who has taken the time to read my rather infrequent posts and I hope you enjoyed the journey, thus far.
So, what does 2009 have in store for this blog? Well, for starters, a new name. I think it's time we dispense with "A Final Return" and potentially, look for an entirely new same. Secondly, more consistent posts. Instead of going through literary dry spells and then bombarding the site with a torrent of posts, my goal will be to write once a week and be far more regular than I have been in the past. I pray that I will be able to keep up a standard of insightful, controversial, and occasionally humorous content for all of you to read.
I hope these two goals will be met in the coming year and I will be able to continue to share with you my thoughts, experiences and, most importantly, what I have been learning along this most incredible life-journey. May you all have a blessed end to 2008 and I wish you all many blessings for 2009. As always...
Stay tuned.
Louis D.
I'm going to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone who has taken the time to read my rather infrequent posts and I hope you enjoyed the journey, thus far.
So, what does 2009 have in store for this blog? Well, for starters, a new name. I think it's time we dispense with "A Final Return" and potentially, look for an entirely new same. Secondly, more consistent posts. Instead of going through literary dry spells and then bombarding the site with a torrent of posts, my goal will be to write once a week and be far more regular than I have been in the past. I pray that I will be able to keep up a standard of insightful, controversial, and occasionally humorous content for all of you to read.
I hope these two goals will be met in the coming year and I will be able to continue to share with you my thoughts, experiences and, most importantly, what I have been learning along this most incredible life-journey. May you all have a blessed end to 2008 and I wish you all many blessings for 2009. As always...
Stay tuned.
Louis D.
Friday, December 26, 2008
1:46am - Can’t sleep
When you have no other option but to wait, pray… and wait.
And when the period of waiting is over and you are given the charge to move, move… like your life depends on it because, sometimes, it does.
A wise man once told me. “It s faith that determines what we do.” I’ve done something out of faith and, now, no matter which way things go from here, when the road to take is shown… I have no choice but to move like my life depends on it.
Until then, I’ll continue to pray… and wait.
And when the period of waiting is over and you are given the charge to move, move… like your life depends on it because, sometimes, it does.
A wise man once told me. “It s faith that determines what we do.” I’ve done something out of faith and, now, no matter which way things go from here, when the road to take is shown… I have no choice but to move like my life depends on it.
Until then, I’ll continue to pray… and wait.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Baby Steps
I had the opportunity to meet a friend for lunch today and, as always, it was such a refreshing time. As we ate, she asked me if I was planning on making any New Year’s resolutions and I told her that I don’t make any. As we discussed the reason why, she mentioned something that really struck a chord with me. She said that she has learned to really appreciate and enjoy the idea of baby steps and, lately, I had not thought about that.
It seems that I have been guilty of waiting for the dramatic change so much that I have failed to notice the subtle-but no-less-important changes that occur far more regularly. This idea also reminded me of a silly, but quite thoughtful song we used to sing in Sunday School as kids:
There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don’t judge her yet, there’s an unfinished part.
But I’ll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master’s loving hands
In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He’s the Potter, I’m the clay
He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He’s still working on me.
So, I guess there is one resolution that I can make and, thankfully, it’s before New Year’s. Be sure to take the time and learn to appreciate the baby steps in your life ad in the lives of others because the refining process of life is truly a life-long event.
It seems that I have been guilty of waiting for the dramatic change so much that I have failed to notice the subtle-but no-less-important changes that occur far more regularly. This idea also reminded me of a silly, but quite thoughtful song we used to sing in Sunday School as kids:
There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don’t judge her yet, there’s an unfinished part.
But I’ll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master’s loving hands
In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He’s the Potter, I’m the clay
He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He’s still working on me.
So, I guess there is one resolution that I can make and, thankfully, it’s before New Year’s. Be sure to take the time and learn to appreciate the baby steps in your life ad in the lives of others because the refining process of life is truly a life-long event.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Three More Thoughts
So, here I am on the eve of Christmas Eve, sitting in my room, and contemplating a number of things. As much as I tried, I couldn’t seem to string all of these thoughts into one long post so, in my usual fashion, here are my thoughts in no particular order:
Love
Oooh, the big one. Well, not quite. It seems, like Valentine’s Day, this time of year is a time when many honour the ones we love with gifts and cards that should hopefully manifest a warm, fuzzy feeling inside (aside from the decade-old, rancid fruit cake of which they may have dared to savour a piece), and perhaps make up for all the missteps we may have made throughout the year but my thoughts seem to be focused on something a little deeper.
Lately, I’ve been contemplating the privilege of being able to experience such an emotion. Think about it for a second; why do we get to experience loving and being loved? Have we really earned any true right to do so? Personally, I believe love is an emotion that, without God, we would never be able to experience.
As individuals, left to our own devices, love would be made evidenced by how much we love ourselves; using, stepping over, abusing others for the sake of our own wants, and never having the opportunity to experience what it is like to truly love someone else because there is probably nothing sweeter to hear than this simple phrase: “I love you.”
Christmas is, in a sense, a celebration of love. God loved us so much that He sent His Son to save us from our sins, and to save us from ourselves. We didn’t owe Him anything, and we certainly didn’t deserve this. But He did it anyway. Why? Because He loved us. By sending His Son, God essentially was saying to us all, “I love you.” That’s powerful stuff, indeed.
A New Year & The Resolutions That Follow
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that time is fast approaching; when people around the world celebrate the coming of a new year by making a laundry list of promises they rarely intend to keep. So, my question is: why do they do it?
Does anyone have an answer for this one? I’m a little stumped by the whole phenomenon of New Year’s Resolutions.
Competition
I would definitely be lying if I said that I did not like competition and, yet, it is definitely something I struggle with. Yes, you read that right. I struggle with the idea of competition, with respects to when I should be competitive and when I should not try to “beat” my assumed opponent. It seems that, this year, my competitive nature got the best of me far too many times and, in some respects, it has cost me dearly.
When should I not compete with someone? When the score really doesn’t matter. On matters of faith, that is definitely one of them. I tend to easily fall into the trap of trying to be more “spiritual” than others without spending much time acknowledging my own shortcomings in this area. It’s definitely a matter of pride that must be adjusted and the more people keeping me accountable in this regard the better.
There is a fine line between pushing to encouragement, and pushing to pad one’s own spiritual ego. And, when one pushes too far, the frustrations can definitely arise. So, my thoughts have been leaning towards how I can be more patient and gracious with those around me when it comes to matters of faith, and be willing to gently encourage and be edified as well; a balancing act that this needs a lot of work on my part.
So, those a few things that have been on my mind, lately. There are a few more thoughts but I think I’ll leave it there for now. I hope you all have a blessed Christmas season and I wish you all the best for the New Year. Thank you for tuning into this post and I look forward to more writing, reading, and responding.
Love
Oooh, the big one. Well, not quite. It seems, like Valentine’s Day, this time of year is a time when many honour the ones we love with gifts and cards that should hopefully manifest a warm, fuzzy feeling inside (aside from the decade-old, rancid fruit cake of which they may have dared to savour a piece), and perhaps make up for all the missteps we may have made throughout the year but my thoughts seem to be focused on something a little deeper.
Lately, I’ve been contemplating the privilege of being able to experience such an emotion. Think about it for a second; why do we get to experience loving and being loved? Have we really earned any true right to do so? Personally, I believe love is an emotion that, without God, we would never be able to experience.
As individuals, left to our own devices, love would be made evidenced by how much we love ourselves; using, stepping over, abusing others for the sake of our own wants, and never having the opportunity to experience what it is like to truly love someone else because there is probably nothing sweeter to hear than this simple phrase: “I love you.”
Christmas is, in a sense, a celebration of love. God loved us so much that He sent His Son to save us from our sins, and to save us from ourselves. We didn’t owe Him anything, and we certainly didn’t deserve this. But He did it anyway. Why? Because He loved us. By sending His Son, God essentially was saying to us all, “I love you.” That’s powerful stuff, indeed.
A New Year & The Resolutions That Follow
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that time is fast approaching; when people around the world celebrate the coming of a new year by making a laundry list of promises they rarely intend to keep. So, my question is: why do they do it?
Does anyone have an answer for this one? I’m a little stumped by the whole phenomenon of New Year’s Resolutions.
Competition
I would definitely be lying if I said that I did not like competition and, yet, it is definitely something I struggle with. Yes, you read that right. I struggle with the idea of competition, with respects to when I should be competitive and when I should not try to “beat” my assumed opponent. It seems that, this year, my competitive nature got the best of me far too many times and, in some respects, it has cost me dearly.
When should I not compete with someone? When the score really doesn’t matter. On matters of faith, that is definitely one of them. I tend to easily fall into the trap of trying to be more “spiritual” than others without spending much time acknowledging my own shortcomings in this area. It’s definitely a matter of pride that must be adjusted and the more people keeping me accountable in this regard the better.
There is a fine line between pushing to encouragement, and pushing to pad one’s own spiritual ego. And, when one pushes too far, the frustrations can definitely arise. So, my thoughts have been leaning towards how I can be more patient and gracious with those around me when it comes to matters of faith, and be willing to gently encourage and be edified as well; a balancing act that this needs a lot of work on my part.
So, those a few things that have been on my mind, lately. There are a few more thoughts but I think I’ll leave it there for now. I hope you all have a blessed Christmas season and I wish you all the best for the New Year. Thank you for tuning into this post and I look forward to more writing, reading, and responding.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Prayer is the key to Heaven...
So, what do you have left to do when you’ve said all that you could have possibly said and done all you could have possibly done? You pray.
Pray for patience because the world doesn’t run according to your watch.
Pray for trust because your faith may not always be as strong as it should be.
Pray for grace because we could all be more gracious.
Pray for wisdom to know where to go and what to say from here.
And when you’ve done all that, pray some more.
My uncle once said, “If you worry, pray. If you pray, don’t worry. Don’t worry, just pray.”
I guess that sums it up quite nicely.
Pray for patience because the world doesn’t run according to your watch.
Pray for trust because your faith may not always be as strong as it should be.
Pray for grace because we could all be more gracious.
Pray for wisdom to know where to go and what to say from here.
And when you’ve done all that, pray some more.
My uncle once said, “If you worry, pray. If you pray, don’t worry. Don’t worry, just pray.”
I guess that sums it up quite nicely.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Blog Revisited & Amended: On Timing
I was on the bus this afternoon, coming home after a hard workout at the gym, and noticed that the lady sitting across from me was getting increasingly agitated. As the bus continued along its designated course, I could tell that she was in a hurry to get somewhere. She kept looking at her watch, then out the window, then at the bus driver (who was oblivious to this situation), while repeatedly mouthing the words, “Hurry up.” As I watched this lady move closer to the edge, I thought that she could use a little more patience. But, then it hit me, while she was making her concern for the time very evident to those around her, I’ve managed to bottle mine up and save it just for me. All this brought me back to a thought that I posted a while ago and I think it may be worth revisiting:
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.” -- James 5:7-8
It seems that, lately, I have been spending a lot of time waiting for things to happen. I have been waiting to finish school, waiting to pursue a career, waiting to reestablish trust, waiting for society to change, waiting for God to open the eyes of those around me. And though there has been a lot required of me in order to work toward some of these goals, I have also had to combine such seemingly diligent action with the act of waiting.
We are truly an impatient bunch, wanting everything now; success now, peace of mind now, purpose now, deliverance from difficulty now, the perfect body now, the list goes on. Sometimes we want to receive these things with such immediacy that we say we even say that we want them yesterday and, as patient as I may come across to some people, I am so very guilty of this.
But our impatience is not always made evident by our want for things; it can also be shown just as clearly by our desire not to receive certain things. We tend to be too busy to find ourselves on the receiving end of a convicting truth; one that cuts to the heart and knocks us down a few rungs on our perceived ladder, deflating our egos, and making us appear (if only for a moment) no more superior than anyone else. How many times have you heard someone say that they “don’t have time for this” when receiving a point of criticism? How many times have you said it yourself? I know I have. In contrast, and in our pride, we tend to be far more eager to deliver a truth that would convict someone else and raise us up a little higher in the eyes of others than to be on the receiving end. We tend not to have time to receive disciplinary action, a rebuking word, a little constructive criticism (that may appear to be quite destructive in our own eyes) even if that point is meant to prepare us to receive something greater.
“The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment; the growth of a saint is the work of a lifetime.” – Anonymous
As Christians, we have received a most incredible gift; the gift of salvation from God; a gift that we don’t deserve and, if left to ourselves, would not have had any time for. Speaking from my own personal experience, in this case, there was much that needed to be acknowledged and changed in my own life in order for me to truly recognize how great a gift salvation is and, as I continue on this life-journey, this life-changing process will progress as I continue to grow in Knowledge and my faith continues to root itself deeper in the Truth. There are certain things that I want ‘yesterday’ but I have to remember, as I live and grow, that God works in His own time; not mine.
When I took piano lessons, I used to make a habit of playing through pieces I didn’t like as fast as I could; ignoring time signatures, truncating rests, and remaining oblivious to fermatas. Mrs. Fainbloom, my beloved teacher, noticed what I was doing and introduced me to the metronome. This device would be set to provide the proper pace of the piece, by giving a positively annoying and affirmative tick for every beat. At first, I found this device to be most irritating as it forced me to play these disliked pieces at a seemingly painfully slow pace. But, as I began to submit myself to the guidance of the metronome, slow down, and pay attention to what I was playing, I would usually discover a beauty in the songs I once disliked.
Life is not very different. We can aimlessly rush through it, hastily going about our business and growing ever more impatient when we must wait for someone, something, or have to pause to hear something that may slow us down as we seek to get to wherever we’re going. But if we take the time to submit to the instruction and timing of the One whose timing is perfect, we can discover a beauty and purpose to life that could far exceed the wonders found in society’s perceived ‘rat race’ that we may sometimes find ourselves in.
Wait on the Lord; patiently, humbly, and with great anticipation for His timing is perfect. And until He delivers (in His own time, but on time), we must examine ourselves, seek His instruction and pray that, when the time comes, we will be ready to receive, ready to give, ready to act, and even ready to wait a while longer.
“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” -- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Today’s lesson was as simple as watching a lady’s behaviour on the bus. An observation that could have been easily overlooked, if I wasn’t paying attention. It’s amazing how simplest of things can be so rich in lessons for the soul and for life. I’m not in control of everything and there are times when prayerfully waiting on the Lord is the best thing for me to do. I hope today’s lesson is as beneficial to you as it was for me. God is good.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” -- Ephesians 4:2
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.” -- James 5:7-8
It seems that, lately, I have been spending a lot of time waiting for things to happen. I have been waiting to finish school, waiting to pursue a career, waiting to reestablish trust, waiting for society to change, waiting for God to open the eyes of those around me. And though there has been a lot required of me in order to work toward some of these goals, I have also had to combine such seemingly diligent action with the act of waiting.
We are truly an impatient bunch, wanting everything now; success now, peace of mind now, purpose now, deliverance from difficulty now, the perfect body now, the list goes on. Sometimes we want to receive these things with such immediacy that we say we even say that we want them yesterday and, as patient as I may come across to some people, I am so very guilty of this.
But our impatience is not always made evident by our want for things; it can also be shown just as clearly by our desire not to receive certain things. We tend to be too busy to find ourselves on the receiving end of a convicting truth; one that cuts to the heart and knocks us down a few rungs on our perceived ladder, deflating our egos, and making us appear (if only for a moment) no more superior than anyone else. How many times have you heard someone say that they “don’t have time for this” when receiving a point of criticism? How many times have you said it yourself? I know I have. In contrast, and in our pride, we tend to be far more eager to deliver a truth that would convict someone else and raise us up a little higher in the eyes of others than to be on the receiving end. We tend not to have time to receive disciplinary action, a rebuking word, a little constructive criticism (that may appear to be quite destructive in our own eyes) even if that point is meant to prepare us to receive something greater.
“The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment; the growth of a saint is the work of a lifetime.” – Anonymous
As Christians, we have received a most incredible gift; the gift of salvation from God; a gift that we don’t deserve and, if left to ourselves, would not have had any time for. Speaking from my own personal experience, in this case, there was much that needed to be acknowledged and changed in my own life in order for me to truly recognize how great a gift salvation is and, as I continue on this life-journey, this life-changing process will progress as I continue to grow in Knowledge and my faith continues to root itself deeper in the Truth. There are certain things that I want ‘yesterday’ but I have to remember, as I live and grow, that God works in His own time; not mine.
When I took piano lessons, I used to make a habit of playing through pieces I didn’t like as fast as I could; ignoring time signatures, truncating rests, and remaining oblivious to fermatas. Mrs. Fainbloom, my beloved teacher, noticed what I was doing and introduced me to the metronome. This device would be set to provide the proper pace of the piece, by giving a positively annoying and affirmative tick for every beat. At first, I found this device to be most irritating as it forced me to play these disliked pieces at a seemingly painfully slow pace. But, as I began to submit myself to the guidance of the metronome, slow down, and pay attention to what I was playing, I would usually discover a beauty in the songs I once disliked.
Life is not very different. We can aimlessly rush through it, hastily going about our business and growing ever more impatient when we must wait for someone, something, or have to pause to hear something that may slow us down as we seek to get to wherever we’re going. But if we take the time to submit to the instruction and timing of the One whose timing is perfect, we can discover a beauty and purpose to life that could far exceed the wonders found in society’s perceived ‘rat race’ that we may sometimes find ourselves in.
Wait on the Lord; patiently, humbly, and with great anticipation for His timing is perfect. And until He delivers (in His own time, but on time), we must examine ourselves, seek His instruction and pray that, when the time comes, we will be ready to receive, ready to give, ready to act, and even ready to wait a while longer.
“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” -- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Today’s lesson was as simple as watching a lady’s behaviour on the bus. An observation that could have been easily overlooked, if I wasn’t paying attention. It’s amazing how simplest of things can be so rich in lessons for the soul and for life. I’m not in control of everything and there are times when prayerfully waiting on the Lord is the best thing for me to do. I hope today’s lesson is as beneficial to you as it was for me. God is good.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” -- Ephesians 4:2
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
i’m beginning to wonder…
can two lives truly be one?
i mean,
can i sit here across from you
and
truly see
that two hearts
can
beat for one
purpose?
two minds
can contemplate
a
shared goal?
two pairs of eyes,
though locked in a shared stare
can really
be
focussed heavenward;
aware of the
present
but looking
with hope
towards the future?
can two lives share
a common plan,
a common struggle
a common cause?
can two people stand
unwaveringly by the other’s side
and cling
desperately to a common
faith?
that’s what i’ve been wondering.
can i be man enough
to be selfless?
honest enough
to be true to you (and myself)?
wise enough
to be humble?
strong enough
to lead?
faithful enough
to follow?
bold enough
to hold fast to the Truth?
can i be all these things to you
and for you
trusting
He will
continue to refine me
to the point
where i can be all this
and more?
i’m left here wondering these things
and writing poetry
becasue i don’t usually write poetry unless
i’m angry or in love
and,
right now,
i feel like i’m tripping over something
and
starting to fall
but,
this time,
i’m not afraid to
hit
the ground
i’m beginning to wonder if these emotions
have always been
or continue to be
superfcial
or,
if they are truly from
the heart?
in this case, only time (and prayer)
will tell
but i want to know for sure
because i know that i
can’t love
on
my own.
right now,
i’m beginning to wonder
if i’m wondering
too much
and
should just stop writing.
i mean,
can i sit here across from you
and
truly see
that two hearts
can
beat for one
purpose?
two minds
can contemplate
a
shared goal?
two pairs of eyes,
though locked in a shared stare
can really
be
focussed heavenward;
aware of the
present
but looking
with hope
towards the future?
can two lives share
a common plan,
a common struggle
a common cause?
can two people stand
unwaveringly by the other’s side
and cling
desperately to a common
faith?
that’s what i’ve been wondering.
can i be man enough
to be selfless?
honest enough
to be true to you (and myself)?
wise enough
to be humble?
strong enough
to lead?
faithful enough
to follow?
bold enough
to hold fast to the Truth?
can i be all these things to you
and for you
trusting
He will
continue to refine me
to the point
where i can be all this
and more?
i’m left here wondering these things
and writing poetry
becasue i don’t usually write poetry unless
i’m angry or in love
and,
right now,
i feel like i’m tripping over something
and
starting to fall
but,
this time,
i’m not afraid to
hit
the ground
i’m beginning to wonder if these emotions
have always been
or continue to be
superfcial
or,
if they are truly from
the heart?
in this case, only time (and prayer)
will tell
but i want to know for sure
because i know that i
can’t love
on
my own.
right now,
i’m beginning to wonder
if i’m wondering
too much
and
should just stop writing.
An Oasis In The Desert.
This has been another interesting year for me and there are so many things I am incredibly thankful for. Lately, the thing I have been most thankful for is the opportunity to spend time with people of like faith. There’s really nothing like riding the same spiritual wavelength with someone and, amidst the spiritual desert we find ourselves throughout most of the weekly grind, I hope we can all find great comfort, encouragement, and rejuvenation at this oasis; when we get to spend time with a brother and/or sister in the faith.
There’s no big thought today, just a word of thanks to all those who have been so supportive through this busy time and the dedicated prayer, encouragement, and wisdom. God is definitely good all the time.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Blog Revisited: Surrendering to a Greater Love
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD.” -- Jonah 2:8-9
There may be a time in a believer’s life when they will arrive at a crossroad and be forced to make a choice; to continue down a path of righteousness, or pursue their own selfish desires. If they choose the former, it may require them to say goodbye to something or someone whom they most cherish. But if they are to choose the latter, it will require them to forsake all that God has done for them and deny the very core/foundation of their convictions. Such a choice is perhaps one of the great tests of the faith because it requires the believer to place every ounce of trust and faith in a God who is sovereign, and in His providence has brought the believer to this point not only to strengthen his/her faith but to prove, once again, that He cares for His children.
Job is a great example of such a man who placed total trust in God’s providence and faithfulness in the midst of troubling times. Through it all, Job clung to the promises of God and, in the end, was rewarded for his faith.
Now we look at our lives, with the many trials we face, the many crossroads we come across throughout this life journey. Some decisions are seemingly difficult to the point where we may say the choice we are called to make is ‘unfair’. It is at this point we must remember the words of Paul to the Romans: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) By choosing to remain on the path of righteousness, we surrender to a greater love; a love that far exceeds even our deepest loves for the things of this earth, and even the love for the ones we most cherish in this life. We surrender to this greater love, in faith that our Heavenly Father will continue to provide for our every need and give us comfort amidst the impending heartache and sense of loss. For, truly, we have not lost anything but have gained all the more.
So, as we continue on this most incredible life-journey, we must be ready to face the crossroads of life, and trust that God will give us the courage and the strength to err on the side of faith,grace, righteousness, and the promises of God every time. The decision may not always seem easy, at first, but the rewards will always greatly outweigh the costs.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow -- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below -- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -- Romans 8:38-39
May God grant you the grace, strength, and courage to continue down the path of righteousness and overcome every obstacle you face along the way.
There may be a time in a believer’s life when they will arrive at a crossroad and be forced to make a choice; to continue down a path of righteousness, or pursue their own selfish desires. If they choose the former, it may require them to say goodbye to something or someone whom they most cherish. But if they are to choose the latter, it will require them to forsake all that God has done for them and deny the very core/foundation of their convictions. Such a choice is perhaps one of the great tests of the faith because it requires the believer to place every ounce of trust and faith in a God who is sovereign, and in His providence has brought the believer to this point not only to strengthen his/her faith but to prove, once again, that He cares for His children.
Job is a great example of such a man who placed total trust in God’s providence and faithfulness in the midst of troubling times. Through it all, Job clung to the promises of God and, in the end, was rewarded for his faith.
Now we look at our lives, with the many trials we face, the many crossroads we come across throughout this life journey. Some decisions are seemingly difficult to the point where we may say the choice we are called to make is ‘unfair’. It is at this point we must remember the words of Paul to the Romans: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28) By choosing to remain on the path of righteousness, we surrender to a greater love; a love that far exceeds even our deepest loves for the things of this earth, and even the love for the ones we most cherish in this life. We surrender to this greater love, in faith that our Heavenly Father will continue to provide for our every need and give us comfort amidst the impending heartache and sense of loss. For, truly, we have not lost anything but have gained all the more.
So, as we continue on this most incredible life-journey, we must be ready to face the crossroads of life, and trust that God will give us the courage and the strength to err on the side of faith,grace, righteousness, and the promises of God every time. The decision may not always seem easy, at first, but the rewards will always greatly outweigh the costs.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow -- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below -- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -- Romans 8:38-39
May God grant you the grace, strength, and courage to continue down the path of righteousness and overcome every obstacle you face along the way.
Closing statemets...
If I were to die today I would want you to know that I was sure of who I was,
to whom I belonged to,
why I was here
and, when my time here was through,
where I was going.
I would want you to know that despite all I have been through and the many reasons why I should not have been alive this long, I knew that every moment I spent on this earth was numbered but, also, that every second counted.
I would want you do know that,
because of this,
I did not fear death because I believed in the One who overcame it.
I would want you to know that I challenged you to consider these things because I truly cared about you...even loved you.
And if I were to die today and you never had a chance to say goodbye
know that I’ve said all I could ever say.
The rest, is up to Him
and you.
Know were you stand.
to whom I belonged to,
why I was here
and, when my time here was through,
where I was going.
I would want you to know that despite all I have been through and the many reasons why I should not have been alive this long, I knew that every moment I spent on this earth was numbered but, also, that every second counted.
I would want you do know that,
because of this,
I did not fear death because I believed in the One who overcame it.
I would want you to know that I challenged you to consider these things because I truly cared about you...even loved you.
And if I were to die today and you never had a chance to say goodbye
know that I’ve said all I could ever say.
The rest, is up to Him
and you.
Know were you stand.
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