Christianity in the Trenches

Does the world only see my public Christianity? Do they only see a woman who looks like she has it all together, greeting and chatting like all is well with the world complete a Sunday smile pasted her my face? Do they only see the crisply pressed, buttoned up Bible toting image I portray on Sunday mornings?

What about the Christianity that goes into the trenches with me? The person I am when I'm on the floor pleading with Jesus for strength to put the cookie back in the jar, when I need to turn the television channel but am having a difficult time looking away. What about my Christianity in arguments and disagreements, disappointment and sorrow? Does the world ever see this side of my faith?

It is nothing to be ashamed of. It is the nuts and bolts of why Jesus came. When I hide the guts of Christianity I am hiding the most powerful testimony of all. I have joy because Christ navigates me and helps me out of the rough places. This is praise worthy and should be very public.

If I hide my struggles and the help that comes I'm not reflecting Jesus at all. I'm giving a false impression of who Christ is and why he had to go to the cross.

Let me open the book cover of my life and allow the world to see chapter after chapter the struggles of my humanity and how Christ has come along side and comforted, and admonished, and helped and pruned, and cleansed, and strengthened.

This is the light that shines brightest. This is the light that illuminates the way for the next weary traveler who doesn't feel they can go another step. Encouragement does not come from someone who has never fallen. True encouragement comes from the one who has fallen and has found Jesus at the bottom of the pit. Brokenness and the experience of Jesus' forgiveness is the ladder that enables me the freedom to climb out of the trench. This should not be kept a secret.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I've known you the most and the best when I've been in the trenches. This is when your sweet hand of strength and forgiveness greets me and lifts me up. May I never shy away from sharing the most powerful part of my faith.

This little light of mine, I'm going let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine, let it shine, let shine, let it shine!

Let it shine til Jesus comes, I'm going to let it shine!

"If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." II Corinthians 11:30

"…My power is made perfect in weakness" 2 Corinthians 12:9

"…a broken spirit and a contrite heart, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17

Do I have to be pre-qualified for this job?

In my quiet time this morning I read from a reading plan that started on January 1 and will take me through the Bible this year if I stick to it. (It is my intention to do so, but I also know that from past experience that when February rolls around I may be finding it hard to sick to my guns when it comes to the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy). As most plans do, it started in Genesis. Today I read the story of Noah and was particularly inspired by what I observed about him.

"Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." Gen 6:9

Noah was one man among many who walked on the earth at this time in history, yet we see that he was the only one who is recognized as being righteous. The Bible implies that he had an intimate relationship with the Father for it says that he walked with God. I can imagine that this walking also included some talking and praying.

We learn in this passage that God also confided in Noah, for God told Noah that he was going to destroy the earth and all the people in it for "the earth is filled with violence."

Then God gave specific instructions to Noah to build an ark to save his family and a remnant of God's creation from destruction.

Obviously, a trusting relationship existed between them for how else would Noah possibly believe and say yes to such preposterous plans? We don't know that he was a ship builder. We don't know that he was a veterinarian, or a rancher, or even a lover of animals, and here he is saying, "Okay Lord, I will do this thing that no one has ever done before to save my life and my family and all these critters from something that has never happened before."

Building the ark had to be a monumental task and what about collecting all those animals? That must have been harder still. Yet "Noah did everything just as God commanded him." Gen. 6:22

Before this assignment was given to him, Noah was just as obscure in the world as I am. The only thing that singled him out was that he knew the Father intimately. He did not have to be prequalified as a zoologist or a sea captain, or shipbuilder. The only attribute that we see that qualified him for this job was that he walked with God.

What assignment has God given you that you feel unqualified to do? If God is the same today, yesterday and forever, what he required from Noah is the same thing that he requires from you, which is to walk with Him, the other qualifications will follow.

Dear Jesus,

Continue to make this true in my life. I will walk with you daily and you will qualify me for the rest.

Resting in Faith

I'm sitting in my chair, my favorite place in the house, watching the rain pour down outside. It's the end of a beautiful Fall season and Chirstmas is quicky approaching. Anticipation is knocking on the door.

I've just finished reading John 18 where he records the story of Jesus' last hours on this earth. A big change was in store and a new season was about to begin. Proceeding this chapter Jesus almost seems in a rush to give his disciples final instruction and warning on what was about to happen.

He gives them so much information that I'm sure the disciples felt overwhelmed and maybe a little dismayed about what he was telling them.

Things have not changed much for the human condition. We always want to know what to expect, to have control and to understand the situation before it happens, but many times what Jesus said didn't make sense to the disciples until after the fact. Same with us, we don't really see His plan until after it unfolds sometimes.

This is where faith and trust become part of our lives. Faith fills the gap between believing and knowing, and trust is the bridge that gets us from one side to the other.

I don't always know where God is taking me next and I live in the gap between where I've been and where I'm going. Faith is the hammock where I rest.

Dear Lord,

The seasons of earth come and go at your command, so do the seasons of my life. Thank you for giving me faith to fill the gap between what I can see and know today and what I hope and believe for tomorrow.

Makeover Needed, Inside & Out

Honestly, sometimes I think I need Stacy and Clinton to help me pick out clothes. I say this to myself every time I stand in a dressing room trying on clothes. Maybe I need to nominate myself to appear on their show What Not to Wear. I can’t put together an outfit any better than a five year old. It’s quite obvious I need their help, but looking in their 360° mirror would be torturous! I can visualize it already, short and squatty legs that haven’t seen pants that fit in the rear as well as the waist – at the same time, in oh, so long.

Shoulder length hair that hasn’t been a salon in months, and lately I’ve noticed it’s starting to take on a dull brown/gray color. What would the hair stylist on the show think about it? He would probably want to cut it, color it, and highlight it. Basically, change its look entirely.

And, I would love for the make-up artist to teach me how to properly apply make-up to my middle-aged skin. I can’t get away with just blush and mascara anymore. How does one cover up these dark circles under the eyes? It would be nice to add a little life to this pale, dry skin while we’re at it. I’m not sure if it’s my imagination, but it seems that my chin is disappearing into my neck. I don’t think she has a trick for that.

If I turn around to see the view from the rear, then it’s very apparent that since I’m doing all this self-improving, maybe I should consider auditioning for the The Biggest Loser too! I could stand to lose a few pounds. Who am I kidding? I could lose a lot of extra pounds especially around the middle. That middle aged spread just doesn’t know where to stop. When was it that I moved from the Misses department to the Women’s sizes, anyway? I don’t know, but this dose of reality T.V. makeovers may be more than I can bear!

“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (1 Peter3:3-4 NLT)

All too often I let my perception of my outward appearance control who I think I am or who I will continue to become. But God’s gentle words from I Peter, remind me that it’s what’s on the inside that matters the most to him. While that is no excuse to give up on my outward appearance, I do want my husband to look forward to coming home to me every day, it does remind me that beauty is only partially dependent on my outward appearance. Spending time cultivating a gentle and quiet spirit creates a beauty on the inside that can’t help but overflow and adorn the countenance of a woman who loves God.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to remember that true beauty comes from within. This body is only temporary, and while I need to take care of it, its appearance does not dictate who I am. Your Word is what transforms me to be beautiful in your eyes. May I be infused with the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in your sight.

Not for wimps and curiosity seekers

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.


Jesus said this when He and His disciples where in Bethany six days prior to the Passover Feast. They were having dinner at Lazarus' house, whom Jesus had just raised from the dead, and getting ready to enter Jerusalem the following day.

Now, a great crowd was following Christ because they had heard about Lazarus being raise from the dead and the Pharisees where fit to be tied because of all the attention that Jesus had attracted.


Some Greek men talked to Phillip and Andrew about meeting with Jesus. His reply was an explanation as to why He had to die. He also said "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me"


At first this seems like an odd response to a request for a meeting, but after further observation Jesus' indirect answer is a message to them. Getting to know Him isn't for curiosity seekers and wimps. If you want to get to know me it's through serving me and following me

He goes on to say that He is "the light" and says the the light will only be with them a little while longer. "Put your trust in the light, so that you may become sons of light."


He is inviting them into relationship with Him. We don't know what the Greek men did, if they believed or not, but Jesus, true to His character, never misrepresents the cost of following Him. He also promises that His Father will honor those who serve Him.


Sometimes it's just downright uncomfortable to serve Christ. Following Him sometimes means that our own interests are not being catered to. It means that we will serve in areas that are unattractive, scary, and beyond our natural abilities. Jesus often went into areas that were unattractive and scary by society's standards.


We should not expect our lives, as believers to be any less difficult. We must follow where our Savior leads, for where he is His servants will also be.


This statement is folowed by a promise; maybe not in this life, but Jesus promised that God, His Father will honor those who serve Him.



Prayer: Dear hevenly Father,
Serving where you lead is not always easy, but you are my Savior and where you are I want to follow. Service here on earth may be done in dark places, shadowed by the pomp and circumstance of this world, but obedience in following where you lead shines like the noon day sun in the presence of God our Father.

Tis the Season....

I've been spending a lot of time outside in my flowerbeds and when I came across this scripture this morning I thought it very appropriate.

Preach the Word: be prepared in season and out of season: correct, rebuke, and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

In his letter to Timothy, Paul is giving him good and sound advice for his ministry. Reminding him to stay prepared. Never let time go by without seeking to renew and reaffirm his faith in Jesus Christ.

Knowing the truth is not enough, for even the truth gets stale if its not used and handled and mulled over constantly.

Paul was saying there will be seasons when you won't be as busy as other seasons, but don't relax your faith and get loose with your commitment.

Be ready at all times. You never know when God will bring an opportunity where he wants you to encourage someone, or offer a correct understanding or observation that has been filtered through fresh knowledge of the truth of God's Word.

How will you know when to rebuke if your spirit is not in tune with the Holy Spirit in order to offer it with great patience and careful instruction?

Spiritually speaking can you identify what season you are in right now? In season? Out of season? Winter, spring, summer, or fall?

I believe that I am experiencing an "out of season" summer.

The fruit I had been working toward producing all fall, winter, and spring, (along with some other really amazing people) has been harvested and all that is left is the dead dried remnants of our work. But, what looks like a dead season is actually a season of preparation for the one to come.

In my own flowerbeds it time to go about cleaning all the dead and dried foliage from the tulips and daffodils that bloomed earlier in the spring. Although they've bloomed months ago the foliage must be left until it is totally dried out and spent because the photosynthesis that takes place in its leave prepares the bulb to bloom next year. If I cut it back too soon, before they have completed their job there may be no flowers to enjoy next spring. It has to go through a fruitless season in order to bear its splendor next year.

What feels like an "out of season" time for me is what Paul is referring to the most I believe. Stay prepared by allowing the photosynthesis to happen compeletely, through the entire season. Exposure to the Son prepares the heart and soul for the season to come.


Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you that there are seasons where the work has been done and that there is nothing left to do but to bask in the sun and rain of your Word. Let every breath I breathe in of you flow into my soul and do your work to prepare me for the next season that will surely come.

What Are You Doing Here, Elijah?

Dear Friend,
Yesterday I posted the following devotion.
It is a roughly written piece to say the least. My intention was to give a little of Elijah's history so it would be clear to why he ended up where he did when God asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
I had it in mind to let it settle for a day and then go back to edit and fine tune what God had put on my heart, but when I opened the blog to edit this morning I found, to my surprise, that someone had already read the piece and commented on it.
So, as rough as it is, I'm going to leave it with the hope that God's word, which never returns void, will bless and encourage your heart.
Karen



And the Word of the Lord came to him and said: "What are you doing here, Elijah?
1 Kings 19:9

Elijah, the prophet, dropped into Israel's history "out of the clouds," some commentaries say. Even as a virtual unknown he somehow gained an audience with King Ahab and declared to him:

"As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the the next few years except at my word." 1 Kings 17:1

Elijah promptly high tailed it out of there and hid in the Kerith Ravine. He drank from a brook while God provided the ultimate take-out, delivered daily by ravens. When the brook dried up God sent him to a rustic bed and breakfast that was owned by a widow and her young son. While she only had enough flour and oil to prepare their last meal, God miraculously stretched the meager supplies for the remaining of the drought. When widow's son became seriously ill and died, Elijah's prayers brought him back to life.

After three years, God called Elijah to confront Ahab again. Elijah challenged Ahab to bring with him all the priests of Baal and they had a duel, so to speak. The gods of Baal vs. the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel.

When the priests of Baal failed to demonstrate their god had power, Elijah called fire down from heaven which consumed not only his sacrifice, but the alter, and the alter of Baal as well. All of the people who witnessed this demonstration fell on their faces and cried "The Lord - He is God!
Promptly, thereafter, Elijah went to Mount Carmel and prayed for rain and the rains came.

Ahab's wife Jezebel, enraged at Elijah, made an oath to see to his death.

Elijah fled.

After a forty day journey into the desert, we find Elijah camped out in a cave.

I love this pivotal point in Elijah's ministry.
It's not clear if he is seeking God or hiding from Jezebel. This is when God asks him that provocative question,

"What are you doing here, Elijah?

His response was "I've been zealous for you Lord" Now I feel very alone, I'm the only one left and there's a bounty on my head." (paraphrased)

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." God then demonstrated His power and control by causing a tornado type wind to rip through the valley; he caused an earthquake to shake the boulders loose from their settings, He brought a fire to consume everything Elijah could see, and then he whispered,

"What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Doesn't that just give you goose bumps? What a vivid picture! God, in essence was saying I am in control of what is happening Elijah. When I speak, what I want to happen happens, but moreover, Elijah, I love you with a gentle hand and I love my people.

I wonder what was going on in Elijah's head? Did he fear Jezebel's death threat? Was his solitude his attempt to get away from everything so he could clearly hear God? Was he trying to work it out in his head as to why his obedience resulted in fury from Jezebel rather than her compliance toward God? Maybe Elijah was saying in his heart, "Lord, I did what you said to do, but this not the results I was expecting."

God said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

The question made him face the battle in his heart and mind.

"What are you doing here, Elijah?" I still have things for you to do. There are seven thousand that have not bowed to Baal and I want you, Elijah, to lead them back to me.

This is such an awesome story and it causes me to ask myself this same question. What am I doing here in my present state of locality and self-reflection? Am I waiting, like Elijah was at the beginning of the story for God's direction, or am I hiding - afraid of where God will lead me next?
Whatever my reason for being here, God's response is the same "Don't get too comfortable, you'll be moving on."

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for allowing seasons of rest. Please help me keep my heart and mind open to hear you clearly when you tell me it's time to move on.
Amen