Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
“Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew”
Food for Thought, Day Four
Thursday, August 29th
Mark 6:30-32 (NRSV)
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.
I was at a church potluck event enjoying dinner and friendship. Picking up a fresh strawberry, I opted not to bother cutting it and instead popped the whole thing into my mouth. The berry was firmer than I expected, so I was soon reminded that the space between my upper and lower teeth is much smaller than the space in the middle of my mouth! I could NOT get that strawberry between my teeth. I had literally taken “more than I could chew.” I endured a few embarrassing and uncomfortable moments before the strawberry softened enough to eat.
“Don’t bite off more than you can chew” is a phrase that cautions us to keep from taking on more than we can handle. I think the problem for most of us is that we can’t accurately predict our breaking points. We don’t know at what point “enough” will exceed enough and become too much. In addition, many of us have such high expectations for ourselves, believing we can take on more responsibilities when we are already busy. And how many of us have even convinced ourselves with the faithful assurance that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)? We are people of determination, perseverance, willingness, and a desire to be helpful. There may even be a sense of pride in our busyness and full schedules. “What’s one more thing?” we ask ourselves. “I can do this!”
“The strawberry doesn’t look THAT big.”
Until that breaking-point moment comes. We are running at full speed, efficiently managing every waking moment, holding everything in order with our capable hands- and then comes that one unexpected interruption. Our tightly-scheduled system falls apart… and so do we. “I don’t have time for this!”
As far as I can tell through reading the Gospels, Jesus doesn’t seem to be impressed with busyness. Jesus came to give us an abundant life, not a busy life. Abundant living isn’t about having filled schedules but well-lived days. Days in which we are productive but not stressed or overburdened. Days in which we have time to be present to the holy moments, the movements of the Spirit, the blessings we have been given, the people around us, and the resting places offered for our souls.
In our Bible passage, Jesus invited the disciples to rest. They were excited about all that they had done and taught. You can almost sense their pride and enthusiasm as they told Jesus about their accomplishments. Jesus recognized his need and their need for rest, especially after hearing the sad news about John the Baptist’s death. He told his friends to come away and rest for a while. But if we read on, we learn that once again they were interrupted as people came seeking help and hope. Perhaps allowing even this short time away helped to restore and replenish them.
Rather than discovering our limits in times of stress and overload, we benefit by being mindful of our choices in the first place. Let’s revisit the potluck and my strawberry for some ideas to help us be mindful of our schedules.
We only have one plate to fill. We only have one life to live- how do we fill this one life with the best choices? What are the things we hope to experience by the end of the line?
There is a long table full of options still ahead. If we take everything that is initially presented to us, we may have no remaining space for a wonderful choice that is offered further down the line. When we say “yes” to something good, we may be saying “no” to something better.
Our initial “gut” reactions can guide our choices. Even at first glance, some items look very appealing to us and some definitely do not. When we are offered something to consider, trust that initial gut feeling to serve as a guide. (I have found myself telling someone that I will consider the opportunity, when my gut immediately said, “No way!” Why waste time for both of us?)
We are not obligated to try something just to please the person who made it or recommended it. Our plates can only hold so much. We cannot please everyone who offers us an opportunity or choice. We need to honor our limited plate space.
We can always circle back to reconsider possibilities. Some of the options before us are intriguing, but we aren’t quite certain we will enjoy them. We can fill our plates first with the definite choices and then revisit other options if we have the space. “First things first.”
Our secondary choices might be someone else’s first choice- leave it for that person. There will be options that we would be happy to add to our plate, but perhaps someone else would enjoy them even more.
Some of our choices will be better in a different season. Is this the best season for strawberries (or commitments), or should we wait until the timing is better? On the other hand, are there things on our plate that are now out of season? Can we discard those to make room for fresh choices? What are the choices that are fresh and appealing for our current season of life?
We should consider whether a choice is worth the effort. Will we still enjoy this choice if it involves more work than we anticipate? (I have passed up different foods simply because I didn’t want to bother getting a spoon or juggling an extra plate.)
We may be able to cut our portion size to ensure room for other things. Can we divide the berry (or the responsibility) into bite-sized portions? Do we need to eat the whole strawberry all at once, or can we eat it slowly over a longer period? Is there someone who will enjoy sharing the work- and the fruit?
If we are patient, we may find the best has been saved for the last. I was going through the potluck line with a vegetarian friend who was also passing by the hot dogs and hamburgers. As we kept moving down the line with empty plates, he told me that he has learned to be patient, because there is always plenty of the best and most delicious foods toward the end of the line. He was right.
If we are discerning with each option and opportunity that comes to us, we will fill our plates and our lives wisely and well. Isn’t it delightful to have plates and lives that are full but not overflowing, that are filled with our best choices, and that have a little extra space for that unexpected treat coming our way? Isn’t it joyful to have plenty of time to chat, to relax, to be present, and to savor every bite and every day abundantly?
See you tomorrow!
Photo by Євгенія Височина on Unsplash
Pass the Bread
Food for Thought, Day Three
Wednesday, August 28th
John 6:32-35 (NRSV)
Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
When we eat wholegrain breads we receive so many beneficial nutrients and fiber. Leah Dowling writes that eating multigrain bread provides good dietary fiber, and also lowers our risks of weight gain, heart disease, Type-2 diabetes, and some cancers. Dietary fiber prevents constipation and feeds the “good” gut bacteria. Wholegrain bread contains the entire grain, and so it supplies the B and E vitamins, along with minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus. It’s a source of carbohydrates, protein, unsaturated (good) fats, as well as three types of fiber: soluble, insoluble, and resistant starch.¹
On the other hand, eating white bread offers NO nutritional value, and may even lead to the health troubles that wholegrain breads work to prevent. But oh, that white bread! I mentioned earlier this week that I have trouble turning down the warm and buttery white rolls that often arrive at our table when dining out. I love their soft, smooth texture, their “easy to swallow” consistency, their buttery sweetness, and the swiftly satisfying fullness they bring. Wholegrain breads provide much more nutrition, but their fiber, grains and seeds make their texture less smooth, soft and consistent. They are somewhat denser and chewier and may take longer to eat.
Jesus tells us that he is our bread of life. He promises that in him we have everything we need. He is our source of spiritual nourishment, he sustains and strengthens us, and he offers us fullness of joy and abundant life. But do we look to Jesus, our bread of life, as more like white bread than wholegrain? I wonder if I do…
~I welcome the words of Jesus that are easily swallowed. I happily partake of his words, “Peace! Be still!” to the storms around me (Mark 4:39), or “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid” (Mark 6:30), or “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love” (John 15:9), or especially his words on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). But I could politely decline such words as, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile” (Matthew 5:41), or “You will be hated by all because of my name” (Matthew 10:22), or “I have come not to bring peace but a sword” (Mathew 10:34). These are much more difficult to swallow!
~I can be tempted to believe I obtain enough nourishment with a swift, comforting and self-satisfying “white bread” prayer, without bothering to linger and chew on the deeper mysteries and complexities of Jesus’ life and words. I find it easier to savor and swallow the pure and smooth consistency of his self-giving love and obedience to God, more than the irregular and unexpected roughage of his sometimes confusing or contradictory words and actions toward people.* I understand that each gospel writer had different intentions and the cultural ways of that time were different from ours, but it’s easy to put off researching a Bible passage, examining its context, content and culture, and seeking the bigger picture or deeper meaning.
We may wish to have ‘white bread’ Jesus (“He said it, I believe it, that settles it!”) instead of the nutritious, surprising, fulfilling, challenging, ‘wholegrain’ Jesus. (Come to think of it, how many paintings have you seen that portray Jesus as a white person?!) But Jesus comes to us as our ‘wholegrain’ bread of life. If we are to ingest and absorb all of the beneficial and good things he offers for our spiritual health, we must slow ourselves in the partaking. We need to meditate, reflect, chew on, and discover everything that comprises Jesus, the bread of life.
Like the whole grain, we need Jesus in his entirety. The easy and the difficult. The love and the correction. The longing and the fulfillment. The tenderness and the roughage. The sweetness and the fiber. The clarity and the mystery. The yeast and the seeds and the grains. We need every part of Jesus to live in spiritual health and sustenance. We need all of Jesus, our wholesome and complete bread of life.
Pass the bread!
See you tomorrow.
¹://www.inverse.com/article/54095-which-bread-is-healthiest-for-you-multigrain-whole-wheat-whole-grain. (Leah Dowling, The Conversation, 3/17/2018)
All Bible verses are from the NRSV version.
Photo by Wesual Click on Unsplash
*Examples: Why did Jesus immediately heal two people (Matthew 9:18-26) but wait two days to bring his friend Lazarus back to life (John 11:1-6)? Why did he say, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), but initially ignore the desperate Canaanite woman, even saying, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:21-28)?
“You Are What You Eat”
Food for Thought, Day Two
Tuesday, August 27th
Years ago, one of my coworkers was attempting to lose weight. She ate so many carrots that her skin began to turn orange! “You are what you eat” became visibly true for her, as her changing skin color became obvious. All of those carrots became absorbed into her body and she began to look more and more like… a carrot.
“You are what you eat” implies that what we eat does influence who we are. We began this week (“An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away”) with thoughts about caring for our bodies with nutritious foods. The changes we make might not be as obvious as turning orange, but our healthy choices will lead us to become healthier people.
Food isn’t the only thing we ingest on a daily basis. We are presented with many other things that compete for attention throughout our waking hours, and what we absorb can influence our spirits and our bodies. Today we will consider some of the other things we choose to ingest that also have an impact on our well-being.
Breathing. Do we breathe in enough fresh air to overcome the stale recycled air of an office or retail shop? Do we breathe in enough delightful aromas of delicious foods or soft scents of essential oils to combat exhaust fumes or factory smells?
Seeing. Do we notice enough of the genuine beauty of nature beyond the landscape screensavers on our laptops? Do we read enough interesting and worthwhile books to balance our television sitcoms? Do we spend more time looking at Amazon.com than our loved ones’ faces?
Hearing. Do we listen to enough news to keep us informed and concerned, while keeping space for peaceful listening to music, podcasts, or audio books? Do we set aside time from all noise for silence before God?
Tasting. Do we take the time to taste and savor our food instead of gulping it down to get on with our day? Do we eat our meals with gratitude and joy?
Touching. Do our fingers touch a keyboard or a remote control too often? Do we spend enough time holding hands, cuddling babies, writing notes, or creating art?
Thinking. Do we fill our minds with thoughts that are of value? Do we counter our self-centered thoughts by thinking of others? Do we lessen our nagging worries with prayerful plans to solve them? Do we release our anxious concerns to our loving and powerful God? Most of all, do we follow Paul’s instruction to fill our thoughts with the qualities listed in Philippians 4:8?
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
“We are what we eat.” It would seem that the more we fill ourselves with the beautiful gifts that God has created, the more we absorb what the Spirit is revealing, the more we take in the things that are of Christ, perhaps we might just become the very best version of ourselves. We might even begin to look a little more like Jesus.
See you tomorrow!
Photo by William Iven on Unsplash
“An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away”
Food for Thought, Day One
Monday, August 26th
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NRSV)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
Paul wrote these verses to encourage sexual purity among the Corinthians, but when we regard our bodies as precious gifts from God and temples of the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t we honor and care for them in all ways? We are called to be good stewards of this earth and all that God has made- including our physical bodies. When we care for our health, we honor God and what God has generously given us, but we also receive benefits for ourselves! We enable ourselves to live each day with greater wellness, efficiency, stamina, gratitude and joy.
The idea about blogging about self care came from several sources. In recent months several Facebook friends are dieting, exercising, and graciously sharing their journeys. It has been exciting to witness their successes and notice how they are inspiring others. Also, I am listening to an audio book, UnDo It, by Dean (M.D.) and Anne Ornish. I have been fascinated by the different studies that show so many benefits of healthy eating. Our diets affect our personal health and even the health of the world. I share a personal example at the end of today’s blog.
Another reason for this blog is that I have discovered the joys of eating well and caring for my body since my time with cancer four years ago. I cannot know with certainty if a healthier diet regimen is the reason I am still cancer-free, but this I DO know: I feel so much healthier, my quality of life is better, and even if my cancer should one day return, I am grateful to have enjoyed this new way of living. My digestive tract has especially benefited with increased regularity and less gas or bloating. (My family is grateful. 😀 ) But I also feel more energetic, more appreciative of my food, and more mindful of what I am consuming. This sense of gratitude is also beneficial for health!
If you’re interested in changing your diet, I encourage you to read books on diet and health to find a good fit for you. (My particular diet is at the end of this blog.) Changing our diets and ways of living can be difficult! Here are some things I learned along the way that I hope will encourage and help you.
~Understand that beginning is the hardest part. The initial start-up purchases and preparations, the feelings of self-pity and sacrifice, and the lack of immediate results are challenging hurdles. But you will find it gets easier as you keep going! Your regimen will eventually become your natural way of being, especially when you begin to see and feel results.
~Some suggest that we begin gradually, cutting out unhealthy choices a little at a time. This is better than doing nothing, but I suggest doing as much of your healthy diet plan as possible so you feel the benefits sooner. Tell yourself that you will consistently and thoroughly follow a plan for just a few weeks or a month, so that you won’t feel so overwhelmed. By the end of that time, you will most likely want to keep going!
~Initially feeling sorry for ourselves is natural. When I decided to change my diet with the hope of staying cancer-free, I wrestled with the idea that if my cancer returned, I would regret not enjoying myself with all of my favorite treats. Over time, I have discovered that the enjoyment I feel in nourishing my body with nutritious foods is greater than the joy of a temporary taste. There is a spiritual and physical joy in tending my body that blesses me so much.
~Consider saturation points. How much of a good thing do we really need in order to be satisfied? How much joy does each additional bite bring? Keep paring down portions. One bite of a sweet treat can be mindfully relished, savored and appreciated, perhaps even more than a larger portion.
We generally focus on our souls, spirits and minds when we think of our spirituality. And yet, our holiness includes our whole selves- our “wholiness” as I have seen it described. If you have been longing to make some healthful changes, I hope you find encouragement today. (Please be sure to check with your doctor before making big changes.)
See you tomorrow!
Photo by Benjamin Wong on Unsplash
~Here is one personal example of how healthy food benefits us. After my chemotherapy regimen, I was given infusions of Avastin for about nine months. I don’t understand all of the science, but Avastin helps prevent cancer cells from creating new blood vessels which feed tumors. One of the side effects of Avastin is high blood pressure. (One of my chemotherapy friends was hospitalized because hers was so high.) Interestingly, I didn’t have the high blood pressure until a few months after I had finished. I went to the hospital with terrible headaches and was treated with blood pressure medicine for a few months. Once the Avastin cleared my system, my blood pressure dropped to its normal (low) reading.
The Ornishes write that antioxidants work much the same way as Avastin! Foods high in antioxidants work to prevent cancer cells from creating new blood vessels. I was nervous about stopping the Avastin, but now I know I am “continuing treatment” by eating strawberries, blueberries and other colorful fruits and vegetables. I enjoy this delicious “medicine” and its benefits- with NO headaches!
Karen’s diet:
My diet consists largely of fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts. I don’t eat beef or pork, and very little chicken or turkey (about one serving per week). Studies show dairy products to be unhealthy, but I do use milk for my coffee (with a little Truvia) and eat cheese and plain Greek yogurt. Jim and I avoid sweets (desserts, baked goods, candy) and processed foods as much as possible. Fruits have become my sweet treats. At Christmas I allow myself cookies for a few days, and about once a summer I have ice cream for a special occasion. We have a purified water cooler with a monthly delivery service. I don’t drink alcohol but find that fizzy sparkling water satisfies well. The processed snacks I enjoy are Triscuits and whole wheat tortillas. Ezekiel English muffins are excellent and I have baked our own bread. I am working to avoid the white breads offered at restaurants but this has been challenging (I do feel so bloated when I eat them). Natural peanut butter is delicious. I take once-daily vitamins, probiotics, and a capsule of turmeric (which has been shown to help prevent cancer).
Next Blogs Are Currently in Progress
Dear Readers,
I am currently preparing a week-long devotional series based on different thoughts about food and eating! I hope you’ll return next Monday. Thanks!
(Photo credit: Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash)
Lifting Up Our Downcast Eyes
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
(Psalm 43:5a)
Downcast: not happy, confident, or hopeful; (of eyes) looking downward¹
In recent weeks I have felt weighed down by some of the changes and challenges of life, the tears and trials of relationships. The word “downcast” seems to describe my soul quite well. I find I am often self-absorbed, immersed in my concerns and thoughts, and distracted from the goodness all around me. I feel as if I am actually walking through my days with the physical posture of a downcast head and heart.
I planned to take a break from my weekly blog post, but it struck me that what I am experiencing would not just be unique to me. All of us experience downcast souls at one time or another; I know I am not alone! So I decided to look up Bible passages that show us where we might lift our downcast eyes and souls to find our help. It is my prayer that this encouragement will bless those of you who are feeling as I am in these days.
When we are downcast, where does God invite us to lift our eyes and find help for our souls?
And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. (Exodus 16:10)
I have written of this verse before because it is one of my favorites, and it is the first one that came to my mind. As the Israelites wandered through the desert, they became very hungry- subsisting only on the morning bread and evening meat that came from God each day. They complained to Moses and Aaron, even wishing they could go back to slavery in Egypt. But when they turned from their past and looked toward the wilderness that lay ahead, it was there they saw “the glory of the Lord.”
In our days of trial, perhaps we would do well to also look toward our wilderness. We may long for the past because it seems comfortable and familiar and sure. But are there ways in which our past wasn’t good for us- or even held us captive- that we have temporarily forgotten in this strange new wilderness? When we are able to look ahead, when we fully face all that frightens or concerns us about the future, when we surrender our glorified past, and especially when we have nothing left but God, how clearly God’s glory can be revealed before us!
The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward…” (Genesis 13:14 )
Earlier in this chapter we learn that the land Abram and Lot were sharing could not support all the flocks, herds and tents they owned. When they decided it was best to separate, Abram offered Lot his choice of the land. In doing so, Abram showed his generous love for others and his great trust in God. God then came to Abram, renewed the promise to give him many descendants, and reminded Abram that indeed the land was still his. Abram only needed to look in all directions to see the ways God would continue to bless him.
We would do well to respond to our trials in relationships with love and generosity, to remember God’s promises, and to look all around us for the endless possibilities God has in store for us. God’s power- and our potential- are boundless!
Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing. (Isaiah 40:26)
We would do well to stand outside under the night sky, to look upward to the stars, and to recognize the One who has created them all. We would do well to consider that the One who even calls each of them by name, the One who has not lost sight of a single star, is the same One who created us, who calls us by name, and who will never lose sight of us. We can trust that we are lovingly held in the hands of our Creator, no matter what lies ahead.
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:15)
We would do well to look to Jesus and to remember how he lived among us, how he experienced all the joys and trials that we experience, and how he endured the worst of the worst for us. Jesus’ life proves that we are loved, that he understands all of our heartaches and burdens, and especially that in all things we are promised resurrection.
So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” (John 11:41)
Just before Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, he raises his eyes to God and thanks God for already having heard what he is about to say. God already knows our every heartache, our every longing, our every joy or sorrow. We would do well to raise our eyes to God in thankfulness, knowing that God already knows exactly what we need- even before we ask. God will bring us new life. God will bring us resurrection. We only need to look to God.
Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1b-2a)
This life IS a journey, isn’t it? We would do well to look to Jesus as we run this race, as we jump this hurdle, as we detour around this obstacle, as we climb each seemingly insurmountable mountain of trouble. Jesus will be our guide, showing us the way, perfecting us with every step, and completing what he has begun in us.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
“Dwell” is a different type of looking. This passage gives us another fruitful way to raise our eyes and souls, and to turn our focus on all that is righteous and good. Even in our trials, we can choose to live in the spirit of truth, honor, purity, loveliness, integrity, goodness, excellence, and praise-worthiness. To pursue these qualities will honor God and bring our true joy. (Even reading these words brings joy to my heart!) There is no better way to live, and our example will show others the incredible goodness of God.
The verse at the beginning of today’s thoughts is surrounded by other lovely verses that promise to restore our joy in trying times. We can hold fast to the promise that one day, God will turn our every trial into triumph. We only need to look to God, in whom we will find our hope, and our exceeding joy.
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy;
and I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help and my God.
(Psalm 43:3-5)
¹Definition of downcast from Merriam Webster’s English language learner’s definition
All Bible passages are the NRSV version, found at BibleGateway. com
Photo credit: Jim Wicker
Certainties and Surprises
When I was a child, our family made yearly summer visits to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio. I loved all of the smaller rides, but I found the “fun” houses were not fun at all. One in particular, the San Francisco Earthquake, was especially frightening. Our family would climb into the little open car, ride into the dark, and encounter all kinds of simulated trouble- buildings falling all around us, fires breaking out, chaos erupting everywhere. I was quite scared, even with my dad at my side!
One year I discovered a helpful trick when our family, keeping with tradition, rode the Earthquake ride again. Once it was over, Dad asked me if I liked it this time. I exclaimed, “It was great! I just kept my eyes shut the whole time!” Dad chuckled, finding it funny that I would be willing to ride the Earthquake by shutting out the actual experience.
In recent weeks, I’ve been thinking that life can be much like an amusement park. Some days are like those pleasant and scenic ferryboat rides, some days are the challenging but thrilling roller coaster rides, and some days are the dark and frightening fun house rides. But we do not wait in line or buy tickets for these days, getting to choose whether we want to be calmed, thrilled, or frightened. At one moment we can be floating along serenely in peace and beauty, and at another we can be scared out of our wits as our world crumbles before us.
Life gives us surprises. God gives us certainties. Whatever surprises the day may bring, we can find a sure and calming center in the securities of God.
When our world is chaotic and crumbling, we can close our eyes. We can stop looking around and begin looking within. God is there within us, offering peace and serenity from the world around us. We turn our focus from our fears and look to our shield, our ever-present God of love.
When our days are roller coaster rides of fast-paced thrills and unexpected twists and turns, we can fasten our safety belts and hang on! We can cling to God for our security and stability when things feel out of control. We can put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17), and trust in God’s provision and presence.
When our world is a boat ride of idyllic scenes and smooth waters, we can sit back and enjoy the view. We can rest in God with gratitude and peace in our souls. We can allow God to tend our spirits so we are ready for the next ride!
This life can seem like an amusement park journey with its surprises along the way. But whether our world is crumbling, or spinning, or peaceful, the certainties of God will help us to make the best of every new adventure.
God Has Not Promised (Hymn)
God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
God has not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
God has not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.
God has not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river, turbid and deep.
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
God Hath Not Promised lyrics by Annie Johnson Flint, updated by Karen
http://creeva.com/2012/cedar-point-memories-part-16-is-the-ground-shaking-earthquake/ (Scanned postcard found on Flickr)
Nothing to Prove
Monday Moment
I had just begun serving as a volunteer ministry coordinator, and during a staff meeting I excitedly talked about the tasks I had finished and the new ministries I was planning. I later recognized that I had shared these accomplishments because I was excited about my ministry- but also because I hoped to prove myself worthy of my new position and maybe even receive a few accolades. The next day I apologized to my dear staff friends for boasting. Bless them, they claimed they had not noticed. (My friend Kyle even assured me, “Anyone who is that excited about making labels has more serious issues than boasting.” 😀 )
In recent weeks, I have been thinking about my need to prove myself, and how this flies in the face of experiencing God’s complete grace and love for me. Everything I am, all I am able to do, any worth I can claim, comes from God alone. God comes to us not because of our merit but because of God’s love. God just loved us first and will love us forever. How can we possibly feel any more valued than this?
If we can comprehend that we are truly God’s beloved, blessed and forgiven people, and then begin to live as such, we are given three incredible freedoms:
The freedom from our need to prove we are valuable or worthy.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NRSV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
My worth comes from God alone. My value IS in God alone. Instead of telling the staff all I had done or planned to do, I could have let my actions speak for themselves. The integrity of my work would show my joyful gratitude to God while using the gifts and graces God has given me for ministry. My work should be for the glory of God alone, for God is the source of all that is good, the source of all that we are able to accomplish.
The freedom from our need to prove we are right or justified.
Matthew 27:11-14 (NRSV)
Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
I can recall several instances when I was unable to justify myself to others, either because of confidential information I had to keep, or because my reasoning would fall on deaf ears, or both. For example, as a ministry leader I once had to keep a volunteer from serving because of confidential information I had received from a variety of people. I could not tell my ministry team all the reasons why I made the decision, and the person denied any wrongdoing. As I endured the anger, grief, and confusion of those who did not know the whole story, I remembered how Jesus stood in silence before his accusers, even as he was led to his death. Jesus knew that God’s assessment is the only one that matters. God knows our whole story, and God is the One to forgive us all, including the volunteer- and me.
The freedom from our need to prove we are better, or at least “less bad.”
Luke 18:9-14 (NRSV)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
When I am feeling guilty, how easily I want to claim, “I may have done this, but at least I didn’t do what they did…” When I am feeling inadequate, how easily I want to believe, “They may have done better, but I was just having an off day…” When I am feeling regret, how easily I want to explain, “I am sorry for doing this, but any other person would have done the same thing, or worse.” Much like a child tries to convince a parent, my conscience tries to convince myself and God that in some way I am still ‘better than’ in the midst of my brokenness.
We do not need to prove that we are better or any less bad than others. In God’s eyes, we are all equally beloved children. We are all sinners, we are all saints. Perhaps God would like us to not compare ourselves to others, but to compare our own growth in love and obedience from yesterday to today. We are equally and highly valued- wherever we fall on the ‘sinner-saint’ continuum- simply because we are God’s.
We are loved beyond our imagining, far beyond any worldly comparisons or judgments. There is no need for us to justify ourselves, to prove our worth to others, or to diminish our faults before God. With God’s love proven to us in incredible ways throughout our lives and promised for all eternity, we are free to stand on God’s merit alone. We have nothing more to prove.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Stepping Forward
Friday, Day Five
We stand on the threshold of a twilight- whether morning or evening we do not know. One is followed by the night, the other heralds the dawn. ~ Mahatma Ghandi
We all face an equally unknown future as we prepare to leave this threshold, no matter how the door closed behind us. Those who have left the old room happily, and those who have left the old room reluctantly, now stand together on the same threshold of this new and different day.
At first this may seem disquieting, but the uncertainty can actually be a gift. Our temporary and uncertain earthly days draw us to the eternal and certain presence of God. We can be assured that God holds our future, whether we are entering the morning or the evening. Most of all, we know that God is doing something new in us, and if we allow God to work freely, God will do something good, too.
This week we have focused on the closed door and threshold time. Now is the time to move forward, to look around this new room and ask new questions. We begin by tending ourselves, looking for ways to restore our sense of peace, comfort and a bit of normalcy.
As we look at our new life before us, what is familiar? Who or what is here to bring us comfort? Much like the way we might enter a crowded room or an unfamiliar place, we take a look around to see whom we know, what is being offered and available for us, and where we might find our best place to be. Seeking out comforting and comfortable things like family, friends, restful spaces, delightful treats, laughter and conversation will help us in our new life, too.
What disciplines or routines will keep me grounded in this new life? What will help restore a sense of normalcy? In the midst of my cancer treatments, I found joy in simple tasks such as making our bed and brewing the coffee each morning. Yes, I liked having a neat bedroom and drinking a mug of coffee, but I especially savored these routine tasks because they brought a sense of normalcy to the new day. Spiritual practices such as praying, journaling, worshiping or spending time in nature also help to center us, comfort us, and calm us.
When we are ready, the time comes to ask the most important questions of all, as we begin to look beyond ourselves, turning our focus outward to those around us.
Who or what seems to need our attention here? Have we entered this room for another reason? Are we here to bless someone else now? Asking God to help us make the most of our situations and experiences, we can find ways to use our trials and joys to bless God, serve others, or improve the world in some way. We can offer help or hope for those who are experiencing what we have. We become aware that we are here in this new room, not only for our own blessing, but so we may bless others. In the end, we may make the most of this new place by letting God use us for purposes beyond ourselves.
We actually enter a new room with the dawn of each day, don’t we? How wonderful it is that we have a God who already is there waiting for us, waiting to show us new light and life and joy and love. May we venture forth into this new day, this new life, knowing we have everything we need- and so much more- to live this life fully anew, fully alive, and fully amazed!
Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NRSV)
(Photo by Jad Limcaco on Unsplash)
…Leaving What is Not
Thursday, Day Four
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 NRSV)
Yesterday’s blog (Taking What is Essential…) offered some inventory questions to consider after a door closes. What have I lost? What do I still carry with me? What do I need for the next step? These questions help us to grieve with gratitude, take stock of what remains, and discern what is essential for our new journey.
Yes, the closing door signifies the end of some important aspects of our lives. But if we open our hearts, the closed door can become an invitation to new beginnings. We can make the most of this time of change and closure. Today we ask a few more inventory questions, this time about other non-essentials we might leave behind. What am I truly relieved to have left behind the closed door? Are there any negative things that still cling and need to be released? What positive things are no longer necessary?
What am I truly relieved to have left behind the closed door? In all of life’s changes, there are some things that we readily know we are blessed to leave behind. Some of those were the reasons to leave in the first place. But have you ever found a new freedom or joy after the initial heartache of a loss you didn’t expect?
I once told a friend that I was disappointed when I didn’t get a job that I wanted. She surprised me by saying, “Good- now see what else is in store for you!” She was right. I later learned about some additional aspects of that job, and I knew I would not have enjoyed working for that company.
Are there any negative things that still cling and need to be released? When a door closes on a difficult time, we may believe we have finally left behind all of the unpleasant things from that time. But they continue to cling or linger with us. We may find it more challenging to walk away from those nagging and unpleasant feelings such as grudges, guilt, resentment, anger or stress.
We may choose to close the door on an unhealthy relationship, but until we leave behind the hurt and pain we cannot receive the gifts of peace and forgiveness. We may leave a stressful career, but if we habitually take on new stresses, the gift of relief never comes. There might be a beautiful purpose to every closing door, but unless we allow its complete closure, that purpose may never fully bless us as it should.
What positive things remain but are no longer necessary? We have an invitation to consider letting go of even more. Are there things we can choose to totally leave behind in order to live this new life with greater freedom and lightness of being? What things have blessed us in the past, but no longer hold the same gift for us? Will these things now bless someone else more than us? Can we leave behind all that may now be cumbersome, outdated, or unnecessary?
What are the things we can completely leave in order to completely live?
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. – Lao Tzu
I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become. – Carl Jung
Today expect something good to happen to you no matter what occurred yesterday. Realize the past no longer holds you captive. It can only continue to hurt you if you hold on to it. Let the past go. A simply abundant world awaits. – Sarah Breathnach
Photo by Farrel Nobel on Unsplash
Simply Soul Searching 