Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb
and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.
Psalms 22:3,9
David is sharing his troubles and confusion with God. David has been anointed as Israels next king and is running for his life from a very angry and wicked king. He is hiding in caves and constantly on the run. And even in the midst of all the bad stuff, David chooses to see God as he really is. So even though he's hiding in a cave and running for his life YET he knows that God has him. God will fulfill his promises in David's life. Nothing is too difficult for God and David chooses to trust him for the best outcome.
Educational circles have begun to talk about growth mindset, and how we need to teach and train our students to persevere. Students need to be taught the power of YET.
As I read the verses from Psalms and reflect on David's situation, I am seeing that our Christian walk is just like the classroom. We need to learn perseverance, how to hold on and stay the course. We need to develop our steadfastness.
In a classroom where a growth mindset is nurtured, students are taught to monitor their thoughts. Words like, "I'll never..." are weaned out of the vocabulary and replaced with words like, "...yet!" This encourages the child to keep trying. Just as we are encouraged to keep trying. Not many are successful the first time they try something. So how do we develop this perseverance that we need? We are told to take every thought captive to Christ. Are we doing that? Are we honestly looking at what the enemy is telling us? All the "you can'ts" and "you shoulds"? Are these really from God? I grew up with a very legalistic view of God. I have a lot to stuff to filter through. I have come to know that if something holds us back from serving God, it's probably not from God.
Let me get personal here. I have felt called to be an author for may years, but I haven't done anything with it. I haven't taken those thoughts captive - I've let the lies of satan roam around and take up residence in my heart and mind. I began to believe what he was telling me. I've let those lies stop me from fulfilling my mission.
So how do we change this? How do we take our thoughts captive? I believe we use the power of YET.
David does this in several of his Psalms. He talks for a while about how rough and terrible and unfair life is, and then uses a little word to turn things around. He says, YET, will I trust in the Lord. He chooses to believe that God has his back. He chooses to believe that although David doesn't understand this situation, God does. God will bring everything together to glorify himself.
So when satan tries to spin one of his lies, when he tells me I'm not good enough, or I don't have anything to say that other want to hear, I'm going to hold it up the God's truth. I'm going to examine it closely, and then add YET. Will you join me?
Monday, July 1, 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019
Invisible Woman
I've been feeling like the invisible woman. Yep, no one see me or remembers my contributions. When I help with things, my name is always left off the thank yous. This used to bother me, I wanted to be recognized and thanked. I wanted the attention. I wanted people to see my value. I didn't want to be invisible. But, I've just very recently begun to see the benefits of invisibility.
Invisibility allows me to are able to work in behind the scenes ways to deliver the love of God. It allows me to be be stealthy. It means that I can totally focus on others without worrying about how I look.
God allows his invisible woman to constantly be there and to support others in ways they might not even know.
My friend has cancer - again. My job is to help her ignore it and feel normal. My job is to take her to lunch and pick up the check. My job is to slip her some cash for gas or a new cute hat. She doesn't know that I'm ministering to her because I do these things all the time - not just because she has cancer.
I'm just being me. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just loving others as I can. Invisible.
But, my Father sees me. He knows what I am up to, and that is all that matters.
Invisibility allows me to are able to work in behind the scenes ways to deliver the love of God. It allows me to be be stealthy. It means that I can totally focus on others without worrying about how I look.
God allows his invisible woman to constantly be there and to support others in ways they might not even know.
My friend has cancer - again. My job is to help her ignore it and feel normal. My job is to take her to lunch and pick up the check. My job is to slip her some cash for gas or a new cute hat. She doesn't know that I'm ministering to her because I do these things all the time - not just because she has cancer.
I'm just being me. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just loving others as I can. Invisible.
But, my Father sees me. He knows what I am up to, and that is all that matters.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Shoulders
I have been reading recently about God's instructions for the Tabernacle in the book of Exodus. I have read this account many times, but God has been showing me some deeper meanings lately. I have been a very shallow Christian up until God woke me up a few years ago. So I have been asking God to help me to look into his word deeper, to find more spiritual meat, so to speak. God does answer prayer! So back to the Tabernacle, I just wanted to share a few "noticings" that I have had.
First of all, God wanted to live among his people. That was the whole idea behind the Tabernacle. That is just a little awe inspiring to me, God wants to live with his people. Hey, guess what? If you are a Christ follower, you are his people. God still wants to do life with me and with you!
Next, God spends more time explaining his house and all the minute details that will go into it than he does explaining the law. God shows his love of beauty, design and symbolism as he describes his house. I remember building our dream house. I had details upon details that I wanted incorporated into this home. Scores of ideas were shared and implemented to make this home our forever home. God did the same when he described the Tabernacle to those who would build it.
God even designed the clothes that his servants, the priests, should wear while they performed their duties. I was amazed by the description of the ephod. In Exodus 28:12 it says, "Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that Aaron represents the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names on his shoulders as a constant reminder whenever he goes before the Lord." I just thought that was so cool. The people that Aaron was to represent to God were right there on his shoulders, written so that he couldn't forget them! "God," I whispered, "Who is written on my shoulders? Who am I representing every time I come to you?" What a question! I thought about that many times through out the day, and I am still mulling it over in my head. Obviously there are people like my husband and kids, their spouses and children. People that I worship with came to mind. Then the many students I have taught over the years. How about my neighbors? So many people. I am left wondering where the cut off is? Or is there a cut off? How many people should we be holding on our shoulders and bringing them to God in prayer? I don't have the answer for that at this time, but I'm sure that God will share those names with me as I continue to meditate and do his will.
A last thing that I noticed, was that God filled each and every workman with wisdom so that they could complete the task of creating the Tabernacle with the most skill and excellence available to them.
With all the detail that God expected in his Tabernacle, I can't help but wonder, what does God expect of me? Does he want to be that involved in my life? Does God work in me to inspire me as I teach my little people? Does he even care about my kiddos learning? Does God want my home to be a place of beauty where others are pointed to him? Does he care that much about what I wear? And if he does, what does my life now look like?
A lot to ponder here on this chilly evening in Northern Michigan. I hope that God is blessing you and that you are growing in his knowledge. He is such a good God, it is a blessing to get to know him.
First of all, God wanted to live among his people. That was the whole idea behind the Tabernacle. That is just a little awe inspiring to me, God wants to live with his people. Hey, guess what? If you are a Christ follower, you are his people. God still wants to do life with me and with you!
Next, God spends more time explaining his house and all the minute details that will go into it than he does explaining the law. God shows his love of beauty, design and symbolism as he describes his house. I remember building our dream house. I had details upon details that I wanted incorporated into this home. Scores of ideas were shared and implemented to make this home our forever home. God did the same when he described the Tabernacle to those who would build it.
God even designed the clothes that his servants, the priests, should wear while they performed their duties. I was amazed by the description of the ephod. In Exodus 28:12 it says, "Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that Aaron represents the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names on his shoulders as a constant reminder whenever he goes before the Lord." I just thought that was so cool. The people that Aaron was to represent to God were right there on his shoulders, written so that he couldn't forget them! "God," I whispered, "Who is written on my shoulders? Who am I representing every time I come to you?" What a question! I thought about that many times through out the day, and I am still mulling it over in my head. Obviously there are people like my husband and kids, their spouses and children. People that I worship with came to mind. Then the many students I have taught over the years. How about my neighbors? So many people. I am left wondering where the cut off is? Or is there a cut off? How many people should we be holding on our shoulders and bringing them to God in prayer? I don't have the answer for that at this time, but I'm sure that God will share those names with me as I continue to meditate and do his will.
A last thing that I noticed, was that God filled each and every workman with wisdom so that they could complete the task of creating the Tabernacle with the most skill and excellence available to them.
With all the detail that God expected in his Tabernacle, I can't help but wonder, what does God expect of me? Does he want to be that involved in my life? Does God work in me to inspire me as I teach my little people? Does he even care about my kiddos learning? Does God want my home to be a place of beauty where others are pointed to him? Does he care that much about what I wear? And if he does, what does my life now look like?
A lot to ponder here on this chilly evening in Northern Michigan. I hope that God is blessing you and that you are growing in his knowledge. He is such a good God, it is a blessing to get to know him.
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