Recently I had a brief Facebook chat with a former priest who, when I mentioned writing Bible studies, responded with, "It's about time." I was completely astounded! To realize how God had been gifting, equipping, planting seeds for years in ways I hadn't even recognized or been aware of, is really fascinating to me. And amazing!
In Philippians Paul writes: "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." God works in us - he's always at work in us, he's always so many steps ahead of us that it's just for us to enjoy the ride and see where he takes us. That's not to say we're not involved in the process - God expects our cooperation and participation. God's work in us involves transformation and transformation doesn't happen without our involvement. (Wouldn't that be nice?)
In thinking about my journey toward writing a Bible study, I know that over the years I've grown to love God's word more and more. My belief in the rock solid truth of that word has grown as well. But the growth has happened out of living and seeing the truth and reality of God and his word and that has often been through hard times and faith-testing, faith-building experiences. But they were transforming experiences - God was shaping and molding me through it all.
I would be one of the first ones to say that discipleship isn't easy. But, then again, it is easy. To follow Light and Love and Blessing and Peace and go wherever the Lord asks me to go knowing that it leads to more light and love and blessing and peace --- well, that's pretty easy to say 'yes' to. Life is going to be hard no matter what our faith is or isn't; how much better it is to go through life following the God who loves me beyond my wildest imaginations and wants only my good (also beyond my wildest imaginations) and has plans and purposes for me that exceed anything I could ever, ever expect!
I wonder what seeds are being planted right now? I wonder what plans and purposes God is working in me, preparing me for, right now? Please don't make the mistake of thinking the Christian life is boring and dull! What can be dull and boring about a life lived with and for a God like ours? The depth, blessing, growth, possibilities, surprises, joy ...... I could go on and on!
But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
(1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Still Listening
I've been at the lake for several days writing (and working toward finishing) my Ephesians study. I love the peace and quiet on the lake - especially this time of year. But mostly, I love the routine I fall into when I have the whole day ahead of me with no errands, appointments, etc., just time to write. (Who knew this was inside me??!) This morning, I spent quite a while on the porch overlooking the water and just listened - with my eyes closed. I began to focus in on the sounds individually, instead of just listening to everything at once. It was an amazing experience! Listening to the birds one by one -- so many different songs; listening to the wind rustling the leaves and blowing things out of the trees; listening for the water - it was very quiet this morning, very calm. I had to really concentrate to hear the water.
I don't know how long I was listening like that - I lost track of time. But what occurs to me is that God's voice is a lot like that. It's always there under all the layers of sound, you just have to listen for it. Remember the story of Elijah? After the prophets of Baal were defeated so spectacularly, he has to run for his life from Jezebel and is hiding out in a cave. (There's a lot more to the story....I'm cutting to the chase, here.) The Lord is going to reveal himself to Elijah but it wasn't in the great, strong wind that "tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks", or in the earthquake, or in the fire that followed. It was the "sound of a low whisper" that brought Elijah out of the cave to be with his God and hear from him.
Maybe we expect God to speak like a voice of thunder from the heavens - something really spectacular and powerful! But the psalmist says, "be still and know that I am God". We have to get quiet and still, quiet all the noise in our heads, and listen. I was surprised by all that I heard this morning on my porch. I think when I'm quiet enough to hear from the Lord, I'm usually surprised by what I hear in that still, small voice. The temptation is to stay here in the quiet and not go back to the normal routine and busy-ness. I can really relate to Peter, James and John on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured. Peter wanted to build booths and stay a while. But they had to go back down that mountain and get on with the Father's business. And so do I.
I don't know how long I was listening like that - I lost track of time. But what occurs to me is that God's voice is a lot like that. It's always there under all the layers of sound, you just have to listen for it. Remember the story of Elijah? After the prophets of Baal were defeated so spectacularly, he has to run for his life from Jezebel and is hiding out in a cave. (There's a lot more to the story....I'm cutting to the chase, here.) The Lord is going to reveal himself to Elijah but it wasn't in the great, strong wind that "tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks", or in the earthquake, or in the fire that followed. It was the "sound of a low whisper" that brought Elijah out of the cave to be with his God and hear from him.
Maybe we expect God to speak like a voice of thunder from the heavens - something really spectacular and powerful! But the psalmist says, "be still and know that I am God". We have to get quiet and still, quiet all the noise in our heads, and listen. I was surprised by all that I heard this morning on my porch. I think when I'm quiet enough to hear from the Lord, I'm usually surprised by what I hear in that still, small voice. The temptation is to stay here in the quiet and not go back to the normal routine and busy-ness. I can really relate to Peter, James and John on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured. Peter wanted to build booths and stay a while. But they had to go back down that mountain and get on with the Father's business. And so do I.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Listening
"I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes." Job 3:26 NLT
We all have times when we're dealing with above normal stress levels and feelings of being overwhelmed. I'm in my own season of that now. As I was thinking about how to get back to "normal" and back to the feeling of walking and working from the Spirit and not my overloaded soul, I realized the source of my deficiency. I've been very faithful to continue my reading and studying God's word, praying for the needs of people around me --- very dutifully, thank you. But what I had neglected was the time spent with my pen in my hand and my notebook opened up, ready to listen. It's hard to hear from the Lord when you're too busy talking!
While I'm not in the fix that dear Job was in, those verses above still resonated when I read them. As I reflected on all this, the first verse that came to mind was the expected one: "Come to me all who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest." As I continued to sit with that verse, reflecting on coming to Jesus and abiding in Him, my focus shifted just the right amount and I reminded myself that coming to Jesus is just a matter of looking at him - looking to him. He's already right there, waiting patiently, closer than my very breath.
Why is it that time and time again we struggle along, dragging the burdens and worries around while Jesus waits so very patiently with his hands out waiting for us to just look up and hand them over? I guess that's how we earn the Biblical description of "stiffnecked people" - our muscles are all tensed up from bearing all our own burdens and toting them around on our backs!
The question I asked myself was, "Who is god of this situation?" Is it the god of "me-myself-and-I" or is it GOD? I think I'd much prefer to watch the God of the universe work out what seems to be stuck and let HIM get the glory. He's so much more deserving of it, anyway. How many times in just the past year have I sensed the Lord asking me to just watch him? I've watched him work miracles, resolve conflicts that seemed unresolvable, bring peace where there was no peace, and bestow blessing upon blessing. I have watched him reveal a beautiful vision for a new ministry that is just beginning to unfold.
My only job in the middle of a lot of unanswered questions and stressful situations is really quite simple. These are the words I heard when I finally took the time to stop and listen and sit with my pen poised over my open notebook : watch me, follow me; don't lead -- just follow me; keep your eyes on me and not the circumstances.
I read Psalm 34 today, "coincidentally". How it spoke to me!
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(Psalm 34 ESV)
We all have times when we're dealing with above normal stress levels and feelings of being overwhelmed. I'm in my own season of that now. As I was thinking about how to get back to "normal" and back to the feeling of walking and working from the Spirit and not my overloaded soul, I realized the source of my deficiency. I've been very faithful to continue my reading and studying God's word, praying for the needs of people around me --- very dutifully, thank you. But what I had neglected was the time spent with my pen in my hand and my notebook opened up, ready to listen. It's hard to hear from the Lord when you're too busy talking!
While I'm not in the fix that dear Job was in, those verses above still resonated when I read them. As I reflected on all this, the first verse that came to mind was the expected one: "Come to me all who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest." As I continued to sit with that verse, reflecting on coming to Jesus and abiding in Him, my focus shifted just the right amount and I reminded myself that coming to Jesus is just a matter of looking at him - looking to him. He's already right there, waiting patiently, closer than my very breath.
Why is it that time and time again we struggle along, dragging the burdens and worries around while Jesus waits so very patiently with his hands out waiting for us to just look up and hand them over? I guess that's how we earn the Biblical description of "stiffnecked people" - our muscles are all tensed up from bearing all our own burdens and toting them around on our backs!
The question I asked myself was, "Who is god of this situation?" Is it the god of "me-myself-and-I" or is it GOD? I think I'd much prefer to watch the God of the universe work out what seems to be stuck and let HIM get the glory. He's so much more deserving of it, anyway. How many times in just the past year have I sensed the Lord asking me to just watch him? I've watched him work miracles, resolve conflicts that seemed unresolvable, bring peace where there was no peace, and bestow blessing upon blessing. I have watched him reveal a beautiful vision for a new ministry that is just beginning to unfold.
My only job in the middle of a lot of unanswered questions and stressful situations is really quite simple. These are the words I heard when I finally took the time to stop and listen and sit with my pen poised over my open notebook : watch me, follow me; don't lead -- just follow me; keep your eyes on me and not the circumstances.
I read Psalm 34 today, "coincidentally". How it spoke to me!
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
(Psalm 34 ESV)
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