“I Will Rise”

(Job 23: 13-14, The Message) “But he is singular and sovereign. Who can argue with him?  He does what he wants, when he wants to.  He’ll complete in detail what he’s decided about me, and whatever else he determines to do.”


I hear ya, Job. 

A few years back, this was where I seemed to be lingering.  I was going through a very tough period in my life.  I had lost one of my grandfathers to Alzheimer’s Disease, one of my grandmothers was placed in a nursing home due to the same condition, my other grandmother passed away after 3 years of suffering the aftereffects of a severe stroke, and my dad was also diagnosed with early onset, rapidly progressing Alzheimer’s…as well as another type of dementia.  This all took place in a matter of months.  My inner strength was already faltering due to miscarriages and negative reports from my doctor about the condition of my reproductive system, so when the bad news just continued to pour in, I pumped the brakes and literally said to God, “What in the world??”  I was in every kind of pain…physical, emotional, spiritual and mental.  I spent a lot of time crying…just spells of hard sobs that came from a deep place of anguish…and when the crying finally ceased, I fell numb.  One day I looked at my husband and I said, “I have stopped asking God for anything.  He just does what He wants, so why even ask anymore?”  I meant it too.  I hadn’t stopped believing, or praying even…I still spoke to God regularly.  In my hurt and sorrow I would sing, “Peace, peace, wonderful peace.  Coming down from the Father above.  Sweep over my spirit, forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love.”  I would tell God how much I hurt, and I wasn’t mad…just broken and defeated.  I was absolutely in a Job-like place. 

We are human, so we get into funks like that.  We want answers and resolutions.  We get very involved in the flesh and as a result our requests become centered around our own desires and ideas of what we think is best.  Our understanding is very limited and small in comparison to God’s omniscience, so it’s extremely difficult for us to see the master plan beyond what we are experiencing.  We are blind in many ways, and instead of trusting our guide, we instead try to feel our way around.  Then we get angry or upset when we bump into things and get hurt!  So what do we do then?  We just stand there in the safest spot we can find, still and useless…and pouty. 

Well I got tired of being the useless and pouty believer, just taking up space and fulfilling obligations.  I had to trust my guide, because standing still was making me crazy!  I thought I knew what was best and I was wrong…it was time to accept that.  In my human brain I thought things like, “How can Alzheimer’s be in God’s plan for someone’s life?”  Yet in my spirit, the Lord began to whisper His truths, the truths of His word, and it was brining me back to life.

8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.

    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so my ways are higher than your ways

    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 

(Isaiah 55: 8-9, The Message)

The truth is, we do not always know what He is doing through these things that happen…you know, the things we just don’t understand.  However, as hard as it is at times to walk in faith, there is peace when we trust Him.  Romans 15: 13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  We are not promised understanding; we are entitled to nothing.  Our faith is a work in progress, but it begins with trust.  Without that, our faith is dead.  In these days, which are likely the last, we are being watched by the world.  Our actions, reactions, and all of the words we speak in faith are being observed.  Let us be ever mindful that what we say we believe is what we must live

(Hebrews 12: 1-4) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.


Prayer:  Heavenly Father, when I hurt, help me to remember that You have suffered the greatest anguish.  Help me to trust You, always, so that I live a life of joy and peace…reflecting Your strength and love to the world.  Amen.

You Won’t Find Him in a Store…

Psalm 115:1-8- “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness! Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound… Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them…”

 

My best friend went on a couple mission trips to India a few years ago. She had many stories to share upon her return, but one stood out to me, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. She remembered walking through the same village many times, but one night she noticed something new. A large rock had been painted orange… and people were kneeling before it, chanting and praising. One of the Indian family members she was staying with said, “They were so desperate for something to worship/serve, they made themselves a god.”

That saddens my heart more than I can say. I felt so burdened for that particular group of people for the longest time. But, then something registered with me. This kind of thing goes on around me every single day. There are certain restaurants I walk into that have tiny little statues all over their establishment. I get my nails done and see the same thing. I’ve walked into stores and paintings and carvings of many different idols were sitting there on the shelf waiting to be purchased. People all around us long for some Higher Power, but they’re just not sure how to find Him. They would settle for an inanimate, visible object, because that’s the only “real” they’ve yet to experience.

If you have been introduced to Jesus Christ, you have come in contact with the Living God. He sits high, but looks low. (Psalm 138:6) He speaks to us and for us. (John 10:27, Hebrews 1:1-2, 1 Timothy 2:5) His eyes are ever open and He is always looking out for and watching us. (2 Chronicles 16:9) When we call upon Him, He hears us. There’s not one word we utter before Him that He doesn’t listen to. (1 John 5:14-15) He is touched by every pain we feel, (Hebrews 4:15) and He holds us in the palm of His hand! (Isaiah 49:16)

Knowing that even history itself confirms that Jesus was crucified, but rose from the dead, is proof enough for me that He is alive and well! Getting to experience Him myself — undeniable! He is sovereign over all and guides my life. I didn’t have to purchase an idol that some human- as fallible as me- created with their hands. No, I have a relationship with the God that formed me! There is a definitive hope that only serving Him brings. Having confidence that cannot be explained, and trust that can’t be matched, offers a peace and security for every day the future gives you.

If you feel that “God consciousness” within you reaching out for something that brings your life contentment and purpose… look no further. Try Jesus. What would it cost you? (Less than you’d pay for that idol on the shelf, no matter how cheap!) His gift of salvation is free! You didn’t have to pay anything to know Him, but He gave everything He had to know you!

What a difference serving a living God makes!

Prayer: Jesus, I worship You today. I praise You, for You are the One, True, Living God. With all that might and power Your possess, You’re gentle and gracious, and You bestow mercy on us every day. Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness. Help me shine Your light, so those looking can see Who You are. I love You, Lord. In Your name, amen.

 

 

 

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