Through A Glass,Darkly...

While in the early hours of this morning, I lay awake with a mind that would not stop working. While most times that is frustrating, I didn't feel that this time.  The Lord impressed something upon me that I feel I should share.

There are often occurances in life that cause us to question 'why', or desire, in some way, to see things more clearly or understand more deeply.  We all seem to want answers...to know it all.  Most often, we don't get the full picture and we eventually just move on to the next occurance.

This week, my husband had a cataract removed.  Even as he left the surgical center, and as he heals a little more each day, he's remarked of the clarity of sight in that eye. He was aware that his sight was 'fuzzy' in that eye, but was doing well using only his left eye. But, now, since the surgery, he realizes that the sight in his left eye isn't as clear as he thought it was. (It also has a cataract,but won't be ready for surgery for about a year.) After that, his eyesight  should be very clear. He can't wait!

Thinking about these things during the wee hours, I thought, 'Isn't that the way we are in life?  We think, most often, that we see things pretty well...until something shows up  that isn't as clear as we'd like it to be.'  We see 'through a glass, darkly' as it says in ICorinthians, chapter 13. The verse goes on to say, 'But then we shall see face to face.'  We, here on earth, see the Light, we see Jesus, but we see Him dimly, as we see the sunshine through sunglasses. 

In due time, in God's time, we will see Jesus... FACE TO FACE! We will see the Light with such brilliance! We will have clarity in all things! Just as the cataract was removed from my husband's eye, the scales...the veil...will be lifted from our sight in that great and glorious day!  And I, for one, can't wait for that!

Loosening My Grip

There have been so many times when life has handed me a situation that needs to be handled in some way.  Since it's always been my natural inclination to try to fix things myself, that was often what I attempted to do. Of course, through trial and error, I'd quickly discover that my attempts were not successful. In fact, often I've only made matters worse.

Hanging on to something so tightly is almost like being in handcuffs, like being a prisoner. You really can't do anything in such matters, and trying to untangle things seems only to tie it in more knots.

At some point, and I'm not sure when, the words "let go and let God" hit me like a bolt of lightening.  Oh sure, I knew I should let God handle things...and I almost always prayed that He would, but I actually didn't let go of things, so how on earth could He do it?  I had my hand wrapped around the situation in such a way that there was no sign of release.

Whenever it was that I got that message, I did let go. I did give it totally over to the Lord.  Do you know what happened when I loosened my grip?  I realized that when I emptied my hands of that problem, God was able to fill them with something else....something good!  He filled them, and my mouth, and my heart....with praise, with thanksgiving, with gratitude.

There's no freedom like release.... ! Ask any prisoner who has done his time and has seen the doors of the jail cell flung open!  Loosen your grip....and let go and let God.

Vision on the Battlefield

                                                                                              

1 Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
17:27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him

There he stood alone, in the shadow of a mighty giant. He was young and armed only with a sling shot and five stones to sling. He knew his enemy was feared by all, and he might also have been afraid as he stood face to face with the mammoth being. But David was not feeling fearful of Goliath.

David focused not on his enemy. He focused not on the fact that he wore no protection or that his weapon was small and perhaps inefficient against the mighty sword, heavy spear and the armor of the giant. He focused not on the fact that he stood against odds that were greatly against him. He focused not on fear. Why not, when the battalions of soldiers shook at the presence of the nine feet, nine inches tall Philistine? How could he stand, without perspiration of stress and palpitations of fear in his heart?

David was not pleased to hear the mocking of his God and his people by this bully. He asked " Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" In essence he was asking, "Just who does this guy think he is?" David wasn't going to tolerate this situation. He knew that God was on his side. David knew that his God was present in the situation at hand. He knew, therefore he trusted. He stood firmly and with conviction. He saw only his God. He looked the problem in the face and he ran toward it, while others had fled. Goliath laughed at the sight of this young man, taunting him further. David loaded his slingshot and slung one stone. It hit its target, and Goliath fell dead to the ground.

I came to realize as I read and reread this account that Goliaths are in our lives all the time. Sometimes they are quiet, and the SON shines in such a way that we don't see the shadows. We go on without much notice of them. Other times they are huge and noisy, and the shadows overtake us and they lay across our lives, darkening our days. It's then that we must get ourselves out of the shadows, by making a leap of faith into the Sonlight. We need to LOOK for God in those times... We need to do battle with Goliath, using the strength provided by God. One of those strengths, no matter how weak it 'feels', is TRUST. Another is surrender to the knowledge that God never fails us, and no matter where we are, no matter what our circumstance, God knows best where to take us and how to take us through to work things out for our best and for His glory. We must remember that God is bigger than any problem.

A line from a recently-watched movie was " You must look beyond the obvious to see the truth." Let us look beyond the problems, the hurdles, the fears. Let us look to GOD. Let us go forth into today, with our focus on our God, clad in the full armor of God (Eph 6). We will be ready to look the enemy in the eye and to slay those Goliaths in our lives.

Patience...

I've heard it said, rather tongue in cheek, that we should never pray for patience, for if we do, we will be given situations that develop patience in us as we deal with them.  Let me say here that I have NOT prayed for patience, but I certainly have been plagued with situations and people who try the measure of that virtue that I've developed thus far.

When I was raising my children, I thought I had a good deal of patience. Apparently, these days,  the Lord thinks that I should be developing even more.  Either I'm not learning very well, or I'm meant to be the most patient of all people on earth.

Lord, I'm lifting these 'spiritual weights'. I'm really trying to be strong in You! It's often hard to bridle my tongue and not scream at those who are frustrated or are frustrating me!  Forgive me for my failures and fill me, I pray, with things that please you. For every negative in me that is so easy to practice, You have a positive that You would like to replace it with.  I need those positives, I know....but I'm really not happy that I have to work so hard with these weights to build that spiritual muscle. I guess I'm a lazy Christian sometimes.

Please, just stand beside me, Lord...and don't let me lose these rounds in this battle.  I'm not going to give up, but please continue to encourage me to hang in there. You are my spiritual 'trainer'....and I can't do it without You.  Help me through the challenges, until I've met the goal of becoming as patient as You want me to be.

Thanks, Lord!

Attacked...

It seems, sometimes, that when we are at our highest and best in our Christian walk, that we are attacked. Our family is under many such times these days.  I have resolved that, though I am annoyed, even upset, that I will not cave. I claim verses from the Word of God that get me through those moments when I feel nearly overcome. "The Lord is my strength and shield ",  "A very present help in time of trouble." "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms".   

If I did not have the Word of God to remind me that my God is always watching over me with His love and protection, to encourage me to keep going, to enlighten me when I've seen the darkness fall upon our lives, I don't know what I'd do. 

Yes, this is all a spiritual battle. These attacks come from the enemy. He's hoping to destroy our walk with Jesus, his intent is to weaken our witness for our Savior.  But, knowing that this is not flesh and blood that we contend with, no matter who it is that appears to bring the torment, is a help in being able to deal with it!   If family members or friends stir up difficulties, even if they disown us, it has been foretold in the Word.  They are not the attackers, but are being used by one who truly causes the trouble or discention. 

No matter what, God is greater.  And again I say, 'It's not too big for God.' 

Not Too Big...

Sometimes something or someone will come along, and I feel a bit overwhelmed. It is my natural inclination to jump up and fix whatever the problem is, but boy! I learned a long time ago that some things are not fixable, and most things are not my job to fix.  So I bring them to the Lord.

I have adopted a line which I say to myself when someone is living in a way that I know is displeasing to God. "He's not too big for God to handle."   I pray for them...and whenever the person's name pops into my head, I do it again. 

Similarly, when a problem shows itself, and it's a biggie, I turn it over to the Lord to unravel, or to show me how to work it through. But, while it's irritating me, instead of fussing and fuming, I say to myself..."It might be too big for you, but it's not too big for GOD!"

It's  a real comfort to know that burdens can become lighter when we have help to carry them!
Thank you, Lord for always being available to lift the weight from me...and for knowing how to deal with everything from small to great. Thank you for reminding me at just the right time that NOTHING is too big for YOU!

Building Blocks

Lord, there is so much in my life that was not pleasing in your sight. You know what those things were, and when I asked, you forgave me for them all. That has not been overlooked. I am so grateful for forgiveness and for your guidance and instruction that will make me a better Christian.

This morning I pray that you will search me and know my heart. If there are things or thoughts that displease you, please reveal them to me, that I might confess them and find forgiveness. Then, Father, I ask that you would replace these stumbling blocks with building blocks!

For every negative in life, you hold within yourself, a positive. As you build me upon your strong foundation, it is my desire that you would show me which are the strong blocks of faith. Build me, oh Lord, into the best and strongest follower that I can be. Let my own walls tumble down, but replace those walls, I pray, with a tower of strength in you!

Thank you, Lord God!  For all that YOU are, for all that I can grow to be in YOU, thank you!
Amen