There's a Lesson In This

While so much fun seeing all of our families, this Christmas season was long and tiring.  After traveling three weekends in a row we were all so ready to be home where the kids could play with their new toys and we could all sleep in our own beds.  And then on our second day home the littlest wakes up with a stomach bug, followed by the oldest, then mommy.  :(  Not exactly how we planned to enjoy our new toys and time at home, BUT there's a lesson in this . . .

During our driving this holiday and in the days leading up to the New Year, I took some time to sit and consider what I wanted out of this new beginning.  I put in some extra prayer time and Scripture reading and while many were coming up with words for the new year, I felt like God placed this little phrase in my mind - work smarter, not harder.  You see, I'm from the mindset that in order to expect big things (and really feel like you're doing anything worthwhile), you have to work hard and put in the time.  Unfortunately, this mindset has left me strained, stressed, and overwhelmed.  Not to mention feeling like a failure in many areas of my life.  God's gentle instruction opened up a whole new idea.  Slowly He's been showing me to put Him first, follow where He leads, and do only what is needed in each area without going overboard (I often dive in head first and want a years worth of work done in about an hour, just ask my husband!).  

While my children have been sick, I've done countless loads of laundry, cleaned furniture and carpets, snuggled sick babies, and worked only in the few minutes I can each day.  And you know what?  I haven't been stressing.  In fact, I feel as though I've been more successful in my endeavors because I haven't pushed.  I haven't had time to overthink.  And I've been trusting the Lord so much more.  Trusting that He will lead me in the direction I need to be and not trying to do something beyond that.  Accepting that He has good things for me, even if they don't look like what I thought.

He has confirmed this to me in a couple ways over the last 24 hours.  First involved an incredible book I'm reading called Breaking Busy by Alli Worthington.  In my reading she talks about our God-given purpose and our need to be obedient to that purpose, knowing He can do so much more through us when we follow the plan He has.  The second was through an audio teaching by Priscilla Shirer. I have a devotional CD of hers that plays whenever I'm driving and in this particular message she talks about hearing a prize winning tomato farmer share how important pruning is to producing the largest, ripest fruit.  She goes on to talk about how sometimes we have to prune good things in order to grow better things.  It's funny because they also both point out various times in Scripture where Jesus Himself reminds the people why He came.  For example, after healing many people, the whole town came out to where Jesus was staying and attempted to keep Him there so He could continue to heal them.  This was His response:

But He said, I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."  - Luke 4:43

Both ladies pointed out that Jesus didn't just come to do the Father's Will, but that He did the Father's Will and nothing else.  It would have been good for Him to stay and heal them, but that's not what He was called to do.  Just as I am not called to work myself ragged in every area, trying to trudge my own path and force everything to work the way I want under my control.  I must work smarter, not harder.  For me, this means spending more time with the Lord, listening to His guidance, and being obedient even when I don't know how it will turn out.

I'd love to hear if God has given you a word or phrase for this new year.  Or perhaps He's in the midst of teaching you a new lesson.  I'd love to hear that too!

Do you want to get well?

In continuing my reading in John, I found another verse that really stuck out to me.  Jesus is in Jerusalem and He walks past a pool of water where many disabled people used to sit in hopes of being healed by the waters when they are "stirred."  In this encounter Jesus meets a man who had been invalid for 38 years and asks what might seem like a silly question.  In John 5:6, Jesus asks the man, "Do you want to get well?"  I mean, really Jesus?  This man hasn't been able to provide for himself, sits in the city and begs, and now is waiting by some water every day waiting for the possibility of healing (we won't get into the fact that this man didn't recognize healing - Jesus - when it was right in front of him).  Wouldn't the answer seem obvious?  But wait.

When I was growing up I faced some difficult situations that resulted in an inability to relate to people from an emotionally healthy vantage.  I didn't know how to open up to people, struggled with what to share with others, and even dealt with flashbacks to certain experiences I had when I was younger.  Looking back I can see that I played the part of a victim.  That's what I knew and how I responded.  Then I went to college and started going to an amazing church where they spoke about freedom and peace.  God began to do a lot in me and I realized there were things He wanted to release me from.  But first I had to answer a question.  "Do you want to get well?"  Again, the answer seems obvious.  But what if I said yes?  What would that require of me?  What would change?  Who would I be if those experiences were no longer my identity?

We often say we want healing and freedom, but inside there can be fear of the unknown.  I knew the part I played as a young girl defined by her past.  I didn't know what it looked like to be free from that.  Fear of the unknown can keep us from saying yes to healing and freedom.  Fear of what will be required of us, the new expectations, can cripple us.  Will I be any good at anything else?  Will people like the "new" me?  At the root, however, is simply fear.  We must remember that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).  It can be hard to open ourselves up to healing, but when we do, God will meet us there and we will stand amazed at the other side wondering why we didn't trust Him sooner.

So the next time you read this passage and wonder why Jesus would ask such a seemingly obvious question, ask yourself if you want to be healed or set free from something.  Really dig into it.  The answer may surprise you.  Then you get this wonderful opportunity.  You get the chance to say, "Yes!"

Continual Renewal

Take a moment and think back on your childhood.  How you acted, what you thought about certain things, or how mature you were.  Now compare that to who you are now.  Are there any differences?  For most of us we can see how throughout our lives we have grown in knowledge, experience, understanding, maturity, and in many other areas.  In Colossians we find a call to exhibit this same growth in our spiritual lives, in our relationship with Christ Jesus:

. . .  you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. – Colossians 3:9b-10

As I read this passage what stuck out to me was that in addition to the initial new self that we put on, we are being renewed.  This implies a continuous, ongoing action.  Our relationship with Christ was not a onetime deal where we put on the new self and were in that moment at the relationship level with Christ that He wanted us to remain at for our entire lives.  Just as our parents and older siblings look forward to a child's constant growth as they learn to walk, speak, reason, etc., our Father looks forward to those milestones of constant growth in our relationship with Him as well.  Peter talks about this in terms of moving from spiritual milk to meat in our understanding of God (1 Peter 2).

So how do we do this?  How do we maintain this constant renewal?

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – Colossians 3:12

How often do you clothe yourself?  I'm really hoping you put clothes on every day!  So when Paul says to clothe yourselves with compassion, humility, gentleness and patience, I see it as something we are to do daily.  Again, this is not something we can do one time and hope that it sticks for the rest of our lives.  Just as our clothes, should we never change them, begin to smell and grow old, our compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience would grow stale without being refreshed and renewed daily.  One way to renew these traits daily is through encouragement through God's Word and dialogue with God through prayer.  Another way comes through fellowship with other Christians:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:16

I love this verse!  Did you notice the word pastor, preacher, or leader in this verse?  No!  Why not?  Because this is the job of the Christian community and is not to be left for our leaders alone.  It requires the participation of every member of the body of Christ to teach one another and to come together to praise God and express our mutual thankfulness to Him for all He has done in our lives.  Consider another of Paul's letters:

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. – Hebrews 10:23-24

We have the opportunity and the honor of spurring one another on in good deeds, in worship, in service, in knowledge, and, in turn, in spiritual growth as we support one another.  Through prayer, the reading of God's Word, and fellowship with other believers who are encouraging and supporting one another as the body of Christ, we find ourselves being continually renewed in the image of our Creator.  Lest we grow sidetracked in our own growth and become proud in what we have accomplished, Paul reminds us to constantly point to the Lord as the One who makes possible this growth and all we do:

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17

A Worthy Life

What kind of people ought you to be? – 2 Peter 3:11b

Woah!  What a question!  After reminding us that there is a time of judgment coming to the earth, Peter asks this very profound question:  What kind of people ought you to be?  Considering the many ways he could have asked this question or even just told us the answer, it strikes me as incredibly important that he chooses this phrasing.  It implies that we already know what we should be doing - that we already have the answer.  The Holy Spirit is within every believer reminding us of how to live a life worthy of the calling of Christ.  We need only to listen and heed its conviction.

Before asking this question, Peter draws our attention to a very important, yet somewhat unfortunate, fact: 

. . . for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. – 2 Peter 2:19b

(This just begs the question:  What has you mastered? I'll save that for another day.)

 Instead of simply ending his argument here, Peter calls us higher and deeper into our relationship with Christ.  Hope is offered.  We aren't left as slaves to our sin, circumstances, or idols.  In asking what kind of person we ought to be, he is saying that there is the possibility of being something more than what we are now.  Consider how he ends his letter:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18

We have the ability to grow in Christ!  Living a life for Christ is not living a stagnant life.  It's a life of constant change and growth as we learn more about who God is and all that He has done for us.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:5-8

As children of the Most High God, we are called to grow in relationship with Him, to live a life worthy of the calling He has given us.  This is not something we are left to figure out on our own.  Jesus promised the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, would come to His followers to teach us all things and remind us of all He taught (John 14:26).  Knowing this, I ask you to consider these questions:  What steps is the Lord asking you to take in order to grow closer to Him?  Are you taking them?  What is stopping or preventing you?  If you're unsure of how to answer – ask your Father!  He wants an intimate relationship with you and will, through His Spirit, reveal to you those areas of your life that are getting in the way of that relationship. 

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. – Colossians 1:10

Along the Way

Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as He made His way to Jerusalem. – Luke 13:22

When I read this passage the other morning it caught me so off guard I had to take a moment to consider this short verse and its incredible impact.  Perhaps you're like me.  You get so focused on where you're headed that you don't even realize what you're passing along the way.  Have you ever gotten in the car headed to a pretty routine place (maybe school or the grocery store) and suddenly you're there?  You don't remember stopping at the lights or merging into the next lane.  Honestly, you're kind of hoping you didn't break any traffic laws getting there! 

Too often that's how we live our lives.  We have an end destination in mind that we're so focused on reaching we don't even realize we're living day by day.  We get to the end of a week and think Man!  Is it Friday already?  That's why this verse is so important.  Jesus had a destination.  He was headed to Jerusalem, but consider the multitude of stories we read about that happen on His way to Jerusalem.  He didn't get so focused on getting there that He ignored those around Him.  Instead it says that He "went through the towns and villages" (didn't bypass them!), "teaching as He made His way to Jerusalem."  He could have walked around those towns and kept on going, but He made it a point to stop and talk to the people, heal, and grant forgiveness.

How about you?  Are you stopping in the towns and villages that need to hear the message you carry?  Or are you bypassing them, not even realizing they're there as you make your way to your destination?

Standing Strong

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.  But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. – 2 Timothy 4:16-17

Have you ever wanted to do something, but it seemed like nobody else wanted you to do it?  Maybe they weren't actively stopping you, but they also weren't supporting you?  Perhaps it was something you felt God leading you to do – starting a new ministry, working with a particular demographic, changing jobs, moving, financially supporting an organization, etc.  The possibilities are endless.  If this has ever happened to you, you're not alone.  The great missionary and apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, faced the same challenges.

In writing to Timothy he says that no one supported him when he shared the Gospel and some even abandoned him.  This gives the impression that some who were following Christ and working alongside Paul in his mission turned away from him.  Maybe you've experienced this – a close friend or relative that suddenly turned away from supporting you and the mission God gave you.  Don't lose heart. 

Consider Paul's response to this situation:

May it not be held against them. – 2 Timothy 4:16b

First, Paul didn't hold a grudge.  Easy to say, hard to do!  These people, some friends knowing the importance of this mission, abandoned him, yet Paul did not ask God to come against them or bring hardship in response to their desertion.  Instead, he asks that their inability to stand firm with him not be held against them.  He had compassion on them.

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength . . . 2 Timothy 4:17a

Second, Paul recognized and accepted the Lord's strength.  It can be easy to face these hardships and keep pushing on thinking, Fine!  I'll just do it on my own!  I didn't need your support anyway!  In doing this we forget Who called us to this mission in the first place.  God doesn't call you to something and leave you halfway to the finish line with no strength, no resources, and no help.  Recognize that the Lord called you to this and He will see you through, providing all you need to accomplish the goal He has set before you.

. . . so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. – 2 Timothy 4:17b

Finally, Paul carried on for the Glory of God!  Consider this – what if Paul had decided he was defeated and gave up?  Think of how many Gentiles, how many people, may have never heard the love of Christ.  What about your mission?  Who would miss out if you gave up?  The enemy will try to tell you that your mission is small and unimportant, that you're not really doing anything anyways.  I mean what difference could you actually make for the Kingdom?  Never believe this.  Your mission, no matter how big or how small you perceive it to be, is vital.  God created you for a purpose and a destiny laid out before the creation of the world.  There is someone waiting for you that they might hear, see, and experience the love of their Creator. 

Press on so that at the end you can say with confidence what Paul declared:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  - 2 Timothy 4:7

P.S.  Immediately after God spoke to me concerning this message I turned on my iPod and this awesome song from Big Daddy Weave came on.  It was so perfect and fit so well that I wanted to share it with you.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to find an audio or video file of this song.  So until I run across this, please enjoy the lyrics.  And I encourage you to try finding the song yourself to listen to!

My child I've hoped and I've prayed for this very day,

Since you were just a little one,

And oh how my heart swells with pride,

As I watch the man that you've become.

But this life offers no guarantees,

And though my time on this earth had to end,

I'm sure that your heart would know peace,

If you could just see where I am.

From here the race has been run and love's already won,

I see clearly the end and the start,

From here I'm cheering you on,

So live out each breath with all that you've got.

Oh, and know until I hold you close,

I'll be holding you dear in my heart from here.

I've seen your tears as you've waited alone,

Longing for the special one,

And now all the waiting is done,

As you gaze into her eyes seeing the reflection of love.

Life's road may seem rough up ahead,

And form now you see only in part,

So hold onto each other and know,

That there is an end to the dark.

From here the race has been run and love's already won,

I see clearly the end and the start,

From here I'm cheering you on,

So live out each breath with all that you've got.

Oh, and know until I hold you close,

I'll be holding you dear in my heart from here.

Heaven is calling and my heart keeps longing,

Looking so forward to the day,

When we'll be together forever in eternity,

Just you wait and see.

From here the race has been run and love's already won,

I see clearly the end and the start,

From here I’m cheering you on,

So live out each breath with all that you've got.

Oh, and know until I hold you close,

I'll be holding you dear in my heart from here, yeah, from here.

The Good Shepherd's Path

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:1-4

Have you ever experienced a time in your life where you felt like your relationship with God was on fire?  You took time out of each day to pray, read God's Word, talk to Him, and just spend time with Him.  Difficult things would come up, but you immediately took them to the Lord and knew that, ultimately, He was in control.  Have you ever gotten so distracted by life, deadlines, work, etc. that you lost that? 

I was there just last week.  Finishing up classes for the semester – papers to write, final exams to take – totally took my focus off the Lord.  I still took time in the morning to do my devotions, but they just felt empty.  I would come to the end of the day, exhausted, and feel like I just didn't have any more strength, energy, or time to spend with God.  So instead I read books for fun, claiming it was a stress-release.  I watched movies and tv, pointing to my work load and saying I deserved it.  Yet I would still come to the end of my day and somehow claim I didn't have any leftover time for God.  Each day I felt more and more empty.  Assignments piled up, I stayed stressed, and the work never seemed to diminish.  Somehow I made it to the end of the semester, but I was drained.  And then I attended a service on campus where God showed me what I had been attempted to do:

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the One who calls you. – Galatians 5:7-8

I realized that I was trying to do everything on my own.  I had been running a good race – following the Lord, leaning on Him, and then slowly started turning to my own interests, my own desires.  An image of a path came into my mind.  Instead of running on the path, however, I found myself running just to the side of it.  My feet were getting caught up in mud, my face was hit by branches, and I constantly had to dodge trees.  As I watched this scene in my mind I couldn't help but think, How silly!  Wouldn't it make so much more sense to run on that flat, straight path right there?  There are no branches to hit my face, no mud to slow me down, no trees to dodge.  In the midst of this thought the Lord very gently said, "Crystal, I've laid this path out just for you.  It's flat, straight, and firm.  You chose to step off the path and run.  When you're ready, the path is still there.  I'm not moving it.  Just step back onto it and I can help."

As I realized how easily I had stepped off the path I began to cry out to the Lord to set up guardrails, some sort of fence that would keep me from stepping so easily off the path.  Even as I prayed this God began to show me that He is the Good Shepherd.  As my Shepherd, His crook gently nudges me back to the path.  If I allow him to gently lead me with His crook, I'll never get stuck in that mud again.  I simply need to recognize the crook of my Shepherd, the sound of His voice:

"I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. – John 10:14-15

God has a path laid out for your life and as your Good Shepherd He desires to see you thrive and flourish as you walk along that path.  When we try to make choices without His input, complete tasks without leaning on His strength, and live as if we have to figure everything out on our own, we get caught up in the mud of life.  Branches hit our face and trees come up before us.  But remember that your Father is also your Good Shepherd.  We can choose to rebel and push away from the crook He sets out to guide us on the path or we can recognize that He truly is the Good Shepherd and desires only the best for us.  When we do this we will see that crook not as something keeping us from things we want, but as a comfort and blessing that protects us and keeps us on the path.

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4b