Did We Take a Wrong Turn?

Did We Take a Wrong Turn?

Did we take a wrong turn somewhere, God?

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Did we take a wrong turn?

This path we’re on is bumpier than I expected. I’m not seeing many “green pastures” or much “still water.” It’s certainly not glamorous.

I was kind of hoping for something more exciting, less mundane. I know You lead down “paths of righteousness,” but isn’t there a less exhausting one?

That path over there…the pleasant-looking, grass-is-greener one? I think I’d like that one better. It looks easier, more productive, more… well, fun.

Can’t we give that one a try?

Do you ever have such conversations with God?

Ever feel frustrated, discontent, even disillusioned with the path on which God has you? Ever compare your life with others and wish your days looked more like theirs? Or maybe memories of past seasons or dormant dreams make you long for something…different.

Life has a way of not turning out the way we envisioned, no matter how good we have it.

Sometimes I whine and complain, as evidenced by the above conversation (“inspired” by this past month).

I’m so thankful that God isn’t impatient, that He continues loving and leading me, no matter how I grumble along the way. Sometimes I’m in awe of how gracious and “longsuffering” He is.

In my grumbling seasons, God faithfully reminds me that He Himself is the only Source of true joy and satisfaction. “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail” (Is 58:11). “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Ps 90:14).

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Did we take a wrong turn?

He never promised that life would be easy. On the contrary, He said, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk 9:23).

Some days are crazy hard, but “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

By faith, I trust that He has “given us everything we need for a godly life through the knowledge of Him…” (2 Pet 1:3).

When I grow weary, I remember that “at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9).

Sometimes He leads through the valley of the shadow of death, yet He is always with us (even when we don’t feel Him). He knows when we become “weary and burdened,” so He invites to come find rest in Him beside quiet waters (Ps 23, Matt 11:28-30).

He Himself is each need’s satisfaction and every heart’s greatest pleasure.

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Did we take a wrong turn?

Are you on a difficult path? Have you been grumbling about your circumstances? How does Jesus satisfy you when life is hard? I’d love to hear – please join the conversation!

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When Life Blindsides You

A Good Good Father

 

When Life Blindsides You

When Life Blindsides You

It came out of nowhere, that unidentified flying creature.

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Something flew out of the darkness

Out of the dark, into my personal space, it hit me on the shoulder and bounced off before flying back into the night. I ducked and ran for the car, then sat stunned in the passenger seat. I tried to slow my breathing and calm my racing heart.

What had just happened?

I replayed the 30-second escapade in my mind’s eye. Hubby and I were on our way to catch a late-night movie. He had walked out of the house first, then ducked suddenly when something brushed his face as it flew by. He was slightly shaken – it’s unnerving to collide with something in the dark. But it was gone. We were fine.

Then, as I walked toward the car, I encountered the…thing.

It was creepy. Startling. Unsettling.

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The unidentified flying creature flew at me from the darkness.

We decided it must have been a bat. (I shuttered as I typed that!)

That crazy, short-lived event reminds me of life in general. Sometimes we’re blindsided by unexplainable events, sidelined by a change of circumstances, or frightened by things outside of our control.

It’s easy to become fearful, discouraged or bitter when life doesn’t turn out how we hoped.

That’s why I’m grateful that our God is a Rock – both to anchor my feet when everything else is shifting unpredictably, and to be a hiding place for my soul when life’s storms threaten to engulf me. I love the following verse:

“And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is (our) treasure” (Is 33:6).

Life is unstable. But God never changes.

The One we call Father is the same God who was faithful to Abraham. The same God who did wonders through Moses. The same God who wove goodness into the tragic events of Joseph’s life.

He was David’s Protector, Solomon’s Wisdom, Elijah’s Provider, Daniel’s Strength.

He is still the Way, the Truth, the Life, Living Water, Hope for the hurting, Healer to the broken.

His grace was enough for Paul, and it’s just as sufficient today.

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Our unchanging Rock

I’m so grateful for a God who remains the same through all the changes of my life.

How about you? How does God’s eternal nature give you hope and courage? I’d love to hear! Please join the conversation!

 

Lessons from my Old Guitar

Sometimes I feel so on top of things. The days are going just as scheduled. Everything is flowing nicely. I’m checking things off that endless “to-do” list and loving the feeling of accomplishment.

And other days, it’s quite the opposite.

Like today.

I’m sitting here in my cozy, quiet-time chair, not because the house is quiet, but because it’s not – and neither is my heart. It’s been a day of playing catch-up with my schedule, of telling little people to calm down, to read that sentence again, to pay attention, to do your chores, to wait just a minute while I finish helping your sister…It’s been that kind of day. That kind of week, actually.

So I’m asking God to quiet my restless heart.

Across the room, my old guitar catches my eye. It sits like a tribute to yesteryear, to days gone by when I actually had time to play. As I stare at it, I think to myself, I feel like one of those tightly-wound strings – stretched taut against the fretboard. I hate feeling this way.

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But then I realize…that tension is precisely what makes the sound of the guitar beautiful. Each string is pulled just right, bringing the entire instrument into tune. It would never make music without the tension.

Music in general is full of mounting tension and then release, of chaotic dissonance and then resolve. These contrasts bring interest and beauty to the piece. They are marks of a good composer.

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How very like life.

Though I long for peaceful days absent of struggle, I often find God composing beauty in the chaos. He is writing the song of my life through each and every season, each and every day. In the problems I face, He is crafting loveliness where there would otherwise be none.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The righteous runs into it and is safe” (Prov 18:10). 

For every struggle, there is Jesus.

– When I need to problem-solve – ”All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in [Christ]” (Col 2:3).

– When chaos and instability threaten to engulf me – “And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge…” (Is 33:6).

– When my heart hurts – “Blessed be…the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor 1:3).

– When I feel the sting of rejection – “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. (Is 43:1). “…I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness” (Jer 31:3).

– When I am in need – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).

– When I sin – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9). “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (Ps 103:12).

– When I am weary – “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28).

What a comfort to know that God is always there, always working to bring about good for His children (Rom 8:28). May we daily press closer to this God who meets our every need. And may we learn to hear the music He is creating in our lives.

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What needs has Jesus met for you this week? How do you see Him orchestrating beauty in your life?

Related Posts:
When the Day Looks Daunting
Plastic Cup in a Garbage Truck

When Fear Invades

It always makes me a little sad, taking down Christmas decorations. All the tinsel and lights and evergreen beauty – even as an adult, it still seems a bit magical. But now it’s over and time to get back to work.

And then there’s the new year.

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It used to fill me with excitement and hope. I would dream of what lies ahead and celebrate with anticipation. But I’ve noticed an unwelcome change in my heart over the last few years. Maybe I’ve become pessimistic. Maybe I’ve just come to love a simple life and don’t want things to change.

Actually, I think I’m afraid.

Afraid of what lies ahead. Afraid of losing what I love or of the discomfort of change. Fear can wield such a vise grip on my heart. Indeed, it has been one of the greatest struggles of my adult life.

This is no small matter for a follower of Jesus, because fear sabotages faith. 

When fear moves in, joy and peace get pushed out. Trusting God is replaced by anxiety and “what if’s.” And the longer fear is entertained, the more it takes over. Where fear once was a nagging thought, it begins to command center stage. Instead of walking by faith, self-preservation becomes the goal. Instead of eyes fixed on Jesus, I’m distracted by myself and my surroundings.

But thank God, He’s the Lifter of my head. Thank God, the Holy Spirit is my Teacher. Thank God, He doesn’t leave me here. Thank God He still quiets raging storms – even storms of the heart.

And He reminds me…

He is completely in control. There’s not a ruler or a nation, an organization or a terrorist, a tragedy or a trial, a sickness or even death, that He is not Lord over. He is more powerful than any “giant” I will ever face.

He is abundantly good. There is a lot in life that is not good. A whole lot of things are just downright horrible. But our heavenly Daddy is always working for our good. While He allows free will and human choice, while the evils of a sin-ridden world run their course, He promises to bring good out of it for His own. His intention toward us is kind. Love is the heartbeat of our Redeemer. And He Himself is well-acquainted with grief, so He’s able to comfort us when we need it.

I am of great value to my God. When Jesus taught His disciples about overcoming fear, He based His command “Do not be afraid” on this fact: God notices every bird that falls to the ground. We (whom Jesus calls His friends!) are of much greater value than the birds, so there’s nothing to fear! Nothing in heaven or on earth could cause Him to forget His friends. He is ever attentive to our prayers and our plight.

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I am never alone. Sometimes I catch myself dwelling on “what if’s.” But if I stop to think about it, I realize that the presence of God is noticeably absent in these scenarios. Here’s the reality – never will I face a trial or a struggle on my own. The indwelling Spirit of God, with all His infinite power and wisdom, is forever my Companion.

So when fear invades, this is how God is teaching me to respond. (This, of course, relates to unwarranted fear. In truly dangerous situations, fear can be a God-given response compelling us to “fight or flight.”)

Ask God for discernment. Is there a legitimate danger I need to face or flee? If not, then…

Notice whose “voice” I’m listening to. The devil’s native tongue is deceit, and he’s a master at distraction. If I’m entertaining fear, I’m most likely believing something that’s not true. Or forgetting something that is true.

Seek God for the truth that counters any lie.

Respond in faith, based on the truth. Quite often, the response of faith is opposite of what fear is driving me to do.

So, as I face the new year, I rejoice that our God became man, conquered death and is forever with us through His Spirit. He has good things stored up for His kids, and one day He will set all things right. In the meantime, His nearness is our good.

“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works!” Ps 73:28.

May we treasure that nearness and trust His heart.

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What about you? How do you respond when facing uncertain times? I’d love to learn what God has taught you!

Don’t take my word for it! Check out these passages:
Ps 31:19; 89:6,8; Rom 8:28,39; Eph 1:5,9; Zeph 3:17; Isa 53:3; 1 Jn 4: 8-10; Matt 10:29-31; Lk 12: 4-32; Isa 49:15-16; Heb 13:5

When the Day Looks Daunting

Does the day ahead ever look daunting? Do you see it looming mountainous in front of you, and just want to pull the covers back over your head?

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Sometimes I’m just tired. Other times, the memories of yesterday shake any courage I might have had for today. Still other mornings, I know that today holds things I just don’t want to tackle.

On such days, like today, it’s time for some soul-talk. I dare not let my heart lead.

Here’s what I’m reminding myself today…

Everything needed for Christlike living – it’s already mine. I lack nothing. I may feel inadequate for the challenges of the day. But Jesus is my sufficiency. His Word is my sword. His Spirit is my Guide. His armor is my defense. His truth is my freedom. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him…” (2 Pet 1:3).

I can do everything though Jesus – His wisdom, His strength, His grace. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

God has already prepared good works for me to do today – I don’t have to do everything, just those things He leads me to do as I walk with Him. His Holy Spirit will work through me to produce His fruit. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10). “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purposes” (Phil 2:13).

God is good, and nothing can shake that. He has dealt bountifully with me. It is ok, even necessary, to “return to rest.” To stop and breathe. To take a “time out” when I feel frustrations mount or when my resolve begins to crumble. It does the soul good to recount the Lord’s kindness. “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you (Ps 116:7).

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So here goes – let’s do this thing!

What soul-talk helps you face a daunting day? Feel free to join the conversation! I’d love to hear your thoughts!