Your Best You

 

(youchoose.or.au)

Disappointment and sadness come into our worlds on a regular basis. Yet some of the faces around us seem to smile all the time. Why?

Amid other speculations, perhaps we’re seeing a mask, to disguise the sorrow they’re going through. Maybe, we’re looking at someone who doesn’t understand the ramifications of the news they’ve just received. Or perhaps, they choose joy.

Is it possible to receive devasting news and allow a smile to rise up in your heart? While we may often need to release our feelings through tears or angry outbursts, I believe it’s a choice whether or not to surrender to joy. It’s one of the choices we regularly make.

You cannot force joy, it comes new every morning, along with the mercies of God. By the way, joy and happiness are not the same thing. Joy gives your strength even when you’re not happy.

Ponder this: the God of the universe created you and knows you better than you know yourself. He knows your thoughts before you think them, and yes, He knows what lies ahead of you and how you’ll respond to Him each day. He knows your weaknesses and your limitations. He also knows what you’re capable of, and He trusts you to reach for the best version of you. Not just the best version of you that YOU can imagine, but the one He created when He knit you together in your mother’s womb; the best that you can be, each day.

That would require incredible strength.

Along with those incredible expectations, God provides that great strength.

Instead of responding to negative circumstances with tears of sorrow or wrestling with frustrations or outbursts of anger, what if we responded to God? Let me say that backwards. What if we respond to God - instead of to our circumstances?

God is within our circumstances; He also surrounds us in the midst of them.

God is the one constant in our lives. Circumstances change. The people who surround us change, and the ones who travel with us through life sometimes change how they interact with us.

God’s love for us never changes. He’s always within reach. He always provides what we need, when we need it. Even when to our human heart it may feel like He hasn’t shown up yet, He’s here, working with us, in us and through us. He has not left us, and He promises He never will. (Hebrews 13:5)

What we need and when we need it may look quite different from God’s heavenly perspective. We can’t see the big picture like He does; we’re still on this side of eternity. We sometimes feel like God doesn’t hear or answer our prayers when we’re only looking at the situation from our puny human perspective.

Don’t limit God. Don’t tie His hands by turning from Him, pouting and going your own way. He IS the Way, the Truth and the Light. He’s seen your future since before the foundations of the earth were laid. Trust Him. Choose joy in the midst of what you don’t understand.

To scripturally recap:

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10

“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not of your own understanding.”  – Proverbs 3:5 

Throwing Stones

(photo from atlantayogamovement.org)

When things don’t make sense, it’s sometimes hard not to come up with a billion or two critical words to sum up the situation; for those of us on the more verbose end of the spectrum. You pithy people can probably sum things up in a brief negative sentence.

But, why are we so quick to jump into the deep end of negativity, simply because something doesn’t make sense to us? Does everything have to make sense to us? Is it not remotely possible that God speaks differently to others than He speaks to us? What is it about the human mind that makes us so quick to assume, and so often to assume incorrectly?

Many of us have been saturated with a lifetime of criticism, words that flew off the offenders lips so quickly, they couldn’t possibly have had time to analyze what they were saying or whether the words were necessary or even accurate. There will always be something critical to say about most every situation, if you want to live that way. Biting our tongues can be a bloody battle, especially if your tongue is as unruly as mine can be.

Remember when you were young and your mother said, repeatedly, “If you can’t find something nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? She didn’t make that up on her own; all of our mothers said it. And their advice, unsolicited though it may have been, will probably serve us well in most situations.

If we take a few seconds to run those words by our Father before we let them slither between our lips, we can save a lot of broken hearts and spirits and do far more good in the world around us, than if we selfishly insist on blurting out all the negative thoughts that pass through our brains. We can raise confident, happy children and turn the hearts of the bitter people on our path in a new direction. We can more openly talk to our friends and we can contribute solutions to the problems around us, rather than merely heap fuel onto the already blazing piles of trouble that appear at every turn.

Before we can speak, we first think. But, too often, we don’t give the thought process enough micro-seconds of time to function, so it can protect the speech process from harmful actions. Or am I the only one guilty of this?

Do you have any suggestions for those of us who engage our mouths before, or without engaging our brains? Most of us are guilty of this, whether we recognize it or not. Maybe we don’t stick around long enough to see the hurt in the eyes of those we offend, but whether we acknowledge the wounds or not – they’re there. We can create wounds even when the target of our negativity isn’t within earshot.

Our tongues are powerful, indeed. Our words can be as deadly as a car with a drunk driver behind the wheel. Sometimes harsh words might be appropriate, but those harsh worlds should be well-considered before they’re spoken, too.

Often we’re critical for no good reason, other times we’re critical because we just don’t understand what we’re criticizing.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ’ and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 KJV

First, look for the good.

Open Heart

(Picture from walterlogeman.com)

God sees my heart! He sees me struggle, He sees me fall. But, praise His Name, He doesn’t base my future on the mistakes of my past. Yes, He sees my heart!

God sees beyond the occasional bad word that slips through my lips when I indulge in fits of anger. He sees past the selfishness of my taste buds when I just have to have a piece of chocolate that’s not on my diet. He looks through the fears that sometime prompts less than proper or acceptable behavior; and He gazes on my heart.

And what does my heart look like? Is it black with sin? Is it ugly and angry and filled with hate that motivates inexcusable temper tantrums?

No, because I’ve yielded to the power of His Holy Spirit. In me, He sees a heart that is hungry for more of Him; hungry for more of His Word and for more of His power.

Does that make my mistakes okay? No. But, they are forgivable. And He freely forgives. The only hang-up is when we refuse to accept His forgiveness; when we’re too proud to acknowledge that we need it, and we choose not to receive it.

More than thirty years ago I gave my heart to Him. It was a night of divine revelation, when He broke through my fears and my pain and revealed to me His great and mighty and powerful and jealous love for me. Though the choice was mine, how could I refuse Him?

It wasn’t just the most overwhelming feeling in the world; it was the most incredible knowledge in the world! And I now possess that knowledge! I can deny it; I can hide it or try to ignore it, and can discard it as if it were a lie. It’s mine to do with as I please.

I choose to live in this knowledge; to walk in it daily. I choose to embrace it, to engage with it, to prosper in it, to explore it and to find eternal salvation in it.

I choose life!

When you watch a love story unfold before you on the silver screen, what happens to your heart as you see the star lovers miss each other? Why is our heart in our hands when the man and the woman seem destined to meet on that rooftop or on that subway ride or in that park – and something comes up to keep one from making it? The other is left, alone, believing the lie that the other had no intention of showing up.

But, God always shows up.    Right on time.    Always.

What holds you back?

“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. – 1 John 3:20 (KJV)

Attention Please!

(Picture from junocreative.com)

Where’s your attention lately? You’re finances, your backache, your heartache, your weight, and/or your children? There’s a spiritual connection – if you’ll make it.

If you’re anything like me, when a part of your body (or family) hurts or begins demanding your attention for one reason or another, you become more aware of it, learning more about it; how it works, its importance to your body and your overall health and happiness. This became huge in my life when I suffered from migraines, and it’s huge now that I’m dealing with weight issues.

So, let’s ponder this together.

Let’s say you’re trying get rid of a few fat cells, you’re overweight and frustrated. Could it be that God is using your situation to draw your attention to what you’re consuming and why you’re consuming it? Not just the junk food you reach for when you’re stressed or the foo-foo coffee drinks which are so easy to get addicted to, but spiritually? So much of what we eat these days isn’t even “real food” – the chemical additives have become more of the ingredients than what the food item was supposed to be in the first place. How much of what we take in spiritually is junk food, and not “real food”?

You’re concerned about your finances? Perhaps God’s drawing your attention to those of us who are going without, the lack in the body of Christ. Not just the lack of money, but so many other things that God provides freely for us. For example, grace – how many of us don’t avail ourselves of the grace that God lavishly pours out over us? But, instead, beat up ourselves us continually.

What if your mind is on sex a lot? God can use that to draw your attention to the lack of intimacy within the body of Christ. Intimacy is huge! Shannon Etheridge pointed out in one of her books, that intimacy means “into-me-see”. We have walls up to protect ourselves from each other. How many people can you see into? Do you let others see into you? See any problems here?

Headaches? Any one suffer from chronic headaches? It might be that God is trying to draw your attention to Jesus Himself, the head of the Church; which is the body of Christ, and all that He is; His fullness, His sacrifice, His blood, His death, burial and resurrection – all of it. So much to be learned and received there!

NOTE: I am NOT saying that God causes these things in our lives – but rather, uses them to get our attention and point us toward the things that have His attention.

What if your back hurts? Is God calling you to be the backbone of His body? Our backbone can make us stand tall, and move with authority. But, the backbone also holds everything else together; our nervous system runs through our back, impacting the rest of our body. Chiropractors can manipulate a back and affect other things in our bodies from pain, to allergies, to bed-wetting, to who knows what else. There’s a lot to ponder there!

Do your toes or feet hurt? Could God be trying to communicate with you about your walk with Him? We sometimes stray from the path we know He’s set before us. Perhaps we’re not on the “straight and narrow” like we thought we were, like we started out to be…

What about someone who’s underweight? God might be drawing your attention to those amongst the body of Christ who are under nourished, underfed - spiritually. Does He want you to teach; to feed His sheep? Jesus said we don’t live by bread [food] alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. He also said that His meat [food] was to do the will of His Father.

Biting our tongue, or a toothache or a canker sore on your lip can steal your attention. Hmmm, our mouths; that might be an obvious one. But, look at all the possibilities – I hope you pray and ask God what the spiritual connection is here; the spiritual point to ponder. Is He drawing your attention to profanity that slips from your lips; even cursing [using the phrase “God damn” someone or something]. Or is He trying to point out our negative self-talk, those negative words we speak to, and over ourselves? Or the negative way we speak to, and over those we love? Do you ever catch yourself calling people (or yourself) insulting names? Look into God’s Word and learn the importance of and power in your words!

What if nothing’s “wrong” – but, you’re pregnant or caught up with toddlers? God may be drawing you to see the children of God with new eyes. We’re all God’s children within the body of Christ; this is where His love thrives, in the hearts of His children.

What about repeated “bad hair days” or going bald? God might draw your attention to your covering. Is there something you do, by habit or on occasion that draws you out from under His protection; that takes you off in a selfish or ungodly direction? Or – is He calling you to be one of His protectors? An intercessor, to cover us in the body of Christ? Or to physically protect us?

Failing vision? Maybe God wants you to take another look at what you’re looking at; the things that take your eyes off Him, leading you in other directions. Or perhaps He’s nudging you to draw your attention to the unseen; to look beyond what our physical eyes can see!  J

Whatever it may be that demands your attention, look for its spiritual application. What might God want to draw your attention to through this? Whether it’s something I’ve mentioned or not, pray over it and ask God to show you Himself. I’ve made some suggestions, but God alone knows what He’s speaking to your heart.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding...” – Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)

(Picture from sodahead.com)

The Silver Lining

(A Gratimoment Mug)

Simple moments of thanks……..or as my friend Stacy Voss would say, Gratimoments.

Sometimes the things we’re thankful for or find pleasure in seem silly to others. For example, our son installed a new toilet in my husband’s bathroom the other day and we take great delight in flushing it. Who could find joy in flushing a toilet? Anyone who’s old toilet required that you stand there holding the handle down for a good twenty seconds so it would flush. Now it’s a tap of the handle and “whoosh” – gone instantly! Dave’s offered to buy me one for my bathroom for my birthday next month!

Another simple delight was getting a gun safe for my husband the other (his birthday present) and putting our old gun cabinet on Craigslist. It went quickly, but not for the cash I asked for it. My first responder asked if we’d be willing to trade for something. Like what? I asked. I’d not thought about a trade at all. He responded with a suggestion that made Dave do a double take. He’s been wanting an air hockey table in the basement for quite a while now, for the grandkids, of course. (wink, wink) It’s in great condition and it’s a blast to play – and it was the answer to a desire of Dave’s heart. Can it get better?

We needed more yellow paint to touch-up, and I dreaded matching the paint to a new can, and paying for more than I actually needed. Upon searching my garage to find the old can – I discovered the can half full, even though I know I used the last of it the last time I touched up.

Or…..

Finding something you’ve misplaced before you go out and buy a new one

Finding cash in an old coat pocket

Putting a smile on someone else’s face

A great night’s sleep

A new blossom on your favorite plant

An out-of-the-blue compliment

A rainbow

Figuring out who-dunnit before the end of the movie (or book)

Winning a game

Making it to the ladies room in time

That first sip of coffee in the morning

An unexpected sale price

A hug

A touch

Your scale being especially kind to you this morning

A long waited for visit

Your favorite song coming on the radio when you actually have time to listen

A cool breeze

The smell of the ocean – or rain

A child’s giggle

Not being criticized by someone who generally does

A good secret

A lazy day

Someone else’s good news

Divine revelation

New socks

A great meal – that someone else cooked

Pajamas warm from the dryer

Eye contact with someone you love

Figuring something out on your own

What would you add to the list?

For all these things and so many more, I thank You Jesus!

Psalm 100:3 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (KJV)

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)

It's in the Details

http://bluemoondevotionals.blogspot.com/2010/06/stop-signs.html

“Surrendering the story and it’s ending to Jesus takes me to a place where I don’t have to contend with whether the script is going according to my timeline or to what I want to see happening by now, or the faulty ways I’d have orchestrated the storyline and it’s outcome. My way wouldn’t allow room for all the equipping necessary for the victorious ending we’re in for.”

 

That was a reassuring thought I pondered the other morning.

 

There’s a reason I’m not God, no doubt, many reasons.

 

Clearly I’m nowhere near as patient as I’d need to be, I want to see things done right now. I get frustrating with all the “prep-work” that goes into becoming who God designed us to be. I get grouchy over muddling through the stages necessary to become strong and equipped. My heart breaks over the pain and agony that sometimes unfolds along the way.

 

And that’s just when I’m looking outward, at the stories unfolding around me. It’s harder to see the story unfolding in my own life.

 

We all have loved ones who appear to have hit “rock bottom” in their lives, sometimes more than once. It makes us cry, but it makes them stronger. I know a few people who don’t recognize the bottom even when they’re sitting there, seemingly by themselves.

 

Every “aha moment” we experience is ours alone.

 

I can’t give you an “aha moment” – though God may use my words or actions to bring you to that place. Nor can you do the same for me.

 

This journey of life takes a myriad of twists and turns through joyful mountaintops and grueling valleys. Some moments are meant only for transactions between us and the God that created us; they can’t truly be shared with anyone else, though we may wear ourselves out trying to express them, even trying to force them on each other.

 

There’s a guy on TV that’s famous for drawing you into his conversation, only to pause and say, “…wait for it…” before he presents you with his trophy point to be made. Life is packed full of “…wait for it…” moments. Too often, we refuse to wait. Our loss.

 

What’s at the end of the journey and all along the way? Joy.

We can’t create it or reproduce it, it comes from God. We can create happy memories, happy events and even moments of ecstasy. But God gets the credit for joy.

 

Whether you’re wrestling with the way your story is unfolding, or praying over someone else’s storyline, wait for it; God is at work in His own wise ways, weaving His joy-filled masterpiece.

 

Even when our mortals eyes can’t see it.

 

“…but joy cometh in the morning.”  Psalm (30:5 KJV)