Seeing the Advantages

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. John 16:7(New American Standard Bible)

I marvel at Jesus’ compassion and graciousness. He not only told His disciples that He was going away but He gave the very reason His departure was necessary. Although they could not fully grasp either truth, He still gave it. Sometimes it is hard for us to see the advantages to the losses in our life, until long after the fact. With time and growth comes the realization of all that couldn’t or wouldn’t be possible if change had not been forthcoming and security blankets had not been removed.

I think back to many Bible characters who saw the removal of individuals from their life and also saw the necessity of those removals. God systematically brought people into their life to help prepare them for future ministry and work, and when the time was right, those individuals were removed. It was true of Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Samuel and David, Barnabas and Paul, and even Jesus and His followers. Each had grown use to being under their teacher, mentor, and guide. I am sure when the time for departure came, each had to wade through the thoughts of not being ready for the change yet. At the end of their life though they could look back and see all that God intended for them beyond the circumference of their once enjoyed companionship.

These truths minister to me and cause me to meditate on the advantages that came with the removal of one who played a significant role in my Christian life and journey. I would have been content to be under her influence and teaching for the rest of my life and struggled to see any advantage come from the severing of our relationship. For a few years I saw no advantage! After time and growth, however, the advantages are coming into view and I am convinced none of them would be possible without the change. Those advantages? I finally saw the full scope of my emotional dependency, I reached out to God in a way that was not possible before, I began searching for answers to questions I never asked before, I began learning truths about God I never knew before, and I poised myself to connect with God in a way I failed to do when someone of significance was available.

For me, it was a person. For others it may be the removal of health, wealth, or jobs. Whatever the case may be, know that God has advantages to birth through the pain and discomfort that will come. He is not arbitrarily playing with your mind and emotions. He is passionately bringing you to a place intimacy with Himself and usability for His kingdom. He makes no mistakes.

Father, help me to trust You during the times of removal in my life. You give and You take away. Blessed be Your name! Amen.

In His Time - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo-rGzx2OZk

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

A Refuge for Me

But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel. Joel 3:16b (New Living Translation)

For much of my Christian life I did not know how to allow God to be my refuge and fortress. My shelter and place of protection from storms, dangers, and falsehood. I took my questions as well as my heartaches to people and looked to them to comfort, nurture, and protect me. In the beginning of a Christian life this is normal and even necessary. But God knows that if a transition is not made, whereby eyes and hearts are directed toward Him, the growth and spiritual well being of that individual will be stunted.

The transition happens naturally for some individuals. Somewhere along the line they see their need to shift their focus and their walk with God becomes an intimate one. For others, God must take some drastic measures to begin the process. I personally was not ready or willing to begin solely looking to Him until significant people were removed. Henry Blackaby says that “sometimes God has to remove others from our lives, so He can continue His purposes for our lives.” Does He know it will hurt? Yes! Does He know we will struggle to understand? Absolutely! Does He know we will wonder if we are going to survive the necessary severing? Definitely! But He also knows the result and He knows ahead of time which direction our heart will take.

For me, the losses drove me to Him and now the current difficulties do as well. Last night was a case in point. I had emailed a friend requesting prayer for some specific areas in my life then I went to bed and found it difficult to fall asleep. My mind was consumed with questions and my eyes were filled with tears…once again. But it was at that time that God began to teach me some truth and help me to see things I had been unaware of. As soon as I took in the truth, the tears ceased and my heart became settled. He was my place of repair and rest at that moment and I slept soundly. No one, absolutely no one, on earth can do that for me like God can!

I carry into today that experience and rejoice anew that He has finally brought me to the point whereby He is the One I run to and cling. He is the One to whom I ask the difficult questions. Will He still use people in my life? Very much so because that is one of His purposes for the body of Christ. But He is the One who now has my attention and neither one of us would want it any other way.

Father, I stand in awe of what You have accomplished that I never could do on my own. I praise You and need You! Amen.

YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE - Maranatha Singers
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zej__yFPeK0&feature=related

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.

My Ultimate Helper

My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2

I love Scripture that reminds me of who God is and what God is in relationship to my life. Psalm 121 gives me four aspects of God that are encouraging and refreshing to read. He is my Helper, my Keeper, my Protector, and my Guard. Talk about feeling surrounded and safe!!!! As His child, some of my most basic needs are to be loved, cared for, nurtured, and wanted. If I am seeking to get those needs met independent of God I am in for disappointment, heartache, and sorrow.

To think that the One who comes to my aid is the One who created heaven and earth. Anything I bring to Him shrinks in comparison to the magnitude of His creation. I often jokingly will tell someone, “Yes, God divided the Red Sea, brought water out of the rock, raised the dead, defeated vast armies, and much more…..but what I am bringing to Him is a BIG problem.” Laughter erupts because of the absurdity of such a statement!

Isn’t it interesting how certain individuals can come to our aid and just their presence relieves us? For instance, seeing a fireman when there is a fire, seeing a policeman when a crime is about to be committed against us, seeing a soldier (from YOUR nation) when the enemy has moved in? Those are just a few examples but none of them can compare with the presence of God in ones life. His attributes of being all-present, all-power, and all-knowing put Him far above any human source of help.

I am coming to realize that His help (while always available) does not mean life will automatically go my way, that dangers will disappear, or that heartache will cease. But when I go through a storm or a valley He is able to preserve my soul and spirit. Though my outward life may be filled with difficulties, He is able to bring peace and safety to my internal world. It does not mean there will be no tears. It means I will be able to shed those tears on His shoulders and in His arms.

I long to live in a perfect world with perfect people and perfect situations….but that is Heaven. While I am living my days out here, I am learning to take refuge under the shadow of His wings.

Father, Your many invitations to come to You show me where to turn throughout my day. As my helper, keeper, protector, and guard, You quiet my heart amidst any difficulty. May I always rest in You. Amen.

Faith Amidst Tears

Therefore comfort one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:18

Well known Bible teacher, author, and speaker, Beth Moore had a statement that has stuck with me ever since I read it. She made it a point to say that our faith needs to be built on who God is rather than what God does. Her explanation was that if it is built on what God does we will be in for a roller coaster ride of a Christian life when God does not respond and act the way we want Him to act. Whereas when it is built on who He is, that never changes and we have something to hold to that is solid.

It was that reminder and truth that I took with me as I drove to a local hospital to visit a friend earlier this morning. There are times when we face the difficulties and heartaches of life and know that God alone is the One who will comfort in ways we cannot. After battling some years of infertility and finally becoming pregnant with twins, my dear friend called this morning to let me know she had lost the girl twin at 20 weeks. As I drove to the hospital my mind raced for answers only to be reminded that my faith must be built on who God is! I cannot describe for you what it is like to step into a hospital room with a young couple filled with grief and yet holding tightly to their genuine faith in God. Just a few feet from her bed was little Haley no bigger than my hand yet fully developed! As I rested my hand on her little body I had to remind myself that God now held her spirit.

God alone helps us to minister to people when we find ourselves in situations with which we cannot relate having never been through their particular ordeal. He faithfully and gently nudged me to share two truths with her. First of all, I let her know her grief, tears, and questioning were not an insult to God. They were emotions He understood and did not want her to shut down that part of the experience. She has much to process in all of this as well as a continued pregnancy with little Jacob. May she know His shoulder is available for her tears and sorrow.
Second, I reminded her that we can trust who God is even when He doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we had hoped. We may never know the “why” but we can rest in the fact that He is still a good, loving, and faithful God. At this time, God holds my friend, her husband, and their unborn son securely in His hands.

Father, tears are to be expected at this time and trust in You is what will see us through! You are who You say You are! In that we rest. Amen.

God Carries Me

You have been borne by Me from birth and have been carried from the womb; even to your old age I will be the same and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you. Isaiah 46:3,4

When my children were born I carried them everywhere. There was no way for them to go from one place to another without being picked up and carried. As they grew, learned to crawl, and eventually learned to walk and run, I carried them less and less. Now at the ages of 15, 17, and 19 I wouldn't think of picking them up and carrying them...physically. Yet I still have ways of carrying them in my heart, my prayers, and by encouraging words.

I am reminded this morning that God has carried me from the womb and continues to do so as an adult just a couple years shy of 50. His carrying implies many things. He holds me, sustains me, equips me, keeps me, provides for me, maintains me, and takes charge of me. He has made Himself entirely responsible for my success, effectiveness, and continuation. My part is to simply cooperate with Him.

There are times when I (like a stubborn child) want to do it myself and go my own direction. I can fight against the very things He wants for me. While never leaving me, He lovingly allows me to squirm away until painful consequences drive me back to His arms. When I come in repentance and brokenness, He does not hesitate to pick me up and carry me again. He is the ultimate Father of the returning prodigal.

May I not desire anyone or any thing else to be my support and foundation. I cannot afford to exchange being carried by Him for any other bearer of my soul, my burdens, or my life.

Father, continue to carry me day by day. Let me sense Your presence at every moment throughout the day and night. I love being carried by You. Amen.