Finding Answers

Recently while traveling, we passed a bill board that said, “There’s a better job out there….”  I can’t really remember the rest of the advertisement, but I suspect it had to do with a specific field of labor that was offering the possibility of employment.  But as my mind kept toying with this idea it made me ask myself:   What does your job say about you?  Is money all that matters?  Is moving from location to location a good thing?  What if you’re happy with your present job, is another still better?  What if there are no jobs?  How do you deal with this created discontent?  What if you are under-qualified or overqualified?   What about training, college, commuting, or the need for the extra expense of work clothes?    

---As you can see I just came up with a whole lot of questions about a simple statement! Given our current economy, jobs are at a premium.  I don’t know if “better” is the right word, or “a job” would be more accurate!  In any case, the whole job issue, or lack thereof, creates an amazing amount of stress and concern in many, many families.  Worry is rampant all over our nation, and worry makes a body exhausted very quickly!  Many have lost their jobs and agonize about how they will pay bills that keep coming, fearful of not even having enough money to put food on the table, troubled about how they can take a sick child to the doctor or buy a tank of gas to get them to work and back, if indeed they have a job.

The book of Proverbs holds a wealth of treasure!  The scripture I read today, reassures me that when we search His word, we will find answers.  When we believe that He will answer our prayer and our needs, we can have peace.  His eyes are on the sparrows and they are also on each one of us.  If we believe, we can know that he will never leave us and will provide the means to see us through whatever trouble comes our way.

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:  for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;  for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;  for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young--  let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--   ~~~    but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.  Proverbs 1:1-5, 33

Lists and More Lists

             I am a list maker!  It seems I make the traditional grocery list, a to do list, a should do list, a cleaning list, a reading list, a study list….and on and on!  I seem to function better if I have something concrete in front of me giving me direction and keeping me focused!  I expect I’m not the only one.  In fact, there have been seminars which teach the proper way to keep these “lists” and use them most effectively in our lives.  That being said, I have never been to one, but wonder about its teachings!   The idea is to keep our lives managed and in some kind of working order!  I, being a list making kind of person, think this is wonderful!

            The idea that God is not a God of disorder seems to hold true with that theory.  We get more accomplished if we have some kind of clue just what it is we want to get done!  There is some discussion about whether the Bible intended the word “disorder” or “confusion” in the verse from 1 Corinthians 14. (below)   Paul was, incidentally talking about keeping things “orderly” during worship.  So how does this fit in with “confusion?”  

            I think it still applies.  The Word seems to be saying that God prefers order rather than confusion, in this case, in a worship service.  Why can’t that include more than just our worship services?  If it is right for worship service, then shouldn’t it also apply to our lives?  When our lives become so full of other things, we lose focus on whom we are to worship and then our lives are no longer orderly, but all askew with things of the world interfering with our time spent with God.  Isn’t this also a form of confusion?  Isn’t this also causing disorder in our lives?  I think so, because when we are experiencing disorder then we don't have peace.  

            When we lose sight of our goals with our Savior, which include living a Christian life and furthering His kingdom, we are beginning a downward spiral of disorder that left unchecked, can become a whirlwind leaving us extremely vulnerable to Satan.  So I’ll keep my lists….and yes, I even have one for Bible study.  I have much to learn.  God is an amazing, awesome God and I will never know (in this lifetime) even half of all there is to know about him.  I know HE knows what he wants for my life and it’s my job to discover it and be the person he wants me to be as I read, pray and listen to his voice!

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.  1 Corinthians 14:33a

Do My Best, Let Him Do The Rest

            Today is a beautiful, sunny, beach kind of day.  While I’m not at the beach, being outside in the sunshine does have its appeal (and that would be even greater if it weren’t so humid!)   But here I am at the computer pecking away! Being tired today isn’t an issue, it’s the controlled discipline of being where I am supposed to be and doing what I am supposed to do!  That isn’t always easy!

Then there are those days when its rainy, dreary and dark and tired comes easy!  I could curl up with a book and read and not think twice about it…except I always seem to have so very much to do here at the computer!  I have a list of projects I’d like to complete that is staggering!   Never mind the domestic duties that are screaming my name and yard work that keeps pleading for me to come work on it,  ---that book keeps enticing me to sit back, take the day off and read!    

          

            As much as I’d like to, there is something more important than either of these.  It is the writing I have committed to.  I have given my writing to the Lord, which means I have to give it all I’ve got and then let him do the rest.  But if I don’t do my part, how is he going to do anything with it?

            I was thinking just this morning, during prayer time, about the Parable of the Talents.  Each servant was given a certain amount of money and told to care for it.  One invested well and doubled his money, another invested and didn’t do bad, but one didn’t invest it at all but buried it and the master was horribly upset!  (Luke 19)  That’s kind of the way I feel about my writing.  God gave me a gift to work with and if I’m to be a good servant, then I should invest in it well!  After all, He really is coming back and I believe soon.  I will be judged by what I have done, just as the servants in the parable from Luke.

            Of course, sometimes even knowing I must write to be productive, there are days when I do become “tired.”  It’s hard to be patient when it takes so long to see a “return” of my work!  Getting a large project finished is only half the battle!  It can take up to a year and a half or two years to get a “finished” project completely finished to publication!  ….and that’s after I have found a publisher!  It comes back to me doing my part and then letting HIM do the rest!  For to honor God, means I can’t quit.  I must keep giving him my best and letting him to the rest by believing nothing is impossible with God!

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.  James 5:8

Even When We're Tired

            Near the end of last year, I was approached by some members of our congregation and asked if I would write a Christmas play for the church.  They had specific criteria they wanted included and could not find it in the available material. 

My first reaction was something like panic since I’d never written a play before.  “That’s a whole new ball game for me!” I said.  “I don’t know if I can do it.”  Breathing deeply I said simply,  “I’ll have to pray about it and get back to you.”  And pray I did for several weeks.  I just wasn’t sure what to do!  I considered the possibility with excitement, fear and much uncertainty about my ability.  I wondered what I even knew about writing a play!   You have to worry about setting and what the people say and directions and all these things I have no clue about!  I was certainly out of my comfort zone!  So I prayed and waited.

Late one night I went to bed, completely exhausted as normal!  I was nearly asleep when I was suddenly awake, knowing exactly how to write the play!  I was absolutely amazed.   I could only say to the Lord, (and I even said it out loud-Charles hadn’t come in to bed yet.) “Okay, if you want me to write it then I will!” I closed my eyes and fell off to sleep.

What was equally amazing is I didn’t get up to write anything down, but had complete recollection of it in the morning!  Usually I forget that “magnificent thought” if I have it when I’m nearly asleep!  But in the morning I rose, got paper and pen, and it was just there!  God blessed me with the outline and followed up with dialogue and setting and direction and all the other elements needed to write the play!  

The Sunday school department was delighted because it was what they wanted.  God has a way of working things out when we let him. Even when we’re very tired, God can work his plan.   He has designs and purpose for us and it’s up to us to first recognize his voice in whatever form it comes and then carry out his instructions so that prosperity can come to further his kingdom.  What a wonder!  He indeed gives hope and joy and love.  What a God we serve! 

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   Jeremiah 29:11

Be Still, Wait, And Know He is God

            Some months ago we were all set to spend several hours fellowshiping with several couples from our church.  One couple had been detained.  They were waiting on a phone call from the doctor about their 3 year old grandson.  Was the leukemia returning?  He had gone through rigorous chemo at age 18 months and had been declared in complete good health.  The Lord had healed him and now here they go again….  The call came about half an hour later.  It was confirmed.  Little Matty must begin chemo again.  There is a donor for the bone marrow transplant, but the child must be in remission first.  How frustrating…..we must believe God is in control and he knows things we don’t, we kept telling ourselves.  There’s a reason for this test…..Matty is strong and God has a special purpose for that little guy.

            As a parent or grandparent it is exceedingly difficult to “be still” when you hurt for your loved ones and even more so when it’s a child.  When they fall down and scrape their knees, we clean the wound, put a band aid on it, dry the tears, give lots of hugs and send them on their way.  It’s more difficult for a broken arm, but generally you know after a trip to the doctor, you’re going to walk away with a confidence that it’ll all be okay.  A broken heart is a little more difficult to fix since it isn’t a physical wound and that takes time to heal, but you’re right there should they need a shoulder to cry on.

            But what about something big?  What about cancer?  We can’t just “fix” that.  It’s a mean, cruel disease and there aren’t any answers or quick fixes.  “Being still” just now takes all the energy and faith a body can muster!  Then there are the questions of funding, the home that is left untended while treatment is given in a city miles away, the other children, and the list goes on and on.  But still, there’s that scripture that says, “Be still…..and wait.”

            All we can do is ask God for the ability to indeed “Be still…and wait” knowing that God loves that little guy even more than we do.  He’s special and God’s got a plan!  As of this writing, Matty is doing better.  He was able to have the bone marrow transplant, but still, there is a mountain to climb.  We have an awesome God and are grateful he has come this far.  

            If you are facing an uphill battle and you are exhausted from the fight, I ask for God’s grace in your life and the strength that has been displayed through this child.  I know prayer changes things and encourage you to not give up.  Be still, wait and know that He is God!

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Psalm 37:7

Soaring Like the Eagle

           A friend of mine recently said, “Today is one of those days when I feel completely drained.  It seems nothing is going right and no matter what I say, it’s wrong. And what makes it worse, it seems to be a carryover from last night!”    Everyone probably has days like this occasionally but when it happens frequently we begin to wonder of our value or our worth.  We ask questions like, “Why do I even bother?”  Who cares what I have to say anyway?  What would happen if I just didn’t say anything about anything?”

I’ll admit to having days like that, although, thankfully not often. But isn’t it easy to just give up and get down in a pit of depression that hangs like an ugly, gray, heavy cloud above us? It taints everything we attempt to do.  The adage about attitude carrying your altitude has merit!  When my attitude is less than perky, then my circumstances tend to reflect that!  When I am happy, energetic and animated, it seems to carry over into conversations and into the work I am trying to accomplish.  This is a good thing!  Being happy is so much more fun than being sad or in a bad mood!

            It’s so good to know that God cares.  He knows our hearts, our hurts, our worth.  And we have the promise that if we hope in the Lord, we will be renewed.  That doesn’t mean necessarily, it will happen today (although one can pray for that!) but it will happen in God’s time and with his purpose.  There is joy and freedom in just knowing a time will come when we will be able to soar like an eagle.  Now there is freedom exemplified! With this knowledge, we can know better days are coming! 

            I pray your week is filled with such joy and energy that it leaves you surprised at the altitude your attitude took you!  
           
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31