Exchanging Fear For Faith

Zechariah displayed a classic case of doubt when he first heard he was going to be a father.  It makes sense from a human perspective.  I mean, what are the odds?  Both he and his wife were long past child bearing years, yet this was a man of God, a priest no less.  Still, he was human.  His doubt of the words from the Angel caused him an unusual punishment.  He would be unable to speak until his child was born.  I’m sure there were times Zechariah wished he hadn’t spoken those infamous words.  “How can I be sure of this?  I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”  (Luke 1:18)

            I admit I am a chatter!  A lively conversation (not with any hostility—in “hostile mode” I tend to go silent!) that is interesting, engaging, filled with pleasant and even disagreeing opinions, along with a hot cup of coffee or cool glass of tea is a wonderful way to spend several hours.  Conversation is a relationship builder!

            Sometimes children choose to say more than they should, when annoyed with a parent or even another sibling. They have to learn there are times to share their feelings, and times when it is totally inappropriate.  

 Other times we are just misunderstood due to dialect or expressions unique to a given area.  In Wisconsin, a water fountain is known as a “bubbler.” Some areas of the mid-west call a “hair-tie” a “hair-binder."  In Tennessee words like “clean / plumb” can mean completely; and “right smart” can mean a large amount; and the word “buggy” is used instead of shopping cart! 

It is suggested it only takes five to seven spoken words to identify a person’s honesty, intelligence, and other important characteristics; perhaps even our level of faith. However, the dialect we use need not necessarily define us. A dialect does not deem the person inferior in any way; it simply makes his language usage different.  Yet a person’s idiom’s can imply ignorance, laziness or other stereotype, which is far from the truth. 

            However, there are times in our lives when we all say things we wish we hadn’t; but once spoken, cannot be taken back.  These are words spoken in anger, when we are hurt and sometimes even excited or surprised, perhaps like Zechariah!  

Often, without conscious effort we vocalize the questions in our minds, even if only to ourselves.  We may lament our circumstance of whether we will get the “cold that’s going around,” lose a job, have a bad day, run into someone we’d rather not see and all sorts of negative things that play in our mind.  Our minds react to what our ears hear even more than when we just “think” the thoughts.  

            When we think to the point of vocalizing negative thoughts, our fears can override our faith.  We predict negatively and our “prediction” turns into what happens.  We’ve opened the door so Satan can make our “doubts” come true.  

            If Zechariah had not doubted, perhaps he would not have had his speech taken.  If we choose to rebuke doubt and think more positively, perhaps some of the negative things that could/do happen, won’t. Instead of allowing fear to trump faith, we need to replace our fear with godly confidence.  When we place our Christian assurance in front of our uncertainty, we open the door so God can make good things happen.

            I encourage you to reflect on your “self-talk.”  Do you express personal doubts that feed the seeds of fear?  Do the words that come from your mouth demonstrate your faith in Christ or do your ears hear doubt in the Savior’s ability to work in your life?

In Just Three Years

            

            Some years ago, the book “Christy” became a television series.  It was captivating.  I read the book when I was young, watched the series and finally had the opportunity to visit Del Rio, TN to see the area where “Christy” taught school!  

Leonora Whitaker, (Christy, in the book) the mother of Catherine Marshall, author, volunteered at the Ebenezer Mission after attending a missionary conference in Montreat, North Carolina.  Her courage to teach for the Society of Soul Winners, despite remarkable odds, is an inspiration to all of us to do those things we are called to do by God.  We all have abilities which often are buried deep within our beings because we are afraid to leave the little cubicle in which we have locked ourselves.  We are certain we are under educated, unable to carry the responsibility, sure we don’t have the funds to support whatever it is we’d like to do, and convinced we’d be ridiculed for our efforts, since they seem out of the norm.  

            Leonora’s (Christy) life as a teacher in Cutter Gap, among other lessons, gave her insight to how people feel, learn, live, help each other and honor God.  The children she taught, taught her as much and influenced her life beyond what she ever imagined, even though she taught at the mission for just under three years.

            Someone else came into the lives of others and ministered for three years and had an impact that continues today.  Jesus Christ. He came at a time of unrest.  People wanted a Messiah, someone who would come as king to rule the people. He didn’t.  He came as a baby, grew into a young man, lived a sinless life and had a ministry among the people for a mere three years.  

Yet his impact has had nothing less than a miraculous impact.  People worldwide still worship him! He taught love and kindness, peace and good will. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, raised the dead, made the lame walk again, rebuked demons, fed the thousands with a few fish and a couple of small loaves of bread, walked on water, calmed the seas and changed water into wine, and ultimately gave his life for the salvation of anyone who would accept him as Lord; and this is just a sampling.

His effect on people continues to dramatically change lives.  With encouragement, any one of us has the ability to alter the lives of another through kindness, generosity or other act of warm sincerity.  When we rely on Christ for guidance in ways we can make a difference, we can be certain His light will shine through us, onto those around us.

I love it when I see a bumper sticker or a billboard that says, “Wise men, still seek him!”  He literally changed the world….and we have His Word to study and learn from!

            Do you ever think about the impact you have on people?  We are all here for such a short time and it’s amazing how even a brief encounter with the right person can change a life!  

I Am Helpless Without God

           

          A friend was sharing recently about changes they’d like to make in their life. Changes often affect more than just the person making the decision. Depending on the situation, it can affect an entire family and sometimes even several!  It can be a hard decision when it involves more than one person.  

            After the conversation, I was left with prayerful thoughts about options and listening to God’s voice. It is He who created us to be productive, yet wants us to remain aligned with His will.  We are told in His word “the sheep know the Shepherd’s voice.”  It’s important to separate emotion and self-will, to be quiet and still, to enable us to hear God’s voice through all the other thoughts pounding and clamoring for space in our head and hearts.

            Most of us want to be productive in whatever we are doing.  That’s been the mind set since time began.  In times long past, the pioneers and farmers produced the items they used.  They fashioned farm tools, spinning wheels, leather goods, hunted and grew food, built furniture and created supplies from the lumber retrieved from the forest.  Later, iron and lead production of nails, cast iron cook ware, among other newly formed tools and ultimately inventions changed the entire landscape we now call America.

            Creating each of these items took a fair amount of training and experience; (and perhaps a little luck-- or a mistake!)  People relied on each other for the goods they could not produce.  They realized if they didn't rely on each other, they may perish.  The same concept can be said about our spiritual life. When we don’t rely on God we are, in reality, helpless and can perish!  

            When we don’t stay in The Word and prayer, we find ourselves filled with doubts and fears about what we can and cannot do.  We shrink from “what might be” and “what if?”  But God doesn’t want us to be like that.  We were created to hear his voice from the depths of our beings.  He wants to guide us to new heights.  Our new adventures can’t happen or at least be successful, if we don’t put our trust in him.

            God has given us gifts to share, with which to be productive.  Each person’s skill is unique to him, given his personality and how he chooses to use it.  This is true when we minister or when we are in the midst of a giant change of direction. Often we look at the practical side of things and say, “that just can’t be done!”  But if God is molding us and transforming us to make such a change, we must rely on God to work out the details, even if in our finite minds, it doesn’t seem possible!

            When we see with the “eyes of God” into these situations, we can see God working on us and “growing us” into the persons we are meant to be.  We are made stronger when we recognize we must move forward, but stay aligned with him; and that we are not in control.  It is God.  He can make us fruitful and productive in ways we couldn’t have imagined.  

Lord and Master

         To know someone has possession of us or be in complete submission can be intimidating.  My immediate thought process catapults back to the Civil War and what it did to our country.  It was a time of upheaval for our country and nearly devastated the communities of many states across the region, even dividing states in half. History indicates loyalties and emotions were driven in opposite directions, as ideas on the slavery issues and other ‘state’s rights matters’ came to a head.

         As a teenager from the 1970’s I remember when the “Woman’s Liberation Movement” really took root. It was a time of huge discontent among even the young girls in high school.  There were rallies and demonstration to further the cause.  They were determined they would be submissive to no man.  They had the right to equality on all levels, shunning the idea of having doors opened for them or any other kind of kindness or service that implied they were unable to do it themselves!

         In marriages, we as women, are to be submissive to our husbands.  That thought, or claim, can curdle the blood of some women.  But to be submissive to the head of the home, (our husbands) is to be submissive to God.  It doesn’t mean they are to treat us as second class citizen’s without respect. But our husbands are to be leaders in our faith.  They are to be strong and the example of God’s Word and world.  

         I was reading an article recently written by a Baptist minister who indicated believers have a problem being submissive to the Pastor and Elders when making a major decision. I admit I have always been one of them! While I agree with getting advice from my Pastor, I’m not sure it ever occurred to me to make major decisions based on what the Elders believe. That said, I never pictured myself going to an “elder, deacon or other church authority” about anything other than spiritual matters. I understand Elders respond to the question based on prayer and careful thought, but as adult, it seems I should be responsible (and accountable) for my decisions, not someone else.  Yet I find myself, as I read scripture, wondering if they aren’t on to something. 

         Submission in any form comes hard for humans.  Jesus was the model for submission, however, when he went to the cross because it was God, the Father’s will.  If we could base our mode of life on this singular incident, we would see how important it is to be submissive to Christ, as Lord and Master as we are God’s creation and belong to him; our Pastor, as leader of our congregation who we trust with our spiritual growth; and our husbands, as leaders of faith in our homes.

         So I challenge you to reflect on your feelings of submission.  Are they in alignment with God?  Is God your “Lord and Master?”  Is your husband the “head” in your household and if your Pastor and Elders were to share a different opinion on a matter you discussed with them, would you take their advice? 

Checkbooks and Calendars

            

On the first of each month, I pull out my checkbook and pay my bills.  It’s what I do.  The date on the calendar demands it.  

            It’s interesting as I think about the ritual of paying bills.  I loathe the process, even though I’m glad there are funds enough to cover them.  I am painfully aware there are many people who live pay check to pay check, trying to decide which bill they should put off in any given month.  It’s after all a very important decision.  When we are unable to pay our bill(s), interest builds so fast, it doubles the basic amount in no time.  

            Jesus found it important to pray before making important decisions.  That blows my mind in a way.  He was God…..yet…..  He was a man. He deferred decision making to his Father.  I wonder how often we even consider consulting God for advice for making decisions….even paying (or not paying) any particular bill.

            Our culture has created the mindset that we can buy anything we want and have it now.  It’s how we live.  Many families have two, three or even more credit cards and each of these cards are maxed to the limit.  That’s a scary thing---well it would be for me, anyway.  I’m terrified of being in debt.  Don’t misunderstand.  We do have debt.  We have a mortgage payment and a truck payment and then there are all the monthly utility, internet, satellite TV, insurance bills, and others that keep reminding me I have much to be thankful for!

            All this focus on our checkbook has a way of cluttering our calendars, as well.  When we pray about God’s will, which is one thing Jesus was careful to pray about, we become afraid that to do anything constructive will require more funds. Even if the funds include paying for gas or food items for a Christian gathering.  Could giving to a missionary fund even be possible given our current financial situation?

            Even if we could donate a little extra funds to a worthy church project, what in the world are we to do with the giving of our time? Our time (or lack of it) is often running neck and neck with our finances.  There is little of it to share with anyone, especially if you have young ones who are in sports events or other extracurricular school activities.

            Still, there’s a “catch 22” in this scenario. While funds are stretched to the very last limit for paying those credit cards we’ve maxed out, we seem to be able to find enough money to attend sports events, or buy extra sports equipment. (An extra fishing pole, bowling ball, golf club or even running shoes are absolutely essential.) Right?  Add to this the monies spent on the snack foods (or meals) purchased at these events, or the coffee or other beverages while there.   Or we've scheduled the manicure, pedicure or hair cut or coloring or shopping trip for a new outfit....  Well....it’s what we do!  Suddenly we’ve found funds (and time) for those “things” we really find important--even if it's "just" adding to our credit card amount.

            My point to all this rambling is to bring into focus how skewed our perspective can be when our checkbooks and calendars are placed side by side.  They really are “best buddies.”  But should they be?  Should we put on our calendars those events and purchases, our checkbooks can’t handle? 

            Is it time we place both our checkbooks and our calendars at the feet of Jesus and ask Him to give us wisdom on how we manage both?  

God Is All Powerful

            

         Standing atop Clingmans Dome in Tennessee at 6,643 feet, or on Harney Peak in South Dakota at 7,244 feet, I breathe deep.  The air is chilled and exhilarating!  While Clingmans Dome is the second highest point east of the Mississippi and the highest point in Tennessee, Harney Peak is the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains.  In either case, it is necessary to drive part of the way and then walk the trail that leads to the observation towers. 

            Depending on the weather, the vistas from the towers are breathtaking both for sunrises and sunsets!  There are days, however, when fog obliterates the views, while other days, smog from air pollution or smoke from distant fires destroy the amazing panoramic views.  

            There are times when our lives are filled with “smog” like pessimism, negativity, sadness, heart break, unplanned challenges, dangers, choices and situations we’d often rather not deal with.  There are times, like the air quality at Clingmans Dome, when we are unable to see beyond what is immediately in front of us.  Therefore, our “personal air quality” is less than optimal for making good decisions regarding any choices we need to make. 

            It’s times like these we can find encouragement through a relationship with God, the Father. Our lives are filled with people on both sides of the equation.  We have those who seem to throw a blanket on our plans, rain on our parade or otherwise darken our days with their less than encouraging words.

            The other side of this picture are those who are amazingly supportive, tell us they believe in us and encourage us to carry on.  Sometimes these people are in the shadows of our lives, yet give strength in ways we didn’t expect or those we only interact with for a season, or even meet for a brief moment.  Others, like those close to us, whether they are our parents, spouse, siblings or best friend, we depend on exponentially,because if we didn’t, we’d likely crumple when attacked by those who would crush our spirit.

            When we have a solid support system, with a deep desire to do what is right, and certain we are following God’s will in our lives, we can move forward with a confidence the defies those who would doubt us.

            As we move forward, knowing the mission before us, we can know we have another support system, greater than any one or group on this planet.  We know, because God’s Word assures us, He is all powerful.  When God is for us, who can stand against us?

            So, I challenge you to reflect on that which you consider important in your life. What mission do you feel God has called you to do?  Are there those in your life who would rather tear you down than build you up?  Can you, with an all Powerful God at your side, align yourself with those who support you?  I encourage you to give your best effort, and feel the power of God lead you.

Leaving A Legacy

           

           I read a story about a husband, when retiring, began wondering if he was dying because his wife was nice to him!  I found that a bit humorous, and wondered how often we miss when our spouse does something nice for us.  Or, from the other side, how frustrated a spouse can get because it doesn’t feel like anything done out of love or kindness is ever appreciated.  Rather there seems only rebuke or reprimand.  It also made me wonder what kind of legacy I’m leaving my children?  Do my relationships (with my spouse, family and friends) leave any question about my love for God and His commandments?

            David was considered a man after God’s own heart.  David loved God and recognized God had a purpose for his life.  Because of his heart for God, he did all God asked. God knew David’s motives and love were genuine!  Because of this, David left a legacy for all of us to live up to!  I would like to leave a legacy like that!

            Leaving a legacy for generations that follow is important.  It helps define and characterizes who our children and those who know and believe in us become, even if not directly.  We all have the capability of impacting other lives. A positive influence is so much better than a negative one, and there are so many ways to do it!

            Museums across the United States trace the traditions of music, art and stories that allow visitors to re-experience, to a degree, what their ancestors left behind.  The paintings, documents and objects recovered from the Civil War and Reconstruction period, along with other significant stories of Native Americans and immigrants that came here, enables people from all over the country to research and study significant times in history.  The work exerted to draw all these pieces together as a legacy for generations after Wars and other significant changes, given the extent, is phenomenal.  

            But even as important as all these relics are, as they pertain to our history, culture and ultimately how we view the past, it is still only a tiny fraction of the importance of leaving a legacy of love and commitment to those we love and care about.  How we perceive the world, God’s Sovereignty, and our place within this realm is more important than any material artifact we could leave any person or group of persons.

            We are all designed with a significant purpose in this life.  There is so much more than collecting material goods, having a large bank account, nice house and expensive clothes.  How we treat others, respond to attacks on our faith, give of ourselves to those in need and take care of our planet are all ways, to name only a few of how we can leave a legacy of something fundamentally good.

            So I encourage you to reflect on your life regarding a legacy.  What will you leave behind when you leave this world? Are you living out the purpose God designed for you?  Are you like David: “A man/woman after God’s own heart?  What will be the single most important thing of value your family, friends, co-workers and even those who don’t know you, but meet on the street, remember?  Do they see your faith being demonstrated as a life testimony? It’s absolutely worth the look!