Not Only Chosen ... Planned

Picked Last Courtesy Google Images

We stood against the wall, waiting. Nervous energy flowed up and down the row of 6th graders. But I knew. No one wanted me. If for no other reason than I was not athletic. This was pointless. The unfortunate classmates stuck with me on their team would pay the price.

We all knew it.

I accepted it. I was overweight. Couldn't run without my lungs pushing my heart into my throat and out through my nose. Hated most sports. Gym class was just a fulfillment of class requirements.

The truth was, it wasn't possible for anyone to actually want me on their team. I wasn't fast enough. Couldn't volley a ball, sink it in a basket, or make it fly across an outfield.

Over the years, an outer shell developed that would protect a wounded and unloved heart from certain rejection. The underlying sentiment ran along the current of wanting to belong somewhere or with a group of people. It was the split between self-preservation and looking for community in the same circle.

Courtesy Google Images

Community is vital to survival in this fallen world. It's part of evaluations in hospitals--whether a person feels isolated or if they have a good support system. And then, at the end of life, even the one who says, "I'm not spiritual," will find it difficult to see a person die without family close by.

I bring this up because every person on earth was planned. The ideas surrounding facial structure, height, hair color (and its thickness), gifts and talents, passions, and convictions were poured into our personalities before the moment of our conception (Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5).

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5 ESV) 

Every individual's worth is embedded in the careful planning and imagination of our Creator God. Our identity is wrapped in His careful, intentional workmanship.

He knew, as he formed us in the secret, what our lives would look like, the difficulties we would endure, and the triumphs we would celebrate. He allowed each dynamic to be part of the thing that shapes us, strengthens, and sustains us.

No one wants to see struggle in their life, especially during the storm. If we allow it, we will be able to minister to others around us through our experiences. It's part of the plan. Our purpose. God's design. To draw us to Himself.

You might ask, "Why would God allow me to go through such horrible pain?" Job asked. He lost wealth, family, and health tragically and unexpectedly. His friends told him it was his own sin. It wasn't. His wife told him to curse God and die. He never got that answer, but he did get to know the majesty and beauty of God in the process. And then God restored all that was taken from Job.

We could visit many contemporary stories of tragedy turned to powerful testimony, magnifying the wondrous beauty of God. I am certain every person reading this could share moments of our lives when God used something tragic to bring triumph. Or maybe we're on the way to victory.

The truth is, we have been planned. Our story is part of the process. No victory is won without a battle. No team becomes victorious without rigorous training.

I believe it is possible to forfeit our purpose. We do it by refusing to grow through the process by allowing God to strengthen and mature us.

The Apostle Paul endured many hardships after his conversion from persecutor of the church to author of several letters to the church, in passion and compassion for God's people. He told the Galatians that even his life was planned. "But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles ..." (Galatians 1:15-16). 

Knowing that he'd been chosen for this, he encouraged the church. He'd endured beatings, was left for dead, shipwreck, snakebite, and imprisonment. And yet, in Galatians 6 he tells the church, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:9-10).

You and I have a vital role to play.

Let's go all in, even when we are tired. Ask the Lord to strengthen us to take the next step if we need to.

Until next time, give God all praise and thanks.  💜 Karlene J  💜 

For the Win

 When a breakthrough comes, whether great or small, we have cause for celebration for several reasons. One reason to celebrate is that we've been freed, the problem is resolved, and the bills are paid. Another reason to celebrate is to let others know and testify to God's goodness. Most importantly, to make Him known to everyone around us. The reality is, we cannot hide. Our coworkers, neighbors, family members, and close friends can tell when something is going on, even when we do our best to put on a brave face. And although our close friends might know we're in a battle, they aren't always going to be able to help carry the burden; however, they may have the ability to carry us to the Lord in prayer. 

(I honestly think this is one of the best parts of a friendship, knowing they're willing to take us before the Lord, hold my hands up (figuratively), and ask Jesus to intervene.)

Some battles we face are brief. In the medical field, we call them acute events. Sudden and unexpected, requiring immediate action, and often can be resolved with treatment. While potentially traumatic, the event resolves with the Lord's intervention, and we can testify, celebrate, and magnify the Lord.

Longterm--chronic--battles are generally those things that linger, may go into remission and re-emerge and subside again. The symptoms could be characterized as harassing agents, or perhaps--as Paul described it--a "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Either way, it's important to recognize who it is that sends the trouble, and to whom we should look for relief. No trial, struggle, or hardship is sent only to harm us. Instead, if he wins, we are collateral damage to a greater battle that is being waged. We are told this is not a flesh-and-blood battle: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).

The difference. between acute and chronic events is the length of the season. A chronic event can last many years. A lifetime, even. This can become wearisome. The one carrying the burden may feel weak, faint of heart.

Does this mean the person is weak, faithless, or separated from God?

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I don't believe so. Instead, this person may simply become road-weary.  And oh, the joy when the Lord walks them through the door to freedom! (Proverbs 13:12)

After a lifetime of battling harassing voices telling me I will never be ___, I can attest to the weary, worn, and clinging to Him for my life.

For years, I battled against a harassing lie. I knew it was a lie, but for whatever reason, I could not silence it permanently. I would pray, read my Bible, quote Scripture, etc. The harassment would end for a time, but inevitably, the liar would breathe his whispers once again into my ears. It was usually when I was overtired and overwhelmed by work or family crises.

The last time was two weeks ago. Without going into a lot of detail (that's for another time), this battle was on. I was in West Virginia visiting family for a wedding, and by the time I returned home, the liar had inserted perceptions and skewed thoughts into my head. The entire time, I knew I heard lies.

This is one of the most frustrating places to be. I was physically and mentally worn. Emotionally, a train wreck.

So I cried out to Jesus, "Please fix this in me."

And a dear friend cried out as well once I confessed this to her.

One Friday morning, I awoke and asked again, "Please fix me." And that morning, He spoke 4 words to my heart.

"I hold you guiltless." (Genesis 20:16)

"I don't abandon those who seek Me." (Psalm 9:10)

"I am your Hope." (Romans 15:13)

"This is your Goliath. Ask, and I will slay it for you." (Jack Hibbs podcast)

By noon, on this Friday, I could sense a difference. Until then, it had felt like a 20# weighted blanket was wrapped around my shoulders, and I couldn't shake it off. Until then, I'd felt so fatigued that sleeping for 48 hrs wouldn't have helped.

But throughout that afternoon, I felt lighter, my mind was clearer, and the shroud that blocked my vision was gone.

It was quiet. No fanfare. But Jesus showed up and healed that corner of my heart that was so susceptible to lies.

Courtesy Google images

This is the hope that comes, bringing with it a wellspring of life. It's not only for me. I'm sharing it because I want to encourage you. I am His daughter. And you're also His beloved child. He doesn't ever look at us and say, "I will bless this one, but that one? They need to beg a little longer, say more penance, serve better ..." 

NO.

He delights in His sons and daughters. He waits for us to turn our faces towards Him and ask for His comfort, healing, grace, and strength.

It's ours. Reach out and grab hold of His hand. Whether He heals us physically or not, He will heal us emotionally, and our souls will be whole.

Blessings to you! Until next time, 💜 Karlene J 💜 

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