I Had It Wrong

Mirror Image Illusions: Google Images

"God, don't give up on me yet." (The King Will Come -- Yet)

A single plea within a song, beautifully sung, and likely resonates with many. I know it did with me.

For years, I would sit in my quiet spaces crying, pleading for God to please don't give up on me.

I had it wrong.

But I didn't realize it until someone said to me, "You know, Israel isn't a Christian nation."

And it's not. Neither is America these days, if we're honest. But Christians do live in both nations. Around the world, in fact.

Lately, I have been reading my Bible to learn more about my Father, God, instead of looking for answers to my own life. It's been an amazing journey.

I remember reading the Old Testament and getting frustrated with the Israelites. God would send someone to rescue them from bondage, enemy attack, and slavery. Their gratitude would last about 15-seconds until the next temptation presented. (Or so it seemed.) The people would inevitably fall for the temptress, rebel against God, and go their own way. Until things got messy and they needed their God to be stronger than the ones they were worshiping. And God would send another deliverer.

I was irritated with these people. And when I consider their stories, they aren't too different from my own. I cycle through trusting that my God can save me, confessing, committing my life, then getting distracted by the next shiny object that comes my way. (Sound familiar?)

As I considered these things, setting the statement of my friend next to the shortcomings of this ancient nation, a thought came to mind: what if that was the point? 

What if choosing a nation that would time and again reject the Lord, His prophets, His Son, was the illustrated message we all need to behold?

Think about it. Since the promise was spoken to Abram until today, throughout Scripture, there are promises stating Israel will be one day restored. One day, Jesus will come and set up His throne in the new Jerusalem that will come down from heaven (Revelation 21:2).

God has assured His people throughout Scripture that He never changes (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). His Word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). All His promises are "yes and amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20).

We are a blip on the eternal radar right now. If God never changes, His promises never fail to be fulfilled. If His promises will be fulfilled, He has not given up on Israel. If He continues to wait patiently for Israel to return to Him (after thousands of years), He will not give up on us.

You see, it's not about how hard we try. Jesus reminds us, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5 ESV). " It's whether we trust. Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (NKJV). As we abide in Him, He will heal our brokenness and lead us to the paths of righteousness. We surrender to His work. It's not easy, but it's worth every step.

Always with you: Google Images

The important lesson here is to quit trying and begin resting in His ability to "keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude v24 KJV).

He has promised, and He will fulfill. He Himself says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV).

So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6 NKJV).

Until next time, go in the peace only our Father can give. 

💜 Karlene AJ 💜

ps. The song is a beautiful one. It was that one line that gave me pause, as I have been learning to quit striving and start trusting. 

Beyond the Looking Glass

The following is from a project I was involved with about 11 years ago. Time stands still for no one. 💜

Beyond the Looking Glass (Karlene Jacobsen 7/16/15)

Eloise couldn’t believe her luck. She’d chosen Paradise for the trip because it was supposed to be remote, cool, beautiful, and close to Lake Superior, the next best thing to an ocean-side resort. The risk of shark attacks was greatly reduced here. It was also far from people like her.

Apparently, not far enough. Back home, near Detroit, she’d been forced to tolerate undesirables. Because Eloise’s husband, Edward, was pastor of their prestigious church, these people invaded every space possible in Eloise’s life: church, Bible study, life group, the children’s soccer games, school functions, the soup kitchen … the list could go on forever and eternity would never dim the stench they left trailing them.

And now, this woman. Eloise could almost see the cloud of vapor that swirled about her person. Maybe that’s why her skin seemed slightly tinged with green and her smile produced yellow with black speckled teeth. It was doubtful she’d ever been shown a comb, let alone taught how to use one. It was impossible to know whether she was a dirty blond, or if her blond was just that … filthy.

Even the shores of Whitefish Bay—supposedly one of the most amazing places to visit in Northern Michigan—couldn’t insulate Eloise and her family from those less … er … fortunate, apparently. They might be ensconced in family feuding and sibling wars, but at least they were out of sight and out of danger of soiling the pristine Christian image she and her family had worked tirelessly to paint in Detroit.

McClean State Park @ Sunset 2007

Eloise chewed on her lip. She had to get the family to quit quarreling long enough to escape into their Suburban before the woman saw them and came to ask for money. The children scowled at each other after threats over who’d pay the most for taking the best seats in their SUV. Eloise’s husband, apparently oblivious to any impending doom, rocked on his heels at the shore’s edge, hands jammed in his pockets. “Edward.” Eloise finally caught his attention, and she nodded in the direction of their abhorrent invasion. “We really must go. Now.”

He looked in the direction of Eloise’s sideways glance, and grinned. His eyes sparkled with that look that always spoke of trouble for Eloise. She knew what would happen next might seal the family’s fate for the rest of eternity. “Don’t even think about it, Edward.”

“What? She must be lost.” He turned from Eloise and walked further from the safety of their vehicle. “Hello, there.”

The woman’s lips curled into what appeared to be a smile, though it was a wobbly one. If the whitening streaks forming on her face were any indication, her smile was melting into a full-on cry.

Edward cast a glance over his shoulder. “Eloise, you can go ahead and take the kids back to the hotel, if you’d like. But I think this woman needs a friend.”

Eloise knew her husband well enough to know he wasn’t releasing her to escape, but imploring her to see beyond the looking glass and catch a glimpse of the heart. She looked over to where her children waited, impatiently. There wasn’t enough room.

Was there?

“No,” The woman spoke, her voice a squeak behind her tears. “It’s okay. I just wanted to say how beautiful your family is.”

Of course their family was beautiful. Eloise had worked long and hard to keep it that way. It wouldn’t be prudent to soil that image now. She turned a stone-throwing glare at her husband. “Don’t you think we should go? The children are hungry.”

“Yes, of course.” He reached out a hand towards the woman. “I’m Edward. Do you live up here?”

Eloise should’ve known better. Even in the remotest parts of the world, Edward would find a way to extend his clean hand towards someone. Even an ugly, foul-smelling tourist.

“Naw. I don’t live nowhere.”

That was all it took. Edward had the woman sandwiched between our older two children, refusing to take no for an answer on his invitation to lunch. His piercing gaze silenced any cries of annoyance over their discomfort. He climbed into the driver’s seat and gripped Eloise’s hand, a silent challenge to check her heart’s thermostat. She would either comply or be left seething over her husband’s lack of tourism etiquette in exchange for his pastoral heart.

[original piece]

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, let them see Jesus in you. 

💜 Karlene J 💜