To Look Through Faith-Colored Glasses

Closed Door courtesy Google Images

 I sat outside the office door, "Lord, Your will be done. Speak through me. Guide the conversation. This is in your hands."

I'd come to a place where figuring things out, analyzing, and strategizing the next steps were a source of exhaustion and feelings of burnout. And I just wanted God's direction and to know that He'd opened the door (or sealed it shut).

Turning to the Lord for direction is one of the best things we can do as followers of Jesus. The path He's planned for our lives is good, and when we can follow it, we can begin to see how intricately complex and beautiful (and challenging) life is for us. Some steps along the path will be freeing, exhilarating--an adventure filled with hope and accomplishment. But, as we travel along, we may find the path narrowing, becoming more difficult, sometimes making us question whether we'd misunderstood the open door back there outside the office.

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:14 ESV

It's doubtful that anyone enjoys traveling a difficult path. I've heard friends' family members lament, "Can't they catch a break?" when difficult news kept pouring in. Of course, this is a normal, human reaction. (I've often asked the same question--no room for judgment here.)

But what if there was a lesson we miss because our focus isn't on the kingdom of God, but on our own comfort and satisfaction?

The other day, I was listening to a podcast Back Porch Theology with Lisa Harper. In this hour, Lisa and Allison discuss Ruth's story. They briefly mentioned the closest kinsman redeemer. A comment was made: "We don't even know his name."

Ruth-Barley Harvest courtesy Google Images

This statement was followed by comments regarding how often we want to count the cost of saying "Yes" to Jesus. But do we ever count the cost of saying "No" to Jesus?

Was the closest kinsman redeemer worried about his reputation? Taking a Moabite woman as his wife would be scandalous. He could've been the grandfather of a king. And generations later, we learn that this man forfeited his part in the lineage of our Savior, Jesus. He had no idea what he was giving up when he said no.

But if he could've known, faith would be unimportant.

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 (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

Can you imagine? Naomi married, then followed her husband and two sons to Moab due to a famine in the land of Bethlehem. Her husband died. Her sons married, then died, leaving widowed women with Naomi. She heard that there was bread in Bethlehem again and decided to return home. She had nothing left, except the Moabite women as her daughters. She urged them to return to their father's homes, as she wouldn't be able to marry and expect them to wait for a son to be born and grow to marrying age.

Her life had turned bitter. She couldn't "catch a break," and likely knew she was returning home desolate.

But Ruth chose to continue on with her. She said "Yes" to Naomi's God. And later, so did Boaz. Ruth couldn't have anticipated laying the grandfather of King David--and a distant ancestor of Jesus--in Naomi's arms.

Their yes was not only costly, but also had a huge payout.

Narrow Gate/Difficult Path Courtesy Google Images

When our path becomes narrow, we may come across opportunities to take a detour for a smoother road, less resistance, or the illusion of rest. It might look like a bigger payday, lower friction in the office, fewer people to interact with, less time on the road, and fewer responsibilities. 

When these opportunities present, it is vital to ask the Lord whether it's His direction. It may be a mirage. It might be a distraction to get us to veer off a plan set in motion by our Father to accomplish something beautiful. Perhaps to share His love with those people sharing the office.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV).

Considering these things, while the road ahead may be rough, we can take courage in the hope that Jesus is with us. If He called us to the path, He will be with us along the way. This is our guarantee.

Although we cannot see the end goal or the result of our "Yes," we can know that throughout eternity, we will get to celebrate God's masterful work in and through our lives and those with us.

And this brings us to our best defense against the bitterness of questioning our choices: 

If we believe God led us onto the path, give thanks to Him. He is faithful. He's forgotten nothing. He knows us better than we know ourselves. And He knows what the end of our path looks like. And it's better than we could ever hope. 

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2: 9 NKJV).

It's when we look through faith colored glasses that we'll see clearly our hope. But we must allow Jesus to clear the lenses for us by trusting Him, which means we cannot "lean on our own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).

Until next time, walk in His light and life. 💜 Karlene J 💜

Coming soon: Letters to the Church: Galatians

The Thorn in My Side

How many of us pray for something to happen, and years pass without that thing? Maybe it is a chronic condition that isn't quite debilitating but definitely bothersome. Perhaps, it's a nagging voice (you know it's not true) that goes silent for a time, and when you least expect it, you hear its taunting once again.

I will confess, there is a specific lie that likes to hang out in the shadows around my life. I know it's a lie because it is in direct opposition to the Scripture. And I usually hear its voice when I am most vulnerable.

It wasn't long ago that I told a friend, "I'm tired of going around this mountain." I hadn't heard the voice in several years. I was free! But, when it began whispering its ugly accusations in my ear, I wanted to crawl back into the same old pattern of living I'd submitted to in the past.

Isolation.

But something happened. I woke one morning and asked the Lord to "please fix me."

That morning, four things happened: God spoke to my heart through His word x2, followed by a word of exhortation on a podcast, and then a message on my desk calendar. I knew it was imperative I step out, refuse the tempter's taunts to isolate and be among God's people. And He blessed me with an amazing time at an event with church friends, filled with laughter and community.

Weeks later, the accuser revisited with the same taunting and lies. This time, I was able to not only recognize it for its lying self, but I was able to see the answer to my cry for help.

Answer this: Is the Bible true? Does God lie?

Once we answer this, we can move forward in that truth. This reminds me of the Apostle Paul, who shared in his letter to the Corinthians that there was a thorn in his flesh. He didn't say what the thorn was, only that he'd prayed 3x for the Lord to remove it.

And the Lord's response?

No.

He didn't remove it.

In fact, the Lord said, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Wow. And I thought we were supposed to all get the answer we sought, because the Bible says He gives the desires of our hearts. Right? And a struggle-free life is desirable.

Well. Not exactly. While Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart," it was James who said, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4 ESV). 

So I would guess it is to our benefit to find out what Paul's thorn was all about.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV).

To keep him from being conceited--prideful. God allowed Satan's involvement to the degree that it kept Paul humble. God protected Paul from Paul.

Considering this, it is in our best interest to give thanks in all things as Paul exhorted the church in Thessalonica, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV). And also to remember the Prophet Jeremiah's words, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV).

Look up, courtesy Google Images

I have heard Jeremiah 29:11 often used when God's promises were declared for greater blessing. And this may be so.

But what if it was to comfort a people who felt the weight of their trouble?

This was the case as it came on the heels of the Israelites being taken captive to Babylon. Verse 10 says, "For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to. you My promise and bring you back to this place."

He was giving them hope that their punishment wouldn't be forever. There would be an end, and they would return to their home in Israel.

A thorn in the flesh doesn't have to be an evil invasion, even if it is sent by Satan. (It was a trial by fire for Job, which ended in great restoration.)

Give thanks in it. Give thanks to God that He is far stronger than any devil ever will be. He has already defeated our enemy. We are sealed as His children when we place our faith in Him (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). There is nothing that can rip us from God's protective hand (Romans 8:39).

Rejoice, my friend. The thorn is temporary. For me, it's keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus. It keeps me grounded in His Word, His Truth, and trusting Him alone. Looking anywhere else, anxiety shakes its slimy fist, threatening to choke the life from my lungs. So I choose to look up, look out, and stay focused.

Until next time, walk in His light and life. 💜 Karlene J 💜

Coming soon: Letters to the Church: Galatians