Not My Will

Prayer courtesy of Google Images

Would I be mistaken to say that everyone wants a guarantee?

Whether it's a major purchase like an automobile, a home, a furnace, a television, a computer, or something less costly like a gallon of milk, we want to be assured of quality.

There is no difference in prayer. We want to know that our prayers are heard, but also that they will be answered. Not some birthday wish, but every time we call on Him and say, "Please, God, fill this need." 

Scripture tells us in several places that when we ask believing we have received, it will be ours (John 16:24; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:15; Mark 11:24; John 14:13). 

I would like to both encourage and caution us in this. Here's why:

It's tempting to decide for ourselves what is best for us. We present our requests to the Lord, and expect Him to comply. We quote our favorite Scriptures back to Him, knowing this will oblige Him to fulfill His promise to us. And while this is not entirely wrong, it holds dangerous barbs that may eventually cut and scar us.

It wasn't long ago that I realized I held some resistance to prayer. I'd fallen for the trap that if I had prayed hard enough, quoted the right scriptures, and believed without any doubt, my prayers would be answered. In the end, my friend left this earth for heaven, and my heart shattered, leaving me with self-doubt, guilt, and shame. Either I didn't believe enough, or something was wrong with my approach to the Scripture.

David and the Ark of the Covenant

King David encountered something similar. He heard the ark had been sent back to the area. And he, with several of his men, went to retrieve it from the Philistines. The people celebrated. They had defeated their enemy and reclaimed the Ark of the Covenant. Then, the unthinkable. The oxen pulling the cart that carried the ark stumbled. Uzzah, one of David's men, reached out his hand to steady it. And he was struck down and died. 

David returned home, angry with the LORD, for it was a good thing they were doing, wasn't it? Shouldn't God have been pleased that they were bringing this sacred piece of the temple back to its rightful place, Israel? Instead of completing its journey, David left it at the home of Obed-Edom, where it remained for three months. During this time, David spent his days researching the Scripture to learn God's prescribed method of transporting the Ark.

After three months, the Ark was retrieved and brought home. This time, David brought the priests and the animals for sacrifice. He ensured everything was done according to God's instructions. And there was an abundance of rejoicing, dancing, and worship (2 Samuel 6).

In Acts 13:22, David is called a man after God's own heart. This man made many mistakes, including adultery and murder, and yet was noted by God himself as being one who does His will.

Similarly, when we look to God for answers, and receive anything but our desired response, we need to go back and learn. 

Was our request our will, or God's?

Just because it's a good thing doesn't always mean it's God's will.

Remember David and the Ark? His desire to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem was good. His heart was pure in this. But it wasn't God's prescribed method, and David saw disappointment, even frustration in his plan.

What could be missing from our prayer requests?

John wrote, "And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us (1 John 5:14 ESV). If we were to go back to the Lord's Prayer (Model Prayer) in Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus teaches His disciples (us) to pray, asking for God's will to be done on earth as in heaven. We also witness Jesus telling His disciples, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever teh Father does, that the Son does likewise" (John 5:19). Later, when Jesus was in the garden at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-39), we see Jesus praying, ending with "nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (v39).

Are we asking according to His will?

Are we willing to give up our own idea of His will and surrender to His?

Just like bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem was a good thing, doing it in the manner that God will bless is vital. Working extra hours to pay the bills is good motivation, but is it God's plan? Perhaps He wants to show Himself strong on your behalf.

Don't sacrifice God's best for what we believe is good.

Spend time in His presence. Ask, as Solomon did, "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" (1Kings 3:9 ESV).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV

Until we meet again, Karlene J 💝

I Could Never Do That

Hospice Nurse

Whenever I tell someone I am a hospice nurse, the general response is, "I could never do that." While I understand the sentiment, I often wonder if the individual is saying this because they think I want everyone to do what I do.

I don't.

Hospice nursing is a tough job. So is pastoring a church, teaching a room full of children (or teenagers), stepping into a bucket and being raised to the height of an electrical line, window washing the side of a multistory building, standing behind the counter at a fast food chain, or even walking a dog. You name it, there is no job or career out there that every person can do. Or should.

I work with someone who loves her Excel spreadsheets. I have had the worst time trying to learn how to utilize them. Sure, if someone sets something up for me, I can plug in data and get where I need to be. BUT to open a blank document and create something? I'll leave that to those who have that ability. And I am sure people would leave MS Word Track Changes to me.

Where am I going with this? I'm glad you asked. 😇

The Lord never called us to be or do the same things as others. He never asked us to become imposters. Listen to Paul:

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy with cheerfulness (Romans 12:3-8 ESV).

Talent Synonym

With this in mind, I wouldn't want anyone to become a nurse, a doctor, a pastor, a teacher, or even a dog walker, unless they knew they had an affinity towards this. For example, I was never comfortable disciplining other people's children, so babysitting was miserable for me. But my daughter was everyone's favorite babysitter. She'd plan crafts, games, and have the children excited for her visits. Some people are either allergic to pet dander or simply uncomfortable around animals, so taking a dog-walker job or pet-sitting would likely end in disaster at worst and stress for the individual.

Sadly, I have also caught myself thinking (for a time) that if I didn't have similar gifts/abilities as others, I wouldn't measure up, or qualify to be part of their community. This simply isn't true. Paul, again, addresses these thought processes:

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body (1 Corinthians 12:14-10 ESV).

In other words, if we are trying to be someone God has not ordained for us to be, we set ourselves up for unnecessary stress. There is nothing wrong with living life as a laborer when people all around you are corporate moguls. It's okay to work in trades when everyone else in the room wears a degree on their badge. It's okay to stop college at a certificate, associate's, bachelor's degree when your neighbors are PhDs.

It's not okay to compare yourself to them and think any less of yourself (or them) for the choices made. It's not okay to pursue something just because it's the accepted trajectory of the career.

Seek the Lord. Ask Him for direction and wisdom. Because when you do you will "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light (Colossians 1:10-12 ESV).

Stay tuned for a new series: The Person in the Seat Next to Me and The Benefits of Praying Scripture coming soon. 

Until next time, Karlene 💜

Hope for Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty--Google Images

Humpty Dumpty - Lyrics

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king's horses and all the King's men

Could not put Humpty together again.

Humpty Dumpty Nursery Rhyme Lyrics

Remember the nursery rhyme? It was always such a sad ending for me as a child, realizing that there was no hope for Humpty. I still would love a better ending for him. Wouldn't you?

It makes me wonder, too, though. How like us is Humpty Dumpty? Do we believe there's no hope? Have we been told--either by others or ourselves--that we're unworthy, unlovable, too broken, or too far gone?

I have spent the past years walking through personal healing of emotional, mental, and spiritual pain. I've closed my heart to some, holding them at arms' length, in an effort to protect myself from experiencing the same brokenness I've just walked away from. I had come to believe people didn't want to be associated with someone with so much baggage, so I tried to bury it and make sure no one saw the extent of my brokenness. That was for only God and me to know. 

But then, over the past month, my energy has been spent trying to keep myself together while life at work and home began to feel a lot like sitting outside in a hailstorm. I could tell callouses that formed on my heart were being scraped away and in effort to repair the breach, I allowed frustration and anger to boil up and fill the cracks like spackle on a plaster wall. Add to this, vertigo (which is an on-and-off and unwanted visitor) met me as I opened my eyes in the morning to prepare for the day ahead. Then after a long and emotional day at work, I spent the evening at a friend's home where she gathers women each month for a night of sharing the goodness of God.

That night, my heart was exposed. No one saw it but me and Jesus. But it was there. Flayed. And all the hurt and pain (unknowingly) inflicted by others stared me in the face.

I was still broken beyond repair. Just like my egg-shaped hero from childhood. Would there ever be someone who could repair my heart?

Do you ever feel this way, or is it just me? It's okay to be honest. God already knows. And He's right here, waiting for our willingness to bear our soul and let Him know that we know there are no kings, doctors, men, or women who can fix us.

BUT HE CAN!

It's what Jesus came to our sin-stained streets for. The Psalmist declared of the Lord, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3 ESV). 

And later, Jesus quoted Isaiah the prophet when he said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18-19 ESV).

I heard people concern themselves with how broken they currently are. I understand that. I've been there, myself. Too long.

I've heard individuals state they're beyond repair.

This is a lie. I've had to stop myself and decide, is the Word of God true? YES. Did Jesus lie? NO. Did God lie? NO. Is God able to lie? NO.

Once we decide to stand on the truth of God's word, we can begin to take Him at His Word and understand that His sacrifice on the Cross was enough. Our past, present, and future are redeemed when we place our trust in Him. Our brokenness is His to repair. We can rest in Him and allow Him to cut away the wounds and traumas. In the end, scars might remain, but they'll serve to remind us of His goodness and faithfulness.

And when we do take God at His Word, we will know that Jesus is talking about us when He says, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21 ESV).

I would love to go back to Humpty's story and tell him, "There's hope for you. Let's call the King of kings. He will repair you." There's hope for all of us, if we'll receive His love, get to know Him, and surrender to His ways.

Broken Heart--Google Images

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion -- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. 

They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.  ~Isaiah 61:1-4 ESV

Until next time, Karlene J 💜

Sabbath Rest

12 And the LORD said to Moses, 13 “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you ... 16 Therefore, the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’” (Exodus 31: 12-13, 16-17 ESV)

💝 💝 💝

Chronic fatigue. Adrenal fatigue. Exhaustion. Sensory overload. Burnout. 

Do any of these words sound familiar?

Courtesy Google Images

As a society, we are inundated with endless to-do lists, expectations that push us to achieve more and greater levels of success (often as defined by our social circles), fear of failure, interpersonal struggles, conflicts, professional pressures, personal or internal critiques, concerns, etc.

I'm sure you get the idea. Perhaps you're caught in the struggle right now, wondering why vacations are needed to recuperate from the vacation.

Or maybe you're one of the people we need to seek out for advice on how to get free from the shackles that keep us tethered to our personal, professional, and societal expectations.

It is not uncommon for us, even devout Christ followers, to be ensnared by these pressures. It's an insidious infection that penetrates our beings at birth. Parents compare how quickly their children progress through stages of development, and then academic growth, followed up by their graduations, college choices and progress, and eventually careers and successes. Employers have been known to set colleagues into situations where they are in competition with one another. Individuals fight to keep up with their friends and families who seem to be navigating life experiences at a quicker pace.

It isn't only our striving to keep up with societal demands that keep our blood pressures elevated and bodies rest-deprived. Many battle through guilt that comes from failed attempts at freedom, broken relationships, seeking acceptance and love but somehow always feeling just shy of the goal. Our minds are burdened with lack, wishing for the day when we finally live the abundant life Jesus promised in Scripture (John 10:10).

While none of these things are inherently wrong, there is a deception and a trap that we as humans tend to fall into: there's no rest for the weary. And we push through the exhaustion to accomplish the next task to please our unrelenting, unforgiving taskmaster.

But if this is true, then we must ask whether the Bible, more specifically--Jesus's words--bears any truth.

"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-29 ESV).

With these words, Jesus has invited us to a place where striving can cease and we lay our burdens at His feet. His peace and rest are there, waiting to fill us with strength and wholeness. His is the rest that refreshes our souls and breathes new life into our lungs.

Courtesy Google Images

I am tempted to equate Jesus with the Sabbath, as He provides everything the Sabbath rest was created for. While He doesn't claim to be the Sabbath, He tells us He is Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5).

Recently, I was reminded of the importance of taking time away, as Jesus did often, and reconnecting with the Lord in a private time of prayer and refreshing. He will strengthen us to complete every day. But He has created a Sabbath rest for us to enjoy and to allow our bodies, minds, and yes our souls, to rest and refresh from the day-to-day. Just be sure to remember that Jesus desires to meet us there in the quiet place.

Jesus is our place of rest. True rest. We don't have to walk this life with all its burdens alone. He is safe. We can be honest with Him. In fact, I believe He wants our honesty instead of our stiff upper lip, grin-and-bear-it declarations that we are "blessed and highly favored" in answer to anyone asking "How are you?"

Of course, we are all blessed and highly favored. But when we are fighting a battle and becoming weary and weak, it's important to ask for help. The other day, as I sat in my little office, I whispered to the Lord, "I can't do this alone. I need You." And a day or two later, I sat in a prayer meeting when two of the Lord's daughters came beside me, saying, "You don't have to walk alone." They had no idea I was in need of an Aaron and Hur--they have no idea the battle/s I've been fighting (Exodus 17:10-13).

That's body ministry.

We need one another as the body of Christ, not for comparison and weighing ourselves in the balance, coming up short; but to build one another up and walk along-side providing a shoulder to lean on in times of need.

When we do this, we will find our community of Christ-followers grow and become irresistible to others looking in.

They will want who we have.

Until next time, I will leave you with this article on Jesus and the Sabbath: How is Jesus our Sabbath Rest? 

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.  All rights reserved.

Have a blessed and safe holiday weekend. Karlene J 💝