Threshold

 I don't know about you, but I always feel as though I am on the precipice of something greater than I can imagine. As if one more step, and the unseen world will expose itself, and everything will change.

When my now 25-year-old son was in middle school, he read a book (later made into a movie) called The Giver.  Throughout the story, a young man lived in a black-and-white world, but he's convinced there's more. He'd break rules, find loopholes in everyday tasks, and by the end find a way to escape the current reality and enter a life filled with color and beauty. In his black-and-white reality, there was no conflict, no one raised questions, and everyone was assigned their future at birth, not to be questioned or disputed. Creativity and passion were unnecessary.

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When watching this movie, I couldn't help but think how sad this life would be if we didn't question things. Didn't have ambition or creativity. We would still be reading by candlelight if not for Thomas Edison's light bulb. Books wouldn't be written. Art wouldn't exist. If our world were black-and-white, we wouldn't have any concept of a rainbow's magnificence or a sunset's astounding beauty.

A man I once knew was told he would soon be living in technicolor. To those who heard these words, it sounded like this man would experience color and vibrancy none could imagine. Gold and silver would be so pure and rich that a hint of light would reflect off anything in their space. 

Of course, the speaker--whether knowingly or not--spoke of heaven.

Is this the precipice I imagine on the threshold? A thin veil separates me from the true promised land for all who follow Jesus Christ. It's thin enough to know that there's something amazing on the other side, yet thick enough that I am unable to see even the slightest shadow of what's to come.

There's so much more to this life than we live. We wake every day and go about our to-do lists. We accomplish tasks. We check the boxes and close out the day as we lie down for the night, and we prepare for another day. Some of us rehearse the words, "His mercies are new every morning ..." to encourage ourselves that each new day presents a clean slate and a fresh start.

The sentiment is true. 

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him" (Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV).

 And we do get to start each day with hope in our God.

But there are days, to be honest, that I lose sight of this. I have heard the words, "hamster wheel," cross my own lips as I describe my day-to-day. This is not declaring the goodness of God. This does not tell anyone of God's new mercies or faithfulness. Nor is this sharing the gospel of Christ or the abundant life He has promised. Truthfully, comparing life to a hamster wheel activity--while borne out of exhaustion--is complaining. And complaining is a gateway for the devil to come in and drag us into depression, anxiety, and faithlessness.

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In David Jeremiah's final lesson on Elisha, the focus is on the last great miracle God performed through the prophet. The king of Israel came to a sick and dying man, complaining that the Syrian army was coming with horses and chariots, and the Israelite army was depleted (2 Kings 13:14-21). Now, Joash was not an honorable king. Scripture tells us that he did evil in the sight of God. He turned to Elisha because he knew God listened to him.

Elisha's instructions were simple, yet not direct. He told the king to shoot an arrow through the window. This would indicate victory over Syria. Then Elisha told the king to strike the ground with the arrows, and this would indicate how completely he would defeat Syria. The king struck the ground three times, which angered the prophet.

One might say, "Elisha didn't specify how many times to strike the ground." And this is true. However, considering the fact that Joash, king of Israel, was not one to place his faith in God, he had more faith in what Elisha could do for him than in what God could do. Scholars will say that Elisha's concern was more about the king's heart, his willingness to trust God, than how many times he struck the ground.

This is where I find myself often, lately. Questioning whether I trust the God who sees, who has promised to provide, who created the universe and everything in it. I have spent time trying to analyze and break down what I can understand and create a plan of action that makes sense. I can't tell you how often I've heard the soft whisper deep in my soul, "Will you trust me?"

The answer to the question is simple, but it isn't easy. It requires surrender.

Surrender of control.

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).

It seems to me that this is where the meaning behind striking the arrows comes into focus. We look to the Lord with our weakness, our doubts, and answer, "I believe, help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). Then we can follow up these words with acknowledging the truth of Jesus' words, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26 ESV).

It is impossible to surrender while trying to figure things out. It's like holding to a fistful of Monopoly money and trying to grab hold of gold coins without dropping any of the Monopoly money. You have to let the one go to grasp the other.

The key to this, I believe, is to decide whether we believe the Bible to be wholly true. Wholly for today. Wholly for us.

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And if the answer is yes, then study the Bible as a treasured letter from our loving Father.

Until next time, magnify the Lord in your circumstances 💜 Karlene J 💜