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

Burning Bridges

 In 2018, a mass layoff occurred, affecting thousands of individuals across the state of Michigan. My job was among those cut from the roster that year. Many took to social media with their thoughts and feelings about the situation. Some thought it prudent to maintain an impartial position, stating it was important to avoid burning bridges because "you never know which ones you might need to cross down the road." 

Courtesy Google Images

In recent months, it has become apparent that there is a bridge that needs to burn. It is connected to the road that leads back to the life we knew in our rearview mirror. Remember it? Some call it the good ol' days. While there is nothing wrong with reminiscing about days gone by, we should be cautious to avoid longing for those moments. In Genesis, we can read of the account surrounding Abraham's nephew, Lot, who had gone to live in the land of Sodom and Gomorrah. The people of the land had become depraved in heart, acting wickedly, and God was determined to destroy the land. Abraham interceded on behalf of the land's inhabitants, which prompted angels to be sent into the city and rescue Lot's family. We can see how depraved these people were as the men surrounded Lot's home, demanding that the men be released to them so they could have their way with them. 

Lot's family was then instructed to flee the territory. Lot had two sons-in-law who refused. They loved their lives too much. So Lot left with his wife and two daughters. They were also warned to flee and not look back.

"So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.  BUT his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." ~Genesis 19:25-26 ESV

Lot's wife couldn't help herself.  Bible scholars and commentators believe that she wasn't taking a cursory glance into her rearview mirror to see what would become of the cities. Instead, she longed for the life she was leaving.

Later, Jesus warns His disciples: "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62 ESV).

OUCH!

Courtesy Google Images

But this is not the first time anything has been said about turning away from a past life (or livelihood) to follow God. Nor the second.

The prophet Elijah was instructed by the LORD to find Elisha and anoint him as successor to his ministry. Elisha was plowing his family's field when "Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, 'Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.' And he said to him, 'Go back again, for what have I done to you?' And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him" (1 Kings 19:19-21 ESV).

He kissed his parents goodbye, sacrificed his oxen, gave the people nearby the meat, ate with them, and then turned away to serve Elijah's ministry. And he served Elijah faithfully for 10 years before Elijah was taken by God to heaven, and Elisha's ministry began. Scholars say this act of sacrificing the oxen was Elisha burning a bridge. He was putting to death his old life, leaving him no fallback plan should things with the ministry go wrong.

Like Elisha, I believe answering the call of God to follow Him is to be without reservation. There is a cost, like any commitment. But it's worth it. Jesus promised that there will be people who will revile and persecute any who would follow Him, because of Him.

"And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 'If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will find it.'" ~Mark 8:34-35 ESV

It's up to us to decide. The choice was given to us long ago.

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" ~Joshua 24:15 ESV

The Story Behind I have Decided to Follow Jesus

Recently, I heard the story behind a favorite hymn, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. The video above tells it so eloquently, be sure to watch it. Then go all in. No middle ground, one-foot-in-one-foot-out living will do. Eventually that will catch up to us and a decision will be required. Why not now? Persecution may come. Death threats could happen. Rejection and abandonment, perhaps. But hear the words of Jesus:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ~Matthew 5:10-12 ESV

The blessing of the LORD is far better than anything this world can offer.

The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. ~Proverbs 10:22 ESV

Until next time, let God be magnified! 💝 Karlene J 💝