Thursday, November 26, 2009
Caleb's Kitties
Caleb, 7, woke up this morning thrilled to tell me the dream he had just been awoken from: "I had a dream that I got two little kitty eggs, and they were going to hatch. But one of them hatched where it was too cold, and so it became a stuffed animal. It was the cutest stuffed animal! The other hatched where it was warm, so it became a real kitty. It was so fluffy and soft! So I was lucky to get a cute stuffy AND a real kitty!!!" After hearing his dream, I thought I better clarify one point, so I asked him, "Do you know that kittens don't come from eggs?" Caleb's response was, "Everyone knows that mammals give birth to live young, but I still wish my dream would come true!"
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Enter The Sanctuary
Have you ever grumbled or complained about the apparent success of the ungodly? Have you felt jealous of the wealth, the power and the prestige they display? Have you wondered how it can be that some people have gained their wealth in a corrupt manner and selfishly hoard it while so many people are living in poverty and desperate need?
You are not the only one who has contemplated these questions. A man named Asaph pondered these matters in Psalm 73. “I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills… This is what the wicked are like – always carefree, they increase in wealth” (Ps. 73:3, 4-5, 12). Asaph even questioned the benefits of maintaining his integrity and he lamented, “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me” (Ps. 73:16). But then, Asaph did the right thing! “I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny” (Ps. 73:17).
It is only in the presence of God that we find peace of mind and gain divine understanding.
If you find yourself questioning things as Asaph did, it is probably a sign that you need to take more time out of your day to pray, meditate on God’s Word and listen to His voice. Then you can rest assured that the prosperity of the wicked will come to an end and you will say unto the Lord as Asaph did, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds” (Ps. 73:23-28).
Take time daily to “enter the sanctuary of God”!
You are not the only one who has contemplated these questions. A man named Asaph pondered these matters in Psalm 73. “I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills… This is what the wicked are like – always carefree, they increase in wealth” (Ps. 73:3, 4-5, 12). Asaph even questioned the benefits of maintaining his integrity and he lamented, “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me” (Ps. 73:16). But then, Asaph did the right thing! “I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny” (Ps. 73:17).
It is only in the presence of God that we find peace of mind and gain divine understanding.
If you find yourself questioning things as Asaph did, it is probably a sign that you need to take more time out of your day to pray, meditate on God’s Word and listen to His voice. Then you can rest assured that the prosperity of the wicked will come to an end and you will say unto the Lord as Asaph did, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds” (Ps. 73:23-28).
Take time daily to “enter the sanctuary of God”!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Affliction in the Life of the Christian: Causes, Implications and the Cure
The Causes of Affliction
God’s Role in Affliction
The Bible tells us in Lamentations 3:32-33 that “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.” The Lord does not desire to see us walking in a state of affliction, but rather wants to see us living victoriously in health, healing and wholeness. It grieves God to watch His children go through affliction. In 2 Samuel 24, David committed a sin before the Lord. In verse 14 David says, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.” David understood that, although the Lord would afflict and discipline him, it was from a place of love and restoration. When God saw the affliction of the people brought on by David’s sin, verse 16 says, “The Lord was grieved”. God withdrew the affliction when He saw the time was right, and He had compassion on His people.
God cares deeply for those going through distressing circumstances, no matter what the cause is. Psalm 10:14 says, “But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.” Isaiah 54:7-8 says, “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you.” God’s role in affliction is to restore us. He is not silent, according to Job 36:15, “But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.” He has not abandoned His child who is going through affliction. His promise is that He will provide a way out, according to Isaiah 30:20-21 which says, “Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction... Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’.” God is determined to see His afflicted children come to the point of restoration and victory.
Affliction’s Relation to Sin
According to the Bible, affliction is not a sin. However, it is usually the result of sin, and through it, God is calling His children back to Himself. It is meant to be a “wake-up call” for the believer, for the purpose of causing His children to repent, turn from their evil ways and be restored to Him. Affliction and sin go hand-in-hand, which is shown throughout Scriptures. Almost everywhere that affliction is discussed, sin is mentioned as the cause. For example, Psalm 25:16-18 says, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.” Similarly, Psalm 107:17 says, “Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.” And again, in the list of curses for disobedience to the Lord, verse 28 says, “The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind” (Deuteronomy28:28). Solomon acknowledges the relation of affliction to sin in 1 Kings 8:38-39; “And when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel – each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart... then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart.”
It is essential, however, to keep in mind that God’s intent is restoration and He always provides a way out. Job 36:8-9 says, “But if men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, he tells them what they have done – that they have sinned arrogantly.”
The Effects/Symptoms of Affliction
There are many descriptions of affliction in the Bible. Words such as anguish, failing strength, weakness (Ps. 31:7-10), loneliness, multiplied troubles, distress (Ps. 25:16-18), suffering terrors, despair (Ps. 88:15), frustration and anger (Ecc. 5:17) all describe the experience of one being afflicted. Isaiah 51:20 describes affliction as being drunk, but not from wine. When a person is drunk, they lack clarity, judgment and common sense and do not have an accurate sense of their situation. Other symptoms that can be indicative of affliction is confusion, shame and embarrassment, as described in Job 10:15 where Job laments, “If I am guilty – woe to me! Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head, for I am full of shame and drowned in my affliction.” Job seems to be confused about the source of his affliction – but either way, he feels humiliation. Uzziah was also embarrassed when he was afflicted with leprosy after being prideful, unfaithful to God, and angry at the priests. When he became leprous, he was “eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him” and hurried away from the priests, who he was trying to angrily exert authority over just moments before (2 Chr. 26:20).
The Purpose of Affliction – Biblical Examples
The purpose of affliction is to move a believer forward, to bring them to repentance and to mature them. The key to coming out of affliction victoriously is to learn from it. Leviticus 21:21 says that if you refuse to listen and learn during afflictions, they will multiply. Isaiah 1:5 asks why a person would persistently remain in rebellion despite their afflictions. It is important to learn and move on from your affliction unless you want it to get worse.
There are good and bad examples of reactions to affliction in the Bible. King Asa relied on man rather than on God to fight his battles and when corrected on this matter, he became enraged rather than repentant. He became an oppressive king and did not live a godly life. As a result, he was afflicted with a severe disease, but again, sought help from men rather than from God and did not repent. He died in his sins (2 Chr. 16). Likewise, King Jehoram, who “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chr. 21:6), was inflicted with an incurable and horrendous disease, dying a horrible death in unrepentance.
We must remember that we are never without hope. Although King Jehoram had an “incurable disease”, there is nothing that is incurable for the Lord. Jeremiah 30:12, 13 and 15 says, “This is what the Lord says: Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing, There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healing for you. Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure? Because of your great guilt and many sins I have done these things to you.” Two verses later, in Jeremiah 30:17, the Lord says, “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds”! What is impossible for man is possible for God.
Take, for example, King Hezekiah. He was afflicted with a lethal illness, but when he called to the Lord, he was restored to health, and was delivered from his enemies, as found in Isaiah 38. David was also afflicted, as evidenced by the book of Psalms being the book that speaks most of affliction. But we know that David was confident in the fact that when he repented of his sins, the Lord would restore him fully.
The Cure
The cure for affliction is to accept the work that Jesus did on our behalf. Isaiah 53:4-7 says, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” We need to accept the fact that Jesus carried our afflictions on the cross. There is no need to hang on to them when they have already been fully paid for! Lamentations 3:19-24 is a passage that we can always look to with hope for full restoration: “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him’”.
Continuous praise and seeking the Lord is a cure for affliction, according to Psalm 34:1-5 which says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” One who is afflicted also needs to stay closely connected with the Word of God. Psalm 119:92 says, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”
I Kings 8:35-36 provides a model for the process of wholeness and healing from affliction. “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live.” We can see that sin brings affliction, and confession brings restoration. It is also important to note that we need to be taught the right way to live, which can come through personal time in prayer and reading the Scriptures, as well as through mentorship from mature believers, God-inspired books, and godly teaching/preaching.
In order to be delivered from affliction, one must remain in prayer. It is essential to cry out to the Lord for deliverance. Psalm 72:4 and 12 tells us that God defends and delivers those who cry out to Him. Similarly, Psalm 9:12 says, “He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.” Even when we can’t ‘feel’ God’s presence, we need to know that He is still near. Psalm 31:21-22 says, “In my alarm I said, ‘I am cut off from your sight!’ Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.” Psalm 34:18 assures us that, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Conclusion
Our response to affliction determines the outcome. We need to remember that it is God’s desire and delight to see us walking in wholeness, healing and restoration. We also need to have an eternal perspective. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
God loves us and His sole desire is to see us walking in victory. He is our Father, who loves us and says in Isaiah 49:15-16, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:13 says, “The Lord comforts and has compassion on his afflicted one.” When we come to an understanding that our God is a compassionate Father who cares deeply, loves intensely and desires the best for us, we can trust Him to restore us no matter how our circumstances appear.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Mr. Hermison
I am sure you would find it a bit odd too – seeing a wee girl, not much older than three, wandering alone in a meadow of wild flowers. It’s not the kind of scene you see every day, especially when only moments before you were sitting behind your desk in your air-conditioned corner office where you work as an accountant. Linear. Left-brained. Logical.
Nevertheless, that is where Mr. Lloyd Hermison found himself that hot July day. With his index finger, he pushed up his glasses which immediately slid down his excessively sweaty nose. It was truly sweltering hot, and his three-piece suit was not at all appropriate attire for a jaunt in a meadow.
Bewildered and somewhat dazed, Mr. Hermison watched the tot aimlessly meander through the field of brilliant colour. Her long golden hair fluttered freely in the gentle breeze and she wore a gleeful smile. Her grin grew wider and erupted into a giggle when she saw Mr. Hermison. Much to his dismay, she immediately and enthusiastically bounded toward him. Mr. Lloyd Hermison, the fearless suburban accountant, turned on his heels and ran for his life. He could handle a lot of things – but little girls chasing him through mysterious meadows was not one of them. Considering the hot sun overhead and the fact that he had last exercised in 1991, he did not get far before he decided it might be prudent to stop running and face his tiny foe.
He turned around and she was right behind him, offering up a bouquet of daisies. However, when he looked down into her eyes, he reeled back as if he had been slapped, for there was a look of familiarity about her; she looked like him. The little girl smiled and held up the bouquet, saying a single word… “Daddy?”
Mr. Hermison screamed, “No! No! You can’t be! We got an abortion!”
“Mr. Hermison? Mr. Hermison? Are you o.k.?” The secretary’s voice sounded far away. “Mr. Hermison?”
Mr. Lloyd Hermison awoke from his dream with a startle and knocked his coffee over onto his paperwork. A post-it note stuck to his cheek when he lifted his head from the desk.
“Are you okay, Mr. Hermison?” the secretary queried again.
“I… I’m just… I’m okay. But please cancel my appointments today. I need some time to myself. And, ummm… You know what happened between us three years ago? Maybe we should talk about it sometime.”
The secretary’s face softened with empathy. She lowered her voice and said, “Lloyd, I’ve been forgiven. I met Jesus and He has taken away my shame – He forgave me and one day I will see our little one in heaven.”
Mr. Lloyd Hermison cried like a baby. “I saw her today. She’s beautiful.”
Nevertheless, that is where Mr. Lloyd Hermison found himself that hot July day. With his index finger, he pushed up his glasses which immediately slid down his excessively sweaty nose. It was truly sweltering hot, and his three-piece suit was not at all appropriate attire for a jaunt in a meadow.
Bewildered and somewhat dazed, Mr. Hermison watched the tot aimlessly meander through the field of brilliant colour. Her long golden hair fluttered freely in the gentle breeze and she wore a gleeful smile. Her grin grew wider and erupted into a giggle when she saw Mr. Hermison. Much to his dismay, she immediately and enthusiastically bounded toward him. Mr. Lloyd Hermison, the fearless suburban accountant, turned on his heels and ran for his life. He could handle a lot of things – but little girls chasing him through mysterious meadows was not one of them. Considering the hot sun overhead and the fact that he had last exercised in 1991, he did not get far before he decided it might be prudent to stop running and face his tiny foe.
He turned around and she was right behind him, offering up a bouquet of daisies. However, when he looked down into her eyes, he reeled back as if he had been slapped, for there was a look of familiarity about her; she looked like him. The little girl smiled and held up the bouquet, saying a single word… “Daddy?”
Mr. Hermison screamed, “No! No! You can’t be! We got an abortion!”
“Mr. Hermison? Mr. Hermison? Are you o.k.?” The secretary’s voice sounded far away. “Mr. Hermison?”
Mr. Lloyd Hermison awoke from his dream with a startle and knocked his coffee over onto his paperwork. A post-it note stuck to his cheek when he lifted his head from the desk.
“Are you okay, Mr. Hermison?” the secretary queried again.
“I… I’m just… I’m okay. But please cancel my appointments today. I need some time to myself. And, ummm… You know what happened between us three years ago? Maybe we should talk about it sometime.”
The secretary’s face softened with empathy. She lowered her voice and said, “Lloyd, I’ve been forgiven. I met Jesus and He has taken away my shame – He forgave me and one day I will see our little one in heaven.”
Mr. Lloyd Hermison cried like a baby. “I saw her today. She’s beautiful.”
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Go Up
I was only one of a multitude of people. You were there too. We all were. We awoke every morning to the sound of the trumpet insisting we begin our work. This morning felt no different. As I wiped the sleep from my eyes, I looked up to the top of the hill. The castle. It seemed to shimmer with light as the sun reflected off of its towers and parapets. Or maybe it wasn't the sun. The castle appeared to have its own light, radiating a white glow that made the sun look a dim shade of yellow. Even the walls around the castle were studded with jewels inlaid in gold. I could only imagine what kind of riches were inside.
As I wiped the sleep from my eyes, I imagined the King on His throne, living in the middle of that opulence. My imagination soared. What if I was of noble birth? What if I was summoned by the King to live in the glorious light of His presence?
Now I was really dreaming. I shook my head to wake myself up. I looked around at the shoddy conditions in which I lived, then stuck my head out of the rickety door of the shack that I called home. Everyone else was already making their way down the path to the fields we worked every day. I shuffled my feet along the dirt floor to the basin to wash my face. There was no need to change my clothes. The rags I wore were the only clothes I had.
As I walked down the dusty path, I watched the multitude of people who walked ahead of me. Every day, we walked down this dusty path. Every day, we toiled to grow food in dusty fields that never produced quite enough, and whose fruit never tasted good. For a moment, I longed for something... something better. Again, I shook my head to clear my thoughts. The fruit didn't taste good? I had never thought of that before. Why should I concern myself with the flavour when I hardly had enough to fill my belly?
I began my work. It was not fulfilling, but then again, it never was. We lived and worked at the bottom of the hill. We were the lowest of the low, and the layout of the city reflected this clearly.
Our city was set on a hill. At the top of the hill was the castle where the King dwelled. I could not possibly describe it. For one thing, I had never been anywhere near it. I could see the spires reaching high into the blue sky, and it always seemed to shimmer with light. I could see the most lush, brilliant green trees around it and vines with fruit growing up to the top of the highest tower. To divide the King's living quarters with the rest of the city, a magnificent wall had been built. There were gates into the King's area, but they could not be opened except by decree of the King. I only knew this to be true, for from where I stood, I could not see those gates.
Below the castle was the hub of the city, where I could only assume the middle class lived and worked. I had never seen this for there was a wall between us and them. This wall was not inlaid with jewels. It was made of large grey bricks. I leaned on the wall, wiping my sweaty brow. Dusty perspiration dripped into my eyes, and I tried to blink away the grit. Sometimes I felt hopeless when I looked at this wall, and today was no exception. Why was I at the bottom of the hill? It seemed unfair. All the people living on the other side of the wall were living in affluence simply because they had been born there. Why was the wall here? It had a gate but it, like the gate to the castle, could only be opened by decree of the King. To my knowledge, it had never been opened. The hinges appeared to be rusted shut and I wondered if it could open at all. There had been rumours as long as I could remember that one day, that gate would open, and...
A trumpet blast interrupted my thoughts. Normally, a trumpet announced the end of the work day, but I could tell from the position of the sun and the lack of hunger in my belly that the day was still young. And it sounded different... louder... clear... it sounded like LIGHT. Once more, the trumpet blasted and then a voice gently, assertively commanded, "Open." A scraping, grating sound filled the air. My heart jumped within me and for a moment I forgot to breathe.
The gate! It was opening!
The sea of people of which you and I were a part paused for a moment. Is this real? Is this really happening? The story we had heard from childhood was not a myth? Is it possible that we might be free?
Then, as if with one movement, we rushed for the gate. It seemed to take forever, yet no time at all. Once we were through, we looked about in silence and awe. The first thing I saw was that there were jewels strewn haphazardly about. Lying on the ground, sitting on tables, hanging from trees; necklaces, rings, bracelets, and silk and satin robes were everywhere. I began to slowly walk toward a tree ornamented with golden necklaces. Then I realized -- there were no other people here!
The only people I could see was the crowd who just came through the gate. Where was everyone? Is it possible there was no one else in this city but us? Were these jewels here for us? Weren't we the lowest of the low? Maybe there was no one better than us after all. Maybe all of humanity was at the bottom of the hill. Maybe we had believed a lie all this time that we were not worthy... that there must be others better than us who deserved more. Maybe WE were meant for this! I ran to the nearest tree with a gleeful shout. We all seemed to come to the same conclusion at the same time and there were a few minutes of joyful chaos as we clamoured for the riches we saw around us.
I put on a gold coloured silk robe and arrayed myself in various items of splendour; sapphire earrings, pearl necklaces, jade bracelets studded with various stones, and diamond rings. I looked down at my hands, which only minutes before had been hard at work. They were calloused and grimy; the rings and bracelets appeared out of place. I suddenly felt self-conscious, and quickly lifted my eyes to see if anyone was watching me. A man nearby who had just discovered a chest of gold coins lifted his head with a look of disbelief and our eyes met. Our eyes spoke of the wonder around us, yet our voices remained mute. What could I say? What could he say?
As my new surroundings became familiar, I realized that there was plenty of time and plenty of riches. My desire to hoard these treasures faded, my heart began to slow to its normal pace, and my mind began to ponder. I sat down on a grassy hill beneath a gold-laden tree, watching the activity around me. Then I had a thought that made me sit up straight. Just before the gate opened, I had heard a trumpet blast and a voice. It was the most breathtaking, beautiful voice I had ever heard. The authority in that voice was almost terrifying, yet it was comforting. I knew I had heard that voice before. Maybe not audibly, but there was a familiarity about it that made every cell in my body desperate to please the one to whom that voice belonged. I realized that the gate could not possibly have stood against the command to open. I knew that absolutely nothing in the world could stand against the authority of the one who had spoken.
There was one thing that baffled me: Where was the one to whom that voice belonged? I knew for certain that I would recognize him, even though I had never seen him before. Where was he?
I tried to remember the stories that I had been told since I was a child. They were stories of freedom. But I could not recall anyone telling me what happened after the gate opened. Freedom. No one had ever defined the term for me, but somehow I knew I must meet the One for whom my whole being longed, or I could not be free even in the midst of these riches.
I wondered if I was being selfish. I was in beautifully landscaped surroundings, more spectacular than I could ever have dreamed about. I was also surrounded by unspeakable riches. What else could my heart desire? I found myself speaking out loud to the voice which had commanded the gate to open. "I am so grateful. Thank you. But what I really want is YOU. I'm sorry if I'm asking too much. But I want to know who you are."
I held my breath, almost expecting an audible answer. But I didn't even hear a whisper. I exhaled, and suddenly a peace that I had never felt before washed over me. It didn't matter as much where I was... I felt that I could even have been at the bottom of that hill again and it would have been alright, as long as I felt that peace.
I stood up and looked around me. The scene had changed somewhat. No, not the treasure. It remained the same. But the people... Most people were still milling about, looking at their new surroundings. But some were fighting over their treasure. Two men were fist fighting over a purple silk cloak that lay in a heap beside them. They trampled on it as they wrestled, and it began to look more and more like the ragged clothes they wore before coming through the gate. Behind them, hanging on a fence, were many purple silk cloaks that were identical to the one they were fighting over. I shook my head in disbelief. There were outbreaks of fighting all over.
There were some people, however, who were sitting or standing calmly and peacefully. Peacefully... Yes, when I looked at them, I could see the same peace radiating from them that I was experiencing. And I knew that they were also anticipating the arrival of the Peace-Giver.
Only a short time passed when we heard the same trumpet blast again. "Open," was the command that came forth, and my heart leapt within me with anticipation. I knew that I was soon to see the giver of the command. In the distance, the gate to the King's quarters opened. No one moved to pass through the gate. We knew that was not to be.
Suddenly, through the gate emerged a chariot. The horses were whiter than snow, the chariot was made of pure gold and it was inlaid with diamonds. But those seemed pale compared to the One who was driving the chariot. It was He! The Prince! The horses galloped down the hill toward us. Those who had been fighting amongst themselves appeared terrified. Some fainted where they stood and others even ran down the hill and back through the gate of their captivity. Most people stood unmoving, wondering what could possibly happen that was more exciting than what had already taken place. Those of us with "the peace" knew... This was the Prince of Peace! We were to meet Him! Joy unspeakable flowed through me. My heart danced and my face almost hurt from the smile that I could not contain. I knew at that moment that He was coming for me.
The Prince stopped in front of us. In a voice that all could hear, He said, "Follow Me." My feet were propelled by my heart's desire to be near Him. "I'm coming, I'm coming! Thank you!" I shouted with glee. The chariot raced toward the east, and effortlessly, I kept up. I did not look around me. I could only focus on the One who had given me the command. He left a trail of love behind Him and I basked in it as I walked. I knew I was not the only one who followed, but I was only truly aware of He and I. We reached a wall that ran south to the bottom of the hill, and to the north, to the King's quarters. The Prince stopped and turned to face us.
"Hail, Prince of Peace!" I shouted, and several others echoed my salute. "But aren't You the King?" asked someone to my left. "I AM" He replied. I felt confused for a moment. Wasn't He the Prince of Peace? He looked at me kindly, and responded to my thoughts. "I AM." I looked up into His eyes, and was so overwhelmed that I could not stand. I fell to my face and worshipped Him. "You Are! You Were! You Forever Will Be!" All those who were there fell before Him. I was unaware of the passing of time. It could have been hours, days, or minutes. I wanted to worship forever.
Then He spoke. "Crumble." The wall before me collapsed into fine dust. "Follow Me" said the Prince, the King. Then He climbed off His chariot and took my hand.
When the dust completely settled, I saw before me a river. It was wide and the flow was fast. It was a deep, sparkling blue, and shone with a light that came from the river itself. It flowed down from the top of the hill, and continued as far as I could see. I desired so badly to jump in. I knew that in that river, was life. True life. But I didn't want to let go of my Prince's hand. "I will never leave you", He assured me. Uncertain, I looked up at Him. One glance into His eyes, and I knew that He could only speak truth, and with no more hesitation, I plunged into the depths of the river. I sank, but never reached the bottom. When I bobbed to the surface, I saw that all the grime and dirt I had accumulated over the years was washed clean. My skin was fresh and new. The jewels I had adorned myself with were also gone. I knew that I would not need them at my destination. I looked up. My eyes followed the path of the river up the hill. I saw it go under the jewel studded walls of the King's quarters. I saw it enter the castle, then the throne room. I then saw, with the eyes of my heart and by revelation from the Prince, that the source of this River of Life was the throne and the One who sat upon it. "Go up", urged the Prince, "Go up."
As I wiped the sleep from my eyes, I imagined the King on His throne, living in the middle of that opulence. My imagination soared. What if I was of noble birth? What if I was summoned by the King to live in the glorious light of His presence?
Now I was really dreaming. I shook my head to wake myself up. I looked around at the shoddy conditions in which I lived, then stuck my head out of the rickety door of the shack that I called home. Everyone else was already making their way down the path to the fields we worked every day. I shuffled my feet along the dirt floor to the basin to wash my face. There was no need to change my clothes. The rags I wore were the only clothes I had.
As I walked down the dusty path, I watched the multitude of people who walked ahead of me. Every day, we walked down this dusty path. Every day, we toiled to grow food in dusty fields that never produced quite enough, and whose fruit never tasted good. For a moment, I longed for something... something better. Again, I shook my head to clear my thoughts. The fruit didn't taste good? I had never thought of that before. Why should I concern myself with the flavour when I hardly had enough to fill my belly?
I began my work. It was not fulfilling, but then again, it never was. We lived and worked at the bottom of the hill. We were the lowest of the low, and the layout of the city reflected this clearly.
Our city was set on a hill. At the top of the hill was the castle where the King dwelled. I could not possibly describe it. For one thing, I had never been anywhere near it. I could see the spires reaching high into the blue sky, and it always seemed to shimmer with light. I could see the most lush, brilliant green trees around it and vines with fruit growing up to the top of the highest tower. To divide the King's living quarters with the rest of the city, a magnificent wall had been built. There were gates into the King's area, but they could not be opened except by decree of the King. I only knew this to be true, for from where I stood, I could not see those gates.
Below the castle was the hub of the city, where I could only assume the middle class lived and worked. I had never seen this for there was a wall between us and them. This wall was not inlaid with jewels. It was made of large grey bricks. I leaned on the wall, wiping my sweaty brow. Dusty perspiration dripped into my eyes, and I tried to blink away the grit. Sometimes I felt hopeless when I looked at this wall, and today was no exception. Why was I at the bottom of the hill? It seemed unfair. All the people living on the other side of the wall were living in affluence simply because they had been born there. Why was the wall here? It had a gate but it, like the gate to the castle, could only be opened by decree of the King. To my knowledge, it had never been opened. The hinges appeared to be rusted shut and I wondered if it could open at all. There had been rumours as long as I could remember that one day, that gate would open, and...
A trumpet blast interrupted my thoughts. Normally, a trumpet announced the end of the work day, but I could tell from the position of the sun and the lack of hunger in my belly that the day was still young. And it sounded different... louder... clear... it sounded like LIGHT. Once more, the trumpet blasted and then a voice gently, assertively commanded, "Open." A scraping, grating sound filled the air. My heart jumped within me and for a moment I forgot to breathe.
The gate! It was opening!
The sea of people of which you and I were a part paused for a moment. Is this real? Is this really happening? The story we had heard from childhood was not a myth? Is it possible that we might be free?
Then, as if with one movement, we rushed for the gate. It seemed to take forever, yet no time at all. Once we were through, we looked about in silence and awe. The first thing I saw was that there were jewels strewn haphazardly about. Lying on the ground, sitting on tables, hanging from trees; necklaces, rings, bracelets, and silk and satin robes were everywhere. I began to slowly walk toward a tree ornamented with golden necklaces. Then I realized -- there were no other people here!
The only people I could see was the crowd who just came through the gate. Where was everyone? Is it possible there was no one else in this city but us? Were these jewels here for us? Weren't we the lowest of the low? Maybe there was no one better than us after all. Maybe all of humanity was at the bottom of the hill. Maybe we had believed a lie all this time that we were not worthy... that there must be others better than us who deserved more. Maybe WE were meant for this! I ran to the nearest tree with a gleeful shout. We all seemed to come to the same conclusion at the same time and there were a few minutes of joyful chaos as we clamoured for the riches we saw around us.
I put on a gold coloured silk robe and arrayed myself in various items of splendour; sapphire earrings, pearl necklaces, jade bracelets studded with various stones, and diamond rings. I looked down at my hands, which only minutes before had been hard at work. They were calloused and grimy; the rings and bracelets appeared out of place. I suddenly felt self-conscious, and quickly lifted my eyes to see if anyone was watching me. A man nearby who had just discovered a chest of gold coins lifted his head with a look of disbelief and our eyes met. Our eyes spoke of the wonder around us, yet our voices remained mute. What could I say? What could he say?
As my new surroundings became familiar, I realized that there was plenty of time and plenty of riches. My desire to hoard these treasures faded, my heart began to slow to its normal pace, and my mind began to ponder. I sat down on a grassy hill beneath a gold-laden tree, watching the activity around me. Then I had a thought that made me sit up straight. Just before the gate opened, I had heard a trumpet blast and a voice. It was the most breathtaking, beautiful voice I had ever heard. The authority in that voice was almost terrifying, yet it was comforting. I knew I had heard that voice before. Maybe not audibly, but there was a familiarity about it that made every cell in my body desperate to please the one to whom that voice belonged. I realized that the gate could not possibly have stood against the command to open. I knew that absolutely nothing in the world could stand against the authority of the one who had spoken.
There was one thing that baffled me: Where was the one to whom that voice belonged? I knew for certain that I would recognize him, even though I had never seen him before. Where was he?
I tried to remember the stories that I had been told since I was a child. They were stories of freedom. But I could not recall anyone telling me what happened after the gate opened. Freedom. No one had ever defined the term for me, but somehow I knew I must meet the One for whom my whole being longed, or I could not be free even in the midst of these riches.
I wondered if I was being selfish. I was in beautifully landscaped surroundings, more spectacular than I could ever have dreamed about. I was also surrounded by unspeakable riches. What else could my heart desire? I found myself speaking out loud to the voice which had commanded the gate to open. "I am so grateful. Thank you. But what I really want is YOU. I'm sorry if I'm asking too much. But I want to know who you are."
I held my breath, almost expecting an audible answer. But I didn't even hear a whisper. I exhaled, and suddenly a peace that I had never felt before washed over me. It didn't matter as much where I was... I felt that I could even have been at the bottom of that hill again and it would have been alright, as long as I felt that peace.
I stood up and looked around me. The scene had changed somewhat. No, not the treasure. It remained the same. But the people... Most people were still milling about, looking at their new surroundings. But some were fighting over their treasure. Two men were fist fighting over a purple silk cloak that lay in a heap beside them. They trampled on it as they wrestled, and it began to look more and more like the ragged clothes they wore before coming through the gate. Behind them, hanging on a fence, were many purple silk cloaks that were identical to the one they were fighting over. I shook my head in disbelief. There were outbreaks of fighting all over.
There were some people, however, who were sitting or standing calmly and peacefully. Peacefully... Yes, when I looked at them, I could see the same peace radiating from them that I was experiencing. And I knew that they were also anticipating the arrival of the Peace-Giver.
Only a short time passed when we heard the same trumpet blast again. "Open," was the command that came forth, and my heart leapt within me with anticipation. I knew that I was soon to see the giver of the command. In the distance, the gate to the King's quarters opened. No one moved to pass through the gate. We knew that was not to be.
Suddenly, through the gate emerged a chariot. The horses were whiter than snow, the chariot was made of pure gold and it was inlaid with diamonds. But those seemed pale compared to the One who was driving the chariot. It was He! The Prince! The horses galloped down the hill toward us. Those who had been fighting amongst themselves appeared terrified. Some fainted where they stood and others even ran down the hill and back through the gate of their captivity. Most people stood unmoving, wondering what could possibly happen that was more exciting than what had already taken place. Those of us with "the peace" knew... This was the Prince of Peace! We were to meet Him! Joy unspeakable flowed through me. My heart danced and my face almost hurt from the smile that I could not contain. I knew at that moment that He was coming for me.
The Prince stopped in front of us. In a voice that all could hear, He said, "Follow Me." My feet were propelled by my heart's desire to be near Him. "I'm coming, I'm coming! Thank you!" I shouted with glee. The chariot raced toward the east, and effortlessly, I kept up. I did not look around me. I could only focus on the One who had given me the command. He left a trail of love behind Him and I basked in it as I walked. I knew I was not the only one who followed, but I was only truly aware of He and I. We reached a wall that ran south to the bottom of the hill, and to the north, to the King's quarters. The Prince stopped and turned to face us.
"Hail, Prince of Peace!" I shouted, and several others echoed my salute. "But aren't You the King?" asked someone to my left. "I AM" He replied. I felt confused for a moment. Wasn't He the Prince of Peace? He looked at me kindly, and responded to my thoughts. "I AM." I looked up into His eyes, and was so overwhelmed that I could not stand. I fell to my face and worshipped Him. "You Are! You Were! You Forever Will Be!" All those who were there fell before Him. I was unaware of the passing of time. It could have been hours, days, or minutes. I wanted to worship forever.
Then He spoke. "Crumble." The wall before me collapsed into fine dust. "Follow Me" said the Prince, the King. Then He climbed off His chariot and took my hand.
When the dust completely settled, I saw before me a river. It was wide and the flow was fast. It was a deep, sparkling blue, and shone with a light that came from the river itself. It flowed down from the top of the hill, and continued as far as I could see. I desired so badly to jump in. I knew that in that river, was life. True life. But I didn't want to let go of my Prince's hand. "I will never leave you", He assured me. Uncertain, I looked up at Him. One glance into His eyes, and I knew that He could only speak truth, and with no more hesitation, I plunged into the depths of the river. I sank, but never reached the bottom. When I bobbed to the surface, I saw that all the grime and dirt I had accumulated over the years was washed clean. My skin was fresh and new. The jewels I had adorned myself with were also gone. I knew that I would not need them at my destination. I looked up. My eyes followed the path of the river up the hill. I saw it go under the jewel studded walls of the King's quarters. I saw it enter the castle, then the throne room. I then saw, with the eyes of my heart and by revelation from the Prince, that the source of this River of Life was the throne and the One who sat upon it. "Go up", urged the Prince, "Go up."
Friday, April 17, 2009
Dreams
Please take the time to watch the following utube video before reading the blog post - start to finish. It is well worth your time!! You will probably have to hit your back button on your browser to get back to the blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
I have watched Susan Boyle’s video at least ten times. And I cry every time. It is parabolic. It is the symbolic epitome of what Jesus has done for me.
These are some of the lyrics to the song that she sang:
I Dreamed a Dream
There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed
This blog post is dedicated to all of us who have had our dreams turned to shame, for all of us who have been visited by “the tigers at night”. For those of us whose dreams were so vivid and bright and possible when we were young… but they somehow disappeared, got lost, were stolen, or were trampled underfoot by the misdeeds of men and the destructive work of the enemy of our souls.
“Life has killed the dream I dreamed.”
My personal experience has shown me that “life” is not always kind. But our lives are not destined to end the way of this song. There is no pain, no wound, no trauma that God cannot restore. It is never too late. What the enemy tried to steal and kill and destroy is the very thing that God wants to heal, restore and make whole. What is that dream? What is that purpose that God created you for?
Susan Boyle’s voice was held captive for 47 years. But when her time came, she shone before millions of people. It is your time to shine. Be brave. Has “life” crushed you? Have your dreams (or maybe even the very essence of who you are) been ripped to pieces? Are the things that should be bringing you joy, bringing shame and reproach instead? Has your heart been broken? It is time to find yourself. It is time to walk past the fears and the prejudices and the past and your circumstances that have held you captive. Isaiah 54:4 says, “Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.” There comes a time that those things that have haunted you need to be put aside. It is time to look forward. It is your turn to shine. Don’t worry what anybody may say. Don’t listen to the jeering, taunting voices around you or within you. It’s time to take your stand.
God is in the business of restoring the impossibly shattered heart, of healing the mortal wound, of curing the incurable. Jeremiah 30:12 and 13 says, “This is what the Lord says: Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing. There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healing for you. Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure?” Two verses later, in Jeremiah 30:17, the Lord says, “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds!” What is impossible for man is God’s specialty. So, dust off that dream and pull it out of the deep recesses of your inner closet. Put your life and your dreams into the hands of your Heavenly Father, the One who created you and put those dreams in you before you were even conceived. This is your day. When asked what advice she would give to those who want to pursue their dream, Susan Boyle said, “Just do it.” Yeah. Just do it. And then sit back and see what the Lord will do through you. No one was laughing after Ms. Boyle sang her first note. Take your stand. Just do it. God will showcase you for the sake of His Name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
I have watched Susan Boyle’s video at least ten times. And I cry every time. It is parabolic. It is the symbolic epitome of what Jesus has done for me.
These are some of the lyrics to the song that she sang:
I Dreamed a Dream
There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed
This blog post is dedicated to all of us who have had our dreams turned to shame, for all of us who have been visited by “the tigers at night”. For those of us whose dreams were so vivid and bright and possible when we were young… but they somehow disappeared, got lost, were stolen, or were trampled underfoot by the misdeeds of men and the destructive work of the enemy of our souls.
“Life has killed the dream I dreamed.”
My personal experience has shown me that “life” is not always kind. But our lives are not destined to end the way of this song. There is no pain, no wound, no trauma that God cannot restore. It is never too late. What the enemy tried to steal and kill and destroy is the very thing that God wants to heal, restore and make whole. What is that dream? What is that purpose that God created you for?
Susan Boyle’s voice was held captive for 47 years. But when her time came, she shone before millions of people. It is your time to shine. Be brave. Has “life” crushed you? Have your dreams (or maybe even the very essence of who you are) been ripped to pieces? Are the things that should be bringing you joy, bringing shame and reproach instead? Has your heart been broken? It is time to find yourself. It is time to walk past the fears and the prejudices and the past and your circumstances that have held you captive. Isaiah 54:4 says, “Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.” There comes a time that those things that have haunted you need to be put aside. It is time to look forward. It is your turn to shine. Don’t worry what anybody may say. Don’t listen to the jeering, taunting voices around you or within you. It’s time to take your stand.
God is in the business of restoring the impossibly shattered heart, of healing the mortal wound, of curing the incurable. Jeremiah 30:12 and 13 says, “This is what the Lord says: Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing. There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healing for you. Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure?” Two verses later, in Jeremiah 30:17, the Lord says, “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds!” What is impossible for man is God’s specialty. So, dust off that dream and pull it out of the deep recesses of your inner closet. Put your life and your dreams into the hands of your Heavenly Father, the One who created you and put those dreams in you before you were even conceived. This is your day. When asked what advice she would give to those who want to pursue their dream, Susan Boyle said, “Just do it.” Yeah. Just do it. And then sit back and see what the Lord will do through you. No one was laughing after Ms. Boyle sang her first note. Take your stand. Just do it. God will showcase you for the sake of His Name.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Confident Kids!
Well, I am glad I'm raising kids with a good self-esteem and confidence in their abilities...
One of my boys came to me the other day and said, "Wow, Mommy. I can hardly believe my head is this small. How can it fit my huge brain inside of it?"
Yesterday, I heard one of my boys telling the other one, "I always had a goal to be a genius by the age of 7. I'm right on target!"
I thank God that He, indeed, has given me bright boys. It was my dream come true when I went looking for them after I got off the treadmill and discovered that my 7 year old was reading from a science encyclopedia about the geology of Canada to my 6 year old, and they were enthralled with it! I know that being smart doesn't make a person wise, so it is my prayer everyday that as they get 'smarter', they also gain godly wisdom!
One of my boys came to me the other day and said, "Wow, Mommy. I can hardly believe my head is this small. How can it fit my huge brain inside of it?"
Yesterday, I heard one of my boys telling the other one, "I always had a goal to be a genius by the age of 7. I'm right on target!"
I thank God that He, indeed, has given me bright boys. It was my dream come true when I went looking for them after I got off the treadmill and discovered that my 7 year old was reading from a science encyclopedia about the geology of Canada to my 6 year old, and they were enthralled with it! I know that being smart doesn't make a person wise, so it is my prayer everyday that as they get 'smarter', they also gain godly wisdom!
Thursday, March 05, 2009
2 Corinthians 1:10
2 Corinthians 1:10 says, "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us."
I can say personally that God has, indeed, delivered me from deadly peril in the past. More than once, in fact. Sometimes it seems that when particular "perils" run through my mind, I need to be delivered from them again. But because He has brought me this far, I can hold onto hope that he will continue the work that He has begun. 2 Corinthians 2:10 is my theme these days, and I have personalized it: He has delivered me from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver me. On him I have set my hope that he will continue to deliver me.
There is an old song that goes,
He didn't bring us this far... to leave us
He didn't teach us to swim... to let us drown
He didn't build His home in us... to move away
He didn't lift us up... to let us down
We are never without hope. He holds us in His hands.
I can say personally that God has, indeed, delivered me from deadly peril in the past. More than once, in fact. Sometimes it seems that when particular "perils" run through my mind, I need to be delivered from them again. But because He has brought me this far, I can hold onto hope that he will continue the work that He has begun. 2 Corinthians 2:10 is my theme these days, and I have personalized it: He has delivered me from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver me. On him I have set my hope that he will continue to deliver me.
There is an old song that goes,
He didn't bring us this far... to leave us
He didn't teach us to swim... to let us drown
He didn't build His home in us... to move away
He didn't lift us up... to let us down
We are never without hope. He holds us in His hands.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Just a Lump? I think not.
Imagine a small child working to create a sculpture out of playdough. He shapes it meticulously and is working so hard to create his masterpiece. Finally, he’s finished. He runs to show everyone the marvellous creation that he has put so much time and effort into... “Mommy! Mommy! Look what I made! Isn’t it great?” When we see it, we smile encouragingly... we don’t want to hurt our little ones feelings, and we are truly proud of the effort they have put into it. But the fact remains... Their little creation just looks like a lump of playdough.
A lump.
I used to believe that God loved me only because He made me. That I was just a “lump” that had been created... and God found beauty and value in me the same way a child finds beauty in his playdough creations. I believed that when people spoke well of me they were humouring me, quoting the obligatory Scriptures about how I am wonderfully made, simply because they did not want to hurt my feelings.
Believing that I was a mere “lump” did nothing positive for my character, personality or appearance. I have done many things over the years to “prove” my lumpiness. I have gained, lost and regained (and lost!) weight – never being satisfied with my appearance. I have worked out in the gym excessively, having muscles bigger than a lot of men and sporting a haircut shorter than an army sargeant. I have hidden my figure behind layers of ill-fitting clothes. I have ignored my complexion and used the same make-up techniques since junior high. These were just some of the external signs that I did not know who I was in Christ. It is very difficult to display your value and true beauty on the outside, both in character and appearance, until you know from deep within you where your value comes from, and that you have been marvellously created by the Master craftsman.
It is not until you believe the Word of God that you can know how truly valuable you are and that you have been created with a purpose. It is essential as a Christian woman to receive the revelation of how God has truly made us one-of-a-kind, indispensable, and created with a divine purpose that He has put us here to fulfil. Until a woman has this revelation, she will continue to fight the inner battle of self-loathing and never reach her full potential to become the woman that God has created her to be.
Psalm 139 verse 14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I used to wonder which of those words describes me: Fearfully? Or wonderfully? But God says in that same chapter that his “works are wonderful”, and He is talking about you and I.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
We all need to understand that God has created us with a birthright, those things that He planned for us before we were even conceived. These are the plans spoken of in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The enemy is a liar, and it is his goal to rob us of God’s plans. He does not want us to prosper, he only wants to harm us. He wants to defer our hope and steal our future. He uses various methods to do this. Over the course of our lives, many things can happen, and sometimes our birthright gets covered up. The enemy also tries to make an imitation, in order to deceive us into thinking we are living the life that God has planned for us.
This process of becoming who we are in Christ, is a lot like taking off unneeded and excess layers of clothes, or like opening a well-wrapped gift. When you are completely covered up with your toque, scarf, mitts, parka, skidoo suit and big winter boots, its hard to imagine a pretty figure underneath, isn't it? But once we take off all those layers and get into a nice outfit, we will find a truly lovely woman. It is the same when we have allowed things to get in the way of the potential that God has for us. There are some ways that the enemy tries to cover our beauty, our potential and our birthright. Here are some things that may add layers of stuff to our lives:
1. Unconfessed sin.
2. Living in the flesh, rather than in the Spirit
3. Wounds from the past that need healing
4. Unforgiveness
5. Curses
6. Not spending adequate time daily with God
After we remove all the excess baggage that the enemy has tried to cover our potential with, there is just ONE way to realize who we are in Christ. That is, by reading the Word of God. We need to read in the Scriptures who we are in Christ. We need to saturate ourselves with the truth. I don’t know about you, but I need it daily. It is truly my daily bread, my sustenance. There was a song when I was a kid that said, “Christ is a stretcher, not a crutch. Without His help, we can’t do very much!” The Bible says that in him we live, and move, and have our being! If you ask God if there are any layers that you need removed, He will do it... and as we all begin to fully understand who we are in Christ, as a woman created by God to do good works, which he specifically designed for each one of us, we will walk in victory and become who we truly are.
I want to leave you with this thought: I am... Deeply loved by God, Fully pleasing, Totally forgiven, Wholly accepted, And complete in Christ.
A lump.
I used to believe that God loved me only because He made me. That I was just a “lump” that had been created... and God found beauty and value in me the same way a child finds beauty in his playdough creations. I believed that when people spoke well of me they were humouring me, quoting the obligatory Scriptures about how I am wonderfully made, simply because they did not want to hurt my feelings.
Believing that I was a mere “lump” did nothing positive for my character, personality or appearance. I have done many things over the years to “prove” my lumpiness. I have gained, lost and regained (and lost!) weight – never being satisfied with my appearance. I have worked out in the gym excessively, having muscles bigger than a lot of men and sporting a haircut shorter than an army sargeant. I have hidden my figure behind layers of ill-fitting clothes. I have ignored my complexion and used the same make-up techniques since junior high. These were just some of the external signs that I did not know who I was in Christ. It is very difficult to display your value and true beauty on the outside, both in character and appearance, until you know from deep within you where your value comes from, and that you have been marvellously created by the Master craftsman.
It is not until you believe the Word of God that you can know how truly valuable you are and that you have been created with a purpose. It is essential as a Christian woman to receive the revelation of how God has truly made us one-of-a-kind, indispensable, and created with a divine purpose that He has put us here to fulfil. Until a woman has this revelation, she will continue to fight the inner battle of self-loathing and never reach her full potential to become the woman that God has created her to be.
Psalm 139 verse 14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I used to wonder which of those words describes me: Fearfully? Or wonderfully? But God says in that same chapter that his “works are wonderful”, and He is talking about you and I.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
We all need to understand that God has created us with a birthright, those things that He planned for us before we were even conceived. These are the plans spoken of in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The enemy is a liar, and it is his goal to rob us of God’s plans. He does not want us to prosper, he only wants to harm us. He wants to defer our hope and steal our future. He uses various methods to do this. Over the course of our lives, many things can happen, and sometimes our birthright gets covered up. The enemy also tries to make an imitation, in order to deceive us into thinking we are living the life that God has planned for us.
This process of becoming who we are in Christ, is a lot like taking off unneeded and excess layers of clothes, or like opening a well-wrapped gift. When you are completely covered up with your toque, scarf, mitts, parka, skidoo suit and big winter boots, its hard to imagine a pretty figure underneath, isn't it? But once we take off all those layers and get into a nice outfit, we will find a truly lovely woman. It is the same when we have allowed things to get in the way of the potential that God has for us. There are some ways that the enemy tries to cover our beauty, our potential and our birthright. Here are some things that may add layers of stuff to our lives:
1. Unconfessed sin.
2. Living in the flesh, rather than in the Spirit
3. Wounds from the past that need healing
4. Unforgiveness
5. Curses
6. Not spending adequate time daily with God
After we remove all the excess baggage that the enemy has tried to cover our potential with, there is just ONE way to realize who we are in Christ. That is, by reading the Word of God. We need to read in the Scriptures who we are in Christ. We need to saturate ourselves with the truth. I don’t know about you, but I need it daily. It is truly my daily bread, my sustenance. There was a song when I was a kid that said, “Christ is a stretcher, not a crutch. Without His help, we can’t do very much!” The Bible says that in him we live, and move, and have our being! If you ask God if there are any layers that you need removed, He will do it... and as we all begin to fully understand who we are in Christ, as a woman created by God to do good works, which he specifically designed for each one of us, we will walk in victory and become who we truly are.
I want to leave you with this thought: I am... Deeply loved by God, Fully pleasing, Totally forgiven, Wholly accepted, And complete in Christ.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Jiffy Markers
When my eldest son entered kindergarten, I wrote his name on everything with permanent marker. I wrote on his backpack, lunch box, school supplies and yes, even clothing (because you just never know!). His belongings were clearly marked as his so that no disputes could break out if another kid had the same lunchbox.
I had the coolest dream the other night. God came down and wrote His name on the back of my neck. You know... The place that shirt tags usually sit. Then He said, "You're Mine. I wrote it in permanent ink."
Ephesians 1:13 says that "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory."
I refuse to get into an argument about eternal security. I just know that I'm His, and it's permanent.
I had the coolest dream the other night. God came down and wrote His name on the back of my neck. You know... The place that shirt tags usually sit. Then He said, "You're Mine. I wrote it in permanent ink."
Ephesians 1:13 says that "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory."
I refuse to get into an argument about eternal security. I just know that I'm His, and it's permanent.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Army
The Army gathered on the gentle slope of the hill. Clattering, clanging and shouts could be heard as they prepared for battle. The enemy, just becoming visible over the crest of the hill in the distance, was steadily advancing in a straight, organized line directly towards The Army. Like a dark wave, the enemy ranks swept over the hill and began its descent into the valley.
A low murmur could be heard among The Army, who was now frantically trying to complete their preparations.
“Do you see the enemy? There are so many of them!”
“Yes, and they are so well-organized!”
“Did anybody see my shield? I can’t find my shield!”
Never before had there been such a foe. And never before had The Army been so unprepared. In fact, The Army looked more like a band of kids playing dress-up with whatever equipment was at hand – which apparently wasn’t much.
As they began to march down the rocky, thorny hill, The Army quickly realized the essential item that had been left at home – their boots!
So, the enemy passed through the valley and advanced up the hill toward the sock-footed Army. The enemy wasn’t worried – they knew that The Army had also left behind their Swords.
Ephesians 6:10 – 17 (NIV)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
A low murmur could be heard among The Army, who was now frantically trying to complete their preparations.
“Do you see the enemy? There are so many of them!”
“Yes, and they are so well-organized!”
“Did anybody see my shield? I can’t find my shield!”
Never before had there been such a foe. And never before had The Army been so unprepared. In fact, The Army looked more like a band of kids playing dress-up with whatever equipment was at hand – which apparently wasn’t much.
As they began to march down the rocky, thorny hill, The Army quickly realized the essential item that had been left at home – their boots!
So, the enemy passed through the valley and advanced up the hill toward the sock-footed Army. The enemy wasn’t worried – they knew that The Army had also left behind their Swords.
Ephesians 6:10 – 17 (NIV)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
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