God is Good

The traditional chant from my high school years went like this: God is good, ALL THE TIME! and all the time, GOD IS GOOD!

 It's true 'ya know. It's true when the sun is shining and I'm lying in my hammock enjoying the breeze. It's true when the sky is dark and there are nothing but storms in sight. Sometimes His goodness feels like happiness, sometimes it feels like pain, as He opens wounds to heal. Sometimes His goodness looks like bright opportunities and hope for tomorrow. Sometimes it looks like waiting and trusting. 

  In C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, Lucy voices the question I think we all really want to know: Is He safe? 'Course He's not safe! He's not a tame lion. But He IS good. Meaning that God is not someone who can be put in a box or controlled. He is God after all. His ways are so much bigger than ours, and the only way to live is by simply trusting in His goodness.

  Recently I decided to begin compiling a kind of master list of meaningful verses, inspiring quotes, and encouraging words from friends that I've received lately. The thing that immediately struck me, was that I had something for almost every single day. Every day God had spoken to me, words of comfort and hope. It was a reminder that God is not silent (I just don't always listen). And He is good, so understanding of our needs and weaknesses.

 Just now as I was searching for a quote above, I stumbled across this beautiful blog post (http://www.itakejoy.com/course-he-isnt-safe-but-he-is-good-he-is-not-a-tame-lion/). I love where she says 

"You can’t just read God’s Facebook profile and suppose you can be close to His heart. To be near to His heart–understanding His heart, believing He really loves you, experiencing His personality, requires hours and hours of real life in His presence".

   Understanding God's goodness requires understanding/knowing His heart. It requires a real, live relationship, something built on daily experiences (maybe even mostly mundane experiences). It's walking side by side through good times and bad, experiencing life, together. 

  My God is not tame, but He surely is good. I pray that as I seek to be with Him day by day, His heart of love and goodness will be more fully revealed, both to me, and in me.

The Extraordinary Life

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live an extraordinary life? Most of the time it seems like life on this planet is all about survival, trying to fit in, be normal, and make it through. But recently I've become pretty discontent with this way of living, I think there ought to be more.  Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).But what does it mean to live an extraordinary life? What does it take? Actually, I think every follower of Jesus is called to an "abnormal" life, one that doesn't meet the status quo or follow the rules of society, or even logic. 

    While I'm still very much on the journey, here are some things I've gleaned so far, relating to what I believe an extraordinary life looks like. 

1. Jesus only

    An extraordinary life focuses above all on a relationship with Jesus Christ. He becomes first, best, and only in our lives. He is our best Friend, Comforter, constant companion, and the provider of all we need. This is radical, really radical. It changes everything about your life. Not for the faint of heart (unless that faint heart is given to Jesus, and He'll make it strong :) Honestly, I should stop right here. Knowing Jesus is the definition of an extraordinary life. It's all about Him. Really. I saw this  today and I plan to claim it as my personal mission statement:

    Mission:

To know Him and

To make Him known

2. Love

     Human beings cannot survive without love. Love is synonymous with God. It was for no other reason than love that we were created, and also saved. We cannot love on our own, we can only love and be loved through the grace of Jesus. Vital to true living. 

3. Eternal perspective

    The easiest way to avoid an extraordinary life is to forget that this planet is not our permanent residence. Don't get comfortable! We're just passing through. There is more to life, there is a promise of eternal life for those who know Jesus. Rethinking things with an eternal perspective really impacts the way you live your life. Take money for example, once I realize that it's all God's money anyway, I don't have to stress so much about having it or not. Once I remember that a day is coming when there will be no more pain, sorrow, or sickness, then I can deal with those things a little easier, knowing they're not permanent. Once I realize that I really don't belong here, I don't have to worry so much about fitting in and conforming to society's norms. I can focus on my mission.

4. Connection

     We were created to connect to each other, to have community, work together, share together, help each other out. I've read so many studies recently which find that positive social interactions and meaningful relationships contribute greatly to happy and healthy lives. Family and close friends are the people who help you through the hard times, encouraging you to keep going. It's also part of God's plan for sharing Him, enlarging the circle of love as Lee Venden puts it. But as I've noted before, true connection requires vulnerability and hard work. The results, however, can be life-changing.

5. Hope

     People who have survived some great tragedy often cite hope as the only reason they made it through. Hope is trusting in God, having faith that He'll come through, even when your eyes can't see.  Hope is living every day standing on the firm promises of God's word, doing battle, claiming victory, knowing the outcome is sure. Hope is clinging to Jesus through the storms of life. Hope is enduring the now, with eyes fixed on the bright future to come.

6. Believing Truth

    I almost titled this one positive thinking, but they're not quite the same. Believing Truth (and living like you believe it) is about something real, not simply pie in the sky, as they say. It's choosing to believe God and take Him at His Word, whether it's about who He is, or who I am, or what He can do. It's choosing to focus on these things, dwell on them, remember them. Researchers say that it takes a 3 to 1 ratio of positive thoughts to negative thoughts. This is a particular area of struggle for me, the devil loves to place all kinds of negative (mostly untrue) thoughts in my mind. But praise Jesus He is strong enough to combat this and fill us instead with His beautiful, lovely Truth. Focusing on the positive gives you momentum in that direction and can actually help change your course in life.

7. Lifestyle choices

    Living an extraordinary life really doesn't feel that extraordinary most of the time. It's about making little, unimpressive choices every day that leads to victory. These might be things like physical health, being active and choosing good foods, drinking water. It might include spending time in nature, meditation, learning healthy mental habits, laughter, expressing creativity, expressing gratitude, taking breaks from technology, focusing on the important things in life, getting rid of clutter (both physical and otherwise). The key is that all of these choices are based on a larger goal. The goal is not reached instantly, but instead, step by step, choice by choice.

     

8. Being you

   There is only one you. God created each of us uniquely and lovingly. He has a plan for each life, a purpose to be fulfilled. A video I watched today said that one of the top 5 regrets people have on their deathbed is that they wished they had had the courage to be themselves, instead of who everyone else told them they should be. Don't let doubts and fears, insecurities and the opinions of others, stop you from being who God created you to be. There is such beauty in opening this treasure to the world. And no one else can do it, only you. Let God renew you and refine you, choose to trust Him and reveal His breathtaking creation to the world.

So the question is: who are you going to listen to? (I ask myself). On the one hand, the devil and the world tell you that you are destined for nothing better than an ordinary life, so work hard to try and find some comfort and happiness on your own. On the other hand Jesus invites you to a live an extraordinary life with Him, for eternity. The price is steep (it costs all you have), but the joy is unfathomable. What will you choose?

His Presence

Two different people shared this devotional thought with me recently, and it really resonated.  We are grateful for the many earthly blessings He gives, but the reality is that His presence is truely all we need, and more than we could ever hope for. (Unfortunately I don't know the original source to credit).

"I, the Creator of the Universe, am with you and for you.  What more could you need?  When you feel some lack, it is because you are not connecting with Me at a deep level.  I offer abundant life; your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything.

It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about those events.  Your mind engages in efforts to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire.  Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves.  Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life.  The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to My Presence.  Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do.  I am the Lord!"

"What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"  Romans 8:31-32

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me."  Micah 7:7

Just to Be With You

The story of Young Joe takes place during a dark time in our nation's history, a time when men were openly bought and sold as slaves. Well, this particular young man was the picture perfect slave, at least physically. He was big and strong and appeared as though he could work for hours without growing weary. But the problem was that he was quite unwilling to work. All day long he would yell at those who came to examine him: 'I won't work! It would be a waste of money to buy me because I won't work even a second!', and he would scoff and sneer. Finally one middle-aged man stepped up and decided to buy Young Joe. So the man handed over an exorbit amount of money and was given the key to Joe's chain and they loaded Joe in the wagon. All the way home Joe kept up his chant of 'I won't work, I won't work'. Soon they arrived at a cute little cottage at the edge of the woods. The man got out, took Joe inside, and then did a strange thing. He unlocked the shackles and tosses them aside. 'Welcome home, Joe,' he said. This is your house now, you're a free man. Still not comprehending the situation, Joe kept raging 'I won't work a day of my life for you!'. The man said 'Joe that's ok with me." Suddenly Joe understood what this man had done for him, and immediately fell at the man's feet and said, 'master, I will work for you until the day I die!' Once he understood what had been done for him, everything changed!

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain

Just to be with the one he loves

How many times has he broken that promise

It has never been done.

I've never climbed the highest mountain

But I walked the hill of calvary

Just to be with you, I'd do anything

There's no price I would not pay

Just to be with you, I'd give anything

I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean

Just to be with the one he loves

How may times has he broken that promise

It can never be done

I've never swam the deepest ocean

But I walked upon the raging sea

I know that you don't understand 

the fullness of My love

How I died upon the cross for your sins

And I know that you don't realize

how much that I gave you

But I promise, I would do it all again.

Just to be with you, I've done everything

There's no price I did not pay

Just to be with you, I gave everything

Yes, I gave my life away.

("Love Song" by third day)

There are no words to adequately describe the immensity of what Jesus has done for me. I was a slave to sin, but he saw my great need and came to resue me, set me free, cut my chains. But it wasn't just benevelance or sympathy that brought him here. No, His motivation went much deeper. His love for me is so deep and vast and strong that He was willing to do whatever it took, just to be with me, just to show His love and give me the chance to be His friend. Once I understand this, everything changes. Just to be with me, just to be with you, He gave everything. 

There is no possible way to repay this debt of love, but I pray that, by His grace, my daily response will be to fall at His feet and worship, saying, 'Master, take this life, it's all I have to offer. And I will gladly serve you in love, all the days of my life".

He Leadeth Me

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
(Psalm 23:1-4)

He Leadeth Me

He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!

O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be

Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

Refrain

He leadeth me, He leadeth me,

By His own hand He leadeth me;

His faithful follower I would be,

For by His hand He leadeth me.

Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,

Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,

By waters still, over troubled sea,

Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,

Nor ever murmur nor repine;

Content, whatever lot I see,

Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.

The doctors told her she had only months to live. It was cancer, and there was much pain. 10 years later she is still here, still in daily pain. Recently her pastor stopped by to visit and she asked him, 'Why in the world is God keeping me alive? I can't do anything, I have to stay in bed most of the time. What is the purpose of keeping on?'. The pastor responded, 'Well, is there anything about your life that is different than before?' The lady immediately responded, 'Oh, yes. I am so much closer to Jesus!' As I listened to these words it struck a chord in me. Although my situation is certainly nothing compared to this woman's, I've been wondering lately why Jesus is keeping me here in this frustrating place I'm at in life. I feel like I'm not really doing anything useful, and I have been wondering what is the point. But when I ask myself the question, what is different about my life now than before? The immediate and joyous answer: I know Jesus like never before! The Bible is clear that God is never the author of pain and suffering, or trials and tribulations, but if we choose to let Him, He can use these situations to bring glorious blessings to us and draw us nearer and nearer to Him.

I've been reading lots of verses about waiting on God (hoping in Him, expecting great things from Him), and about trusting Jesus, but we all know it's often hard when we can't see the end from the beginning. Then I heard the words to this beautiful hymn. The author, Joseph Gilmore, writing in the darkest hour of the Civil War says, "God’s lead­er­ship is the one sig­nif­i­cant fact in hu­man ex­per­i­ence, that it makes no dif­fer­ence how we are led, or whi­ther we are led, so long as we are sure God is lead­ing us." The song also reminds me that it is God's own hand that is leading, His very own nail-scarred hand. This is not some impersonal guide who cares nothing for my welfare, but instead the Good Shepherd who gave His life so that He and I could be friends. It doesn't matter where He leads me, or how long it takes to get there, or which path He chooses, as long as I'm with Him I can be sure that I am safe. He never promised us an easy journey, but He does promise the joy, peace and wonderfulness of His company and guidance. As long as I have this, I have no need to fear.

Jesus, forgive me for spending so much time focusing on small and momentary troubles. This week help me fix my eyes on You and look up, content to follow wherever You lead, and thankful for your dear company along the way.

Jesus Only

I started this blog to share a little glimpse into the heart of my spiritual journey, in hopes that someone who read it might be encouraged or learn something useful. It's also a good way to chronicle the journey, so I can look back later and remember. But, actually, the main reason I started writing was because Jesus asked me to. He indicated that He wanted to do something really cool in my life, and sharing that with others was a way to bring glory to His Name. 

  But it's often hard, and my weakness is ever before me. The words never seem good enough, the thoughts never complete enough, I can never really seem to succeed. The process God is taking me through certainly has some high moments, but often it feels slow and painful. But, oh how I've grown! It's probably not easily detected by others, but God is indeed doing a mighty work in me, with still much more to do. He's given me a little more clarity, recently, as to what He's doing and I just wanted to share.

  I've been reading about this thing called radical surrender (also called true Love). The concept of surrender is nothing new to a Christian, but is it really possible? What does it really mean to give everything, EVERYTHING, over to Jesus? I wrote recently about the battle with self. Self absolutely must die before Jesus can take over. And He must have all of us, every single little bit. Make no mistake, this is an arduous process. It's something that must be done daily, but I also believe there is a first step of total surrender, the radical kind that goes against what the world says is "balanced". And it's precisely this that I have been praying and longing for: a relationship with Jesus so close that it's like you're one. Jesus reminded me that He is answering my prayer, it's just taking longer than I would like.

   First of all, Jesus has to get you to a place where you are ready to receive this incredible gift. And we can't do it ourselves. No effort on our part, no matter how sincere, can make this change in us. The only thing we can do is determine (choose) to serve Jesus. And even if we can't yet be willing to make that full surrender, we can be willing to be made willing. Then Jesus can do His glorious work of restoration in us. Ellen White says that "When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten" (Steps to Christ p. 31). Jesus has been showing me that I've been letting lots of things distract me. Not necessarily bad things, but distractions none the less. I want to put everything else aside and pour all my energies into making Jesus first, last, best, and only in my life. The other stuff will come, but my goal, my focus, my reason for living HAS to be Jesus only.

  I've still got a ways to go, but I just needed to stop and remind myself where I'm going and what I'm doing, and what is most important. I've learned that having Jesus as a friend, walking right beside me on the journey, makes all the difference in the world. It is Him and Him alone that makes it all worth it. There  certainly is joy in the journey, but the greatest rewards are yet to come, and once we get to experience them, I believe we will all agree that "heaven is cheap enough, at any price".

"let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. "(Hebrews 12:1, 2 NIV)

Arise, My Love

That Sabbath day must have been the hardest one in all of history. That Sabbath day while Jesus rested in the tomb. While all of heaven rejoiced because evil had been defeated, earth was shrouded in darkness and sadness at the loss of the Creator. Everything seemed hopeless. Seemingly, evil had indeed triumphed. The grave seemed to have won. He had given all, made the ultimate sacrifice, but in that moment it appeared not to be enough. Oh, but the glorious, glorious ending was yet to come! HE DIDN'T STAY DEAD!! He had already won the victory, He was just waiting on His Father's timing to declare it. 

   Early the next morning, just after the darkest part of the night had passed, an earthquake shook the ground as the mightiest angel in God's army sped to earth on an important mission. I can only imagine the excitement up in heaven as they awaited this grand moment. I love the scene as depicted by my favorite song:

ARISE MY LOVE

Not a word was heard

at the tomb that day.
Just shuffling of soldiers feet
as they guarded the grave.
One day, two days,
three days had past.
Could it be that Jesus
breathed His last?

Could it be that His Father
had forsaken him?
Turned his back on his son
dispising our sin.
All hell seemed to whisper
"Just forget Him, He's dead."
Then the Father looked down
to his son and he said.

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer
has a hold on you
No more death's sting
No more suffering
Arise... Arise... my love.

The Earth trembled
and the tomb began to shake,
and like lightening
from Heaven the stone was rolled away.
And as dead men
the guards they all stood there in fright
As the power of love
displayed its might
Then suddenly a melody
filled the air
Riding wings of wind,
it was everywhere
The words all creation
had been longing to hear
The sweet sound of victory,
so loud and clear.

Arise, my love.
Arise, my love.
The grave no longer has a hold on you.
No more death's sting
no more suffering
Arise... arise...

Sin, where are your shackles?
Death, where is your sting?
Hell; has been defeated.
The grave could not hold the king.

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer
has a hold on you
No more death's sting
No more suffering
Arise... Arise... Arise
Lyrics found <a href="http://phonelyrics.com">here</a>

Arise, my Love, called God to His Son. Come forth as the Victor and let everyone see that You are the resurrection and the life! Let everyone see the power of love at work.

   Those 3 days changed life for us, forever. I believe God offers a similar call to each one of us. From whatever tomb of darkness we might be lying in (maybe depression or anger or doubt. Or possibly loneliness, discouragement and failure), from whatever impossible situation we might find ourselves in, He calls to us. "Come forth my beloved one! The power of Love has set you free! You are no longer bound by the chains of sin, death has no more hold on you. Because of what Jesus did, because He loves you immeasurably, because  He conquered for you, the stone has been rolled away. Arise, my love. Arise from sin and shame and go forth in victory. Arise."