Slow Down and Meet God

For the past few weeks, Pastor Craig (Life.Church) has been ministering about having healthy habits and I know my habits aren’t the best, so I’ve really leaned into what he’s taught. I’m working on how to put the things into practice and started a bible plan today to get me started. I raise this because I’ve talked about resting before, but today I saw a practical example of how we pour out and pour out and pour out and if we are not replenished, we won’t be effective. 

Our staying busy may be the very thing that destroys our ability to do whatever God calls us to. We have to get still and recognize our weaknesses and vulnerabilities and other shortcomings so we go to the One who can meet us with them and make us whole. While I listened to the message, I went into denial mode. Do I stay busy because I’m afraid of failing or I’m afraid to be too quiet and hear all the voices tell me I’m not enough? Or am I just a bit self-involved and need to think about how “important” I am to the process of getting it all done? 

Whatever the case or the excuses, I’m not following Jesus’ example. Jesus regularly went off alone to spend quiet time with God (Mark 1:35; Mark 6:46-47; Mark 14:32-39; Luke 6:12). He did not depend on His human body to carry Him through. He leaned and depended on the Father as His source. The first thing Jesus did after being baptized and being acknowledged as God’s beloved son, was to go off for 40 days and nights to be with God, to be strengthened in His spirit (Matt 4:1-11).  

I don’t consistently spend time with God and wait to hear from Him. I do read a scripture passage and study for bible study and pray regularly, but not consistently and intentionally. I can be pretty haphazard – catch time when I find it. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I make time and give attention to the things I want. How insulting is that to God? 

I know He’s always with me, but He created me and gave His son for me. I owe Him more than that. I owe Him all of me. And beyond owing Him, I love Him. I want to please Him. I can’t do that if I don’t know Him intimately. The more private time you spend with anyone, the more you get to know them. You get to understand their likes and dislikes, their quirks, their nuances, their humor, how their voice changes depending on mood, etc. If we want to know God intimately, we have to spend time with Him. Be still and know that I am God (Psa 46:10), the Psalmist wrote.  

At the end of the day, if I really recognize that He is the most important one in my life, I have to make sure I meet Him regularly. I need to plan for my time with Him. I’m working on my time and place of meeting, but He is that important and I need Him. Everyday! In Every way! I know I’ve been in a place in the past where I was worn out and it was my fault. Going without taking time to be filled is not healthy for me and anyone I’m impacting. 

Lord, give me grace and perseverance to seek you intentionally and consistently. Give me courage to face the parts of myself I’d rather ignore. Help me past my fear of failure and disappointing others to a space where I can quiet the noise and hear you! Amen!

Less is More

I’ve gotten a rude welcome to the Midwest this week. I’ve lived through my first snowstorm and subzero temperatures, all while fighting an ear/sinus infection – not fun. While the 5-6 inches of snow were beautiful, they put a damper on the week and limited the ability to freely get around. While I was stuck at home, when I wasn’t working, I spent quite a bit of time playing video games and reading books. Shopping! I did spend some time with the Lord, but I allowed other stuff to take up time and serve as a distraction to me. I also took some time to do a little more unpacking – finding that I have way too much stuff and need to unload it to someone who needs it. 

I have so much stuff that I don’t have enough room for it. I folded clothes and added items to the giveaway pile. What are you allowing to take up your time? What stuff is taking space that Jesus should fill? Matt 6:19-21 tells us to not store up treasures on earth but to store up treasures in heaven. So, where are your treasures? Are you busy making more money? Buying more stuff? Wasting more time? I know the feeling. Me, too. 

I realized today during the message from Pastor Craig that I have been operating in a way that makes the stuff way too important. I have all this stuff and I have a hard time letting it go – because of course I’m going to need it at some point, because can you ever have enough stuff? Yes, you can. In fact, most of us have more than enough. 

Isn’t that how the serpent in the garden convinced Eve to take from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Gen 3)? He convinced her that more was better. He fooled her into thinking that what God had already given them in the garden was somehow not enough. He made her question God’s authority and believe she might know better than God. And Adam just stood by and let it happen, doing nothing to put a stop to it. So whether he agreed with her actions or not, he mimicked them when it came right down to the wire. Their destruction and ours all started with a desire for more when less was enough. They had all they needed, but it wasn’t enough for them. In exchange for their desire and the poor decision of not following God’s leading, all of humanity paid the price. 

So, what are we losing by our desire and actions to get more? What will it gain us? What good is gaining the whole world and losing our soul (Matt 16:26)? All the stuff we can obtain is temporary (2 Cor 4:18) so what good will it really do for us anyway? Let’s remember that less really is more.  

Making the Most of It

Well, the year didn’t start off the way I planned. You know 2023 was a chaotic year for me. From the beginning of the year, where I was away from home for a month, while trying to sell a house and get ready for the biggest move of my life to the actual move and my current incomplete settling in of the new house (I’m still trying to finish the unpacking and get rid of stuff I no longer need), chaos has lived with me a bit. 

So, my plan was to kick off the new year with some order. I was going to finally get rid of all the stuff I’ve already collected to give away and finish unpacking the boxes or give the stuff away. If I can’t use it, someone should be, right?!? That was my full intention. The first week of the new year was to be a productive one. What is it they say about the best laid plans? The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry (Robert Burns). Well, they’re not wrong – or rather God often has plans that don’t align with ours (Isa 55:8). 

Since, I believe that God is always in control (Prov 16:9), I know that the things that happen in my life are designed to make me more and more like Jesus. So, when I got sick on Jan 1 and have been sick all week, preventing me from doing any of the things I planned to do, but forced me to rest and hydrate and such, I realized I really am not my own. I would have done differently under my own power. But I don’t have any. 

My will may be contrary to God’s (sin) and I can do some things that don’t line up with God’s will (sin), but I still have no real power of my own. I am weak and He is strong (2 Cor 12:8-10). When I recognize that I am nothing without Him (Gal 6:3) and that I need Him for everything, it brings some perspective that depending on my own strength is not only stupid but futile. I only breath because He allows it (Gen 2:7). My heart beats because He allows it. 

A God who created the universe (Gen 1) and everything in it, is far stronger than I can ever hope or dream to be. That also drives home that I have no need to worry about anything I am depending upon Him to handle (Phil 4:6-7). He is more than able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). 

If I do what I’m supposed to do and I trust Him to do what He said He would do, how can I worry? That has been a lesson while I’ve been sick in a new place (10 months) with some developing friendships and relationships (several offers of help during my sickness) and no doctor of note. God is still God and He still has me no matter what I face. So, I’m making the most of my situation knowing God has me even when I can’t see it. What about yours? Are you making the most of the situation you’re in and not being a victim of it? How you move forward is up to you. 

Start Again

Happy New Year! Every New Year feels like a new beginning. After reflecting on the past year during the Christmas season, the New Year allows you to start over. Almost. We make resolutions and plans for the coming year. Then we revert. We tend to carry over what we were carrying at the end of year. What if we could lay down the burdens we had at the end of the year and start anew? We can. 

Jesus said in Matt 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” How often do we say we’re leaving something with God, but pick it back up and take it with us. We don’t have any different strategy and we haven’t consulted God, but we still feel we can handle it better the God – the Father – who knows everything. 

This year, let’s try something different. To get different results, we have to do something we’ve never done. Because let’s face it, if we knew how to fix our problems and could, we would have already done it. So, let’s take a look at our lives and actually leave some things we’ve been trying to change with God asking Him to give us the strength not to pick them up again. Let’s also give ourselves some grace. We won’t turn it all around in a week. We need to learn patience so we can endure the wait. We have to remember that God’s grace is sufficient for us and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9). 

While we are doing things differently this year, we should consult God on what He wants us to change. We should be prepared for it to take work from us. God will not do for us what we can do for ourselves. He doesn’t operate in a place where we will get the glory belonging to Him. Yes, He will direct our path and make our way straight, but we have to move. We have to choose His way. There is only His way and death. We are either following the Lord, or we are not. There is no middle ground. There is no gray. 

If you don’t have a personal relationship with the Lord and you’re looking for one, no better day than today. You can ask Him to be Lord of your life wherever you are. Ask Him to forgive your sins, admitting your need for a savior (we all need Jesus). Ask Him to come into your life as Lord and to lead and guide you. Ask Him to help you turn from your old ways, leave them behind and follow Him. Rom 10:9 states, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Because of God’s great grace (unmerited favor), we are justified by faith through Jesus Christ and therefore saved (Rom 5:1; Eph 2:8-9). It’s up to us, but don’t wait too long. Time is winding down and we don’t know how long we have. No time like the present. 

I hope and pray that 2024 is your best year yet! Be blessed. 

Merry Christmas - What are you giving Him?

Merry Christmas! I can only imagine the breath you just released. It's Christmas and all the running around have finally led to a load of food and wrapping paper left behind after opening presents. Why do we do it? It feels good to give and be together. We want our children to have more than we did. But, what does all the stuff gain them and how long will they even enjoy all the stuff? We have to remember to teach them about character, compassion, and that it is more important to store up treasures in heaven instead of all the latest games or toys.

While we are so busy getting stuff to give, are we considering the real reason for the season? God gave the perfect gift when we didn't even want it (John 3:16).  It was a case of not knowing what we needed until we met Him.  Christmas is a time for us to reflect on that perfect gift of Jesus and how we can give back to Him. 

While we celebrate this wondrous, joyous season and the amazing gift God gave, let's not forget those less fortunate. Let us follow God's example and help those in need. Many of us have so much yet give little.  One thing I've learned is the more you give, the more He will give to you (Luke 6:38).

What better way to honor Him ťhan to intentionally give of our treasure, our time and our talent for His glory. After all, it's Jesus's birthday. He deserves it. 

Praying that you have a wonderful Christmas holiday and a fantastic New Year!  Be blessed!

The Best Gifts

It’s a week before Christmas and all through the town there are families running around……buying and wrapping gifts, sending last minute cards and packages, stressing about how much is left in the budget and so many other things. At this time of year, more than any other, folks are sprinting to closest store to get those last-minute treats and gifts….in many cases grabbing things that will never be used. Why do we do that? 

As a giver, I get excited about picking just the right gift. Finding the thing that I know will bring a smile to my friend or family member’s face. I want to make them happy and let them know how important they are to me. However, I sometimes forget that the best gifts are those where I give a little bit of myself - where I create something for them or plan an adventure. Those tend to be the gifts my people remember and the experiences I remember as well. 

And, given the best gift of all time, it seems appropriate. God gave His best to us when He gave us His only begotten son more than two thousand years ago (John 3:16). God didn’t give us a material gift that was temporary and would deteriorate (2 Cor 4:18). He gave us the gift of eternal life which only comes through His son (John 14:6). That is a matchless gift. We could never do better, but we can give of our time and talents to those around us and to Him (Luke 6:38). 

We are all so busy, it’s difficult to set aside time for those who are important to our lives and to set aside time just to be. This Christmas holiday season take a look at all the loot you’re buying and giving and just evaluate whether that is the best gift you can give. Is there a way to give of yourself? Is there an experience you can organize? I know it’s a week so it can’t be a formal event, but getting together to look at Christmas Lights or singing carols or making cookies don’t take very much planning. You’ll get to make memories that will be with you no matter what comes. What gifts are you giving? Will they last? Or are they just temporary? Give your best gifts. 

Time Flies

Birthdays are times to reflect on who you are, where you’ve been and where you’re going. I celebrated another birthday last week and went on my annual birthday trip. This year, a girlfriend met me in one of favorite places and we had an awesome time – catching up and hanging out. It was great. I’m so grateful for good friends and family. I have an extremely fulfilling job where I practically impact people’s lives every day. I get to bless others as a result of how God has blessed me (Prov 11:25). In spite of the challenges, God continues to strengthen me and show me new mercies every morning. 

As I reflected over the last year, I thought of all the ways my life changed. Selling a house, moving to a new city, buying a house and all it entails, have been the major changes but there have been lots of small ones. I found a church I really like and have made some connections here. I am getting to know my neighbors. I’ve been blessed with a great group of co-workers. Sure, there have been challenges – getting my office bookshelf finished and finding a doctor, etc., but the pros outweigh the cons by far. 

So now, I’m thinking on the next year. What is my focus? I’m striving to align my life with God’s will consistently over the next year (Rom 12:2) – regardless of topics or issue. What I know for sure is that His ways are not mine and His thoughts are not mine (Isa 55:8-9), but I want them to be. I want to look more and more like Him. I only have so much time and it flies, so I need to be intentional about how I spend my time (Psa 90:12). I understand that the enemy is all about distracting me from my goals but it’s totally up to me what I do with that information. I can allow it to happen or I can do what I know to do and press forward anyway. I just have to remember that time continues to fly and there is no time to waste. 

God bless you!