This Is the Job I Gave You

I kicked a toy out of my way as I headed to the washroom in the middle of the night. Sighing, I asked for the umpteenth time "Why do I have to do this?" Motherhood seemed overrated. I was irritated that I could not sleep, and that in a few short hours I would hear little voices calling, "Nana!" from upstairs.

Flashback: When I was twelve, I knew God was calling me to full-time Christian service. It's as real today as it was xy years ago! {wink}

In between then and now, life happened, just as it always will. Many events happened--sad and happy, but God ultimately fulfilled one of my biggest dreams: being a preacher's wife. Through the challenges and joys, I now thoroughly enjoy working in ministry alongside my husband. I wouldn't want to do anything else.

Yet this did not happen the way I expected. I was thirty-five before I met my husband. And finally my dreams came true! He's an awesome man of God who runs his own homebuilding company while pastoring a church he started.

The thing I didn't expect was to instantly become a mother of three as well! If that wasn't surprise enough, the next thing I didn't expect was to raise two little munchkins who happen to be our grandchildren!

I will be real here: I harboured such mixed emotions about getting the {grand}kids full-time! I had never raised toddlers, never had the opportunity to care for a baby, never homeschooled. Aaaaaaaaa!

My faithful God kept bringing back to my mind one of four specific verses He had given me when I was praying about marrying my husband: Esther 4:14. He told me He brought me here "for such a time as this." Over time, I came to accept the fact that I had a toddler full-time, and later, a second one. Full-time. But honestly, the fears were eating me alive!

How can I open my heart this wide?
How long will I get to raise them?
How long will I have to raise them? (This question came on the more challenging days!)
What will my emotions do when I have to give them up?
How will I handle my emotions if I raise them and in the end, they rebel against God and everything they are taught?
When will I ever have time for my coveted writing career--or anything else, for that matter?!

One evening God spoke into my life through a comment someone made in the Bible study discussion group I lead and teach. (Be faithful. God speaks through you to your leaders!) We were discussing children. Though I do not remember the exact comment from this lady,  God's ever-so-gentle comment to me at that moment was crystal clear!

My child,

This is the job I gave you.

I'm aware that you thought you would be on the mission field, 

or having your own biological children, 

or writing full-time... 

and all those desires are great!

And if I had asked you to do those things, 

you would have immediately surrendered. 

I know your heart is toward Me.

But these are the plans I had for you. 

This is what I had in mind for your life. 

This is what I know is best for you. 

The question has always been and always will be:

Will you trust ME?

Yes, Lord, I will trust You! You've always been faithful! How can I not trust You?

It's not about me, it's all about You,
I yield myself now unto all that is True;
I'm free to obey, to yield all I am,
I'll live for You now, O my precious Lamb!

I am yielding myself, surrendering all;
Lord Jesus, You love me, so I answer Your call!

It's not about me, it's all about You,
I choose to act now as You want me to do;
You gave me Your Spirit to walk as I ought,
Lord, I can be true unto all I've been taught.

I am yielding myself, surrendering all;
Lord Jesus, You love me, so I answer Your call!
words (c) Dayna Spear Guenther, 2013; music, John B. Summer, 1877 (hymn tune: "I'm a Child of the King")

O Lord, when I need to pick up toys for the 500th time, please remind me of those who are suffering in other parts of the world, imprisoned for their faith, watching their children be killed. Remind me of those precious ladies whose arms long to hold a child even if it means tripping over toys a gazillion times a day. (Remind me that I used to be one of those ladies!) Remind me of Your Son who endured so much agony just for me! Enable me to "consider Him which endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest {I} be wearied and faint in {my mind}" (Hebrews 12:3)!

What about you? 

Is there an area or circumstance of your life that you just wish God would change? Could it be that He brought you to this place "for such a time as this"? He truly has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (II Peter 1:3) He's faithful: if He's called you, He also will do it (I Thessalonians 5:24)! He will perfect that which concerns you (Psalm 138:8)!

Please comment and tell me your own story of God's leading in your life in paths you have not known (Isaiah 42:16). 

The Light of Men

This morning I am meditating on John 1:4... "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."

Source: wallpaperstock.net

There is no light outside Christ. Could this mean that He gives some light (intellect, discernment, positive character traits) to unbelievers as well, to draw them unto Himself? When I see Christ's drawing out {his} soul to the hungry (Isaiah 58:10), how can I shut up my bowels of compassion (I John 3:17)--or be indifferent to those suffering around me? Hungry in spirit and soul, not just physically hungry. People all around me are hungry for the Truth, only found in God. If I simply lift HIM up, HE will draw all men to Himself (John 12:32)--living the Light! 

But I dare not focus on results. God works in mysterious ways, behind the scenes, when no one can see He is actually working. He is always working, and my job is to yield to HIS work through me, following His lead. Only then will I truly live in the light He so freely gives--the light of the glorious Gospel (II Corinthians 4:4)--the Light of the World (John 8:12; Matthew 5:14)--the Lamp that is a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105)--THE WORD--Jesus (John 1:1)! He was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14)! So amazing that a King would reach down to slaves! And we WERE slaves, but NO MORE (Galatians 4:7)! Yet too often we believers live in the mentality of that slavery, because we forget that He is the ONLY LIGHT there is. 

Lord, remind me to take the candle You have lit and go light YOUR world!

____
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Isaiah 58:10 And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday:
I John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me.
II Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Everything

I'm reviewing Mary DeMuth's book, Everything, for BookSneeze.com, currently in chapter four, Let Go of the Giants. So far, I like her candour and agree with her for the most part--at least I concur with her general premise and message.

Here's a good quote I read from the book this morning:
“Simply put, when we think of other people as our center and fulfillment, we live frustrated lives. Constantly disappointed, some of us use this as a reason to control people, only to find that most eventually find a way to rebel against our desires. Some, like me, value others' opinions so much that if they turn on us, we despair, feeling abandoned. But to become more like Jesus we must understand that the only growth we can be in charge of is our own. We can't make people grow. True growth involves the activity of the Holy Spirit and an act of someone else's will. But we can lead Holy Spirit-enticing lives that produce in others a longing to change. It's all about our mind-set, freeing others to blessedly be themselves and determining to trust fully in Jesus for our strength and joy."

I couldn't agree more!

Check back for a review of this book in the near future!

Right now Mary's running a contest to win a FREE KitchenAid mixer! You too can enter by clicking the button above.

*Note on Bible Translations: I believe in using the King James Version of the Bible. Mary uses various Bible translations. Be sure to look up the verses she cites in your own KJV Bible.  One simple reason, beyond the usual arguments, is to avoid confusion. You're not as likely to remember the verse if you read it in a different version each time. Memorization through repetition is always easier if you stick to one version of the Bible. If you compare, you will notice that other translations do not always convey the same meaning, which gives me great cause for concern. But then, that's a whole other topic for an entirely new post!! 

Not Perfect; Just Forgiven

I often see bumper stickers and t-shirts with the phrase: Christians aren’t perfect; just forgiven.

Frequently, one will hear the phrase, “Well, I’m only human…” At times I get the impression that it is an excuse to act or respond a certain way.

Someone once asked me this question: How do you deal with and respond to people who think that because we are Christians we should be perfect?

I believe that my Authority, the Bible, teaches that I should simply respond with an apology if they feel I have offended them. Depending on the situation, at some point I may be able to quietly clarify that being a Christian doesn't automatically make me perfect, but I would not even say that, if that statement will merely be perceived as a fight.

“Being human” does not make it okay to do wrong--even with good intentions. And I don’t know about you, but I always want to be judged by my good intentions! ☺ My "humanity" does not excuse me automatically, and it does not exempt me from apologies, even when the other person owes me an apology! Jesus said to turn the other cheek to those who hurt us. I believe this could be applied to word barrages as well. The longer I "live the difference," not retaliating, but humbly admitting my wrong, even asking forgiveness if I were perceived as wrong, or misunderstood, the better I am able to reach people and build relationships. God keeps the books. He knows if I did wrong on purpose or if it was an honest mistake.

If it's someone with whom I am in close relationship, there may come a point when I would need to pull back a bit from them if they continue. However, I would bathe that in prayer for a LONG time before making such a decision. I do not believe the Bible teaches that we should arbitrarily cut people out of our lives. That's not what Jesus did; that's now how He lived. We can clearly see that in the Gospels.

If it's a marital relationship that is verbally abusive, that's another ballgame, but the Bible still obviously applies. (*See the note at the end of this post.) I am told to follow Jesus' example. When He was reviled (criticized, berated, etc.), He did not retaliate with criticism or word barrages.



I Peter 2:20 says, “For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God.”


He's saying, so what if I am criticised or mistreated for real failures and I take it patiently? But if I am doing right and I suffer for it, that is what is really pleasing—“acceptable”—to God!

 This is only accomplished by living by Jesus' faith (Galatians 2:20), yielding myself to His Holy Spirit, so that He lives through me. Humanly, I cannot do this. He can do this through me, His yielded vessel! (For more on this, read The Life That Wins by Watchman Nee. I highly recommend lots of reading on this topic!)

Check out the next few verses: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 
(I Peter 2:21).


He says, this is what you were called to: to follow Christ, live as He lived.



Well, how did He live?

Verse 22: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (I Peter 2:22). 


He says, Christ didn't commit sin at all, did not sin with his mouth/words.

Verse 23: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: 
(I Peter 2:23).


Then I, as Jesus did, am to commit myself to the Person Who righteously judges everything: God. He keeps the records, and He can set things straight in His own time. Sometimes He wants me to learn a little humility. Always He seeks to conform me to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29), which is my calling and purpose in life (Romans 8:28)!

Realizing my purpose and living free to yield to the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit living inside of me is a wonderful life! It is so freeing to realize I don't have to retaliate when someone criticizes or attacks me. I don't have to stew inside. My liberty in Christ Jesus allows me to simply talk to my Father about it, committing it all to Him, the Righteous Judge. He is always fair, and to top it off, He loves me! ☺


_____________________
*Note: There are certain situations, such as ongoing physical or mental abuse, that may require third party interventions. Matthew 18 teaches that if someone has something against me (or perceives they do, and in turn becomes abusive), I should first try to resolve it between the two of us. If that does not work, Matthew teaches me to take a fellow Christian with me to confront the abusive person. If that does not resolve the issue, I would need to take it to the church leadership, and possibly the church body, per the pastor’s decision in the matter.

If it is an abusive dating/courtship relationship, I believe one should run as fast as possible in the other direction! Marriage will only intensify the issues!

In the Closet

But thou, when thou prayest, 

enter into thy closet, 

and when thou hast shut thy door, 

pray to thy Father which is in secret... 

Matthew 6:6

Lord, I have shut the door,
Speak now the word
Which through the din and throng 
Could not be heard;
Hushed now my inner heart
Whisper Thy will
While I have come apart
While all is still.

Lord, I have shut the door,
Here do I bow;
Speak, for my soul attent
Turns to Thee now;
Rebuke Thou what is vain,
Counsel my soul,
Thy holy will reveal,
My will control.

In this blest quietness
Clamorings cease;
Here in Thy presence dwells
Infinite peace;
Yonder, the strife and cry,
Yonder, the sin;
Lord, I have shut the door,
Thou art within!

Lord, I have shut the door,
Strengthen my heart;
Yonder awaits the task
I share a part;
Only through grace bestowed
May I be true,
Here, while alone with Thee
My strength renew.

~ William Runyan


(public domain)


Have you spent time in the closet today?


photo: americanbella

A Strange Phrase

Paul wrote in Romans, "I die daily." What a strange thing to say! How can one "die daily"? If you're dead, you're dead! You can't die again the next day! Of course, it's a metaphor. Paul was not speaking literally, but he was definitely speaking spiritually.

This passage came up when Psalm 116:15 caught my eye in a different way.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

In the past I always supposed that to be in reference to a martyr's death or the death of an old saint who had walked with God many years and was now called Home to Glory. However, when I read the next verse along with it, I saw it in a new light.

"O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds."

For me to be "truly God's servant," I must die to myself--my will, my desires--and surrender or yield to His Holy Spirit Who lives in me. When I do this (on a moment-by-moment basis), I am "dying daily," as the Apostle Paul said.

When I accepted Christ, "I yielded myself to His tender embrace, and faith taking hold of the Word..." as the old hymn says ("The Haven of Rest"). Then what happened? "My fetters fell off and I anchored my soul! The Haven of Rest is my Lord!" And look back at verse 16 again (Psalm 116):

"...thou hast loosed my bonds."

How did this happen? By my simply yielding to Him, to His Holy Spirit power that is already living in me. Not by my trying harder to be good or to do right. It is nothing about me! All I do is yield, and I am free! Look at verses 13-14 of Psalm 116:

"I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord" (first step: salvation). "I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all people" (next step, and every step on the way to Heaven: yielding to Him)!

The Psalmist repeats it again in verse 18:

"I will pay my vows..."

To die daily is to yield. To "pay my vows" is to yield to Him Who loves me unconditionally and has only my good in mind (Romans 8:28)! In this case, I'd be crazy not to lay down and die!