One Day

Recently, a staff pastor shared a devotion in our staff meeting about time.  It was excellent and dovetailed nicely with the Bible study I am currently engaged in, Restless by Jennie Allen. 

I've been thinking about time all week.  Obviously, there is purpose in making plans, setting goals, and peering into the future.  But, what I've been dwelling on is the time given each of us in one day. 

I've tried to make a new commitment to living one day at a time.  I’m simply waking up each morning with thanksgiving on my heart, reminding myself that this day has been gifted me from my Father and it’s worthy of my patience and detailed attention.  I’m asking the Lord to lead my day by creating in me a mindfulness that will bring Him glory. 

There was a time in my life when all I could do was live one day at a time.  When tragedy or stress hits hard and rocks your world, looking too far ahead in life becomes paralyzing and frightening.  You feel like you only have enough faith, breath, and strength to live for just now, this day, maybe even that very minute.  Walking out your faith and trusting God’s presence and his sovereignty takes every conscious fiber of your being.  One day is all you can handle, if you can handle it at all.

On the flip side, when things are going well, you don’t want your one day to end!  Capturing the joy and contentment in our days makes us want more of the same.  When are we ever satisfied with having just one great day!?  Thanksgiving pours from our hearts, smiles are freely given, warm embraces and sweet conversations replace a whirlwind of frantic activity when we’re experiencing the sunny side of life.

Realistically, there’s a rub, isn't there?  It’s called life.  We know we’re not going to have all good days and we’re not going to have all bad days.  We experience struggles and victories and they have their way. But, each of our days are important and hold a treasure for us to display.  The treasure is God’s glory.

Jennie Allen pointed out this Scripture from Acts 13:36, “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep . . .”  One day, David’s life on earth was finished at God’s leading.  David was a man after God’s heart and his life had immense purpose in changing the history of the world.  Like David, we have a unique purpose to fulfill in our own generation before we fall asleep one day.  We can look back over the course of David’s life and pinpoint many days of triumph and victory, as well as failures.  Yet, his life held extreme importance to God’s story.

Paul’s urgency to proclaim the Gospel proved he understood that each day holds eternal meaning.  Paul writes in Ephesians 4:1, “…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” David lived his life worthy of the purpose God had given him, through the joys and the pain. 

Hebrews 11 reveals those who lived their days putting their faith into action.  People just like us.  Not to oversimplify the details of their lives, but let’s consider these profound truths about one of their days.  One day, Abel gave a better sacrifice.  One day, Noah, when warned about the things to come, in complete reverence for God, started building the ark.  One day, Abraham started the journey to make his home in a foreign country, looking forward to God’s promise being fulfilled.  One day, Sarah made the decision to consider God faithful and was able to bear a child.  Faithful servants of God admit that they are strangers on earth.  These people, now witnesses of faith, longed for a better country, a heavenly one.  And, because of that, God was proud to be called their God.

One day, Moses chose to be mistreated along with the people of God.  Others conquered kingdoms, administered justice, gained what was promised, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword.  Their weakness was turned to strength; they became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.  One day, others were tortured and refused to be released, some faced jeers and flogging, chains and imprisonment.  Some were put to death; some were destitute, persecuted and mistreated.  The truth is, the world was not worthy of them.  Their one day filled with steadfast resolve was their one day to shine God’s glory. 

Jennie reminds us in Restless that God is after one great purpose for our days.  His glory.  “Glory is the visible expression of God’s character on this Earth.”  Jennie Allen

Every morning, if we have breath, God’s glory, the visible expression of His character through us, the evidence of God in the Earth, is the goal of our day. That changes things for me. 

Yesterday, my day was non-stop. I had an early meeting in Orange County (along with glorious traffic) that brought me back to the office in the afternoon.  From the office I darted home to get in my exercise for the evening, ate, met with my daughter to help her with a college exit interview, then engaged in wedding planning for her, had to re-hang kitchen cabinets (yes, I did this!), then rushed out to meet my kids at a local restaurant who just flew in from Washington.  I needed to squeeze those grand babies!  Driving home, all I could think about was the staff devotion I needed to finish to be prepared for the next day.  A time of prayer had to happen next.  Not all of those events of my day were planned, but they were needed, and I purposed to handle them with God’s grace and power, and my day ended late and good.  God’s grace was sufficient for me.  I believe God received the glory for my day.  I can’t say that about every day, but that’s how I want to live.  Our days are fleeting, they are but a breath.  They matter in conjunction with God’s grand story.

Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

One day at a time, I'm to fix my eyes upon Jesus.  If it’s a struggle or a victory, the ancients of old are our examples.  They endured their days with grace.  Their lives witness to what living a life of faith is all about. 

  

Jennie Allen said, “Without some effort, we will waste our minutes, our days . . . our lives.  So, putting thought into spending our time and resources for the glory of God may be the most important thing we can do.”

I absolutely LOVE this illustration she put together. 

“The story of God through Scripture + an understanding of myself and my resources + taking inventory of the need around me + the mystery of following the Holy Spirit’s leading = obediently living my purpose.”

God’s story plus a clear understanding of my passions, creativity, and purpose, plus my mindfulness of the needs around me in my world and beyond, plus the complete mystery and beautiful gift of following the Holy Spirit’s leading by being attentive and alive, equal ME obediently living out, day by day, my purpose.  This is how I want to live every day, no matter if it’s a good day or a bad day.  Every day holds the weight of eternity upon it.

The gift of a day holds a reason for joy…our hope of heaven…living our purpose…running our race….showing God to the world….not growing weary….staying motivated by faith…finding and doing the works he has prepared in advance for us to do….doing all in and through the name and glory of God.

“Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor?  Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way?  Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?”  Isaiah 40:13-14

“Isaiah 40 describes the enormity of a God who sits above the circle of the earth…It is not that we are insignificant.  Rather, he is so significant that comparatively, we are but a breath…He breathes in and out, and a generation has already passed away.”  Jennie Allen  If we have a day, it’s one day to offer as a living, breathing testimony of His divine power within us.  It’s one day to show the world, God.

It’s not a simple thing to do, live one day at a time.  It takes purpose and unwavering trust in a God who is all powerful, all knowing, and ever present.  Proverbs 14:15 teaches us to be aware of our days when it says, “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” 

When I look back over the course of my life, I want God’s approving statement to be, “For when Laurie had served God’s purpose in her own generation, she fell asleep.”  My age won’t matter when I leave this Earth.  The manner in which I leave won’t matter.  Who I leave behind won’t matter.  All that will matter is that I displayed the evidence of God in my generation.  I’m not promised my tomorrows.  I have one day, today.  I want to make my day count.  May God’s story continue as I live each day I’m blessed with, revealing His glory. 

“One day, Laurie . . .”

A Weekly Vacation: Unplug, Observe Creation, and Be Still

Just returned from a wonderful time of rest.  I chartered a cruise for the first time in my 54 years, for seven whole days, no less.  Even did this, sort of, last minute with a friend.  Of course, the trip would be wonderful; beautiful scenery, new things to see, laughter with a treasured friend, rest and relaxation.  But, I discovered a few basic ingredients of my trip that I desire to replicate into every week.

 

What was the resounding theme of my week?  Beauty and rest.  I couldn't get enough time to observe, experience, absorb God’s incredible beauty in creation, friendship, and life itself. It refreshed my soul more than I could ever have imagined.  It’s not like I haven’t relished in God’s creation before and laughed with a friend. I take pictures of vivid rainbows, drive to the beach just to smell the salt water, stare at the sweet face of a sleeping child, and take pleasure in a dull feathered sparrow flitting about my feet looking for crumbs.  I laugh with friends and praise my Father.  Beauty surrounds us each and every day. Yet, the key to this refreshing beauty was that I truly rested in it. 

Living off of a memory of beauty and rest is just not acceptable.  I’m giving myself permission to vacation each week, to make my Sabbath rest meaningful and rich.  And, this is how I’m going to do it.  

 

I’m going to unplug for a specific time frame.  The time will vary based on life, I know, but unplugging is a key component to being sensitive to greater things around me.  No phone calls, no emails, no texts, no Facebook, no computer, no Internet, no game apps, no TV, no agenda, no interruptions (if at all possible J).  Zilch! 

Unplugging allowed me the freedom to wander in the beauty around me and in me.  Beauty beckons our attention every moment through creation, the gift of our family, breath, the ability to move or create.  God relishes in the gift of me, his greatest creation.  I desire to relish in the gift of me and my life each day that I am given.  My life is profound because God breathes it into me.  I matter!  Pain, sorrow, and struggle are real components of most of our days on earth, yet living with the foresight that Jesus is our Overcomer and Victor keeps my eyes on the beauty around me.  I’m going to schedule time to unplug so that I will be ultra-sensitive and aware of life, a beautiful life. 

My next goal is to enjoy creation.  Do we practice and live out the fact that creation was made to glorify God and for us to rule over and enjoy?  Consider these truths about God’s beautiful creation:

Variety.  Immense variety screams from each created thing.  I swam with and held wild stingrays out in the middle of the ocean, whose eyes were gentle, wings soft, and barbed tails threatening.  Amazingly beautiful, unique, and one of the countless. 

Accuracy.  An observer would identify exact detail of God’s creativity under a microscope, yet only to today’s current knowledge, which is a narrow view indeed.  Even a blade of grass is a miracle of perfection.

Power.  Such purpose exists in each created being and thing.  I couldn't get over the power of the ocean waves, the power of the moonlight casting its glare upon the dark waters, and the power of a good belly laugh with my friend. 

Order.  Creation is dependent upon creation, connected and alive.  I was comfortable in the warm, clear, azure sea.  I am meant to swim in it and enjoy it, even if it is not my home.  God’s ordination in and through creation knows no boundaries.

Mystery.  Secrets abound in creation that God has not revealed to man.  We know so much, and yet so little. Heaven will certainly be the most eye opening experience of our life time, to say the least!  Our mysterious, omniscient God longs for our perseverance in finding and knowing him. 

My goal is to purposefully rest in beauty, creation, and the wonder of my connection with all of it. 

Finally, and possibly most profoundly, I am purposing to be still.  Be still and know that He is God.  While on vacation, I was unplugged, enjoying God’s creation, and I became very still in my soul, but it took time.  Do you want to know where my heart's gaze kept retreating to? Heaven, eternity, trusting Jesus, living for the moment and for the right reasons. 

Isn’t that a natural progression, if you think about it?  Unplug by leaving the world and all its distractions, expectations, frustrations, sorrows and regrets, and agendas behind, enjoy what God has created around us and in us, and then rest still.  What emerges out of rest?  Thankfulness, trust is strengthened, joy is returned, the power of God’s truth becomes alive, our souls are nourished.  Stillness is movement. 

What did Jesus do when he needed to be refreshed?  He walked away, found a quiet place, prayed, and drew strength from his relationship with God the Father. When being still, prayer becomes more fluid, for lack of a better term, more organic.  I didn't pray from a list, even though lists are great!  Out of thankfulness, rejoicing, need, stillness, I listened and prayed.  I was unplugged, yet incredibly connected. 

Business is not a spiritual gift.  We may feel like it sometimes as it is esteemed by man and strokes our egos.  Yes, we’re created to do good works and that takes energy, time, commitment and perseverance which create business.  However, as Mary, who rested at Jesus’ feet and was doing the greater thing, we too need to rest from hard work.  I don’t imagine that any of the disciples were dreaming of a week’s vacation out in the ocean?  Instead, some experienced shipwrecks!  Profoundly though, they gained strength from hanging around and living for the only One who could provide true rest, Jesus.  Our strength and energy comes when we sit with Jesus. Our hearts are in critical condition if our business turns us into producers only for the kingdom of God.  Jesus must have been pleased with Martha’s duty as well as Mary’s obedience, but sitting with Him was the better choice. 

God rested after creation out of his pleasure with the manifestations of his own glory.  Weariness was not the reason for the seventh day.  His glory had been revealed, and it was good!  Then he appointed us to keep a day of rest holy.  God authored the Sabbath rest, completely blessed by him. In our Sabbath rest, we honor the omnipotent Creator, celebrate His Son, and are touched by His Spirit.  Stillness is a purposed gift we transfer into the hands of a loving God.  We honor him, and the result is He blesses and restores us!  An incredible two-fold gift!

“Keep the Sabbath day holy.  Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.  Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.  Then the Lord will be your delight.  I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.  I, the Lord, have spoken!”  Isaiah 58:13-14

During the time you take your commanded Sabbath, your rest, unplug, enjoy something God has created for you, through you, and in you, and be still to certainly confirm, hear from, and know your God.  Make your time away from this world, a vacation day.  It will prove to be your needed vacation of a lifetime.  

Jesus, Be My Life - The Complete "To Do" List

Some things that should be on my “to do” lists in life from Romans 12:9-21.

With God I am to . . .
                                               
love genuinely
hate what is evil
cling to what is good
be devoted to one another in brotherly love
honor one another above myself
have spiritual fervor
be joyful in hope
be patient in affliction
be faithful in prayer
share with God’s people in need
practice hospitality
bless those who persecute me
rejoice with those who rejoice
mourn with those who mourn
live in harmony with one another
not be proud but be willing to associate with people from all walks of life
not be conceited
not repay evil for evil
do what is right
live at peace with everyone
not take revenge
not be overcome with evil
overcome evil with good

Without God I will . . .

love with insincere flattery
partake in evil
be far from good
care only for myself
honor myself above others
be lazy in my spiritual journey
be down hearted
be upset in affliction
lack prayer
be stingy with God’s people
avoid fellowship with other believers
curse those who persecute me
be jealous with those who rejoice
be unconcerned for those who mourn
bring disharmony in my relationships
be prideful

Whew!  This is quite the list.  So much to do and not do!  With all I am to be for the Lord Jesus, it seems that the task of living would be clear, planned, obvious.  Yet, I clutter my days with lists of my own that don’t always include who I am to be.

I’ve got a bucket list of things I’d like to do before God calls me home.  I’ve got the list of things I want in life.  I’ve got the list of regrets and what ifs that consume my thinking at times.  I’ve got genuine lists of desires that are not bad, like, financial security, love, and confidence in who I am in my new phase of life.  I’ve got lists of expectations, chores, and responsibilities.  I’ve got lists of genuine needs.  However, these lists are exhausting!

Being about God’s business does include folding laundry.  But, how many lists do I create or are created for me that take me away from God’s desired purpose?  And how many times am I discontent because my list is not accomplished or fulfilled?  Too many to count.

It’s fruitless to long for what I don’t have and wish for in this life.  My longing must be for God alone. God created spaces within me to need Him.  Yet, I oftentimes don’t want God.  I chase the things I desire in this world.  “Rather than chasing a God who built planets, we chase wind.”  Jennie Allen 

We’re really starving for God because we are hungry, but we feed on what does not satisfy.  Living to apply God’s words to our lives, we find freedom; freedom to live without distractible lists, discontentment, and striving after wishes and the securities of this world.  We must find our significance and pursuits in God alone. The road to freedom will produce fruit in this life, but we must die first.  We must let expectations go! 

In John 12:23-28. Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me and where I am, my servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me.  Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?  Father, save me from this hour?  No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.  Father, glorify your name!”

My list could be so simple.  Father, glorify your name!  Whatever God chose for me then, would be enough.   I know people who have come to this place, but it came by way of suffering.  In the transition from this life to their eternal home, Jesus was all that mattered.  The lists of life were not even forethought.  Their complete focus was Jesus.  In the end, He is all that is needed.  In this life, He is all that is needed. 

About 18 months after my husband died, I took a trip to see my kids in Washington.  The grandbabies were growing up and I took lots of pictures with the camera my husband had bought me my last Christmas with him.  I accidentally left the camera at a restaurant where I took pictures of my granddaughter and me sharing an ice cream sundae.  Those moments were so precious to me!  The next day I realized my error and we called the restaurant.  No camera to be found.  We went back to the restaurant.  Nothing.  I called again.  Nothing.  When I got home to California, I called one last time.  There was no camera.  I had prayed.  Now, I cried and cried.  It was a treasure from my husband.  It was filled with pictures that meant the world to me.  I texted a friend to tell her of my loss and after consoling me, she commented something like, “Isn’t it amazing at how our hearts cling to the things of this world.”  I was shocked that she didn’t revel in my sorrow as I was.  But, her comment jolted me back to what was true.  The camera wasn’t a true treasure.  The physical pictures would eventually fade.  It may sound silly, but I was grieving a loss of significant value to me.  The camera was a piece of the treasure of my family, and it was gone.  So much was already gone!  But, I had to make the choice to die, to die to that earthly treasure and sorrow.  I had to choose to believe what was true.  Jesus was all I needed. 

Colossians 3:1-4, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”  Italics mine.  Oh, for Christ to BE my life!  What I have, would be enough.  If I need it, He would provide.  My list goes out the window and His purpose in me moves to the top of the list.  Actually, it’s the one thing on the list.

I can certainly long for this life, but I’m guaranteed to be disappointed.  Or, I can long for glorifying the Father’s name because Jesus is my life and rest contented each evening.  The choice is mine.

“Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good.  As I accept the given portion other options are canceled.  Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter . . . A quiet heart is content with what God gives.”  Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart. 

A quiet heart with enlarged space for God’s glory says, “Jesus, be my life!”  My list is complete.  
 

 

 

Meet Mercy

A Simple Exposition of John 8:1-11

Early in the morning, Jesus had returned to the temple to teach.  Many people gathered around him.  All were welcome to hear him preach, even those who were angry at him.  While he’s teaching, the teachers of the law and Pharisees didn’t want to listen patiently themselves, instead they disturbed him.  They brought in a woman caught in the act of adultery.  Obviously, adultery is an act of darkness and of secrecy.  Yet, here she is found out, caught IN the act, and shamefully brought in front of a crowd of people.  She could not plead, not guilty.

I imagine this woman, ashamed, embarrassed, and petrified.  Her life was exposed, laying bare her lust in front of her peers. Now, her life was in jeopardy, for punishment of her crime was death.  But, she was also a lure for the religious crowd to trap Jesus into saying something they could use against him. The Pharisees seemed to have great zeal against this particular sin, even though it seems they themselves were not free from it, as we will find out.  Shamefully so, those who tolerate their own sin can judge severely against the sins of others. 

They plead her case before Jesus and were practically poised with a stone in their hands and then ask Jesus, “So, what do you say?”  This was their accusation.  If he confirmed the sentence of the law, they would say he was being inconsistent with the character of the Messiah.  If he should acquit her, they would call him an enemy to the Law of Moses and say he came to destroy the law and the prophets.  As well, he would be a friend to sinners, which would translate favor of sin, so not punishing the sin would not be characteristic of a prophet. 

In the meantime, the woman must have been reeling with emotions, looking to Jesus for his answer while living in fear of the Pharisees.  What would happen next?

Then Jesus seemed to ignore their question.  He stooped down and wrote something on the ground.  It appeared that he wasn’t paying attention to their words, but then in his writing, he proved that he not only heard their words, but knew their thoughts.  What did he write?  No one knows exactly.

I wonder how long he wrote.  Because the Pharisees kept after him, questioning him as he continued.  The scene probably grew even livelier as they pressed Jesus for an answer.  Voices rose against Jesus’ apparent calm and reserve.  And again, the waiting for the woman.  Can you just picture her eyes darting back and forth from the religious leaders to Jesus, their angry voices getting louder and louder, she wondering what is to come of her life, and Jesus wasn’t saying anything?

Then Jesus stood up and said, “Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her,” and then he stooped down to continue writing.  Jesus was in complete control of the situation.  He avoided the trap that had been set for him.  He didn’t discuss the law, he didn’t encourage the prosecution, he didn’t agree with their strong attack, and he didn’t excuse the woman’s guilt.  Indirectly, his point was made with his thoughtful and wise exposition of truth written on the ground for all to see, for truth is all Jesus can communicate. 

The Pharisees had set a snare and now find themselves tangled in it.  They are the accused. We must not punish the offences of others, while living the life of an offender.  Whenever we find fault in someone else, we should reflect upon and be humbled by the obvious sin in our own hearts, rather than accusatory of the sin we see in others.  We don’t need to excuse sin but should seek to restore the sinner in meekness as we consider ourselves and our very own corrupt nature.  To remain pure must be our resolve. 

Jesus came to save, show mercy, bring the prisoner to repentance, and also to expose sin.  This scene reveals all of this.

Previously, it seemed that Jesus had not paid attention to their accusations and questions.  Now Jesus didn’t seem to care if they replied to what he had written in the sand.  Jesus gave them time to pause and evaluate their own hearts.  He could have listed their sins.  Yet, no matter what he wrote, they were blown away with his words to the point that they stopped badgering Jesus and their prosecution of the woman.  Starting with the oldest ones first (possibly because they were the most guilty), the accusers left one by one.  Jesus had exposed them as their true selves, and if they stuck around, they may have been shamed before men, just as they tried to shame the woman they brought to trial.  They didn’t even seem to walk away in a huff!  They had been plenty noisy before.  Silently they retreated, cowardly leaving the scene they had initiated. 

The tables had turned.  The leaders were now exposed, and they didn’t even have the desire or courage to repent.  However, the woman is another story.  The self-righteous prosecutors quit and fled the scene, yet the guilty woman stood there, vulnerable to the rest of the crowd before her Righteousness.  Jesus could have cast the first stone, but he is compassionate to sinners, full of grace and mercy.  There she stands with the only One who can forgive and deliver her, and she waits to see what would become of her life of sin.  Did her eyes melt with fear or did they pierce the gentle eyes of her Savior and discover for the first time, true love?  Did she understand that Mercy was present?!

Jesus asked the woman, “Where are your accusers?  Does anyone accuse you?”  She answered, “No one, sir.”  She didn’t even answer the first question.  With what she just witnessed, she could have had cause to accuse them, but she didn’t.  She’s humbled in her reply as she realizes that in this moment in time something out of the ordinary was about to take place.  No one was there to ridicule her anymore. 

Then Jesus does the perfectly beautiful thing.  He pardons her sin.  To not condemn her was to forgive her.  Then he dismissed her with a caution.  She was forgiven but needed to be careful to not fall into Satan’s trap for her soul.  This was it!  Love had come!  The adulterous was finally able to be free!

Jesus knew the hardened hearts of the Pharisees and the tenderness and sincere repentance of the woman.  Our sins of our past should compel us to go and sin no more, considering that Jesus could, but doesn’t, condemn us.  It is his delight and purpose to forgive.  We certainly don’t deserve it, but he gladly paid the price that we may enjoy the free gift of salvation and eternity with him. 

We are that woman.  We are also the Pharisee.  Yet, most profoundly, when we place our trust in Jesus our Savior, we meet Mercy.

The Expectation Lens

Expectations.  I’ve been thinking about this word a lot because I’ve realized that in my personal life and ministry life to others, many of my frustrations, or struggles, or dashed hopes and dreams, even general needs come from me expecting something “otherwise,” something other than what is or what God desires. Through my personal expectation lens I’m learning more about myself and the limits I place upon God. 

Sometimes I “expect” what loving others should look like, but I’ve been wrong.  I’ve lacked grace, compassion, empathy, and I’ve jumped to conclusions too quickly.  Sometimes this is where my prayer lists start.  I pray for the things I “expect” need changing, the things I desire, the things I think I deserve, the things I think others need, the things I’d like to see differently in others.  Expectations can be disappointing limits upon my faith in a powerful God.

My expectations are no match for Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”

Obviously, human expectations are flawed, limited, and sometimes confining, while God’s abilities are holy and limitless.  It’s not always easy, but I’m trying to live out trust without borders, without expectations.  I’m challenging myself to not expect what I think God should do or what I want him to do.   I’m learning to live my life expecting God to be God.  I’m a disciple needy of hands-on lessons on what it really is to have faith in an All Sufficient God, just like Jesus’ disciples of long ago.   

In the familiar story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 men – Jesus already knew the miracle he would perform; He was God.  He knew who and what he would use to perform the miracle; He was God.  He knew what his purpose in performing the miracle would be; He was God.  On the flip side, the disciples’ expectations were - there’s an impossible situation here, what we have is too little, what can be done?  They lived with the miracle worker; He was God.  Still they focused on their limited supply, the impossibility of the task.  Their human expectations were limited, while Jesus’ abilities, supply, and provision were limitless. 

With the very human restriction of five small barley loves and two small fish, Jesus fed the multitudes with His abundance.  He blew everyone’s minds that day beyond any human expectation.  And what was His motive?  Love.  Love for the disciples, the people, and love for God the Father.  And, his love was a powerful illustration of limitless provision.

There’s a greater depth of love and compassion that God desires to fill our hearts with for Him and the needs of people.  We never grow to a place where we love enough.  God’s expectation is that we love without limits because He first loved us.  Notice, that none of the disciples are recorded as extending hearts of compassion for the people because of their need or saying, “Jesus, you’ve got this!  These people are hungry, you care for their basic human needs and we know without a shadow of a doubt that you are going to meet their needs right now because you love them so!” 

Let’s put our feet into the shoes of the disciples.  If we were there, what would our comment to Jesus have looked like?  Would we have loved the people deeply and trusted Jesus without any expectation of what He could or would do?  I probably would have said, “Why didn’t they plan ahead and bring their own dinner?”

Maybe this is what we should say when God needs to show up and provide a miracle for ourselves or someone else, “We’re waiting on you, Jesus.  You see and know the need.  Is there anything you need us to do to allow your immeasurably more than we can think or imagine resources to be seen here?  Our love compels us to action and we’re available to love in Your name!”   

Warren Wiersbe says On Being a Servant of God, “Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.” 

It is God’s divine limitless resources that meet human needs for His glory.  We are the privileged ones to be used as loving channels for God’s glory, if we allow Him.  My love for God, His glory, His people is what matters.  God’s love meets human needs.  I shouldn’t expect that my puny, human resources can do much.  Yet, certainly, I can expect God to perform miracles because of His character of love.  I’m the grace-filled messenger. 

Furthermore, Warren states, “When it comes to ministry, all of us are bankrupt, and only God is rich.”  It is God’s love we distribute richly!  How dare we place limited expectation on what His love looks like? 

Warren continues, “The unearned, undeserved grace of God is His loving gift for us to share with others.  God’s resources channeled through us.  This is ministry.”  “We must ask of God, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’”

In life, would we be frustrated less, would our needs be few, would we shelve our earthly hopes and dreams to fully embrace and channel God’s love, with no strings attached if we expected God to be God?  Would the priority of people and extending God’s love to them, overshadow our expectations in life in general? 

The disciple’s limited expectations didn’t stop Jesus from performing this great miracle of feeding the multitudes.  They even were privileged to participate, hands-on in the miracle by helping to organize the people, pass out the food, and gather the leftovers.  But, what greater joy would have been theirs should they have believed from the very onset of the need that God’s great resources were available that moment and efficient enough to do something beyond their comprehension for God’s glory alone! 

Because of God’s love, the small offering of our lives will bring glory to God because divine resources can be channeled to meet human need.  That’s a miracle, my friends.  We can expect God to perform miracles of His beautiful grace and mercy.  I don’t want to limit God.  God is God.  For my life and others’, I want to live by the immeasurably more expectation lens.    

 

My Destination

It must be because I am a kid at heart that I visualize my relationship with Jesus so often.  These encounters seem like day dreams. Occasionally, I lean toward visions, especially when they come with no effort or labored forethought, and the picture and feelings that accompany them are refreshing for my soul.  Nevertheless, they simply and profoundly speak to my heart.

While seeking the Lord in prayer on New Year’s Day for a single word to identify my coming journey in life this year, the word destination came to mind.  I have destinations of my own that I’d like to see come to pass, but I am earnestly seeking God for His.  I immediately placed Jesus beside me in my mind’s eye.  We traveled a dusty road with plenty of rocks and areas to avoid, should we desire our feet not to stumble.  Straight ahead, and over a ridge, the view was breathtaking, full of sunshine, crisp clean air, and the delightful sound of birds chirping as in the morning.  Typical possibly, but absolutely awe inspiring to be sure.

With a happy heart, my eyes pierced the view, until a large rock caused my foot to waver. Immediately I looked down, and felt the sure, strong hand of Jesus holding me steady.  We weren’t holding hands in the typical fashion, low and swinging.  His right hand clasped my left and it was bent at the elbow, high and firm.  We both watched my foot gain balance and He drew close again, side by side, keeping the solid hold.  Our admiration for the beauty around and before us, led us forward, exchanging not a word.  I felt like a princess, light footed and gorgeous, strolling ahead to be presented.  Far away, there was an end to the journey.  My destination.

My life is a road well-traveled.  In Jesus, for Jesus, and beside Jesus I traverse the mystery with distance before me.  As the journey unfolds, great treasures of wisdom and knowledge are mine as they are hidden in Jesus. As I advance through a delightful, unrestrained, and surrendered heart, I’ll hold on tightly to that strong, righteous right hand, gaining the full riches of complete understanding in knowing Christ.

I am absolutely not alone.  The passage is never a wasteland because the adventures ahead catapult me toward intimacy and dependency upon my dearest friend, Jesus.  He whispers to my soul, “Be strong and courageous for I am with you wherever you go.”  Joshua of old understood this truth.  He gained encouragement from these very words as he humbly depended upon God’s presence and grace sufficient for the battle ahead.  Is there anything that can separate me from God’s love?  As God was with the ancients, so He penetrates my daily living in magnificent glory.  He is my All-Sufficient One.  By His grace, companionship and courage for life’s path is mine. 

Jesus laid down his life for me, that I could be clothed in grace and glory.  As I lay down my life for Him, I mantle courage to discover the security of trust found in Him alone.  Though the road is perilous at times, there is victory always.  Growing weary or impatient is not a resting place.  Continuing onward in anxiety and worry is sin.  Jesus sustains me, guides me forward, lifts my gaze to take in the view.  My destination waits.  My destination is Jesus.