May 24, 2018

The LORD Remains Faithful

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. – Psalm 34:19

Fear and uncertainty push my buttons. How about you? Do you get upset when faced with the unknown? Do you lose hope and faith when you can’t see a way?

God reminded me recently that He can make a way when I don’t even see the beginning of the path. He told me again that He is faithful and always keeps His promises. He showed me His love. And He showed up when I needed Him most.

I sat so many days with my Bible open, finger jabbing at His words on the page. I felt a deep need to remind Him of what He’d said. I know. It’s comical. God knows the pages far better than I ever will. Still, He met me there in that place. He didn’t turn away. He held me close until I could calm down enough to see the way.

That gave me a wonderful opportunity to eat humble pie before God. Have you ever done that? Have you ever doubted God only to watch Him come through for you in ways you couldn’t begin to imagine? It’s amazing, isn’t it?

It’s not that I doubted God could make a way. He’s God. He can do anything and everything. It’s just sometimes difficult to believe that He will. I still see myself as unworthy. All those rejections from my past, all those failures, all the ugly comments hurled my way, cause me to doubt the deep love of the One who carries me through every storm.

And, still, He remains. Always. My anchor and my guide. The One who knows me best and loves me so deeply that I can’t even comprehend it. He loves you that same way too.

I have given up trying to predict what tomorrow might bring. I’ve had too many plans, too many dreams, blow up in ways I couldn’t even imagine. I’ve felt the sting of false accusations, coupled with my very real sins. Through it all, God was there.

The other day a dear friend reminded me that I need to prepare for the day when I can no longer function on my own. I don’t have anyone to look after me, she said. I didn’t need the reminder. I’ve always known that at the end of the day, it’s just me and God. There’s no one else.

I think that’s true for all of us. We count on family and friends, our pastors and medical staff, and all those who surround us with love and caring. But when the day is done, it’s just us and God. He holds us in the palm of His hand. God determines our time on this earth. God surrounds us with His love. He is the One who has promised to never leave us or abandon us.

We don’t know what the end will look like, just as we don’t know what tomorrow might bring. Life changes quickly. I don’t say that to be morbid. We should enjoy life and all of God’s blessings. But we should also realize that we’re just travelers on this earth. It’s not our home.

We belong to the One who has promised to save us from all our troubles. God knows the plans He has for us and they are good. Don’t let yourself get sidetracked by momentary troubles. Don’t become arrogant and wallow in the joys the world offers. Stay focused on God. Then, no matter what happens, be it good or bad, you’ll be okay.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Keep Eyes Focused Straight Ahead

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

-- Proverbs 4:25-27

In the Deep South we learn early to look down while we walk, especially during late spring, summer and early fall. You never know when one of those “sticks” will start moving and snakes can be deadly.

That’s great advice for navigating our region safely but it can create bad habits when it comes to living our lives. When we spend all our time looking down, we lose sight of what’s ahead.

Look around you. There are probably some wonderful things going on in your life. We always have blessings, even when circumstances keep us from noticing them right away. Some seasons of life keep us focused on what’s wrong and we miss those blessings that are right before us.

When we look down, we see our immediate circumstances. We see unpaid bills, health problems, family strife, uncertain job prospects, even the laundry waiting to be done. We worry so much about what’s happening right now that we lose sight of Jesus. We lose sight of hope.

What’s important? Family and friends. People. Living as Jesus would have us live. Doing good where we can, however we can. Staying focused on what lies ahead, on the eternal life that awaits us at the end of the journey.

It isn’t always an easy journey. We want to believe that somehow as followers of Jesus we should be immune to the stresses of daily life. Where did we ever get that idea? The Bible clearly tells us that we will suffer. It also tells us we will never walk alone. He will never leave us.

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” -- John 10:35-36a

The light lies straight ahead. You see it when you focus forward rather than downward. We don’t always see where we’re going but we don’t need to. All we have to do is follow the light and Jesus will lead us along the right path and on in to eternity with Him.

The road on this earth is rocky and filled with stumbling blocks. Resist the urge to linger on your worries and turn instead to Jesus. Trust Him to lead you home.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Live Today Like It Was Tomorrow

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. -- Hebrews 12:2

What captured your attention today? Was it some gossip at work? How about the latest sports scores? Did your child have a recital? Or maybe you splurged and went shopping?

What part did Jesus play in your day? Was He an active participant in your day? Or did you even consider Him as you focused on more immediate things?

Because we tend to think that we’ve got time to spend with Jesus. We can read that extra Bible passage tomorrow. We can go visit that elderly relative over the weekend. We can donate to the food pantry next month. We can show kindness to a stranger when we have a little more time.

What happens when all those tomorrows are suddenly gone? You have today. This moment. That’s it. Maybe you’ll have the next moment. Maybe not. Because life doesn’t come with guarantees.

You know that of course. We all do. But knowing it in our heads and understanding it with our hearts is two very different things. We are fortunate if we never learn that firsthand. For most of us, that lesson came way too early.

I am forever amazed at the reckless way we sometimes treat our lives. The other day a young man sped by me on a two-lane road. And I do mean sped, as in a high rate of speed. I said a silent prayer that I wouldn’t come upon his car wrapped around a tree. I did pass him 20 or so miles down the road. A state trooper had stopped him. I wonder if he learned anything about showing more care for his life. Somehow I doubt it.

I think death really is the only thing that awakens our minds, our understanding, that today matters. A co-worker hurrying home to have lunch with his wife slams into a truck pulling out from a side road. The end. No second chances. No goodbyes. Just a life cut short by a tragic mistake.

Or a blood clot weeks after successful heart surgery. No warning. Just simple conversation followed by … nothing. Death can be as quiet as it is sudden.

So our challenge is to do today what we mean to do “someday.” Our goal is to live our lives focused on Jesus, doing what is important and taking time to live intentionally. Easy? Not at all. But necessary once we come to understand our purpose and our reality.

So pass on the gossip and spread a little kindness. Cheer on your kids and visit your relatives while you still can. Toss a football around with a friend. Collect food for the local food pantry. And give a stranger a kind word just because you can. Live today as you always intended to live tomorrow.