Showing posts with label The Journey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Journey. Show all posts

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Come to the Wilderness

Are you like me? Somewhere along the path of faith did you come to think of the wilderness as a place of spiritual dryness? a place to be avoided? a place of hunger and thirst? Through this morning’s service, I am coming to a new understanding of the wilderness.

The sermon this morning was from Mark 6:30-44, The Feeding of the 5000. The disciples have just returned from a time of ministry, and Jesus invites them to, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” [Mark 6:31] Jesus invites them into the wilderness to rest. Wait - the wilderness? How can the wilderness provide them with rest? But it is there in the wilderness that Jesus fills their minds and hearts with teaching for most of the day. He provides the spiritual food they need. He restores their souls.

Then Jesus provides the disciples, along with all the others who have come to hear Him, the physical food they need to sustain them. Jesus invites them to sit on the green grass and eat. He breaks bread with them and for them, a foreshadowing of a meal yet to come. The disciples and the 5000 men are fed. They eat until they are satisfied. And after they are satisfied, the baskets overflow.

So many lessons are revealed in this account. But the one that hit me so hard today is that it is Jesus Himself who calls us into the wilderness. The wilderness need not be feared but can be entered boldly because we do not go into the wilderness alone. Jesus is there with us. He invites into a place that is desolate so that we will know beyond all shadow of a doubt that it is He alone who provides for us. The wilderness cannot meet our needs. But Jesus can. In the wilderness, Jesus fills us. He fills us until we are satisfied. And He satisfies us with Himself. 

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Christmas 2011 is now past. The hurry, the scurry, the busyness has come and gone. There settles over the house a contentment, a calm which contrasts to the last few weeks. I enjoy this week between Christmas and New Year’s – it is a time to slow down, to rest, to think and reflect.

During the holidays, I was drawn to this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. God kept dropping it in my path.
Advent is a time of waiting. Our whole life, however, is Advent--that is, a time of waiting for the ultimate, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth, when all people are brothers and sisters and one rejoices in the words of the angels: “On earth peace to those on whom God's favor rests.” Learn to wait, because He has promised to come. "I stand at the door..." We however call to him: "Yes, come soon, Lord Jesus!"
When Christ does return, we shall finally live in the world that we dream about, that we hope for each Christmas season: one in which love reigns, hopes are realized, people treasure one another.

And God will once again dwell with us.

“He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, the God Himself shall be among them.”

Though Christmas is over, we can still sing “Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Following Jesus - part 2

After posting yesterday about my desire to follow Jesus, I, of course, receive a severe blow today. ...Breathe deeply; eyes stay fixed on Him... What takes me by surprise and knocks the breathe out of me comes as no surprise to Him. In fact, He had to grant permission for it even to cross my path. I will choose to follow my thoughts of yesterday: I am just going to keep following Him. I will not look to the cliff on the left; I will not look at the dragons on the right. I will keep my eyes on Him. I will allow Him to fight the battle. I will follow where He leads - even through this valley. His invitation still reads, "Follow Me."

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Following Jesus

I want to live in a way that is best described by Jesus' statement to his disciples, "Follow Me." I want to follow Jesus throughout my day - in the ordinary aspects, in the surprises, in the curve balls. I want to follow Jesus in my relationships - with my family, with my friends, with my coworkers. I want to follow Jesus as I work, and rest, and play. If I am following Jesus, I don't have to worry about where I am headed; I just need to follow the One in front of me. If I am following Jesus, I don't have to determine the way out of difficulties; I just need to follow the One who guides me. If I am following Jesus, I don't have to know the future; I just have to follow the One who holds it. Following Jesus makes life simpler. It provides great security. It allows me to live each moment, treasure each relationship, knowing that He who is faithful is holding all things together. Thank you, Jesus.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Made for Another World

C. S. Lewis' well-known quote from Mere Christianity resonates within me:
If I find in myself a desire which no experience in the world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
I find that I keep looking to this life for things that satisfy. I've tried before; I came up empty. But for some inexplicable reason I try again. But still the so-called pleasures of this world fail to quench the thirst deep within my soul. Thank Heaven they do not! For the dissatisfaction and the disappointment thrusts me to God. And there, as I breathe deep of His love, and of His grace, I find the promise of what is to come. I know that all will be well. And I strain forward, anxiously awaiting that world for which I was made.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Trusting in Him

In Paul Tripp's book Broken-Down House he has an insightful passage about God's sovereignty and our desire to understand what is going on in our lives. Though the following passage is lengthy, I believe it is worth quoting.

God's sovereignty will inevitably take you where you did not intend to go. He will bless you with things you could not possibly have earned or achieved. But God will also choose for you to go through things that are difficult, and to endure things that are painful. In those moments - some of which may stretch into quite lengthy seasons - you will be tempted to question his wisdom, or his love, or both...

To question the love of him who died for us is a testimony to our own frailty. To question the wisdom of the One in whom all things hold together is a testimony to our own foolishness...

It is not a sin to desire to understand. Your rationality is a gift of your Creator. Your ability to reason, analyze, interpret, organize, and explain is one of the things that sets you apart from the rest of creation. You should endeavor to know everything you can about God, his character, and his plan for the world and the people he has placed in it. Yet you cannot allow the analytical power of your mind to be the source of your hope, confidence, and continuance.

This is why real rest and peace is not found in knowing and understanding. It is only found in trust. Only when you have a quiet confidence in the Lord behind the plan and have come to know his love, wisdom, power, and grace, will you be able to rest in hope - even when you do not understand what God is doing in a particular moment in your life." p 57-58.

All too often I desire for God to explain to me why I am going through a difficulty. Tripp reminds me that I am not called to rest in understanding - but to rest in Him alone. No wonder Jesus calls us to childlike faith - to trust in our Heavenly Father who is at work, exercising His sovereign plan. God, grant me that childlike faith and trust in You.

Friday, March 26, 2010

One Eye on Heaven

I know of no other way to live this life except by keeping one eye on Heaven. Even in the best of times, deep inside I feel a dull ache for something more. Some days, life's frailty causes me to cast a longing eye toward Heaven. And then there are days when man's sin thunders so loud that I scream for Heaven NOW. I want an end to the misery of sin. I want God's kingdom to reign on earth NOW.

Yet God waits. He continues to work out His perfect will. The events of life that surprise me are no surprise to Him. God, who knows the beginning from the end, patiently listens to me and remains steadfast in accomplishing in purposes in my life as well as in the lives of those around me. I am glad that He takes counsel with Himself and not with me.

One day we shall see His visible Kingdom on earth. Meanwhile I pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."

Monday, June 29, 2009

Foundational Truths

I wanted to share my thoughts on my question "what is the most foundational truth for the Christian to know and believe after he/she believes the Gospel?" I am torn between two answers. My first thought is the fact that God loves us more than we can imagine and that all He does flows out of His deep, abiding love for us. We can deal with a lot of pain, a lot of injustice, a lot of suffering if we know that we are lovingly held in the palm of His hand.

But I've also been considering another truth - that God is fitting us for eternal life with Him. Nothing happens to us without that plan in mind. Nothing that happens is accidental. Nothing is inconsequential - all is happening with the goal to make us ready for Heaven. Can you imagine a better future? We can endure all things now because this life will soon be over, and we will forever be with our God.

I think the primary thing in our walk of faith is to keep our eyes on Jesus. If our eyes are on Him, then we will see His immense love as demonstrated on the cross of Calvary. If our eyes are on Him, then we will not be consumed by our circumstances, whether good or bad. If our eyes are on Him, then whether we are here on this earth, or in Heaven, we are with the Lord and can enjoy Him.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Foundation Blocks

I have been mulling over the essential truths of Christianity. I am interested to know what you think.

What is the most foundational truth for the Christian to know and believe after he/she believes the Gospel? What one thing do we need to understand as we walk by faith, waiting for the Lord's return?

I shall post my own thoughts in a few weeks. I welcome your thoughts.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

When (Since) Life is Hard

Reflections for my friend:

“Thou hast taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Thy bottle;
Are they not in Thy book?
Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call;
This I know, that God is for me.” Psalm 56:8-11

He, the Creator of all worlds,
He, the Alpha and the Omega,
He, the Master of the universe…

…takes into account my wanderings?
…captures my tears and puts them in His bottle?
…He – is for me?

I am overwhelmed by these thoughts. God sees my wanderings through this life. I do not wander alone; nor do I wander out of His sight. Not only does He see my journeys, He takes them into account – He notes them, recognizes them, understands them. He remembers them as He interacts with me.

God also sees the pain that I struggle with. He doesn’t just observe my tears, He collects them. My tears do not flow unheeded or without response. God gathers them and stores them in His own bottle; they are valued by Him.

Why does God care about my wanderings and tears? Why does He take the time to relate to me on this level? It is hard to comprehend.

But David goes even further in this Psalm. David boldly declares, “God is for me.”

God is for me.

O, God, grant that I may know – deep within my soul – that You are for me!

In another passage, David is reflecting on similar truths: God knows when he sits down, when he rises up, what he is thinking, what he speaking. God knows it all.

The truth is that God knows all about me. God knows all of me, yet He still loves me. And He still is for me. I exclaim, as David did, when reflecting on these thoughts, “Such knowledge is to wonderful for me: It is too high, I cannot attain to it.” Psalm 139:6

Incredible.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

More Musings on Heaven

I am still thinking about how meditating on Heaven enables us to live well now.

In Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis says,
If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, all left their mark on earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. [p. 118]

A contemporary person who lived with Heaven in view was Nate Saint, one of the five missionaries who sought to befriend and evangelize a savage Ecuadorian tribe. The movie The End of the Spear (2006) tells the story of these missionaries and their families who reach out to this tribe.

There is a particularly poignant scene between Nate and his son Steve right before they go to meet the Waodanis. Steve is anxious about his father going to met them. Fearing that the Indians might try to kill the missionaries, he asks his dad, "Will you defend yourself? Will you use your guns?

Nate replied, "No. We can't shoot the Waodanis. They are not ready for Heaven. We are."

Nate and the other four missionaries meet their Lord that day. But through their efforts and the efforts of their families, the Waodanis did hear and respond to the gospel. Now, they, too, are ready for Heaven.

I regret that my internal dialogue when I was hearing the movie for the first time was, “of course, we will defend ourselves.” I was more concerned about my personal safety than the eternal souls of the Waodanis. It is good that it was Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and Pete Fleming who went out to meet the Waodanis that day. May my own faith grow until my thoughts of Heaven make me of the same earthly good.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Eyes on Heaven

As I have been looking at verses on Heaven, I see that it is our orientation toward Heaven that enables us to live well now. When our eyes are fixed on earthly things, we become consumed by what we have, what we need, what we think will bring us pleasure.

Paul contrasts living with our eyes set upon earthly things with living with our eyes set upon Heaven:

Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us [living for the Kingdom].

For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

[But] our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. [Phil. 3:17-20]

The writer of Hebrews lists for us the deeds of believing men and women that do not make sense if those deeds are measured against earthly wisdom.

But these men and women chose to live by faith – by the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. [Heb. 11:1] They confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth and that they desired a better country, that is a heavenly one. [Heb 11:13, 16]

Living with Heaven in view, they were able to live fearlessly upon earth. They could set aside the distractions of the world. They no longer lived for themselves or sought after their own personal interests. They could empty themselves and be poured out for the faith and welfare of others.

When we live with Heaven in view, the problems we have today are brought into focus.
- We can endure hardships - for with Heaven in view, we see they only last a short while.
- We can take courage in difficult situations - for with Heaven in view, we know they will eventually be resolved.
- We can set aside our own desires - for with Heaven in view, we find the grace needed to live for others rather than for ourselves.

May I keep my eyes on Heaven so that I may live well while on earth.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Made for Eternity

"To be made for eternity and forced to dwell in time is for mankind a tragedy of huge proportions. All within us cries for life and permanence, and everything around us reminds us of mortality and change. Yet that God has made us of the stuff of eternity is both a glory and a prophecy, a glory yet to be realized and a prophecy yet to be fulfilled." - A. W. Tozer

I was glad to find this quote. It reassured me that maybe I am not crazy. Sometimes I feel at odds with this world and all the busy activity going on around me. There are times I get this deep, unexplained, unbidden longing coming from some hidden place within me that cries for real life, true life. I grow weary of carrying the shackles of sin, of time, of place. I want to roam free. My spirit seems to know that I was created for something more. As Tozer says, we are created for eternity. And in that eternity dwells our God and Savior. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, that we might finally be all we were created to be and that we might see Him Who has always been and always will be. Maranatha.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Time Is Moving On

It is December - I cannot believe how quickly the calendar months fly by. I still wonder about God's perspective on time. He made the days, the months, and the seasons, and He determined their lengths. So why do I always feel that some time periods are much too short; others are much too long? Where/what do I misunderstand about God's timing? I pray that while I am still on this earth, I will begin to live in rhythm to the time and seasons that God gives to us. I want to enjoy each day on its own merit, to be glad for each new season, to embrace each coming year with eagerness and expectation. May God grant me His eyes to see my days from His perspective.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Seeing the Hand of God

I want to occupy my days watching for the hand of God. This isn't quite as lofty as it sounds, for God goes before me and behind me. He is in all I do. If I look, I can see His hand as I rise from my sleep. He gives me the nighttime to restore my mind and body; He also gives me the gift of a new day. If I stop to think as I sip my coffee, I can delight in the plants He created which provide my food and drink. As I dress, I am reminded of His abundant provision for me. The food I eat, the work I do, the conversations I have - all are from His hand.

When I stop and think of the small aspects of life that make up my day, I see His involvement in all of it. I want to be aware of Him as I carry on with my daily responsibilities. While God may reveal Himself and teach us through significant events, I don't want to miss Him in the ordinary, common moments of life.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

The New Year

January 1 -

To me the beginning of a new year feels like waking up early in the morning to discover that it has snowed during the night. As of yet, there are no footprints through the snow. The surface is smooth and glistening. The white blanket of snow covers the imperfections in the landscape. It muffles the early morning noises. All is calm; all is quiet. What to do? make an angel in the snow...a snowman...a snow cave? or stay inside, sipping my first cup of coffee, watching the birds fly from treetop to treetop? The beauty inspires me. My mind begins to dream - a good way to begin a new year.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Our Days are Numbered

Our days are numbered before we are born. And just as one hair of our head doesn't fall to the ground unnoticed by our God, neither does one day pass without His sustaining us. But eventually, for each of us there is that day, when God calls us Home. For the one going Home, it is as if life has just begun. Paradoxically, for us that remain, it is as if our life has just ended. Our hearts are torn apart by our enemy death. Life as we have known it has suddenly taken a new, unwelcomed direction.

Death is hard to understand. When faced with death, our souls scream out that it is not right. We are made for living, not for dying. Recently a friend with four children died of cancer at the age of 37 years. My mind races with all kinds of questions: who will take care of the children when they are sick, who will listen to the stories of their day, who will cook their dinner? But God deemed it good for her to go Home. Her days were numbered.

Within a couple of days of her death, I learn of another's friend whose granddaughter is killed in an auto accident; she is 16. Surely, there are many more things for her to learn, ways to serve God, life to be experienced. But God deemed it good for her to go Home. Her days, too, were numbered - just as they are for each of us.

I have to fight the notion within myself that these women's lives were cut short. It looks to me as if they had so much living ahead of them. But this is not God's perspective. Just as one hair doesn't fall to the ground unnoticed by Him, neither does one saint die without His knowing. Even in death, God is about His good purposes; He is accomplishing His plans. Through the pain of death, we can also rejoice – for one of those purposes is to abolish death!

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Time

Time is one of those ever-elusive realities of life. My constant question is "where did it go?" It is rare that I do not wish I had more time to devote to whatever I am doing - be it talking to one of my girls, writing a letter, reading, studying.

Have you ever noticed how many clocks are in our homes? Almost every appliance and electric gadget comes with a clock to set. I deliberately do not set these digital reminders. It is a small act of defiance to say that I will not be ruled by the clock; but other people come behind me and set them anyway. It is hard to look any direction within my home and not see the time.

In my effort to be free from the tyranny of time, I try not to look at my clocks constantly. I try to free myself from the mindset that today I must accomplish a little more than I did yesterday. But I am not very successful. Furthermore, the clock is always calling out to me: time to pick up children from school, time for a meeting, time to begin dinner, time for bed.

This is a puzzling issue of discipleship. God honors work, but He also honors rest. When God created time, He declared that a 24-hour day was good. (What was He thinking?!) Jesus does not appear rushed or harried in the Gospels. He seems content with the time that God has given Him. So where is my misunderstanding of time? Am I a prisoner to a society that honors busyness above all else? Do I have too many responsibilities? Am I involved in the wrong activities?

My problem is not with time management – I know how to do that. My problem is more basic. I need to agree with God in His perspective and purposes of time. I need to be content and faithful with what God has given and declared good.

May God grant me contentment and understanding in using my days for His glory.

Sunday, August 5, 2007

My Lesson from the Other Side of the World

We recently hosted a young girl from Taiwan in our home. We have had people live with us before; all of us were excited about having her come. We felt like we were embarking on a summer adventure.

As is so often the case, God's ideas about my adventure with this young girl were different from my own. I dreamed of introducing her to the better side of American life, of teaching her many new words and expressions in English, and of possibly developing a life-long friendship.

But instead, God's destination for me in this experience was to take another look at my own heart. God revealed to me the depth of my selfishness. I saw that I was quite content to serve her as long as she appreciated what I was doing. But she didn't seem to. She didn't say thank you. She didn't try to speak English. I never knew if she enjoyed the places and events I took her to. My instinct was to say, "Fine. If you can't at least say thank you, then I won't help you anymore." I felt like leaving her to her own devices rather than reaching out to her.

But as I contemplated how God would treat her - how God has treated me - I quickly saw my selfishness and sin. I didn't realize I was so dependent upon other people's feedback and appreciation for what I was doing. I grew tired of entertaining her. I didn't like the stress she was bringing into my home. So, my solution was to give up on her.

However, God was faithful to me to show me my attitude. As I stood gazing upon my heart's true condition, I was disappointed with what I saw. God reminded me how He loved me long before I ever thought of glancing His direction. I thought about how Jesus would respond to her - He would fully accept her right where she is and love her as she is. His love for me has never been dependent upon my actions. His love has never depended upon my thanks. His love is free, overflowing, pure and whole.

I repented of my attitude. I asked for God to love her through me. I prayed for patience and the ability to let go of all my expectations. It is odd, as I think about it. How did this young woman from half-way around the world come to stay with us? What is God's design and purpose in it? I don't have an answer to that. I don't know what she took away from her time in our home. But I hope, that in spite of this leaky and faulty vessel that I am, she saw and felt something of God's love for her. May she come to believe in and serve the living God.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

The Road to Righteousness

This life, therefore, is not righteousness
but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise.
We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it;
the process is not yet finished but it is going on;
this is not the end but it is the road.
All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified. - Martin Luther

This quote comforts me but at the same time frustrates me. It is a comfort because I am aware that I do not yet reflect the image of my Savior. There is still much polishing and refining to be done within my soul. Luther writes of the process we are in - the process of being remade into the image of God.

On the other hand, I am frustrated with the journey. I don't want to walk another year in the wilderness of Sinai. I want to reach the destination now. I want to lay aside the weight of sin that so easily entangles me. I am anxious to be rid of the pull of sin...yet even my impatience shows my need for further cleansing.

The verse that Luther alludes to is a favorite of mine. Its promise is great.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. 1 John 3:2

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.