Strength for the Rough Path

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

As a Christian many times I’ve quoted Philippians 4:13 when the going gets tough.  The verse is many times used to state that you are relying on super-natural strength for the journey, and there’s nothing wrong with that, especially when you’re reminded of what Scripture says and you feel like you’ve just had ten energy drinks.  You feel invigorated, strengthened, or perhaps just caffeinated, it all depends on the effect is has on you.

Yet sometimes we forget what follows verse 13.  It’s easy to just pump our fists in the air at the problem we’re facing and declare with all of our might that we can do ALL THINGS, but what if we feel like we can’t?  What if we feel like the rough path is just too difficult to walk through without another ‘human-being’ to walk beside us?  I know some people might be ready to leave this site, shaking their heads at my audacity to voice such a thought, but I ask that you take the time to hear me out (or read it through).

Paul wrote Philippians while in prison, and although he made that wonderful declaration of how he was able to do it all through Him who gave him strength, he also stated this:

Philippians 4:14, “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.”

As I read that today I had to let it sink in a bit.  Why?  Because I seem to share in the troubles of others quite often, and I’ve realized that sometimes quoting Philippians 4:13 might not be what others need at the moment.  Does that mean that I’m taking away weight from verse 13?  NOT AT ALL!  Yet Paul acknowledged that even though he could do  ALL things through He who gave him strength, it felt good to have someone share the rough path with him.

So my challenge to you today is this.  Do you know someone walking through a rough path in life?  I’m sure we can all picture one or two of these people at this moment.  Why don’t you make the time to just share in their troubles.  Whether it be listening to them, praying for them, having coffee with them, finding a good book for them, however sharing with them looks like,  try not to fix their troubles for them, just share with them.

In the end, we know that God is the one who gives us strength, but maybe in being there for someone, when it’s our turn to navigate our rough path, someone will share the journey with us.  I don’t know about you, but I want to sow that kind of seed, and be someone’s strength through the rough path.  How about you?

Scars

Earlier this month I underwent a biopsy to properly diagnose a rare outbreak on my leg.  I’ve been doing my best to hide the scar because it’s very visible, so I’ve opted for slacks and when wearing a dress, a bandaid has done the job.

Scars are one of those things that we often try to hide, because scars cause others to stare, ask questions, and perhaps judge without really knowing the entire story.  If you’re like me, you don’t like the additional attention and you try to minimize visibility to avoid questions.

You may be wondering why I’m writing about it if I’ve tried so hard to hide it?  Jonny Diaz wrote a song I heard this morning and I had to share the lyrics because they brought tears to my eyes:

Praise God we don’t have to hide scars
They just strengthen our wounds, and they soften our hearts.
They remind us of where we have been, but not who we are
So praise God, praise God we don’t have to hide scars

As I walked towards City Hall this morning I thought about how at times we try to portray perfection because we are ashamed of our scars, our past, our failures. I was reminded how much God loves us and how he doesn’t turn us away despite of our scars.  People may judge you, remind you of your past, question whether you deserve your scars, but this morning I was reminded that God allows us to keep scars in order for our wounds to be strengthened and our hearts to be softened.

The next time you are reminded of the scars of your past, or you see them because of a memory, tell yourself, “Thank you God for this scar, my reminder of who I was, but not who I am”.

My scar will hardly be visible in a week or two, but it will serve as a reminder that although doctors thought something was wrong, that scar proved that I was alright.  The scar on my leg will keep my heart tender to love God, serve Him, honor Him, and trust Him.  How about you?  My challenge to you today is be proud of the scars!

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Not ALONE

Yesterday my daughter had ‘Faith Formation’ club after school and I had pick-up duty.  I parked and as I walked down the block I did a double-take as I read what was on the church steps, “I will be with you every step of the way”.  On our way out, I asked my daughter to take a photo of the steps and thought to myself, “What an incredible reminder, He is with me!”

We live in a world where far too many people feel lonely, unloved, and unappreciated.  These are all real feelings we encounter (some sporadically, some far too often), but it’s not healthy to live life guided by these feelings.  Each person has a story, a reason why these feelings are present, yet I have learned that the important thing is NOT to stay in a permanent state of feeling this way.

I recently read a quote that stated, “Loneliness is not the absence of affection, but the absence of direction”  and was reminded that if my steps are ordered by God, I will be exactly where I need to be.  I’ve come to grips with the fact that there will be moments where I may find myself alone and not like it, but I’ve got to come to grips with that. If I develop a true sense of direction for my life, then I will know that God is with me and I’m never alone.

So what do we do?  Do we become bitter when we feel we need someone and no one is next to us?  Do we start the blame game and begin to harbor feelings that harm us?  I believe the worst thing we can do is focus on who is standing next to us.  Although sometimes panic may begin to set in when loneliness hits, we need to remember God is with us.

My challenge to you today is ask God to guide you, and then start following His Word which is the perfect roadmap to get to where we need to be.  Don’t panic, He’s with you, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!

“Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”
Isaiah 41:10 (MSG)

Finding BALANCE

Have you ever looked forward to something, waited, dreamt and then when the moment finally arrives you realize that it’s not as easy as you thought?  That’s how life is!  You wait, and wait, and then when you’re finally where you should be you need a bit of help stabilizing yourself because you find yourself a bit off-balance.

Now when your off-balance while standing on firm ground, what do you do?  Sometimes we crawl back into the pit we came out of because we want to avoid an embarrassment, we don’t want to fail, and the fact that we weren’t able to hit the ground running makes us want to give up.

King David understood this and in Psalm 40 describes how he waited, and waited, and waited on the Lord,  and finally when the Lord heard his cry He helped him, pulled him out of his pit of despair, set his feet upon solid ground and steadied him as he went along.

The part of the verse that says, ‘steadied me as I walked along’ always gets to me.  I had an ‘AHA’ moment and realized that so many times we want God to take us to our destiny, God to put things in perspective, God to balance everything out, yet King David says that as he walked along God steadied him.

I’ve learned that in some areas of life, I’m going to have to wait, and wait, and perhaps wait a bit longer, trusting that moment will come because God is listening.  Yet I’ve also learned that when my moment comes, I can’t give up just because I don’t find balance right away.

Sometimes we forget that long periods of waiting translate into immobility, which in turn causes our muscles to be inactive and there is not other choice but to find ourselves off-balance.  David understood this and knew that although he was a bit dizzy and off-balance, he had to keep walking trusting God would steady him.

Today’s challenge for us all is to keep going, keep moving, keep walking, knowing that if God has placed our feet on solid ground, he will steady our feet.  Why?  Because before we know it we’ll be off and running.  Don’t give up!  Let him steady you as you walk along!

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.”
Psalm 40:1-2 (NLT)

Lucky

Have you ever thought to yourself, “That person has all the luck in the world!”  Unfortunately that’s the first thought that often enters our mind when we see someone achieve our dreams with what appears to be little or no effort.

Does success and progress happen because of luck, or are there other factors involved?  A Roman philosopher in the first century said something that 19 centuries later still rings true.  Seneca the Younger said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”  Is that the secret then?  It’s not about luck, but maybe about being prepared when opportunity knocks at the door.

I have learned that it is absurd to think that great things will only happen to the lucky.  I need to anticipate, be prepared, be ready so that when my opportunity comes around I don’t miss it because of lack of character, maturity, and/or preparation.

Today I choose understand that despite whatever I have achieved, I have to continue preparing, because there are opportunities awaiting me that I still need to prepare for, and I’ve accepted that this is a lifelong process.  How about you?  Are you waiting for luck to come your way, or are you preparing for your opportunity?  I’d rather prepare, because waiting for luck to knock at my door has never prepared me for anything.

“Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.”
2 Timothy 4:2b (NLT)

Stick With It

Have you ever quit anything?  Day in and day out people quit trying.  They quit on their marriages; quit hoping their situation will change; quit believing there will be a better tomorrow; it seems that there are more people who quit than those who stick with it.  Far too many people quit on themselves, they quit believing they could do better, that their dreams will come true.  Sadly there are those who quit believing God will do what He has promised.

In life you either quit or stick with it.  Don’t get me wrong, there are situations where it is healthy to walk away, but then there are those that we should stick with.  I’m not here to tell you what to do, I believe we each should seek direction from God and choose what’s best for us, but the problem many times is that we QUIT seeking direction from God, we aren’t ‘sure’ things will work out the way He’s promised, and we just QUIT.

I love how King David expressed what he felt when at one point he felt that God was perhaps hiding from him, feeling a  bit unguarded and maybe wondering if God had forgotten him, yet he decided to STICK WITH IT, regardless.  Take the challenge to STICK WITH IT, don’t quit believing HIS promises are true.  It might be profitable to quit some things in life, but don’t quit GOD!

“I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don’t quit.
I’ll say it again:
Stay with God.”
Psalm 27:13-14 (MSG)

A Love Letter from God

To: YOU
From: God

Date: Today

Re: What I Think About You

I want to tell you that I have known you since before the foundations of time. I even know the hairs on your head. I put you together on purpose for a purpose. I looked at you and saw that you were fearfully and wonderfully made. I even created you in my image.

I know the plans that I have for you. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.

I also gave you gifts to prepare and equip you for the plans I have for you. These gifts I’ve given are irrevocable. Don’t neglect them. Exercise them and stir them up!

I want you to be confident about this: When I begin a good work in you I will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Although you may encounter tribulations in this world, I want you to know that in me you have peace. Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

I am not slack concerning my promises. Forever my Word is settled in heaven and my faithfulness to all generations. When I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; When I have purposed it, I will also do it.

You can look to me as a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Cast your burdens upon me and I will sustain you. I shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Come unto me when you labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For I am your rock, your fortress, your deliverer, your strength in whom you can trust. Though you fall you shall not be utterly cast down, for I will uphold you with my hand.

Don’t listen to the ungodly, don’t stand with sinners, and don’t sit with the scornful. But rather delight yourself all day long in my Word. If you do, you will be like a tree planted by the river. You will bring forth fruit in season and whatever you do will prosper.

Finally, I want you to know I love you. I love you so much I gave my only begotten Son. When you believe in Him, you will not die but have healing, freedom, victory, forgiveness, and eternal life!

- John Mason, from the book You’re Born An Original Don’t Die A Copy

Imagine If…

My four-year old niece and five-year old daughter had a sleepover last night and being that I was by myself with them doing household chores, I realized that the best entertainment I could get late in the evening was tuning in to their conversations with their cute little voices.  Most of their sentences started with the words “IMAGINE IF” followed by the cutest statements:

~ Imagine if you were a boy with a mustache.
~ Imagine if we had our license and could drive.
~ Imagine if Jesus was still a baby and never died on the cross! We wouldn’t wear pretty Easter dresses.
~ Imagine if you lived in Chicago with me.
~ Imagine if you lived in Texas with me.
~ Imagine if we were sisters.
~ Imagine if we could read every word in the world.

Their ‘IMAGINE IFS’ have provided quite a bit of entertainment for me and a whole lot of smiles.  It brought me to ask, “Imagine if we were like children, believing we could do anything, change the world?”

This morning as the two little princesses I have for the day got ready, they kept talking about their fantasy and ideal world meshed together, and I decided to bring them to a Chick-Fil-A to play while I worked for a bit.  They’ve made several new friends in the last 30 minutes and are happily running around squealing with their high-pitched cute little voices.

As I watch them I prayed that God would protect them, guard their innocence, and doing so I’ve begun to ‘imagine’ the future of my children, my nieces and nephews.  I pray that they always stay pure, that they love God passionately all the days of their life, that they fulfill their purpose and that they discover and fully develop their gifts to bless others.

As I close I want you to take a moment to ‘imagine’ what God ‘imagined’ for your life since the beginning of time.  You see as I pray for these little ones I love dearly, I can already envision what their future will look like based on their personalities, abilities and giftings, but GOD created us, His thoughts are higher than ours and HE wants us to live out all of those ‘imagine if’ moments we’ve had.  So today I choose to live my day inspired by two little princesses who have reminded me I’m God’s princess, and He is ready to make ‘IMAGINE IFS ‘ come true.

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)

As the World Turns

As parents we celebrate the birth of our children with the expectation of giving them the world.  We feed them, teach them, provide for them, instruct them, correct them, and make sure they live healthy lives.  They become adults and develop their own traditions, but carry along a lot of what we’ve taught them.  Yet what we don’t keep in mind at times is that as the world turns, the unexpected happens.

I’m sure my Dad never imagined his youngest daughter, who was the most fragile of us all (or maybe just the most spoiled) would change the course of his life  by giving him her kidney.  My Dad has been around for 66 years, and he’s always been a vivacious and driven individual.  I never saw my Dad battle bouts of deep sadness and near depression until he began dialysis.  The treatments were taking an immense toll on him and the only thing that would alter his course of life would be a life-saving miracle, that his youngest daughter gave him.

Today my father is gaining strength, his organs are working, and my sister’s kidney is now a part of his body.  My sister is still in a lot of pain but she’s up walking and making progress, yet her only concern is that her kidney (that is now technically my Dad’s) is continuing to do its job.

It’s taken many years of studies, practice, and trial and error to allow us to be where we are today.  My husband was a kidney donor 14 years ago and his scar is very different from my sister’s.  Medical science keeps changing and modernizing, but today, I thank God for the thousands and even millions of people who have been a part of the miracle we celebrate today.

As the world keeps turning, things happen, changes occur, yet God continues to be our constant, steady, non-changing, everlasting HOPE in whom we can rely.  What seems like an uphill battle works out in the most mysterious of ways.  I don’t know what you’re facing, or what you’re going through, but even as the world turns, God is still on His throne using the most unexpected people and life events to remind us that He loves us.

“I’m singing joyful praise to God.
I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
I feel like I’m king of the mountain!”
Habakuk 3:18-19 (MSG)

WHAT IF???

What if things weren’t what they are?  What if today wasn’t really April 2nd?  What if the good news I received yesterday was a mistake?  What if the uneasy feeling I have turns into something serious?

The ‘what if’ questions sometimes plague us and rob us of the peace we so desire, because worry sets in and keeps us from enjoying the peace that Christ came to give us.  It seems like worry is fed to us from the moment we are born, parents worry their children will get hurt, sick, lost.  We grow up and society feeds worry on a daily basis with warnings and bad news, and the ‘what if’ questions are never answered.

Robert Frost said, “The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work.”  I refuse to be killed by the ‘what ifs’ that are never answered.  There are so many uncertainties in life, so many situations that we face where the outcome is not guaranteed, and if we spend our time worrying about the ‘what ifs’, we will live life without accomplishing the ultimate goal which is to become what God has destined us to be come.

This week I know I am facing challenges that can cause me to worry and rehash ‘what if’ questions in the back of my mind, yet I choose to trust God and believe that His ways are higher than mine, ALWAYS.  I challenge you to suppress the ‘what if’ questions that come to hinder you, and instead choose to trust Him, there’s NO better way!

“God is good,
a hiding place in tough times.
He recognizes and welcomes
anyone looking for help,
No matter how desperate the trouble.”
Nahum 1:7 (MSG)