Unveiling Hope

After the Fire

Life can be pretty frenetic from time to time. Many people seem to live in high gear from one situation to the next. A hectic and cramped packed life doesn’t leave a lot of time to be still and even those who were once considered laid back have long since forgotten what being still is all about.

Some people just barely find themselves getting over one life event before the next one seems to steam roll over them. And yet, ironically, those who think these things always happen to them seem surprised when the next train wreck happens.

When I gave my heart to the Lord, I really (no really) believed that life would be easy, or at least easIER. At the sign of every upheaval, I began looking to God in expectation that He would manifest Himself by signs and wonders – soothing and smoothing over my little life situations. After all – He’s God!

But it dawned on me that there’s more to a relationship than counting on someone to help you out when you’re jammed up. God doesn’t want to only hear from us when were at the scene of a fire or at the site of an earthquake. Frankly, we long to hear from Him most in these types of situations but our hearing’s not so great during those kinds of times.

These are the times when He longs for us to come alone, to a quiet place, while He whispers in our ears – a place without distraction – just long enough for Him to encourage and strengthen us – just long enough to unburden and refresh us – just long enough to hear us tell Him how very much we love and appreciate Him – especially during these times.

“and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice,” 1 Kings 19:12.

The Scarlet Letter

My eldest son was 5 years old when I discovered his first attempt at a cover-up. I had just finished cutting up vegetables to make with dinner and opened the cupboard beneath the kitchen sink to dispose of the cuttings in the trash. I saw his lunch bag in the garbage. I picked it up; his sandwich was still wrapped in saran wrap, not a bite missing.

He was playing with his toys in the living room. “Honey, did you eat your lunch today?” “Yeah,” he called back. “Are you sure?” “Yeah,” he answered. I began to think, does this child think I’m crazy and I won’t notice his lunch bag on the top of the trash? I began pondering the situation. Should I be pleased that he wasn’t sneaky enough to consider dropping it in the trash at school or even burying it beneath other trash in our kitchen? I had to address the situation, if not for the cover-up at least to make sure that he was being nourished.

I called him into the kitchen. He had no clue why I called him in there. Had I not given birth to him myself I would have wondered if he was really mine. “Is that your lunch?” He looked inside the garbage and looked up at me without blinking and said, “No.” “Are you telling me the truth? Because it’s important for little boys to each their lunches or they might get a tummy ache.” He drew a deep breath, prepared to stick to his story, and added, “Well, if I was that little boy I’d tell my mom I don’t like bologna sandwiches anymore, but I ate all my lunch.” And off he went. I decided to let him save face.

What I still can’t get over to this very day is the fact that once he threw it out, even though it was in plain view, to him it was forever gone as if it never existed. Would there have been a point to brand him with an LD  (lunch dumper) on his t-shirts similar to the large red “A” used to punish and humiliate Hester Prynne in A Scarlett Letter? I hardly think that approach would have done either of us any good and it certainly would not have accomplished what grace ended up producing. The legalistic approach would have laid a foundation for guilt and I didn’t want to encourage him to become more adept in his deception.

As adults, many of us often give this unmerited favour to children without a second thought. I have to confess that I have been guilty of not always extending this same grace to other adults. I think, as adults, we sometimes think everyone should be held to the same standards. The truth is, we are not all from the same place and we’re not all in the same place but we’re all supposed to end up in the same place. No one can get there alone, or on their own merit.

Hester Prynne ended up putting the scarlet letter back on. We don’t have to. Our letters have been permanently removed, as if they never existed. It seems only right that we clothe others in the same grace that covers us rather than clothing them with a scarlet letter.

A Natural Soldier or a Soldier in the Natural

Some people are born “naturals” – called to a profession or trade from the beginning. We may say that they are born with the talent and an innate affinity (passion) for what they do. It takes a special – called – kind of person to be a soldier in this world and I thank God not only for them but for their families.

Any good soldier is always prepared for battle whether engaged in battle or not. They wear not just uniforms but warrior mindsets. We may not always see their weapons but they are highly trained to be effective even without. Being a soldier isn’t a 9-5 job, it’s a way of life.

I think however that while we are not all natural soldiers we are all called to be spiritual soldiers in the natural. We are all called to battle the enemy of God’s creation. We are all called to be prepared for battle – the daily battles that wage war against us in this fallen world – we are to be prepared always to be able to read the landscape and see minefields with our spiritual eyes.

We may be moms and dads. We may be police officers, firemen, we may be teachers, or party planners, clergy or lay. We may be students or grandparents, caregivers or lifesavers. Whatever we are, whatever our calling, we must always be spiritually armed and dangerous while living in the natural.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:10-12.

May I Have The Big Piece?

Tell the truth now . . . you know you’ve wanted it. You know you were too shy to ask for it, but you wanted it . . . the big piece . . . whether it was pie or cake or lasagne. Maybe it wasn’t the big piece, maybe you just wanted a second helping. I remember those days with fear; asking for the big piece was a no-no, and asking for more was unspeakable.

How many of us have learned to ask for the smaller portion when we’re asked which piece we want? How many of us have taught our children the same less-is-more attitude? Where etiquette is concerned, perhaps taking the smaller piece or completely denying oneself is the right thing to do, but when we take that attitude and begin to apply it to all areas of our lives, how much are we missing? What are we giving up?

I have to admit that I have been carrying along this attitude for far too long and it is most noticeable in my spiritual life. Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened,” (Matt.7:7-8). I have come to realize that I behave as if I think that God is stingy or that He is waiting to rap my knuckles if I ask for too much. Well, I know He isn’t stingy, but I’ve lost that bold and trusting, carefree attitude I.

Surely, as a friend, a spouse, or a parent, if you had a big piece and a little piece of pie to share wouldn’t it be your good pleasure to give the other person the big piece? Don’t you just love to bless others, to be extravagant? So, does God. The Bible is replete with examples of His generosity and we are repeatedly reminded that He is our Father in Heaven so why are we so reluctant to ask Him for what we need, or want? It’s because we don’t come with our requests with a child’s frame of mind. We’re afraid we’ll be scolded or rejected for asking, or are we frightened that we’ll be disappointed by the answer? To scold and reject a child simply for asking is not the character of God though there are times the answer has to be “no”. Rest assured – Father knows best. I think I’ll “uncheck” my childlike attitude.

“For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, ‘I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.’” Matt. 18:2 MSG.

One Said "Yes" and One Said "No"

Most people only see one side of us – the side we want them to see. A rebellious people-pleaser is a good term to describe the kind of person I was for much of my life. I’ve spent a good deal of my time on this planet much like the little boy who is repeatedly told by his teacher, “Sit down!” Eventually, he sits – but not without adding, “But I’m standing up on this inside!” That provokes quite a visual doesn’t it? Can you relate? Is someone you know just like that? Of course, not you. That is a fairly accurate description of most of my past relationships, including my relationship with God.

At some point in my life however, my legs, (and my spirit), became fatigued from all that standing; it wasn’t long after that realization that I raised the white flag and surrendered my heart to God.

Hypocrisy in a person’s life can often be a precursor to this type of attitude. You know the old saying, “do what I say and not what I do”. Words hold a world of power but if you really want to win someone over – words need to be backed up with action.

Jesus said, “If you love me you will obey what I command,” (John 14:15). I said yes, but I didn’t. Doing what He commanded required that I sacrifice my physical, emotional and spiritual comfort (I should say, “comfort zone”). The first six months of my surrender were spent standing up – for my rights and for my comfort. It wasn’t until I began studying the Scriptures, studying the people, their circumstances, their personalities and the sacrifices that were made by so many to prove their love by action – in obedience. God required it from The Beginning, and Jesus would require nothing less.

Abraham, Moses, and David all obeyed and, of course, they all had their “standing up on the inside” moments, but for the most part they obeyed and things went well for them, and those around them.

If you think rebellious people-pleasing is an oxymoron, how about surrendered-control? I feel as if my life is under complete control rather than being completely controlled. So, the old me said “yes” and didn’t, but the new me did – the new me prefers to sit at the feet of the Master of the Vineyard. What’s so wonderful is that if, one day, I do stand – I know that tomorrow is a new day.

“There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard. 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The first,’ they answered.” Matt. 21:28-31 NIV.

Those Who Love

When you love someone you want to do everything for them. You want to be the best person you can be, not to impress, but rather because it’s what they deserve. You want to love them as they were meant to be loved, with all you have.

As a believer, I want to love the Lord the way He loves me. In my desire however, I am acutely aware that I fall short of even my own expectations. And therein lays the problem. Loving others – loving God – as He loves me is just not something I can do – at least not in my own strength. My own faults and weaknesses, and my self-centeredness, seem to become more apparent when I go it alone. After all, who am I?

What helps me to refocus is a story about David and a few good men. David was being sought by King Saul, whose intention it was to kill David. So, David left Gath – far away from Saul – and escaped to the cave of Adullam where “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him,” (1 Samuel 22:2). These men, having been rejected by society, followed David into battle, risking life and limb, under his leadership. Why? David loved them as they were and saw in them who they could be, and they aspired to grow into that potential because his love enabled them to learn how to love.

David was a man after God’s own heart and it was only through his desire to pursue the love of God that the Spirit of God enabled his heart’s desire to be fulfilled. It was because David loved them first that they learned how to love in word and deed.

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me,” Prov. 8:17.

Hanging On

Hanging on with all one’s might, hanging on by the skin of one’s teeth, hanging on for dear life, hanging on by a thread or a strand ... all expressions we use to describe the desperation in which we hang on to something for a desired result.

Hanging on is a waiting period, it’s the distance between now and then, the time between present and future, the journey through a dessert to springs of life-giving, free-flowing water - the sustenance of life. Hanging on is synonymous with hope. And while it’s true that most often we don’t necessarily enjoy that journey we most certainly always enjoy the arrival at the final destination.

I’ve been on one of these journeys for almost a year now. I don’t know how long I’ll be travelling, but I have finally taken notice of what the Lord has been willing to teach me as we’ve traveled this distance together. He has placed a series of oases from which I am to drink, to refresh myself with, that I would not despise the journey but continue to walk with Him from glory to glory.

There are times when looking too far ahead into the future convinces us that there is no relief in sight – perhaps it’s exactly that which makes us long for the end rather than viewing the journey as a training season – a time of spiritual preparation.

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever,” 1 Cor. 9:25.

Facing the Giant

Every human being, at some point in their life, will have to face a giant. Some of us will have to face more than one at a time. The worse giant anyone could ever have to face is giving up hope. The loss of hope is surrender on the battle field.

The Israelites faced the Philistines for 40 days. Every day, and every evening, that beastly giant Goliath came out and taunted them, he frightened them by his very size and arrogance. He persisted until they had lost hope. Even the valiant King Saul stood on the sidelines. Israel had all but raised the flag of surrender; their hope was lost.

In his youth, David had the answer; David had a fearless faith in the power of God. David looked upon the battlefield as fertile ground for God to manifest His glory. David ran toward Goliath with the very attitude that made him a man after God’s own heart. He had seen the hopelessness that had impaled Israel’s soldiers to ground.

What made him so sure that God would win the battle for him? He had a relationship with God – the intimate kind of relationship that doesn’t merely sustain faith and hope – the kind of intimacy that grows faith and hope. There would be no facing this giant alone. He knew that as he ran toward Goliath that the God of Israel had already gone ahead of him to secure the victory.

The size of the battle should not invoke fear. Wherever we are in the battle, whether it’s hidden in a foxhole or standing in the middle of the battlefield, God is waiting for us on the other side. God fights for us from victory; our hope is in Him alone.

‘David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."’ 1 Sam 17:45-47.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Yes! Yes! I can hear you. I hear every word you say, I know every thought you think. I’m with you. Yes! I’m here, always and forever.

I know you’re beginning to think I’m not listening or that our connection has been broken; it hasn’t dear heart. Every prayer you pray I collect in a bowl, waiting for the perfect moment to pour out blessings upon you. I’m not ignoring you. I’m not disappointed in you. I love you, with all my heart, without condition. There is nothing you’ve done to change that. There is nothing you can do to change that.

You will hear me again, know this for sure. The din of this world is making much static, but I’m still on the line. I won’t hang up. Quiet yourself. Find a place of solitude and meet me there, you’ll find less noise on the line. You’ll hear me. You might have to try a few times, but please don’t give up. Don’t give up on me for I will never give up on you. My heart is for you - all the way. You have my full attention.

You said you wished we could talk the way we used to, we still can, if you cling to the Hope I’ve given you. Nothing has changed – this is a temporary situation. You’ll see, soon you’ll understand everything. Let this be a time that drives your passion for me to persist regardless of what is going on around you. You will hear me again, I promise. You can stand on that promise. For all the promises I’ve made to you are the foundation of an everlasting covenant. You are mine! Stay on the line!

‘And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him,’ 1 Kings 19:11-13 NIV.