"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Beth recently completed her first school project. She designed and made a 3D snowman and then described her snowman in written sentences. I admired the way that Beth went after the task. She went to the store with her Dad to pick out the materials, selecting the items that would make the best snowman ever.
Then, she dutifully set to work building her snowman. With little input from Mom or Dad, she carefully selected the essential items that would make her snowman unique. I was proud of the way she concentrated on the task at hand, not wanting to stop until the project was complete. We encouraged her to discover her own idea of what her special snowman would look like. Bead eyes, stick arms, and black top hat were all selected to her exact specifications (well, Dad did make the hat!). She even had a scarf blowing in the wind. When it was done, she showed off her handiwork beaming with joy that she could do it all on her own.
We, in a sense, are God's projects in progress. He endlessly carves and sculpts our heart so that it can portray the premium example of his love and glory. I realize, too, that Beth is my project. I am molding, shaping, and changing the way she views and handles the tasks set before her. One thing I know first hand, it's not always fun or easy to let someone else mold you...to chip away at the rough edges until it hurts. But, I pray that I will continue to let the Lord be the master architect in both our lives. He desperately wants to design and develop every aspect of the production. We must invite him in so he can show us his well-designed plan.
Are you willing to let him show you the blueprint that he destined for your life?
"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands." (Psalms 138:8)
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
God's Project
Friday, January 19, 2007
Hurry Up and Wait
We are learning to wait.
Sometimes we just don't want to wait. We want to hurry life along because we feel like we will "miss" the moment if we don't do something quickly. I have done this with many circumstances in my life. And I have missed the opportunity that God had waiting for me.
I remember taking a job right out of college that the Lord obviously did not want me to have....I was let go six months later for completely unbelievable reasons. We just don't want to stop what we are doing and listen to the direction of the Lord. We want things our way and we do everything we can to make it happen for ourselves. And believe it or not, I am still learning to stop and let God take control.
"But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 30:41)
Recently, we tried to turn in our leased mini-van. Even though we still had six months left on the lease we thought no problem. It'll be easy just to turn this over and lease a new one (this time a 2007 Pilot...because no more mini-vans for me!). We were already over our mileage allowance and were eager to dispose of the nuisance. I was totally prepared. I sat on the Internet for weeks reading up on just how I could crunch the numbers to perfection. No way I was going to get taken this time! Well, have you ever tried to convince a car sales person of your perfect plan? Completely impossible! The Lord adamantly blocked every proposition that I thought would work so perfectly. Thank goodness he does protect us from our misled ideas every now and then. But sometimes, He will let us fall. We must learn to seek him in every circumstance and situation.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7)
Parker is practicing this human malfunction as well. The other day he hurriedly rushed upstairs to tell me something with tears in his eyes. "What is it...are you hurt?" I asked. He then told me matter-of-fact that he had to hurry up and eat his santa chocolate bar before I came downstairs to discover him. Wow...so it begins! And then I realized that I'm trying to teach the same thing to my kids that the Lord is trying to teach me! With sincere humbleness I am opening my heart to his teaching.
We have all heard the expression "let go and let God". It's so easy to say and is the first thing usually expressed to any friend or person with a problem. We even tell it to ourselves....but we don't really plan on doing it. It makes us feel better for a while as our knuckles get white and fingers clinch tighter around what we desperately don't want to let go. However, we must if we want to experience the full blessings that the Lord wants to give us so abundantly. And we will be tested in this regard. "I, the Lord, search the minds and test the hearts of people. I treat each of them according to the way they live, according to what they do." (Jeremiah 17:10)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Stumbling Block To Stepping Stone
"You turned my stumbling block to a stepping stone. You loved me even though you knew I was wrong. Oh Lord, you never cease to amaze me! Your loving arms became a bridge of mercy. You turned my stumbling block to a stepping stone." David & The Giants (Long Time Coming CD)
Ever had one of those days when it seems like everything sets you off? The kids are screaming, the cat is scratching your furniture, your car needs maintenance, you are out of milk, etc. You just want to huff at the world and stew in your own anger. Well I've had plenty of days like this! The flesh is sometimes stronger than we realize and it can cause us to stumble when we thought we had it all under control.
Each one of us can have a different stumbling block -- anger, envy, bitterness, an unforgiving spirit. The Lord gently reminds us that these can lead to sin and we must, with His guidance, purge these emotions from our hearts in order to fully obey him and strengthen our character. "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior." (Ephesians 4:31).
We must seek the Lord and ask him to remove whatever is hindering our walk with him. It is through these gentle reminders that we steadfastly and confidently develop the character of Christ. "And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation." (Romans 5:4)
Seek and believe in the Lord. He will set you free!
