Branching Out

For Christmas, my husband gave me a piece of very special artwork painted by our friend Monica Wood.  It‘s a pair of canvases which, when hung together, make a complete picture. The painting is entitled “Branching Out.” The canvas on the left depicts a fragile, flowering branch reaching upward. Hung alone, this painting wouldn’t be very interesting. But the canvas on the right, which is hung slightly lower, shows the rest of the limb to which the little branch is attached, and on that tree limb sits a pair of bluebirds. The painting has a soft wash of colors in the background, and the brilliant bluebirds do seem to make a sweet and loving couple. Now, I’m partial to bluebirds because bluebirds are often used as a symbol of happiness. But it wasn’t the bluebirds that drew me to the painting when I first saw it.  Rather, I loved the way the two canvases fit together. It reminded me of the verse in John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

If the branch is disconnected from the vine, it will soon die, because all of its nourishment and strength come from the vine.  But if it stays connected to the vine, it will grow and flourish and reach higher towards the sky. The little bluebirds of happiness may even hop up and build a nest there. I’m reminded that if I want to be fruitful, if I want to do anything of lasting value, if I want to live a happy, productive life, I have to abide in the True Vine.

Since I’ve been struggling with serious illness, I’ve given a lot of thought lately to the way I spend my time. Being sick has reminded me that our days on earth are numbered, and I feel an urgency to use my time wisely, not only because I want my friends and family to have good things to say about me at my funeral, (though I have certainly thought about that!) but mostly so that in the end the Lord will say to me, “Well done, Thy good and faithful servant.” I don’t mean to be morbid, and I don’t expect to die any time soon, but I realize that none of us is guaranteed that we will be here tomorrow. We must “look carefully then how (we) walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16)

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

There are a lot of things on my Bucket List that I hope to achieve in my lifetime,--- goals I wish to accomplish before I die. Recently the Lord has been teaching me a couple of things about those goals. First of all, if I try to accomplish anything in my own strength, it’s not going to happen. I need to stay connected to Him, to draw from His supernatural enabling power. I need to rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom in the choices I must make and for strength to succeed. Otherwise, I’ll be like a severed branch, soon to wither.

Second, if I’m abiding in the Vine, my goals are His goals. My purpose is not to promote myself or to gain praise for myself. My goals should be to call attention to God and to be a blessing to others. 

“Abiding in Christ” can seem like such a nebulous concept. So what does “abiding” look like, in practical terms? Of course, it means staying connected through prayer----praying about every decision, praying for wisdom, praying that He will give direction. It means taking the time to be quiet and listen to the still, small voice speaking to my heart so that I’ll know what’s right for me.  It means studying the Bible so that I’ll be familiar with His goals, so that my heart will desire the things He desires. 

 Beyond that, I think it’s a mindset; I am not an individual floating through life on my own, seeking to please myself. I am part of a bigger plan, an eternal plan. My life has eternal purposes. And also, I’m part of the body of Christ; I’ve been gifted so that I can serve the body.

If I’m abiding in Christ, He’ll show me how to use those gifts to bless others and glorify Him.  If I were, for example, writing or singing or painting or dancing, it should be with the intention of bringing delight to God and displaying God’s majesty to the world. If I’m hostessing or organizing or decorating or cooking, my primary wish should be that others would be blessed.

In using my gifts and seeking to accomplish great things, there are two pitfalls I need to avoid.

The first pitfall is the tendency to want to accomplish things so that I can achieve personal success.  In the Christian life, it’s not about me; it’s all about Him.  When I present my body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), that means I’m committed to living for Him.  That means I’m willing to be a servant, to perform tasks that don’t get any kudos. Sometimes, to accomplish His kingdom purposes, He calls me to be the support team, to be the prayer warrior, to be the behind-the-scenes worker who doesn’t get any attention. I need to be OK with that.

Can I confess something? I know that God is the Potter and I am the clay---I’m familiar with that Biblical analogy---but sometimes I don’t want to be an ordinary clay pot. Sometimes I’d rather be the beautiful vase. I see people who are immensely gifted, who are front and center stage, who are “beautiful vases.”  I compare myself to them, and I see myself as not measuring up.   I have a little bit of Spiritual Gift-Envy. I’m aware of this tendency, and I constantly confess and realign myself to God’s goals. I remind myself that “It’s not about me.” I need to pour my heart and passion into whatever task God gives me to do.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”  Colossians 3:23

The other pitfall is the tendency to refuse to use the gifts He’s given. Sometimes it’s because of laziness or selfishness. I might know that I have a particular ability-let’s say it’s teaching-, but when I hear that request for volunteers, even though I feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit, that inner voice that says, “This is something you should do,” I might I turn a deaf ear. Sometimes, it’s fear of failure and lack of faith that keep me from using a particular gift. Or maybe I feel that nudging in an area where don’t feel particularly gifted, such as hospitality or administration. (After all, just because I don’t think I have the gift of hospitality, that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t expect me to be hospitable.) But I don’t want to “go out on a limb” and get stranded there! That’s when I need to remember that the One who calls me is all-powerful, and His grace is sufficient for me. 

II Corinthians 12:9 says, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  Great things can be accomplished by a soul that is totally relying on God’s strength and power.

      

                                                        

In her book, Your Beautiful Purpose, Susie Larson says, “But never for a moment think that you can accomplish great things apart from God.  And yet, live expectantly knowing that nothing is impossible with Him.”

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

This year, I am branching out! I want to be like that little twig in the painting, reaching for higher and loftier things, straining upward to achieve the purpose for which I was called. I believe that happiness and joy will take residence in my life as I stay connected to the Vine. I am spending more time in prayer and in the Word so that I can derive power and spiritual nourishment from the Lord. As I go about my day, I’m going to be aware of God’s presence and His plan for my life. I’m going to be open to opportunities to use the spiritual gifts He’s given me. I’m going to lay aside my fears and begin some new endeavors, by His direction, in His strength, for His glory.

Questions to consider:

1. Is there a time in your life where you were called to be the behind-the-scenes person?

2. Is there a time you can recall when God called you to do something that was outside of your comfort zone?

3. In what direction is God calling you to branch out today?

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

 In my guitar-strumming days, I used to enjoy playing and singing a Twila Paris song entitled “The Joy of the Lord is My Strength.”  It was an upbeat song with a catchy tune, performed with lots of country music-style twang. The lyrics had something to do with walking by faith and not being afraid, but I always found the title perplexing. To me, joy and strength were two totally different characteristics. I could understand how a person could be joyful AND strong, but I couldn’t quite grasp how joy could BE strength. 

Fast forward a couple of decades to a time in my life when I really needed strength…..a time when I was weak from battling health problems. I needed emotional and spiritual strength to fight the fear that comes with illness, and I needed physical strength to overcome the nausea and pain brought on by my illness. At the time, the pastor of my church was preaching from the book of Philippians, which teaches us that we can have joy in all circumstances. My circumstances were certainly not joyful, but I learned that I could still find joy in my relationship with the Lord.

My illness required major surgery, and for a couple of weeks after I was discharged, I was housebound. On Sundays I grieved because I couldn’t go to church.  Since I couldn’t attend church, I watched the service on line. Sitting on my sofa, I sang the worship songs along with the choir, and for a few brief moments, I forgot that I was hurting and simply praised.

When I was able to return to church and choir practice, I did so with a renewed appreciation of the privilege of corporate worship. There is something special about joining with other like-minded believers, enjoying their fellowship, hearing God’s word and singing His praises.

I was uplifted. My spirit soared as I sang each chorus as loudly and clearly as I could. I delighted in hearing my voice blend with the voices around me. I was thrilled to be among God’s people once again.  These were the people who prayed for me, sat in the waiting room of the hospital, brought me meals, texted and emailed to check on me. It was a joy to be with them in person again. It was a joy to be in the Father’s presence, to feel His Holy Spirit in that room. I completely forgot my aches and pains.  I laid aside every fear or worry and instead focused on our awesome God.   I felt strong. The joy of the Lord was my strength.

Nehemiah Chapter 8 tells about a gathering of God’s people, too. God’s people were returning from exile, and under Nehemiah’s leadership, (despite opposition), they had rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. The people gathered into the square to listen Ezra and Nehemiah read from the Book of the Law of Moses.  The people listened attentively as the Scriptures were read and explained, and then they prayed and worshiped.  The people wept as they heard the words of the Law.

“And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.  Then he said to them, ‘Go your way.  Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord.  And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:9-10

 Perhaps they wept because they recognized how often they had failed to keep God’s commandments.  But Nehemiah and Ezra entreated them not to weep but to celebrate, to focus not on their sins but on the greatness of God. They were to rejoice, and in rejoicing, they would find strength to complete their task. Sometimes it is appropriate to grieve and to mourn our sins, but for the Jews this was to be a time of rejoicing.

When we’re joyful, our difficulties don’t seem so insurmountable.  Our work doesn’t feel like drudgery. Merriment lightens our load.

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” It’s good to laugh. Laughter has therapeutic value. 

When I was sick, I found it was important to keep things in perspective and look for the humor in my circumstances. A good laugh would cheer me up. Well, actually, right after having abdominal surgery, I found that a hearty belly laugh was painful, but even then my husband and I could make a joke out of the pain.

“Hey, did you hear the one about….,” and he’d begin to tell a joke.

“Don’t make me laugh! It hurts to laugh!” I’d say. I couldn’t help smiling, but I did try to repress that belly laugh.

I tend to be serious-minded.  For a long time, the concept of rejoicing in all circumstance was an idea that I couldn’t quite grasp. I think I confused it with stoicism; that is, when life was tough, I thought God meant for me to steel myself and say through gritted teeth, “I’m rejoicing.”  But I’m learning that God actually does want us to laugh and celebrate, even when trials come our way. That doesn’t mean we have to be happy ABOUT our trials. (As in, “Oh, great! More pain! Bring it on!) But in the middle of our pain, we can still find reasons to celebrate, while we trust that God will use our pain for greater good. 

So I’m learning to lighten up and rejoice. Here are a few things that helped me find that Happy Place:

1.       Music.  Singing and music bring me joy. When I’m down, if I listen to Praise and Worship Music and begin singing along, my mood changes.

2.       Mindfulness. Choose to focus on what is good instead of what is wrong.  Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything.  Prayer is the remedy for worry, and Philippians 8 gives us the “vitamins” that help keep us spiritually healthy and worry-free: After we pray and entrust God with our problems, we should let our minds dwell on what’s RIGHT, not what’s wrong. We should focus on what’s TRUE, instead of listening to the damaging lies of the enemy. We should meditate on the LOVELY things, and we have only to look at creation to find many lovely things to appreciate. If there is anything WORTHY of PRAISE, ---and of course there are many praiseworthy things---we should let our minds dwell on these things.

3.       Jokes. Finding humor in my situation helped to lighten the load. It helps if I don’t take myself too seriously, if I can laugh at my problems and mistakes. I’m learning to change my image of Jesus, too.  I used to picture Him as stern, or even sad (after all, He was called the Man of Sorrows), but now I imagine him as joyful. When He said, “Rejoice and be glad,” He probably had a smile on His face.  (I found some smile-starters by doing a Google search for “Christian cartoons.”)

4.       Joyful people.  Let’s face it; some people are just more upbeat than others. Some people are natural cheerleaders. They remind me that God is faithful, that even though life may be tough right now, things will get better. When I’m down, I seek out these cheerleaders. They make me laugh, and that’s good medicine!

Habakkuk said,

“Though the fig tree does not bud

And there are no grapes on the vine,

Though the olive crop fails

And the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen

And no cattle in the stalls

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;

He enables me to go on the heights.”  Hab. 3:17-19

Could Habakkuk really rejoice if everything around him were to come crashing down, if he lost his livelihood, if he had no food on his table? How could he endure it? Would there be a smile on his face--a genuine, spontaneous smile? Would he still laugh and joke and sing?  Would he be partying?

  Now that I’ve experienced firsthand the joy of the Lord, I believe I know what Habakkuk meant when the said, “I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength.” He could look at his circumstances and say, “It’s all OK.  I have a relationship with the God of the universe, and He is in control of everything that is happening.  My troubles are only temporary. One day, God is going to make everything right. He gives me strength for whatever comes my way. He enables me to rise above my circumstances.”   And that’s a happy thought. The joy of the Lord is my strength. When I am joyful, I feel strong. 

Rejoicing in Him,

Margaret

Here’s a link to Twila Paris singing “The Joy of the Lord”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLOSZ7NwMlY

Courage

Courage

Not too long ago I received a gift from a couple of my friends. It is a Willow Tree “Angel of Courage,” a simple six-inch statue of an angel with wire wings. Her fists are clenched and her arms are thrust high into the air. My first impression was of someone lifting her hands up to the sky in victory, as an Olympic gold medalist might do.  She seemed to be saying, “I am brave. I am invincible. I can do anything.”

After contemplating my little angel for awhile, though, I have a different image in my mind. I see a toddler first learning to walk.  She is reaching up and holding on to her father’s hands as she takes each faltering new step. That, I believe, is a better picture of courage, because courage is not the lack of fear; it’s stepping out in faith even though you’re shaking in your boots.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 

These are the words that the Lord spoke to Joshua before he led his people across the Jordan River to take possession of the Promised Land.  What was the basis of Joshua’s courage? After all, ten other spies saw giants in the Promised Land, so it wasn’t as if Joshua was going to be able to walk right in and tack up signs on the cities saying, “Under new ownership. Property of the Israelites.” But Joshua’s courage was to be based on the fact that God was with him, and that he was walking in obedience to the Lord.  

Joshua 1:7 says, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”

David had his own giant to face. So what made this teenager think he could take on a nine-foot tall champion who was protected by incredibly heavy armor? In David’s words, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” I Samuel 17:37

David wasn’t trusting in his own strength or ability. He was trusting in the power of the almighty, living God.

“Fear not” must be one of God’s favorite expressions because He repeats it so many times in the Bible, maybe because He knows us so well and knows our tendency to tremble in the face of danger and uncertainty.

The definition of courage is “the ability to do something that frightens one.” Other definitions describe courage as:

 “the strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger.”

“the spirit or quality of mind that allows one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution.”

So fear comes first, but we carry on, we don’t fall apart, we are resolved that we will not be defeated, and we have confidence that God’s grace is sufficient to see us through the trials. (II Corinthians 12:9)

My sister sent me a card that read, “When the going gets tough, the tough get waterproof mascara.” That card spoke to me as I am presently facing health challenges.  It reminded me that it’s OK to cry. I don’t need to pretend that I’m not struggling, but I still need to put on my mascara—my happy face---and go out and do the things I need to do.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:9

So many things cause us fear, and there are so many opportunities for courage.

We need courage to deal with the tragedies, traumas, and trials that sometimes unexpectedly assault us and shake the foundations of our faith.

We need courage to be obedient to God’s instructions, especially when it means stepping out of our comfort zones and embarking on new endeavors.

We need courage to trust God when changes come our way, when the road ahead is uncertain.

We need courage to persevere in the work that God has given us to do, even when we fear that we don’t have the strength or stamina to go on.

Sometimes we need courage to speak up when we don’t know how our words will be received. And sometimes we need courage to hold our tongues and refrain from making damaging remarks.

We need courage to live in a manner that is pleasing to God but is sometimes contrary to the culture in which we live. We need courage to resist the temptation to “fit in,” –courage to be different, to refuse to be conformed to the world, but rather transformed to the image of Christ.

When fear creeps in, we need to RALLY.

R-Remember-We need to remember God’s faithfulness to us in the past. David remembered that God had delivered him from the lion’s paw and the bear’s paw. I remember trials in times past when I cried every day and didn’t think I was going to survive.  But God brought me through those trials and restored happiness and joy in ways that I never would have imagined. If God did it before, He can do it again.

A-Appreciate - We need to cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving for the way that God continues to bless us in the midst of our struggles. I am thankful for air-conditioning and a comfortable bed, for the birds outside my window and the bunny that has taken up residence in my yard. I’m especially thankful for the phone calls, messages, and kind words, and helping hands that have come at just the right moment.

L-Look to God’s Promises—Joshua went forward in faith with his eyes on the Promised Land. God promises us that He will be with us. (Matthew 28:20) He promised He would supply all our needs. (Philippians 4:19) He’s given us a spirit of power and love and self-control. (II Timothy 1:7) Entire books have been written listing promise after promise.

L-Listen to God---Joshua’s promise came with the condition that he must be obedient to all that God commanded.  We need to be in tune with God so that we can hear His instructions and receive His guidance. That means taking time to read His Word and talk to Him in prayer, and then doing what He tells us to do.

Y-Yearn- If we’re going to be courageous, we can’t be passive or half-hearted. We have to yearn for His Presence, His power, His provision. It takes fervent prayer and effort.

“My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.” Isaiah 26:9

 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 27:13

“Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:11-12

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

There is that picture again: God the Father is extending His right hand down to us, His little children, and we can hold on to it while we take those wobbly steps of faith. We can reach up and grab His hand while we walk into unfamiliar territory. We can hold on to that righteous right hand when we come up against the giants in our lives, knowing that He will never let us fall, He will never let us down, He will never leave us nor forsake us.

My Journey

(I wrote this in 2015; it tells the story of the beginning of my journey on a path to a deeper knowledge of GOD)

Getting to Know Him Better

Whatever you want, I surrender to You.

Whatever it takes, I am willing to do.

You know I am weak, so I’m leaning on You

To give me the power for yielding to You.

Whatever I’ve gained I now count it as loss.

I want to surrender whatever the cost.

Whatever I’ve cherished can never come close

To knowing you, Jesus, and loving You most.

These are the words I wrote in my journal during the Restore Retreat last October.  The retreat was a life-changing experience.  In the quiet setting of the retreat center, I was able to be still and really listen with my heart to the deep truths that God had for me. It had been a while since I had such meaningful instruction from the Word of God.  The lessons delved deep into the scriptures, shedding light on the cultural context of the passages and on the definitions of the words in the original Greek. The Passover meal that we shared also aroused my interest in the land and customs of Israel.   I hungered for more.

I expected that getting to know God would involve more intense Bible study and quiet time with Him.  Well, that was part of it, but God had a great adventure planned for me, a journey that we would walk together as He revealed Himself to me along the way.

A month after the retreat, when I “accidentally” stumbled on information about a tour to Israel, I casually mentioned it to my husband. Tim had frequently expressed a desire to go to the Holy Land, but, my response was usually, “Not me. It’s not on my list. It’s way too dangerous.” But Tim took that little bit of information about the tour and pursued it.  Then he announced that he was going---was I coming along? (I don’t think he would have actually left me behind, but sometimes I need a little extra push to make a decision.) We met with the tour leader and discussed the details of the trip. She related something that a Jewish man told her on her previous tour. He said, “No one just comes to Israel.  You are invited by God, and you decide to answer the invitation.”

It was as if Jesus was saying to me, “Do you want to know me better? Then come and see where I lived when I was on the earth. Come and visit my old neighborhood.”

The trip was flawless.  Not once did I feel fearful or even nervous, for I felt God’s hand of protection on our group the entire time.  What a thrill to set foot in the place where it all began….where God began His  relationship with man, where the patriarchs and prophets lived and preached and witnessed miracles in their midst. It was such a joy to travel along the rocky paths that Jesus, the rabbi, walked with His disciples, teaching them through parables and object lessons along the way. Seeing the city of Jerusalem and the surrounding landscape helped me to envision what it might have been like to watch Jesus pray in the Garden of Gethsemane and struggle down that road to the cross. Our Jewish guide helped us to understand eastern culture and thinking, giving new meaning to events in the Bible. I gained a deep appreciation of how God has dealt with the nation Israel over the centuries, and how even now prophecies are still being fulfilled, for He is still at work. The trip was an exhilarating “mountaintop” experience that gave me a greater reverence for the awesome God of Israel and for the Son who suffered and died for me.

But…God had much more to teach me about Himself. The second part of my education involved knowing Him through suffering.  In Philippians 3:10 we read that the apostle Paul prayed “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection (I like that…..knowing the resurrection power) and may share His sufferings”… (Ooh, I don’t like that so much---suffering.) Shortly after returning from the trip, God had some lessons to teach me through illness.

If the trip to Israel was a mountaintop experience, illness was certainly a dark valley.  I clung to God’s word with the belief that there is somehow a purpose in all of this. I wanted to draw closer to the Savior, to experience His presence, and to hear His voice.  But I really didn’t feel His presence.  Sometimes I wondered if I was just talking to an imaginary friend.  If He was speaking to me, I couldn’t hear Him because the pain was screaming so loudly and the enemy was constantly taunting me, saying, “God has abandoned you. He is finished with you. You are useless. Your life is over.”

Then one afternoon while in the waiting room at the clinic, I was reading Beth Moore’s Jesus the One and Only. In the book, Beth Moore encouraged the reader to try and picture what Jesus might have looked like.  The face that immediately came to mind was the face of the young technician who was in charge of calling patients and showing them into the doctor’s office. Ok, the young man has dark hair and a beard, and he does look a bit like he could be Jewish, but the feature that stood out was the kindness on his face.  I noticed how he smiled at the patients and asked them how they were feeling. He addressed them by name.  It’s how I imagined Jesus must have talked to the sick and the suffering.

Then I began to think of the various manifestations of God’s love for me during my illness:

I have seen Christ in the way my husband shows unconditional love for me even when I am unlovely. He has been a true servant, waiting on me and caring for me when I am too weak to care for myself. This is an example of God’s love. God loved us while we were yet sinners, when we had nothing to offer him in return.

When I cried, family members cried with me. It reminds me of the way Jesus was also “deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” when he saw Mary weeping over her brother Lazarus, even though he knew the final outcome, even though he knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead.

I wish I could hear God’s voice with my own ears, but God has never spoken to me that way. He has spoken to me, though, through caring Christian friends who shared scriptures with me and encouraged me with God’s Word.

I haven’t seen visions of Jesus, but, come to think of it, I have seen Christ all around me.  I see him in the face of my pastor, who knows my name. In shepherding his flock, this pastor is imitating the Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep.

I see Christ’s example of a servant’s heart in my principal, who has taken my carpool duty for me and has taken care of my class when I had doctor’s appointments.

I have seen Jesus and experienced His presence because all of these people who have ministered to me are believers.  They have Christ’s Holy Spirit indwelling them. 

In First Fruit’s of Zion’s book Restoration: Returning the Torah of God to the Disciples of Jesus, there is an explanation of what happens when we accept Christ and become a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17):

“As believers, we are given a portion of God’s Holy Spirit to dwell within us.  We actually become temples of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit that dwells within us is the same Spirit that dwelled within and anointed Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus).  Therefore, we say it is the Spirit of Yeshua that dwells in within us. Indeed, ’Messiah in you (is) the hope of glory’ (Colossians 1:27)…….When we show the love of Yeshua to others, it is not our love we are manifesting, but the Master’s love made manifest through us. Because Messiah dwells within us, our acts of love are actually His acts of love.  We become, as it were, the hands and feet of Messiah.”

Through the body of Christ, I am getting to know a Savior who is kind and compassionate, who knows my name and feels my pain, whose love is unconditional and sacrificial.

Paul said in Philippians 3:8, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” In our journey here on earth, our goal is to get to know Him better.  Getting to know Him is more than just an academic endeavor.  Sometimes it involves those mountaintop experiences, where we get a taste of His awesome power.  Sometimes we get to know Him better through the fellowship of His sufferings. And though we aren’t able to see Him, hear His voice, or touch Him the way the disciples did, His Presence is made manifest to us through other believers, the body of Christ.

I don’t know why God has chosen to take me down these particular paths as He teaches me and guides me and as I develop my relationship with Him.  Some of the roads are not ones I would have chosen.  I do know that He loves me, and that no pain I experience will ever be wasted. I am trusting the words of I Peter 5:10: “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving

Between my Lord and me,

I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

Oftimes He weaveth sorrow,

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper,

And I the underside.