(Matthew 24:35) (Luke 21:33)
My heart is heavy this morning. I opened my social media page and immediately saw several posts that were sobering. One was somewhat cryptic....I wasn't sure exactly what was being referenced and another was clear but, I felt.....well a lot of things.... I'm not disputing what was said in either of those two particular posts nor the others...these ARE scary times.....I just choose a different route and believe me I've had my critics. But like all of us, we choose that with which we fill ourselves.
I immediately thought of this verse:
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18
"Paul is describing the reason for his refusal to lose heart in the face of suffering for his faith in Christ."
One commentary said, "Trusting Jesus is far wiser than trusting anything in the world.'
My "preparation " in THIS life is for THAT life. I can't "fix" the troubles of this world. I'd love to bring down gas prices. I'd love to end unrest and the horrific suffering of innocent people. If I could fix the slaughtering of the unborn I'd do it in a heartbeat!
So what do I do? I have to trust that God IS in control even when everything seems out of control. Does that mean I bury my head in the sand? No! It means I bury my head in God's Word!! Does it mean that I'm naive? No! It means I take my heart and soul before God and intercede on behalf of those who need more than I can provide? Does it mean I'm uninformed? No!
It means I stop filling myself endlessly with bad news and deeply sad stories that affect me in ways that paralyze me. Why? Because all of that sadness literally makes me ineffective for the kingdom, period. I become stagnant and unable to minister in the circle of influence God has provided for me. How can I tell my grandchildren how much God loves and cares for them if I'm so focused on filling myself with the world that God has become an afterthought or at best second? You may say it doesn't have to be either/or that it can be both/and.....I may like to debate that.....but I know, for me personally, I cannot entertain the outrageousness of this world and rest in God at the same time.
Please hear me I'm NOT saying those who do are wrong. I believe God prompts and softens the hearts of those who feel convicted to become missionaries or to protest or lobby...... I'm saying God has not called me there. Therefore, I desire clear vision of where he has called. God HAS called me to a mission field in small-town Ohio. To be the example to my family, my grandchildren, to my neighbors, to my church.....my community.
My daughter and her family lost a beloved pet this week. My six year old grandson said, "Mommy, do you think Pippi is running the streets of gold?" To which she answered, "Yes. I'm sure she is." Then he said, "You know the blind man that Jesus rubbed mud on his eyes and he could see again? Do you think Jesus rubbed mud on Pippi's eyes so she could see again?" I sobbed.....😭.....How precious is our mission field right in our own homes!!???
I have enough "feels" and emotions for at least ten people. What I fill myself with WILL drive my day to day activities.....and most of the time will keep me from God's calling on my life.
"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2
It doesn't mean I shelter. It doesn't mean I'm totally in the dark and uninformed. It doesn't mean that when I have the opportunity to vote I'm not well informed and vote the way I believe God directs. How do I know God's directives? By saturating my mind, body and soul with HIM!
When my beloved was so tragically killed I could have chosen to fight for a longer sentence. I could have chosen to not forgive. I could have been justifiably (in my eyes) bitter and angry. I could have retreated into myself and turned from God altogether. I had choices....
But oh how choices can be altered or completely changed when you look beyond this incredibly difficult world where incredibly difficult things happen and ask yourself, "What would Jesus have me do?" Am I perfect? Oh heavens no!! Will I ever be in this life? Absolutely not! Can I choose to fix my eyes on the One who is perfecting me day by day? Yes! Even when it's hard? Yes! Even when it seems impossible? Yes! Even when I don't want to? Yes! Even when I think I have a better plan? Yes! Even when I desire to but fail miserably? Yes! Even when the world is SO loud? Yes! Even when....
FOREVER? Yes!!
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."
1 John 4:16
I keep thinking about my part, my worth IN and TO the kingdom. For almost a year now it's been invading my thoughts nearly daily. I want, or I think I do, to make an outrageous splash for God's kingdom. A canon ball in the pool of life. What I'm learning is that I may just be tossing a tiny pebble across a small puddle that merely makes a small ripple. See it's not about MY vision it's about God's vision FOR me. He knew what I was going to do before I was born. All my days were counted and written before I was born. That splash or ripple was recorded before I was born.
I have to believe, sitting here, in my pajamas, in Tiny Town, USA, writing this post is exactly what was planned for me before even one of my days came to be. There's so much comfort in knowing I don't need to fret about my kingdom worthiness. Praising God this morning for his incredible provision. Waking up each morning can go two ways:
1. What am I going to do today?
2. God, what would YOU have for me today?
I always desire to ask the second question but do I always slide out of bed with no agenda? Of course not. But I'm working on it! And I believe God is pleased with my effort.
"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James 1:4
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