Life is coming at us fast and we can be bowled over by our circumstances and words of discouragement offered by others or we can lean upon the only safe structure there is. Being a writer I have to spell out my pains and either hold onto them or pin them upon the cross of hope. My hope isn’t found by holding onto this stuff but rather letting go of it all.
In other words I am living a “Crossed-up life”. Care to join me?
I read an article today that spoke of humility. Basically it said the quicker we learn humility the quicker we can move forward and may even gain a position of leadership. Pride stops us from making progress in the area of humility. No one likes to admit they are wrong and even less to have to admit it to others.
It is hard for me to understand true humility because it doesn’t need to confess itself. True humility just is.
Prov 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
My cage has been rattled pretty good this week with a fierceness I find familiar. My heart is rejoicing because I can feel victory to be had. My enemy likes to come at me hard and even goes after my family when I am up to my Father’s work. The nastier he gets the more I am reminded to stand firm. This morning I called upon some friends of my Father’s to help me out. Believe me these aren’t the chubby faced babies in diapers either!
Psalm 91:11 For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways
Who stole my peace of mind? I have kept asking the wrong question since I am the one who has been giving away what is rightfully mine.
Who stole my voice? Again I asked the wrong question since it was I who didn’t open my mouth to speak when I should have.
I found my voice returned this morning and I am taking back the peace which belongs to me!
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Being busy is part of our lives and sometimes I just want to put on the brakes. Literally slam on them until everything comes to a complete halt no matter how abrupt.
I was watching a movie last night called “End Of The Spear” and I rather enjoy the redemptive story despite some of the graphic violence along the way. It reminds me not everyone has a smooth path to redemption. One of my favorite scenes is the plane flying low over a river as it wound its way through the jungle. I wanted to be in that plane just soaking in all the beauty from above. Not in the mix of the jungle but far above it.
My wanting to slam on the breaks today reminded me of that beauty and my longing for a peacefulness I should’ve had. Instead I could feel my peace slipping in and out of my grasp simply because I couldn’t control the circumstances around me. My inner-self has a safety valve I’ve used all my life. Withdrawal! When things are getting too “out of my hands” I start pulling away from all that is good for me. I don’t want to be in the mix but rather I seek to be so “above it” which is why I keep thinking about that plane.
I know my Father has other plans for me and He knows my flaws well. There will be no “withdrawal” this time. The “Master’s plan” is not for me to be “above” anything right now. It’s time to grow again despite my discomfort and as soon as I realize I am not the one in control and leave it to better hands, the sooner my peace will return while I continue my freefall into the great unknown.
We Win
(Lyrics by David Crowder)
We’re gonna shout loud,
loud until the walls come down
Because we’ve already won
And You don’t have a chance
Yeah we’ve already won
No you don’t have a chance
It’s already done
And you don’t have a chance
Because we’ve already won!
We have already won!
I was a tad under the weather yesterday and came home early. Drained of any real energy I just lay in bed and zoned out in front of my television set. My favorite channel to watch is the History channel. I caught bits and pieces of some historic culture called the Mayans who left behind unique and accurate calendars which are literally built into the very buildings and carved in the walls.
One of the more interesting aspects of their calendar is the claim it’s even more accurate than what we are using today and it goes back over 3000 years B.C. More fascinating however was their calendar prediction of an ending to earth as we know it. According to their count we should be looking at something to happen in 2012.
Now I am not a doomsayer but I understand who Jesus is. Both an ancient culture and the bible agree on something and that is we are in for something huge to happen to our world. I have no idea of the date or time this is to come about but I choose to live my life in a state of readiness so I enjoy everyday given to me right here and now.
When you think about it your life can turn upside down on any calendar day. Just get in your car and see if you don’t feel that roll of the dice when you are on the road.
Have you ever met someone new who seemed so interesting in outward appearance? I have to say I have met many in my life already. Men or women of incredible stature; at least from what I could see with my natural eyes. In my enthusiasm of expectation I have reached for these many hands to shake and with their touch…reality is put into my own hands. The limp noodle of a grip!
Now this doesn’t define a person by any means but it certainly gets my attention in a hurry. I wonder why they are lacking in their strength? Is this a reflection of what’s going on with the inner man?
The winds of change are blowing in all areas of my life and instead of running to stay ahead of it or even keep myself anchored in the familiar, I have let go of my need for control. I now rest in the place of anticipation and hope. Imagine a feather floating in an unseen breeze, like the opening scene from that movie Forrest Gump. I go where I am meant to go in the breeze being blown from the very heavens. A sweeter ride I have never known.
Ex 34:21b ….even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest
