Week Forty-Four - Enjoy the Ride!

I find it hard to enjoy the ride when I don't know where I'm going. Consequently, when my husband makes a few wrong turns or takes a different path to a known route without warning me, I become unsettled and start to question. One day, he instructed me, "Just enjoy the ride," and it has since become a byword for us.

A few years ago, I took a trip to China with a dear friend, and several times, my husband, knowing I'd be challenged by the uncertainty of the experience, texted, reminding me — once again — to enjoy the ride. And I did!

As I thought about that advice, I saw parallels in the Bible: Bible characters whose journeys required this attitude.

Abraham, out looking for that city whose builder and maker was God, needed it. David, hiding in caves and running for his life, needed it. Peter, as he queried John's path in life, needed it.

The attitude of enjoying the ride doesn't mean always seeing life as rosy. It is not absenting ourselves from involvement or protecting ourselves from harm. It is a walk of faith that says, "My heavenly Father is right here beside me. I can rest in Him and not worry about the events of the path because I know and believe He is in control."

Enjoying the ride means that even when unexpected turns come or a detour takes longer than planned, there is no need to panic; continue living and reacting in faith.

Enjoying the ride means letting go of being the planner or navigator and embracing the role of a passenger. You aren't driving. God is. Giving Him the wheel relieves the pressure and stress of trying to be in control.

Enjoying the ride means taking time to see the beauty of life; to enjoy and appreciate all the tangible and intangible things as gifts from God. This increases your thankfulness and makes life much more beautiful.

The interesting thing is that everyone's path is tailor-made. No two paths are exactly the same, yet our paths crisscross and intersect throughout our journeys.

Even the paths of husband and wife, though running parallel, are not exactly the same. God so designs each path to meet the desires and needs of the individual, bringing glory to Himself and fulfillment to the individual.

The journey of life has similarities, too — birth, youth, adulthood, etc. —but these are only skeletons on which the journey is built. We don't need to get hung up on these. There is so much more to life than age.

As I look back, I see more of my journey each day. It falls into categories by decade, and each decade is marked by life's events, but one thing remains the same. My successes and failures in each era are marked by my attitude on the journey. In joys and in sorrows, when my attitude was one of faith, the ride was much more positive, strengthening, and strangely enjoyable. The places where I kept my focus on life as a walk of faith proved to be places of growth, whether the way had been hard or easy.

We read the stories of persecuted Christians and notice their intense joy and peace amid pain and suffering. How can this be? Surely they have learned the secret of enjoying the ride. I'm sure they would tell us of a walk of faith that does not demand to know what is around the next bend or grows uncomfortable and unsettled just because a plan doesn't come together.

I think they, too, would remind us to settle back and enjoy the ride because "It is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 

Week Forty-Three - Seven Reasons Not to Worry

I remember a time when I was overwhelmed with worry. We were struggling financially, and I feared what would happen. Now, decades later, I barely remember the actual events. What I do remember are the Scriptures God used to help me overcome my worry. And they are still powerful today. 

Oh, don't get me wrong, I still fall into worry, but it doesn't get such a hold on me anymore. Even when things are tense or scary, worry can only go so far because these same scriptures pop into my mind and return my peace.

Let's look at seven reasons not to worry from chapter six of the book of Matthew. These are the verses I memorized years ago.

1. The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.

Matthew 6:25, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"

God knows what you need. He designed your body to need food and water. He also knows you need clothes. He designed every detail of your life, and He is meticulous. 

Oswald Chambers said, "God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, why should I worry?" So give no thought to the basic needs of life —just don't worry about them. Be thankful and content instead of grasping for more or worrying where it will all come from.

2. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

Matthew 6:26, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Aren't you? Yes, you are. God loves the birds and takes care of them, but He never calls them His children. They have no promise of eternal life. You, on the other hand, are His child, and He is intimately interested and involved in every detail of your life. Take one day at a time and stop worrying about tomorrow.

3. Worry is more harmful than helpful.

Matthew 6:27, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?"

Worry makes one unthankful. We fail to see God's goodness because we judge what we have as not being enough. Desiring more, we discount what we actually have.

4. God does not ignore those who depend on Him.

Matthew 6:28-30, "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

The beauty of the world declares God's involvement. Look at the magnificence of His creation and think, "If He is that involved with rocks and trees, how can I doubt He would be even more involved with those created after His image?" Discounting your worth before God is treasonous!

5. Worry shows a lack of faith and understanding of God.

Matthew 6:31-32, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?         or, Wherewithall shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your                 heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."

Worry means we don't trust God to provide, understand, or care about our needs. Even the Gentiles, the unbelievers, need food, clothing, and raiment, and God provides for them. Why would we ever doubt that God didn't know we needed them as well? Do we believe Him to be a God who doesn't care about His children? That is what worry is saying.

6. There are real challenges God wants us to pursue, and worry keeps us from them.

Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall     be added unto you."

Hebrews 12 tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus. When we worry, our eyes aren't looking to Him; they are looking around at everything else, and we often miss blessings and opportunities because worry has us bound and blinded. Get your eyes back on God and thank Him for giving you what you need.

7.  Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

Matthew 6:34, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

We can't do anything about tomorrow, and we cannot change the past; we can only deal with what is in front of us, one day at a time. This takes such pressure off when we adopt this philosophy, giving us great power because we know God meets our needs and takes good care of us each day. Sufficient to the day - enough is all that matters. 

Worry heaps more than is necessary into the day, so why not chop your day down to size and take it as a single day's dose! God's not worried, why should you?

        

Week Forty - Two - Pushy Kids

Charles Stanley said, "A child needs the security of a parent who can't be pushed around." I'd have to agree. After raising five children myself, I've come to realize there just isn't the option of being pushed around if we want a happy home and successful children. When a parent yields to the demands of their children, structure breaks down, and the child, although they may never put it into words, feels insecure and unsafe. They need the parent to be the parent in the situation. Let's push some preferred Ps!

Parent - the responsible adult in the home, the one who answers to authority, be it to God or man, for what happens within the home.

Principles - the guidelines and rules for acceptable behaviour within the home, set by the Word of God and upheld by the authority of the parent. Principles must be understood by the entire family, and each member must be held accountable to fulfill them.

Pattern - the manner in which daily life happens. Every home runs differently, depending on work schedules, schooling, and the interests and activities of its members. Without a consistent pattern to life, a schedule of some sort, things get overlooked, people get disappointed, and hurts come. Generally, kids feel more secure when there is order in the home.

Perseverance - being the parent isn't always a pretty picture. Sometimes we must persevere when kids try to push us around. They need to know we will stick by our principles and strive to maintain a pattern of order in the home; no amount of their screaming or wailing will change that. The Bible even tells you not to be swayed by their crying - be the adult in the situation and stick to your guns.

Prayer - you will need the strength of the Lord to be a good, strong parent, so go to the source of strength. Bring your home and family before Him. Pray for that pushy kid and look for ways to create understanding and calm in your home. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I think that verse was put in the Bible for parents!

Praise - don't forget to make more noise about the good things than you do about the bad stuff. Look for ways to give praise. And praise the Lord before your children. Help them see that you are relying upon the Lord, looking to Him for answers and help, and thankful for His love for your family.

Plan - don't try to parent without a plan. What do you want your home to be like? What would you describe as acceptable behaviour? Draw your plan from the Word of God and be consistent. Hope, pray, be the example, build your home using wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Proverbs 24:3-4). Then, there is the promise of precious and pleasant riches, children that rise up and call you blessed (Proverbs 31:28), and the desires of your heart being met (Psalm 37:4).

Power - all of this equals power to parent! Kids don't come with an instruction book; we just have to do on-the-job training, but we are not without power when we parent using God's instruction book. There is power in the Word, power in prayer, and power in trusting God, our heavenly Father, the best parent anyone could have!

Promise - we all need a promise. Here is my favorite promise for parents. Psalm 115:14, "The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children." So, be the parent in the situation. Don't let them push you around. Hold true, and God will be true to you.

Week Forty-One - Imagination Station

Occasionally, during a church service, I find myself drifting off in a thousand different directions. Maybe thinking of the week's events, the dress someone is wearing, a song that had been sung, or even something that happened when I was a child. 

This day-dreaming isn't limited to church services; it also happens when I am trying to read my Bible or pray. But I don't have the same trouble when I am watching TV, shopping, or at a party with friends. Do you know what I mean?

Many  Christians have this problem. We have given our hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus, but our minds remain our own. It takes strict discipline to keep our thoughts on the things of God. It is so important that we guard our minds against stray thinking. It not only robs us of the present blessings but can lead to strange desires and sensual, devilish ideas. It gets very serious when we consider that our thoughts come from what is in our hearts!

The Bible is full of scriptures about thought control. The first one that comes to my mind is 2 Corinthians 10:5, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 

Taking every thought captive is a tall order. My thoughts jump around so quickly, I can barely hold one for two seconds! How could I ever bring every thought captive? And my imagination? I've built houses, given speeches, designed dresses, and even redecorated the church with my imagination. So that, too, is hard to rope in.

I memorized one tiny scripture years ago that helps me with some of this. 1 Corinthians 13:5 holds the phrase, "thinketh no evil." I memorized it as, "Love thinketh no evil," because 1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter. When I catch my thoughts being unkind, angry, or disgruntled, I quote this little phrase to myself, and my thoughts usually get back into line with love and patience.

Another scripture that helps me is Proverbs 16:3, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." When my mind whirls and my imagination runs wild with fears and what-ifs, I throw on the brakes and give those thoughts to the Lord. I have always found that He brought me back to reality and gave me a clear way forward, one that wasn't imaginary, but real and feasible.

Here is a little poem I recorded years and years ago that might sum up our thoughts today.

Oh God, I offer Thee my heart -
In many a mystic mood, by beauty led,
I give my heart to Thee. But now impart
That sterner grace - to offer Thee my head.

Author Unknown

Oh, how we need that sterner grace! Let's put up a hedge around our thoughts and determine that our Lord not only has our heart and body, but He also has our mind.

Week Forty - Naptime

My life seems to go in cycles. At times, it is very quiet. I get lonely and wonder if I am producing anything of value. At other times, I can barely keep up. I grow weary and wonder if I am producing anything of value. These times of busyness require me to set aside time for rest. Without it, I collapse emotionally and spiritually, and my body revolts!

I don't know who wrote this, but I read, "Jesus was never too busy to take a nap." I like that! I can power nap and keep going. So did He!

But the writer didn't stop with napping. He said, "Jesus was never too busy to come aside to pray, to have a meal and cook for the disciples, and to have time for one-to-one meetings." I wished he'd stopped at napping!

How often do we find ourselves saying we are too busy to pray? We rush through our devotions, tick off our prayer list, and hurry into what we have prioritized for the day. That is not our Lord's example. He lingered in prayer, even praying all night through. Prayer was His time with His Father; it was His source of strength and time of reflection. It's where He got His marching orders.

And do we make excuses, saying we are too busy to serve others? Is an unexpected guest met with frustration? Is cooking for the family an annoyance, cutting into something you prioritize over them?

And when a needy friend calls, does your face grimace while on the phone? Are you half-listening while you do other things you consider more important? If they show up at your door, do you take time to sit and listen? If they ask you to meet for coffee, do you go with a time limit in mind? Are you too busy to give your time?

Jesus was never too busy. Yet, He was very busy, so busy that the Bible says they had no time to eat, but that didn't stop Him from giving a measure of time to those in need. His business was others - not Himself. That is the difference.

When I am too busy, I become so self-focused and task-oriented that I am tempted to dismiss the needs of those around me, as I become overly focused on my goals and to-do list. And if I am interrupted, I become annoyed. Jesus was never annoyed when people called to Him. 

Perhaps naptime was how He maintained His focus. Maybe naptime is a biblical remedy for busyness! Are you too busy to take a nap? Then you're too busy!

Week Thirty-Nine - Common and Uncommon

Years ago, missionary friend Larry Quade preached a message during a fellowship meeting here in England that really spoke to my heart. He had a section in his sermon comparing common faith to uncommon faith. This was the part that sent my mind racing. It was a challenge I've always remembered. The other day I came across notes from his sermon, and I'd love to walk with you through them. He said,

Common faith has you go a mile. Uncommon faith has you go two miles or more.

Common faith has you love your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Uncommon faith has you love your enemies.

Common faith has you give. Uncommon faith has you give sacrificially.

Common faith has you walking your Christian life. Uncommon faith has you run the race.

Common faith has you to pray. Uncommon faith has you praying without ceasing.

Common faith causes you to rejoice. Uncommon faith has you rejoicing always.

Common faith has you give thanks. Uncommon faith has you give thanks in everything.

Common faith wants you to refrain from evil. Uncommon faith has you refrain from "all appearance" of evil.

Even as I think through these today, I am challenged to measure my faith. Common faith takes me through each day, but uncommon faith sets my sights above. My mind floods with more comparisons. 

Bro. Quade said, "Ordinary Christians ask God why and how. The extraordinary say, it doesn't matter why or how, God said it, so I'll do it. Why be satisfied with the ordinary or common faith, when you can have the best and most satisfying faith, the faith with a difference, uncommon faith?

I want to never be satisfied with common faith. It reminds me of the portion where Jesus said, "Even the world does good to each other, but the children of God go the extra mile, give without expectation of return, love their enemies, and show respect to others" (Paraphrased, Matthew 7:40-48).

Common faith will get you by, but the true riches of Christ are only tasted by the practice of uncommon faith. On which side are you settled?

Week Thirty-Eight - Hedged In

England overflows with beautiful countryside, rolling hills, rock fences, and quaint farms, all with an almost effervescent green haze, but hedges too often block your view. My mother-in-law even said, "It is a beautiful place, except for the hedges." Nevertheless, I count my lucky stars to live on such a luscious isle. 

Dick Brogen's devotional began talking about being hedged in, but he wasn't referring to physical hedges. His thoughts were about God's hedge - the one He places around His children. 

His thoughts are drawn from Psalm 139. In verse one, God has searched and known us. In verse two, He knows when we sit up, get up, and what we think. In verse three, He knows where we go and when we lie down, and He knows all our ways. Verse four tells us He knows every idle word, and most marvelous of all, in verse five, "Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me." To beset is to hedge in.

Brogen then draws for us three beautiful thoughts based on the truth that God knows us and has us surrounded by His love.

Because God knows us, we do not need others to know us. Our culture perpetuates the notion that if we aren't recognized for something, we're worthless. We are told to promote ourselves, sell our idea, and put ourselves out there, but you'll be hard-pressed to find this ideology in God's Word. "These pathetic cries for attention are not necessary if we are secure in being known by Jesus. When we understand that Jesus knows us intimately and loves us deeply - despite what He knows about us - this alleviates any need to be known and exalted by others." God's love and knowledge of us are enough.

Because God knows us, we keep no secrets. In other words, we have nothing to hide. That doesn't mean we need to air our dirty laundry; it means we need not fear the dirt. Those skeletons in the closet are silenced when we hand them over to God. He knows all about them, and they don't intimidate Him. He isn't ashamed of His children.

Because we are hedged in, we are free. Most people don't like the idea of being confined or having boundaries. They believe restraint removes freedom, but the opposite is true. "Only those who embrace the limits of God have rest, joy, and freedom. To have no boundaries is to be in the prison of insecurity and doubt. When God hedges us in from behind, we have the assurance that we will not falter, fail, or return to our vomit. When God hedges us in before, we have the assurance that we will not go outside of His will or His pleasure. We can run, abandoned and protected. There are no cliffs to fall off." We are fully protected and free to venture with God wherever He calls us.

Physical hedges may obscure our view, but the hedge of God enhances our view. The sky is the limit with God, for with Him, all things are possible. Are you living with the knowledge that He is before, beside, and behind you? Do you rest and enjoy life knowing you are hedged in by His love?

Adapted from Live/Dead, by Dick Brogden