Monday, August 24, 2009

Spring Cleaning

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

While doing some much needed spring cleaning on our back lanai, I walked head on into one of the things that terrifies me most - a spider web. Well, it's not so much the web that I find horrifying, as it is the creature hovering somewhere out of my vision, just waiting to drop onto an exposed shoulder, my cheek, or even worse...the very top of my head (indeed, a perilous thought for someone with curly hair).

At first, I was frozen in terror, sheer panic washing over me. I could feel prickly, damp heat rising on the back of my neck in those few seconds it took for me to realize what had happened. Then, all of a sudden, the realization of what had occurred was upon me, and then it began. Initially, it was a small gasping noise, which grew into a sort of bird squawk, then erupting into full blown shrieks. I flailed, I spun wildly, I karate kicked the air...the entire time, my mind repeating, "Get it off me! Get it off me! Get it off me!"

After what was surely less than a minute - but felt like an eternity - I was free, loose from the web's evil, cotton candy hold, and swinging wildly with a broom. Out, out, spider web!

Sin, for me, is like that spider web. We may do some "spring cleaning" in our spiritual life, to get a cleaner path to follow Jesus on. Straighten up the crooks, narrow the wide portions, remove the dust bunnies to get a clear perspective. But there are some sins that remain, hidden in the deepest corners, much like those spider webs. They hang on, sometimes unnoticed and sometimes purposely ignored, until we become so entangled in their web, it seems impossible to get out. We may have to fight long and hard, and it may take more than just one "cleaning session" to rid these webs, but it's a battle worth taking on.

Once we are free from these tangled webs, we are free to continue following where God is leading us, living out His plan for us not only to grow closer in our relationship, but to continue furthering his kingdom, and helping others where they may need a little "spring cleaning" as well.

Loving Father, give us the strength and determination to rid the things that entangle us, keeping us wrapped up in the world instead of You. Help us to remove the webs, clear the dust and see the path You have given us to follow. Amen.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Praise in All Circumstances

"About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:25

While traveling to Macedonia to continue their mission, Paul and Silas stop in Tyatira. Here, they meet a young girl who had a spirit allowing her to predict the future; this allowed her to make a great deal of money for her owners through her fortune telling. When she realized who Paul and Silas were, she followed them through the streets, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved!" After this kept on, Paul became so troubled by the spirit inhabiting the girl's body that he cast it out, and the spirit left her immediately. The owners of the slave girl were so upset that their "cash cow" was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and had them imprisoned.

When we think of missionaries now, we do understand the danger they can be placed in; however, there are times when reading scripture about missionaries like Paul and Silas that I am truly left speechless. To think, spreading God's word and leading people to salvation would have surely ended in your death, I can't say I'd be willing to take the chance if I'd been around in 46 AD! We have terrorists in the world today, and overseas or foreign missions may be risky at times, but I'm pretty sure in my mind I've always chalked it up to being His hands and feet in a strange place, eating strange food and sleeping on a cot. Don't get me wrong, I'm amazed and grateful for our missionaries; it's not always an easy job, and it's such a powerful calling, I couldn't imagine what I would say if God led me in that direction! But when reading about Paul and Silas, I know they were adapting to a little bit more than paella and papaya fruit.

So here they are, in prison, surrounded by others who may have done some really dasterdly deeds to get there...and what do they do? They don't cry and they aren't frightened; they don't look for a great escape or plot revenge on the owners of the slave girl. They witness. They share Jesus' story. They pray for those in need. They sing hymns. They freely praise God. Even in the darkest hour, at a moment when all hope must certainly seem lost, they never give up their mission, their purpose, their calling.
How many times in my day, week, month or even lifetime have I found myself in what I think is a dire situation, or a moment of desperation, and done everything but praise Him? And in those moments, who is seeing me?
I have found that as my husband and I grow stronger in our faith and our relationship with God, these tough economic times are less and less effective at getting us down. When I am in my weakest moment, full of worry and doubt, God reminds me He provides. You may not receive what you want, but you will always receive what you need. In these times, I praise His name and joyfully celebrate my love for God and his unconditional love for me. If I can be a witness to others when the road is easy, why can't I be a witness - like Paul and Silas - when the journey takes a steep, uphill climb? It's time to openly praise His name, and give Him glory and thanks!
Father, thank you for meeting my needs on a daily basis. I pray to be a great witness to others; make me a constant example of joy, praise, thankfulness and love for you. Amen.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Surrounded by Greatness

"The heavens declare the glory of God." - Psalm 19:1
     A few blocks from our favorite grocery store sits a small strip mall, anchored by a hamburger joint. When it's time to drop those french fries in the grease, it seem an APB is sent out to every hungry blackbird, mocking bird, pigeon and dove in the tri-county area! Hundreds of them gather on the powerlines and roof of the restaurant, eaglery awaiting a plate missing the garbage can, or some soft hearted soul tossing their leftovers near the palm trees, providing a meal for our feathered friends.
     The squawking and chirping, cawing and peeping can be heard for blocks. It's very remniscent of the old Hitchcock movie...and I must say, on more than one occasion, I've felt nervous when walking through the parking lot. Oh, and I wouldn't dare park my car anywhere near their feeding ground!
     These birds could easily become a nuisance to many. The noise, the mess; I'm sure that somewhere, a hard working wildlife officer is plotting the great capture.
     At some point, I stopped thinking of these birds as pests, and really became fascinated by their habits. They perched so evenly spaced on the power lines, and their calls weren't so abrasive once I really listened and began to distinguish who was chirping what. Eventually, I was enthralled by these birds; they were truly amazing. Now, every time we drive past the restaurant, I roll down the window just to hear them singing! I'm sure they're singing a song of praise and thanks for their deep fried dinners; they sound so happy and joyful, why shouldn't I feel the same way?
     I sometimes take for granted the wondrous world God created especially for us. To think that every single part of our planet, from the greatest ocean to the teensiest ladybug - and even the birds - were created by God, for us...how amazing! I am not in thankful prayer enough for this great world; I certainly don't spend enough quiet time to sit in awe and wonder of all this glory spread out before me. If those birds find time to declare the glory of God each day, well it's time for me to join in the song!
"Father, you have given us much more than we could ever ask for, let alone even imagine. We are forever thankful for this blessing, and strive to make our thanks and gratefulness known to you and others each and every day. Amen."

Bearing Fruit

"...the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in Heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world, this gospel is bearing fruit..." Colossians 1:5-6
     The idea of bearing fruit is not foreign to me, but I do find it difficult sometimes to even begin planting the seeds that will one day lead to a harvest. In today's society, a jam-packed schedule is a must, with each hour meticulously planned, every free Saturday inevitably booked; where am I to begin? Frustration and despair are not fruits of the spirit, but on some days, they seem to be the only thing I have in season.
     Eventually, as I grew in my faith and learned more about bearing fruit, I found that not every story will be a miracle, that there aren't always fireworks and parades, or big announcements of our fruit. Rather, sometimes they come in the smallest and most discreet way; God gently tapping us on the shoulder, reminding us that whether we are aware or not, we are working to further his kingdom.
     I have a friend who, to my knowledge, doesn't have an active - or obviously active - faith. She is a good person, loving and kind, ready to hand you her last ten dollars if you were in need. To me, there are sprouts waiting to pop up at any moment, they just need the right cultivating. This is, of course, something I've learned later, after one of those frequent "God taps" on the shoulder.
     One day, she came to me to talk about her younger sister, and a medical condition she had developed. It had the potential to become something very serious. The worry and fear was very apparent on her face as she spoke of her sister, then 14 years old, and what the prognosis was. It was one of those moments of pure helplessness, where you feel as if you've been swept away at sea, with no land in sight. What started as a quiet and reserved conversation quickly developed into a deluge of emotion, with dozens of "what if" scenarios. When the talk ended, I asked if I could put her sister on our prayer list, to which she quietly agreed.
     The days came and went; with a hectic (sometimes verging on frantic) work environment, there's little time for chit-chat. Time passed, and I never asked her how the younger sister was doing. One morning, my friend came to me and said, "Kristin, did you really put my sister on your prayer list?" Although secretly I was mildly offended at the question, my selfish mind telling me that she may think I'd fibbed when I asked if we could pray, I politely responded, "Of course I did!" My slefish mind was also telling me this could be a baited question...so I'd better keep my answer short and sweet!
     I wasn't quite prepared for what came next.
     "Well, I'll tell you, this prayer stuff must really work...because my sister is just fine!"
     I was in shock! I know I shouldn't be shocked, because God can do anything, but there are moments - miracles - where I am truly stunned and amazed, and eternally grateful, for His actions. Her sister, who could have been dealt a life threatening illness, was now symptom free!
     Later, I realized I had witnessed the bearing of fruit, the result of planting seeds about prayer and faith and God's power; that someone was coming to know and understand God because of simple acts of faith. I was humbled; I prayed earnestly for forgiveness of my selfish thoughts, and thanked God for showing me all fruit is valuable and kingdom worthy.
     It seems we're always looking for awesome and astounding ways to bear fruit; but are we of the right mindset? Do we want to further His kingdom because we truly want to bring someone to Christ, or are we looking for praise in our acts? Fruit won't always be public; there won't always be a grand announcement or parade, but that's okay...what matters is the work we are doing, and the result, and our relationship with God. We're always playing to an audience of one.
     In those times where it's frustrating, where we work our very hardest and do our very best, and seem to get nowhere...well, sometimes we'll get that gentle reminder that no matter how small the seeds are that we plant, even unknowingly, a fruitful spirit can emerge. At the grocery store, the doctor's office, even at the fax machine...we are surrounded with opportunities each and every day; it's just recognizing and using them.
     The task is not always easy, and there are cases where we'll never see the fruit resulting from the seeds we've planted, and that's okay, too. In Colossians, when Paul says our hope is stored up in Heaven, he's gently reminding us of our eternal reward, the joy of a fruitful spirit, our salvation, our freedom to live for Christ.