Go Tell It...

As I see it, faith is the hard thing. Believing in what we cannot see right now. Believing when we don't understand. Living a life that requires God to show up. And do something...

Instead of living within the boundaries of what we can pull off on our own.

To me, it feels like a high dive jump. I lose my breath. I have no control. I feel overwhelmed. And terrified. I free fall in His faithfulness - the only real way to experience it. To know it and trust it next time.

Come and listen, all you who fear God;

let me tell you what He has done for me

(Psalm 66:16).

Okay. In the interest of giving Him a complete shout-out for His faithfulness, how has He proven faithful in your life? What was your greatest high dive, and how did He come through for you?

No Trespassing

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendor

(Isaiah 61:3).

I want to be that. An oak of righteousness. A planting of the Lord. I want the seed to take root in good soil. And grow and grow. And grow. Changing to look more like Him. So that my life displays just what a splendid God He is. So someone might say, "You look just like your Daddy!"

Not allowing weeds and thorns - worries and stresses and a gross desire for more - to choke the life out of His whisper in my ear, His voice in my heart.

Funny how that was one of the key points of the first session of Tell the Truth, but I find myself worrying this week. Our next session is on faith, but I find myself a little anxious with doubt. Isn't that how it goes? I certainly learn far more through the studies than I teach. Love, though, that the Truth is so at my fingertips as I prepare that I have been quickly redirected when my skin tries to get in the way.

Here we go with the practical again. 'Cause I think Bible study should be big on the practical. Nice ideas aren't very useful to us, right? How does the whole Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-23) resonate with you? How have you seen worry and wealth diminish God's work in you? What have you found to be effective in combating that?

I'll go first. I can turn in to a complete stress ball. And I can get so hyperfocused on the tasks of my life. And my brain can get so set on getting things done that my quiet time is completed as one more thing to do. I can be super faithful to read His Word, but my heart and my mind are on lock down. "No Trespassing" my brain says even to His Word, His voice. Closed.

I am in a busy time of life - the next two weeks involve a lot of deadlines and things to do, but for the very first time in my life, I am feeling free in the face of what usually crumbles me. Coming out of a fresh season of brokenness, I think He has given me new perspective on how to finish well, how to rest in Him, how to actually increase productivity and creativity by prioritizing times of refreshing. I submit my day to Him in prayer in the morning; I beg for right perspective when I begin to feel crushed by my own expectations, and I am refusing to sacrifice my family, my relationships on the altar of my own crazy perfectionism. I have found that a genuine desire to be changed, to run the race well, and persistent prayer for help is working for me. Praying, too, that He will work this change through and through so that I find some lasting freedom from a brain and heart on lock down.

Now. Your turn...