Winding roads & Straight Paths

The interesting thing about going on a journey is that there are times where you can see a long way down the road. Then there are times when the road is winding so much, that you can't see around the next bend.

And even sometimes you can see in the distance how the road will come around, but you can't see that path around the corner that will get you to that portion of the road.

This is the general path that my life is taking at this point. I have hope that the future (the path that I can see) will bring about the things that I have been desiring. But, I can't see how I am going to get from Point A to Point B.

Most of us know it's best to change the oil in our cars every 3,000 miles to ensure that the engine has clean oil to do its best to keep everything running smoothly. I know that I want my car to keep running for at least another several thousand miles, so I know that I must keep up on this maintenance. But as apart of this maintenance, I need to be prepared to take the time to get this oil change scheduled.

Preparation.
I've been doing a great deal of pondering on the idea of preparation. It seems that while I wait to see what is around the bend, I have not been all that good in this area. I throw way too many parties (the pity kind) that results in more brokeness and discontent. This is such a waste of precious time that I have here. One of the most profound thoughts in life is that no one is richer or poorer when it comes to time. We all have 24 hours to accomplish the things we need to. Some are more more efficient with this time.

I don't know how my journey will meet the road that I believe exists, but one thing is for certain this is the time to develop the character that God desires for me. To learn and put into practice humility, compassion, grace & complete surrender to God. Though I know that this journey will have its fair share of highs & lows, I can be certain that there will be times of deep stability - or straight paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not on
your own
understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make
your paths
straight.

Father God, I pray that I will be energized to use this time that I have for growing closer to you. Give my heart the desire to follow the sound of your voice and teach me to give you my stolen moments - to keep from letting distractions keep me from being ready to do your will. Thank you for blessings you give today and the fulfillment of promises you have planned for tomorrow. Amen.

Promises, promises, promises

There is something about a broken promise that really affects me. Whether it be a friend who "forgot" to call, or when someone failed to take care of something that they said they would handle.

I know that I could give you account of different ways in which someone has broken a promise. But let me shift my thoughts to God in regards to broken promises. Does He "forget" or not do something He said He would? It sure seems that way a lot of times. As I sit here in this uncomfortable path in life, I wonder "Did God really promise that He would never leave me or forsake me?"

I began reading in 1 Peter 5, and some of my discouragements were answered for me.

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after
you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong,
firm and steadfast."

This verse gave me a promise that I just couldn't ignore.
When I think back to other times within my life, I can identify specific times when everything seemed all okay within my soul. I can even remember some deep disappointments, and the path out of that pain & suffering. So this verse can give me the same encouragement that He has PROMISED that after I have suffered a little while, God WILL restore me and make me strong & steadfast.

God is good to His promises.

[Enter my inquisitive mind]

"How can I stand firm and not fall while I am in this place of great discontentment & suffering?"

Well, reading earlier in 1 Peter 5, I saw the following:

"Humble yourselves under God's mighty hand"
"Cast all your anxiety on him"

God's word does not tell me that He will take away my suffering (though He may restore me & make me strong & steadfast) but his word DOES say that I need to be Humble & Cast my anxiety on Him. I can be certain in those time of true selfishness, I do neither of these.

As I learn to perservere in this trial, I pray that I will learn to submit to God in these areas. What do I have to lose? What do you have to lose? It seems that when we submit our hearts over to God with all of our wants & desires He will help direct those desires to what He wants & it more than pleases Him to be able to satisfy those desires.

May you experience the freedom of trusting God with your desires.

Love is...

Finishing that sentence can be so difficult. Sure, maybe the first thing to come to mind is the 1 Corinthians 13 passage that is read at weddings so frequently. But, how much do we actually LOVE?

There is a truth that it seems that God has been echoing in my ear... but let me first talk about the 1 John 4:19 verse. "We love because He first loved us". The "He" referenced is really the main reason we love. The HOW can be a little vague from time to time, but the WHY is the truth that I am coming to understand.

The lesson being taught is this:
You choose to love others more, not because you love THEM, but rather to love JESUS/God more.

This princple has never been as real to my heart like this statement has stretched it.

So maybe you wonder what this has to do with being single. Sometimes the easy way out is to say that "I don't have a family/spouse so I can't learn anything from this", but to this I say that there are so many ways that we (singlepeople) can show love to others. We just need to step outside ourselves and LOOK for ways to honor Christ with our live - love.

My challenge to you:
Step out of your box and look for simple ways to love:
- call a friend
- make dinner for someone
- Listen

Love well.

Standing firm...on sandy ground??

It has been about 6 months since I have last thought about going on a true hiking experience. Back in October when the weather was mostly nice - the sun will still shining & the fall leaves were creating a fragrance that was pleasant to my nose. Now here we are, it's April and 60 degree temperatures are still to be found. We've endured a seemingly long winter season - full of snow & cloudy days.

The hope of hiking a path has been high on my list of "things-to-do". I can only imagine what the view at the top of mountain would give! But is it really the destination at the top that brings the most enjoyment? Or is it each part of the journey to the top? My last hiking experience was full of discouragement as my body wasn't in the kind of health I needed to get me through the journey pain-free. There were times that I would receive surprises that would make me revolt in fear. It was hard for me to see the pleasure out of the trip - except at the end was a beautiful lake.

Though Spring has yet to fully make its arrival, the reality is this - I am on a different kind of hike. One that is challenging me towards true contentment in my climb towards that final goal - freedom in Christ. But, I have a choice. Do I focus on all of the parts of the challenge that make it hard, or can I step outside of myself long enough to see the beauty of the journey - flowers, babbling brooks & wild animals - all of which God designed for us to enjoy with Him.

This week I have been chewing on the idea of "Standing Firm". In 2 Thessalonians, Paul writes about this idea of Standing Firm during times of difficulty. I can easily be swayed to FEEL a certain way based on my circumstance, the truth of it all is really to learn how to KNOW the truth as God sees it.

The truth is:
God has specifically chosen/adopted each believer in Christ.
He did this through the changing work of the Holy Spirit.
All so that we can share in the Glory of Jesus.

But the point of it all is to "Stand Firm" & remember the teaching of Jesus we've received (either written & or heard). And the hope behind all of this is that Jesus & God may encourage our hearts and strengthen us in every good deed & word. (my paraphrase)

The part that I have really be trying to memorize into my heart is that
Jesus
- loves me
- gives eternal encouragement
- gives good hope

Wow..good hope...I face the reality that many times I place my hope in things of this world (my desire for a spouse, my friendships, my job, my ministries, my ability to take care of myself, etc...) Not that these things are bad, but the reality is that the things I place my hope in, are like shifting sand. They are not constant. Friends move on, jobs end, ministries change, circumstances change...But the love of Jesus is eternal & never ending. He is the only source of good hope.

As I continue climbing this hill, inch by inch, I long to reach out to the source of Good Hope, so that I can enjoy the journey until that day that I can see the view from the top of the mountain. The day that He will make sense of my current sufferings. But I also need to understand that each part of the journey will have some joy in it. I need to stop focusing on myself and what pains me & look around at the view from this point. He is the source of good hope & that is enough to get me through today's challenge.