Shine

Hmmmm. To quote one of those tel-evangelists - The Lord spoke a word to me!

Okay, okay, all humor aside, God really was working in me yesterday. I have written and spoke so much lately about persevering through the hard times. About the trials of the Christian walk. And friend, there ARE those trials. I am not going to sit here and tell you that once you make a decision to follow Christ, life will be a breeze. I'd be lying and you would be ill-prepared for the storms.

But yesterday, I just so keenly felt God say to me, "Okay, Nicki but what about my joy?"

And in typical Nicki-fashion, I dismissed Him. "Yes, Lord, I know, there will be joy in the morning. When this age, this earth passes away, there will be indescribable joy."

But, persistent as He can be, He insisted, "What about my joy today?"

Oh.

God is laughter. God is love. God is justice and faithfulness. And He is all of those things now. He won't be those things someday. He is and always has been and always will be.

But see, there are some issues in my life right now. I am walking through a painful valley. I am trying hard to lean on the Spirit and take my leading from Him alone but life is so noisy! And I think what I've done, is focus so hard on my circumstance - one circumstance in this whole blessed life God has given me - that I have stopped seeing anything around me that doesn't pertain to this circumstance. So what did I miss while my focus has been so off-center?

I missed the tinkling sound of bells that is my children's laughter. (But I definitely noticed when they were fighting.)

I missed the smile of a stranger who wanted to encourage. (But I definitely was aware when a stranger cut me off at an intersection.)

I missed the stability and security of a husband's faithful love. (But I sure noticed when he didn't clean up the kitchen the way I would've liked.)

I missed how someone wanted to reach out. (But I filed away all the times I've been let down.)

I missed the sunshine, beautiful breeze and cloudless sky. (But I had no problem pointing out the rain.)

Whew! It is amazing to me, how when we start down a path, with our cloak of depression over our shoulders, we can become jaded and wary about everything around us. We "lean" on God through 'these hard times' but don't trust Him to bring a little light on in!

And God is saying to us, "Child, I want you to shine!"

God has an amazing sense of humor. He is a great artist. He not only sheds a tear for our hurts, He rejoices with us when we rejoice! God is a good God!
He does not want us to stand morosely, looking down the road for a day when we are delivered from this world (though as His children, we do yearn for the day He brings us into His perfect presence and kingdom). He wants us to shine His light in this darkness while we are called to be here. To give someone a piece of His joy, to be His hands and feet.

Yea, there are gonna be trials. Nope, life is not a breeze (and whoever said it was, oughta be smacked!) Oh, but God wants us to experience joy. The joy of a loyal friend. Shared laughter with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The feel of a newborn baby cradled in our arms. The giggle of a child. The coming to know the Lord of a young (or old) person. Baby animals. Whatever it is that gives you pure and blameless joy? THAT IS GOD'S GIFT TO YOU.

So take it...and shine.

Where My Freaks At?!

Okay, so if you know me, you probably already know that James and I are big fans of Toby Mac. Thus - our three kids have a choice - tune us out like when we ask you to pick up your toys - or become big fans of the music we listen to. So far, they enthusiastically jam with us. (I know - that will be short-lived, right?) But for now, they are on board.

So one day, Jimmy enthusiastically announced, "I'm a Jesus Freak!" after listening to the live version of the crazy song. My heart swelled with joy at his sincere (if dramatic) declaration...but I have to admit, there are moments when I am saddened by what my kids will encounter as they walk the narrow path laid out. Not only do I know they will stumble, and maybe at some point even try out a new path, I know how lonely the narrow path can be.

They will encounter deceit, lies, half-truths. I hope they take a stand - even if it means they are standing alone.

They will be hurt - sometimes over and over. I hope they choose forgiveness.

They will see injustice. I pray they will still be just.

They will have disappointments - and at some point, they will face a disappointment that may shake the very foundation of their beliefs. I hope they will choose to hope.

They will be asked to compromise their values. I hope they stand strong.

They will be asked to conform to the world's standards. I hope they live in the world but are only molded by God's standards and Jesus's example.

They will not have an easy path. They will face criticism, ridicule, disdain. They will hurt when people do not understand their foundation of faith and desire to follow the Spirit. And they may face those who are hurt because they answer only to God - and what He's laid out in His Word, not to what makes sense from our limited, human view point.

I know they will face this because in my walk I face criticism, ridicule, disdain. I am hurt as people don't understand my foundation of faith and the leading of the Spirit. And I face those who feel hurt by me because I answer only to God and what He's laid out in His Word instead of what makes sense from our limited, human view point.

And I fall. I am impulsive, immature, needy, a people pleaser. I stumble on the path and have to back up and try it again. I ignore the Spirit and move ahead in my own power, with my own voice, thoughts and solutions again and again.

But despite this, I have hope and this is the hope I pass to my kids. There may be trials on this earth. Sometimes the right stand, the right choice will mean a lonely walk. But God authored the end of this story. When we stay true to Him - we win. Every trial, every rough spot, will be rewarded.

So Jimmy (Gracie and Mollie), please rock out and be Jesus Freaks. There will be no greater reward. But learn early on to hang onto Him when this world just doesn't make sense. And the great thing about this walk? Just around the corner, there might just be another Jesus Freak ready to encourage and walk alongside you on your walk. Those friends - who pray you through the tough times and praise with you on the mountaintops - are just a glimpse of the fellowship God intended for us to have.

Hands up, hearts open - ready to serve and praise God...
That's where my freaks are at. :)

The Hardest Thing

Any Christ-follower can tell you that in our individual walks, we will face a variety of trials and temptations. We will face natural consequences for our sins, and we will face 'unfair' consequences of another's sin. But if we look back over our shoulder at the rough terrain, places we've fallen time and again, we will recognize that some of us fight some of the same battles over and over again.

A good friend recently told me, "Sometimes God lets you keep experiencing the same trial until you give up control and handle it His way."

And that, my friends, is the the hardest thing.

What issue or circumstance reoccurs for you over and over again? For me, hands down, the biggest issue I face is wanting to please all people all the time. And lest you think I am exaggerating the point, my beautiful mom gave me a book for my 22nd birthday, entitled "Approval Addiction: Overcoming Your Need to Please Everyone." Hmmm, I think she was giving me a rather broad hint. She and I laughed about this over the next couple of years. Though an avid reader, I never did read this book, and it got "lost" in one of our moves. Perhaps I was avoiding the issue. People pleasing has become such a part of my personality that those closest to me often joke about the fact.

But the thing about pleasing people is, you are bound to always upset someone.

And more importantly, I have realized lately, in my efforts to keep the peace at all costs , I don't listen to the one Voice I need to. The only Voice that really matters.

I grieve the Spirit when I don't listen. When I forge ahead in my own power, with my own words, trying to fix everything. Quite bluntly, I have a big heart but a bigger mouth. And an overriding need to make sure that everyone is happy with me.

My mom is now in heaven where she is no longer concerned with people pleasing. (I think it's genetic.) But God has taken over, gently prying my hands away from my eyes and ears, giving me more opportunities to show that His voice is more important than the static surrounding me. And in my case, that means going very much against the habits and style I have perfected over my lifetime. It means there are those who are mad at me. It means that I am willing to take an arrow for the sake of what is right and not defend myself. It means that once I've spoken truth in love, I have to stand - maybe alone. It means I do what I feel the Spirit leading me to do without constantly asking others to validate me or lead me.

Now I am not saying anything against the Godly council of trusted friends. Nor am I stating that I have to have my sword drawn, brashly proclaiming "truth" and offending all who come near me. What I am saying is each day I have to newly surrender my heart and thoughts to God and ask Him to lead me in the circumstances thrown at me.

On the other end are those who spurn all commonsense and Godly council and have their own brand of spirituality. They 'hear' God in a myriad of convenient ways... wait, I think I feel a whole other blog coming on.

I will quit for now and leave you with this thought: God's Spirit is alive and active and gives more sound and sure leading than the best of friends or family. I would suggest giving Him a try, even if that means He is about to change your whole way of doing things. It's worth it, friends!

Natural Life

"The warfare is not against sin; we can never fight against sin - Jesus Christ conquered that in His redemption of us.The conflict is waged over turning our natural life into a spiritual life. This is never done easily nor does God intend for it to be so." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

It is hard to live a Christ-honoring life in this world. No, that is not a profound statement. But when thoroughly examining the Scriptures, the life of Jesus, and the lives of the people of this world, it is truth. Then again, I don't recall reading in the Bible that it was going to be easy. Ouch. Another bit of truth. And a not-too-popular bit of truth in the world we live in today. A world where every time we turn around we are shown, told, taught how easy life can be. How we can feel good, look good. Even in the pulpit, preachers are spewing out metaphors and cliches, leading you to believe that "If you just believe, you can achieve."

Achieve what? That dream house? That new car? The perfect body, hair, clothes? The ultimate image. Comfort, security.

Hmmm. I must be reading the wrong Bible. My Bible tells me, "It won't be easy but in Christ you can have peace despite your circumstances, troubles or the world." My Bible tells me to press on, living and speaking in truth, though the lives of the disciples testify that this could be a lonely, dangerous walk sometimes. The Word I read tells me that though I am saved by grace alone, I have a responsibility to continually bring my thoughts and actions back in line with the Word of God. To be the hands and feet of Jesus. To study, to pray, to seek, to ask. God does desire to give good things to His children, but it isn't until we align our thinking with His, that we know what to ask for. We serve a mighty God, who is big and very real. He loves us and He provides for us. But sometimes we forget His message when we face each day of our natural life. We want God to spiritually provide what our natural self desires.

When I look outside my front door - wait scratch that - when I turn on my television, listen to what my kids have learned from another child, or open my mail, I am bombarded with the doctrine of this world. God's voice can get lost in all of that, in all my natural self desires to fill up with. How does one fight against forces that pervasive?

By work. By prayer. By diligence.

In a given day, I might have to take my thoughts, desires, actions captive to Christ about 100 times. (And that might be a good day!) I have to seek Him through His Word. I have to surround myself with people who are also trying to seek God and live in a way honoring to Him.

And hardest for me? I have to develop a bit of a thicker skin. That doesn't mean becoming immune to the need and hurt around us - we are charged with the responsibility of getting the truth out there. But it might mean taking an arrow or two for Christ. It might mean standing alone when it seems like the rest of the world, even some of those closest to me are advocating things contrary to my beliefs.

My prayer to God today is that He will help me stand firm in seeking Him alone. His approval matters, the worlds doesn't. And when I feel alone in this walk, in my stand, that He will feel ever more real to me. He will fill my heart, help me discern His Word and quietly whisper through the Spirit. No, that I would hear the Spirit shouting!  That I would abide in my spiritual life and shed dishonoring behaviors, thoughts and actions in my natural life. Even if at times I feel as though I stand alone in a sea of people who oppose my God and His ways, He is worth the fight to be holy.

My question to you today is:
Are you most concerned with what God is or isn't doing for you in your present circumstance?
Or are you determined to be the best you can be for Him in your circumstance; are you committed to looking at this circumstance from your spiritual life for a moment instead of from your natural life?

Too often my answer would be the first. I would dare say, instead, let's live out the latter.