Uplifted in a Broken Down World

My journey, lately, seems stalled. When questioning the Lord about this less than desirable predicament, I sensed God reply: “Be grateful and alert that I have you stalled. Satan wants you trapped.” Now, these words got me thinking!!!

Much of my pondering occurs while I walk. Thus, I laced up my athletic shoes and set out to seek not 10,000 steps but, rather, one stride of enlightenment. God stalls. Satan traps. Conversation with the Lord began.

OK, God, let’s sift deeper into the symbolism of the words you chose to share with me. Please, give me wisdom that I lack and acceptance that my mitts are not eagerly holding. God did just this.

There are times in life, when for our inner growth God has to outwardly stall us. This is not to stop us or end our journey but to rest us, revive us, newly direct our course and, most importantly, re-direct our purpose and deepen our dependence on waiting for Him to lead. At times, to do this, God sort of places us in SLOWsand. The significance is not that we are unable to move in any direction. It is that we are being prepared for the direction in which we are meant to journey. Maybe it is as simple as we need to be rested to withstand the journey, or maybe as complicated as needing to realize our strength is never enough; but God’s abundantly suffices. Possibly, we need to fathom that our timing is flawed, but God’s is perfect; or that our purpose is not our sole druthers but rather God’s soul calling. To bring this all about, God often places us in SLOWsand. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)

In total contrast to God’s SLOWsand, Satan’s greatest trap is QUICKsand. QUICKsand swallows up its victims, rendering them incapable of fighting the good fight or escaping the bad fight. Nothing less than, or short of, complete destruction and suffocation of one’s inner soul is Lucifer’s QUICKsand. God uses SLOWsand as an antidote from fast paced, fleeting, worldly lifestyle in order to grow us into allowing Him to determine our steps. Satan relies on QUICKsand as a venom to destroy our faith and ability to sit at God’s feet and wait for Him to lead our course.

My walk now completed, I thanked God, not only, for all the hops, skips and jumps he interjects into my life, but also, for my current present of SLOWsand. My gratitude was followed by the imploration that God forever delivers me from Satan’s QUICKsand. Amen.

My mechanical inclination is off the chart — the bottom of the chart, that is!!! Thus, recently when a mentor titled my file “JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL”, I was elated and knew God had led me to His choice for help in navigating this next leg of my life’s journey. That’s the good news!!! The bad news is, in honesty, I hadn’t a clue what the wheel was or is!!! To God’s credit, He is teaching me both what it was and is; but most importantly, what the wheel will be forever more. However, to start my understanding it took God’s reprimand: “My daughter, you need to learn the DIFFERENCE between the wheel and the tire. Herein is MY roadmap to lead and deliver you to My will, My way and My purpose for your journey’s next chapter.”.

The DIFFERENCE between the wheel and the tire — I hadn’t a clue!!! God reminded me that sometimes admitting you don’t know or understand is the first step in gaining wisdom. Thus, I invited the Lord to enlighten me. As always, He threw His master switch, and the lightbulb went on for me.

In declaring “JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL”, I was expecting Christ to cover the distance from where I was to where I needed to get and, also, to straight on deliver me to the perfect destination. What I was totally overlooking is “wheel” is short for “STEERING” wheel, and steering is not a straight ruler drawn line. Steering is a circular/up and down, forward/reverse, zig/zag, over/under, right/left, etc., journey. On the contrary, a tire’s function is to simply get you where you are going and make the delivery smooth. Tires just go where they are directed. They have no part in directing.

When asking Jesus to take the wheel, I was mistakenly expecting a straightforward, shock absorbing “tire” delivery to a perfect destination. In truth, “JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL” implores Christ to steer me through the journey’s twists and turns, while navigating my way over potholes, bumps, slippery slopes and uphill climbs.

My perspective now in alignment, my journey has become refueled with newfound understanding and wisdom. When “JESUS TAKES THE WHEEL”, it is not a guarantee of a straight shot, smooth and shock absorbed journey from point A to point B. However, it is JESUS’s promise that He will STEER me through all detours, storms and every other obstacle obscuring the path to all my God given destinations. Don’t know about you, but as for me, my car’s XM radio speakers are loudly singing “JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL”. Maybe, I can’t pinpoint my destination arrival time, and that’s o.k. cause it’s no longer on my radar. For you see, God’s shown me I’ll always be where I need to be and in perfect timing when “JESUS TAKES THE WHEEL”.

His little tyke heart overflowed with Easter love. His piggybank was empty. The Easter bunny gives holiday candy, but this child of God’s soul was seeking the true gift of HOLYDAY Easter.

With no money in his pockets, this tiny lad went shopping — not for a gift from him but for Christ’s gift to him and his family. Sunday School was the storehouse he visited to secure Easter’s most treasured gift. The devoted teachers there had promised to share Easter meaning come Sunday gathering; and, yes, the children could take home and share hands and hearts full of this blessing.

Into his classroom, the loving rascal ran. Into a vacant chair at the worktable, he plopped. With eager anticipation, he was more than ready to lay hold of the “bestest” of Easter gifts to share with his family.

Bright colored paint, sparkly stickers and a basket full of eggs adorned the center of the table. With wide open eyes, the circle of little ones was filled with glee as they awaited story time followed by craft creation, symbolizing the meaning of the day’s Church message.

Tiny ears listened as the story of the Resurrection of Jesus was shared. The Gates of Heaven opened as Jesus rose from the now empty tomb. All sins were forgiven because Jesus temporarily died so we could eternally live. The tradition of Easter eggs symbolizes the empty tomb from which Jesus emerged in resurrected life on Easter Sunday — just as a baby chick cracks open and pops out of an egg.

Bible story having been relayed, each child was then charged with choosing an egg from the basket and decorating it with Easter glory. While the other children’s hands grabbed for an egg and bright sparkling embellishments, our story’s highlighted little boy sat back and pondered deeply. For him, the words just heard were not an opening for fancy, ornamental covering but rather salvation squeezing through cracks of worldly death and reaching life that death cannot hinder nor hold.

By the time our little soul was ready to secure his egg, only one remained. It had not been chosen by any other little person. Why? To the eyes of most, it was because it was not perfect. Its shell was marred and splintered. However, in the sight of this wise child of God, the imperfect egg was the blessing of the perfect Easter gift. While the other moppets painted and sparkled up their eggs, the miniature old soul admired the core authenticity of his newfound treasure. It proclaimed the true story of Easter Resurrection!

Adult supervision inquired why this little tyke chose not to glamourize his egg. The preschooler responded in scholar knowledge: Jesus took my dark sin and cleaned it all away. Because God loves and forgives me, my soul shines white, not stained with all my wrongs. Jesus broke the shell of death and came out to love and lead me. My egg’s cracks are the victory scars of Jesus breaking sin. Jesus wants me to remember what he did for me out of His love. Isn’t it forgetting to color over cracks and disguise them, so they worldly disappear? Easter’s make-believe caricature, a material bunny, brightly paints and hides eggs. The true character of Easter, Jesus, reveals redemption and washes all as white as snow. My egg is the gift of Easter, JESUS!!

“I hear the Saviour say thy strength indeed is small. Child of weakness watch and pray, find in Me thine all in all. Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow.” ((Jesus Paid It All – Passion Lyrics)

This Palm Sunday morn, I went to the earliest service I could find where I knew the Passion would be read. I just needed Scripture to penetrate my being.

My life since childhood has been under “can’t be missed or dismissed signs” from God that have always led to His direction and purpose for my life as His child. My boldness to openly declare God is not courage but, rather, the reality He shows me in seemingly unbelievable manifestations. As God guides my course, not all is immediately clear. I merely know HE IS in the fog, and the fog will clear in HIS will, way and timing.

Too many times to count, the headline of my life’s journey is best described by “you can’t make this stuff up”. Once more, the present bears this label. As I ponder what is the present, I am clearly feeling the word “present” is not only solely defined as “current” but, more importantly, souly defined as “gift”.

My head longs to pinpoint the bottom line of understanding, but my heart and soul comprehend that wisdom comes from the top of God’s planning, not the bottom of man’s figuring. As I begin a week commemorating God’s greatest miracle for all of humanity (as well as one given personally to me 38 years ago), I’m not buckling my seatbelt but, rather, releasing all fear and doubt that might prevent God from guiding, guarding and blessing HIS Hand on, and in, my life.

Possibly, you might, also, find your journey in similar fogged in atmosphere as mine. If so, I honestly know and admit that my personal words are of no avail. However, God’s Word never fails nor leaves us undirected. To each and all, who currently are surrounded in fog and seeking to lift the mist, may your sight be laser beamed on Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths”.

This week brought my heart the, of late, rare luxury of spending time with a deeply cherished special friend. Life this past year, for anyone but Joyce, could have resulted in a well-earned pity party get together for an extremely difficult season of misfortune after misfortune in my soul sister’s life. However, this woman of God cloaks herself in counting her blessings, while refusing to count the devil’s curses.

Relating nightmare specifics is, in her own words, “not my story to tell”. What I feel called to share is the Faith, Hope and Love which graces each and every moment of her life — no matter if it’s from the heights of her dreams or pit of her nightmares. Would that we all, especially I, could tip toe through the daises and sidestep the grenades as “grace”fully as Joyce.

When clobbered by adversity, the number one tool in Joyce’s bag is her attitude — or should I more aptly say altitude! Joyce consistently and constantly hammers the nail on the head with her tribulation declaration “this isn’t going to stop me, change me, nor defeat me”. Not with any bitterness, but rather a grateful, faith-filled heart and soul, this Godly warrior stands up to whatever attempts to topple her outlook and Hope. Her fists don’t clench to level a knockout blow to the enemy. They clutch the promises of God as she wisely foregoes telling God how big her problems are, while boldly shouting at Satan how big her God is.

Joyce crosses tomorrow’s bridges tomorrow. Today, she swims the deep-water laps at hand while grasping the Cross of Christ and trusting her Lord is the only buoy needed to keep her afloat.

There isn’t any trial that pens in this spiritual soldier. She hops any, and every, fence before her. She understands freedom from God to keep reaching for miracles cannot be locked up inside any prison built by Lucifer.

When my treasured friend gazes into a mirror, she doesn’t see the shadow of a superhuman. She merely catches a glimpse of the reflection of the reality of the power, protection and presence of her Heavenly Father assuring her: “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you’.” Isaiah 41: 10-13 ESV

May we all gaze at our trials and tribulations with eyes as deep and discerning as the lady I have shared with you today.

Each and every cancer patient’s story composes its own book. While each narrative is unique, the author never varies. Satan contrives every single tragedy.

Some accounts are few in chapters. Other texts are volumes of cliffhanging sequels. All are heartbreaking memoirs.

Though the devil originates all stories, he does not have the last word. Like in all publications, the editor does. God, and God alone, is the sole (and soul) editor. Satan’s pen finishes every cancer story with “the end”. God, the editor, erases “the end” from every final page and re-writes the closing epoch with “THE BEGINNING”.

May all those left behind, who read and re-read their loves story, do so knowing and believing God does not author cancer; but He most certainly, in the ink of His own Son’s blood, stamps every earthly final page with the eternal fulfillment of Christ’s promise – THE BEGINNING.

One of my deepest treasures is a painting of daisies with the message “Trust in the Lord and give yourself a kick in the pants and get going” adorned on it. Many years ago, Rosie, a most gifted and inspiring multifaceted artist/adopted sister presented this cherished gift to me. It was her loving way of telling me I needed to put on my big girl panties and take a first step so God could lead me. Rosie knew sitting still and waiting for God to lead me, while I was parked with the emergency brake engaged, was no way to expect God to get me anywhere!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself drawn to Rosie’s masterpiece. Once more, my life needed God to lead; but, in all honesty, my being was anchored down in a long-term parking lot, not ready to soar behind God’s lead. I needed to unfasten my seatbelt, jump out of its restrictive harness and get behind the Lord, following His next course for my heart and soul.

This moment as I step into new waters, my heart and soul desire to encourage all my sisters and brothers in Christ to do the same. Don’t stay immobile, expecting God to take all the steps. I, you, we are to follow. If God has to push us to move us, then He is behind us, not leading us.

Though much time has passed, it seems like only yesterday that Rosie blessed my life in person. However, her wisdom and love continue to flower and accompany my being as I follow God. I love you, Rosie, and thank God for the adopted sister and inspiration you are to me.

This is just my current season of life here on earth. Change is brewing, and direction, for me, is uncertain. I’m not fearful. I’m unclear, unsure and unresolved. Thus, my nature has pointed me to God’s compass for both my solution and my “soul”ution.
Not only have I heard God’s voice leading and guiding me, His articulation has also, authoritatively, reminded me that I am IN His hand, NOT ON His hand. Ouch, I both deserved and needed this reprimand.
There I was begging God to direct my life. Now, this was what I correctly grasped and carried out. Trouble was I also executed the mistake of exerting my human leadership direction, instead of the comprehensive soundness of following God’s will and way.
Yep, I was whipping around my pointer finger – sort of showing God the direction of my will and way. Let me assure all that this is not the path to be travelled with expectations of being delivered to where God wants and needs you to be, nor where you can be of any service to God or any of His children.
Loud and clear, God yanked me back on course. Simply stated, if I want God to carry me in His hand and lead me to where I’m called and destined to be, then I need to realize and accept MY pointer finger is not a part of HIS hand. God’s hand comes complete with HIS own Devine pointer finger, and it usurps mine, if I truly want to, and do in fact, rest in His hand.
Maybe we all, not just I, need to remember to tuck our pointer finger inside our own hand when asking God to carry us in His hand.

Amidst the hurry and scurry of this week, a new friend stopped me in my track. Sounding congratulatory she uttered to me, “Wow, you possess blind Faith!”. Totally confusing her, I replied, “Nope, it’s impossible for my Faith to be blind, but often my trust is blind.”. Therein began a soul reflecting conversation.

From the time I was a little child, I’ve known God’s presence – not just His existence but His presence. I grew up talking to God. Often times, this was because God cared and made time to listen when the world felt my little girl, chubby, awkward being was not only a never was but, also, a never would be. God was never a fairy godfather to me. He was, and is, my very own Father God.

I firmly believe in God, and my Faith in God is never blind. For as long as I can remember, I’ve seen God active in my life. My Faith is in whom I know and love and in whom knows and loves me. Thus, in no way is my Faith blind, nor is it capable of being blind.

Trust, however, must be (and is) at times blind. Trust is the limb (anchored offshoot) that branches from the trunk of Faith. In honesty, trust is found in what currently cannot be seen. Trust is not in God, but in what God can, might and will do. If we could see trust, then there would be no need to even have trust. Trust can be built upon what we have seen in the past, but every time trust is needed, it is because we cannot see what is currently needed, prayed for and hoped for. Trust is blind.

Because my Faith is not blind, my trust does not need sight to believe. Maybe, I’m splitting hairs here, but as God’s heir to heaven, my journey back home is navigated by seeing Faith and blind trust. For me, in view of this rests my peace and joy. The eyes of my soul see God enabling my heart to blindly trust my Heavenly Father to guide, guard and deliver me beyond all I cannot see.

Bombarded by a multitude of Satan scenarios in loved friends’ lives, my prayers have revved up in slowing down to deeply ask God to intervene. This morn, a tad worn down from feeling more need than gratitude, I asked God why so many cherished ones’ lives seem so impossible? Needing not even a micro-second to respond, God declared: man sees impossible; I, your God, speak “I’m Possible”.

Immediately, I realized instead of laboring in prayer, I should be praying without labor. The weight of the world should not be drowning my prayers in heaviness. The promises of God should be uplifting my prayers in buoyant faith, hope and love. Not I, you nor anyone else can keep Satan’s handiwork from touching our lives. However, I you and everyone else can choose to replace Satan’s impossible with God’s “I’m Possible”; and, from here, trust God to carry us not only through, but also, beyond all trials and tribulations.

At least for me, it’s beyond time to stop bringing “dead” prayers to God. My prayers need, instead, to be “thread” prayers, woven into the fabric of God’s might. In doing so, I must clearly remember man’s might is maybe. God’s might is absolute strength that overpowers all.

Bringing our loves ones’ needs to God is one of our greatest Christian callings. Whether we do so depressed by Satan’s theatrics or inspired by the reality of God’s unlimited promises is our choice to decide. For me, this is now written in stone by Psalm 34:17-22. “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of His servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”