Perceived Paths

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 your paths straight."

You’ve likely encountered the “cone zone,” where hundreds of little orange cones guide you through a construction site. I have often wondered at how God enabled us to recognize a broken path. A highway has an unbroken path of clearly painted lines to stay within. Cones have a perceived line, but the actual line is broken.

We encounter these perceived pathways everywhere we go. From the pathways we create with furniture in our living rooms to the paths we follow in the wilderness that must be marked, lest we stray. It is almost as though we finish or fill in the path in our own minds, and an invisible, yet binding, path lies before us.

I am thankful God created these perceived paths, or navigation would be much more difficult (and costly). I may have mentioned before I am “directionally challenged,” so perceived paths really help point me in the right direction. If I stick to the perceived path, I won’t get lost - assuming I can recognize it!

God has laid down individual paths for His children, and most often, they aren’t set in solid lines. We have to perceive the path in between. Yet, just as He gave us the ability to recognize perceived paths in the physical realm, He has given us His Holy Spirit and the Bible in order to recognize spiritual perceived paths. Sin clouds our perspective, and we get lost. Yet God's power supersedes even that. He is faithful to lead and guide us if we are faithful to follow.

I thank the Lord for His guidance along the perceived spiritual path He has set before me. May I remain attentive to where His markers lead. Where has your path led so far?

Movie Night

Proverbs 22:2

"The rich and poor have a common bond, the Lord is the Maker of them all."

Who doesn’t look forward to movie night? While I am learning “...to be content in whatever circumstances I am...” (Philippians 4:11b) it is always nice to have something short-term to look forward to. A double date of dinner and a movie was just the ticket this week.

To share something with others we all enjoy is a blessing. There are few people out there with whom we cannot find something in common (perhaps whether we like it or not). I am thankful God created us with similarities so we can share things like a movie night. It was a great time of fun and laughter for all.

What do you enjoy sharing with others?

The Lake

Psalm 46:10

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

There are many reasons to be thankful for a lake, not least of which is the water it provides. However, I enjoy this lake because it is within walking distance to provide a nice view and small bit of exercise during my lunch break. It’s a great place for me to separate my thoughts from my work and get out into God’s creation, which leads to spending more focused time with Him. The lake's calm beauty is a reminder not only  of God's amazing creation, but that I can rest in Him and His sovereignty. Its ecosystem speaks of His balancing control and wisdom.

God has used my walk around the lake toward many ends, both physically and spiritually; my daily walk is often when I think most on what I'm thankful for. It is easiest during this time to open my thoughts to His wonder as I enjoy the beauty around me. I am thankful for the lake, for how God uses it to help keep me healthy in both senses. May I use that health to serve Him better.

Are you intentional about spending a focused time with God? I find it easy to spend my focused time filled with goals... do you take time to sit back and wonder at His work?

Dancing

Psalm 121:2-3

"My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber."

God gave me a love to dance. It is similar to my love of music (though I’m not as good at dancing as singing). Dancing is a beautiful way I can express my worship to Him. Yet there is another reason I am thankful for dancing: it is a great metaphor for our walk with Him.

I saw a quote from Robert Brault:

Optimist:
Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it’s the cha-cha.

I love this!  It is so like our walk with the Lord. So often, what we perceive as a step backward in life, is just God bringing us through life according to our need and His glory. It is part of our dance with Him.

The trouble comes when I try to take the lead, or become self-focused and forget to pay attention to His leading. This leads to stumbling - on my part. He is the partner who will never stumble, and will even catch me. My favorite passage at the moment is Psalm 121, and in it the author writes: “He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.” (Verse 3)

He saves us from our own bumbling, and ever teaches us to be more like Christ. The more we follow His lead, the more Christ-like we become. May we see our lives through His eyes and see the footwork, not some perceived disaster.

Where are you looking in your circumstances? Enjoy the dance!

Weekly Impressions - Self-Focus vs Refreshment

Exodus 20:8

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

God has been impressing upon me the importance of self-focus versus the need for refreshment. On the one hand, I can see someone in a difficult situation - say a slave - wouldn’t get much time to refresh and rejuvenate. Yet, they are still called to always live as Christ would. On the other hand, I know a person needs refreshment. Where is the line between self-focus and need of refreshment?

Refreshment is similar to rest. Rest is commanded of us once every seven days - the Lord’s day. Even God Himself rested. So I can know we do need rest and refreshment.

It seems to me the line between when I'm selfish versus needing refreshment is focus. Either way - whether I actually need rest, or am being self-focused - my focus needs to be on Christ, and His will and glory. The question to ask seems to be: why am I seeking rest? If I seek rest because I've begun to focus on needing rest, rather than accomplishing God’s will, my focus needs to change. After this, I can determine whether I truly need rest (and then I can get it!).

Proverbs 3:7-8 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.” My focus on Him (more specifically, being humble under Him and placing my fear upon Him) produces healing and refreshment.

Most often, I go on vacation seeking rest, and inevitably come back disappointed and still needing refreshment... because my focus is on myself. My expectations and my needs and desires weren’t met. In my self-focus, I am prideful, not humble. Self-serving, not God-serving.

When I go looking for what the Lord is going to do that day, I inevitably come back refreshed. My focus is on His will, and what He would have me do. He is in control, and whatever I can't get done doesn't matter. God-serving, not self-serving.

It is for this reason (among others, I’m sure) God commanded the day of rest to be His day. We achieve physical rest by resting physically (hence a day without work), but we receive refreshment by exalting Him rather than ourselves.

To go back to the example of the slave:  were I that person, I may not get much rest. Yet I can still get refreshment by my humility and fear of the Lord. Physical rest may not be possible, but that simply means God has determined it isn’t best for me and/or those I affect right now, else God would have made rest possible. Talk about a test in faith, patience, humility, and endurance! What a testimony of God’s glory and strength to be refreshed without rest!

May I live in the constant awareness of my humble place under the mighty hand of God. (1 Peter 5:6)

My Massage Therapist

Colossians 1:11-12

"...strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light."

I have chronic musculoskeletal pain, and as such, often rely upon chiropractors and massage therapists. My massage therapist isn’t your average masseuse. He utilizes acupressure, deep tissue massage, reflexology, and any other type of massage therapy he knows to help your muscles relax to move your bones back into place and relieve your pain. Sometimes his expertise are the only thing that can effectively relieve my pain.

I often go in limping and come out walking again. I am so thankful God revealed massage therapy to man, and that He brought me to someone who could effectively use it on me.

This struggle with chronic pain in life’s circumstances puts me right where God wants me. All trials are an opportunity to learn more about God and how I can be more like His Son. I pray God gives me the sight to seek His will - His purpose - no matter where He leads. May I have the humility and joy to follow.

What are you struggling with? Can you still have joy in the midst of your trial, knowing God is using it to train you (and maybe others) to be more like Christ?

Candles

Matthew 5:16

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Kindle fiery flame in wick;
Watch the glimmering glow.
Light casts colors in courtly thrall,
Strains its lengthening limbs.

Cloak shining shimmering beam;
Pitch obscures our lamp.
Echoes emptying, etching self;
Talons veil visage of night.

Flickering flame or perennial pitch?
Slope scales toward one or the other?
Flames of faith pierce pitch of fear;
Not quenched, not hidden - but fueled.

As freely received, so freely given;
A light on a hill for all.
Thankful vessel humbly receives,
Humbleness freely gives.

Do you let your light from God shine on a hill, or cover it up in fear? If you let it shine, do you let it shine in humility, thus revealing the Father instead of you? I find it a constant battle with my pride!