Kim – Page 5

God is Great, God is Good

It occurred to me the other day that the lesson of my life boils down to one very simple truth: God is good. Period.

If I genuinely believe in God’s goodness, then I can trust Him. If I completely trust God, then I feel safe in His care and rest in the knowledge that He is indeed in control. I can walk in childlike faith without worry, believing that my Heavenly Daddy will take care of me no matter what happens. I will effortlessly experience the serenity that we all spend our entire existence seeking.

So, in actuality, if anyone wanted to know what God is doing in my life, all they’d need to do is read this one journal entry and they would know. That’s all there is to it – God is good! I say this like it’s not taking me a lifetime to learn.

Being in the Minority

Food for Thought, Soul Journey

I’ve always been different. A salmon swimming upstream. It’s not that I like being an oddball; it’s just that I’m determined to follow my convictions rather than follow the crowd. Inevitably, that leaves me doing weird stuff like homebirths, homeschooling, unconventional eating habits, and seeking alternatives to organized religion.

Being a follower of Christ in itself puts me in the minority. I don’t mind much because I don’t get my sense of worth from fitting in. Yet, I can see that being in the minority doesn’t mean that I should isolate myself from those who are different from me, hiding from the world and only associating with those who share my beliefs. That’s what the majority does, but that’s not what Jesus did. He hung out with the tax collectors and prostitutes rather than the respected members of society. He wasn’t afraid to reach out to the hurting world and share their burdens.

The majority concentrate on big accomplishments; the minority on being faithful in small things. Mainstream religious thinking encourages following formulas for a quick solution to problems, rather than teaching a moment-by-moment dependence on Christ. It seems more popular to value knowledge and the law than to value love and grace. Most are busy doing, while only a few seem to discover the freedom in just being.

The majority of people believe that some are more worthy than others. A minority believe that we all fall short, and yet we are all worthy of love. Most people are intersted in following the latest popular teaching, while a much smaller number follow the Teacher.

There was a time when I was more a part of the majority, but, thanks to the grace of God in my life, I’m increasingly relating more to the minority. I’m so grateful for that. Once again, I’m marching to a different beat, but I’m glad to be in some excellent company.

Bitterness

Food for Thought, Soul Journey

Growing up, I saw first-hand the effects bitterness can have on a person. From an early age, vowed that I would never allow it to take root in my heart. I’ve always made a conscious effort at forgiveness. Yet, I recently recognized that I’ve allowed bitterness to set in when those close to me don’t live up to my expectations. And I know that this only reveals my own spiritual immaturity.

When I feel let down and frustrated by people, it’s tempting to reject them and try to find others who can be counted on. The truth, though, is that I will find just as many weaknesses in the next person (and likely the same ones), If I’m living in Christ and experiencing His victory, I need to see them through to the end, which means lots of love, compassion, and especially forgiveness. That is abiding in Christ. That is true Christianity; offering to others the grace that God has offered to my own sinful heart. Not my judgment, my rules or my rejection.

By loving my family, God can work through me to bring healing and transformation in them, as well as in me. I don’t believe it’s the job of a Christian to emulate Jesus. I’ve been aware of this for myself and yet have expected it from my family. What I really want, though – for them and for me – is to share in Christ’s victory over bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness and the weakness of giving up on those we love.

As I prayed for God to produce this fruit in me, I felt a strong conviction to pass on to my family this great love that has lately become real to me in a way I’ve never before known. Though my love falls far short, this treasure, worth its weight in gold, is what I really wish to give to them.

What’s My Hurry?

Food for Thought, Soul Journey

Most of us are usually in a hurry. Yet Jesus, who had more concerns pressed upon Him than perhaps anyone who ever lived, never seemed to be in a great rush. He didn’t stress out about all the things He had to do or worry about how He would ever get it all done. He just calmly did what He needed to do when He needed to do it. Jesus understood how to live in the moment. He did not just talk about peace. He lived it.

God seems to put many obstacles in my way to teach me this lesson – that there’s no need to rush and stress through my life because He has it all in His control. And in my hurry, there’s so much I can miss of what really matters – enjoying the moment, spontaneous fellowship, stopping to “smell the roses”.

Even though I’m on vacation and have nowhere I have to be and nothing I have to do, I still find it difficult to slow down. Going through my days at the easy-going pace of my friend Caren has been no small challenge. Let me tell you, she has got this down. She is in no hurry – ever. The opposite of me. With her large family, it’s certainly not because she has nothing to do.

It wouldn’t surprise me if this is an intentional part of God’s plan for me on this trip, and that He’s working through Caren to produce this relaxed mentality in me as well.

What is my hurry, anyway? I may never be as laid-back as Caren, but I am learning to rest in the Lord and take each moment as it comes without looking ahead and worrying about the next.

A Broken Leg

Food for Thought, Soul Journey

“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all his own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow him because they know His voice.” – John 10:3-4.

I woke up early on this beautiful morning and went outside to spend some quiet time alone with the Lord. I tried just being silent before God without attempting to fill the time with words, but my mind was distracted with so many things. Then I tried reading since God so often speaks to me this way and I just wanted to listen.

I read Jesus’ illustrations of the shepherd and his sheep. I once read that, traditionally, if a sheep were to break its leg, the shepherd would keep it close, carrying it on his shoulders and hand feeding it. During this time of dependence, the sheep will learn to listen to the shepherd and know his voice.

While considering this extreme devotion of the shepherd, I began to weep at the recognition that I am that sheep. In my brokenness, God is carrying me in order to teach me to hear and obey His voice. The thought of this great compassion overwhelmed me, and I actually found myself thanking God for the pain in my life.

I’m just one of God’s many lost sheep in this world, and yet He cares enough to take the time to pursue me. I am in awe because I believe that I am not worthy of that kind of love. Yet, I understand that this is irrelevant. I am loved so intimately and tenderly by the God of the Universe, not because I am amazing and wonderful, but because He is.

The Strength of Weakness

Food for Thought, Soul Journey

I was taking a walk, enjoying the warm spring sunshine and the opportunity to be alone with my thoughts. I began reviewing the revelations that God has recently given me about my marriage. I thought about my desire to accept it for what it is and let go of my expectations, as well as my disappointments.

It was a good day; I was feeling strong and upbeat. How easy it is for me to think this way on days like this.

I can do it, I thought. I can just love and accept my husband, be a sponge and trust my needs to God. Today. But what about on my bad days? What about when PMS strikes?

Dismay threatened to overwhelm me as I realized how quickly my resolve would fall apart during that time of the month. Who am I kidding? All my lofty aspirations mean absolutely nothing when my hormones start raging or my body is tired and miserable.

That’s when it struck me how ludicrous was my line of thinking. How many times must I go back to this same point? In my weakness, HE is strong. Of course, the best time for God to accomplish this work in my heart and in my marriage is when I am weak.

I don’t have to fear PMS and its destructive power. It won’t inhibit God at all. In fact, I am more likely to get out of God’s way, because that’s when I know that I cannot do it and must lean entirely on God’s power.

What a relief!