Are we there yet?

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and

let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27:14

My children are in a constant state of waiting.  They do it to themselves.   "How long until I...?  When is...?  When will I...?  How many more days until...?

After I answer, their response is pretty much the same... "But Mommy, I caaaaan't waaaaait!! That's gonna take forever."  But once the event takes place and the anticipation has ended, a new question is asked.  And the waiting process begins all over again...

How many times have I been in that position with my heavenly Father?  Asking him, "When?" "How much longer?"  "Are we there yet?" And after he gently answers, "My child, not yet.",  I become impatient.   No different than my own children.

But He has already gone before me.  He understands my situation perfectly. He knows what I need even before I ask and the timing in which I receive or arrive is always perfect. So why do I throw a hissy fit when I feel like things aren't going according to plan?  The answer is simple.  My focus may be misaligned.

Something happens the moment that I respond, "Ok, I am trusting you, Lord." My attention shifts.  No longer focused on what I am waiting on or for; but instead, His presence catches my attention.  I begin to feel my anxious heart slow down to the rhythm of his peace.  I can hear him whisper, "I know the plans I have for you..."

I am able to be strong and allow my heart to take courage because I am committed to Christ and I know he is committed to me.  He has never once failed me or anyone on the face of the planet for that matter.  He has a proven track record.  Things may not always go the way I wish or pray, but I do know that he is able to do immeasurably more than I could ever imagine or dare ask... beyond my highest prayers, hopes and dreams. (Ephesians 3:20)

And He knows when, so I will keep my eyes focused on Jesus and trust his lead as I wait... on him.

This song really ties it altogether. Listen: Psalm 13 by Shane and Shane

Take it.

Take my yoke upon you,

and learn from me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy

and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:29-30

Yoke:  A frame for carrying loads.

Designed to encircle the shoulders of two animals to move in the same direction and work as a team.

Burden: A load being carried. Something that is difficult to bear.

An invitation from Jesus. " Come." Yet he does not demand that we do so.  He simply and sweetly offers for us to take his yoke upon our shoulders.  Why would anyone willingly take a yoke upon themselves?  Because compared to what we are currently carrying, this yoke is easy and the burden is light. Simply because He is there to help. 

He has a way of gently showing me where I am wrong.  A way of encouraging me when times get tough.  And a way of loving me like no other person in this world has the ability to do. 

So as I take his yoke upon myself, we work together as a team. We move in the same direction.  But this requires obedience on my end. I must be willing to lay down my anger, my impatience, my worries, my concerns, and my pride so that I can learn from him... from his character... the rhythm of grace. 

This is my hope. That no matter how weary I may be from carrying the burden of past regrets, fears, failures and sorrows, I will find rest in him and him alone.  Not rest in a physical sense, but rest from within my soul.   Despite the stresses and storms of life that may continue to rage on around me, I will be at peace and will be satisfied IN HIM.

He will lift my load... only if I allow him to do so. Why wouldn't I?  As I remember who he is, I will never regret that I came to him!

I love this song.  Take A Moment, by Will Reagan & United Pursuit Band

No pain, no gain.

Consider it pure joy,

my brothers and sisters,

whenever you face trials of

many kinds because you know

the testing of your faith

produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Trials.     Troubles.     Distress.     Pain.    Worry.     Anxiety.

Pure joy is probably the furthest thing from my mind in the midst of difficulties. I have considered it pure frustration or pure agony... but joy? If you're anything like me (human), you want to avoid personal turmoil if at all possible. Like my sister used to say, "No pain, no pain!"

Trials are like a strenuous exercise. Each exercise strengthens the spiritual muscle. Think about it, no one really enjoys the process of a hard work out.  It's painful.  It's unpleasant.  It pushes us beyond what we are comfortable with. 

There are moments, in the midst of my troubles, when I feel like I am facing the struggle alone... left to lift the heavy weights on my own without a spotter. I begin to panic. There's no end in sight. It's then that I cry out for help.

God has proven to me time and time again that he has never left my side. He has always been faithful to me. His grace is sufficient for me. He can be trusted. My trials may change from season to season, but He never does. His promises to me remain the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I know that he is with me, equipping me, strengthening me, with each breath that I take.  

When will I learn to embrace the trials instead of striving to get out as quickly as I can?  It's time to stop rushing "the workout". Yes, it's hard. Yes, it's frustrating.  Yes, it's draining.  But the end results are worth it.

Strength.     Peace.     Hope.     Rest.     Comfort.     Joy.

The end result:  a faith that produces perseverance- a faith that refuses to quit. I count it all joy!

Illuminate

I'm a big fan of sunny days. I love the way the sun creeps through my blinds in the morning. I like to see it as God's way of greeting me with a kiss. Maybe you're not a morning person, so I apologize if you don't relate. The sun also has a way of revealing to me all the dust. Once a ray of light hits the air, it's amazing how much is exposed. Despite the inevitable task of dusting that will eventually take place in my future... the sun always has a way of lifting my spirits and illuminating my day.

Il.lu.min.ate.  to brighten or decorate with light, to expose.

Prayer illuminates faith.

In the beginning of Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable of a persistent widow.  Jesus' heart and hope behind the story... always pray, never lose heart.

It's not a matter of how big my faith is, but who my faith is in. Even the smallest light on the highest mountain can be seen in the dark.  Faith is God's faithfulness to me.  It's a gift and it's up to me to use it. To live it out... through prayer. 

My prayers illuminate what has already been given to me.  My prayers decorate my faith. My prayers also have a way of exposing what my faith is really made of.

Even in the darkest of days, I will acknowledge God's light and love inside of me. And I pray that it would illuminate the world around me. 

Listen: This Little Light of Mine, by Addison Road

In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

so that others may see 

your good works 

and give glory to your Father

who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16