Secure in my Calling, Part II

Long awaited!  I know!  I'm sure you were all on the edge of your seat wondering just WHEN I would do my follow-up post.  (Follow-up post?  Did I miss the first one?  That is prolly-- txt shortage from my friend for probably-- do you use that too?-- more like it!)  Hang on tonight-- my head is obviously spinning.  I get this way when I'm excited! 

My little "break" was due in part to computer crashes & losing material & in part just because of "life"-- yours is crazy busy and so is mine.  BUT, needless to say, I wanted to make sure I put these thoughts up here...should I pass on and never complete this post series!  (That would be a shame, of all things to leave uncompleted, right?)

Here are my practical thoughts on being secure in our every-day walking-around calling (the way in which we make our decisions on what we will do when):

1)  God has placed us on this earth exactly where He intended us to be -- not only are WE not a mistake (uniquely designed-- see #2) but we are LIVING where He intended us to live.  Why is this important?  Some people I've run across in life (including myself at times) have wondered why they were born into the situation and location they were born in-- some feel out-of-this-world-blessed by those situations (i.e. living in wealthy America vs. 3rd world nation) some feel cursed (i.e. not wealthy ENOUGH or whatever)  Generally, the latter type are pretty discontented and would be no matter what the situation because they have NOT learned the secret of contentment like Paul (in the Bible) had.

2)  God has designed us with unique talents & personalities -- be thankful for the talents you have and don't waste time wishing for other ones.  Some are good at "supporting" roles-- if that's you-- support your family & local church well!  Some are good at "leading" roles-- if that's you, then lead WELL!  God truly only knows how better off we might all be if those leading were doing so with excellence.  (There are some very excellent leaders, but many people are in leadership today for the wrong reasons which just makes them bad leaders.)

3) God has a definite design for family life -- This is such a touchy subject in "Christian" circles but really, it is obvious through Scripture that the man is to lead the family.  He is responsible for all matters in his home and he should lead with love (sacrificial love-- Eph. 5).  Women should submit (willingly place themselves under the authority of their man) out of obedience and love for Christ and as unto Christ.  There are always terrible situation in which man or woman abuse the other and in these situations it is clear that sometimes separation must happen for awhile until the relationship and safety of all involved can  be restored. (That is a different post for another day.)  more importantly, women are to be the nurturers of their children.  We have been given the awesome privilege to raise up a generation for Christ!  Whether you work outside of the home or not, your absolute priority must be your family. If you have to pass off the responsibility of your children unto others it should cause you to prayerfully reconsider why you are having to do so.  Temporary emergencies arise and the church of Christ should support one another more. Let your needs be known and give the body an opportunity to respond.

4) God desires for us to live in accordance to His will.  If our desires are outside of this, then we cannot be secure that we are being called to do that activity.  (I.E. I desire to go and work in orphanages some times which is a great desire-- but completely out of the realm of my current responsibilities He has given me first.) 

5) Our callings will change.  Certain times call for us to take on certain roles.  God's will is not a mystery-- he was revealed it to us plainly in Scriptures.  (you can even biblegateway.com "God's Will" and find some of those specific commands-- the first that we LOVE one another!)  And we cannot do everything all the time.  There will be an ebb and flow to times which allow for more freedoms here and there than at other times. 

Do what you need to do to fight the temptation to want someone else's calling!!!  This will do nothing but eat away at you and cause you to become resentful and bitter-- the complete opposite of a vibrant, joy-filled Christian!


** I could have added a LOT of Scripture to back this all up, but truthfully I just wanted to get this down.  We're studying James in our Bible study group right now and allllll of these things are addressed when we stop to consider our hearts-- our truest motivation behind our actions.  I'm thankful the Lord is patient and works on us with grace, stripping us of our flesh and continually adding to us HIS Holiness!**

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Secure in My Calling-- What IS It?!

I've been pondering this phrase for a few weeks now.  "Secure in my calling..."  Lysa Terkuerst uses it in her book and study (of the same name) "Becoming More than A Good Bible Study Girl" and it has begged me to answer the obvious questions that come to mind when I hear it: "Am I really secure in my calling?"  and the next one, "what exactly IS 'my calling'"?

We have to know first what our calling is.  For those of us who are Christ-followers, we can find part of our answer in His Word, our foundation for anything True.  We know that Christ actually gives many commandments for us to follow-- commandments such as caring for the orphans and widows, not getting angry, not getting drunk, not judging others, not wanting things that are not ours, rejoicing in all circumstances, giving thanks, praising His name, and on and on and on.  When one sits and just reads through Matthew chapters 5-7 it can seem to get a little heavy and wearisome at times.  NO ONE could do all that!  (That is, actually, the point-- without Christ we can do no good.  There is nothing good in us. Ecc. 7:20 and others) But, then, thankfully Jesus boils it all down for us to two simple terms.  In Matthew Chapter 22 verses 37-40 He says,

1)  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
2)  "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Christ says, "All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

In John Chapter 15, we read that if we love God we will obey His commands and remain in His love.  Obeying His commands will mean that we will show love to others because we will consider them better than our own selves.  We will be more concerned with their needs than our own and we will naturally not do all of the commands that talk about not judging or gossiping or stealing, etc. because those actions are not loving.  I am, of course, making it sound so simple, and yet it is not.  We MUST abide in Christ if we are to live a life consistent with this because only HE can produce in us the love for others.  We just can not conjure it up in and of ourselves.

Okay-- so first we must learn to LOVE GOD and the LOVE OTHERS

There is a second part to being a follower of Christ that should flow out of everything we do daily.  This is found a little later in Matthew when Jesus gives some of His final words to His disciples after rising from the dead and before heading back to His heavenly home.  (This is part of the "love others" that He has already told us to do.)

"All authoriy in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  (Oh yeah, and let's not forget that Jesus promises to be with us through all of this!)

Our calling then, as human Christ-followers is to: love God / love others, and the second, MAKE DISCIPLES!

So the question we should be asking ourselves is , whatever earthy place God has put us in, are we making disciples there?  That is our number one calling as true followers of Christ.   We'll  look later this week as some more particulars and how this might look on and everyday level.


For more on this, PLEASE watch this video!  Francis Chan is a regular man, human like the rest of us, but he is choosing daily to walk a life that screams JESUS! to those around him.  If you don't have an hour-- cuz' it's a long one(!)-- come back and visit this video when you do.  (I cleaned my school room while I listened=)

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Not Equipped To Handle It

The ladies' Bible study and I are in a 6 session study by Lysa Terkeurst called, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl."  This last week, week 3 of the study, has probably been the most personally challenging to me thus far.  There are several reason for this.  Let me share some of her thoughts first, though.

Key phrase #1 of this session:  We must operate IN God's love, WITH God's love, in order that we may REFLECT God's love.

  Lysa sets forth the premise that if we allow let God's love cover our own insecurities we would then  better use those insecurities to serve others.  To overcome our insecurities we must CHOOSE to operate under the Word of Truth-- i.e. memorize those verses of Scripture that speak directly to our own areas of insecurity and choose to believe the TRUTH when it comes to that area. (Thus, operating in God's love.)  "Operating in God's love means understanding how His love can redefine my natural thought processes.  Using God's Word, I can fill my thoughts with His truths to combat the lies tangles around my feelings." (p. 90)

  She then goes on to say, having accepted God's love as truth for ourselves, we can then operate with God's love and allow his truth to be the catalyst by which we serve others.  When we can get past our own thoughts about what others may think of us, we can then serve them more fully.  (I.E. We can choose to open our home to a neighbor or fellow church member and not be afraid of what she might think of our broken couch or squeaky table -- or is that just me that has those two items? I can open my home being secure in the fact that it's not possessions that make others feel welcomed or make me "look good", it's my willingness to minister to others that is pleasing to God and that's all that matters.)

 By operating in God's love and with God's love, you can see then how natural it would be that we then would reflect His love.  It's an outflowing of the inner flowing peace and beauty He is creating in us by allowing Him to fill up all those insecurities instead of looking to other "people, possessions, or positions" (phrase used in session 1 by Lysa) to do that for us.

Now, that all SOUNDS good, but really.  That's just TOO easy, right?  Here's the catch: the comparison trap!  We wake up in the morning and we feel good and we read some Bible, have some coffee, sing some songs, go about our day (doing good so far) and then, as it is for me, go to some one's house that night and see their beautiful leather (leather is good for children because when illness comes knocking, then you don't have to try to Resolve your way out of that vomit stain! So if I could, I'd want leather right now =) couch...brown, just the way I'd like, and suddenly I don't feel so "God is great" any more.  I begin to doubt His provision is enough-- and I end up dwelling in the land of discontentment, while all the while I have so. many. stinking. wonderful. blessings. sitting. right. in. front. of. me!  Would a couch really fix my discontentment anyway?!

Oh, there are so many other "more important" comparisons -- jobs, relationships, health,etc. -- the list goes on for miles and it's so hard to combat those thoughts of wanting things we don't have.  But continuing to do so is a sin (remember that "do not covet" phrase?) that has consequences (discontentment and leads to resentment that leads to bitterness= a really ugly person and miserable testimony for Christ) which is why God tells us NOT to covet in the first place! (He's so wise!)

Then Lysa reminds us of a great truth.  She says, "Too many of us live with an uncontrolled thought life.  It is possible to learn to identify destructive thoughts and make wiser choices.  Instead of letting these thoughts rumble freely about in my mind, I make the choice to harness them and direct them toward truth." (p101,102)  And, what we haven't stopped to consider, is that for every person that has...a beautiful brown leather couch, let's just say... that person also has their own burdens (and that couch may just be the best part of their life.)  We ASSUME other people's lives are one way, and in reality we just never know what burdens and hardships they have to deal with.

Lysa says something that is meant to help us when we're in the thick of mental battle with comparing our situation to anothers'.  I think will stick with me for the rest of my earthly life and I hope you will find worth the time it took for you to read this lengthy blog :

Key phrase #2: "I am not equipped to handle what they have -- both good and bad." (p. 99)

"I am not equipped for her good.

I am not equipped for her bad.

I am not equipped to carry the weight of her victories.

I am not equipped to shoulder her burdens.

I am not equipped to be her in any way.

I am, however, perfectly equipped to be me.

Therefore, thank You, God, for only entrusting me with what I have and who I am." (p.102)

If not an "ah-ha" phrase for you, it was for me and I wanted to share it with you today, dear friend.  Wherever this finds you, may you be growing in grace learning to operate IN God's love, WITH God's love, so that you may then REFLECT God's love to those around you!

(In a few days, I want to write more to you sharing another part of this process: being secure in your  unique calling.  Difficult stuff-- but so good!)

 

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Bible Study Tools

In keeping with my recently started women's Bible study group, I wanted to post some great online Bible study tools all available for FREE!  Perhaps you already know about them, but maybe you don't!  Check them out and get started on your way to digging deeper into God's awesome, transforming, Word!

www.net.bible.org
www.Biblegateway.com
www.precept.org
www.intervarsity.org/bible-studies/
www.navpress.com (home to many resources and tools)
www.navpress.com/pray/ (Magazine PRAY!)

Those are just a few.  If you DO check them out, leave a comment and let me know what was something new you learned!



** Will make this a TAB soon...**

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Necessary Endings Precipitate Beautiful Beginnings

I really can't take all the credit for that insightful title, although I did "spruce" it up a bit.  This comes from the title of one of Henry Cloud's newest books, Necessary Endings.  I heard him recently at a Women of Faith event and the phrase has been rolling around in my head ever since. 

It came back to me this morning as I was struggling with myself over whether or not to give my two- year- old his paci back .  You see, we had gotten him off of it earlier in the year but with the anticipation of the move he had begun to have terrible night terrors and our ped's doc scolded me after asking if he had anything else to comfort himself with and said, "[since he doesn't have any other security blanket] give him back his paci!  And don't take it away until you are good and settled in your new place."  With that, we gave him it back and the night terrors stopped.  {I was felt happy to be able to "comfort" my child.}

I'm struggling with this thought again this afternoon as I desperately want a Mt. Dew {I can feel the "calming" effects it gives me now=} and I keep telling myself "tomorrow"  i can "go off" of it. You see, I had also been off of that myself for months, and enjoyed the freedom from headaches that caffeine and major sugar buzzes actually give a person, but when the stresses of life had begun to add up -- I caved in and began "drinking" again.  {It really is an addiction-- and I felt happy to be able to "comfort" myself.}

And then, during our post lunch quiet time {start of a routine} today, as I'm reading through Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship, this thought was once again brought to mind as he says, "The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world.  It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ. As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death...Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ.  When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." (p. 79, 2nd ed., 1960)

Hmmm...a necessary ending of me in exchange for the beautiful beginning of what Christ wants for me to be.  This sounds inspiring...but in reality it is painful.  Really painful.  And I'll want to give up.  And so will you.  {Because this won't always make me feel happy and comforted.}  But that's what true discipleship, truly following and seeking after the Lord, is .  It is not cheap-- but costly.  It cost Christ everything and, as a student is not above his master, so shall it cost us everything if we are truly His disciple.

I will be posting on this book regularly in the coming weeks.  Please join me in reading the book if you have never done so.  If you have, a refresher never hurt! lol.  Tomorrow I hope to post a little bio about this man who will be given the highest honor in heaven {as told us in Revelation} for he was a martyr.

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Can We Say "In Shock?"

Just days shy of one month in our new home (only an hour from our old!) and it has begun to set in: culture shock.  You laugh!  But I'm serious.  I knew it would happen...I guess I was just hoping it wouldn't-- again, considering we're less than 100 miles from where we were before.  None the less, it is a different culture here, baby, and the "honeymoon" stage of cultural adjustment is passing.  You know you're experiencing culture shock when you think (or worse, SAY) things like:

"Well, that's ODD," "you eat THAT here?" "You have to drive HOW far to get there?" "That's just not NORMAL" "That's not how NORMAL people say that" 

Of course, these are all thoughts that come from experiencing VERY MILD culture shock.  (I've experienced the international kind, this has been completely different.)  But I am still left with that feeling that says "I just want to go home."  Everything they do in the community is so different here and, as with any church, there is a new church culture that is very different from my previous experiences, too.  So, what's a person in ministry to do?

The stages of culture shock are:  1) Honeymoon 2) Rejection  3) Regression/ Isolation  4) Acceptance

It'd be nice if we could just skip over #2 and #3, but I don't actually think this is possible.  Like all things in life that are any kind of "trial," we must learn to lean into God.  It's sometimes easier to react in human pride and start asking all sorts of questions of God or just avoiding Him altogether, but that's never the answer as it leaves us more drained and empty than if we had just done what we were designed to do: cultivate a relationship with our Maker and worship Him -- like we studied just last week! 

James 4:6-8a says, "But He gives more grace.  Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

In completely contextual honesty (is that a real phrase?), this passage is a strong warning against worldliness that has seeped into believers' lives causing pride and selfishness to wage war within the Christ-follower.  But I do believe it applies to my situation today as I know that if I let the normal, to-be-expected emotional blues overcome me, I am giving Satan a foot-hold.  I can not wallow in self-pity or phrases of "I wish" this or that (another curse of mine is "the grass is always greener syndrome"), but instead draw near to God and allow Him to chip away at my old sin nature and refine me as I look forward to the FINAL day of refining; HEAVEN!  With this perspective in mind (the "citizenship is in heaven," perspective) I can have the God-given joy that allows me to be the wife, mommy, and daughter of the King that He wants me to be to "shine like a star" as a testimony for Him.  After all, this is truly what I desire.

So, what's a person in ministry to do when culture shock sets in?  What EVERYONE'S supposed to do every minute of every day He gives us: Draw Near To God, and let Him take care of the rest.

I leave you with this:  Philippians 4: 4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, REJOICE!  Let you reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understand, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

UPDATE:  Our newest family members:

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Psalm 73: 16-28 -- A RIGHT Perspective for Self

When we last studied this passage a couple days ago, we left Asaph (and myself) in a quandry over why it seems like the “evil ones” are the ones who always prosper and why it seems like those of us who are living trying to please God are always getting…shafted – or so we think.  Let’s pick it up in very 16: (using the NIV today—I’m not picky, it’s what’s in front of me. And, as always, italics are added by me!=)

16) When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

How do we get perspective?  WE GET IN THE WORD!  We enter into God’s sanctuary and commune with Him.  Only in the presence of God’s RIGHT, TRUE, FAITHFUL Words can we see reality!  Here’s what Asaph found was reality: (v.18-22)

“Surely you place [the evil ones] on slippery ground; you case them down to ruin.  How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.  As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.  When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.”

I was studying in James earlier this week  and found something I’d never seen before (gotta LOVE the LIVING and ACTIVE Word!).  Verses 14-16 (Proceed with Caution, these are strong words.)

“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

WHEW!  This is NOT how I want to be characterized or found before the Lord.  So I confess this sin of envy and ask the Lord to make my heart new again (which He gladly does) and thank Him for his gift of the sacrificially death His Son gave for ME!  For YOU!  And then I am free to do what Asaph did next:  he WORSHIPPED God.  It’s the only right response we can have when brought to the Light of His Word.  Let’s finish out today reading the last of Psalm 73, starting in verse 23.  Here are the truths we can rest in:

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heave but you?  And earth has NOTHING I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to You.  But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

 When we take up our right place in the refuge of the Lord, no matter what is happening around us, we will be able to have peace and rest in Him and that will lead us to TELL OTHERS ABOUT CHRIST.  Where are you today?  Outside of His Word and lacking perspective or are you IN HIS WORD gaining perspective, worshipping Him, and telling others about what He’s teaching you?

Just something to “consider”…

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Psalm 73 ~ A Revelation Of Self

I have spent the majority of this year and last resting in the Psalms.  Not only have I felt like I’ve been all over the place with various emotions, I’ve felt a little dry and Psalms has provided the soothing salve needed “in this dry and weary land” in which I’ve been wandering.  So, after starting this blog based out of “Divine Inspiration” given through Psalm 62, I’d been reading and re-reading many of the Psalms, one of which was Psalm 73.  It had been striking me as a little odd…I thought I could MAYBE relate, but then I’d read it again and I thought maybe my personal interpretation wasn’t exactly the RIGHT interpretation so…I kept finishing it really quickly and then I’d move on.  (Of course, YOU’VE never read parts of Scripture like that, have you?! Uhem…) Well, God apparently really wanted to open my eyes to myself through this passage, so he sent a recent quest missionary speaker to our church to preach on THIS VERY PASSAGE!  It was one of those “God’s very hands are reaching down to me and reading this to me Himself” moments.  (Refreshing and convicting at the same time!)

 Before I go any further, let me quote the passage for you.  (And yes, this will be another “2 –Parter” just to hold your attention span – no offense to be taken, please=)

Psalm 73 ¹

73:1 A psalm by Asaph.

Certainly God is good to Israel, ²  and to those whose motives are pure! ³ (2) But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me. ⁴  (3) For I envied those who are proud,as I observed ⁵ the prosperity ⁶ of the wicked. (4) For they suffer no pain; ⁷ their bodies ⁸ are strong and well-fed. ⁹  (5) They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do. ¹⁰  (6)Arrogance is their necklace, ¹¹ and violence their clothing. ¹²  (7) Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; ¹³ their thoughts are sinful. ¹⁴ 8 They mock ¹⁵ and say evil things; ¹⁶ they proudly threaten violence. ¹⁷ 9 They speak as if they rule in heaven,and lay claim to the earth. ¹⁸ 10 Therefore they have more than enough food to eat, and even suck up the water of the sea. ¹⁹ 11 They say, “How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?” ²⁰ 12 Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, ²¹ those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer. ²² 13 I concluded, ²³ “Surely in vain I have kept my motives ²⁴ pure and maintained a pure lifestyle. ²⁵ 14 I suffer all day long,and am punished every morning.”15 If I had publicized these thoughts, ²⁶ I would have betrayed your loyal followers. ²⁷ 16 When I tried to make sense of this,it was troubling to me. ^{28  (Italics all added, Scripture from NetBible.)}

Read it again now (because we all need several looks at passages we’re really going to “consider”)

Okay, now that you’ve done that: What do you think? 

I have to first say, I LOVE Asaph!  I mean, talk about honesty!  Here it is; Scripture is FULL of honesty!  So, one thing I learn right away in this passage is that IT IS MORE THAN OKAY TO BE HONEST WITH GOD!!!!  { This was NOT one of the preacher's points, but I learned it anyway=) He’s big enough, and He modeled that type of relationship with Him all over in Scriptures.  (But let’s face it, we so easily forget this; one of Satan’s great lies to us, of that I’m sure.)

Second, after reading it again and again, I realized I AM ASAPH!  I do this every day!  Somewhere between rising from bed and falling into it again, I end up thinking thoughts that are so similar to this.   I hear about some successful person who has grown that success through, well, down right evil ways (entertainment industry?—and not ALL entertainment is “evil”, but so much of it is) and I’m truly jealous and envious (v.3) of that success and all that it brings. 

Third, when I dwell on that, I too begin to think that these earthly successful people have it so much better than I.  I, too, begin to list all the good things I do for God and then I begin to think that God really ought to treat me a little better in the wealth and health department than He is.  Like God owes me something.  I think things just like Asaph such as: they “ALWAYS have it so easy” (v12) and that “they are immune to trouble”(v.5).  These type of dwelling thoughts end up messing with reality and I end up just like Asaph, trying to make sense of it all.   

Are you with me, ladies?  Have you ever been there before or are you there now?  Trying to figure out why God has you in this particular “waiting” period or why He doesn’t just give you a few more dollars so you can do “good” things with it (like buy new shoes for this kids?!  I mean, we don’t even necessarily want more to spend on us, right?!) 

No?  Well, I guess it’s just me then… I need perspective. 

And we’ll get it when we tune in next time=)  Until then, enjoy this wonderful clip from Francis Chan that talks about this very problem.  (Thanks, Homeschoolingmomtographer for bringing this one to my attention.)

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