Stuck on Search

“Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.” (Psalm 105:4  NLT)

Have you ever had your phone stuck on ‘search’ mode? This usually happens when your phone cannot connect to your carrier. Until you resolve the issue, your phone has limited use. Most every page you try to open will be non-responsive, and your phone’s battery will be drained quickly.

Some people seem to spend their whole life stuck in search mode. They have trouble connecting to the One Who Carries them. They are unclear about their end goal. Since they are not sure what they want, they can’t find contentment. Their souls wander restlessly down dead-end roads--every non-responsive pursuit, draining their energy.

“Study God and his strength, seek his presence day and night;” (1 Chronicles 16:11 MSG)

Study God. Contemplate His strength. Meditate on His word. Seek His presence day and night. He is the One Who Carries you. He will bear you up, energizing your spirit. Your soul can only find contentment as it rests in Him.

Distractions

“I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.” (1 Corinthians 7:35 NLT)

Distracted driving accounts for approximately 25% of all motor vehicle accidents. Common distractions within your own vehicle include: cell phones, navigation systems, entertainment systems, other passengers, food, drinks, etc. Our attention can also be diverted by external factors such as other vehicles, construction, roadside attractions, accidents, scenery, billboards, and weather conditions. All these things can slow us down or prevent us from getting to our destination safely.

Similarly, worldly preoccupations can prevent us from fully dedicating our lives to God. Our concerns for our loved ones, ambitions, desires, hang-ups, hobbies, worries, work, approval addiction, self-absorption, self-reliance, laziness, exhaustion--all can be distractions that pull us away from our destination.

There are several things we can do to protect ourselves from distractions. Self-evaluation can help us become aware of the things that vie for our attention. Cultivating detachment is the next step. This requires trust in God. When we learn to hand over our concerns to the Lord and allow Him to take care of everything, we are able to detach from the things of this world and attach to something infinitely better. Finally, we must devote our full concentration to the end goal--which is a life dedicated to knowing, loving, and serving the Lord.

What I Want to Be

“It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living.” (Ephesians 1:11 MSG)

A few months ago, a friend brought over a tiny potted plant with an usual drip tray--a miniature cast iron skillet. She didn’t have any other use for such a small pan, so she had stuck it under this pot to catch excess water. Even though it was rusted and dusty, I could see it was meant for more. I washed it, scrubbed the rust out with fine steel wool, and seasoned it with oil. I have discovered that this mini-skillet is perfect for frying eggs. This was the purpose for which it was originally designed.

I’ve spent much of my life trying to figure out who I want to be when I grow up. I think I finally know:

I want to be TRUE.

I no longer want to be defined by external appearance, talents, job titles, or other people’s projections.

I want to be who God designed me to be.

How do I know what that is? I ask the Designer and wait attentively for revelation.

It is in Christ that I find out who I am and what I am living for. He has designed me for glorious purposes. I want to live accordingly.

Real Relationships

“He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.” (Proverbs 17:17 DRB )

Weddings, graduations, and funerals draw relatives and friends together. These sorts of gatherings can provide a sense of connection, albeit illusory. A few months after such events, very few of these gatherers will be available to support each other. When the married couple is considering separation, when the graduate is depressed because he can’t find work, or when the widower needs someone to sit with him while he cries--real relationships are revealed.

“Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.” (Brene Brown)

Genuine connections are rare. Most of us are content to just fit in and be accepted. We conform and compromise, deforming ourselves into incongruous shapes. We become assimilated into a culture of pretense, where inauthenticity is so common that it seeps into relationships as well.

“As it turns out, men and women who have the deepest sense of true belonging are people who also have the courage to stand alone when called to do that. They are willing to maintain their integrity and risk disconnection in order to stand up for what they believe in." (Brene Brown)

Real relationships require individuals with strong convictions. We have to know who we are, what we believe in, and what we are willing to fight for--before we can authentically connect with another. Consistent, private communication in  times of distress is particularly challenging, especially for those who are driven by the need for social validation. Those who follow the crowd will show up for ceremonies but will disappear when the crowd disperses. They are incapable of handling deep revelations of grief and vulnerability. They cannot know you or understand you, because they don’t know or understand themselves. Therefore, true belonging can only be developed among those have the courage to stand apart from the crowd.

Desecrating the Holy

“Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for?” (1 Corinthians 6:19 MSG)

Water is pumped into our home from a well in our yard. I don’t have to pay a water bill, so I rarely think about how much water I use for things. I use the dishwasher and washing machine, take long showers, water my garden in the summer months, wash the car, power wash the siding on our house--all at no cost. In parts of Africa, women and children still walk up to 30 minutes to collect water in containers for their household use. These water bearers spend time and labor for every drop. They also pay a physical price in the form of early degenerative bone and soft tissue damage. As you can imagine, they do not squander water thoughtlessly.

The more we suffer for something, the more we value it.

Many of us squander our lives thoughtlessly. We fail to recognize the value of health, until we no longer have it. We indulge our whims, misusing our bodies, minds, and spirits daily by the choices we make. We desecrate what is sacred. Once we realize our mistake, we can make changes. We can be intentional in everything we do--carefully choosing how we use our bodies, what we expose them to, and what goes into them. Cherish health. Treat it with reverence. Remind yourself of how precious life is, how much Christ sacrificed to redeem it. Honor God by keeping your body, mind, and spirit undefiled, so that people may see God through the way you live.

Sacred Places

“Didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place?” (1 Corinthians 6:19 MSG)

Once upon a time, there were lots places and objects that were sacred: churches, altars, ceremonial vessels, holy days, etc. These things were set apart for the worship and service of God and, thus, worthy of reverence. These days, there is not much we consider sacred. We fail to recognize the mystery within us and around us.

Sacred things inspire awe and deep respect. We perceive the presence of something beyond logic. Sacred sense must be cultivated and nurtured. Go out into nature; look up at the night sky; listen to the quiet. Look down at your fingers and toes; listen to your heart beat; feel your breath. Realize that you are sacred, and the ground you stand on is also holy. You are cherished, precious in the eyes of the Lord. You have been set apart for worship and service of God.

Layers of Gratitude

“Give thanks to the LORD.” (Psalm 107:1 NLT)

It was a cold day, and I was planning to run outdoors. For me, there are two separate parts to getting ready before I do something difficult: physical and mental preparation.

I carefully picked out my clothing: two layers (top and bottom), two pairs of socks, two pairs of gloves, ear covering, stocking cap, balaclava to protect my face from the wind, and, finally, a full-zip jacket. I have learned that layering is the secret to staying warm in cold weather.

Next, I prepared my mind for the task ahead. I knew from experience that if I focused on the negatives, it would weigh me down, so I mentally went through a list of all that I was grateful for. The sun was shining; I wouldn’t have to run in the dark today. There was no new snow or ice to make the path slick. I would be running with friends, so safety was not a concern. My body was healthy enough for what I was about to do, and I would be stronger by the end of it. Just as I had put on layers of clothing to protect against the cold, I fortified my mind with layers of gratitude. I was ready to face the challenges that lay ahead of me.

Spiritual Burnout

“He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all - to just die.” (1 King 19:4 MSG)

Our bodies and minds need to be recharged regularly like a cell phone. And just like phones, our batteries seem to drain faster as we get older. Physical and mental exhaustion can be resolved through rest and personal care: sleep, nutritious food, loving care, encouragement, and time will eventually lead to restoration.

I have experienced physical exhaustion after a marathon. I have been mentally drained after a week of final exams. Yet, none of these ordeals compares to the times I have felt spiritually burned out.

When the flame of your spirit burns out, everything becomes dark. Everything that you believed in and relied on is snuffed out. Fear and despair take over. There is no passion, no purpose, no fire. The urge to go underground--to avoid everyone and everything--seeps in. There is only one cure. A new fire must be lit. We cannot do this on our own, so we must reach out for help. Ask the Holy Spirit to rest upon you and restore you:

Spirit of God, come light your eternal fire in us.

Fill us with supernatural energy.

Strengthen us with the mighty power of God.

So that we may live and move according to your purposes.

In Tune

“As these disagreements and wrongs surface, why would you ever entrust them to the judgment of people you don't trust in any other way?” (1 Corinthians 6:4 MSG)

Since my husband and son play the guitar, we have several guitars in our home. My son puts away his guitars when we have company, because he doesn’t like people to ‘mess with’ his instruments. My husband leaves his guitars in the living room where anyone can pick them up.  People who don’t know what they are doing sometimes play with the guitars-- twisting the tuning keys and plucking on the strings. This can cause a guitar to go out of tune, sometimes even breaking the strings.

I  have witnessed something similar happening wherever a group of people gather. There are always people who ‘mess with’ anyone who will allow it. They will tune you according to their desires--sometimes for amusement, sometimes for personal gain. Those who yield to their manipulation are soon out of tune and discordant.

Don’t allow those whom you do not trust completely to influence your life choices. Do not give manipulators access to your mind. They will twist your thoughts until they break you. God is the only one that can tune you perfectly. Hand over your life to Him.  He knows what He is doing. He will bring out the best in you, creating melodious harmonies.

Recognizing Your Worth

“She is more precious than rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10 NLT)

I don’t get why gift wrapping is a thing. When someone presents me with an exquisitely wrapped gift, I stare back in confusion. It seems wrong to tear through such artistic creations in a few seconds. I remember having a baby shower at my workplace. My coworkers seemed  like they were trying to outdo each other in their creative wrapping--ribbons, cut-outs of baby animals, pom-poms, hand-stenciled paper tied up with twine...It was all very impressive. I dutifully opened each gift while everyone oohed and aahed. I don’t remember what was in any of those boxes. The only gift I remember from that day is a pair of hand-knitted baby booties that a friend had made. She handed it to me in some tissue paper. Even though it looked unassuming, I knew how much thought and effort went into this precious gift.

Most of us judge each other by our external wrapping, so it’s no wonder that we spend so much of our life embellishing the visible parts. Every accomplishment and acquisition adds yet another feather in our caps. With so much of our attention focused on the superficial, we fail to notice what’s hidden inside. Our souls carry a gift that is more precious than rubies--the Spirit of God. Once we recognize the value of what we have within us, we no longer waste time on the wrapping. Instead, we find ways to break through the facade in order to grasp our true worth.

Prayer Prep

"If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer!” (Job 11:13 NLT)

I start preparing for the Thanksgiving meal days in advance. I make a shopping list, buy all the ingredients, bake pies, thaw out the turkey, chop up onions, celery, carrots, mushrooms, and herbs--all before I start the ‘real’ cooking.  The prep work consumes a great deal of time and energy, but it is essential.

Similarly, I start each day with prayer prep. I make a list of things for which I am thankful. I write out my intercessions for others, lifting up people and circumstances into God’s caring arms. I ask for healing and cleansing. I preemptively put on my spiritual armor against evil. I take time to listen and understand God’s truths, to write down insights I glean from study. I try to follow through on whatever instructions the Lord places upon my heart. Preparing for my day through prayer takes time and energy, but I have learned it is essential.

Lessons Relearned

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.” (Proverbs 26:11 NLT)

I schedule a few hours every day for writing. I usually jot down my initial thoughts on paper, but the laptop is where I do the majority of my work.  

Digital writing allows me to edit, share, and store creative content easily. However, it can also be distracting. Notifications from emails and social media sites, news alerts, and interesting articles divert my attention. According to a study by the University of California, it takes an average of 23 minutes to get back on task after a distraction. I didn’t need a research study to confirm that interruptions can decrease productivity. It’s a lesson I should have learned from previous experience but keep forgetting.

Mistakes provide opportunities for learning; repeated mistakes provide opportunities for relearning. If you notice recurring patterns of misjudgment, it’s a sign that you need to review certain lessons carefully. Every experience is a chance to remind yourself of truths that you may have learned previously. Every failure provides you a reason to study conscientiously. Fools repeat foolishness. The wise review and relearn from their mistakes.

Spiritual Pride

“You shouldn't act as if everything is just fine when one of your Christian companions is promiscuous or crooked, is flip with God or rude to friends, gets drunk or becomes greedy and predatory. You can't just go along with this, treating it as acceptable behavior.” (1 Corinthians 5:11 MSG)

Elections bring the hypocrisy of partisanship into light. Many of us tend to overlook bad behavior from those who represent our party while being hypercritical of those on the opposing side. This is a form of pride.  We identify with those who share our viewpoints and excuse their sins as inconsequential.

Spiritual pride makes us blind to the sins within our own tribe while being laser focused on the faults of outsiders. We are more likely to overlook promiscuity, crookedness, greed, drunkenness, and predatory behavior among our own kind while castigating others for their personal choices.

“God decides on the outsiders, but we need to decide when our brothers and sisters are out of line and, if necessary, clean house.” (1 Corinthians 5:13 MSG)

Can we actually keep each other away from sin? If so, how?

We can point out misbeliefs in our own group. This may or may not be accepted, but we are more likely to get through to our own kind than to outsiders. Spiritual pride is a product of unawareness. Honesty brings clarity. Discernment reorients us to God.

Labor Coach

“All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs.” (Romans 8:22 MSG)

When a pregnant woman goes into labor, it can be reassuring to have a labor coach with her in the delivery room. This role is often filled by a spouse, friend, or relative. The labor coach is there to ease anxiety, be supportive, and facilitate the process of delivery. The mother has to do the work of bringing new life into this world--the labor coach can only provide emotional support and encouragement. The process of delivery is bloody and messy. Along with the baby, amniotic fluid, the placenta, urine, feces, and blood are also expelled. Witnessing birth is not for the squeamish.

Our souls are pregnant with the Spirit of God. When an individual becomes ready to express her soul, it can be helpful to have encouragement from a loved one. The process of soul birth is messy. Expect pain, negativity, insecurity, anger, unforgiveness, fear, and a myriad of other emotions. It is not helpful to hold on to these unseemly parts of the process. Allow your soul to give birth to the Spirit within you. If you are blessed enough to have a loved one by your side, let them support you.

Hearing Aid

“The LORD God gives me the right words to encourage the weary.” (Isaiah 50:4 CEV)

The telephone game was a popular listening game when I was a child. A group of us would sit in a circle, and one person would whisper a phrase into the next person’s ear. This same phrase would be whispered until everyone had a chance to hear and pass it on. Once the game reached the end of the circle, the player would announce what she heard and compare it to the original speaker’s phrase. It would usually be very different and funny.

As I grow older, my abilities to hear and be attentive have decreased. If I don’t listen carefully, I can’t hear. If I don’t hear, I can’t pass on information accurately. This prevents me from communicating the right words to encourage the weary. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit becomes our hearing aid--amplifying everything we need to hear. When we listen, process, speak, and act with the aid of the Spirit, streams of empowering words flow through us to those around us.

Meaningful work

“Every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13 BSB)

I have not had a paycheck for over two decades now. I’ve spent most of my adult life taking care of my family and home--cooking, cleaning, driving, grocery shopping, homeschooling, volunteering, etc. I tie up loose ends so that things don’t come unraveled. My job doesn’t come with a title, office,  promotion, raise, insurance, or retirement benefits. From a worldly perspective, I am not gainfully employed.

Meaningful work is one of the greatest privileges a person can have. It is easier to feel purposeful when you have a job that pays well, garners respect, and noticeably improves people’s lives. Most jobs are difficult, but work that feels pointless can be particularly draining.

The ability to find satisfaction in your work is a gift from God. No matter what you do, it can be meaningful when viewed through the lens of serving God’s purpose. A life committed to the Lord is never useless.  Your work might be unpaid and unappreciated. Yet, as long as you devote your days to serving God in everything you do, your work is meaningful; your life is worthwhile.

Disapproval

“There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 NLT)

When my son was a young child, I used ‘time-outs’ as a form of discipline. When he had done something wrong, I would tell him to go sit down and think about what he had done. My hope was that this would encourage him to change his inappropriate behavior in the future. I’m not sure how well this worked. I was just copying the popular parental techniques of the time. Fortunately, my son has developed a sense of right and wrong, despite my ungracefulness.  

Although disapproval is frequently used as a form of motivation, it rarely brings about lasting transformation. Those who crave the approval of others may temporarily change their behavior in front of people. However, the condemnation of others does not cause a shift in an individual’s internal sense of morality.

The powers of darkness influence humanity to accuse, coerce, and manipulate each other. We make others feel bad in order to make them think and act in ways we prefer. This is what we learned from our ancestors, and we continue this practice. In contrast, the Spirit of God advocates for us--defending, upholding, and enabling us. Under His guidance, we can learn to support and encourage each other to grow in everlasting ways.

Boasting on the Cross

“As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died.” (Galatians 6:14 NLT)

Human beings have always tried to understand God. Since their motives and approaches are varied, their interpretations are also diverse. Many world religions have tried to codify God in order to get into His good graces:  How can we appease God, so that He isn’t angry with us? What can we do to prevent punishment in the form of calamities and afflictions? These questions became part of man’s attempt to cajole God and to finagle grace. Societies discovered that adding moral rules to the understanding of God can be a useful tactic in maintaining social order. Pleasing others and conforming to cultural patterns thus became conflated with religion. Prosperity and well-being became equated with God’s favor on those who were faithful. Thus, spiritual pride seeped in along with status seeking.

Christianity, at least initially, sought to change the script. The Apostle Paul admonished us to take pride in nothing but the cross of Christ. The cross represented liberty from self and the world. Christ’s sacrifice revealed a different sphere, a higher perspective. Humanity’s bondage to the pursuits of worldly comforts and concerns was broken. Complete identification with the cross brought about significant transformation: those who are committed to Christ are numb to worldly interests. Likewise, the world’s interest in them will also fade. Grace is free, yet devotion to Christ is costly. Earthly insignificance is the price.

Balloons and Crosses

“I will know, not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” (I Corinthians 4:19-20 ASV)

When I am feeling good about myself, it feels like I am carrying a brightly colored balloon. Anything that makes me feel worthy at the moment--abilities, personal accomplishments, validation from others--all contribute to my confidence. I often fail to recognize this sense of buoyancy as a form of pride.  

If someone comes along and pokes my happy balloon with a pin, I feel deflated. My immediate reaction is to retaliate, to burst their balloon as well. It doesn’t bring back what I lost, but it seems fair that the person who makes me feel miserable should experience the same emotion. Just as we use praise to puff up those we want to please, we also employ sharp words, criticism, sarcasm, and disappointment to prick the egos of those we want to deflate. This is human nature.

God’s way is different. It is not about carrying around ego balloons puffed up by pride. The symbol of God’s power is the cross. Those who follow Christ cling to the cross; they have no space in their lives for arrogance. The cross is impervious to humiliation--for it already represents submission. The cross cannot be pricked by sharp criticism--for it expresses love beyond words. The cross cannot be disgraced--for it is the sign of ultimate grace.

Good Stewards

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV)

Rhodium is one of the rarest and most valuable precious metals. Due to its resistance to corrosion, it has many industrial uses. Rhodium extraction is a complex process. Managing a mine with such a valuable commodity is a huge responsibility.

“It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 4:2 NASB)

The mysteries of God are rare and precious. As stewards of God we are called to be managers of a complex mine of treasured truths. We are responsible for the extraction, processing, and distribution of these sacred revelations. We must clearly relay instructions from our Master to the other laborers. In order to be good stewards it is essential that we remain dedicated, diligent, and trustworthy.

Religious Rules

“When Christ died he took that entire rule-dominated way of life down with him and left it in the tomb, leaving you free to ‘marry’ a resurrection life and bear ‘offspring” of faith for God.” (Romans 7:4 MSG)

In Biblical times, the “Law” referred to religious rules and regulations. The Jewish people functioned daily by a set of rituals. Christ sacrificed Himself. We no longer have to be under the weight of religious rule-keeping. We are free to commit to Christ and be fruitful in Christ.

How does this work?

We get away from the old habit of focusing mainly on keeping up with religious rules. We realize God’s Grace is NOT something we earn through good deeds, attending church services, practicing religious rituals, or saying certain prayers. There is no ‘I should do this’ or ‘I shouldn’t do this.’ Nothing is done through a sense of obligation, a fear of punishment, or a desire to avoid hell and get into heaven. Instead, our relationship with God is driven purely by a desire to have intimacy with Him. Everything in life becomes motivated by a deep craving to get closer to God today, to know Him better today, to please Him today.

Home

“Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!” (Psalm 90:1 NLT)

In many Persian Gulf countries, the majority of the population is comprised of migrant workers. They are given work visas for only a few years.  They are not allowed to have the rights or status of a citizen, no matter how long they live in these countries. Thus, most migrant workers do not invest much in the Gulf countries. They build houses and deposit their money in bank accounts back in their home countries. They know that where they work is not their permanent home; they realize that they will eventually have to return to their countries of origin. In contrast, most other developed countries allow legal immigrants to eventually apply for citizenship, own property, etc. This encourages immigrants to invest in homes and businesses in their new country. In time, they become more and more assimilated and start thinking of this new place as home.

“This world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Hebrews 13:14 NLT)

We are sojourners, foreigners, and migrant workers in this world--not permanent residents. We become so assimilated that we don’t even remember that our home is with God and not on this earth.  Putting everything we have into this world is foolish. We must think ahead and look forward to what is yet to come. Invest in our home, which is with God.