Desperate Days

“When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.” (Psalm 34:6 MSG)

There are times when I feel like I am trying to get across a rushing river. Even though I am using all my strength to wade through, I keep getting knocked down by the  swift current. It is tempting to give in to despair when we are overwhelmed by helplessness.  Yet, when our desperation reaches a high point, it protrudes above the troubling waters, providing us a way out.

“Desperate days are the stepping-stones in the path of light.” (from Streams in the Desert)

It is exhausting to wade through raging rivers of tribulation. Yet, we continue to strive under our own power as long as we can. Desperate days are God’s opportunities to teach us dependence. These are the days when we can no longer rely on our own physical strength, cognitive ability, financial assets, or social support system. All we have left is God, so we turn to Him. We choose to climb out of the churning waters and onto the stepping stones of trust, hope, and faith. We are still in the river, but not of it. We learn to walk above the chaos. 

In my helplessness, I shall turn to You, O Lord. I cling to You in desperate faith. Show me the path out of darkness and into light.

Steps to Restoration

“They will then hand him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day he will be raised up alive." (Matthew 20:19 MSG)

As Christians, we tend to focus on certain aspects of our faith. We celebrate resurrection, but we would rather not think about crucifixion. We emphasize Christ’s love, healing, and glory, while downplaying his humiliation and suffering. We like to think about how God is going to make everything better. We tell others about the benefits of faith in Christ. We point out how we have been restored. However, this is not the whole truth. It’s like leaving out unpleasant information from a recruitment brochure. Jesus suffered. He was mocked, tortured, and crucified. Death precedes resurrection.

Faith does not protect us against suffering. Instead, it trains us to trust God in the midst of pain. We learn to surrender--to let our egos and agendas die. This submission is essential before restoration. The path to experiencing God goes through the valley of suffering. Faith strengthens us, whipping us into shape so we can withstand afflictions and degradations. Grace resuscitates us. Love restores us. 

Lord, help us to accept that humiliation and suffering are prerequisites to restoration.

The Downside of Resentment

“Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.” (Job 5:2 NLT)

Narcotic pain medications like oxycontin are often prescribed for patients after a painful procedure. Unfortunately, many people continue taking these pills longer than absolutely necessary. Giving up the drug can cause withdrawal symptoms, so most people continue the habit. This leads to drug dependence as the patients require more and more of the drug to manage their pain. If they continue on this path, their addiction will destroy their lives.

Resentment is normal when faced with injury and injustice. Yet, the longer we hang on to this emotion, the  more it controls us. We develop a tolerance to it. We become dependent on it. When we allow bitterness to take over our lives, it corrodes us from the inside. Prolonged unforgiveness eventually leads to self-destruction.

Releasing resentment requires us to deal with our pain. There will be discomfort. We shall suffer through withdrawal symptoms. However, it is foolish to hang on to grudges. Anger, hatred, envy, and bitterness are all toxic and addictive. Thus, it is imperative that we kick these habits before they destroy us. 

Lord, release us from harmful addictions to resentment. Help us to forgive and accept forgiveness.

Access Ramp

“Every ditch will be filled in, every bump smoothed out, the detours straightened out, all the ruts paved over.” (Luke 3:5 MSG)

I never appreciated ramps until I had to push a baby stroller. Since I’m able- bodied, steps are not a problem for me. Yet, when I’m pushing a stroller, every step, every curb, every uneven path becomes a challenge.

Religion should make faith more accessible. Instead it often adds unnecessary steps in the form of regulations and rituals. Those who seek God are often deterred by dogmatic barriers and burdening guilt. Removing the obstacles and leveling out the uneven pathways can improve access to those searching for God. 

Lord, use me to fill in the ditches, smooth out the bumps, straighten out the detours, and pave over the ruts. Show me how to build ramps so that everyone can have access to You.

Consequences

“Because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies.” (Ezekiel 39:23 KJV)

The rabbits trespass into our dog’s territory all the time. When the dog sees them, she chases them. The rabbits get away through the slits in the picket fence. This must have happened a thousand times by now--playing with danger and getting away with it. But yesterday was different. A rabbit came into the fenced yard. The dog chased it as usual. The rabbit tried to squeeze through the gap in the fence posts but got stuck. The result was a bloody mess.

“One of Satan's most deceptive and powerful ways of defeating us is to get us to believe a lie. And the biggest lie is that there are no consequences to our own doing.” (Charles Stanley)

We might get away with harmful choices a thousand times.  This makes us think that what we are doing is not really all that bad.  The boundary lines between good and evil seem blurry. We continue to rebel, be unfaithful, and trespass further into enemy territory. Eventually we get trapped. The consequences are horrific.

Lord, may we develop a strong sense of moral boundaries and always stay on the side of good. Help us not to trespass against you.

Responsive Obedience

"Put your minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of your God." (Zechariah 6:15 MSG)

Sometimes the touchscreen on my phone freezes up. I press harder, swipe every which way--but no response. This is quite frustrating. I usually end up having to reboot it or do a hard reset. Meanwhile, I cannot use my phone.

In order to be useful to God, we have to be responsive to His touch. We have to do what He wishes. Therefore...

Put your Minds--Concentrate, focus, be determined. Prepare your heart. Once your mind is set on something, the rest of your behavior will follow.

To a Life--a permanent, all-encompassing commitment; be dedicated to this vocation.

Of Responsive Obedience--Consecrate yourself to the Lord. Conform to His will. No deviations or distractions. Faithfully adhere to His directions. Be zealously obedient.

To the Voice of your God.--Pay attention. God’s expressions are everywhere. When God speaks, listen passionately. 

Lord, may we be sensitive to Your voice; may we respond with obedience. May we be dedicated, determined, and committed to You.

Familiar Stories

“Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.” (2 Thessalonians 2:12 MSG)

The stories we tell ourselves are not always true. We make up narratives based on our experiences and observations. Much of this is made up in our minds even before we are fully mature. Every day we get new data. However, we usually accept information that supports our narrative arc, while disregarding anything that doesn’t. Here’s an example: A person who might have suffered in the past may construct a storyline for her entire life based on victimization. She sees herself as the tragic heroine who is always being harmed or exploited. Every day she might encounter good people who are helpful and kind. But she dismisses these incidents as insignificant, because they don’t fit the narrative that she has created. Yet, if someone unintentionally hurts her feelings, she will add that as evidence to her existing story. We want our stories to make sense, so we grab on to anything that supports our  long-held theories and prejudices, even when they are not true.

Compartmentalization is often a defense mechanism. It allows us to dismiss new information when it conflicts with our existing beliefs. We pretend that certain discoveries are only applicable in limited circumstances. Denial is just a euphemism for lying to ourselves. When we refuse to accept truth, we exile ourselves into a land of delusions. We voluntarily go down the path of destruction. We entomb ourselves in familiar, yet false stories rather than embracing truth.

Lord, may we trust and accept truth, even when it leads to uncertainty and discomfort.