Trust Fall

“The glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.” (Isaiah 58:8 NLT)

Have you ever been part of a team development seminar that included a trust fall? Participants take turns falling backwards while relying on the other members to catch them. This exercise is supposed to build trust among members of a group.

Not everyone has dependable people in their lives. Both trustworthy people and the ability to trust are precious blessings. Who are the people in your life that you trust? If you could pick your own trust fall catchers, who would be in that group? Did you pick them by their physical strength or their consistent dependability?

Are you able to put your entire trust in Jesus? Can you fall into His arms when you can’t see Him? Our understanding of God is intermingled with visual and emotional perceptions. We ascribe the same characteristics to Him as we do to other human relationships--which often leads to mistrust. Yet, God has always been there--protecting us from all sides. He is trustworthy. We are meant to live in complete reliance, fully committed, free from worry, knowing that God is present and dependable.  

"Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you'll live as you were meant to live - and everyone in your house included!" (Acts 16:31 MSG)

Pass it Down

“Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:17 NIV) 

Imagine you are a kid on a school field trip. A sack lunch is being provided to all the students. The teacher passes out sacks to the nearest student and asks him to pass it down the line. This ensures that no one is left hungry.

When God grants us talents, insights, opportunities, health, financial security, or peace--we are meant to pass it on. If you are in a phase of life where you can devote more time and energy to prayer, recognize this as a gift. Perhaps you have resources to study scripture or a wonderful, spiritual support system. Maybe you are blessed with a quiet environment and the ability to sit still. Or you might be endowed with the skill to communicate effectively. We can hoard what we are given and amuse ourselves, or we can pass it down the line.  

Peter, one of the closest disciples of Christ, was in front of the line. Jesus instructs Peter to feed the sheep. Peter and the other disciples shared the Good News with anyone who was open to the message.  Centuries later, we are still commissioned to do the same--to pass the teachings of Christ down the line.

Off Course

“Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” (Proverbs 4:27 NLT)

Earlier this year, during a charity run in our town, a bunch of runners got lost. The fastest runners could see the official, lead motorcycle, so they stayed on course. Everyone else just followed behind the frontrunners. Somehow, a few people in the middle of the pack missed a turn sign and ended up running in the wrong direction. This caused all those who were behind them to veer off course, too.

I consider myself to be a middle-of-the-pack follower of Christ. I would like to get closer to the front, where Jesus is--but I often lag behind. If I am not alert, I can easily get sidetracked. This may cause others behind me to get off course as well. Thus, it is imperative that I remain attentive--for my own sake, as well as for those who are looking to me as an example.

Lord, guide me. Grant me good judgment. Help me to live by Your instructions. Prevent me from getting sidetracked. Keep my feet from following evil.

Working with Jesus

“He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” (John 21:6 NIV)

The disciples had been fishing all night without much luck. Then Jesus tells them to throw the net on the right side of the boat, and suddenly there is an abundance of fish. I’m sure that the disciples were not throwing their net on only one side of the boat all night! No, they were probably trying all different spots on the lake. Fishing is what they did for a living--they must have known all the best techniques and good locations. So, why the sudden change in their productivity? This time, Jesus was involved in the venture.  

We spend our lives striving at school, at our jobs, and in relationships. We try every technique that is known to man. We become so obsessed with our work that we forget for whom we work. Our productivity remains limited unless we are willing to listen to Jesus. When attempting any task, we can choose to follow our own agenda or God’s plan. When we focus on God, He redirects our thoughts--clarifying our purpose and strengthening the intimate bond between us and Him. The result is spiritual productivity, which is much more valuable than worldly gain.

Lord, may we look for You, talk to You, and seek Your input. If you put something in our hearts, help us to follow through. Remind us that we work for YOU.

Source of Peace

“I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.” (1 John 14:27 MSG)

When life gets arduous and chaotic, I fantasize about getting away from everyone and everything that troubles me. I imagine that the only way to feel peaceful is to remove myself from commotion and hostility. Unfortunately, this calm that comes from external stability is transient. It’s just a matter of time before I feel stressed, rejected, deprived, and agitated.

I wish my mind could be like a thermos--unaffected by external circumstances. A thermos keeps hot things hot and cold things cold no matter what the outdoor temperature is. It has vacuum insulation. Without air, heat cannot be transferred in or out.

When anxiety surrounds us like air, our mind becomes vulnerable to stress. Christ does not promise us a life without adversity. He offers us peace that is untouched by external sources--wellness and wholeness even in the midst of trouble. In order to retain this peace, worry needs to be vacuumed out. When we hand over all our worries and concerns to God, we become insulated in trust. Then, as we deepen our experience with God, more and more grace and peace are poured into us. Shalom.

Visualizing Scripture

“Faith is the conviction concerning those things that are in hope, as if it were these things in action, and the revelation of those things that are unseen;” (Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

Scripture memorization is difficult for me. So I’ve come up with a slightly different approach to using scripture in prayer throughout the day. I pick a verse every morning. I meditate on it until I have a visual image of what that verse means to me. I carry that image in my mind--using it as an aid to refocus my attention on God. This practice bolsters my faith.

Here is an example from the verse I have been chewing on today:

“Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.” (Psalms 5:8 NLT)

I visualize the Lord leading me through a clear path, protecting me against the Enemy. I imagine the same thing for each of my loved ones. I pray with confidence. Trust leads to faith. Faith nurtures hope. Even though there may not be tangible results yet, I am convinced that God is working on it.

Forgiveness

“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:23 NLT)

A young tree sapling may not survive in a drought, but an older, established tree might. Just as plants and animals are more vulnerable when young, so are humans. Childhood wounds are harder to heal than ones we suffer as adults.

Most days, I struggle with forgiveness. There are unhealed parts of my childhood that still cause me great pain. These relationships are still broken. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to fix them. Some key elements seem to be missing. There is no repentance or accountability, just a continuance of the status quo.

There have been a few times in my life where I have been able to forgive completely. It was as if a supernatural grace came over the situation. There was repentance, compassion, and accountability on all sides. The scars are still there, but no bitterness or resentment.

Holy Spirit, quicken our heart to compassion, repentance, and continued accountability. Heal us. Forgive us and help us to forgive others.