Operating Manuals

“You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you.” (Ephesians 4:22 GWT)

In my home, I have a large, plastic box where I keep paper operating manuals that come with all the electronics I have purchased. It’s a habit I started back before everything was online. These manuals can be useful when you need to assemble, operate, clean, and troubleshoot an appliance. Over the years, I have disposed of many coffee makers, toasters, stereos, phones, TVs, lawn mowers, etc. However, I have not taken the time to clean out the corresponding manuals from the box.  

Similarly, I have several decades of old ‘operating manuals’ stuffed in my head. These messages were useful once during different phases of my life. I am no longer the same person I used to be. I have outgrown many of the desires and delusions of youth. However, I have not discarded the obsolete tapes--negative thoughts, self-limiting fears, worries, hangups, and rules which were part of my old life. It’s time to go through the dusty box and dispose of that which is no longer relevant or productive. It’s time to move forward, to embrace new directions, to grow in the realm of truth. 

“Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you.” (Ephesians 4:23 TPT)

Pause in His Presence

“Let the dawning day bring me revelation of your tender, unfailing love. Give me light for my path and teach me, for I trust in you.” (Psalm 143:8 TPT)

Mornings, before the day’s distractions take hold of our minds, is the ideal time to start paying attention. God’s revelations are clear and fresh. We are able to listen intelligently when our minds are uncluttered. Thus, make soaking in God’s presence your first job, your primary preoccupation. Present your plans before Him. Surrender your burdens and concerns. Seek His guidance on everything. Wait for directions. Trust that God is present, available, dependable, and gracious. 

“Now I’m reaching out to you, thirsting for you, like the dry, cracked ground thirsts for rain. Pause in his presence.” (Psalm 143:6 TPT)

Selah: pause in HIS presence. 

Shush the agitating voice within you that is constantly planning, comparing, and measuring productivity. Ignore the distractions that pop up before you. Yes, there is much  to do and very little time left. That is why it is important to prioritize and be attentive. 

When our soul is still, we sense God’s presence. We realize how desperately we need Him, and nothing else will satisfy our longing. Like dry, cracked ground thirsts for water, we wait to feel His refreshing love and grace upon us. He is all we need.

“Your gracious Spirit is all I need, so lead me on good paths that are pleasing to you, my one and only God!” (Psalm 143:10 TPT)

Lighting Up the Darkness

"If only my life could be like it used to be, in the days when God watched over me, when he made his lamp shine on my head, when I walked through the dark in his light.” (Job 29:2-3 GWT)

I was meeting a friend to run early one morning. It was still dark outside, and there were no street lights nearby. Luckily, I had a headlamp, but she didn’t have one. Now, two lights would have been better than one, but sharing my light didn’t diminish it in anyway. I pointed my headlamp down toward our feet. We could only see a few steps ahead. My friend stayed close, matching my pace. That little light illuminated our path just enough to keep us both from tripping and falling in the dark. 

I have felt God’s light shine upon my head. I have experienced the peace of Divine protection, guidance, and presence. I can only see a few steps ahead, but I am always glad to share the light with others. For I have experienced seasons of utter darkness, when God seems to have withdrawn His light from me. During these times of confusion, I have relied on faithful companions to share their lamps of trust. I stayed close to them and followed their steps. Their wisdom and trust have guided me when my own faith was nonexistent. I am glad to carry the light now, grateful for every insight that I get to share. 

“Lead, Kindly Light, amidst the encircling gloom,

Lead Thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home,

Lead Thou me on!

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene; one step enough for me.” (Hymn by John Henry Newman)

Weight Lifting

“For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.” (James 1:3-4 TPT)

This morning I woke up early for a trail run. I thought about all the reasons why this workout was going to be hard: I had done several intense runs in the last few days and my legs were sore, I had not slept well, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep up with the other runners, etc. All of my excuses were legitimate, but they were not going to help me. I needed a different paradigm. I thought about a friend who does weightlifting. She intentionally adds heavy metal plates to the bar she is lifting. I decided to think of my burdens as weight plates. This allowed me to acknowledge that each of these factors added a degree of difficulty to what I was doing. I was choosing to do hard things, knowing each layer of resistance would make me tougher. 

When the burdens of life get to be overwhelming, our natural instinct is to become discouraged. The weight we carry is legitimate. However, dwelling on their heaviness is unproductive. We need to see each of these trials as weight plates that we add to our workout. When our faith is tested, it stirs up power within us to endure all things. And, as our endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of our being. 

Reminders of God

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’” (1 Samuel 7:12 NIV)

Samuel raised up a stone and named it Ebenezer. It was a monument to God’s providence and protection. Joshua and Jacob also used stones to memorialize the Lord’s faithfulness. These stones became part of their testimony--of how God showed up and helped. The stories of these monuments continue to inspire and encourage us. 

My life story is also interspersed with reminders of God’s presence and faithfulness. During monumental experiences, the Lord has guided and comforted me through specific Bible verses, songs, or symbols. Even years later, I am filled with gratitude and encouragement when I read these verses, hear these songs, or see these symbols. These Ebenezer moments have become part of my testimony: Thus far the Lord has helped me. I can count on Him to continue to take care of me. 

“Cypress trees will grow where now there are briers; myrtle trees will come up in place of thorns. This will be a sign that will last forever, a reminder of what I, the LORD, have done." (Isaiah 55:13 GNT)

Ephemeral Insights

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” (Psalm 91:4 NIV)

In the Bible, feathers symbolize God’s covering and protection. Some people believe that feathers are signs from angels. I have a habit of picking up feathers that I find on paths. They remind me of quills that were used as writing implements before the invention of pens. In my imagination, a large feather, directly in my path, is a confirmation of my calling as a writer. I keep these feathers in a basket on my bookshelf for inspiration.  During a recent run, I saw a large feather directly in front of my feet. Since I was almost at the end of a timed workout, I didn’t stoop down to pick it up. I went back to look for it in five minutes, but it was gone. The wind had blown it away. 

Insights are ephemeral.  Like feathers, they need to be picked up before they are blown away. God opens the eyes of our heart, illuminating our imagination for brief moments. Evanescent gifts of inspiration, confirmation, and understanding need to be cherished and recorded. These moments cannot be replicated or retrieved at our convenience. Pay attention to insights as soon as they come to you. Pause whatever you are doing. Stoop down and pick up the gift. Recognize that discernment is precious, yet fleeting. 

“I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling.” (Ephesians 1:18 TPT)

Interpreters

“He said to them, Therefore every teacher and interpreter of the Sacred Writings who has been instructed about and trained for the kingdom of heaven and has become a disciple is like a householder who brings forth out of his storehouse treasure that is new and [treasure that is] old [the fresh as well as the familiar].” (Matthew 13:52 AMP)

One of the young ladies in our church choir uses American Sign Language to interpret the songs for the hearing impaired. My hearing is fine and I  have not learned sign language. Even so, I always find the gestures insightful. Watching someone interpret a worship song through sign language brings me a fresh perspective to that which is familiar.  

Every teacher and interpreter of the Sacred digs up deeply buried treasures. Sometimes they are old treasures--truths that are well-known, but overlooked. It is good to be reminded of these revelations. Other times, the treasures are new insights that bring fresh perspectives and deeper understanding. We all learn differently, so multiple methods of instruction are useful. Symbolism, signs, analogies, experiences, words, examples--all are tools in teaching. Translating the Sacred is a heavy responsibility. Every word, gesture, and inflection is significant. As Christians, we are called to express God to those who are watching.  Are we communicating Christ through every action?