Quiet moments….

In reading my devotions (some on line, some from a little book, etc.), I find verses of scripture seem to jump off the page at me. It’s like God put them there for me because He wanted me to read them again and think on them. Sometimes they come across loudly; like God was using a bullhorn to get my attention. Sometimes they are whispered to me and I need to pause because the quiet, calm voice got my attention. Whatever is the case with you, I’m sure you know when some passage, verse, or even phrase is meant for you. I want to share four such verses today.

When we believed God was calling us to move to Peru, to come alongside the Peruvian Christians and provide them with additional opportunities to grow their churches, we were overwhelmed with what was facing us. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. This verse kept coming back to us over and over again. We are His and He has a purpose for us. How could we not go? There were many situations, the cultural differences and language to begin with, facing us that seemed to be insurmountable, and they would have been had we not just trusted in God to take care of them for us. We just had to walk by faith. You know, without seeing, but believing! These times have been exciting and some have been sheer terror! But through it all there has been spiritual growth that only can take place when He stretches us and when we are obedient He blesses us. The challenges are definitely God-designed! I would never, in my life, have set these goals and achieved them without Him.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not always exciting. There is daily monotony involved. Walking, public transportation, days in the office, no one to speak our language, no car to just pick up and go, and hours some days, alone. Does the excitement fade? Yep! At times it even becomes boring. Why? It could be I’m out of step with the Father. I lose my focus for a period of time. Somehow I think a change might be good to get me out of the rut. But those of you who know me, know that change is not something I embrace! The daily monotony doesn’t have to be boring. My response to the daily tasks is what needs to change; my attitude. Woah! Does this sound familiar? Is your job, commute, household tasks, caring for the family and other things like this getting the best of you?

Let’s look at the second scripture verse I said I wanted to share with you. Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Here we read that we will know the way to walk, but we need to be quiet and listen. It is not my privilege to change what God has shown me to do. The change is not in the goal, the direction, the task or the challenge; it’s within me! I need to change. Yep, my attitude. Listening to the Holy Spirit is so very important to know what it is we are to do, and where it is we are to go.

Instead, there are times I might find I’m trying to do what needs to be done on my own, in my strength, my plans. After one task or another, I might even begin feeling pretty good about it, successful, capable; and when I do that I am less likely to be dependent upon the Lord who called me to begin with. It is His plans that are best for me, and for which He has called me. (Remember, Father knows best!) And that’s where the third verse comes into the picture. Says pretty clearly, that I am foolish to do things my way! Galations 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

The final verse that screamed at me recently is found in Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me..." The first thing I need to remember is that my job is not done, until I know that God has shown me the new path He has planned for me. Now I did say, ‘my job’, not that I am anyone special, but it’s the job He had for me. There are others who will pick up where I leave off to complete ‘the job’, and make it theirs, as that may be what God has in store for them. There is a tendency in all of us, not to finish some tasks at hand. Sometimes they begin to mount up and we give up! But as any athlete will tell you, it takes a focused mind to push through to the end of the event.

I’m sure you are thinking, four verses taken out of context, with no relevance to one another, she’s crazy. But they do speak to me. First, God has a purpose for my life that I want to fulfill. Secondly, the Holy Spirit will guide me in the direction I need to go and I cannot waiver because I feel like it. Thirdly, I need strength from the Lord, and lastly, completing the task is important to Him, not only me! Anything other than these will leave me unfulfilled and incomplete. Jesus came to bring life full and abundant.

In July we reported Don began to have some medical issues and now it is September and we have realized that through these difficult times, seeking information, directions, resolutions etc., that God has orchestrated so much of our lives connecting us with the right people at the right time both in Peru and in the USA. I woke up the other morning with the following verse on my mind. Psalm 121:2 My help (continually) comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. It is not only in times of trouble, but daily our strength and help is provided by Him