I was at the airport a few days ago to meet my niece who is spending a week with me. The Arrivals Board indicated her flight had landed and bags were being delivered. I made my way to the doors where arriving travelers would enter the terminal and chose a spot to wait for Helen.
As I waited, a young man stood near. Suddenly there was a waving of hands and I looked toward the object of his happiness. A young woman, pushing a stroller with toddler strapped in, was coming toward him. The woman was smiling and then the toddler, instantly recognizing her father, leaned forward with her little arms outstretched. Immediately he knelt down, unstrapped her and lifted her up. Her smile was wide and her eyes dancing with merriment. Her father kissed her and hugged her and she giggled in delight and wrapped her arms tightly around him. I glanced at the mother. She stood wiping tears from her eyes. Then her husband drew her near and kissed her firmly. What sheer delight to observe this trio. I was also wiping tears from my eyes at the loving sight before me.
As they walked away, all entangled in continued embraces, my eyes continued to fill with tears. One day, I thought to myself, one day the promise will be fulfilled; one day a glorious reunion will take place.
“…Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. And someday, just as you saw Him go, He will return!” Acts 1:11
“It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies. And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die.” II Corinthians 15:52
“And now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame.” I John 2:28
The book of Genesis is among my favorites. I never tire of reading the first verses about God’s work on earth. It excites me to read that the act of creating is the first thing we are told about God.
“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Genesis 1:1-3
Isn’t it absolutely amazing to read that darkness was everywhere? Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. He created something out of nothing.
Do you ever feel like a nothing? Does darkness seem to linger through your days?
Remember, God has been creating from the beginning of time as we know it; He is still creating in the hearts of mankind, bringing His light, dispelling the dark. Remember too, God has done some of His most beautiful work in the dark.
“You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, Oh God! They are innumerable! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake in the morning, you are still with me.!” Psalm 139:15-18
My mother is visiting me for two weeks in the UK. This week we’re spending time with some dear friends in Wales. Today we were out sightseeing. I especially loved the views of the Wye Valley with colors of plowed earth that looked purple and acres of bright yellow raipseed plants which are used to make cooking oil. We drove from one little village to another, sometimes going down country lanes only big enough for one car. The hedges stood about ten feet high on either side. What fun we had when we met a tractor and had to back up for a mile before we could let it pass! It’s been a day of much adventure, beautiful views, and many laughs.
As the day was coming to a close, we decided it was time to head back home to a nice cup of tea and an evening meal. Evenings are relaxing at home times with our friends and their sweet, playful dog – Buddy the staffordshire terrier.
We were only about an hour’s drive from their home but were in a place we had never been before. One person suggested we go in a certain direction while the other felt strongly we should go the opposite way. An agreement could not be found until finally it was remembered that they have a GPS system in their car. The home address was entered and we were pulling in their drive within the hour. The GPS had been available all along but it wasn’t until we were truly lost that anyone thought about it.
It’s the same in our spiritual world. The Holy Spirit is our built-in GPS system. We often don’t realize how much we need Him until all our own attempts fail us.
“Don’t lean to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“For You are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.” Psalm 86:10
Have you ever really listened to yourself when someone asks, “How are you doing?” Have you heard yourself answer, “I’m doing pretty good under the circumstances?” I thought of that this week when I was offered a piece of cake. I know – what on earth does a piece of cake have to do with how one is feeling?
My friend was cutting several pieces of cake and my mouth was watering in anticipation. While the pieces were basically the same, there was one piece slightly bigger than the rest. There was another piece with some of the icing smudged off. I was glad no one could read my thoughts. I wanted the bigger piece and was definitely hoping the smudged one didn’t come my way. The pieces were passed around and wouldn’t you know it – I was given the smudged one. Hiding my disappointment, I resigned myself to my fate and took a bite of what was on my plate. Ummm! Delicious! Suddenly, neither the size nor the appearance mattered. It was definitely what was on the inside that counted.
Have you ever felt like that misshapen piece of cake? You feel you don’t measure up to the task at hand. You’re not as skilled as others. You feel a failure time and time again. You have one difficulty in life after another to face and you’re tired. You’re just a smudged up, little piece of cake that doesn’t amount to much, but you’re hanging in there and pressing on and even managing to smile while being “under the circumstances.”
Good news, everyone! God doesn’t want us living under the circumstances. He wants us living above any circumstance that comes our way and we can as long as we remember our ingredients. Father God has given us His own Spirit to guide us along the way. He has given us His own courage and stamina to face anything. He has put inside of us, His peace to bring us through all life’s hurts and disappointments. He has given us a quiet joy that bubbles softly even in the midst of our deepest grief.
We may look like – a smudged up, piece of not much – but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. When we pay more attention to our ingredients than we do to our circumstances, then we can get through anything.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Remember, if Father God doesn’t give up on us, we have no right to give up on ourselves.
Back in England this week, I shared an evening with friends. At one point we took their dogs for a short walk in a section of the beautiful hills of The South Downs. You might remember I’ve shared stories of one of the dogs, Katie the schnauzer, who I keep when her owner is away. Katie was happily coming along, although limping with the arthritis she bears.
At one point, one of my friends turned to look back at Katie and I heard her say, “Why are you struggling up the mountain when it’s easier to come along in the valley.” I looked back, and sure enough, their was Katie showing great determination to walk up the incline rather than down to the flatter area.
We humans do the same thing in our spiritual walk, don’t we. We long to be in the mountain tops where we tell ourselves, the heights of mountain top experiences are full of joy and gladness. We tend to fear and dread the valley experiences. It’s almost as if we forget that God is just as much in the valley as He is on the mountain top.
Have you ever read the book by Hannah Hurnard, “Hinds Feet On High Places?” The main character, Much-Afraid, longs to be with the Shepherd in the high places of the mountain but He first leads her to the valley and along difficult paths. Sometimes she is cut and bruised on the sharp rocks and she tires greatly when the climb is steep. Even so, it’s in the valley where she experiences the sweetness of the Shepherd’s care for her when she’s hurting. It’s in the valley where she learns His vast wisdom in how He plans her paths for her own good. It’s in the valley where she discovers something of herself that she never thought possible: she has become strong in all the areas of her life where she knew she had always been weak.
It’s time spent in the difficult places of our life’s journey that allows us to enjoy the views from the mountain top that would never be possible without first traveling in the valley.
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23
I’ve had a new experience this week in Kyrgyzstan. It was a warm, Spring evening; the sun shone brightly. It was hot if directly in it’s rays but cool beneath the shade of the large oak trees that stand, grand and majestic, in the city center parks. It was to be an evening with friends in a local cafe. Then, abruptly, and only for a second of time, the calm evening was torn apart by a thunderous blast. It’s booming intensity shook walls and through the ground, a sharp vibration shot through my legs.
I jumped up as did every other person in the vicinity and peered along with them toward the direction of the blast. Police were swarming, roads were blocked, yellow tape marked out the area to be untouched by all except appropriate officials. Very soon a bomb squad appeared; men with thick helmets and padded vests roamed the area just fifty yards from where we stood looking.
I glanced around at frozen faces, staring eyes, occasional whispers of speculation at what had just happened. Then, I don’t know why, but I looked up toward the tree tops. The evening sun was still shining through bright, green leaves peeking between branches; it’s presence known by strips of fading light along the ground and sidewalks. A bird was preening itself.
It was the bird that held my attention. Surely it had flown off with the bomb blast, but if it most certainly did, it had just as quickly returned, apparently unperturbed by what was happening below. I found this amazing. I glanced at ground level once more. Police were busy taking care of the matter at hand. I glanced up at the bird. It was sitting calmly as if purposefully taking in the last of evening’s sunlight.
I thought about life then. We all have “ground zero” experiences, some worse than others, but all difficult. We have to pay attention to what’s around us. We can’t hide from it. Life’s troubles are there, staring us in the face and we must handle it. I was still amazed about the bird. It had to have flown off when the blast occurred. It did what it had to do to deal with the trouble at hand. Then it came back – to what? It came back to it’s life in the treetops and carried on with it’s bird life, doing what birds do.
Words from Philippians 3:13-14 came to mind, “…I focus on this one thing:Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling us.”
We all have a race to run. There will be bomb scares along the track but let’s not let that hold us back. We go through it or around it but we continue running. We look forward and we put one foot in front of the other. Standing still, trapped in the debris, must not be an option. Like the bird, aware of it’s Creator, preening peacefully above the troubles, we too are aware of our Father, who gives everything we need to run, run, run, successfully and peacefully, crossing the finish line.
This past summer when my mother and I sorted through my Dad’s closets, we packed up and gave his things away, mostly to the Good Will or Salvation Army store. It was Dad’s own request that we not keep his things after he had gone to heaven. “Let them be a help to someone else,” he had said. We found it a joy to do so.
As we went through his clothes I looked at his ties. Being a pastor he had many ties and they were so beautiful. My Dad loved wearing his ties. I carefully packed most to take to the Good Will but several I packed away in my own suitcase. I had a few in mind to whom I wanted to give the ties. Five were laid aside for my next trip to Kyrgyzstan. I had in mind, five of my father’s students from Bishkek Bible College days. He loved his students so much and I know they loved him too.
This past Sunday I gave one to the pastor of the church I attended here in Bishkek. The service had not yet started. I saw the pastor come to greet me and I gave him my Dad’s tie. I could tell he was touched and happy to receive it. The music started then and we parted as the service began. It was a wonderful time of worship and praise together. Then I saw the pastor walk to the front towards the pulpit. As he turned around, my breath caught in my throat. He was wearing my father’s tie. I felt a huge and lovely joy explode in my heart. Tears also sprang into my eyes but they were tears of happiness to see this former student of my father, showing happiness also in wearing his former teacher’s tie.
Throughout the rest of day I kept recalling the incident and then I thought of the articles of clothing that our heavenly Father gives us to wear. In Ephesians 6 we are given some wonderful and exciting instructions that are key to living successfully. It all has to do with our spiritual clothes! The Apostle Paul tells us in verse 10 to, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Well, we all want that, don’t we. We want to be strong with His own power so that we can stand against the troubles of this world and stand triumphant against the attacks of the ruler of this world – Satan.
You might be thinking – and it all has to do with our clothes? As Christians, Father has given us special clothing that will equip us to stand against anything, yes anything at all. Let’s read Ephesians 6:13-17: “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body of armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmut, and take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.”
I am personally happiest when I am spiritually dressed for the day. There is a certain confidence in wearing what my Father has given me. There is a joy in being dressed in something of His.
I kept a denim jacket that my Dad used to wear. He looked especially good when he wore it with his cowboy boots and jeans. My sister has a denim jacket of his too. When I put it on, I am immediately reminded of my Dad. So many joyful memories come to my mind.
It’s the same when I dress in what my heavenly Father has given me. I put on the spiritual armor and I am immediately reminded of my heavenly Father. So many joyful memories come to mind as I recall the times over the years that He has given me His strength and peace and courage.
Today and everyday, may each one of us remember to dress properly before we walk out the door. Then, whatever happens today, we are prepared. We are already successful; we have already won whatever battle awaits.
I have been doing a lot of listening upon my return to Kyrgyzstan. Everyone has a story to tell of hardships taking place in the country. Inflation has gone wild; countless people cannot afford basic foods and needed medicines. One lady said, “Each month I must decide – which do I buy – food, medicine, or pay for electricity.” It is hard for us in the western world to fathom what many people around the globe endure as a daily challenge to their existence.
Others have told stories of beatings and muggings for all sorts of reasons: ethnic, religious differences, financial needs.
While my heart aches for them in their dire situations, my mind swirls in amazement and admiration at so many of their attitudes. How do they manage to still find smiles and even joke together? The way they live their lives reminds me of what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 “…I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”
Notice that Paul said he has learned “the secret of living in every situation.” What is the secret of his contentment when clearly there are times that Paul doesn’t have enough food or he has been beaten and even thrown into prison? I have studied the contented faces of many here in Kyrgyzstan who often go to bed hungry and have no way to purchase needed medicines or clothing. They too have learned “the secret to living in every situation.” What is it?
It is this: When we can’t change our physical situations to be more pleasant, then we must be extra certain to fill our minds with God’s spiritual truth, letting His Words be our food. Then we will have all we need to be “content in all things.” It is not about learning to be happy in having a problem; it is developing trust in the One who is the Giver of all strength to get us through the problems. That indeed is great contentment.
Remember too, “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 That means it is most possible indeed to live in contentment even in the darkest of our days. The secret is the answer to this question: Where is your primary focus? On the problem or the One who gives all we need to get through the problem?
After my first full day in Kyrgyzstan, I took a long walk around the city center. I walked past familiar places that I’ve looked at for over 20 years. I laughed to myself as I even recognized potholes and crumbling pieces of sidewalk. A great feeling of nostalgia swept through me as I walked past open-air cafes along the walks or in the parks. How many times I have sat in the chairs, sipping tea, talking with friends.
The sweetest of sadnesses came when I walked past a park cafe that my father and I especially liked to visit. We would sit, sipping tea, discussing our students and lesson plans, watching people walk by, and laugh at the antics of the red squirrels gathering acorns or jumping from tree to tree. I felt a smile curl on my lips and a tear slide into my eye. Such sweet memories bring out the beauty of pain. Had my father never come, there would be no sweet memories now. The memories are worth the pain. They are treasures to every tear drop.
Easter has just passed. Had Jesus never come to endure pain for us, there would be no sweet memories of Him either, no tears to cry in remembrance of what He did for us, no smiles to form on our faces in realization of daily strength He gives us.
Pain is not a bad thing nor a thing to avoid; it is a hard thing that makes us stronger to stand against the situations of life that would otherwise knock us over. Pain is not pleasant when it walks through the door but there is a loveliness when it is embraced with the knowledge of the sweetness it has to bring us.
There is no pain today, nor any tear cried, that God will not use to bring about sweet joy tomorrow.
“…Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
Many of you have already heard my good news this week – a year after treatment for breast cancer began, I was given the “all clear” from my oncologist. It was a happy moment. I drove home feeling light in my spirit. As I drove along, my thoughts wandered to all that had taken place this last year: getting cancer, watching my father take his last breath on earth, being separated from those I love so much in Kyrgyzstan.
As we know, being Christian, following God as best one knows how, is no guarantee of being without difficulties. Troubles come to us all but with every calamity in life, comes also the strength of God to face and go through anything. Sometimes, as in my case today, we not only go through but we come out seemingly unscathed. This is not always the case. There are times when we encounter crisis and the outcome we hope for doesn’t come to pass. Accidents leave some maimed for life, finances can be lost forever, and sickness can give way to death. While a Christian doesn’t always escape these things, every Christian has available to them the peace, joy, love and courage of God to get through anything.
I remind us all of a powerful passage concerning God’s love and care for us:
“Can anything ever separate us from God’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold, or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.” Romans 8:35-38
Are you walking a troubled path today? Are your hopes shattered to pieces because what you pray for hasn’t come to pass? Remember, God is with you on that path; He won’t leave you, and He will be everything you need today.
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