Are there impossible circumstances that you are battling right now? God is fighting for you and all he requires of you is to stand still and trust him to fight the battle for you. In fact many times God places impossible circumstances in our way to show that He is the God of the impossible! However, when we are in an impossible situation and it seems like there is no way out it can be easy to fear and react in anger towards God and others.
The Israelites are a perfect example of this. In Exodus 14 the Israelites have finally been released from slavery in Egypt, as they are leaving captivity God directs the Israelites to camp by the Red Sea, in a place where they will be trapped and unable to escape if an army came against them. Although Pharaoh had let them go he changes his mind and decides to send an army after them.
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Do you ever put yourself in the shoes of people in the Bible? I’ve been reading through the Gospels the past couple months and put on the sandals of a lady I feel like I understand a lot better now.
If you have time, read Luke 1. I will highlight a few verses. “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” (vv. 5-7) How old were Zechariah and Elizabeth? VERY is all we’re told. I’ve only been married two (almost) years, and I can’t count the amount of times I’ve been asked, “When are you and Malcolm going to have kids?” or “Are you pregnant??” I’m not sure what the social protocol was back in Elizabeth’s day, but how many times was she asked questions like those? I feel like I know lots and LOTS of women who are pregnant, posting pictures in their anticipation – and though I know there is time to have kids in the future, a little pain in my chest comes. My heart sinks a little as I tell my motherly desires, “Wait. Not yet.” How often did Elizabeth have to do that? And by the time she was very old, what was the ache like? Had it grieved her? Did rely on the Lord? There can be so much worry involved in knowing God's will. What if I'm wrong? What if I missed it? We either blame ourselves or blame God, both scenarios expose a small view of God. But God doesn't want His desires to be a secret. He wants us to know what's best and that is why He gives us a lamp to our feet and tells us to ask for wisdom. So practically how does God reveal His desires, His will to us?
What does it mean to be called by God? If you are a child of God you have encountered God and you have probably experienced times where you felt Him drawing you to do something. When God calls we don’t often know why or what to expect beyond Step 1. Our only responsibility is to obey Step 1. I believe this principal is a lot easier for us to hear than it is for us to apply.
For Example, when God called Moses: *He was filled with questions, doubts, fears, insecurities, etc. *He had no idea what was about to happen – how his life was about to change, or even if he was about to lose his life. It’s a pretty bold thing to do, to go before Pharaoh and tell him he needs to release his slaves. *All he knew was to “Go, do as I have commanded and I will take care of the rest.” I'm glad to get to share my dear friend Rhonda's heart with you this week. She is a regular contributor here and her perspective on life are a blessing to all she is around. Thanks for sharing with us today Rhonda! Last week was not my favorite week. My beautiful, yet overly dramatic daughter was having meltdown after meltdown. We had to cancel a weekend getaway we had planned because of money. No matter how hard I worked, the house seemed to get dirtier by the day. I dropped the ball on more than one occasion and overall I just wanted someone else’s life. Why ME??? Why can’t I have the perfect life like ______ (fill in the blank with anyone in my circle who isn’t me). Just like my 3 year old I whine “It isn’t FAIR!!!” Is this what my life is supposed to look like? Lack of joy and contentment? Looking at what everyone else has, instead of being thankful for what God has given me? No... No it isn’t what my life is supposed to look like. In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul talks about learning to be content. He says he has learned the secret of being content in “any and every situation”. Paul- who was in PRISON while writing those words. How could he be so content when he had every reason to whine and complain? He goes on to say in verse 13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” A New PerspectiveColossians 3:1-2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Phillipians 3:20 But our citizenship in in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Do I believe this? That my citizenship is in heaven? That my life here on earth is a small blip of what eternity in heaven is going to be like? My heart and my mind should be set on things above, not on earthly things. But when my focus is only on what is right in front of me, I lose perspective. I falsely believe the “if onlys” instead of walking in the truth that because I have placed my trust in Christ to save me from my sin, I get to spend ETERNITY in HEAVEN with HIM!!! What better news is there than that? When circumstances truly do seem awful, as citizens of heaven, we have the privilege to step back and focus on the bigger picture... the truth that this life is not forever and that there is an awesome place waiting for us! It’s only when we step back from what’s right in front of us that we gain the proper perspective and the full picture! As humans, created in God’s image, we have a natural desire for things to be perfect. We don’t want things to go wrong, we don’t want failure or sickness. I’m glad that I can actually look forward to a day when this hope will be realized- I “eagerly await”! Paul lived a life of purpose. His circumstances were hard. But his circumstances did not stop him from preaching the gospel. His hope? Heaven... eagerly awaiting a savior... Jesus Christ. Will you do the same? Will you join me in gaining perspective and living a life of purpose and hope? Rhonda has two beautiful daughters (the oldest of which both of my boys want to marry someday) and is on staff with Master Plan Ministries in Grand Junction. She has a passion for the Lord and living on mission as a family. She is a great blessing to me through her vibrance, passionate living and love for the Lord and His Word. |
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