The Heavens Declare God's Glory

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God himself has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes-his eternal power and divine nature-have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people are without excuse.  Rom. 1:19,20 ISV

Blue Canvas Sky

       Yesterday morning, at 7:50 am, I was driving in the usual spot on the road as I brought my son to his school bus stop.  As I turned the corner on the first section of S-curve, I saw the most beautiful sky I’ve seen in a while.  The background consisted of variable shades of blue blended one into another.  The clouds came in two types: soft, misty like ones that merged into the background colours, and small, puffy white ones scattered around them.  The sun was hidden from view, but shone on the puffy clouds to vary the brightness of white, and give others the ‘silver lining’ effect that is gorgeous to behold.  All together it was like a rich canvas painted before me that changed with every turn of the van.

       Other times when I drove the same route, I have happened upon miserable weather, or fog so thick you couldn’t see, or sunrises that brought colour to my day.  You never know what you’re going to see when you turn a corner, even if you are very familiar with the route and buildings.  Life, nature, and people are often unpredictable, and change things unexpectedly.  Doesn’t that make life more interesting?

       (This is a bit of a side thought.)  At any one time, some of us are like the soft, misty clouds blending in to the background.  Others are differing sizes of puffy, dark to bright white clouds and some have silver linings while others are completely hiding from the sunlight.  In the end, it takes all the kinds of clouds and colours to make for a captivating and splendid scene. (Back to the main thought.)

       There have been times in life that I have turned a corner and discovered wonderful new friends, great opportunities for growth, skills I did not know I possess, and other positive experiences.  There have also been times I turned a corner and learned the depths of despair, the grief of loss, the pain of broken heartedness, and other negative experiences.  But all the experiences have helped me learn and grow, even during the times I was angry, shut down or trying to escape reality.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you… That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness… Col. 1:9-13

       The apostles prayed these words for the Colossians that they would walk in a way pleasing to the Lord.  They further explain that means being fruitful in good works, increasing knowledge of God, and then speaks about being strengthened, in His power, with patience, longsuffering and joyfulness, as well as giving thanks for He has delivered us.  I think Paul is talking about those turns in life where we learn so many lessons, toughen up or become stronger in the Lord, learn patience/ longsuffering and joy in the midst of trials.  Eventually, we learn to thank God no matter what we are going through.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Jm. 1:2-4 ISV

       Everyday there are corners to turn, and we can’t keep our joy if we are always worried those turns will become negative experiences.  We need to trust the Lord will be with us through all the good and all the bad; that He will take care of us and turn all the negative things into good in our lives.  Turning the corners in this life is interesting and exciting when the Lord is in control at the wheel beside us, and when we put our trust in Him.  With Him, we can check out all the experiences around the corner, especially the blue canvas skies.

Lord, help us to trust You with ALL our heart!

The Perfect Pizza- Part 2

(please read part 1 for better understanding)

       So, how does my perfectionism translate into fear?  First off, it becomes a fear of imperfection or of my being imperfect.  (Strange, isn’t it, because I know no one can really be perfect!)  Just like the way I spent a long time making sure each piece of pepperoni, ham, mushroom, red and green pepper, and onion were perfectly spaced symmetrically on my pizza- after I had perfectly spread the cheese on top of the perfect amount of sauce.

       This desire for perfection (and fear of imperfection) causes me to hold back on trying some things while being unsatisfied with my attempts at others.  As to my Christian walk, sometimes I hold back saying and doing things the Lord wants me to because I don’t want to do anything the least bit incorrectly, or be wrong (imperfect) even in a small part.  So it becomes a battle in my mind.

       Secondly, there is a fear of speaking or acting out of God’s will (another state of imperfection).  If God tells me something, in that moment I am sure I am hearing Him.  Later, when I am supposed to (or want to) tell someone else, I become insecure and usually end up keeping my mouth shut.  Better (in my mind) to say nothing than to say the wrong thing.

       How many people have missed blessings from God because of my irrational fear of being imperfect?  We are human, and therefore imperfect!  One of the battles in my mind right now is knowing what God has planned for my future, but not really acknowledging it because then it becomes real, and I have to face that I won’t be perfect in the role He has set out before me, and that brings out the fear.  On Sunday I was reminded that fear is not from God, for He has not given us a spirit of fear (2Tm. 1:7), and that if you have fear, there is a battle going on in your mind, and it is not a fleshly battle, but a spiritual one.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph. 6:12

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2Cor. 10:3-5

       This spiritual war will be won or lost in your mind. What are “strongholds?”  A strong hold is anything that has a strong hold on your body- or on your mind.  Depression, insecurity, shame, feeling unwanted, unloved, unworthy, and let’s not forget fear: these can all be strongholds in our minds.  And if we are to serve God, He wants us to be free to do so (Jh. 8:32,36).

       We need to cast out these thoughts (like fear) that shouldn’t be in our minds, each and every time they come up.  Let’s not be nice about it either, but like enemy soldiers we get them out forcefully- not in our own strength, but the power of God and in the name of Jesus. “…without me ye can do nothing.” (Jh. 15:5)  As Christians, we now reside in the kingdom of Jesus (Col. 1:13) where the enemy does not belong.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through the one who loved us. Rom. 8:37 ISV

…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1Jh. 4:4

…but with God all things are possible. Mt. 19:26

       At least 59 times the Lord God (or through his servants) said to us “fear not”.  Thinking on the perfect pizza analogy, I know He is saying that to me, and I have heard, so now I must act on it.  How will I do that?  One step at a time, one ousting of those thoughts at a time.  The Lord is my strength and will help me, for I am a conqueror only through what He has done!

He is with me.  He is with you.

You drew near on the day I called on You, And said, “Do not fear!”

Lam. 3:57

Where to keep our minds:

Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. Col. 3:2 ISV

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Php. 4:8