PATHS

Have you ever gone hiking in the woods in winter? You start down the meandering path, breathing deeply to fill your lungs with the crisp, fresh air. As you go farther along you notice subtle scents of evergreen needles, dormant trees and damp leaves. You look up to try to catch a glimpse of the scolding squirrels jumping from branch to branch overhead, and suddenly you realize the path ahead abruptly splits. You stop to look around. Both paths appear well travelled, the snow equally trampled in both directions, but you cannot see ahead to where each path leads. How do you choose which way to go?

Last winter, my oldest daughter and I went on a mini holiday up north, and we tried snowshoeing for the first time. The park guide pointed us in one direction through the woods, uphill, but quickly assured us that the incredible view of the scenic lookout at the top would be so well worth the effort of the climb, and that it would be downhill from there. So off we went, or I should say, off went my capable daughter while I awkwardly adjusted to having two rather large new feet. I would rather not admit it, but not very far into the climb my quad muscles in both legs starting screaming in pain, and I mean screaming. I began wondering if I would make it to that scenic lookout. The reward of the incredible view at the top just might not happen for me. It was beginning to look like it was going to be all pain with no gain. It was then, that I recall coming to a fork in the path, one way continuing painfully up and one way cutting over and across. Was the view at the top truly worth the pain involved to get there we wondered? Or should we take the path that cut across in hopes that it would soon lead downhill?

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you are seemingly cruising right along; you are happy and healthy, enjoying your job and relationships, and suddenly you come up on a fork in the road? You realize you have a decision to make; you need to decide which direction to take. One road appears to lead painfully upward, while the other one leads across and hopefully soon afterwards downhill. Is the route that seems to require a difficult uphill climb going to be worth the time and effort? Perhaps it involves your job, and one choice requires taking extra courses, maybe even going back to school, and long hours, but eventually a promotion with more pay. Alternatively, you could choose to transfer over to a job that doesn’t require additional time and effort, but pays less. Or maybe it’s an investment decision you need to make, or whether to move, or, if you’re a high school student, which direction to go post secondary school.

 

Ruth, in the Bible, also came to a fork in the road. She unexpectedly had a life altering decision to make. Ruth, a Moabite woman, married one of the sons of Elimelek and Naomi, who had left Bethlehem, Judah and moved to Moab due to a famine, with the intention to return to Judah when the famine was over. In the meantime, Naomi’s husband, Elimelek, died, her sons married (one married Ruth) and after they had lived in Moab about ten years, both her sons also died. Now Ruth, her mother-in-law and her sister-in-law were childless widows, the most disadvantaged class in the ancient world. Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, heard that the Lord had come to the aid of his people in Bethlehem, Judah by providing food for them, so she prepared to return home. Naomi told her two daughter-in-laws that they should each go back to their mother’s homes. Ruth’s sister-in-law returned to her people and her gods, but Ruth decided not to turn back, but rather to journey on with her mother-in-law to a new country, a new people, and a new God. It was not an easy journey. It required a hike through the desolate Jericho pass, through the Judean wilderness near the Dead Sea, going across the Jordan River, into the land of Moab. It was also more than just a change of address. Ruth left behind her Moabite gods she grew up with and made a decision to follow the God of Israel. 

 

A fork in your path provides an opportunity for two different journeys, for two ways to experience life. Ruth could have chosen to turn back with her sister-in-law, Orpah, to live with her family, worship her gods, and stay in her own country, but she chose a seemingly more difficult path, with an amazing reward. You see, Ruth’s decision led to her playing a key role in the coming of the promised Messiah. Ruth ended up marrying a distant relative named Boaz. Their son was the father of Jesse, Jesse fathered David, who became king, and from the line of King David the Messiah was born. How amazing is that?

 

As for my snowshoeing experience, I can assure you that the view was absolutely spectacular at the top, and well worth the super sore muscles and labored breathing it took to get me there. Either path would have eventually lead me to where I needed to end up on the trail, but the one requiring extra pain and effort offered a spectacular reward. That day the crisp, cold air offered a clear view that went on for miles and miles.

 

Where are you on your journey through life? Are you at a peak enjoying the vista, cruising downhill, or at a crossroad with a looming decision to make? When you come to a crossroad in life, how do you make the decision of which path to take? The advice in Scripture is to rely on the guidance of God when facing decisions: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

 

Consider including these three steps to guide your decision-making:

 

Pray to God: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

 

Search the Scripture: “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Saviour.” Psalm 25:4-5 NIV

 

Seek Godly counsel “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 NIV

Originally published on April 27, 2023 as a guest writer for "Hope for Hard Times":

https://hopethroughhardtimes.org/are-you-at-a-crossroads/

Reposted here in dedication to my three girls. As you journey through life, remember Proverbs 3:5-6.

With all my love,

Mom

AUTHENTIC PRAYER

 Psalm 13 NLT 

 

O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with the anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me. O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!" Don't let them rejoice at my downfall.

But i trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me. 

 

Does this psalm express your current feelings? Or have you felt like this in the past? Like the writers of many of the psalms, we face troubles in our life, and we respond as they did, seesawing between feelings of abandonment and frustration and then maybe eventually back to hope and gratitude.

In this Psalm, we hear David telling God how he feels about the situation in which he finds himself. David's enemies chased him relentlessly in an attempt to kill him for many years. He was constantly on the run, living in the wilderness and hiding out in caves. He lived in fear of the possibility of his pursuers catching up with him and defeating him. He also pictures them gloating and rejoicing about it afterwards.

Thankfully, you and I are most likely not on the run, being literally chased by an enemy, but life can often metaphorically feel like we can't catch a break. Maybe you've had one of those days...or one of those weeks...or more, where it seems like everything is going wrong. Your car breaks down on the way to work, you spill your coffee all over yourself, you miss an important meeting, your dinner burns, your favourite sports team loses, you toss and turn all night, and then repeat a similar scenario the next day, and the next, and the next. Sadly, you my friend, are wandering in the wilderness, so to speak.

What is your response?

I had to ask myself, how do I respond to situations like this? Do I, like David in verse 5, tell God that I trust Him? Do I tell Him that I am happy because I trust that everything is going to turn out all right in the end? Do I sing a happy song in gratitude to Him because I feel He is good to me?

When I first read this psalm this morning, what I noticed was that David authentically expressed His feelings to God. He didn't say "I'm fine", like I tend to do. He spoke to God honestly. He said what He was truly feeling, but He followed it up by expressing his trust in God. David acknowledged that he knew from God responding to difficult events in his life in the past, that "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28). David loved God and did his best to obey God's commands, and from past experiences he knew that God would be good to him no matter in what circumstance he found himself. We know, because of David's honesty, that it seemed like God had forgotten him in his current situation in the wilderness, but he trusted. He held onto hope. He was grateful.

Greig's Caves, Bruce Peninsula

Reading this psalm feels like reading David's journal, where he's pouring out his personal thoughts and feelings. He writes down his feelings of abandonment, his grief, his emotional despair at feeling forgotten by God and continually pursued by Saul's army. But then his writings shift in tone from anguish to hope and gratitude. Reading more of David's psalms reveals a pattern of lament turned to praise. 

When we experience difficulty, or witness injustice and suffering, we can pray and express our thoughts and emotions honestly to God. In this process we, like David, will remember that even though it may currently seem hopeless, or although we are in the middle of our grief, or we presently feel abandoned, God is there. We will be reminded that God is there, and we will recall that like in the past he is also in control of the present. We can rejoice in that He is good to us.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

The next time you pray, listen to your words. Are they authentic? If not, try consciously changing them to reveal your true heart to God, and remember who it is to whom you're praying, and how he has worked in your life in the past. Perhaps, like David's, your lament too will shift to praise.

PROVIDENCE

Sleepless nights frustrate me. Lying in bed exhausted, but not falling asleep, seems so futile. On Sunday night, however, when I simply could not fall asleep, I happened to recall that Sunday's sermon, on Romans 3, cross referenced Psalm 5 (for Romans 3:12, in particular). Curious to know why it came to mind, I opened my Bible app on my phone, read Psalm 5, and fell fast asleep. Somehow, thankfully, it gave me peace.

Although I encourage you to read all of Psalm 5, I will highlight some of it here:

Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge, Belmopan, Belize

1-3 Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

7-8 But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple. Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies--make your way straight before me.

11-12 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield.

Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge, Belmopan, Belize

Matthew Poole's commentary describes the Lord's favour that surrounds us as love and gracious providence. Providence, by definition, meaning care or preparation in advance; foresight, or care, guardianship, and control exercised by a diety; divine protection. David, the writer of this Psalm, experienced this providence, or favour, in 2 Samuel 5:19 when facing the giant, Goliath. David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?" The Lord answered him, "Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands."

A prayer for wisdom and protection is constantly on my lips. I cling to the words in James 1:5-6 "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt."

Whatever battle you are facing, sleepless nights, health crisis, loss, anxiety, whatever it is, may God surround you today with love and gracious providence. May you ask for and receive divine direction. May you rest; rest in the knowledge that you are covered with His favour as with a shield; you are under the protection of the Almighty God.

Photos: Belong to the author

Bible Version: NIV

Trusting the Creator

Article published in the DEAR SISTERS MAGAZINE - ISSUE 13 

Sleeping Giant, Belmopan, Belize

I stand in awe of the magnificent splendour, the delicate intricacies, the dynamic balance, the incredible depth, the vivid palette, and the beneficial healing aspects of nature. Everywhere I looked at nature in Belize, on the sandy coast of the Caribbean Sea and in the lush tropical jungle near the Belize River Valley with a view of the Mountain Pine Ridge foothills, I was immersed in the wonder of it all!

From the unfathomable number of stars in the sky and the super cool bioluminescent lake waters in the night, to the slow sloths and the chatty, swinging monkeys in the incredibly tall canopy of trees overhead, the beauty of the shockingly vivid blooms, the chilly sapphire-coloured waters of the blue hole, and the never ending push and pull of the salty ocean waves during the day, I caught glimpses of the Creator. 

"The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these." Isaiah 45:7 

Just like nature compels me to notice the Creator, the seemingly never-ending pandemic has compelled me to more earnestly seek the One who is in control, not just of nature but, of ALL. Drawing me close to the One who has a sovereign plan, unending compassion, healing hands, love so amazing; who is full of grace, mercy, and truth; who causes well-being, but also creates calamity.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him because we trust in His holy name. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in you." Psalm 33:20-22

 "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise-- in God I trust and am not afraid." Psalm 56:3-4

 "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act." Psalm 37:5

"You keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Isaiah 26:3-4

"And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord; and whose hope is the Lord." Jeremiah 17:7

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,  and with my song I will praise Him." Psalm 28:7  

Clearly, my response should be to trust. I am instructed to trust Him and not my understanding of things; to hope in Him; to trust and not be afraid; to commit my way to Him; to stay my mind on Him; and to give thanks to Him. Reality is I am over here kicking and screaming and freaking out. Kidding, but not kidding. Some days I don't know what to think, how to feel, or who to trust, but when I stop my racing heart and my busy mind, I remember the Creator. The Creator I saw in Belize and my other travels, and the Creator I see everyday in my backyard. I know I am His, and He is mine, and I trust. Maybe just for a moment, but I practice trust. I trust that He is Who He says He is, that He will do what He says He will do; I trust that He holds me in the palms of His hands, that I am under His wing, and in the shelter of Him, my rock. And my dear reader, you can trust Him too!

"I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands." Isaiah 49:15-16

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge, His faithful promises are your armour and protection." Psalm 91:4

 "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings!" Psalm 36:7

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in Whom I take refuge." Psalm 18:2 

 

 

  

RESILIENT

Article published in DEAR SISTERS MAGAZINE - ISSUE 2

The word that seemed to claim me in December as I thought about the new year ahead was Resilient. I do not know where it came from, but it popped into my head over and over and piqued my curiosity.  What I did not know then was how much I would need resilience in my life over the next few months.

My three girls and I live on a 35+ acre farm and have 12 animals: 2 curious and fun goats, 2 show ponies that would do whatever my girls asked of them, 1 rescued bunny and 1 hen that are best friends (they don't seem to realize that one of them is a bunny and the other is a hen -- they are two peas in a pod), 1 more hen (she lays amazing x-large brown eggs) and 1 rooster, 3 cats and 1 borrowed dog. Sadly, in December we lost one goat very suddenly, and just over a month later we lost the other one. Then last week we lost one of our horses very suddenly as well. A horse that made my oldest daughter's dreams come true; a hunter jumper grand champion that needed and received so much love and care. She came to live with us when my youngest daughter was three and she doesn't remember life without the horse. For fifteen years that horse taught my girls a love language only horses can teach, along with the value of hard work learned in caring for her and training her. The quietness of the barn hits me every morning when I open the door to do chores. My chatty hen tries to fill the space with her demands for treats (strawberry tops are her favourite), but when she's busy scurrying around pecking here and there, the silence prevails. It is hard to bounce back from the sadness of loss, even the loss of pets. 

Resilience is generally defined as the ability to perform well during times of stress and to bounce back after setbacks. One of the proven factors that helps people to bounce back is "drawing from religious and spiritual resources". So many times in my life I have thought to myself "How do people do life without God?" The one who is "God of all, who is over all and through all" Ephesians 4:6. The Arabic version of "through all" is "taking care of all". 

For the last decade I have fought hard to overcome one health dysfunction after another. Coming into this year I optimistically thought I finally had the end in sight; the last layer of the onion as my doctor calls it. A few months ago, when that word "resilient" claimed me, the concept that when I would experience physical, emotional or mental stress I would find meaning in the midst of it, would bounce back and be stronger as a result, excited me. I imagined travelling without triggering symptoms; in my mind I pictured travelling to a destination and arriving with energy and excitement, ready to explore and then returning back home refreshed. I imagined taking on a project and having the strength to see it through. I imagined doing all the things I don't feel confident enough to commit to. After all, my favourite verse is "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13. I looked forward to being that word ... resilient. Truth is, this week I'm not feeling it. 

However, there may be a different way of looking at being resilient. As said by Eugene Peterson in The Message Devotional Bible, in describing what Abigail in effect said to David in I Samuel 25, "The wilderness isn't an experiment in which you test yourself and find out how strong and resilient you are, it's where you discover the strength of God and the faithfulness of God." Abigail found herself in a seemingly impossible, terrifying situation and yet somehow, she looked at a story much larger than hers and found strength in the storm.

The account in I Samuel 25 takes place during a time when Israel had been recovering from repeated attacks from surrounding nations like the Philistines. During this particular event, David is enraged by Abigail's husband's response to a request for supplies, and David threatens to attack the entire estate, thus endangering Abigail's life as well. However, God had a plan to work through her messy situation. That same God who in Ephesians 4:6 is described as the God of all, who is over all, and taking care of all.

We live in an uncertain time, making it difficult to trust that at the end of this God will make all things right, (Psalm 103:6 MSG) and that we will perform well through it all and bounce back after this great setback. Maybe the lesson here is that resilience for a Christian isn't about us, about us being strong enough to overcome; it's about God and His strength to carry us through and faithfully see us to the other side. I have come to realize that as a Christ follower my word for the year doesn't mean what I thought it did. It takes a lot of pressure off me to not have to be resilient through my own effort, and puts my trust in the Almighty God. So thankful for His promises!

Exodus 18:23 "God will direct you, you will be able to endure."

2 Corinthians 4:8 "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair...struck down, but not destroyed."

1 Chronicles 16:11 "Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually."

Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

Isaiah 40:29 "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength."

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand."

Psalm 16:8 "I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."

ARE YOU OPEN TO CHANGE?

I read Exodus 3 this morning and find myself contemplating something God said to Moses that surprised me. So it's when God was telling Moses to be his advocate to help deliver the people out of slavery to Pharaoh. God says "But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go." (Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭19-20‬ ESV) So in my mind, God all- powerful could have sent Moses in and the people could have walked out with him and God could have protected them, but instead he says the king will need compelling. And I thought "But you are GOD! You can make anything happen instantly. Why would you need to compel Pharaoh to let Your people go?"

So you have Pharaoh "the oppressor" needing to be compelled to be open to change. He is used to being in charge and having God's people do his hard labour, and you have God's people "the victims" that need to become open to change, because they have become accustomed to being oppressed and it's their new "normal". Moses also needs to develop an openness to change to take on the role as leader rather than the fugitive that he envisions himself to be. Change is hard! Openness to even just the possibility of change is sometimes hard. We become accustomed to the situation we have allowed ourselves to be in and maybe as a defence mechanism we convince ourselves that we are where we are supposed to be, that we don't deserve better, that we are not worthy of better, that we deserve to be in that place in our lives. But I can tell you it's not! God has a better plan, and like He did in Exodus 3, he tries to compel us to believe differently, to trust that He has our best interests at heart and that change can be good. Often fear causes us to remain where we are in an effort to protect our hearts from shattering, and are instead left in a diminished life rather than opening up to the possibility of truly being able to live freely. "The only way we can evolve is when our sense of what we know and trust is destroyed." Karen Kimsey-House, MFA, CPCC, MCC, Co-Founder and CEO of CTI in the Huffington Post Blog "Disrupt Your Life in a Good Way., Part 1: Don't Fear Heartbreak... It's Growth" She tells a story of a leadership cohort who experienced the switch from a closed life to openness and I love what she said... "I didn't even know I was dead until I was alive." Well said! That's why the switch is so difficult! 

What's not directly said in these verses is that Moses needed to be compelled to be a leader, and God's people needed to be compelled to believe they would actually be rescued (and remember Pharaoh needed to compelled to change his mind). So Moses and God's people see themselves as victims and find the situation hopeless, and like all situations where we feel we are being hopelessly oppressed and the victim, we have to arouse within ourselves the capacity to be redeemed and the capacity to be used by God and the capacity to be loved. That switch is so hard, and one I struggle with but like Proverbs 13:12 says "When hope is crushed, the heart is crushed, but a wish come true fills you with joy." So I will keep striving to be open to change, hope, trust, opportunity, success, love and joy! For if I am not open to receiving it, how will I be able to reciprocate...to give back or pass it on to others?

Are you the Action or the Reaction in Reciprocity?

Do you always give with the intention of getting back? Probably not. Yet, when the word reciprocity is mentioned, many people assume that receiving back is the sole intention. After all, Newton's third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction ~ hence, the law of reciprocity.

This past year, my daughter studied Newton's third law in school. We learned that a thrust of hot air expelled out of the back of a jet engine produces an equal and opposite reaction, pushing the jet forward. Similarly, when a farmer tends and plants seeds in his field, the field gives back a crop to harvest. So, if the farmer would decide he did not want to give with the intention of getting back, he could sit back and wait for his field to give back first. He may get weeds. Obviously, taking the approach of giving back only after receiving, proves less effective. I challenge you to look at reciprocity in a different, more productive, way.

The key concept for the farmer to be successful involves giving to the field in order to receive a harvest. Similarly, smile at someone, and you will most likely get a smile in return. Express kindness to someone, and they may express kindness in return to you, or they may pay it forward. The advantage of giving first is that your gift then becomes the action that demands an equal and opposite reaction, either paid back to you or paid forward to someone else. The alternative is passivity or only giving in response to what people give to you, making you subject to everyone else's moods and actions. Proactive giving allows you to have control; you can put your giving to work for you. It allows you to be on the action side of the action/reaction law of reciprocity. You then can decide whether you wish to receive a negative or positive reaction. Hit someone and they may hit you back. Have a critical attitude and expect to receive critical judgement from others. Matthew 7:1 (The Message) "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging". The Bible also says, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.  Give, and it will be given to you." Luke 6:36-38 NASB.

Everyone knows the saying, "Do to others as you would have them do to you". This requires action by you first, and then comes the reaction. It is not done because you selfishly wish something in return; it is done to control the reaction.

Choose with me today to be the first to give positively, making your gift an encouragement and a challenge to others to react positively as well. Be the action not the reaction!


Reference: Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage by Mark Gungor