I Don’t Like Being Caught off Guard
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.”
Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
You know how some people love the thrill of being surprised?
They love surprise parties. They would love to show up at work today and learn they are being whisked away from their desk for a vacation in just a few hours. They would even love to have one of those makeover shows show up at their house with a film crew and a whole new wardrobe.
Surprises feel exciting to them. Like how some people feel when a roller-coaster ride they thought was over suddenly takes off again and starts doing upside-down loops. They throw their hands in the air and embrace the thrill of the unknown.
They call that fun. I don’t.
I can usually manage my dislike of surprises in all the situations I just mentioned. My friends know not to throw me a surprise party. After the initial shock, a surprise vacation or a new wardrobe could be nice. I might even be able to stomach a roller coaster, if I can thoroughly check it out and know its patterned route before I agree to ride it.
But life is different. Life twists and turns and throws loops into places we think will be flat and smooth. Sometimes it catches us off guard.
At the end of the day, I guess that’s why I don’t like to be surprised. Getting caught off guard makes me feel exposed, afraid, and put on the spot before I’ve had any time to think through my response.
But slowly … I’m learning it’s not all bad to be surprised.
That vulnerable place reminds us we have needs beyond what we can manage. Feeling a little exposed and afraid reminds us we need God. Desperately. Completely.
And in that gap between what we think we can manage on our own and what we can’t manage, faith has the opportunity to grow deep roots. Roots that dig down into the hope and joy and peace only God can offer.
I’m challenging myself to remember my faith doesn’t just need to grow big - it needs to grow deep, like the Bible describes in Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV):
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit”.
Jesus Wants You To Know...
"Though you may not know the way you should go, you do know the One who is the Way. Stay near Me, and you will not go astray. Because I am sovereign over your life, I actually direct your steps and make them sure even when they feel random to you. Talk with Me about your uncertainty, your fear of making wrong choices. Remember that the most important choice you make moment by moment is to stay in communication with Me."
Application of God's Word: Psalm 1:3
Verse: Psalm 1:3
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Application:
When Scripture says, "In all they do, they prosper," it does not mean immunity to failure or difficulties. Nor is it a guarantee of health, wealth, and happiness. What the Bible means by prosperity is this: When we apply God's wisdom, the fruit (results or by-products) we bear will be good and receive God's approval. Just as a tree soaks up water and bears luscious fruit, we also are to soak up God's Word, producing actions and attitudes that honor God. To achieve anything worthwhile, we must have God's Word in our hearts.For all who take their delight in living by God's Word, there is prosperity. Under the image of a fruitful tree, the psalmist declared that whatever the righteous do will prosper. Two qualifications need to be noted. First, the fruit, that is, the prosperity, is produced in its season and not necessarily immediately after planting. Second, what the godly person does will be controlled by the Law of God (
Music: "Keep Your Head Up"
God says He will never leave us, and God is faithful to His promises.
πβπ πΏππ
π· βπππ πππ ππππ ππππππ π¦ππ’ πππ π€πππ ππ π€ππ‘β π¦ππ’; βπ π€πππ πππ£ππ ππππ£π π¦ππ’ πππ ππππ πππ π¦ππ’. π·π πππ‘ ππ ππππππ; ππ πππ‘ ππ πππ πππ’πππππ. - Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
No matter what you are going through today, May you experience God’s love, God’s peace, and God’s presence. May you be encouraged, knowing that God will never leave you or forsake you. May the name of the Lord be glorified in all of our lives today and always, Amen.
Growing Pains
Me: Hey God.
God: Hello.....
Me: I'm falling apart. Can you put me back together?
God: I would rather not.
Me: Why?
Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?
God: Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.
Me: You don't understand! I'm breaking down!
God: No - you don't understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. You aren't falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don't need anymore to fall off of you. Quit holding onto the pieces that don't fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.
Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?
God: Only the very best pieces of you.
Me: I'm scared of changing.
God: I keep telling you - YOU AREN'T CHANGING!! YOU ARE BECOMING!
Me: Becoming who?
God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love and charity and hope and courage and joy and mercy and grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided to adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you! Don't change! ... Become who I made you to be. I'm going to keep telling you this until you remember it.
Me: There goes another piece.
God: Yep. Let it be.
Me: So ... I'm not broken?
God: Of course Not! - but you are breaking like the dawn. It's a new day. Become!!!
- John Roedel