Not so long ago there was a smart, witty, God-fearing boy who longed to be continually on God’s path, growing in His presence, wisdom and love. This boy awoke one morning, hearing the voice of God tell him to rise and go down the road beside his house...and to keep walking. The boy didn't know where he was going or why God wanted him to go; he just knew that he heard the voice of God and he wasn't going to ignore it.
A little ways down the road he felt a strong stirring to try to see what was at the end of the road. As he peered ahead he could see a great and beautiful tree - just the tops of it because it was quite a distance away. The closer he got to the tree, the more he could see of it and even though he wanted to run, he could hear God telling him to walk and be patient. And so he did walk and he was as patient as he could muster up the strength to be. He was also as obedient as he could be along the path even though at times the walk was exhausting. (Truth be told, his eagerness got the best of him once or twice and he DID stop along the side of the road and climb a tree or two in order to get a better look at this beautiful place God was sending him.)
As the road would take a turn and then go around another bend, the boy never gave up...though he got tired, dusty, too hot, too cold and hungry he kept going. Not once did God fail to provide for him along the path. As he walked further down the path, the boy could see the tree with all its beautiful fruit and foliage getting closer and closer. With his destination clear, he knew he had somehow earned God's favor, not just his grace and mercy. Even when he had occasion to doubt God because he would lose sight of that tree when he went into a valley or as he made his way up the back side of a steep hill, the boy didn't lose faith because he knew God had given him a vision of what was to come.
One day the boy walked up and over a small rise and lo’ and behold, there was the magnificently beautiful tree right in front of him. It had gorgeous tender flowers all over it with the most delicious looking fruit. As he approached the tree he began to cry out in joy and praises to God for bringing him to this blessed destination. But as he praised God he heard His voice once again. The voice of God was saying, "My son, this is not your destination." The boy thought perhaps he was hearing wrong but again God said "My son, this is not your destination."
Bewildered, the boy didn't know what to do. For so long he had seen this tree in his sights and kept moving forward just to partake of what he thought God wanted him to have. God spoke to the boy and said "My son, if you will look closely, the path I laid out for you does not lead to this tree. It goes beside the tree but the path continues on...and so must you."
Disappointed, doubtful and angry, the boy refused to walk any further. Sitting, leaning against the tree, the boy began to cry; at first out of anger and then self-pity. He loved this tree. He had come to know it as a sign of hope, a friend, a welcome vision in the distance. And yet, as he sat below the tree, leaning against it he realized that there was no one and nothing else that mattered more to him than God. Staying in this place that he was not destined for meant he would lose out on the destination God DID have for him. He prayed and realized that if this magnificent place was not his destination then God must surely have something even greater in mind for him. He couldn't imagine anything better but he knew what God's Word said. God's imagination and creativity was far greater than his own. Surely God would be with him as he moved forward.
So, resolved to step out in faith once again, the boy got up, dusted the dirt off his feet and continued walking. Choosing to be like Lot, he did not look back. In fondness he remembered the tree...but in thankfulness he remembered the walk and ALL he had experienced thus far.
As the boy continued forward he came to what he thought was a dead-end; but truly it was a sharp, sharp turn. Step by step the boy managed the sharpness of the steep turn. It surely was worth the effort if God had taken such care to create it for him and it was definitely not the most difficult turn or steepest hill his path had brought him to thus far…so in sheer obedience, he continued. And as he finally conquered the difficult steps, he gave it his all as he headed around another small curve. As he did so, the most brilliant scene came before him...far more beautiful than the previous one. He stopped, awed at the beautiful creation he was witnessing. As he looked around, his heart swelled to see that his path led straight to the most amazing tree he had ever seen; bathed in a beautiful, glowing light; perfumed with the most precious of flowers. And then the boy fell to his knees as he heard God's voice say, "This is what I have prepared for you my son...well done faithful one. Well done."
Karen VanderMarliere- McCracken
© 2011 Womaninspired.com
At times we tend to think that we know just what God has planned for us. Or perhaps, most likely, we make a plan and ask God to bless it. Often, we beg Him to bless it and make it His will for us. When all the while, He has a path already mapped out for us. Sometimes He gives an idea of where we’re headed but the challenge is to take things one day at a time, one step at a time but never, ever out of His will or off His path. Thought we may get weary, worn out or impatient we never need worry because our God will not forsake us. He will always provide for us out of His great storehouse. He will never leave us nor abandon us as so many others do. As we trudge up one hill and down the other side; around the sharp curves and rocky turns, His strength and His Holy Spirit will be with each of us. As we seek to walk where He calls us, no doubt we will occasionally get off track, but our quest is to continue on and fulfill His plan…reaching the destinations along the way that He has for each of us. And reaching our final destination…in His arms.
In Him,
Karen
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Are you a 'Why Baby'?
Even when your faith is weak or you haven’t gotten your own way you still have Jesus in your heart but do you deny His Word and His truth in the process?
"At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One." Job 6:10 (NIV)
How many of us can honestly say the very words that Job said? That we have not denied the words of the Holy One? Not many. Most of us come up against even the slightest bit of adversity and we’re the first ones crying “Why me, God? I just don’t understand. This isn’t fair.”
I can honestly say that I am not a “cry baby” who whines at the slightest bit of neither adversity; nor am I what I call a “why baby” who cries out to God “why me?” every time something goes differently than she expects. I’ve faced many of the very same things you have thus far in life: Infertility, surgeries (23 to be exact), physical and emotional pain, cancer, loss of loved ones…typical life occurrences for most people. But I’ve been blessed throughout my life to know that I don’t have a right to say “Why me, God?” because He has also blessed me in ways I can’t even fathom or imagine that I deserve.
I once heard someone say many years ago that if you don’t ask God “Why me?” when He blesses you then you have no right to ask the same question when adversity and pain comes your way. But above and beyond that, we have no right to call on Him when we’re in pain, seeking His help to then only turn our backs on Him, His Word and His plan when we don’t get our own way.
I see many men and women deny His existence when they aren’t getting their own way. It’s such an easy thing to do. Whether I am in pain or not, getting my own way or not, I cannot deny His Holy name or His Word…or His call on my life. Though it may be a struggle to get through the pain at times, I know He has a plan and I will honor Him as I take the path He’s called me to. I pray you will reflect on the life of Job and realize that you indeed are blessed…and work not to deny The Holy One.
So what is true suffering and affliction? When you suffer do you lack faith in the midst of it?
During a time when it seemed every part of my life was going haywire – along with my brain and my body - it took me a bit of time meditating before I finally stopped trying to conjure up my own ideas on the matter to look up the word affliction. It means: “The cause of great pain or distress; great suffering.” And as soon as I read the definition I calmed down. The reality that hit me was that I was not actually suffering. When I think of suffering I imagine Jesus Christ on the cross, dying for my many imperfections and sins. My small troubles, aches and pains and procedures were nothing compared to his bruised, broken and bleeding body that He willingly allowed to be put on the cross for me.
We tend to think that if we aren’t getting our own way very much then we must be way outside of God’s will…Lots of churches teach that if you aren’t healed instantly, rich by the time you’re 40 or in a great marriage or are unable to have kids then you have a faith problem. But His plan IS best for us – whatever it is and whatever His timing is. It’s our faith that is usually small and the eyes of our hearts see things ‘human sized, not God sized’.
At times we tend to place our level of thinking and feelings onto God; as if His plan for us could be no greater than anything a mere human being could dream up. We expect such small things from a really big God at times, don’t we? I mean, think about; how much do you truly trust this amazing God who created the stars and the moon and breathed life into every living thing? How great do you think He can be and will be to you? I didn’t think He would treat me so wonderfully back then. But again, I was looking at Him through small eyes and a small measure of hope.
“…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given you.” Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)
Trials in life, pain in our heart and in our body and even tragedy can all teach us varied degrees of perseverance. Every situation that comes our way which causes us to have to work harder, dig deeper into our hearts for hope and to see things from just a little bit different perspective can help develop within us a level of perseverance that comes closer and closer to that of Jesus Christ’s.
I’ve known for many years that as long as there was purpose in my pain...whatever pain it is, then there is hope. Without perseverance I would not know the hope of Jesus Christ and His plan for my life. Praise God for the sufferings we endure to know Him and be able to draw close to Him.
If you have faith rather than fear then you will not count your sufferings as great compared to His. Does your fear keep you from moving forward where He wants you to go? Does fear push out your faith or squash it at times?
Fear is not the opposite of faith. A person can have much faith but sometimes still feel fear. Fear stems from believing a lie. Where there is truth, the lies are exposed. Through truth our darkness has light piercing through it. Faith is rooted in knowing the truth. Growing your faith happens when you seek truth in all areas of your life. So faith means going forward, believing, doing and living even though you may still have fear at times. Faith is believing without having to see the outcome before you. Where is your level of fear today? What are you afraid of? Seek the truth, expose the lies, the assumptions and ‘what if’s’ that bog your brain down.
Peter was brave enough at first to ask the Lord to help him come out onto the water but then he looked around, taking his eyes off Jesus and he became afraid, plunging into the water. Fear often times keeps you hunkered down inside the boat, unwilling to step out on to the water. The truth was that Jesus wasn’t going to let Peter drown. Peter just had to believe and see this truth. Once he dared to look around and let his brain take over with what were surely “what if’s”…”What if the water doesn’t hold me? What if Jesus lets me go?” then he did indeed fall, due to his fear.
Don't cower, intimidated by the storm, taking your eyes off Jesus. Have faith in the One whose hands can calm the storm and walk you across the water! Besides, if a storm is raging, you're going to get wet either way! You might as well be holding His hand in the midst of it and praising Him while you do so.
"He personally bore our sins in His (own) body on the tree (as on an altar and offered Himself on it), that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed." I Peter 2:24 (Amplified Bible)
"At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One." Job 6:10 (NIV)
How many of us can honestly say the very words that Job said? That we have not denied the words of the Holy One? Not many. Most of us come up against even the slightest bit of adversity and we’re the first ones crying “Why me, God? I just don’t understand. This isn’t fair.”
I can honestly say that I am not a “cry baby” who whines at the slightest bit of neither adversity; nor am I what I call a “why baby” who cries out to God “why me?” every time something goes differently than she expects. I’ve faced many of the very same things you have thus far in life: Infertility, surgeries (23 to be exact), physical and emotional pain, cancer, loss of loved ones…typical life occurrences for most people. But I’ve been blessed throughout my life to know that I don’t have a right to say “Why me, God?” because He has also blessed me in ways I can’t even fathom or imagine that I deserve.
I once heard someone say many years ago that if you don’t ask God “Why me?” when He blesses you then you have no right to ask the same question when adversity and pain comes your way. But above and beyond that, we have no right to call on Him when we’re in pain, seeking His help to then only turn our backs on Him, His Word and His plan when we don’t get our own way.
I see many men and women deny His existence when they aren’t getting their own way. It’s such an easy thing to do. Whether I am in pain or not, getting my own way or not, I cannot deny His Holy name or His Word…or His call on my life. Though it may be a struggle to get through the pain at times, I know He has a plan and I will honor Him as I take the path He’s called me to. I pray you will reflect on the life of Job and realize that you indeed are blessed…and work not to deny The Holy One.
So what is true suffering and affliction? When you suffer do you lack faith in the midst of it?
During a time when it seemed every part of my life was going haywire – along with my brain and my body - it took me a bit of time meditating before I finally stopped trying to conjure up my own ideas on the matter to look up the word affliction. It means: “The cause of great pain or distress; great suffering.” And as soon as I read the definition I calmed down. The reality that hit me was that I was not actually suffering. When I think of suffering I imagine Jesus Christ on the cross, dying for my many imperfections and sins. My small troubles, aches and pains and procedures were nothing compared to his bruised, broken and bleeding body that He willingly allowed to be put on the cross for me.
We tend to think that if we aren’t getting our own way very much then we must be way outside of God’s will…Lots of churches teach that if you aren’t healed instantly, rich by the time you’re 40 or in a great marriage or are unable to have kids then you have a faith problem. But His plan IS best for us – whatever it is and whatever His timing is. It’s our faith that is usually small and the eyes of our hearts see things ‘human sized, not God sized’.
At times we tend to place our level of thinking and feelings onto God; as if His plan for us could be no greater than anything a mere human being could dream up. We expect such small things from a really big God at times, don’t we? I mean, think about; how much do you truly trust this amazing God who created the stars and the moon and breathed life into every living thing? How great do you think He can be and will be to you? I didn’t think He would treat me so wonderfully back then. But again, I was looking at Him through small eyes and a small measure of hope.
“…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given you.” Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)
Trials in life, pain in our heart and in our body and even tragedy can all teach us varied degrees of perseverance. Every situation that comes our way which causes us to have to work harder, dig deeper into our hearts for hope and to see things from just a little bit different perspective can help develop within us a level of perseverance that comes closer and closer to that of Jesus Christ’s.
I’ve known for many years that as long as there was purpose in my pain...whatever pain it is, then there is hope. Without perseverance I would not know the hope of Jesus Christ and His plan for my life. Praise God for the sufferings we endure to know Him and be able to draw close to Him.
If you have faith rather than fear then you will not count your sufferings as great compared to His. Does your fear keep you from moving forward where He wants you to go? Does fear push out your faith or squash it at times?
Fear is not the opposite of faith. A person can have much faith but sometimes still feel fear. Fear stems from believing a lie. Where there is truth, the lies are exposed. Through truth our darkness has light piercing through it. Faith is rooted in knowing the truth. Growing your faith happens when you seek truth in all areas of your life. So faith means going forward, believing, doing and living even though you may still have fear at times. Faith is believing without having to see the outcome before you. Where is your level of fear today? What are you afraid of? Seek the truth, expose the lies, the assumptions and ‘what if’s’ that bog your brain down.
Peter was brave enough at first to ask the Lord to help him come out onto the water but then he looked around, taking his eyes off Jesus and he became afraid, plunging into the water. Fear often times keeps you hunkered down inside the boat, unwilling to step out on to the water. The truth was that Jesus wasn’t going to let Peter drown. Peter just had to believe and see this truth. Once he dared to look around and let his brain take over with what were surely “what if’s”…”What if the water doesn’t hold me? What if Jesus lets me go?” then he did indeed fall, due to his fear.
Don't cower, intimidated by the storm, taking your eyes off Jesus. Have faith in the One whose hands can calm the storm and walk you across the water! Besides, if a storm is raging, you're going to get wet either way! You might as well be holding His hand in the midst of it and praising Him while you do so.
"He personally bore our sins in His (own) body on the tree (as on an altar and offered Himself on it), that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed." I Peter 2:24 (Amplified Bible)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Dancing On Solid Ground
Over the past few years I’ve come to the place in my life where I'm tired of wasting time. I have cut out committees, groups I was leading and extra activities I hastily agreed to participate in that mean little or nothing to me. I have simplified my life.
I have prayed for God to reveal to me the things I need to know to stay on the path He has for me…the good and the bad; about myself, those around me and His truths. And He continues to prove to me over and over (though He doesn’t need to) that He is in control and He is faithful even when I am not.
In cutting out the complicated, time-sucking, energy-draining excess of life I have discovered a renewed pleasure in my friendships, family relationships and quiet time with God. I have rediscovered talents, desires and joyful activities I had once forgotten about.
Now more than ever I long to sit and soak up the sunset, awe at the pinks that radiate from a bright yellow sun...and breathe deeply instead of gasp for air in a dead-heat to make it on time to my next worldly deadline.
I encourage you to make the space in your home or yard to set up your own little corner to pray, listen to music, paint, write or whatever is God has blessed you with that brings you closer to Him and closer to peace.
A good measure of my day is whether or not I have taken the time to hug my family, read God’s Word, pray more than a quick prayer, sing while I do dishes, write – even if only a few notes or an outline – and take time to play with my dog. (And every few days I work to take my living room by storm as I dance in my pajamas, sing at the top of my lungs and forget the world outside the windows.)
While it’s not highly likely you’ll see me drop to my knees and pray in the local grocery store, (though ya never know!) if you were a fly on the wall in my house you might just see me do that at any given point throughout the day. Without intimidation or fear holding me back, I am thankful to have faith in the middle of a world that is seemingly collapsing all around me.
I am so elated to not care one crumble of a cracker whether or not I cause someone else to roll their eyes at my proclamations of faith, joy and perseverance. If they don’t understand my faith then I’d be happy to share it with them. But I won’t keep it to myself if they ask me to contain it. It’s not something I can control. It just is… And so it is this very faith, that love of God and all He continues to teach me that I share with you. I pray it inspires you, encourages you and makes you see life from just a little bit greater, calmer, funnier, more peaceful place than you did before.
So if you were where I once was…on shaky, unsteady, fearful ground…Look up! Look within! Look to God. I finally sloshed out of the ever sinking-sand that threatened to pull me under and now I stand on solid ground. You can too…
Care to join me? I’ve found out that solid ground is a great place to dance!
~ Karen
I have prayed for God to reveal to me the things I need to know to stay on the path He has for me…the good and the bad; about myself, those around me and His truths. And He continues to prove to me over and over (though He doesn’t need to) that He is in control and He is faithful even when I am not.
In cutting out the complicated, time-sucking, energy-draining excess of life I have discovered a renewed pleasure in my friendships, family relationships and quiet time with God. I have rediscovered talents, desires and joyful activities I had once forgotten about.
Now more than ever I long to sit and soak up the sunset, awe at the pinks that radiate from a bright yellow sun...and breathe deeply instead of gasp for air in a dead-heat to make it on time to my next worldly deadline.
I encourage you to make the space in your home or yard to set up your own little corner to pray, listen to music, paint, write or whatever is God has blessed you with that brings you closer to Him and closer to peace.
A good measure of my day is whether or not I have taken the time to hug my family, read God’s Word, pray more than a quick prayer, sing while I do dishes, write – even if only a few notes or an outline – and take time to play with my dog. (And every few days I work to take my living room by storm as I dance in my pajamas, sing at the top of my lungs and forget the world outside the windows.)
While it’s not highly likely you’ll see me drop to my knees and pray in the local grocery store, (though ya never know!) if you were a fly on the wall in my house you might just see me do that at any given point throughout the day. Without intimidation or fear holding me back, I am thankful to have faith in the middle of a world that is seemingly collapsing all around me.
I am so elated to not care one crumble of a cracker whether or not I cause someone else to roll their eyes at my proclamations of faith, joy and perseverance. If they don’t understand my faith then I’d be happy to share it with them. But I won’t keep it to myself if they ask me to contain it. It’s not something I can control. It just is… And so it is this very faith, that love of God and all He continues to teach me that I share with you. I pray it inspires you, encourages you and makes you see life from just a little bit greater, calmer, funnier, more peaceful place than you did before.
So if you were where I once was…on shaky, unsteady, fearful ground…Look up! Look within! Look to God. I finally sloshed out of the ever sinking-sand that threatened to pull me under and now I stand on solid ground. You can too…
Care to join me? I’ve found out that solid ground is a great place to dance!
~ Karen
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