Timely Devotional

My devotional today is very apropos for me right now.

After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.” (Gen. 15:1, Holman CSB)

So saith the Lord. I love it when He does that. The devotional goes on to say that fear is a human response to problems, but God’s response is hope.

I think that will need to be my mantra for the next couple of days, weeks and months. I know it was time to move. I feel good about leaving my job. Now its about trusting the plan God has for me.

A friend reminded me yesterday that just because all of this is new to me, it isn’t new to God. That really hit me. I mean in my head I know that God is completely all-knowing. But I forget the practical application of that in my day-to-day life.

So in the face of the unknown I have to remember that God has a history of providing courage and strength. He’s in the business of guiding his children. I just have to keep surrendering and stop trying to control. So let go is the other part of my mantra. I need to learn how to enjoy the ride. I want to be front car, no hands – it’s ok to scream!

Filed under: Spiritual Formation , faith, fear, God, hope

Lessons from a Lizard

I have been quite accident prone lately, so the other day as I was carrying a big box from my house to the car I kept looking down at the sidewalk trying to get my bearings around it and avoid the puddles on the sidewalk created by the sprinklers. It was an awkward juggle of the box, my purse and computer bag, because I really couldn’t see much beyond the box.

On one of my glances down I noticed that there was a lizard frozen right in the middle of the sidewalk. He probably heard me coming and using all of his self-protection mechanisms became the color of the sidewalk, stopping dead in his tracks. He was so well hidden that I could have easily stepped on him, killing him, which is ironic since that is why he was hiding, to be safe.

I couldn’t shake the image of that lizard frozen in the middle of the sidewalk all day. As I kept thinking about it I realized how often I am like that lizard. When afraid I tend to freeze, hide and get in a rut. I don’t move. Even if staying put means I might be squished by circumstance. My fear paralyzes me. I’m using my self-defense mechanisms to protect myself not realizing in the end being in survival mode might kill me.

I don’t want to blend in. I don’t want to hide. I don’t want to be paralyzed. I think it’s as we keep moving that faith is built. That is how we trust and depend on God rather than ourselves. It is in the quiet panic as we step out that we draw closer to God.

I have to keep moving, forever trusting in the one bigger than me to protect me, instead of protecting myself.

Filed under: Psychobabbling, Spiritual Formation , defense mechanisms, faith, fear, God

Faith and Hope

Last November I blogged about a dear friend who had two miscarriages.

I just got the news this week that she is now 18 weeks pregnant with a little girl. What joy! I am so excited for her. I can’t wait to see her belly grow and to get pictures of that beautiful little girl.

It gives me hope to see her prayer answered. She is my personal example of perseverance and strength. She never gave up and had such faith for this baby. I need some of that faith for things hoped for and yet not seen.

Filed under: Friendshipping, Spiritual Formation , baby, faith, miscarriage, pregnant