In God's Time

At this they tried to seize Him but no one laid a hand
on Him because His time had not yet come.
John 7:30

During this life there will be moments where we find ourselves basking in the radiant sunshine only to turn the corner and feel entrenched in the darkness of shadows. There are lessons to be learned during each of these stages. However, it is crucial to our existence that we have the understanding that in both situations our God is present and unchanging.

On many occasions the Bible speaks of situations where the main characters in the story were about to be killed, maimed, and wounded, but the Lord did not allow the destruction to befall them. Scripture after scripture speaks of times with Jesus where He was able to walk untouched through the crowds of those who desired to harm Him. Other examples are Daniel, Gideon and his army, King David, the three brothers Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo and many others. Have you ever thought of adding your name to that list? That long list of heroes of the faith, that though they were human, loved their God and served Him valiantly. Adding your name to that list has nothing to do with the word hero or the rush of pride that comes with that title. The ability to add your name to that amazing and miraculous list has everything to do with our God and His most wonderful love. In truth, there is not one person mentioned in scripture, besides Jesus, that deserved the love that God offered them. They each had sinful desires, moments where fear overtook their faith, acts of disobedience, and a tendency to self-destruct. Our God did not look at them and disqualify them. Instead, He took their weaknesses and used the person in spite of themselves. Their name is on that list because God made it so and made the decision to love the unlovely.

Though I hope this conversation brings you to a sobering realization of what we are really made of, there is not a stone of judgmentalism hidden behind my back waiting to be launched. This realization should bring each of us to our knees and remind us of our need to run to our only hope. I am so thankful that the Lord has placed my name on His most protected list. This doesn’t mean that the lion’s cannot devour my flesh or that I will not be burned in the fiery furnace. But it does assure me, that like Jesus, there is no one or nothing that can overtake or consume my life until the right time- which is God’s time. And when that time is to come it will not lead to destruction but to a perfect graduation.

Scripture also gives us many examples of God’s people laying down their own desires, painful moments, scarred memories, and ultimately, their very lives, to follow and honor their God. As I have grown older and served the Lord, my biggest fears are not found in the possibility of losing this life or the pleasures that surround it, my fears are wrapped up in the idea of whether God is or is not in control. On those days where I can bask in the rays of His presence and I am able to sense His guidance, my fears are subsided and I can raise my head high. However, on those days where the voices that are hidden in the shadows keep screaming my name and the waves of fear seem to be rising higher than the foundation I am standing on, my faith begins to crumble. As I read out of John today the Lord reminded me that my life is in His hands- even in those moments where my worries have blinded me to the truth of His overpowering protection.

Whether you feel that your life is basking in the sun or walking ominously through the shadows, nothing can steal you away from the loving arms of God. Run to Him! Allow Him to renew your hope and give you strength. He is an amazing God with an amazing plan. The shadows that may seem to be controlling your life may only be there to remind you how desperately you need the sweetness of God’s embrace.

You do not want to leave too, do you?

Has the Lord offended you?

Are there questions that have gone unanswered?

Have you been pushed to the limits of your faith and understanding and had to make a decision to still hold on?

In John chapter 6, Jesus finishes sharing a difficult teaching for his followers to understand and many people begin deserting him.

Verse 66
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

This is a very strong life statement. What happens in someone’s life that would cause them to make a decision to turn and run from the Messiah? There is a part of me that has always thought these people must be crazy. However, once life begins to take more than you were you were ready to give and you find yourself standing on ground that is foreign, it usually always seems like a good time to run. The Bible guarantees that we all will face these types of struggles in one fashion or another. So, then how do we stand strong during some of the hardest times in life? How do we follow the admonition of Ephesians 6 that tells us to keep standing and ward off the enemy?

I believe we find the answer in verse 67 and 68 of John 6.

You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know you are the Holy One of God.”

The disciples did not even think of running anywhere else because they were sold out and had nowhere else to go. This doesn’t mean they were stuck with Jesus, but that they put all of their stock in the person and message of Christ. This is a way of serving the Lord that is not lived out very often. Most of us trust the Lord, but have a plan B, and C- just in case he doesn’t come through. There is a big part of who I am that has always relied on my own skills and ability to get me through if the Lord didn’t function like I thought he should.

This pride has been my folly. This pride assumed many things over the years that were nothing but seeds of destruction. I long to be like the disciples and when the weather shifts and life begins to get scary I have nowhere to run but to God.

If the Lord allowed the worst to happen and then asked me
“You do not want to leave too, do you?”
that I would be able to say in response,
“Lord, to whom shall I go? I have placed all my hope in you and trust you for my survival.”

Thought for the day
It is safer to be in the most difficult storms resting in the arms of God than to be sitting in what may seem like a safe harbor far away from God.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your guidance and for your word that reminds me of who I am and who I need to be. Forgive me for my pride. Please continue to strip me of anything that does not allow me to place my whole trust in you. I know the safest place I can be is in the "Lion’s Den" with you sitting next to me.

I love you Lord,

Kristopher

Looking for a Sign

John 6:25-27

When they found him on the other side of the lake , they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “ I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

This scripture brings to light a very sad part of our humanity that if we are not careful can and will easily rule our lives and poison our relationship with our creator. Jesus had just finished doing an amazing miracle where he took five small barley loaves and two fish and fed 5000. There was even enough food that people were full and there were many baskets left over. Following this miracle, many of the people believed that Jesus was the Messiah.

What happened between the day before, where the people were ready to believe in the person of Christ, and the next day, that Jesus himself felt the need to point out that those present were only their to fill their stomachs once more?

#1 Time
We tend to forget so easily how amazing the Lord is.

#2 Hunger pains
Too many times those things we hunger for will only mislead us. This is why the Bible tells us to hunger for righteousness.

#3 An easy way out
This is a hard truth but the longer I live the more that this can easily rule my day.

Before we begin to judge and think of how crazy these people must have been, let’s take a look at our own lives and evaluate how and why we run and look for our Savior. To begin the introspection, please allow me to share an example out of my own life where my broken humanity tried to win the day and rule my motives.

The Lord has sustained our family in some of the most amazing ways. He has shown us grace and mercy, provided solid friendships, lead us through turbulent waters, opened the hearts of friends and family to give us a roof over our head and food on our table, and at times even given us what we needed before we knew we needed it.

If the Lord did all this and more, then why do I keep running to him and accusing him of being distant and non-responsive. Just the other day I was taking a quick peak into my checking account and was saddened by the numbers that were present. I went to the piano and began playing one of the songs that I have added to my personal worship favorites, We Will Remember, by Tommy Walker. As I played it and sang this song to the Lord, (I was trying to draw near to Him) I felt the Lord ask me a poignant question.

Would you be seeking me like this if you did not have a need?

He then said something like this to my heart…

Kristopher,
I love you and have been with you every step of the way. I have no plans on leaving you. In fact, I am hoping that we can continue to grow in relationship and walk this path of life together. However, please come to me because you simply love me and enjoy my presence and not just because you feel desperate and have run out of places to find hope.

This was a shameful and real God conversation for me. As we seek Jesus, may it be with pure motives. Jesus is not our meal ticket, He is our creator, redeemer, savior, and friend.

He longs to spend time with us and allow us to understand Him in new ways that will help stabilize and strengthen our lives.

My challenge for today…

Spend time with Jesus, simply because He is Jesus.

Taking a Step back

This weekend I had the opportunity to spend time with a group of youth and watched how the Lord started breaking into the lives of these young men and woman. He started by getting them to take a 2-day hiatus away from the regular routine of their life. Then while away from the stronghold of habits and familiarity, He began His work. The youth went from staring at each other and the leaders, to smiling a bit more. They went from a distant look of a person who knew of a God that loved them, to a group of people who believed once more that God is walking with them. The Lord touched lives on all levels, some in small ways and I truly believe that some of the youth decided to walk on a whole different path after they had this time of drawing near to the Lord.

So what can we learn from this group of youth?

How can we take their experience and be reminded of who we are supposed to be?

#1 Make the time for God
We cannot keep running around in circles claiming that God is our source of strength without setting aside a part of our life to actually spend time with Him.
#2 Take moments away from the familiar and comfortable
I believe strongly that finding ways to break our daily routine helps us from being stuck in places that we do not even realize is a trap. When you take time to retreat and ask to show up the most wonderful thing will happen, He will show up.
#3 Allow the Lord to help you take that next step
When we look at the lives of youth it is easy to somehow think we are more mature than they are and that we deal with real problems compared to them. These youth that I spent time with are no different than you and I. They are dealing with life and watching their humanity attempt to control them. Does this really sound any different than the normal grind of your day? Each of these youth are on their own journey and God is asking them to not worry about the whole journey- just take that next step and when that is done then deal with what is around the corner. I believe He is saying this same thing to you today.

When is the last time you have asked the Lord what step He would want you to make in your life to honor Him and look His ambassador? I promise when you do their will be ideas that arise of what the Lord might just be asking and has been asking for some time if you were listening. Once you feel that that you know of a couple of things then pray and ask the Lord for clarity and strength. He will guide you and strengthen you to step into all that He has for you.

While Jesus was on this he often took the time to retreat and renew His mind and heart. What a great example to follow.

Mark 1:35-37 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"


Dear Lord,

I thank you for each of the youth that were at camp this weekend. I pray that you keep their hearts soft and their eyes focused on you and what you are asking. I also ask that you help me, and those reading this, to truly seek you and allow you to guide our steps. When we want to make excuses of why we are running in circles please find a way to get our attention and bring our focus back to the path that you have laid before us.

Amen