Simple Thoughts

As I was reading a devotional this morning, I came across an excerpt of a poem by Elizabeth Elliot.

“Do it immediately; do it with prayer; Do it reliantly, casting all care; Do it with reverence, tracing His Hand Who placed it before thee with earnest command. Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing, Leave all resultings. DO THE NEXT THING“

The last phrase of the poem, “Do the Next Thing,” is what the devotion was about. I thought, this would have been good advice when I had young sons, a full time job, a husband, household chores, etc… I am a procrastinator at heart so things could pile up on me quickly.

As I re-read the poem, I thought this would be good advice to share with young moms but does it really apply to me? It’s just my husband and myself now, our dogs, a small house, his pastoring of a small church. I have time. I can schedule out appointments, ministry, etc…

But, as always, God’s timing is perfect. Today, I knew I wanted to workout, shop and get ready for a visit with a dear sister in Christ. Workout done. Shopping done. Pull out everything for the lunch I had planned, looked at the clock, glanced at myself still in workout clothes and started repeating, “Do the next thing.” I methodically and purposefully moved from one job to the next: make the coleslaw, chop the veggies, brown the meat, hull and cut up the strawberries, clean up the mess, set the table, shower and dress, shoo the dogs outside. Whew! Do the next thing. As I set everything out, in pulled my friend. Do the next thing. No worries. No panic. A fabulous visit. A new mantra, with God in control, brought peace to my mind and calm in the home.

Got my bag. My purse. My lunch. I’m ready to go. And I walk out the door.

This morning, as I finished up my devotion time, I picked up my bible to put it back on the shelf. Not remembering that I had it in my hands, I started walking towards the door. It was as if God was speaking to me, reminding me, “Take it with you. Take Me with you.”

You can memorize scripture and have the words ready to go, on your lips. You can have a bowl of scripture, written on little wooden hearts, ready for people to take with them and read. You can have favorite verses saved in your photos, in your notes on your phone or tablet, ready to encourage.

Lord, help me as I open the door to go out into the world that I take You with me. That Your words are in my heart and on my mind as I go out into my day. Let me be ready to love, to help, to encourage, to speak Your truths as You give me opportunity.

1 Peter 3:15 “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

Psalm 96:2-4 “Sing to the Lord, bless his name;  tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

“I need to return this gift.” “I am going to return to the story for a forgotten item.” “We will return in a few hours when the movie is over.”

Things you say to a clerk, a spouse, a baby-sitter. What do they all have in common? “Return.” Same word, yet used in multiple sentences, context is key to the meaning each time.

As I began my study in 1 Peter this week, I paused on the word “return.” 1 Peter 2:25: “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” The return here is telling us to come back, to turn toward the Shepherd and Overseer, Jesus.

Did you once make a profession of faith and have since walked away? God is calling you to return. Did you once go to church as a child and loved being there? God is calling you to return. Did you once attend youth group as a teen and enjoyed the games and pizza and would vaguely listen to the message, silently hoping for more time with friends? God is calling you to return. Been through the wringer in church by other supposed “Christians?” God is calling you to return.

Do you find yourself straying from the faith you once had? Are you questioning what you believe? I implore you to return. Return to God’s word. Study one book of the Bible. Delve in, see Jesus in the pages of scripture. Return to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul. He is waiting and welcomes your return to Him.

A date. A time of gift giving. A house to decorate. Carols to sing. Special meals to prepare. Gatherings. Church specials.

A heart to prepare. Your heart. My heart. A baby born in a manger. Angels bringing good tiding of great joy. A declaration of a promised birth of long, long ago. Fulfilled in the babe in the manger. A Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The angels couldn’t keep quiet. They praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, good will to men.” Luke 2:14 The shepherds obeyed and went and found this babe, the Lord made known to them. They, too, couldn’t keep quiet. “They made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.” Luke 2:17

This babe, our Savior, came for everyone who would believe. That every person who truly believes, examines his/her sinful heart, admits that there is no cure, no work, nothing to be done by human hands to be reconciled to God. When you receive this Gift, you are a new creation, made new in Christ Jesus. Would you receive God’s Gift? Have you already received God’s precious Gift, His Son Jesus? Praise God. Let us go, like the angels and shepherds and bring “good tidings of great joy to all people.” Luke 2:10b

Spending time with small children allows you to see the wonder in their eyes as they explore and learn about the world around them. Their unending questions, their joy in seeing butterflies and the sounds of nature. Perhaps they have even brought you some nature to enjoy with them!

At this time each year, as I study and remember the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus, I am left in awe and wonder. The God of the universe stepped down from heaven, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. All the Old Testament prophesies fulfilled in Jesus. God kept His promise to send us a Savior, His Son. That all who believe would have life in His name. His life lived was one of Light in the darkness. Illuminating our sin and providing hope. Our faith in Him.

But God, did not leave us to wonder on our own. The bible is filled with all of God’s promises so that we don’t remain as babes in Christ. We, too, have the light within us, commanded by God to share the truths of the gospel. The Good News.

Let us enjoy the wonder of this beautiful time of year but let us remember, as we look for the bring star in the sky, as we enjoy the beautiful lights of this season, that we look for the “blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13) His second Advent. Be in wonder and hopefulness as you live a life of faith, during this Christmas season and all year long.

Noise can be a wonderful sound. The crowd cheering after a winning touchdown. The excitement, wonder and chatter of children. Sometimes, though, it is good to get away, to hit “mute” and be alone in the quiet, with God. Time to re-center our attitudes, our demands. Time to focus on His word, to renew and re-energize us, to be ambassadors for His Kingdom.

Find time to sit in the quiet. Even if all around you is noisy, escape to allow your soul to be revived in Him. Even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time. You will be thankful for the time spent with Him.

People coming over. Redd-up the house. Everything just so. After the gathering, as I am cleaning up, I notice the back porch railings are dirty. Ugh! I thought everything was perfect. Now, everyone knows I have a dirty back porch. Not perfect. Flawed.

We all have things about ourselves that we like to “pretty up” for the world to see. When we allow our friends and family to get close, they see our flaws, our imperfections and love us anyway. My friends saw my dirty back porch, enjoyed the gathering and loved me anyway.

What a relief to be able to know we don’t have to be perfect. But God…sent His Son, the Perfect Man, to be the perfect sacrifice, the perfect plan of redemption only in His Son, Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord. I, an imperfect human, follow a perfect Savior. As such, Jesus wants me to come to Him, confess my flaws and imperfections and follow Him. He doesn’t want me to stay there, though. As I grow and mature in my faith, I see my flaws, my sins, give up the things that cause me to stumble and move closer to Him.

So, yes, the next time I had a gathering, my back porch railings were clean. But, this time, I noticed a dirty window. Ugh! Again, not perfection. But, I am learning, growing, seeing Jesus ever before me, striving under His Lordship. Not content to remain in my current, flawed self.

When I am… Tired. Overwhelmed. Defeated. Your word reminds me that I am not alone. I am weak, but You, O Lord, are strong. When I seek to worship in Your presence, I am calmed. Your word reminds me You alone are in control. You strengthen me, give me resolve to press on. To continue to live for You, shine my light for You, love in Your name. You alone are worthy, Lord.

If you have these same human feelings and emotions, I pray the following verses bring calm to your day and strength to your spirit.

2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. “

Ephesians 3:16-20 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Psalm 51:10-12 “Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Watching 50-60 foot long leaf pine trees sway in the wind as the storm approaches. They bend. They sway. But mostly, they remain intact. An article I researched on the long leaf pine says, “It has less dense foliage and a large, deep taproot which serves as a sturdy anchor during wind storms.” (americaslongleaf.org)

What deeply roots you during a storm? Is it your knowledge and expertise? Is it the availability to newer, better, more advanced technologies and medical services? Is it a community of friends and family that you surround yourself with? Yes, yes and yes!

But, is your faith your deepest root system? For God is able to give us the strength to withstand the wiles of the devil. He puts His light in us so we do not need to fear the darkness of evil. We are children of the Day, children of the Light. Le us be “firmly established in the truth.” 2 Peter 1:12

Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

Above all the chaos, the news of the day. Above advice of friends. Above the doubts swirling in your own head. Hear Jesus. Let His words, His truths, resound as an anthem. One you believe, trust and follow above all other voices.

When you listen to, read and study God’s word, His voice confirms what your heart knows to be true. Listen to His voice!