But why?

Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children. (I Samuel 1:2, 6)

Hannah was one of two wives taken by Elkanah. She was barren, while Peninnah was not. Yet, her husband loved her deeply - in spite of the fact she could not bear him any children. Hannah lived in anguish because she was barren - for it was the supreme act of a woman to bear her husband children in those days. To be barren meant she was not fulfilling her entire 'duty' as a wife - although she may have been loved very deeply by Elkanah, she felt 'less than' when she considered how the other woman could bring forth Elkanah's progeny. I wonder how many times we consider ourselves 'less than' just because we look at others as the 'standard' by which we measure ourselves and not God's view of us as 'immensely loved and cherished'?

It is easy for others to look upon our lives and criticize what they see on the surface, isn't it? The more we allow their 'impression' of what is on the surface to determine what we become on the inside, the more we will be down on ourselves. God is the only judge of our character that is trustworthy. He is the only one who really knows the intent and desire of our heart. He alone is the one who proclaims our worth or value. So, why do we put so much thought into what others think of us, how we measure up to their standards, or how well they speak of us? Maybe it is a bit of pride - for we all want to be thought well of, don't we? It could be a bit of envy because we might want what others have, not even knowing the 'price' they may have paid to have whatever it is they have.

There is something within this passage I want us to see: "...the Lord had kept her from having children." Why would God keep her from having the desire of her heart? As we read on in the account, we see how much anguish this caused her - not only because she was taunted by Peninnah, but because she so yearned to be a mother. The story goes on to reveal that year after year, feast time after feast time, she'd come to the Temple of God and pray for a child, until one year God heard her plea. That very night, she was with child. We may not understand God's delay in answering our prayers, but we can count on the fact he never turns a deaf ear to our prayers. Samuel would come of this union - of this extreme 'delay' in God's plan. Could it be that God was preparing Hannah's heart to be ready to bear Samuel and at the same time be ready to dedicate him to the service of God?

Hannah remained faithful through all those years to love her husband, follow her God, and be the woman called her to become. She never took her eyes off of God's standard, even when others tried to impose theirs on her. The more we use a standard other than God's to view our circumstances, the more we move into feelings of despair and a lack of worth. Whatever standard we are using other than God's is 'flawed' and will bring us more anguish than we might ever realize. Keeping our eyes on God's standard might mean we experience a delay in 'accomplishing' what we desire, but it is his perfect timing that makes all things perfect! It can be the hardest thing to wait on God's timing, but as long as we remain faithful to what he shows us to do, we are in the right place for his blessing to come. Just sayin!

Missed it...

Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward! You need to keep on patiently doing God’s will if you want him to do for you all that he has promised. His coming will not be delayed much longer. And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no pleasure in them. (Hebrews 10:35-38)

My BFF told me some prognosticators predicted some major solar flare taking out earth and the end of the world coming about a week ago. In case you haven't figured it out, it didn't happen! We are still here, and life goes on. They totally missed it! There have been these 'predictors' of the world's end for as long as I can remember - people who think they know the day and the hour when all will go up in a puff of smoke. Truth be told, no one but God himself knows when he will send his Son back to earth and things as we know it today 'come to an end'. It doesn't mean we all go up in a puff of smoke, but there will be a change in 'rulership' over this earth. Satan and his gang of thieves will be bound up, cast into the Lake of Fire, never to heard from again. Christ will rule and those who have said a resounding 'yes' to his rule in their lives will rule right alongside him. Until that time comes, we press on, doing what we know to do, celebrating his goodness, and sharing this faith we have been given. 

Do God's will and let him take care of the rest. This is kind of like a life's motto for me. I could go through life fretting about this and that - all things that are clearly out of my control or even my circle of influence. There would be no sense in living that way, though, for God has ordained that his children live in peace, obedience, and surrender to his will. That is the best any of us can do as we await his return. God's kiddos aren't to live in fear, but to live victorious lives. Where his presence reigns, his peace is felt. Live by faith, feeling his goodness all around you - this is how we are to live. To fear the unknown is silly, for God is in control of even the unknown. To fear the present evil around us is worthless, for God isn't about to let one of his kiddos be overtaken by evil. Can his kiddos experience bad stuff? Yes, but it doesn't change who they are in Christ Jesus. They are power-filled, peace-indwelt, grace-embraced individuals who are cared for by the Creator God himself.

The last verse of this chapter of Hebrews: "But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way." Words to live by - stick with it - stay the course - be on the path God has called you to walk. Do what he has called you to do. Be who he has made you to be. Don't quit just because the times are hard. Trust him in all things, with all things, and though all things. Those prognosticators of doom have nothing on you when you do. Just sayin!

A little bridge building is required

You are right and you do right, God; your decisions are right on target. You rightly instruct us in how to live ever faithful to you. My rivals nearly did me in, they persistently ignored your commandments. Your promise has been tested through and through, and I, your servant, love it dearly. I’m too young to be important, but I don’t forget what you tell me. Your righteousness is eternally right, your revelation is the only truth. Even though troubles came down on me hard, your commands always gave me delight. The way you tell me to live is always right; help me understand it so I can live to the fullest. (Psalm 119:140-144)

I don't imagine it is many of us who can say we are true to our word - for we all struggle with this at times - no matter how much we live in a manner where we strive to consistently follow through on what we say we will do. We struggle with the "promises" we make God more than we do the ones we make to our fellow man. Scripture outlines two inter-related character traits: Faithfulness and Fullness. It is in learning to be faithful where we are led into quite a full life! I think we follow through on what is important to us. If we hear our doctor tell us we will be dead in a year unless we make some dramatic changes in the way we eat and exercise, I daresay most of us would be on Weight Watchers, Keto, or the treadmill by the end of the day! We "value" our time on this earth, so we will make the necessary adjustments to our way of living because we want more than a year! If the "thing" motivates us enough, we take whatever steps are required in order to realize the goal, don't we? This is exactly where the "rub" comes at times in our lives. We find certain "value" in some things because they have an immediate evidence of "return" - such as when we get our haircut in order to deal with our "dowdiness". The haircut lifts our spirits and makes us feel better about our appearance. When the "value" of something isn't immediate, we sometimes wane in our commitment to it because we don't see the "return" for quite some time.

Faithfulness is something God honors - scripture reminds us God is right and always does right - his decisions for our lives are right on target. Why do we struggle with his decisions so often? I think it may be the "immediacy" of the "return" we are struggling with more than the decision! Faithfulness is based on a certain steadiness of allegiance - commitment to a purpose, the ability to remain even when the going gets tough (or the results just don't seem to surface immediately). Faithfulness begins in the action of listening. What we are "willing" to hear often makes the determination of heart much easier. When we "hear" the doctor with both our mind and heart, we are moved to action. If we just hear it as a "suggestion" of change, we might just linger in our unhealthy lifestyle a little longer. God rightly instructs us on HOW to live faithful lives. Any good teacher will confirm that a student only learns when he takes what he hears and puts it into action. This is the "bridge" between knowledge and learning. We can possess knowledge but be devoid of real learning. God's desire is for the "bridge" to be made between knowledge and learning.

Why is it we can stand on God's promises? Isn't it because they have been tested and they stand true? Then why do we struggle with them so much? For example, Matthew 6:33 tells us one of God's promises is to be anxious for nothing - to seek first his purposes - and then we will have all our needs met (maybe not all our "wants", but definitely all our "needs"). How many times do we worry over where we will find the money to pay the next bill, what we will do when we lose our jobs, or when we will see an end to a certain uncomfortable circumstance? There are even "smaller" worries we take into our lives each and every day - not because we don't have the resources to see them met, but because we aren't making this "knowledge - learning" bridge. We have the knowledge of the promise - we just don't have the "connecting" bridge which makes it a fact in our hearts! Faithfulness is directly linked to fullness. When we have this "connection" between "hearing" and "doing", there is a certain "fullness" which is created in the deep places of our lives. Fullness is defined as containing all that can be held. The amazing thing about God is his ability to expand our capacity! When we think we have come to the place of holding all which can be held, he gives us more capacity! Not capacity for "stuff", but capacity for him! 

Maybe this is where we find our struggle with faithfulness - in seeking "stuff" instead of him. We "want", but our "want" is sometimes for stuff that actually limits our capacity for being filled! I think it can be said - capacity is directly linked to our willingness to be emptied. "The way you tell me to live is always right." Look at what comes next: "Help me understand it..." There is nothing God loves more than to hear us ask for his help with understanding his ways in our lives. I don't think he ever leaves us hanging when we do. In fact, he often begins to "piece together" the knowledge we possess until they are "learned". He is "piecing together" the very bridge which will become our lifeline in times of need. The "piecing together" process may seem a little tedious at times in our lives - seeming to not show immediate evidence of the "bridge" but be assured of this - no bridge is built without a good master plan. Every piece fits perfectly because there is a plan for it. We want a bridge - no matter how well constructed. God wants it to endure! In order to endure, sometimes there is a "clearing process" in order to lay the foundations of endurance. Empty vessels are God's choicest vessels, for it is the empty ones he can fill! Just sayin!

Learn to do good

Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless. (Isaiah 1:16-17)

Yesterday we looked at the meaning of fairness and justice - the hallmarks of one who is developing a close, intimate relationship with Jesus. Today, let's look at some other things God defines as 'hallmarks' of a dedicated life. There is more than a desire to resist wrong in life - there is an 'active engagement' in resisting wrong. That which deviates from truth or fact is resisted - actively, intentionally, and with great effort at times. It is far from easy to 'say no to wrong' because wrong has such an appeal to our earthly nature. How is it we stay true and plumb in our walk? I think it comes by learning to do good - not just 'do' good, but embracing the goodness of God within us and then walking in that goodness. We allow our actions to align with that truth.

Work for justice - as indicated yesterday, we are to no longer put ourselves first, but consider the needs of others. That leads to us helping the down-and-out. They might be without a job, short on money to make the utility bill this month, or even without a place to live. As I was playing a casual game with some others online the other night, one of the gentlemen excused himself from the group for a period while he ran some boxes of blankets and coats to the local shelter. He had listened to the weather forecast and knew the temps were dipping way low that evening. He had a means to meet a very practical need and he acted upon that prompting to do what he could. It doesn't take big things - it takes listening, observing, and then acting upon what we know we can do with what we have received.

The defenseless are really any individuals who are 'vulnerable'. Vulnerability is measured in many ways. They might be without protection of some form - much like the men and women who would benefit from the blankets and coats. They could also be a little 'naked' emotionally, making them open to attack. How can we help those who are not able to build their defenses emotionally? We come alongside them - just be there for them. We don't have to have all the answers - we just need to let them know we care, aren't going to violate their trust, and not going to abandon them when they are at their weakest. We stand strong when they cannot - allowing them to draw from our strength until they can regain a little strength of their own.

It doesn't take a lot to be the kind of disciples Jesus will use, but it does require a willingness to be used. It may mean we show up when nobody else does. It could be we give from more than our 'reserve' - taking what we have and putting it to use for another. It definitely means we make ourselves available, pay attention to those around us, and listen intently to what God leads us to do. Just sayin!

Reach THAT one

Ever feel like you could do a little more in your community, or to help some world mission? The disasters that hit far off places seem to be never-ending, causing us to be always bombarded by opportunities to get involved. In the times of Jesus' ministry on this earth, things were quite similar - if not in the form of 'natural disaster', then in the form of persecution and oppression from kings of quite unfriendly kingdoms. The twelve disciples were being trained to "do" the ministry of serving those they were surrounded by - those in their immediate focus and influence. The simple instructions of Jesus speak volumes - "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place..." He was focusing them on the immediate needs of those in the communities in which they lived and did business. People with indecision and confusion in their lives who simply need a helping hand to sort things out - help them. People with the need to know that Christ is here - now - in this very moment with the answer to their life challenge - help them meet him.

"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously." (Matthew 10:5-8)

World mission are quite important, but never lose sight of our calling to be involved in the lives of those in our immediate reach. These may be our neighbors, our work-mates, or our community leaders. Right now, the budget "wars" are raging in our national capital, walls are supposed to be built to keep out immigrants, and things just seem to be constantly in a state of upset. Leaders are pitted against each other, often taking a stand on one side of the issue, sometimes without any respect for the other side's perspective. In fact, our local media is probably playing this "battle of the budget" to the max - encouraging us to call our leaders and complain vehemently that they settle the budget issues and move on to more important business. This is exactly the type of thing where we need to be "light" in a rather dark place - the regular stuff of life that just mounts to catastrophic proportions without much effort! The disciples were being called to be concerned with the confusion and unrest in their neighbors' lives - to be light in their darkness. They were encouraged to be involved in the lives of their neighbors - rather than looking beyond them to only the needs of others in far off regions. It seems that we have lost sight of that today. We are surrounded by all kinds of hurting, confused, and destitute people - right here in our own backyards (maybe in our own families).

Simple instructions can be the most difficult to follow! Somehow we read more into them than we see there. We just cannot believe that the instructions can be that simple - so we create more complex ones in our minds that we "believe" to be true. We cannot look beyond the simplicity of what Jesus tells us to do, though. He is quite simple in his instructions and we need to be a 'simple' in our belief and actions as he asks us to be! Go to the lost, confused people - those who have missed the way, are bewildered by life's circumstances, not sure of what direction to take next. These are the ones who may not have made good use of past opportunities and now live with all kinds of regret. These are our neighbors - look around you and you will see them everywhere. Bring health to the sick - we often think of these as those who have been affected by physical disease alone, but I challenge us to look beyond the physical to see spiritual, emotional, and relational "disease", as well. There are people all around us who have been affected by some unpleasantness that has left them with deep sorrow, plaguing their peace and stealing away their joy. To these, Jesus says to bring them health. Soundness of mind, freedom from what ails them.

Touch the untouchables - he was never afraid to reach out to the lepers and those who others considered "unclean". We think of these as those who society rejected - making them untouchable. Jesus encourages us to bring the touch of healing into their lives once again. Kick out the demons - there are very real evil spirits that exist in our world today. We indeed have been given the authority over them. But, I want us to look beyond what we believe to be "demons" to what also has "demon-like" power in a person's life. Those are the things that exert influence, or undo passion, in a person's life that keeps them bound by some measure of evil influence. It could be the "demon" of unforgiveness - we need to bring the ministry of reconciliation. It could be the "demon" of sexual violation - we need to bring the ministry of restoration and cleansing. It could be the "demon" of addiction of any sort - we need to bring the ministry of wholeness and healing. Yep, we need to see the entire world as our "mission field", but we cannot neglect our own backyard in the process! To whom is Jesus calling you to bring the ministry of hope, reconciliation, or restoration today? To that one, be faithful to reach out! Just sayin!

Valley or Hilltop View? It is different, you know!

"Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley." 

Theodore Roethke

I have done a fair amount of hiking in my lifetime, but one thing continues to amaze me when I reach some summit point - the look back down the trail by which we ascended to this new height. The 'look back' often shows just how many switchbacks, twists, and turns that path really took. It also often shows us just how much we missed that was right there in front of us, but because of the things that 'bordered' the path, we missed what was just beyond that border. The view from the top is much different than the view while we are traveling the path. At the moment we enter that 'trail head' to explore the path, do we know what the path will hold? Not likely. If we have traveled it before, we are probably a little familiar with it, but even a short period of time and the influence of the elements can change that path. Erosion occurs where rain waters flow freely down the hill. Underbrush grows, sheds leaves, becomes the nesting grounds for new creatures. All is subject to change - nothing remains the same. Yet, the path still leads to the summit - changed as it might be from one ascent to another - it is still an ascent!

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? To be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, You’d find me in a minute— you’re already there waiting! Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I’m immersed in the light!” It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you. (Psalm 139:7-12 MSG)

God is faithful as we climb the path - this is the one 'constant' in the path. The other changes we experience are indeed eye-catching and sometimes even a little startling. Nothing changes without God taking notice and preparing for our safe travel over that pathway, my friends. Over every mountain there is a path - what is that path for you today, my friend? Is it one that will bring you the greatest of delight in the journey, or will the ascent by harder than you might have imagined? I have taken on some paths in my years that were just way too advanced for my hiking skills. I wasn't prepared with the right shoes, didn't have a walking stick to help me maintain balance, and simply was too out of shape to really have attempted them. I didn't quit though - I just persevered because the view from the top was going to be worth it all! There are times we may feel inadequate for the path we are upon, but remember this - God has prepared a place for us to stand at the top, to take it all in, and to marvel at the greatness of his hand in helping us make it to that place!

Just a short reminder to us today as we are making new transitions, finding ourselves on paths that are yet unexplored in our lives, and re-traveling some that have been traveled so many times the path is worn smooth. We aren't going to appreciate the journey with each step - it is the accumulated steps that help us to appreciate the journey - for these are what have helped us be set high, enjoying the vantage point, and seeing the journey's path in total! Just sayin!

Faithful

Faithful - what does that word mean to you when you hear it spoken?  To many, it carries the idea of being thorough in the performance of one's duty - there is such a strong adherence to the way things are done, not a thing is overlooked or missed.  To others, it may carry the idea of being true to one's word - the person can be counted on to do as he or she has said, simply because they always have.  It also carries the idea of being trusted and reliable - signifying a little bit of both of these meanings - carrying out one's duties with consistency and always being true to one's word.  When we think of the faithfulness of God, do we put him in either of these "boxes", or does his faithfulness bespeak something else?  I wonder how many of us simply look to God as the one who consistently performs his "duties" as God and simply leave it at that. Whatever those duties may be, he is there doing them.  If this is our impression of God's faithfulness, we are missing out on some very important things in our relationship with him.  On the other hand, if we simply think of him as the one who is true to his word, we may also miss out on much of what goes into describing God as "Faithful".  

God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways, the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways!  Search high and low, scan skies and land, you’ll find nothing and no one quite like God.  The holy angels are in awe before him; he looms immense and august over everyone around him.  God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who is like you, powerful and faithful from every angle?  (Psalm 89:5-8 MSG)

As we consider the faithfulness of God, it may help to use an acrostic to help us remember these points:

Forthright - God doesn't beat around the bush with us.  In his faithfulness, he puts things as they are and helps us to see them for what they are.  He goes straight to the point - because he knows we don't always "get stuff" when it isn't clear.  To the Pharisees (the religious, self-righteous leaders), he spoke in parables - stories designed to illustrate a point to those who would actually pay attention to them.  To the disciples (those who willingly sat at his feet as his students), he shared the depths of those stories.  Why?  He wanted them to "get them".

All Knowing - Another word for this aspect of God's faithfulness is his omniscience.  Yep, he knows what we will do and how we will respond even before we do.  Maybe this is why we can count on him without wavering - because he knows the end from the beginning and will not let his kids down along the way.

Immutable - A fancy word to describe him as unchanging.  Nothing describes faithfulness better than this idea of being unchanging - consistent, constant, and coherent in all ways.  This aspect of God's faithfulness helps us to hold on to what we have learned in the past and helps us to see the elements of his handiwork in the present.  

Truthful - There is no way God will ever lie to us.  His word has been consistently the same since the beginning of time.  The way he does things is consistently the same since the beginning of time.  The circumstances may change, but his truth remains.  What he says, he does.  What he proclaims, comes to pass.  What he promises, he will perform.

Holy - To some this may not seem to "fit" in our defining God as faithful, but if we stop for a moment to consider that he would never veer from that which is upright, honest, perfect, and pure then we might just see how this describes his faithfulness.  God cannot change his character - so he will not tolerate sin - but because he desires closeness with us, he counters our sinfulness by bringing those who have a sinful nature to the place of grace in his Son.  

Forgiving - It is definitely part of his faithfulness to be forgiving.  In fact, God's mercies are new every morning - as many times as we need to seek his mercies (and they are many), he remains ready to forgive.  No sin is too great, no life is too insignificant.  He stands at the ready - we just have to come.

Unmatched - Another word for this would be omnipotent.  He is all-powerful and as such, no one and nothing compares to his greatness, nor his ability displayed on our behalf.

Loving - If we were to stop long enough to think about what every action of faithfulness really means, we might just find a root to those actions which stems from the intensity of love expressed by those actions.  As we consider God's faithfulness, it is beyond any comparison we have in the earthly sense of love, for his love surpasses all other love.  It is magnified in the actions of his grace being new every time we need it.  It is put on display in the majesty of transformed lives.  His love transforms the cold, hard hearts of mankind and opens the doorways to heaven's majesty.  I call this faithfulness in action, don't you?

God is faithful in all ways.  He is present everywhere, knowledgeable about all things, and more powerful than any other powers that exist.  He is unchanging and the ultimate authority in our lives.  He possesses all wisdom and is not afraid to share it with his kids.  He remains holy and provides a way for his kids to enter into that holiness through the exchange of their sinful nature for that of a new nature in Christ Jesus.  He rules with all righteousness and justice, never wavering from his standards of righteousness.  He is both truth and true - the beginning and the end.  His goodness and mercy cannot be fully comprehended, but it is as near as our breath.  His graciousness and love are ever-reaching and all-encompassing.  Now, if this doesn't describe "faithful", I don't know what does.  Just sayin!