Sunday, March 22, 2015

Best Foot Forward


Hello Friend,

I wanted to write because events had me thinking of you this week.  Our conversation Tuesday wasn't long enough, you asked a question and I didn't answer it very well.  I tried but at that point my youngest had added twice the needed soap to the laundry.  It was about to get ugly. I’m sorry our time got cut short.

There isn't an easy answer, but I had a few thoughts that might help.  Do you remember asking why life has to be so hard? I don’t think you were feeling sorry for yourself, just to be clear.  It’s a brilliant question.  But neither do I think you were asking me to start at the Garden of Eden and recite “how sin entered the world.” 

If I was hearing your heart correctly, you were asking me how to keep going when the demands of life overshadow your ability to cope.  How to find the strength to keep going when you don’t have it?  Maybe more than that, what on earth does God expect when he keeps making life so hard? 

I confess I had to smile.  Not that I think accusing The Lord is a wise strategy, but I can relate to the feeling.  The sovereignty of God is a weighty subject and we will spend eternity measuring its magnificence.  But when we feel overwhelmed, everything carnal views God’s sovereignty as an opponent to our desire for a carefree existence.  We tire of trials and want God to put life on pause while we catch a moment of stress free living.

Truth is dear friend, it doesn't work that way.  No living creature becomes stronger physically or spiritually by avoiding trials.  Somewhere along the way, you realized that you were God’s enemy and asked Him to forgive you based Jesus' sacrifice.  You asked Him to become sovereign in your life.  You were saved, cleaned up and delivered.  You sang many songs, declaring God’s sovereignty and rejoicing in His ability to save.  At some point during that worship time, you asked God to remake your heart and bring your desires in line with his.  You asked for him to become the Lord of your life.  The ironic part is we beg the Lord to remake us, then pitch a fit when He begins to answer our prayers. 

Think back to some of the worship you have experienced.  Any of these lyrics sound familiar?

I want You more than gold or silver
    Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver
    And the apple of my eye.

You're my friend and You are my brother
    Even though You are a king.
I love You more than any other,
    So much more than anything.[1]

Or perhaps this one?

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will[2]


Now, as much as we might like to blame people like Marty, Brian and the entire Hillsong organization for their gifting, it won’t benefit us much in the long run. Only God’s word can help you when you find yourself at odd’s with God’s plan for your life.   

Can I encourage you friend, to go back to the basics?  Jesus told us what we would face.

These things I have spoken to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33).
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Sometimes dearest, the answer to, “why is it so hard?” is simply; because that’s how faith works.  You just have to pick yourself up and try to make it through one more hour by putting your best foot forward regardless of how insufficient it seems.  We can do that because we have a God who loves to shore up lack, whose power is perfected in our weakness (2Cor 12:8-10). 

One of my girlfriends did something splendidly stellar this week.  For years she has disciplined herself to wake up before the roosters and head to the gym for a workout.  On this particular morning, she found herself in dark, groping for her shoes.  She found them, grabbed her bag and headed for the car.  As she drove to the gym, she tied up her shoe laces whenever she came to a stop light.  Somewhere during the drive, she realized her shoe laces didn't feel right.  It was too late to turn back. Realizing her mistake, she forged ahead and completed her work out in style.  She was generous enough to share the photo with me when she came home. 



This picture made me think of our conversation.  Life can get very, very difficult.  But when it is, we must remember we aren't alone.  God promises to share the days with us.  We can put on one of our shoes and one of His, knowing that He will bring us through, regardless of how ill equipped we feel. 

Put your best foot forward this week dear heart. 

I’m praying for you,
xoxKaren





[1] As the Deer Pants for the Water, Marty Nystrom. © Copyright 1984 Maranatha Music (ASCAP)(admin. by Music Services).
http://martynystrom.com/
[2] Refiners Fire, Brian Doerksen.  Words © 1990 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing (Admin. Music Services)
http://briandoerksen.com/

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