The Value of a Moment

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."

Dr Seuss.

 

Its 5am, and I toss and turn trying to go back to sleep.  I focus, craning to hear a sound or a voice calling me to see what brought me out of my slumber.  It is still dark, the moment just before the birds awake.  The world outside is mostly silent apart from the odd car engine grumbling.

My mind is calm but curious as to why I am awake so early. Naturally I raise my internal voice to sing the bridge of the song still resonating with my spirit from Church the night before:-

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me.  Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour” (Hillsong United)

 “Speak Lord your servant is listening” I say to my Creator and wait. Flashes of memories come into my mind, they are memories of my father’s parents.  I see my grandma giggling in delight as she gives me her “squidgy” hugs. I see my grandpa showing me how to spin honey out of the honeycomb in the back shed. I remember….. I feel the delight of just being in their presence as a child, the love. The memory moves on to when I had to say goodbye, the last time I saw them before they died.  What sadness and yet what beauty knowing that they had a relationship with Jesus.

Have you ever had moments like that?  Where you have allowed yourself to remember, let in the sadness, relived the happiness and re-process the confusion?

Have you ever allowed yourself to see the value in that moment?

Over the last 6 weeks I have been reliving moments of significance as I complete the study “Undaunted” by Christine Caine. Some of the memories have brought me back to a time in my life where my world was turned upside down and I was asking “why me?”. It has been a challenging and enriching process even though some memories were painful. 

I wonder if we stop ourselves from looking back as an observer because all we see are bad moments….

Can bad moments have value? Yes! I firmly believe that they often have greater value than the good moments because it is in the hard times that we tend to dig deeper into God and is the time of most growth. I know that sometimes it is easier to avoid certain memories but let me reassure you with something I know to be true.  

Every moment in your life can be overcome with Jesus.

God’s power is present whatever storm we are going through as true as it is when the sun is shining.  Every moment had and has value. 

God’s Word is full of His wisdom about our moments. His truth contains words of comfort, instruction, healing, praise, correction and encouragement.  You name it and there’s a verse for it! Even the questions – just look at King David pouring out his anguish in the book of Psalms:-

“Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.  Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.  My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?” Psalm 6:1-3.

I encourage you to take time to listen for your Creators voice in those moments of silence. To wait to see what He wants you to learn moment to moment. I encourage you to remember – not to hold on to the past but use what you learn to move forward into what God has planned for your future. 

You have a purpose, a calling that God is eager to move you towards.

Just remember even taking one small step moves you forwards.   

                                                                                                                                               

 References:          Hillsong United - Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Lyrics | MetroLyrics

                                Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan                        

 

 

Book Review: Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa Terkeurst

For those of you who know me well it’s no secret that Lysa Terkeurst is one of my favourite authors. I just love how ‘real’ and relatable she is. 

Let’s be honest, we will more absorb and listen to a speaker/leader who is transparent about their imperfections using gut-honest personal examples than one who looks “squeaky clean” and whose family seems to have it “all together”.

I lead a women’s intensive Bible study group once a term. I had already worked through two of Lysa’s studies “When Women Say Yes to God” and “The Best Yes” previously but had decided to choose a different curriculum in order to “mix it up”.  Obviously God had other ideas and I am grateful to Him for that.

Initially I selected the book “Unglued” because a friend wanted to do the study and other people had commented to me regarding their struggles with their reactions of late.  It never occurred to me that God felt I needed to work on this issue myself – obviously it wouldn’t as in my mind I am the most perfectly controlled woman in the world when it comes to her reactions (wink, wink).  So, I decided to do this study because there seemed to be a need.

There are not enough words for me to be able to describe effectively how much I have grown during this process.  Lysa is an “open-book” when it comes to giving examples about her raw emotions and reactions in everyday life which has you nodding your head in agreement and recalling situations where you have done exactly the same thing.  She helps you recognise what kind of reactor you are, how it effects those around you and to realise what your triggers are.

I think my most favourite part of the book is the “Biblical Procedural Manual”. 

In this manual Lysa draws on biblical truths to speak into our lives which she then converts to a five step process in order to assist in our reactive moments.  This process is converted to five short statements which she encourages you to personalise. 

I have grown so much that nowadays when I recognise my trigger I start to pause and repeat my personalised five steps in my mind which helps me to calm, take a step back and respond rather than react.  If I haven’t noticed my trigger and am in the “heat of the moment” I pause, close my eyes and repeat this process which helps me to wind myself back down.

This progress Lysa calls “imperfect progress” recognising that progress is small steps forward no matter how many times you trip and fall along the way.

While reading the book is beneficial, to truly delve deeply into the growth process I would recommend purchasing the DVD and participant’s guide.  It can be worked through on your own but I believe that it is much better in a group as it’s nice to have the support and know that we are not alone in our struggles. It was eye opening to chart my progress, recognise my triggers and personalise my procedural manual.  I now have a treasured journal full of raw and honest answers about who I am, how my past has affected me and where I need to improve sprinkled with examples of God’s grace and abundant mercy.  The beauty of this journal is that it is also a testament to how far I have come during the 6 week process, a treasure that I am sure I will re-visit many a time.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

 

 

Permission to Linger

I have a confession to make. No matter how much I try, for some reason I just can’t
“be still”. In fact, I don’t think our society encourages the idea of rest.  Just look at the invention of faxes, emails, smartphones, Facebook and Twitter.  Work days are getting longer because we are reachable no matter where we are.  The world is so noisy. 

 

Because of all the things that compete to get our attention 24/7, it is difficult to stop and linger in God’s presence.

 

When I have shared this fact with others over the years many well intentioned brothers and sisters in Christ have told me where they thought I was going wrong. If I had a dollar for every time I heard “you are not doing it right if you don’t spend at least an hour in prayer and Bible reading each day” or “you are supposed to meditate on God’s word morning and night” I would be a wealthy woman.  At times after hearing this I would think “what is wrong with me! Why can’t I just stop!”

 I yearn to be like Mary in the Bible (Luke 10:38-41) sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to what He is saying instead of being like her sister Martha madly rushing around trying to get everything done. 

I hate to admit it but when I read this story in the book of Luke I can see I am Martha.  There have been times I have been rushing around in the evening getting cranky at my son for taking so long to get his school things ready for the next day only to discover he is reading his Bible – at these times I can almost hear God say to me what he said to Martha when she complained about Mary:-

 

“Martha Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41 (NIV)

Over the last few weeks God has revealed to me that resting in His presence is not as complicated as we tend to make it.  In fact any effort we make to linger is not going to work unless we make it fit how we work.  This means, if you are a morning person, set your daily quiet time in the morning.  If you are a night person do it at night. If you only have your lunch hour spare each day – read your Bible then. There really is no reason why we can’t find some time to spend with God each day. God will meet you wherever you are.
 
Sometimes I think we forget that God is with us always, He doesn’t just come and linger with us during our quiet time and then go away until the next time we decide to stop.  When pondering on this fact I came across the following verse:-

 “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Ps 139:7 – 8 (NIV)

I can honestly say that one of my current favorite places to meet with God is early in the morning at the gym. I know, I know, it sounds a little crazy but think about it... approximately 1 hour of time where nothing else is going to grab my attention.  It’s a great time to pray, listen to praise and worship songs or to the Elevation Church podcasts that I love.  1 hour of authentic lingering in the presence of God, learning more about Him and rejuvenating my soul.  The added bonus of this is that as I am focused on Him I am not focused on the fact that I really don’t like exercise!

 I pray this week that God reveals to you the best way to linger in His presence.  You may be surprised, you could have your own “gym-like” meeting place with Him that you have never considered before.

                                                                                                                                               

References:              Image:      http://notaloneministries.com/2014/06/waiting-god/

                                Quotes:    Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan

Honest Reflections

Have you ever met someone who presented beautifully in public? A person who was the picture of concern, kindness and godliness but turned out to be totally different “behind closed doors”?

I was listening to the local radio station recently when a song called “Ugly Heart” by the group G.R.L. came on.  Let me share with you the lyrics of the chorus:-

“Okay you're pretty your face is a work of art. Your smile could light up New York City after dark. Okay you're coverboy pretty stamped with a beauty mark. But it's such a pity a boy so pretty, with an ugly heart.”

To be honest, as I was listening to this chorus my mind was working overtime. I was reminded of people who I have come across who I felt the song lyrics could have been written about. As each person flashed into my mind I thought about why I saw them that way.  I thought about the events which caused me to be so sure they were presenting a fake persona to the world but in effect had a tainted character in the form of an “ugly heart”.

As I was justifying to myself why my opinions about the “blasts from my past” were correct, I got that uncomfortable feeling that one gets when heading down a path they should not go.  The feeling which I recognised as God’s prompting. So I paused, and pondered the motives behind the thoughts going through my mind.  It was then that it dawned on me, the person described in the chorus could just as easily be me!

If I am not careful I could be a person who presents one persona to the people around, one of kindness and godliness, one of compassion and understanding, but inside my heart attitude could be ugly – self-seeking, arrogant, mean and manipulative.

“As water reflects a face so a man’s heart reflects the man” Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)

 What a wake-up call!  I need to ensure that I am so in tune with God that I do not fall into the trap of using God’s word or people to ensure that I get what I want.  I need to make sure that when being compassionate and understanding towards people, in particular people that I struggle with whether it be in my family, church family or workplace, that I don’t speak badly of them when they are no longer in my presence.  I need to make sure that my character reflects that of Jesus in all that I do.

When pondering ways that would build on my character to ensure that it reflects the heart of Jesus, I came across a devotion written by Loree Lough which really challenged me.  The devotion talks about character as follows:-

“Do to others as you would have them do to you”. Luke 6:31(NIV)

  “You’ve heard it said that reputation is what others think you are but character is who you are……..I hope that by living by the Golden Rule, my reputation as a woman of Christian character will precede me…and follow me… everywhere.”

What we reflect to the world will either bring glory to God or bring glory to ourselves. It will build up God’s kingdom and draw people near giving us moments where we can share the gospel, or it will assist to harden their hearts and make them avoid Church all together.  I pray that we never lose sight of this in our day to day lives.  I pray that each one of us shines our light for Jesus so brightly that when they look at us all they see is Him.

                                                                                                                                               

References:              Image:      https://slowmuse.wordpress.com/2008/07/

                                Quotes:    Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan

                                                “Be Still and Let Your Nail Polish Dry: 365 Day Inspirational Devotional” by Andrea Boeshaar, Sandra D.                                                             Bricker, Loree Lough and Debby Mayne

                                                http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/grl/uglyheart.html

 

 

 

  

Lead Me To The Cross

Easter, a day that the majority of people associate with chocolate and hot cross buns.  A day that is the only day (apart from Christmas) that some people attend church.  A day that many people look at as nothing more than an extra-long weekend.

To me Easter is so much more than that.  It is the weekend that we as a community of born-again Christians all over the world remember Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins and celebrate the fact that He rose again.

I remember one day years ago, when Easter was almost upon us, my son who was about 7 or 8 at the time was chatting to me in the car. We were chatting about what Easter buns and Easter eggs represent in relation to Jesus dying on the cross and “the empty tomb”. It was at this stage of the conversation that he went a little quiet as if he was pondering something important. I waited, and a few minutes later heard a little voice say to me “Ma, because we are friends with Jesus we shouldn’t be thinking about Jesus dying on the cross only at Easter but we should be remembering it every day.” What a beautiful simple thought from a child. And he was right.  I need to be meditating and thinking about this every day, not just at Easter time. 

Why should I be thinking about Jesus dying on the cross every day? Simply because Jesus died for you and for me. It is because of Jesus’s death on the cross that we are able to approach God’s throne with confidence.  Jesus washed us clean with His blood – our sins are no more, He took the punishment for us so that we may have eternal life:-

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 (NIV)

It is because of this fact that I am exceedingly grateful for Jesus’s sacrifice each and every day. I remember so that I never become complacent or ungrateful for what He has done for me. 

One interesting thing I have noticed about Easter time is that this is one of the times when people in my “every day” life are more open to hearing why the death and resurrection of Jesus is so precious to Christians as a whole.  A perfect opportunity to share that Jesus died for them too!

So, on this Easter long weekend as I prepare myself for Resurrection Sunday, before I partake in  the celebration service rejoicing in the fact that Jesus is Alive. I leave you with a beautiful passage from Max Lucado’s book “No Wonder They Call Him The Savior” which paints a powerful picture for us to ponder:-

“Like a master painter God reserved his masterpiece until the end.  All the  earlier acts of love had been leading to this one.  The angels hushed and the heavens paused to witness the finale.  God unveils the canvas and the ultimate     act of creative compassion is revealed.

God on a cross.

The Creator being sacrificed for the creation.  God convincing man once and for all that forgiveness still follows failure……………“It is finished.”

The mission was finished.  All that the master painter needed to do was done and was done in splendour.  His creation could now come home.”

I pray that you realise the depth of God’s love for you during this Easter time.
                                                                                                                                               

References:              Image:      https://skiingthroughlife.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/lead-me-to-the-cross-easter-2011

                                Quotes:    Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan

                                                “No Wonder They Call Him the Savior” by Max Lucado

The True Thirst Quencher

Have you ever experienced true thirst?  You know, the type of thirst that comes from spending too much time in the sun on a hot day without hydrating at regular intervals. The type of thirst that makes you gulp down a whole 600ml bottle of water in 60 seconds flat.

When my body sends me the signs that it is thirsty, I know that it is time to rehydrate with water.  What I sometimes forget is that our soul thirsts too. Our soul thirsts for time with our Creator, time to praise, time to pray, time to listen and time to reflect. This is the type of “spiritual rehydration” that our soul desperately needs.

David describes this type of thirst in book of Psalm:-

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2a (NIV)

There is a danger though, one that I must admit I hadn’t given much thought to before now.  The danger is that I might rehydrate my soul with “water” that will keep me thirsty. Jesus talks about this in the story of the woman at the well in the book of John:-

“Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” John 4:13-14 (NIV)

The water that keeps us thirsty of which Jesus is speaking of here is described in The Wieserbe Bible Commentary as “…anything the world has to offer”.  The commentary then goes on to say “How true it is that the things of this world never completely satisfy”.

I know that if I am not careful I can get distracted by everyday life and my unending “to do list”.  I know that sometimes I get caught up with an endless cycle of work, socialising, planning meetings and family commitments - so much so that my quiet time becomes a rushed 10 minutes squeezed in “wherever I have a moment”. Living like this only causes me to dry up, to dehydrate my soul because I am hydrating with the things of this world which always leave me wanting instead of making my time with God a priority.  It is in God’s presence as I am kneeling at His feet and devouring the wisdom He is eager to give me, that my soul can be truly replenished with the living water that never runs dry.

Courtney Joseph in her book “Women Living Well” expands on this concept further:-

“The Word of God is full of living water. We need to drink deeply from this living well so that we can be women living well…………God wants us to drink deeply of His living water every day.  He wants us to find refreshment, comfort and satisfaction through His Word…… Are we thirsting for Jesus, or have we made ourselves so busy that we don’t even know our soul’s greatest need – solitude with God?”.

I have found that the more I schedule in time with God to rehydrate my soul, the more I yearn to be in His presence. The more I spend time with God the more I yearn to meditate on His Word each and every day, morning, noon and night. How wonderful it is to know that there is a never-ending supply of God’s living water, all we have to do is pause to drink and drink deeply.

I pray this week that you take time to pause and drink deeply from God’s living well.

                                                                                                                                                                                               

References:       Image:     http://www.care2.com/greenliving/thirsty

                            Quotes:    Holy Bible: New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan

                                              “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary” Published November 1st 2007 by David C. Cook

                                              “Women Living Well” by Courtney Joseph

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are Goals Necessary?

Are goals necessary? It depends on who you ask.  A goal to a soccer player would be very necessary.  A goal to a business owner that will help them reach their billable target is also important.  But what about personal goals? Why is it that so many of us (myself included) balk at the thought of having to set them?

For a chunk of time I avoided setting definite personal goals. In fact I made a decision that I would not because, to be totally honest, I hated the thought of failing.  In the past I had a habit of making grandiose unachievable short-term goals. For example - “This year I am going to become fluent at German again”, “This year I am going to update my sign language certificate so I can translate our praise and worship time at Church without having to rote learn each song”, “These next four months I am going to work so hard that I will get to my goal weight”.  Suffice to say, not one goal was achieved.

How disheartening it is to set goals and fail.  What a ridiculously high standard I had set for myself, no wonder I fell into the habit of being content with pottering along in life. Thankfully God brought to my attention the following verse:-

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.  Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.” Proverbs 4:25-26 (NIV)

Instead of seeking God’s direction for each step ensuring that I was taking “only ways that are firm”, I had been focused on where I thought my path should be going. With no goals set, my life did not have momentum and it felt at times like I was at a standstill. I was “living” but not living life to its fullest as I had no direction to head. In fact there is a verse that talks about a life that does not have any direction or instruction to enable it to move forward:-

“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” Proverbs 29:18 (NIV)

I honestly believe that it is important to set goals.  I have come to learn that in order to move forward I need to constantly work at growing in my Christian walk. In order to grow I need to set myself daily/monthly/yearly goals which will stretch me and cement my reliance on God. Applying this truth can be quite challenging. Imagine my relief when I read the next verse:-

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

In fact Charles R. Swindoll (Author) shares a “living insight” in the Living Insights Study Bible (NIV) in relation to this verse which sums up the truth found therein:-

“God has called us to be in a spiritual growth pattern.  Sometimes were up… sometimes down.  Sometimes we’re more victorious than other times.  But the progress is a movement forward and higher.”

I now understand that there is no “quick fix”, my life is a constant process of growth and one that can only be lived to the full when my eyes are fixed firmly on Christ.  How comforting it is to know that if I set my goals with my eyes fixed firmly on Christ then not only will my life have momentum, not only will my life have meaning but I will eventually, reach the ultimate goal and claim my reward which is  living out my eternity with Him.

So this is my challenge to myself this week, I am going to seek God’s wisdom and set one spiritual goal and see where it takes me.  I pray that you take time to pause, reflect and maybe join with me in doing the same.
                                                                                                                                                                                               

References:      

 

Image:     http://www.connectionsacademy.com

Quotes:     The living Insights Study Bible New International Version – Charles R. Swindoll, General Editor(Zondervan Publishing House Grand Rapids, MI)