Lent Day 16: Get moving!

What a smart man:

Find "Daily Thoughts" from Real Simple here.

Do you crave safety over activity? Prefer to stay where you feel secure rather than venture into the unknown?

For some, a difficult past produces fear about what lies ahead. I had a wonderful childhood. My affirming parents said, "Go ahead and try it!" when I wondered if I could do something I hadn't yet tried. (Mind you, to this day Dad's still learning new things!)

If you're stuck and cautious about what the future holds, consider the following:

1. God knows your past. Your present. AND your future. Nothing surprises him about you as you were, the way you are now, or what you are becoming.
2. God is strong enough to be in control of what's coming. He is able to see you through the best and worst of times. His control oversees the actions of others, too.
3. God is all-wise. If you depend on him, he will steer you through the unknown with perfect wisdom. Because you're human, you may make mistakes. But nothing will steer you so far away that he cannot retrieve you and your situation.
4. God likes - and loves - you. He works all things together for those that love him, to those who are called according to his purpose. (Read Romans 8 for the full scoop.)

If you've committed your life to God, decided to follow and obey him, and have begun to love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, remember this: He's in charge.

When you feel overwhelmed or frightened, remember that everything is in view for Him. And everything is under HIS control. When our granddaughter was learning to negotiate stairs, she held tightly to our fingers. When she'd slip or take too big of a step, we'd close our hands over hers and keep her from falling.

Step out in obedience and see how God's hands hold you safe. (He's more capable and even more loving than a grandparent!)

Act with confidence, not trepidation. Do your research. Be wise. Then leap into this life that is the adventure of faith! You'll be happy to know that "You're not in Kansas [nor in the same-old same-old life] anymore."

Read more:
*Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you." Psalm 5:2 NLT

*O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! Even now your enemies are in tumult; those who hate you have raised their heads. Psalm 83:1-2 NEV

*I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of your righteousness, of yours only. Psalm 71:16 (NKJV)
*The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NEV

*Christ was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God. 2 Corinthians 13:4 NEVMoravian Prayer: With the power of your word, O God, you spoke the universe into being and raised Christ from the dead. Help us always to act with the knowledge that our strength comes from you.

God of all time and eternity, we your human children scurry around frantic with anxiety in the face of opposition. Teach us your patience and assure us that the final victory is yours. Amen.

Lent Day 13: Thankful for waiting

Ziggy and Missy looked at me expectantly. They were ready to eat and I usually fed them at that time of morning. Their eyes followed me around the room and when I walked out the door to get a page from the printer, they got up to follow me. Tails wagging, they promised to please me any way I wanted, if only --

"C'mon, c'mon, you have the food and we are hungry. We always depend on you. Why are you not delivering?"

They were especially excited when I went into the conservatory to water the ferns. Their sleeping crate and feeding mat is out there so of course they expected breakfast. Disappointment, sorry!

"Here we go, come here," I called, drawing them back into the house. They came reluctantly and plopped themselves beside me, eyes open to every move. Waiting. Waiting.

I'd planned to go to the library on that winter cold day. I didn't want them shivering in the car while I worked. After that, I had an hour-long appointment which would have meant more sitting in a confined space. Their food was ready but they'd be enjoying it--and the run of the warm conservatory--while I was away. We'd go for a walk when I came back which they love. In the meantime, they had to wait even though they couldn't understand the reason.

I'm a people lover and a dog like-er. Sometimes  the two little black beasts who live at our house demonstrate the difference between God's supreme knowledge and our human hopes and aspirations. They know a lot but not what's on my mind.

I have made several requests to God over and over: health for our daughter, protection for a small church (which just closed), good work when studies are done, and ongoing pleas that God would intervene for friends and family who urgently need his touch.

Like the dogs who anxiously watch me move around, we see God at work and wonder why he isn't attending to our needs. We can't bribe him with good behavior or demand that he answer us. He knows so much more than we do, has every provision in hand, and his plan is perfect. I'm thankful today that we can trust the One who asks us to wait on Him. Waiting reminds us that he's in charge.

What make you fretful or impatient today? How can you release the timing and God's answer back to him?

Read more:
*For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17

*Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, 'Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man "Your sins are forgiven," or "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk"? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.' Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!'

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, 'We've never seen anything like this before!'" Mark 2:8–12

*From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Romans 11:36

Moravian Prayer: Almighty, omnipotent God, we adore you and we praise you. You inspire awe within us as we contemplate the magnificence of your creative ability joined with the splendor of your unconditional love for us, your creatures. What a glorious combination! Amen.