Plant Your Flag

At the top of one of the most difficult mountains I have summited, is staked a flag. Each time I summit the mountain, a picture of the flag is taken as a symbol of my personal achievement. 

Someone ahead of me planted the flag a long time ago, yet in that breathless moment of exhaustion and excitement—I own the flag.

The astronauts planted a flag on the moon as a symbol of great achievement. Olympians carry flags representing his or her country to let millions of onlookers know the soil which holds the sweat of their individual achievements.

Flags are carried and planted by individuals who have taken ownership of something—something that is often of such value that a person is willing to risk his or her life in the process of staking the flag. Flag planting can symbolize both personal achievements as well as spiritual markers on our faith journey. A person willing to plant a flag is a person willing to stake his or her reputation on the cause or project connected to the flag.

We read an account of many heroes of the faith in chapter 11 of Hebrews.  Short accounts of flag-carrying men and women whose lives were spent clearing paths through difficult terrain, so that we might one day stake our flags next to theirs. Their flags were planted in faith, with expectation, and the ability to see with spiritual eyes something that was worth dying for, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. The did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” (Hebrews 11:13)

Personally, I have planted my flag on a mountain of my own choosing, only to later wonder if my chosen mountain was worthy of my sacrifice. Sometimes we need to sit still and pray and wait for God to plant a desire within us of such conviction that when the climb becomes difficult we remain unwilling to turn back because we consider the cause worth the cost. 

One thing I have learned: we cannot manufacture the passion, desire nor commitment necessary to stake a flag on our own strength. Only God, through the gift of His Spirit, can ignite us and consume us with desires that, once planted, result in staked flags that point to Christ. We become conduits through which God’s goodness and glory shine as we persist in our God-given ventures.

If you, like me, remain uncertain what it is that your life is to be spent for—in other words—you haven’t felt the freedom to start up any particular mountain with a flag in your back pocket which must be planted whatever the cost—don’t be discouraged. 

Not every season of life is a plant-your-flag kind of season. Summiting a mountain requires preparation. Prayer, reading the Word, resting in God’s presence and learning how to hear His voice are necessary skills if we are to successfully summit our mountains. In these moments of preparation, as our spirits groan before God, His passions and purposes are planted in the depth of our souls while all that is not of Him is pulled up by the roots. This can prove to be a painful season but is necessary for what lies ahead.

We don’t get to decide the length of our preparatory season prior to planting our flags. It is for us to trust that the One who has called us is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21) 

Stay the Course…

Sheila

Show Me Your Glory

Some years ago as I was going about my night, I felt a familiar aching in my Spirit. Instead of pushing the uneasiness aside, I retired for the night so I could be alone with both my thoughts and my prayers.  The need to have an audience of One overwhelmed me.

As I lie on my back on my bed, arms stretched toward heaven, I prayed a bold prayer. So bold, that even I was unaware of the magnitude of the request that escaped from my heart and out of my mouth: “Show me Your glory, Lord.”

Nothing happened at first.

My boldness grew as I stayed the course in my request, “SHOW ME YOUR GLORY!”

I’m not certain how long I presented my request before God, when suddenly His glory filled my bedroom. In what might have been the fastest reflexes I have ever experienced, my hands dropped to the bed, grabbed the blankets, and threw them over my head. “Enough!” “ENOUGH!” I cried. 

Holy fear replaced the incredible boldness I had felt only seconds earlier. I trembled under the covers, still feeling the weight of His glory. Words escaped me until at last His peace flooded my inner world, at which point I removed the blankets from my face. 

We read in the Word about Moses having a conversation with God. Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence… “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” (Exodus 33:17-23)

No man has ever seen God (John 1:18), yet because of Jesus and the hope and freedom He has given us we are told, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (II Cor. 3:17-18) We reflect the Lord’s glory! He continues to tell us, “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 

We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (II Cor. 4:6-7)

As we press forward and lean into God, His glory penetrates every fiber of our being. The lost are drawn to Christ through the glory of Christ reflected through our unveiled faces.

One day we shall live in a city that “does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” (Rev. 21:23)

However, until THAT day, we—the children of God— reflect His glory. 

I pray that our worship reaches to the highest heavens as we fall on our faces in the presence of His splendor and glory.

Stay the Course…

Sheila

No Chains On Me

Several days ago I walked into my daughter and son-in-law's home for a visit. My granddaughter Yetzy, now 8 months old, caught sight of me and crawled as fast as she could toward me with total excitement and joy in her eyes. Uninhibited, unencumbered, fully expecting her grandma to pick her up and kiss her entire face. Which of course, I did.

Later as I rocked her to sleep, I found myself staring into her angelic face. 

As I stared, I thought to myself, “This is how we all started, for the most part: trusting, loving, full of joy. No walls of protection, no chains of bondage, no fear of rejection.” 

I continued to rock Yetzy, gazing at her from time to time in awe of the trust she had in the one holding her. I had done nothing to earn her trust other than simply love her. Hmmm…my thoughts turned to my Maker and His relentless love toward me; a love I am old enough to realize, is undeserved. A love that feels impossible to receive at times.

In the quiet rocking I reflected on the truth of who God created each one of us to be; after all, we have all been created in His image (Genesis 1:27). He knew us before time. In spite of the truth of who we are today; He still looks upon us and sees us as He created us to be. The hurts, rejections, abandonments, betrayals and losses we have tasted were never intended to cause us to put up walls nor push away from both God and man. Sometimes love hurts but we must still chose to love; because God IS love (and remember, we are made in His image). (I Jn. 4:7)

I pondered this simple truth as I unconsciously continued to push the rocking chair in a rhythmic flow. What would it look like to live with no chains? The thought felt risky and daring and ridiculous. Who would willingly open up his or her heart to another and risk the fallout of what could be? Jesus would. Jesus did. Jesus does. Humbled to a sinner’s cross, arms open wide, our sins forgiven as His blood was shed for our freedom from chains. Our Savior risked it all regardless our acceptance or rejection of His love…

My prayer time this morning is different. When I close my eyes I can still smell the sweet aroma of my granddaughter. I can feel the love of God through her joy-filled eyes and her fully trusting heart. Childlike faith is necessary to embrace the love of God (Mt. 18:2-4). It feels ridiculous and risky—vulnerable and silly…and at the same time, as beautiful as my granddaughter.

Stay the course…

Sheila

I Just Wanted To Be Sure Of You

Tacked to my office wall is an endearing picture of Piglet and Pooh, given to me by a friend. The photo shows Piglet and Pooh walking together, Piglet’s hoof reaching to hold Pooh’s paw, and it reads: Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh!” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?” “Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. “I just wanted to be sure of you.” 

Something about this simple statement resonates with me. It’s a powerful picture of what each of us feels from time to time when we need to know that we are not alone. 

Throughout the Bible, the reality of people needing people is apparent. In the book of Genesis, God creates Adam and soon realizes that “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” -- and Eve was created. (Genesis 2:18) Jonathan and David were joined in spirit with a friendship and love which David describes as “more wonderful than that of women.” (II Samuel 1:26b). Their friendship was tested over and over again as they strived to “be sure” of one another. 

 Friendships come and go throughout our lifetime as we risk being vulnerable to people we must be sure of. We must ensure our safety as we remove our masks and pray that the truth of who we are will not be a deal breaker. The forming of such relationships can happen suddenly, as in the case of Jonathan and David, or over years of staying the course with one another through the ups and downs of life. 

When the ordinary events of life reveal the truth of what we cannot hide, we need to know that our fragile hearts will be safe—we need to know that we are with someone we can be sure about. 

The story of Thomas and his struggle with unbelief is a familiar story that for thousands of years has given Thomas the nickname “Doubting Thomas.” (John 20:24-28) I wonder how often the disciples removed masks, revealing gut-level honesty about their doubts, fears, and lack of belief in their one-on-one relationships with Jesus. 

Such moments may not be recorded in the ancient scrolls—but I reckon they were some of the most intimate moments where true friendships took root, forged in the muck and mire of life, as Jesus’ character showed that He was someone a person could be sure of. I believe the truth of each disciple’s heart was fully embraced by Jesus in these moments. 

Instead of feeling worthless or powerless, Jesus reached out to each disciple and each person He met to affirm His unconditional, unwavering love for them. Friendship with God is something we can be sure of. 

God’s love and affirmation replace the fear of what man can do to us and enable us to be a person of love, just as God is love. God’s affirming love and the gift of His Spirit allows us to pour out of ourselves into the lives of those we meet—giving us the ability to be a trusted friend that another can be sure about. 

Stay the Course…

Sheila

Strengthen My Hands

Growing up on a dairy farm taught me many life principles at a very young age; my dad instilled in each of his six children the importance of work ethics. 

Me and Dad on the farm    

Over the years, when I have wanted to slack, I remember the times in childhood when I did a halfway job and had to re-do my work. It is much easier to do the job right the first time around!

In reading throughout the Old Testament, many laborious situations presented themselves. The Lord chose David's son, Solomon, to build a temple for the Lord. David advises his son regarding the building of the temple: "Be strong and do the work." (I Chronicles 28:10) Later, David repeats himself: "Be strong and courageous, and do the work." (vs. 20)

In both the Old and New Testaments, God uses kings or persons in powerful positions to accomplish great things for Him, which require hard work. But He also uses anyone willing to be used by Him.

God's servant, Nehemiah, was a common man who was secure and prosperous in his occupation as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. 

Nehemiah was also a man of prayer.

 

Nehemiah is deeply moved when he learns that Jerusalem's wall has broken and the gates burned--and that his people who have survived the exile are in great trouble. Nehemiah laments: "When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." (Nehemiah 1:4)

Nehemiah's prayers lead to God's favor with the king. The kind sends Nehemiah to rebuild the wall. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, the task immediately appears impossible; Nehemiah faces great opposition. However, Nehemiah continues to pray to God; he does not relent in the mission he has set his hands to accomplish. At one point, he admits regarding his opposition, "They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed." (Nehemiah 6:9)

Nehemiah does not pray for God to change his circumstances in the midst of significant opposition.  He does not ask for a more manageable task or someone else to do the work for him. Nehemiah's prayer in the heat of resistance was, "But I prayed "Now strengthen my hands." (vs. 9b)

Nehemiah stays the course and completes the impossible task of rebuilding the wall in fifty-two days. 

The power to accomplish tasks set before us lies within us by the gift and the power of the Spirit. The answer to our prayers is typically not a change of circumstance but a change of attitude and pure obedience. We can accomplish the work by earnestly praying, "God, strengthen my hands." 

I Thessalonians 4:11 encourages us:  "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." 

As men and women of prayer—let's not be afraid of the hard work—God will strengthen our hands to accomplish what may sometimes feel like little works, all for His great glory and pleasure.

Stay the Course…

Sheila

The Easy Way or The Right Way

With all the kings mentioned in the Old Testament, it is impossible to remember who is who. However, each time a man becomes king, there is a short description stating his name, how old he was when he became king, how long he reigned, his mother’s name, and one line that describes the character of the new king. 

The one line is either, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord,” or “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” 

This one line gives us a heads up on what we are about to read. In the case of one evil king, Jehoram, we are told: “He passed away, to no one’s regret.” (II Chronicles 21:20b) Not the most positive obituary!

Some kings start out good but then, after many year’s of God’s blessing and favor, they make one bad decision without first seeking God. Sometimes a king will allow one area of sin to remain in his kingdom while serving God in every other area. Asa was one such king who traveled a long way with God before getting off track. We learn that his sin was not so much deliberate disobedience as it was choosing the easy way rather than the right way.

During the early years of battle, King Asa sought after God with his whole heart.  Then, because Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God, God blessed him with many years of rest, “No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest.” (II Chronicles 14:6b)

I can’t help but wonder if King Asa grew so accustomed to a life without battles that he forgot his great need for God or simply forgot about God. 

I know I have spent more time on my knees in the valley than I might during a time of personal peace. 

Many years pass before King Asa’s next big threat confronts him in the thirty-sixth year of his reign. This time, King Asa resorted to self-reliance instead of seeking God. 

Baasha, king of Israel, the rival northern kingdom was threatening the peace of Judah. King Asa, now a wealthy king, convinced King Ben-Hadad to break his alliance with King Baasha by making a treaty with himself instead and bribed him with silver and gold out of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple, thus disabling King Baasha to cause harm to Judah.

Because King Asa took the easy way, he was confronted by a man of God, Hanani, who told him, “You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” (II Chronicles 16:9b)

When confronted with his sin, King Asa becomes angry. Instead of repenting he throws Hanani in prison. Pride was ultimately King Asa’s downfall. 

Three years later, in the thirty-ninth year of King Asa’s reign, he was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Still, King Asa rebelled, “Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians. Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers.” (II Chronicles 16:12-13)

How humbling to consider the many times we face trials and conflicts in our daily lives only to seek man-made solutions instead of seeking our Father. 

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about choosing the right way instead of the easy way when speaking about heaven, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Regardless of whether we are in our first year of living for God or our thirty-ninth year, I pray we will choose the right way every day — to our final breath. Somewhere on the other side of a small gate down a narrow road our Reward will meet us with arms open wide.

Stay the Course…

Sheila 

Do What You Can (While You Can)

We all have opportunities presented to us that require action within a window of time—if we don’t respond within that certain timeframe, the window closes. Often the window of opportunity only presents itself once.

There is a powerful story in the Gospel of Mark which depicts in beautiful detail such an instance. 

The story takes place two days before Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. At this time, “the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to arrest Jesus and kill him.” (Mark 14:1b)

“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” (vs. 3)

It is apparent that this woman, identified as Mary in the Gospel of John, is driven by a sense of urgency; she did not ask permission for what she was about to do. 

“Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.” (vs.4)

However, Jesus was able to see something and understand something that no one else could see or understand. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could.” (vs. 6-8)

“She did what she could” in the Message translates as, “She did what she could when she could.” 

How many times do we find ourselves in situations where the Holy Spirit nudges us to action? Oftentimes, the conviction is one that might make little sense to those around us.

As we take in the daunting needs of the world, both in America as well as Third World countries, it can be easy to sit on our hands and do nothing due to the enormity of the needs.

Instead of feeling that we must solve the world’s problems, God allows us to use what’s in our hands to meet the needs of those within our reach. The Holy Spirit’s prompting leads us to serve the needs of our own communities as our form of worship, bringing glory to God.

Mary did not know that what she was about to do would be recorded in the gospel and preached throughout the world in memory of her; she only knew that she needed to act swiftly. The need to be obedient outweighed the fear of harsh rebuke from man. She did what she could when she could.

Opportunities to act may feel as small as a whisper or as powerful as lightening. Either way, I pray we will remember the faith of those who have gone before us—I pray we will do what we can while we can.

Stay the Course…

Sheila