HIDDEN TREASURES

Chipmunks and squirrels.

I love these guys, they are so much fun to watch.

They're always up to something – nature's purveyors of antics, hijinks, and shenanigans!

Endless entertainment on the mountain.

I have spent many days watching them scurry around, chase each other, challenge each other to be king of the boulder, and dig holes.

Cute.

The other day, I happened to catch some movement in my peripheral vision. I looked up just in time to see a chipmunk run like crazy into a gap between two boulders.

How funny, I thought to myself.

Then "The Hub" said, "There's a bobcat on our porch."

What…really?!

Sure enough, a bobcat was prowling around our back door.  No wonder Mr. Munk scampered away so quickly!

Never a dull moment around these parts!

One of my favorite things to do is watch the squirrels and chipmunks in the Fall.

In the Fall, it's rather amazing to see them hard at work, finding and storing nuts for the winter.

They are industrious and tireless.

Sometimes our trees shed lots of acorns, and the food source is readily available.  Other times, there aren't so many, and yet, my friendly little *neighbors* manage to find some sort of food to hide away.

But it is during the Winter when I am most fascinated by their work.

I don't know how, despite freezing temperatures and multiple snowfalls, these little creatures still manage to find their hidey-holes.

They seem to know exactly where they've stashed their edible goodies.

And I love watching them dig up the dirt, scrounge around, and then hold their food in those cute little hands (paws!), and chew away.

How do they know where they've buried their food?

Do they detect it again by memory, or smell, or some other instinctual method that I'm not aware of?

It's incredible.


And it's a good lesson for all of us to apply in our own lives.

Sometimes life just takes us into a wilderness time, a winter season of dryness or discouragement or trial or suffering.

It's easy to lose sight of what we know to be true.

I don't know what's going on with me lately, but I've just been blah.

No particularly big "triggering" event, just the ongoing ebb and flow of life "stuff."

So today, when I went to church, I asked the Lord to meet me there with something that I really needed to hear.

Of course, He did.

Our pastor is doing a series on the promises of God – and this morning's message was entitled, "The Promise of Answered Prayer."

The message was powerful and timely.

But, it was one verse that caught my heart.

"Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)


I immediately thought of my little furry friends.

And their hidden things.

Several years ago, when I was going through a particularly rough time, I had a friend encourage me with these words:

"When you can't find your way in the dark, go back to what you knew and believed in the light."

I found it most helpful.

The chipmunks and squirrels spend warm sunshine days finding and hiding food, so that during the cold winter months, they'll have nourishment.

Do they hibernate like bears?

Nope!

Though they sleep a lot, they don't sleep all the way through the season.

They retreat to their burrows and dens but wake every few days or weeks, raise their body temperatures to normal, and feed on stored food rather than fat reserves!

(I'd personally like to be like a bear.  I've got some pesky *fat reserves* I'd like to feed on…just sayin').

When it's cold outside, they still know where to go to sustain themselves.


This is so true about faith, too.

What we store away will bring us through the wilderness times, through the winter seasons.

So, what are four things, four truths I can hide in my heart for those times when I am discouraged?


One, I can be assured of God's presence.

"'As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.'" (Joshua 1:5, AMP)

"…for He [God] Himself has said, 'I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.  [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)!  [Assuredly not!]'" (Hebrews 13:5, AMP)


Two, I can be assured of God's power.

"Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it – the LORD is His name." (Jeremiah 33:2, ESV)

"'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh.  Is anything too hard for Me?'" (Jeremiah 32:27, ESV)


Three, I can be assured of God's purpose.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…" (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)


Four, I can be assured of God's promises.

"God is not a man, so he does not lie.  He is not human, so he does not change his mind.  Has he ever spoken and failed to act?  Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" (Numbers 23:19, NLT)

"'Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.'" (Matthew 7:7-8, NLT)


Hiding the Word of God provides much-needed nourishment when we're full of doubts and fears, or struggling with trials and tribulations.

It is a hidden treasure of great worth.

But, there's one other thing I want to mention.

It's how God sometimes takes these wilderness, winter seasons and uses them to reveal to us something really special.

The photo accompanying this post is part of a fallen log that sits alongside the drive up to our house.

It's full of woodpecker holes.

But would you take a moment to notice something else?

Inside those holes are acorns!!

Evidently, chipmunks and squirrels are not the only ones to store away some goodies!

From a distance, those holes just look like holes.

But since this branch has broken off, we can see the treasures that are hidden there.

Again, a wonderful faith lesson.

Sometimes it takes some breaking for God to show us something really special – a revelation that we might never have known in good times.

"'I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD…who summons you by name.'" (Isaiah 45:3, NIV)


Yes.

Hidden treasures, secret riches.

God has a way of carving us deeper, enriching and growing our faith when we feel weakest.

When we feel broken, and hungry, and cold.

I go back to Jeremiah 33:3 – what were the great and hidden things that God revealed to His prophet?

Two pretty awesome things.

This message came around the time of the Babylonian Conquest – a terrible time when the Jews were defeated and led into captivity.

Here God reveals that they will be rescued, returned to their homeland, once they repent and return to Him.

But, He also issues a prophecy about the coming Messiah:

"The day will come, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them.  'In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David's line.  He will do what is just and right throughout the land.  In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety.  And this will be its name: 'The LORD Is Our Righteousness.'"
(Jeremiah 33:14-16, NLT)


WOW!

Can you imagine receiving that revelation?!

(Me either!)


So, if we're willing, God can reveal new aspects about Himself, new revelations from His Word, new depths of faith, and new purposes when we least expect it…

...right in the middle of a dry or cold spell in our hearts.

Great and hidden things.

Treasure and secret riches.


Hide them in your heart.

Remember them.

Let God reveal them.


Never go hungry again…




What is a hidden treasure that you have discovered about God?

Heart of my own heart,
whatever befall,
still be my vision,
O Ruler of all.



("Be Thou My Vision" - ancient Irish hymn)

"'You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it?  From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known.'" (Isaiah 48:6, ESV)

"'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.'" 
(Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

"It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:22, NASB)

"He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom." (Job 12:22, NLT)

"'It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.'" (Isaiah 55:11, NLT)

"Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11, NASB)

"The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip." 
(Psalm 37:31, NIV)

"…the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God – his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began." (1 Corinthians 2:7, NLT)

"This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed." (1 Corinthians 4:1, NIV)

"…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ…" (Ephesians 1:9, ESV)

"'Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.  And because they love me, my Father will love them.  And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.'" (John 14:21, NLT)



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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

PREP WORK

Medical tests, screenings, and procedures.

Gotta hate 'em…

Gotta…well…gotta hate 'em.

There are times when I feel like my body is a car – a little dinged up, scratched here and there, creaking and squeaking, running on empty, with fading paint and a seriously sagging bumper, and (quite often) in desperate need of some work on the chassis.

Hence, the need for periodic tests, screenings, and procedures.

And some medical stuff requires prep work ahead of time.

Like drinking foul-tasting concoctions that make you glow in the dark, or injecting radioactive stuff, or consuming inordinate amounts of water, or fasting (are you ever hungrier??), or having various body parts poked, prodded, or probed.

And, without a doubt, there will be some form of undressing involved.

Yeah.

OK, so I remember having a CAT scan several years ago, which required drinking some awful stuff that I was told would taste like cranberry juice. (Why do they always say that?  NOTHING you have to drink EVER tastes like anything palatable.  It's like saying they've flavored motor oil with a little bit of vanilla – "It'll taste like an ice cream sundae…")

Then, after placing me in the CAT scan "donut" thing, I had to have an injection of contrast dye.  A very kind nurse hooked me up to an automatic injection system, and warned me that I might feel "a little bit warm" as the dye entered my circulation.

Uh huh.

I felt the warmth fire begin to flood my veins at the same exact time that my stomach completely flipped.

Without warning…well, you know what happened.

My boys love this story.  They still tell the tale of Mom "baptizing" a machine worth several hundred thousand dollars, which was – in their terms – epic.


So, last week I had a fun little romp in Medical Land.

I did not have my best time.

Fortunately, all things turned out well…but it got me thinking.

(After all, what else are you going to do while waiting to be p, p or p??)

Sometimes the prep work is harder than the procedure.  

It takes time, it's tiring, it can make you uncomfortable, sometimes it hurts, and mostly, you just can't wait for it all to be over.

I think it's a lot like life.

We know there's something else coming – an afterlife, an eternal destiny.

And so, in many ways, this life is but a prelude, an intro, a preface.

This life is but prep work for the real thing.

And it can take time, it's tiring, it can make us uncomfortable, sometimes it hurts…and some days, you just can't wait for it all to be over.

But, just exactly what is God trying to accomplish during our journeys through this earthly life?

For if God does not waste anything (He doesn't), and if He has a purpose in everything (He does), then He is definitely up to something.


Here's what I think:


1) He's allowing us to participate in the sufferings of Christ

At first glance, I'm sorta like, that's OK…I'm good.

But I'm convinced that there's a deeper purpose to our suffering, especially when we are persecuted for the Lord's sake.  Therefore, we should count it as a privilege to suffer for the name of Jesus.  For in some way that we'll never fully understand now, I believe that this suffering prepares us for future joy, and future glory.

From Charles Ellicott's commentary:

"Such a recognition of the meaning of suffering, such a rejoicing in suffering now, is a sure means to rejoicing in glory also hereafter."

"…be very glad – for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." (1 Peter 4:13, NLT)


2) He's making us look like His Son

Again, don't you sometimes wish God was OK with us *sorta* looking like Jesus?  That *pretty good reflections* were good enough?

Because the alternative is God working on us, reshaping us, pruning off the dead stuff, and polishing the rough edges.

OUCH.

But God, though He does not condemn us for our sin if we believe in His Son, also does not leave us in a state of "good enough."  He desires to continue His work of transformation and renewal, always working toward the perfection of His righteousness in us.

We won't see the completion of His work on this side of heaven, for sin will always tarnish, but the refining process will change us for the better, and better, and finally, for the best.

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)


3) He's providing time for us to reach others

This world has a ticking clock…

And in my opinion, it's rapidly approaching midnight.

We are told in God's Word that the world will end one day.  And though we do not know the exact time, we can recognize the beginnings…

Jesus said: "All these are but the beginning of the birth pains."
(Matthew 24:8, ESV)

I believe that we are seeing the labor pains of the beginning of the end.

And so, time is short, and people are still lost – but God is giving His people time to reach them for His sake.

We have the knowledge of the Truth that will save people – the truth that will help them, in this life and the next.  And it is incumbent that we do our very best, with the Lord's help, to spread His tidings of good news and great joy.

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient…not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 
(2 Peter 3:9, NASB)


4) He's giving us opportunities to earn rewards

Does it seem counterintuitive to you that we work for rewards?

The Bible is clear that we cannot earn our way to Heaven.  We can never do enough, or be enough, or strive enough, or perform enough to leap across the great divide that sin brings between God and us.

We are admonished against a works-based salvation.

I get that.

But what's so wonderful to me is that God does indeed promise rewards.

And I personally think it's OK to go after them!

This life offers unlimited opportunities to *store up our treasures* in Heaven. There is absolutely nothing wrong in looking forward to receiving the Crown of Life.

And there is something wonder-full in thinking about the reward of our Master saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven." 
(Matthew 5:12, KJV)


5) He's weaning us from this temporal life

It's hard to let go of this life.

After all, it's all we've ever known.

I don't know about you, but the enemy really taunts me with the fear of death.

I know where I'm going – but the father of lies is a master at insidiously wiggling anxiety into my thoughts and emotions.

Death – the Big Unknown.

And it is scary – Jesus Himself had quite a battle facing it in His own life. (Remember sweating like drops of blood?)

And yet, God would have us do exactly that – face death.

Face it with confident hope and blessed assurance.  Face it bravely with a conqueror's heart.  Face it with hallowed anticipation.  Face it with the One who died to save us, and rose again to purchase the guarantee that we will never truly die.

Weaning us from this life requires surrender.  It requires a relinquishment of our need to control.  It requires that we let go.  For if we cling to this life, we will lose it.

But if we give it up, for the sake of the One who sacrificed everything for us, we'll find it…

…and keep it forever.

"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…" 
(Philippians 1:23, NIV)


6) He's placing a yearning and longing in our hearts

I think C. S. Lewis said it perfectly:

"If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world." (Mere Christianity)

This life is full of hardship.

This life is not for sissies.

And those of us who know there is something better on the other side, will often find ourselves longing for release.

Haven't you all had those moments when it seemed like life stood still?  When it seemed that every perfect emotion was captured?  When you found yourself captivated by a sense of timeless purity?  Moments when peace was tangible, and you felt transcendent?

Haven't you found those moments to be excruciatingly fleeting?

And haven't you wished that you could hold on to them forever?

We can't – not yet – and that is why we yearn.

In his book, The Journey of Desire, John Eldredge sums it up this way:

"Should the king in exile pretend he is happy there?

Should he not seek his own country?

His miseries are his ally; they urge him on.  Let them grow, if need be.  But do not forsake the secret of life; do not despise those kingly desires."

God created us with a deep longing for Himself.

He has given us a restless state of heart that can never be completely satisfied with earthly things or people.

And we spend our earthly journeys living in the exquisite tension of *in-between.*

That's OK.

We're supposed to feel that way…for we are but pilgrims, on our way home.

"…He has planted eternity in the human heart…" (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NLT)


7) He's preparing us for eternal service

The Bible isn't clear on the details of what we'll be doing in eternity.

I used to worry that I'd be bored.

I mean, really, how much harp-playing is enough?!

But, how silly to think this way.

God is so creative, so multi-faceted, so omniscient, so wise, so unfathomable – how could we possibly think that He could ever be boring??

And why would He ever subject us to infinite boredom?

I believe that we will worship Him in every way possible – unhindered, finally, by the shackles of sin.

Might He also have work for us to do?

Fulfilling, joyful, easy, productive, satisfying, worship-full work?

I wonder sometimes…

Will He continue our spiritual gifts from this life?

Will the singers sing, and the musicians play, and the writers write, and the painters paint, and the teachers teach…and on and on and on?!

Whatever He's got up His sleeve, we can count on one thing – it'll be even better than what we can think or imagine.

And it will all be for and to the glory of God!!

"…and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve and worship Him [with great awe and joy and loving devotion]…" (Revelation 22:3, AMP)


So yeah, this life is prep work.

It takes time, it's tiring, it can make us uncomfortable, sometimes it hurts, and mostly, we just can't wait for it all to be over.

But, though it's not always pleasant, this earthly *prep work* is accomplishing good things, better things, best things – forever things.


And so, we'll persevere…

All their life in this world
and all their adventures
had only been the cover and the title page...
Now at last they were beginning
Chapter One
of the Great Story
which no one on earth has read,
which goes on forever,
in which every chapter
is better than the one before.

C. S. Lewis
"The Last Battle"

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." 
(Psalm 90:12, NIV)

"'If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.'" (Matthew 10:39, NLT)

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."  (2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT)

"For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity]." (Philippians 1:20, AMP)

"So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16, ESV)

"If a man dies, will he live again?  All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come." (Job 14:14, NIV)

"I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13, NLT)

"'Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.'" 
(John 6:47, ESV)

"…Christ has been raised from the dead.  He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died." (1 Corinthians 15:20, NLT)

"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.  Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another.            

My heart faints within me!" (Job 19:25-27, NASB)



How's your *prep work* going?!



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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SHOES, SHOES, ALWAYS SHOES

You know, life is tough when problems arise.

(Captain Obvious is my cousin…)

We all know that, right?!

But for me, sometimes life is tough when things are going great.

WHY?

Because it seems like I'm always waiting for the "other shoe to drop."

Definition: to wait for something bad to happen.

(This expression originated in the late 19th/early 20th century.  During the manufacturing boom of this time, tenement living – and other similar close-quarter living styles – was common.  Apartments were often built with one bedroom underneath another bedroom right above it.  Thus, it was normal to hear a neighbor removing their shoes, and sometimes hearing them loudly hit the upper floor.  As one shoe thumped, the expectation of the other shoe making a similar disruptive sound was created!)


I know that this is a self-defeating thought process.  I know that it exhibits my tendency toward negative thinking.  I know that it doesn't say a whole lot about my faith and trust level.

I can make a bunch of excuses for it. 

In fact, here are a few…anxiety issues, obsessive thinking, a faulty temperament.  (OK, I feel slightly better doing that).  But the truth of the matter is this – it isn't all that wrong to look at life this way.

There will always be *shoes*…and they will drop.

It is the one sure thing in this life.

Stuff happens.

It's Murphy's Law – (an adage or epigram that is typically stated as: "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong...and usually at the worst possible time.")

I looked it up on Wikipedia.  It's a rather interesting article.  The one thing that really struck me was the many fields of study that have found this one basic adage to be true – physics, mountaineering, magic, engineering, medicine, law – to name a few.


Hey, I can even quote some Scripture that supports this idea:

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." (John 16:33)

Was that statement uttered by Murphy???

Nope!

Jesus Himself said those words.

And trust me, He knew what He was talking about!

Look at His own life.

He's born – YAY.
Herod tries to kill Him – BOO.

He's the Son of God – YAY.
His brothers think He's crazy – BOO.

He gets baptized, and receives God's blessing – YAY.
He gets tempted in the wilderness – BOO.

He brings the Good News to his hometown – YAY.
They try to kill Him – BOO.

He calls twelve disciples – YAY.
One betrays Him – BOO.

He's hailed as the King of Jews – YAY.
A week later, He's crucified – BOO.


I'm thinking that's why Jesus could say those words.  

He knew it from experience. 

LIFE. IS. TOUGH. 

And just when things are starting to look up, just when things are beginning to go well, just when you think you can catch a little breathing room…

BOOM!

Is that that other shoe again???

(Like the giant puddle of antifreeze that magically appeared under one of our cars the other day – or finding out a certain beagle's preventive care medicine isn't stocked at the vet anymore, and you have to order it online, and now you have to pay for shipping – or the coffee that spilled all over my legs and feet and floor on a particularly tight mountain curve as I was speeding driving off the mountain last week.  Seriously???)

I don't mean to be pessimistic, but honestly – I don't know why it has to happen this way.  It's just so discouraging.  

In fact, I can't understand…

"Psst.  Sharon."

As I was saying, I can't understand…

"Sharon.  Listen to Me."

Huh?! Is that You, Lord?

"Yes.  I have something to say to you."

Me, Lord?  Am I in trouble?

"No, not in a punishment kind of way.  But yes, in a forgetting something kind of way."

What have I forgotten?

"The second part of the verse.  That's not all I said, you know."

Oh…

Right…

The second part of the verse.  

The best part of the verse!


"But take heart, because I have OVERCOME the world." (John 16:33)


OVERCOME.

(Some great synonyms: succeed in dealing with, surmount, control, master, conquer, defeat, beat, trounce, thrash, rout, crush, vanquish, get the better of, triumph over, prevail over, win over or against, overwhelm, overpower, outdo, outclass...yeah!)

It's a word I have to hear in my head, and believe in my heart, over and over and over again.

HIS Word –

Take courage.  You will not be alone.  I will not abandon you.  I understand what you're going through.  *Stuff* happened to Me, too.  But I won the victory.  I overpowered the enemy.  I conquered death.

YES!!

He was crucified and died – BOO.
But He rose again – YAY!

And you know what?! 

In that moment, the *other shoe* dropped on the devil! 

He thought things were going great.  He thought he had killed the Son of God. He thought he now ruled with all the authority on earth.  He thought we belonged to him – finally.

BOOM!

Did his heart quake?  Did his knees tremble?  Did his snarly little sneer turn upside down?  Did he look over his shoulder and see a stone tumbled away?

Did he hear the shoe drop?

Jesus won.


In this life, there will always be shoes. 

But we are not ruled by "Murphy's Law."

There is no randomness to our lives, no impersonal destiny, no out-of-control chaos. 

We are kept in the hands of The Lawgiver Himself.

He brings victory out of defeat.  He brings joy out of sorrow.  He brings peace out of turmoil.  He brings life out of death.


He wears the shoes – and when we are too tired to walk – He carries us.

YAY!


(This was a repost – with some 2015 tweaking!  Sorry, but it's been a "Murphy's Law" kind of week!!  Hope you enjoyed…)

Hey, lookie here!

The other shoe dropped!!

(Hee hee...) 

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14, NIV)

"...[Therefore]  let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)

"[For] we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." (Galatians 6:5, NLT) 

"You will not need to fight in this battle.  Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf...Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.  Tomorrow go out...and the LORD will be with you." 
(2 Chronicles 20:17, ESV)

"...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8:37, ESV)

"'Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.'" (Revelation 3:21, NLT)

"'I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace.  In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.'  

[My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]" (John 16:33, AMP)




Had any *shoes* dropping in your life lately?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SOLI DEO GLORIA, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART, REFLECT LINKUP, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, UNITE, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, RA RA LINKUP, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THEOCENTRIC THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, ENCOURAGE ME MONDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LOOKING UP LINKUP, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, LIVING PROVERBS, SUNDAY STILLNESS




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"DEEP COUCH SITTING"

What???

Let me explain.

There is an adorable commercial on TV that I just love.

It starts with a dad, a big and strong and muscular dad.  Who talks about taking care of his small son.  And how he's always so busy chasing and cleaning up after him and his friends that he has no time for *deep couch sitting.*

The doorbell rings.

And, lo and behold, some new cleaning products arrive.  Well, clean-up chores are now greatly expedited, and the dad has extra time on his hands.  The commercial ends with big ol' dad cuddled up next to his cute son.  And he says, "Now this is deep couch sitting."  Which is adorably echoed by his son, "Deep couch sitting!"

It's a great ad on many levels.

I love the fact that it portrays a close relationship between a father and son.  I love that it shows a man who isn't afraid to do household chores!  And let me tell you, the little boy is too, too precious.

But, the thing I love the best is the phrase – deep couch sitting.

As I write this, I am doing some babysitting for my youngest son.  That means all sorts of wonderful bonding time with my favorite granddog, Marty. Last night, as I was reading my current book, just to wind down and get ready for a good night's sleep, I looked down at the furry little buddy curled up oh-so-close to me.

He was warm and snuggly, sound asleep, with his upper body draped across my legs.

"Ahhh," I thought to myself.  "Now this is deep couch sitting!"

And with a rather stunned realization, I recognized the truth of it.  I was indeed more relaxed and restful than I had felt in a good long time.


It got me thinking…

(C'mon guys, breathing gets me thinking!!)

I got to pondering the whole concept of rest, specifically as it is talked about in the Bible.

What does it mean?  

Of course, we know that it is a necessary thing.

How do we know that?  

Because both God and Jesus rested.


Let's start in Genesis.

God did His great work of creation, and on the seventh day He rested.

Ever think about that?

Did God rest because He was tired?

"Phew!  I'm tuckered out.  Making the heavens and the earth was tough. Creating all the creatures was challenging.  But, boy oh boy, making those humans?  That took the last ounce of my energy!"

God tired?

Certainly not!!


So here we come to the first concept of rest in Scripture.

The Hebrew word translated "rested" in Genesis 2:2 is shabat – which means "to cease or stop."  So, the understanding here is that God stopped His work, He ceased creating on the seventh day.

It is from His example, and His directive, that the Hebrew tradition of Sabbath came into practice.

The Law of Moses taught that there should be no work at all on the seventh day.  And in this, we have the beginnings of our seven-day week.

The interesting thing to me is that God’s *resting* was purposeful, intentional.  

I wonder – do I rest intentionally?

More often than not, I don't stop what I'm doing – be it activity or worrying or thinking – I don't stop until I'm forced to by utter exhaustion.

But God showed us by His example that we should take purposeful time to cease our work.  Time to refocus, time to ponder and meditate, time to just *be.*

God rested on the seventh day because His work was complete and perfect.

So, let's be resolute in planning time to cease what we're doing for the purpose of focusing on Him, meditating on His Word, and just taking the time to *be* with Him!


Now, what about Jesus?

We are shown by His example that He often removed Himself to spend time alone.

Don't you wonder what He did during those times?

I'm sure He spent time talking to His Father.

But, I'll bet He also did it to keep Himself from exhaustion.  To find some peace and quiet away from the clamoring crowd.  To re-group so He could face the next steps in His journey.

I wonder – do I look for rest before I wear myself out?

Maybe this could be called preemptive resting!

Taking a *time out* before that moment of sheer exhaustion arrives.

I don't think we're very good at that.

We sorta pride ourselves on a hearty work ethic.  We like to do things to the extreme.  We even approach our leisure time with full-speed-ahead gusto.  (Sometimes a vacation can wear you out more than work!)

Jesus did not do this.

Though there were still people to heal, and lessons to be taught, and multiple demands on His time, He instead pulled away for time alone.


I think this is an area where the enemy is very clever.

He can fool us in a couple of very wrong directions.

First, he can convince us that activity is serving.  

And the more we do, the better "Christians" we are.

Unquestionably, we are called to serve God and to serve the Body of Christ.  But honestly, don't we all know someone (or are you *that someone*) who does this to the extreme?  The person who is never home, constantly doing something, the perfect volunteer.

On one level, it might be tempting to admire this person.

But, can we lose ourselves in ceaselessly serving to the point of exhaustion?

The enemy would love just that.

After all, a tired disciple is an ineffective disciple.  We're no good for Kingdom work if I we're all worn out.  And the father of lies would be overjoyed if we kept busy all the time – never giving ourselves time to think of what's truly important – sometimes even too busy for God.

Let's remember this…

God is not impressed by our *works* – but all too often people are.

So, let's be careful why we're serving, and whom we're serving.


Second of all, the enemy can deceive us into thinking that taking time for ourselves is selfish.  And oh boy, we don't want that!

"Think of others as greater than yourself" – oh, how the devil twists that sentiment!

If Jesus pulled away for rest-full times, was He being selfish?

Certainly not!

I once had a very wise person tell me that taking time for myself was not selfish – it was self-care.  It changed my thinking dramatically.  No longer feeling guilty about periods of *time away,* I instead gave myself permission to take care of myself.  It's so necessary to do this.

I wonder – am I practicing self-care?

So, let's be wary of frenetic activity, even if it's for good reasons and better causes.

Let's take time to take care of ourselves so we can be refreshed for further service.


Finally, I have one other area I'd like to talk about.

It's about when you've gone beyond the limit.  

When you find yourself exhausted, weary, frazzled, weak, debilitated, sapped, overwhelmed and overdone.

It doesn't matter how you got there.

There are many roads that can lead you to this point.

Sometimes it's our own fault.  Sometimes it's just life.

There are just times when we collapse – physically, mentally, emotionally.

These are the times when we cannot take another step.  We cannot muster the strength to go on.  We cannot find peace.  We cannot quiet our thoughts.  Our emotions run rampant.  Our bodies ache. 

Ever been there?

Only Jesus can help us in these moments.

Remember His precious words:

"'Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Put My yoke upon your shoulders – it might appear heavy at first, but it is perfectly fitted to your curves.  Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.'" (Matthew 11:28-30, THE VOICE)


I don't know about you, but those words just sound like a cool cup of refreshing water after crawling through a desert for days.

Really, this is what Jesus is – an oasis in the midst of life.

Quiet, peaceful, loving, caring, gentle, kind.

This is our Savior.  This is our Friend.

So, the word *rest* can also imply an invitation from the Lord.

A Hand held out, bidding you to step out of the fray, to step away from the clamoring din of life.

A Hand held out, asking you to join Him in a quiet place.

I wonder – am I listening?

Oh dear ones, let's take Him up on His offer!!


I encourage you to ponder this concept of *rest* – and to look at all the lessons we learn from our Father and our Savior.

Let's be intentional and purposeful in seeking times of rest.

Let's not forget the value of meditation, of solitude and silence.

Let's not be fooled into thinking that activity in and of itself is any good at all – busy isn't always better.

Let's not serve or volunteer to the point of exhaustion.

Let's be more discerning in what we do and why we do it.

Let's realize when the enemy is telling us lies.

Let's be courageous enough to say "no" when it's needed.

Let's take care of ourselves.

And let's not be guilty when we do…


So today I'm planning to cuddle up next to a beagle who knows a thing or two about resting!  And I'm gonna join him in some good ol' *deep couch sitting!*

For *rest* is a good and necessary thing – restorative and refreshing to body, mind, and soul.

Let's embrace it…

For God calls us unto Himself when we take the time.

Best buddies
doing some serious
deep couch sitting!! 

"'Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations!  I will be exalted in the earth.'"(Psalm 46:10, AMP)

"The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." (Habakkuk 2:20, NIV)

"He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength." (Psalm 23:2-3, NLT)

"For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17, ESV)

"God has told his people, 'Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here.  This is a place of quiet rest.'" (Isaiah 28:12, NLT)

"For we who have believed enter that rest..." (Hebrews 4:3, ESV)



Is God calling you into a time of rest?!



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, MOM 2 MOM MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, RA RA LINKUP, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, LOOKING UP LINKUP, THEOCENTRIC THURSDAYS, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SOLITUDE CAN BE A PRISON

Silence is golden.

If that is the case, then sometimes I live in a cage made out of gold.

I live on a mountain, up a winding road, on the outskirts of town.  It's beautiful, yes, but sometimes incredibly lonely.

Yes, sometimes I feel trapped by the peace and quiet that surrounds me - for it often brings neither quiet nor peace.

OK, I am grateful that I don't have to work.  But retirement can be a mixed blessing.  Having time on your hands is a gift, until you find yourself unable to fill the hours with any meaningful goal or activity.

Have you ever questioned your place and purpose in the world?

It seems that my father's death has triggered a sadness that has lingered deep within my soul.  Like a hidden leak in the pipes that goes unnoticed until the ceiling caves in.

Watch out, Chicken Little.

Lately, my solitude has felt like a weight on my shoulders...

Now, don't get me wrong.  "The Hub" is a great companion.  Easy to get along with, kind and thoughtful - he is an easy conversationalist.  So it's not his fault.

It's not him.

It's some other grief that seems to have invaded and gripped my heart.


What am I mourning?

I miss my dad.  Not how he was the last few years, but just for the fact that I had a dad.  I keep feeling like I should have said more or done more.  I remember too many memories, and long for the chance to re-do some things. Now it's too late.

I miss my mom.  Because she doesn't want to be alone, we are shuttling her between my brother, sister, and cousin to take care of her.  I spend time with her when I'm in town, but if I was still living there, she'd be staying with me. And we don't talk as much as we used to.

I miss my sons.  Yeah, they're off on their own lives, as they should be, but still.  After 9 years, I have not completely settled in my empty nest.  My *mom feathers* are still ruffled.  I can't quite get comfortable.  Sometimes I still miss the old days.

I miss my grandbeagle, Marty.  Sometimes he's the only one who can bring me comfort.  His fur is healing.

I miss my old house, my friends, my familiar routine.  After almost two years, I am still not *at home* in my new home.

And, I miss me.

Truth be told, I'm not even sure who *me* is supposed to be anymore.  I'm almost 60, and I'm having an adolescent "identity crisis."  Wondering why I'm here, and who even cares.

But you know something?

Somehow, this doesn't feel like a physical depression, it feels spiritual.

Yeah, it feels like an attack.

I've prayed.  Oh boy, have I prayed.  Late night prayers, middle-of-the-night prayers, first-thing-in-the-morning prayers.

To sum them up, it goes something like this:

"Lord, I hurt."


I'm not sure how He's going to solve this one.  Maybe He won't.  Maybe He has a purpose for this ongoing thorn.  Evidently, He still has a purpose for me, 'cuz I still keep waking up!

But I'm not living abundantly, at least not like I define it.

This current *wilderness* is made so much more difficult because of "The Hub."  He serves as a stark contrast to my weary.  He is thriving up here. He loves the isolation, the stillness, the solitude.

Sometimes I starve.


So, what to do?

I'm not sure if I'm going to post this or not.  It's pretty raw.  But if you're reading this, something inside me (the Holy Spirit, no doubt), prompted me to take a courageous leap of vulnerability and hit the publish button.

Why, I wonder.

Perhaps for this reason.

To let you know, if you are struggling, or suffering, or just feeling lost and lonely and sad, you're not alone.

I get it, and I'm with you.

And I am not the only one.

One of our deepest needs as human beings is to know that we're not alone in the universe.  Think of all the technology involved in searching for intelligent life on other planets.

How silly we are.

We need only search for intelligent design.  And we need look no further than a bookshelf to find the Intelligent Designer.  He is there, permeating every word in His Word.

Maybe I've lost sight of that.

Maybe the solitude has fooled me.

Maybe it's not a prison after all, but rather an opportunity to seek the Presence.  A chance not to focus on the stillness, but on the still, small voice.

Maybe there are no bars, but only an illusion created by the enemy so that I will stop seeking The One.

Maybe the solitude, the sadness is a gift, an invitation to find the Man of Sorrows, the One well-acquainted with grief.

The One who experienced separation from the Father, so we would never have to.

Maybe only by feeling so terribly lonely can I ever hope to understand that I am truly never alone.

Maybe, just maybe...He is more than enough.


I have written this post, sitting in a parking lot in town, rather terrified to go back home and face the quiet.

But in the writing and the reflecting, a Voice has been speaking.  

Over and over, His Truth has overwhelmed me:

"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

OK, Jesus, let's go home.

Come unto Me... 

"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go...for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:15, NASB)

"Do not let your heart be troubled...I will not leave you as [an orphan]; I will come to you." (John 14:1, 18, NASB)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

"They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you..." (Jeremiah 1:19, NIV)

"One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him..." (Psalm 27:4, NIV)



What lonely battle are you facing today?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Jen at UNITE
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Crystal at THRIVING THURSDAY
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Salina at HEART REFLECTED
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"