Monthly Archives: August 2017

Who Needs a Map?

25 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Christian Growth, Encouragement

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I’m not what you would call a naturally flexible person. In fact, my husband has been known to call me “road map girl” because I like to know where I’m going…all the time.

I like to not only know where I’m headed on a trip, but also where life will take us in general. I mean who wouldn’t want to know whether they were moving in the next year, or staying put? Who wouldn’t like to know if they were going to be at the same job this time next year?

Life just doesn’t work that way though, does it? Abraham didn’t get a map, Joseph didn’t get a map, Jonah got a map and didn’t use it, Jesus’ mother didn’t get a map, and I sure didn’t get one either.

I used to only want a mapped out experience, but as I am maturing (ahem) I’m finding I want adventure. I want new experiences.  I’m finding that not having a map doesn’t necessarily mean I’m lost. It simply means I’m enjoying the moment I’m in.

When I have a map, my focus is in the wrong place. When I have a map, my eyes are downward, trying to figure out the next step. But, when my map is gone, my eyes are looking up. Psalm 121:1-2 says, “I will life up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” This is where my eyes should be…on the Lord, not on some map.

When I’m not too busy trying to figure out where I’m going, I realize where I am and it’s always wonderful. Always. Because God is here. Hebrews 13:5 says, “…be content with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.” This verse tells me to be content with where I am because God is here and that’s all I need.

One step forward and two steps back? No problem. God is here.

A marathon? No problem. God is here.

Several mountains to climb? No problem. God is here.

An adventure is eyes wide open to everything around me. A map leads to seeing one thing…the map. Did you notice the picture above? All around the guy holding the map is an adventure waiting to happen, but all he can see is his map. Sad, isn’t it? Eventually, he’s going to have to look up to see if he’s arrived, but he’s missing the journey. He’s missing the adventure. He’s missing the here and now. He’s missing everything… but his map!

I want to stop being “road map girl”. I want the adventure that God has for me, the plan that only He can decipher, and the map only He can read. I want the adventure that He’s called me to and in order to see it I have to take my eyes off the map and turn my eyes to Him.

You in?

Seeking Hearts Ministries 

** Photo by muddymatches.co.uk

 

So Over It…

18 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Christian Growth, Encouragement

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broken chain image.jpg

I admit it, when I saw the song list for Sunday I was disappointed. Most of the songs were right on (in my opinion) except the last one…the one I have sung over and over and over again. I remember thinking, “I am so over this song.” I’ve actually even written a blog about this song before. Ironic, huh?

So, what’s the song? Got you curious, haven’t I? Don’t gasp too loudly, but it’s “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”. I know, it’s a great song. It’s even brought traditional churches to tears, but I’ve just heard it one too many times…or, so I thought.

As I was practicing said song, God reminded me that I may know all the words, but I still wasn’t living chain free. He reminded me that I sometimes still wear shackles that He broke off of me many years ago. He knew I needed the reminder because He knew that I had replaced the freedom that His very Son gave me with panic, fear and dread this very week. He knew I was vulnerable to the Enemy’s attacks and that a few fiery darts had hit their mark. He knew I needed to be reminded that my chains truly are gone.

Galatians 5:1 teaches us that, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

Why did Christ set me free? Was it so I could do good works? Was it because I’m this awesome person who deserves freedom? No. Christ set me free so that I could live in freedom. That’s it. That’s the only reason. His great love, His amazing grace, His mercy that is new every morning, just wants me to be free.

If I received a letter in my mailbox this week that my mortgage was paid off, how many more payments do you think I would make? You guessed it…none. I would be completely free from that debt. Christ is telling us in Galatians that our mortgage, our debt, is gone for all time, yet we find ourselves still making payments.

Spiritually speaking, I still think I need to make a payment to stay free. That’s kind of nuts, isn’t it? But, it’s often how I live. The chains that Christ broke off of me still entice me. My mind thinks it’s better to have a freak out than to rest in Him. My brain thinks watching Netflix will be better to fall asleep to than reading His Word and praying for others as I drift off into oblivion. My body thinks that depending on comfort food instead of drawing on His strength will somehow make things better.

At times, I’m still choosing shackles instead of freedom. I may be sick of the song, but the message still needs to be heard.

…”My chains are gone. I’ve been set free…”

So, as I sing this song that I’ve heard over and over again this Sunday, I pray that it truly is a testimony of my life…not just in that moment, but when I go home as well. I pray that I’m not thinking “When is this going to be over?”, but I will truly give God glory for setting me free. I pray that the next time you see me all you see are wrists that are shackle free, ankles that are unfettered and gratefulness oozing out of every pore for the One who sets us all free.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

** picture by Getty images