“It is of great weight if you can wait without the weight of waiting.”
Loren Thornburg
Waiting can feel like such a burden, like a heavy weight that we are carrying around with us. There is the weight of waiting to get married, to have kids, for our kids to mature, to get a job, to make more money, to have more time, to be happy. We are all waiting for something and depending on how we wait determines the weight which we carry. Yet it doesn’t have to be a burden that weighs us down. It can instead be the strength of which we carry. There is a way of hope in waiting that takes the burden and turns it into contentment. There is a way of trust in waiting that takes the burden and turns it into security. There is a way of peace in waiting that takes the burden and turns it into freedom. There is a way of waiting that finds life in the waiting. Don’t bear the weight of waiting. Put down those weights so you can pick up security, contentment, freedom and life.
“What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.”
Psalm 27: 13-14 Amplified
David knew the weight of waiting on the Lord. He knew that was the only way to find life in the midst of waiting. To wait on the Lord is to cling to Him, to adhere to Him, to stay close to Him, to be bound together with Him, and to trust Him. It is knowing, trusting, patience, security, satisfaction, and believing with contentment. It is being aware that our need for God is greater than our desire of what we are waiting on. We need to cast our weights on Him. That is the only way we can wait without the burden of waiting. David sees this as being of great weight knowing that had he not he would have become something so different from the man of worship that he is in this Psalm. Yet, he realizes that this takes courage and does not come easily. We must determine to wait on the Lord, to cling to the Lord, to cast all of our weighty burdens on the Lord. Let us wonder like David what would have happened if we didn’t do that rather than what might have been possible if we had.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Made for Light
“You were made for light and to be made light.”
Loren Thornburg
I am reminded on every gloomy day how I was made for light. Now, I enjoy some rain every now and then, especially when it comes with thunder and lightning. However, there is something about the lack of sunlight that affects me. I feel tired and I just want to snuggle up on the coach ,which isn’t an option sometimes. There is scientific backing to our need for light and the Vitamin D that we get from sunlight. Without it our bodies become weak emotionally and physically. As I was trying to get something untied in the darkness of my room it felt so difficult, but when I brought it in the light it seemed so easy and obvious on how to untie it. We need light! It stimulates sight. It makes things visible. We were made to function in the light, yet so often we find ourselves trying to untie knots in the dark. At times we are drawn to the things that keep us from being able to see. This can come in hundreds of ways...fears and concerns, harmful activities, secrets. Yet when this is all done in the light where others and yourself can see there is a “lightness” that comes. It doesn’t feel so heavy. We were made for light...it makes things light.
“For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.”
Psalm 36:9 NLT
God is the light and life. Without light there is no life. Those two go together and you go together with Him. You were made for Him. He is the light by which we can see truth. It is by Him who is truth that we can see things as they really are without tainting. If He is the light by which we see, without Him we are living in the dark. I think about times I have tried to do things without Him and how hard those were compared to times where I have invited Him in. Not that things got easy because He was involved, but that there was a lightness and a freedom in the midst of the struggle. For His “burden is light.” It is a fountain of life that never stops. His life is the way that we can see things through. Without Him we are stumbling in the darkness still trying to untie the knot that could be untied with ease if we would step into the light, His light. He never stops being light. He never stops helping us to see. He never stops bringing life and more life. He never stops and you never stop being made for light. When you have His light in you He shines that to others that they can see too. You were made for light and to be made light.
Loren Thornburg
I am reminded on every gloomy day how I was made for light. Now, I enjoy some rain every now and then, especially when it comes with thunder and lightning. However, there is something about the lack of sunlight that affects me. I feel tired and I just want to snuggle up on the coach ,which isn’t an option sometimes. There is scientific backing to our need for light and the Vitamin D that we get from sunlight. Without it our bodies become weak emotionally and physically. As I was trying to get something untied in the darkness of my room it felt so difficult, but when I brought it in the light it seemed so easy and obvious on how to untie it. We need light! It stimulates sight. It makes things visible. We were made to function in the light, yet so often we find ourselves trying to untie knots in the dark. At times we are drawn to the things that keep us from being able to see. This can come in hundreds of ways...fears and concerns, harmful activities, secrets. Yet when this is all done in the light where others and yourself can see there is a “lightness” that comes. It doesn’t feel so heavy. We were made for light...it makes things light.
“For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.”
Psalm 36:9 NLT
God is the light and life. Without light there is no life. Those two go together and you go together with Him. You were made for Him. He is the light by which we can see truth. It is by Him who is truth that we can see things as they really are without tainting. If He is the light by which we see, without Him we are living in the dark. I think about times I have tried to do things without Him and how hard those were compared to times where I have invited Him in. Not that things got easy because He was involved, but that there was a lightness and a freedom in the midst of the struggle. For His “burden is light.” It is a fountain of life that never stops. His life is the way that we can see things through. Without Him we are stumbling in the darkness still trying to untie the knot that could be untied with ease if we would step into the light, His light. He never stops being light. He never stops helping us to see. He never stops bringing life and more life. He never stops and you never stop being made for light. When you have His light in you He shines that to others that they can see too. You were made for light and to be made light.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
What Really Matters
“Perspective is found in the face of disaster.”
Loren Thornburg
It’s hard to believe it was 10 years ago. It feels like yesterday that I first heard of the tragic events of our country. For weeks it flooded the news and our lives. Some more than others, but it was hard not to be affected. There is something about those times, when we are face to face with disaster and loss, that we can’t help but gain perspective of what really matters. We see the fragility of life and remember we have no guarantees. In this perspective shift we begin to find a new level of thankfulness and gratitude. We start to make the things that really matter priority in our lives. However, over time we often lose sight of this again. Life demands so much from us that we start to let other things take center stage. Rather than waiting for the next big disaster let’s let this anniversary remind us what really matters.
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…”
Phil 3:8 NLT
Paul, referred to as Saul before having an encounter with Jesus, came face to face with disaster and loss. He was going about his day when an encounter with the Lord dramatically changed the course of his day and life. He was blinded. Saul was completely dependent on those around him to go anywhere and do anything. So when his sight was restored you can only imagine his thankfulness. Yet, more than being able to see, he now saw Jesus in a whole different light. Having once persecuted those who believed, he now “immediately” began preaching about how Jesus saves. Paul saw what really mattered and he kept seeing it and sharing it throughout his life. He continued to remember what was of gain and what was of loss by comparing it up to Christ. This doesn’t mean we have to go preach or be missionaries. It doesn’t mean only going to church and reading your Bible are worthwhile. Much the opposite, it means that everything done with Him at the center, so that He may be seen as worthy is a “priceless gain.” Don’t wait for disaster to strike to start seeing that what really matters is knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.
Loren Thornburg
It’s hard to believe it was 10 years ago. It feels like yesterday that I first heard of the tragic events of our country. For weeks it flooded the news and our lives. Some more than others, but it was hard not to be affected. There is something about those times, when we are face to face with disaster and loss, that we can’t help but gain perspective of what really matters. We see the fragility of life and remember we have no guarantees. In this perspective shift we begin to find a new level of thankfulness and gratitude. We start to make the things that really matter priority in our lives. However, over time we often lose sight of this again. Life demands so much from us that we start to let other things take center stage. Rather than waiting for the next big disaster let’s let this anniversary remind us what really matters.
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…”
Phil 3:8 NLT
Paul, referred to as Saul before having an encounter with Jesus, came face to face with disaster and loss. He was going about his day when an encounter with the Lord dramatically changed the course of his day and life. He was blinded. Saul was completely dependent on those around him to go anywhere and do anything. So when his sight was restored you can only imagine his thankfulness. Yet, more than being able to see, he now saw Jesus in a whole different light. Having once persecuted those who believed, he now “immediately” began preaching about how Jesus saves. Paul saw what really mattered and he kept seeing it and sharing it throughout his life. He continued to remember what was of gain and what was of loss by comparing it up to Christ. This doesn’t mean we have to go preach or be missionaries. It doesn’t mean only going to church and reading your Bible are worthwhile. Much the opposite, it means that everything done with Him at the center, so that He may be seen as worthy is a “priceless gain.” Don’t wait for disaster to strike to start seeing that what really matters is knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Under Construction
“Life is a journey that rarely takes the roads and ways I would have chosen. And for that I am thankful.”
Loren Thornburg
It seems that everywhere I drive there is construction. It wouldn’t be so bad except that construction often means more time for me to get where I am going. Not able to appreciate the bigger picture of the ways that the construction will be worth it when it’s complete, I get annoyed and frustrated. Yet, I don’t get annoyed when it’s finished and things are running and working smoother than before, saving me time to get where I am going. Like the roads my life is often “under construction.” Not usually by choice, but often like the roads, it leaves my life running smoother and working better than before. It is really hard to see that in the midst of it. Through all the orange cones and flashing lights it’s hard to see what is on the other side of completion. I want to learn to see through the construction in appreciation for what is being built. A me that is more functional, more free, and more able to receive construction as a chance for more.
The construction is and will be never ending, yet I don’t have to see it as something to be endured, but enjoyed.
“...God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 1:8 MSG
God is in the construction business. He is about building His people and His church into the likeness of Himself. Being invited to be in His family, to be His sons and daughters, is also an invitation to become “steady and on track.” Unfortunately to get there some changes need to be made and construction of our hearts and lives are needed. Yet, God Himself is right alongside us to see that to completion. As Ecclesiastes 3 says, “there is a time to tear and a time to mend.” It won’t always feel like tearing. There will be times of mending and enjoying the freedom of a mended life. However, there will continually be times where we feel under construction. Then, like the time before, God Himself will bring us through staying right beside us, giving us the strength we need. Lord teach us how to enjoy the construction and the invitation to more life with You right alongside us.
Loren Thornburg
It seems that everywhere I drive there is construction. It wouldn’t be so bad except that construction often means more time for me to get where I am going. Not able to appreciate the bigger picture of the ways that the construction will be worth it when it’s complete, I get annoyed and frustrated. Yet, I don’t get annoyed when it’s finished and things are running and working smoother than before, saving me time to get where I am going. Like the roads my life is often “under construction.” Not usually by choice, but often like the roads, it leaves my life running smoother and working better than before. It is really hard to see that in the midst of it. Through all the orange cones and flashing lights it’s hard to see what is on the other side of completion. I want to learn to see through the construction in appreciation for what is being built. A me that is more functional, more free, and more able to receive construction as a chance for more.
The construction is and will be never ending, yet I don’t have to see it as something to be endured, but enjoyed.
“...God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 1:8 MSG
God is in the construction business. He is about building His people and His church into the likeness of Himself. Being invited to be in His family, to be His sons and daughters, is also an invitation to become “steady and on track.” Unfortunately to get there some changes need to be made and construction of our hearts and lives are needed. Yet, God Himself is right alongside us to see that to completion. As Ecclesiastes 3 says, “there is a time to tear and a time to mend.” It won’t always feel like tearing. There will be times of mending and enjoying the freedom of a mended life. However, there will continually be times where we feel under construction. Then, like the time before, God Himself will bring us through staying right beside us, giving us the strength we need. Lord teach us how to enjoy the construction and the invitation to more life with You right alongside us.
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