Honest Reflections

Five-minute read.

For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13

Knitted together.

In the 4-H club, they tried to teach me to knit. Meeting in the basement of Tidal Presbyterian church, the long-folding tables lined up in rows, I remember sitting at the end of one, fighting with my yarn. Using two long, skinny metal needles to combine yarn in magical patterns eluded me. However, using a simple hook did not, crocheting my preferred choice.

Working on a crochet pattern makes me appreciate each stitch. My current Starburst Granny Square Throw project requires constant color changes. Each flower has three different yarns, color varying with each row. The tub of yarn doesn’t look like much, but as I weave the threads together, it becomes a beautiful tapestry of color that warms the heart.

God knit us together in our mother’s womb. Every strand of DNA hand crafted and woven together by our Maker. Each detail planned for a purpose, creating individuals that form the Lord’s family. As every crochet pattern calls for specific stitches to create unique works of art, our Creator never uses the same two stitches. Like snowflakes, we each have a unique design.

Dorothy Casterline changed the world of communication for deaf people. Losing her hearing in the 7^th grade, she never knew why.[i]  But instead of questioning God’s design for her life, she accepted His sovereignty and found ways to help others. Working with other researchers, Casterline helped create the dictionary of American Sign Language, opening the doors of communication for the deaf community.

What if Dorothy had wallowed in pity when she lost her hearing, questioning God? When the Lord knit Casterline together, why did He include a disability? Without her Earthly struggle, Dorothy wouldn’t have gone on to help develop the dictionary. When our Creator designed the pattern for us, He did so with a goal in mind, one only we can achieve.

“I will never be petite,” I said to Ron. When the Lord knit me together in my mother’s room, He gave me wide hips, long legs, and broad shoulders. God also gave me a thick head of hair and pure green eyes, according to one optometrist. Why did the Lord design me this way? To serve my purpose. Each day, as I follow my Maker, He reveals more and more of His intentions for my life.

Thinking of the Lord knitting us together, I think of Him sitting on His throne, needles flashing in and out of the DNA strands, creating one masterpiece after another. God designs works of art, each valued and loved. Every stitch touched by the Creator, adored, and cherished, unconditionally loved. Unlike me, when I miss a stitch or miscount, God makes no mistakes. The Lord’s knitted works of art fill His kingdom with glory as they honor and serve Him.

Know how much the Lord loves you. He created you purposefully, knitting you together in Your mother’s womb. God calls you a masterpiece, fearfully and wonderfully made!

Application:

Knitted together.

God knows every molecule in our body. Like taking a fresh strand of yarn, He knits us together. When I’m crocheting, it reminds me of the intricacy of making anything. Each stitch must attach to another one, or it won’t work. Each piece takes thousands and thousands of stitches to create, the most satisfying one the last. Weaving in the ends of a finished work of art, flipping over the design, and seeing the final product brings joy to the heart just like we do the Lord when we leave the womb and begin life’s journey with Him.

God creates masterpieces.

Journaling Questions:

1. What do you think of when you imagine God knitting you together?
2. What part of your design baffles you?
3. How can you begin seeing yourself as a masterpiece?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your attention to detail in creating us. Help us understand the depths of Your love for us and your care in designing us. Give us divine insight into the effort You put into every one of us, knitting us together in our mother’s womb. Let us believe You created us as a unique masterpiece with unimaginable value. IJNIP. Amen

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[i] https://wng.org/podcasts/stewards-of-gods-gifts-1703553045

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Isaiah 7-9 GW; Revelation 5 GW; Psalms 150 GW

Disobedience tries patience.

Doing what you want instead of what God wants tries His patience. In the same way, if my husband tells me to tighten my financial belt, but instead, I go on a spending spree, I test his patience with me. Every one of us goes astray. We all think we know better than God at some point or another and know more than people.

In Sunday’s message, the pastor talked about how sheep stray. The simple animals wander away from the shepherd one nibble at a time. Our wooly friends eat one blade of grass at a time, then another, until eventually, they find themselves far from where they started. Humans do the same thing the sheep do. One decision at a time, we wander from the Shepherd.

For instance, sometimes, I don’t like the “nudges” I receive from the Holy Spirit. In one of my relationships, God asked me to pray for a specific person. However, I didn’t want to pray for the individual, so I didn’t. However, the prompting wouldn’t go away. I felt God impressing on my Spirit a simple message, “You want me to do all these things for you, but you won’t do the one thing I ask you to do.”  Self-awareness made me realize that I was testing God’s patience.

Stop testing God.

At some point, we must become self-aware and realize we’re the ones testing God. Our lack of obedience tests God’s patience. Like when a child disobeys our instructions, we do the same to God. As soon as I prayed for the person God placed on my heart, I felt God’s pleasure. Begrudgingly, I said their name to God and asked Him to bless their life. Coming into obedience to God means doing things we don’t want to do.

The good news, God forgives quickly, always offering a second chance. Don’t worry about what lies behind you. Instead, focus on what God has for you. Become self-aware of your disobedience. Stop testing God; start trusting Him instead.

Lord, thank You for Your patience. Forgive us for trying Your long-suffering time and time again. Help us become more self-aware today. Show us the areas where we are disobedient. Give us the faith we need to become obedient to You in all things.   Glory and honor are Yours always. IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What area of your life do you need to become more self-aware?

Five-minute read.

The night will shine like the day, For darkness is as light to you.

Psalm 139:12b

Bright night.

Writing the morning after Christmas, the sparkle of holiday lights illuminates the sky.  Blow-up Santas, Snowmen, and Reindeer adorn yards.  Nativity scenes of all sorts glow under spotlights.  Nighttime brings an expectant joy as houses come to life with bright bulbs and strobe lights set to joyful music.  And, of course, the most brilliant light of all comes from the lighted Christmas stars that signify the birth of Jesus.

The Light of the World entered it in a manger.  With no place to lay her head, Mary took refuge in a stable and gave birth to her baby boy.  The Star of Bethlehem shone brightly above the tiny family, leading the wise men to the Savior’s side, offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

“The other — more astronomical — explanation is that there was a bright object in the sky — a conjunction between planets and stars. A conjunction occurs when two or more celestial bodies appear to meet in the night sky from our location on Earth.”[i]

Space.com’s article, “What was the Star of Bethlehem,” scientifically explains the Christmas star.  Something happened the night Jesus entered the Earth, celestial light ushering in His birth.  Darkness becomes light when we place our faith in Jesus.

Accepting Christ into our lives and inviting Him to reside in our hearts means darkness becomes light.  Jesus’s eternal flame burns from within us and illuminates the darkness around us, sharing His light with others.

Scrolling Facebook, I saw the perfect meme to describe how God’s light works.  A multitude of people, all colorless, just an outline of their human form, stood together.  Then, one receives the light of Christ, and his form lights up.  Then, the meme shows him sharing his light with someone else, and they light up.  And the process continues until, eventually, the entire crowd receives God’s light, no longer colorless but shining brightly for all to see.

We think our acts of obedience to the Lord go unnoticed.  But God sees and knows everything, and He will multiply our efforts.  One spark lights an eternal flame that never ends.  When we share Christ’s light with others, we bring them out of the darkness and help them find the One who can transform their lives.

Light spreads quickly, traveling 186,000 miles per second.  With a circumference of 24,901 miles, light circles the world over seven times in one second.  One act of love shares Christ’s love with others and begins to illuminate the world in a split second.  We may think opening the door for a stranger, helping a friend through a difficult time, or sitting quietly with a sick family member goes unnoticed, but our light shines in their darkness and helps their flame grow and flicker.

God gives us light in the darkness. Christ illuminates our souls and shines through us to the world around us.  Darkness becomes light when we follow Jesus.  And as we do, His light spreads.  The more obedient we become, the faster Christ’s light spreads to the world around us, illuminating the darkness and bringing hope to the world.

Application:

Light of the world.

Darkness becomes light when Jesus enters the world.  Everything matters to God.  When we obey the Lord, we share His light with the world.  Working in my shop at Christmas, I put everything on sale for 50% off.  A customer coming by stopped and loaded up.  “I’m so glad Christmas is almost over,” I said, referring to the amount of work that goes into running a shop.

“But you’re bringing joy to people, you really are.  Don’t forget that,” she responded.  Instantly, I felt encouraged and uplifted.  My prayers answered with her statement.  Wanting to bring joy to others and share Christ’s love, her words affirmed my actions.  And just like that, God’s light spread in the world.

Share the light.

Journaling Questions:

1. Who shared Christ’s light with you?
2. How can you share your light with others?
3. When did you last share your light, and how did it make you feel?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us Your light to illuminate the darkness.  Forgive us for hiding it.  Give us opportunities to share Christ with others and open our eyes and ears to the chances around us to bring His light to a dark world.  As we do our best to honor and obey You, bless our efforts.  Shine Your light brightly and eliminate the darkness.  IJNIP. Amen

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[i] https://www.space.com/54-earth-history-composition-and-atmosphere.html

Five-minute read.

Even the darkness will not be dark to you;

Psalm 139:12a

No darkness.

Living in the city, we never experience the darkness of a night in the country.  Streetlights pierce the blackness, illuminating the pavement.  When you view a metropolitan area from a distance, the glow of the lights creates a sphere around it. Viewing the Earth from the air shows pinpoints of light scattered around the surface.  Only in the country do I experience the beauty of the night sky unhindered by artificial light, dotted with stars made by the Lord.

Sitting on my back deck, I can’t see the stars as clearly as I can when I go home to Pennsylvania.  On cloudy nights, the darkness seems heavier, but even then, shafts of moonlight make their presence known.  To experience complete darkness, one must shut out the light somehow.  But in the natural creation of the Lord, His light always shines.

Understanding the concept of the Lord’s constant presence has its challenges.  Our thoughts and feelings can make us feel isolated and alone.  Suffering from depression, I’ve battled the lies of my mind and emotions.  Learning ways to capture my thoughts and process my feelings helps me win the fight.  Discovering, applying, and trusting God’s promises gives me ammunition when my mind starts going places that lead to despair.

“And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so.”

 Genesis 1:14-15

Creation came with lights.  From the start, the Lord illuminated the darkness, giving us the sun and moon to rule our days and nights.  In the depths of death, surrounded by the walls of a coffin, He gave us Jesus, an eternal light to overcome the deepest darkness.  God never intended for us to walk in darkness, lighting our path long before we took our first breath.

“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

Genesis 1:2

Just like walking into a room and flipping on the light switch, the Lord turned on the lights first after creating the heavens and earth.  Life doesn’t exist in darkness.  God never intended for us to wallow in a formless void of blackness; he illuminated the world before He did anything else.

On your darkest days, God provides light to diminish them.  The Lord’s Spirit will never leave you.  Followers of Christ become God in the flesh, surrounding us during life’s bitter struggles and helping us to persevere through the storm.  When pain and darkness come upon us, God’s light shines, bringing hope and comfort to weary souls.

Application:

Lights on.

God turned the lights on first before He did anything else.  In His sovereignty, the Lord illuminated the dark spaces.  When life knocks me to the ground unexpectedly, God has already placed lights for me to follow.  On the day my nephew died, the Lord used Ron to hold me up.  When I lost my job, friends surrounded me, helping me move forward through the pain.  And when my thoughts take me on rabbit trails of despair, scripture from the Lord helps me derail the dark recesses of my mind.  Centering our mind on Christ flips the lights on in our life, guiding and directing us, never leaving us in darkness.

Flip the switch.

Journaling Questions:

1. What lights illuminate the dark areas of your life?
2. How does God provide light for you in your life?
3. What light shines brightest for you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for illuminating the world first, bringing light into the darkness.  Forgive us for succumbing to darkness.  As we move through our days, help us follow Your light, knowing You will never leave us devoid.  Guide and direct so we can fulfill Your purpose for our lives.  Let our light shine brightly, illuminating the world and bringing it hope.  IJNIP. Amen

Five-minute read.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”

Psalm 139:11

Bright light.

Hosek, the Hebrew word for darkness in today’s verse, means “darkness, dark; blackness, gloom, often darkness has the associative meanings of gloom, despair, terror, ignorance, or hard to understand,”[i]The Psalmist assumes darkness will hide him, and God’s light will disappear.  But nothing hides us from the Lord, not even the depths of despair.  Just because we feel alone doesn’t mean God’s not present.

After my half-sister passed away from cancer, I slipped into a depression.  Diagnosed with a variance of ovarian cancer, she suffered the same illness her mother did.  The day after Christmas in 2000, she had surgery, which revealed the extent of the abnormal cells in her body.  For a year and a half, she battled bravely until the end.

“It’s beautiful,” she said before she slipped into the Savior’s arms.  Her faith never wavered, accepting God’s will for her life.  A kind soul, she loved loyally and quietly, trusting the Lord and living for Him.  Losing her from this world caused a crisis of faith for me and a stark realization that no one lives forever.  A constant presence in the first thirty-two years of my life, I never thought she would die.

Depression overcame me; tears came to my eyes with little effort.  I found it challenging to engage in life, wanting to stay curled up in a ball on the couch, hidden from the world.  Gloom and despair enfolded me in their darkness.  I even started smoking cigarettes again, looking for comfort in them.  But the Lord’s light invaded my darkness and helped me find life again.

Lorna passed away on Aug. 18^th, 2001.  Less than a month later, terrorists flew planes into the twin towers, crippling our nation in fear as life as we knew it ended.  People turned to God in their pain, and churches overflowed in the months after the event.  For the first time, I found a reason to praise God.

“Lord, thank You. Lorn didn’t have to live through this,” I thought.  Knowing my sister’s deep love for her country and sensitive heart towards others, I found comfort in knowing she didn’t have to endure the tragedy.

As the days marched onward, I sought God more and more.  My faith deepened as I trusted Him.  Light started to pierce the darkness around me as I gave my life to Him.  Even though the happenings in the world didn’t make sense, I placed my belief in the Creator’s promises, relying on Him to carry me and the country forward.  And the Lord did.

God’s bright light illuminated the darkness of those days.  As people sought Him, the Lord responded.  Stories of hope began to emerge from the dusty holes, and the discovery of the Ground Zero Cross,[ii] formed from steel beams found in the debris, encouraged a nation and continues to stand erect at the September 11 Museum.[iii]  Hope blossomed in our hearts as God’s light penetrated the darkness.

Darkness fades in the presence of the Lord.  If you seek His light, you will find it.

Application:

God brings light.

In the dark days after my sister’s death, God’s light pierced the darkness.  Through fellow believers, I began to discover hope amid tragedy and loss.  Trusting the Creator’s sovereignty helped me move forward from the heartache.  Allowing God’s comfort to penetrate my aching heart brought healing.  Discovering the Lord’s light gave me new life, let hope blossom, and helped me persevere.

Light dispels darkness.

Journaling Questions:

1. What darkness do you feel in your life?
2. How can seeking God help you discover His light?
3. What area do you need God’s light to penetrate?

Prayer:

Lord, help us find our way out of the darkness to You.  Please let Your brilliant light shine continuously in our lives.  As we encounter pain in our lives, help us keep breathing, seeking You for answers, and not relying on feelings but trusting in You.  Give us Your yoke as we submit our lives to Your sovereignty, allowing You to lead us on the path of righteousness.  Let our hearts heal from the pain as we give it to You. IJNIP. Amen

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[i] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A11&version=NIV&tab=interlinear

[ii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Center_cross

[iii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_September_11_Memorial_%26_Museum#Museum

Five-minute read.

Even there your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:10

Held tight.

Our excellent Comforter holds us in His hand.  God leads and guides us, like a father walking with their child.  My heart rejoices when I see parents holding their children’s hands.  Friends of ours with five little blessings running around their feet always have a hand attached to one of their kids.  Seeing them in church on Sunday mornings uplifts and encourages my heart as they prioritize gathering with other believers.

When Ron holds my hand, I instantly feel a sense of comfort and security.  When we first started dating, we played on a tennis team together.  Partnered in doubles, we met on the tennis court.  Before a match, we had dinner at a nearby restaurant one night.  Walking to the courts, we held hands, but Ron dropped my hand as soon as we saw the team.  No one knew about our newly formed relationship, and my Honey didn’t know if I wanted them to know, so he erred on the side of caution.

Eleven years later, I still feel the instant rejection of his hand leaving mine.  Of course, we worked through the issue.  But God never drops our hands.  Constantly in touch with us, the Lord holds on tight.  Just like my friends with their children, tightly grasping their hands as crowds of people move around them, not wanting them to get lost in the crowd.

As I move through my days, I take comfort in knowing the Lord’s got me.  I envision myself held in His hand, protected from the world around me, holding me tight.  Our Creator protects His creation.  Bad things come into our lives, but the Lord helps us navigate those times, leading us to solid ground.

“God never gives us more than we can handle,” a friend told me.  In the past three years, my friend has had one difficulty after another.  COVID’s shutdown began financial issues that cascaded into all areas of life.

“I’ve changed my opinion on that,” I responded.  For many years, I believed the same thing, but one day, I realized that God gives us more than we can handle.  When we can no longer do life alone, the Lord meets us and picks up the slack.  In our weakness, God’s strength carries us.  If God intended us to do life alone, He wouldn’t have sent Jesus.  And He wouldn’t hold our hand.

While watching T.V. at night, Ron will lay his hand beside mine to hold it.  One gesture conveys so much love to me without saying any words.  Holding hands and connecting with another person comforts the soul effortlessly and communicates affection.  Your Lord and Savior clings to your hand.  His warmth and energy constantly flowing into you.  Never leaving or forsaking us, God’s presence in our life reassures, comforts, strengthens, and carries us.  We don’t face life alone; we face it with the Lord.

Standing tall beside us, God holds our hand and helps us navigate the world.  One day, He will call us heavenly, but until then, the Lord walks with us, holding on tight.

Application:

God holds our hand.

Recently, I had one of those days.  Everything seemed to go wrong, and nothing I planned to do went as anticipated.  The printer refusing to print made me want to pull my hair out.  Then, I thought of God and His presence.  Instead of letting the frustration reign, I thought of the Lord with me in the moment and began to ask myself what I could learn from this situation.  As I centered my thoughts on God, I realized instead of letting myself get lost in anger, I could trust in Him, understanding that none of these issues would matter in a day, but my relationship with the Lord would.  Holding me in His hand, God guided me to a better attitude and acceptance of the things I cannot change.

Holding my hand, God guides me.

Journaling Questions:

1. What do you picture when you think of God holding your hand?
2. How do you find comfort knowing God never lets go of you?
3. What direction do you feel the Lord taking you today?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for resisting Your guidance.  Let us feel Your hand in ours as we follow You today.  Allow Your comfort to surround us as we face life’s travel.  Give us confidence in Your presence as we cling to You.  Strengthen our belief as we admit our weaknesses and allow Your strength to carry us.  IJNIP. Amen

Five-minute read.

If I settle on the far side of the sea,

Psalm 139:b

Far side.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, my older half-brother lived in Virginia.  Dad and Mom packed us into the back of the truck every summer, and we visited him.  I fell in love with the southern state, loving the intense heat, the smell of hops that fills the air around Busch Gardens, the hospitality that flows freely, and the opportunities I didn’t have in PA.  At a young age, I knew I wanted to one day live in Williamsburg, and when the opportunity came, I took it.

We choose where we settle.  In eighth grade, Mr. Stamler, my history teacher, assigned a project on our family history.  My ancestors came from Ireland and Germany, migrating to western PA from Connecticut in 1818 via an oxen-drawn wagon, living in a cave above the river for three years while they cleared the land for a homestead.

“I wonder where you will end up?” Mr. Stamler asked me when reviewing my project.  I’ve never forgotten his question, curious about where I will finally end up.  I didn’t consult God about the decision to move to Virginia, packing my Chevy Cavalier full of garbage bags filled with my Earthly possessions.  Asking the Lord for direction never occurred to me, thinking only of myself and my desires.

Thankfully, the Lord never abandons us, even when we make rash decisions that land us in unwanted places.  I don’t regret moving to Virginia, but I do regret flunking out of college in Pennsylvania and running away from my problems.  How would my life differ if I had stayed and dealt with the issues that caused me so much heartache?  What if I had graduated college in four years instead of seven?  I’ll never know the answers to those questions because I chose to do things the hard way, not dealing with my issues but running from them.

Wherever we go, the Lord goes with us.  Silently, He waits for us to turn to Him.  Unfortunately, we often wait until we have a problem before acknowledging His presence.  In God’s sovereignty, He doesn’t force us to live life His way.  True love requires a choice.  We must decide and commit to loving God, not dependent on feelings, but decisions.

Each morning, I decide to get up and read (or listen) to my Bible.  Reading plans with other believers via YouVersion encourages and uplifts me.  Now, I consult God when making a significant life decision, waiting for His direction before packing my bags.  When an opportunity arose to go to Egypt on a vision trip with ICM and visit churches, I sought God in prayer, taking the steps necessary to go and trusting the Lord to open and close the doors He wanted me to walk through.  When the organization canceled the trip because of the war in Israel, I took it as a closed door, trusting God’s guidance.

We can choose where we want to settle or allow God to guide us where He wants us to go.  People fear the Lord will call them to live in a hut in a third-world country, and sometimes He does, but more times than not, He doesn’t.  Jobs, military assignments, and family all determine where we eventually settle.  Letting the Lord lead us will take us places we can’t imagine.  But, as we’ve learned, wherever we go, so does God, even when we ignore Him in the decision-making process and settle somewhere not in our Creator’s agenda. 

Application:

Choose well.

Each of us can settle wherever we want.  God gives us free will and doesn’t force us to do anything.  We have choices, especially living in America, possibly too many options.  Following the Lord and submitting our lives to Him lets God choose for us.  Just like the door to Egypt closed, our divine Travel Agent will lead us step by step where He wants us to go.  Choosing well requires time and patience as we give God room to lead us.

God guides us.

Journaling Questions:

1. Where have you always wanted to settle?
2. What involvement does God have in deciding where you live?
3. What decision do you need to submit to God and wait for His guidance?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for settling in places without first consulting You.  Thank You for never leaving us.  As we move forward, help us seek You first in all things.  Instead of letting the world dictate where we settle, help us let You guide us.  Take us where You want us to go so we can do what You want us to do.  IJNIP. Amen

Five-minute read.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

Psalm 139:9a

No limits.

Continuing in the theme of God’s sovereignty, verse nine denotes the ends of the earth, from the breaking of dawn to the depths of the sea and everywhere in between.  With each new day comes fresh mercy from the Lord, an opportunity to start again, and try and do better than yesterday.

Recently, I started attending a 6:00 a.m. group strength class.  Since I rise early, it fits perfectly into my schedule.  Driving home, I have the privilege of watching the sun rise over the horizon, strands of brilliant light illuminate the sky as it begins its slow journey from east to west.  Something about the vibrant rays dispelling the darkness brings hope to my soul, invigorating and energizing me for the day ahead.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” Lamentations 3:22-23

Hope comes with the rising sun.  A new chance to make different decisions and choose another path.  With each day comes new lessons, only moving on to the next one when we’ve learned the current one.  God’s sovereignty allows us free will to do what we want, not forcing us to follow Him.  When we choose to do things the Lord’s way, He blesses our efforts, supporting us along the journey and helping us move into the next phase.

Our neighbor Stephanie came over on Halloween night, and we played Phase 10.  A fun card game, the first person to complete the final phase wins.  If you don’t finish a level, you must stay on it until you do.  My poor husband stayed on one level for several rounds, frustrating him to no end, but eventually, he completed the phase.  Just like in the card game, God takes us through phases.  We can’t move to the next level until we learn what He has for us on the current level.  Sometimes, we stay in the same place for years; other times, we pass through them quickly.  But in all things, life happens in the journey.

“At every stop, some people get on the bus, others get off.” Joyce Meyer[i]

Comparing the phases of life to a bus ride, Joyce Meyer made an observation about life that applies to everyone.  The people we travel through life with change.  Some stay with us throughout our entire lifetime, others only for a short while.  But as we move from one stage to another, someone comes, and someone goes.  God remains constant throughout the entire ride, driving the bus and watching as people come and go.  His heart aches with ours when people decide to get off the bus and rejoices when people get on it.

Living a life for the Lord accepts His sovereignty, recognizing we can’t hide from Him.  God calls for us to remain teachable, always learning and growing as we draw closer to our Creator.  Applying Jesus’ teachings will transform our lives in ways we can’t imagine.  Taking us through one level at a time, Christ goes before us, guiding and directing us on the journey.  When we get stuck by the side of the road, the Lord waits patiently with us until we learn the lesson and start moving again.

Take heart; God’s presence in our life covers everything.  Teaching and transforming us each day brings new hope.  Joy comes when we choose Jesus.

Application:

God gives hope.

Each day, we mess up.  Words come out of our mouths we didn’t mean to say.  Emotions take over our actions, causing us to do something we usually wouldn’t do.  Repeatedly, our imperfections find a way to reveal themselves.  But God gives us hope we can overcome them.  The Lord’s faithful, all-knowing presence in our lives nudges us forward, giving us as many chances as we need to learn the lessons He teaches.  One step at a time, the Lord transforms us into a new person, full of love, grace, and mercy.  In His sovereignty, God knows what we need to keep us persevering on the journey.

Transformation comes through perseverance.

Journaling Questions:

1. What does the dawn of a new day make you think and feel?
2. What lesson do you think God’s trying to teach you?
3. How can you move to the next level of your journey with God?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for your limitless involvement in our lives.  As we persevere on our journey with You, help us learn the lessons You teach.  Let us draw closer to You as we tune our spirits to Yours.  Transform our lives as we repeatedly obey You in big and small things.  Build our character, strengthen our integrity, and let us become more like Jesus with every lesson we learn.  IJNIP. Amen

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[i] https://sermons.love/joyce-meyer/5320-joyce-meyer-the-test-of-confidence.html

Five-minute read.

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

Psalm 139:8

You are there.

Wherever I go, so does God.  Depths, sol in original Hebrew, refers to “grave; by extension, realm of death, deepest depths,”[i] The Lord goes with us, even to death.  Jesus overcame the deepest depths when He died on the cross.  Theologians debate what happened to Christ when he died.  We know that Jesus rose again, conquering death and leading everyone to eternal life.

Death scares me because of the unknown part of it.  Loved ones have gone before me, so I know they have the answer, and one day I will find out.  But I need not fear because God goes with us even in death.  Knowing Christ leads the way comforts me.

“That’s my song for you,” Ron said when I first heard “I Will Follow You into the Dark”[ii] by Death Cab for Cutie.  Dating at the time, he made the song his ringtone for me.  Listening to the lyrics, my love deepened for my future husband at that moment:

Love of mine, someday you will die
But I’ll be close behind; I’ll follow you into the dark.
No blinding light or tunnels to gates of white
Just our hands clasped so tight, waiting for the hint of a spark.

No one on Earth loves me like my husband does.  His kindness and generosity continue to amaze me.  The more I get to know Ron, the more I love him.  And through my better half, I better understand God’s unconditional love, grace, and mercy.  Ron’s willingness to follow me anywhere, even into the dark, tells me of his deep affection.  My husband loves sacrificially, without conditions, and forever.  Ron’s not perfect, but he loves me perfectly.  And through Him, I’ve learned more about love.

So, when David talks about God’s presence wherever I go, I understand its love that keeps the Lord with me.  The heavenly Father doesn’t go with us into the depths because He must; God goes with us because He loves us so profoundly.  No one loves me more than God, not even Ron.  And no one loves you more than God.  Jesus came to Earth, living a sacrificial life to connect us with the Lord.  Following God’s Son will allow us to experience peace on Earth.  You will never regret trusting Jesus.

Why do we have to go to the deepest depths?  I don’t have an answer to that question.  Pain and heartache come with living life to the fullest.  Without grief, we wouldn’t understand love.  Maybe knowing death will one day come makes us appreciate today.  Keeping the shortness of life on Earth in perspective helps us appreciate it more.  Today will never come again.  Pain doesn’t last forever; joy comes in the morning. 

We can trust God’s promise; He goes with us wherever we go.  The Lord always desires our company, like a doting father with a newborn baby; He enjoys watching us live life.  With our Maker by our side, we can live life to the fullest, no matter what giants stand before us.  In God, we can trust.

Application:

God wants to spend time with us.

Wherever I go, God goes with me because He loves me.  I can have confidence that God wants to spend time with me.  When I lift my prayers to the Lord, He wants to hear them.  I’m not bothering Him.  Me calling on God doesn’t interrupt Him or annoy Him.  I can’t pray too much.  Unlike humans, our Creator doesn’t get irritated when someone calls a lot or constantly interrupts them.  The Creator wants us to have a constant connection with Him, always praying, always seeking, always thanking; wherever we go, You are there.

You are there.

Journaling Questions:

1. How has someone on Earth shown you love?
2. How would you describe God’s love?
3. What does God’s unconditional love do for your life?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for ever doubting Your love for us.  Please help us receive Your love, allowing it to heal us from within our souls.  Open our eyes and ears to Your precious ways, constantly learning and growing.  Let us become more like Christ, loving as He did.  IJNIP. Amen

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[i] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+139%3A8&version=NIV&tab=interlinear

[ii] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iV_1ESMHaI

Five-minute read.

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

Psalm 139:7b

Positive benefit.

As a child, I ran away from home.  Leaving my little house on the hill, I ran to my grandmother’s house, less than a half mile away, and hid under her wrap-around porch.  Sitting quietly in the dimly lit corner, shafts of light shining through the slats, I heard people searching for me but didn’t leave my hiding spot.  At this point in life, I can’t remember what upset me so much I fled the safety of home, but I do recall how much worry I caused my family.  And the relief in my mother’s voice when my grandma found me.

Unlike my mother, whose presence I fled that day, we can’t flee from God, a positive benefit to having a Creator.  Whether we believe in the Lord or not, He always knows our hiding spots.  Just like that summer day, I hid under the porch, not alone, but accompanied by my Maker, who knew exactly my whereabouts and the condition of my young heart.

Thirty-three percent of the world’s population describe themselves as lonely, one in three people in the United States feel alone.  Even more startling, sixty-one percent of younger people feel chronically lonely, and fifty-one percent of mothers with young children report feeling lonely.[i] We have an epidemic of loneliness in our world today, and God offers a solution: a relationship with Him.

Ron and I live in a 12,000-person subdivision.  Our house nestles in between several others, with little room in between.  Everywhere I look, I see people, yet one in three of them feel alone.  In my younger years, before I developed the relationship I have with God today, I often felt lonely, and on occasion, I still do.  But knowing God, spending time with Him every day, and looking for His hand at work in the world around me takes away my loneliness and replaces it with confidence in the Lord. 

“For He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

My confidence comes from believing and trusting the promises God made.  When my faith begins to waver, I meditate on scripture.  Meditate means “think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.”[ii]Finding and centering my mind on the Lord’s promises helps me weather the storm, building confidence in the Creator’s presence and plan for my life. 

Embrace the positive benefit of the Lord’s constant presence in your life.  When loneliness begins to overtake you, center Your mind on Jesus.

“Jesus fed 5000, but only 500 followed Him after lunch.

He had 12 disciples, but only 3 went further into the garden,

and only 1 stood with Him at the cross.

The closer you get to the cross, the smaller the crowd becomes.”

Unknown

Don’t let the devil get a foothold with his lies.  Even though you may feel alone, God never leaves you.  The crowd may get smaller, but the Lord doesn’t.  Intimacy with your Maker will fulfill all your needs if you trust Him.  Whatever circumstance you face today, God faces it with you.  The Lord moves mountains, calms the waves, and whispers in your ear, “I got this.”  Trust in Him.

Application:

Never alone.

Working from home alone can feel lonely.  Some days, I realize I haven’t seen a soul except my husband.  Life can seem tiny like I live alone in a bubble.  But I recognize feelings lie and don’t reflect reality.  Knowing I can’t flee from God, that He goes with me wherever I go, helps me find victory over feelings of loneliness.  Even though life can seem isolated, God always carries me in His hand, never leaving nor forsaking me.

God’s my constant companion.

Journaling Questions:

1. What makes you feel alone?
2. How can God’s presence help you find victory over loneliness?
3. How does knowing you can’t flee from God comfort you?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive us for believing our feelings.  The next time feelings of loneliness surround us, help us identify the lie.  Remind us of Your Presence and that wherever we go, You go.  Let our faith grow each day as we rely more and more on You, not getting sucked into the things of this world but centering our thoughts on the hope You offer.  In all things, may You receive the glory and honor.  IJNIP. Amen

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[i] https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/research/loneliness-statistics#:~:text=Statistics%20show%20that%20one%20in,children%20also%20report%20feeling%20lonely.

[ii] https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=592163180&sxsrf=AM9HkKkuWTZosk_kaCclUNV0G575XX-s9A:1702986353231&q=meditate&si=ALGXSlaYxyllm14_NEvUA9w95SVcf4Gc_Uq1YxjnSOqofcD1OqEl3aZ3tasGlLXtoMfBn4ugS3zMJqHErS5UMR2Wd_uAPcQHDSO5AJzOJAKnULsJqNq1pZM%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjuzJDFtpuDAxVEGlkFHXVcBEsQ2v4IegQIERBW&biw=767&bih=814&dpr=1.25