Not even muddy......

I don't know if you remembered or not, but I didn't. We all know that God parted the Red Sea to allow the Children of Israel to escape Egypt, but I hadn't noticed that He did it again in Joshua's time! In the book of Joshua chapter 3 we find that the Israelites were blessed by God parting the Jordan River as they set off to take the promised land.

"The priests stood on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan,

and all ofIsrael crossed over on dry land..." Joshua 3: 17

OK, we know God can do great stuff. We know He parted waters before. And later in the New Testament we find Jesus, His Only Son, walking on water! We modern readers of the Bible get used to these 'everyday miracles' from Scripture and we nod and read on.

But it struck me--their feet didn't even get muddy!! OK, a small point, but really! God parted waters, but shouldn't the ground at least have been wet? We are told all crossed over on DRY ground. Not so amazing when you remember that in leaving Egypt and wandering in the desert headed towards the promised land, the Israelites didn't have to worry about food or new shoes. God provided. OK, we know He provides. But right down to the detail of having the ground be DRY!? A small thing perhaps, but nonetheless, a muddy crossing would have been not only yucky, but just one more obstacle to get through.

God provided a dry path. He thought of that little detail. So, I wondered.....how often does God prepare the way for me down to the minutest detail and yet I somehow still complain or miss the miracle? A quick review of my life shows God has indeed blessed me greatly. Right down to the very last little detail of His perfect planning. Did I always notice at the time? Did I complain in my prayers? Did I rebel at times against not getting what I thought was the right thing for my plans?

The question for today, then is ...What is God doing for you--right down to the very smallest detail? Are you noticing? Or, are you too caught up in what you had in mind?

Do we sometimes have to trudge through the mud? Yep, but start noticing the times that God perfectly prepares a way for you and thank Him for it. Good thing He is in charge, huh?

Little by little......

Remember the Little Engine that Could? The point of the story was that even though he was little, the Little Engine could climb high hills and succeed in his trips if he thought he could---"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." Self confidence and tenacity--good lessons for both our kids and ourselves. Little by little he succeeded and we strive to do that in our lives today. First school and/or college, then the job, then the relationships, then the family, goals for our children as they grow, retirement--not necessarily in that order. Quitting is not an option. We want to succeed. We know we can!

But what if success as we define it comes "little by little? What if we don't get there fast enough--or rather on our own timeline. Do we work ever the harder? Do we believe in ourselves all the more? Do we try a different route? Maybe. What if God intends this particular journey in your life path to be "little by little"?

The Children of Israel certainly had a BIG lesson in the concept of "little by little". They were slaves in Eqypt. Rescued in miraculous ways by God and led by Moses to the promised land. Yet, they didn't get there right away. They complained and bemoaned their fate asking for water, food, meat, and a tangible idol to show them God. They waited. They waited. They worried. They fussed at their earthly leaders. Then finally when they do reach the border of this infamous promised land--God says this....."The Lord your God will drive out the nations before you 'little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest........" (Deut. 7: 22)

The lest in this case was that wild animals would move in and take over the land if all the Canaanites were destroyed at once and it took awhile for the Children of Israel to develop the land for crops, herds, and cities. Now, you might say, "God could have kept the animals at bay".

You might say, "God could have sped things us." Surely a loving Father God understood the impatience of His people as they had waited and travailed so long to reach the jackpot--and here it was, yet they had to go slowly. "you will be UNABLE to destroy them all at once...."

What kind of God is this? Why is it always that He does things on HIS timeline? He knows we are frail and impatient. He loves us. He made us. He ought to get it that we would be able to be so much more faithful if He would only move things along more quickly. Why we can see exactly how things should work out for us and when and why. Not only that, but He said they would be UNABLE--why couldn't He just give them the super ability and move along!

Preachers would tell us that God uses this kind of situation to teach us, humble us, grow us, show us our dependence on Him and Him alone. He shows us that He knows the timeline and the best way and timing for all things in our lives. We have heard the sermons. God sees it all, made it all, controls it all, and will do all for our good and His purposes. (Romans 8: 28)

Somehow knowing all that doesn't make it any easier. As individuals we have plans and visions. As families we want things now for our children. As businesses we know what is best for our enterprise now. As Christians, when we pray, we want answers now. We want the things we yearn for and the ministries we care about to prosper now. We know how much better things will be all around when we get what we think is important right now. But we are unable.......

So then is our Father in Heaven deliberately slowing us down in achieving what we want? Is He putting up roadblocks? Is He making us wait--disabling us? Do we stop even trying so hard--give up persistence and tenacity and perseverance (all Biblical teachings)? Why 'little by little"?

I was struck as I read the passage in Deuteronomy about the slowing down of the Children of Israel in their so long awaited entrance into the promised land. What is God holding me back from and does He have good reasons? What am I holding myself back from by not trusting and obeying Him? How can I pray for others who wonder and worry and weaken their faith when goals are not achieved--prayers don't seem to be answered? Questions to ponder in the life of faith. Questions without immediate answers maybe, but often I find that God teaches me the most as I look back and reflect on things He did His way that I would have done so differently and in a very different time frame. I wouldn't give up even one of the blessings He has bestowed upon me --none of which I would have had I hurried on and gotten things my way.

All of this teaches me that His ways are higher than mine (Isaiah 55: 8 & 9)and I better slow down, pray, spend time in His word, and listen. His timing is the only timing that counts.

Undivided hearts...."

Ever hear of Twila Paris, the Christian musical composer and singer? She did this wonderful song that I won't hum or sing to you--aren't you glad? It is about having an 'undivided heart" for the Lord. In fact, the chorus is "give me an undivided heart..place a new spirit in me". Sounds like a reminder to seek God first. It also sounds like today's politics.

Given the state of the nation, the upcoming presidential election, and the Republican primary in process; the news is full of division. Yet candidates call for unity--not division in their ranks. Most everyone has his or her own idea of how to straighten out our nation, at least those who care. I still think there are folks who just want to live day to day and shop at the mall. Unless it really hurts them personally, they could care less. This class of folks makes for an interesting voting block--or non-voting block! Then there are the folks who believe strongly that their way is the only way. Match that group up against the folks who are afraid of social and moral issues--or those who only want to talk about social and moral issues. Are they afraid that someone will tell them what to do--more so than is done already? There are the blame shifters and finger pointers who see sins in the closet of everyone but their candidate or their own lives. Divided as a nation? I think so, and so do the pollsters who show figures like 46% want this and 44% want that. The group polling higher is often a function of last night's TV news. What did we fight the Civil War for? Is this democracy? Will special interest groups win the day? What about the silent majority--is there one--a majority I mean? Where is our 'union'?

So I ask myself, both politically and spiritually--do I have an 'undivided heart'? Can there be one person or one opinion or one truth out there in this world that is really true and worth fighting for? Or will we always have to compromise? When is standing up for something and not giving in the correct state of mind and action? When is being willing to give a bit to meet the needs of others a better course?

I admit that I admire anyone who won't give in when he or she believes in something. Even when I disagree, I admire tenacity. But the real issue is what to believe in. Since time began that has been the rub as Shakespeare would say. I believe in God. You believe in Allah. Someone else doesn't believe at all. Even among those who believe in God, the Christians argue over doctrine and issues of faith. All those engaged in the argument believe that they are right. So, they fight on.

"Teach me Your way, O Lord and I will walk in Your truth;

Give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your Name."

Psalm 86: 11

Guess that solves my problem. When I seek the Lord and learn of His Ways, then I will know the truth and walk in it. So, I pray ..."give me an undivided heart" that I may do just that and then guide me to apply that Truth to your world here on earth. Not an easy task, but we have the ultimate Helper. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...." Proverbs 1 xo

ENOUGH......

Often spoken in disgust when we want someone to just stop something that is bothering us. Or a thought spoken aloud, or in our hearts when we look around the world and want the bad stuff to end. What about this......

"The material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done--

indeed too much." Exodus 36: 7

Enough in the sense of not needing more. A big Thanksgiving dinner leaves us feeling we have had enough. But usually we want more. Rarely are we 'filled up' in the areas of life that really count--areas like love, contentment, material goods. Did I say areas of life "that really count"? Can we have enough love; when is enough too much and we stray into obsession or spoiling our kids? Material goods--we have all heard the sermon about 'fixing our wanters' and learning to differentiate needs from wants. Are we good at practicing what we preach or have heard preached? Not so much.

This verse in Exodus tells that the people had given so much to the building of the tabernacle and the outfitting of the priests, etc. that they had to be asked to stop bringing offerings. These were the same 'stiff-necked' folks that had built the golden calf and whined to Moses for bringing them into the desert. You'd think that they would have learned, but some continued to sin and want more or maybe just different stuff than they had. Yet God renews His covenant with them through Moses' mediation and they start again with grateful hearts to give to and serve the Lord. Were they just overwhelmed that they had another chance? Were they fickle? Were they ignorant of God's power and mercy? Were they just afraid?

The idea of ENOUGH strikes me as interesting in the arena of faith and not just material things or offerings. I whine when I don't have what I want to eat or enough money to comfortably pay the bills and buy something I want but don't need. I worry about big things (to me) like wells drying up and water pumps breaking (to the tune of almost $900 to repair). I fret over prayers prayed for healing and safety for my friends and family. All the while, I encourage others with Scripture and more prayers said on their behalf. Where is my faith? More aptly--don't I have ENOUGH faith? When is enough ---well just that--enough?

So, I put it out there for you to muse and ponder. Hopefully your pondering will include some Bible and prayer time. Ask God to "increase our faith" like the apostles did in Luke 17. Good idea. Listen for God's voice and direction that you might "grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3: 18). Only in knowing Him would it seem that we have any shot at all of learning sufficiency, contentment, love, grace and all the other fruits of His Spirit. We know we will have a good understanding of ENOUGH when we get to Heaven, but I pray that we would seek His Face and come to a better understanding of ENOUGH here and now. Then we can reflect the peace of Christ to those so hungry to know the Good News.

Oh, and in thinking about the Children of Israel in the Exodus story, I think that they were just like us. They were faithful on and off. Scared sometimes, confused, mixed up because of the cultures that surround them with false gods, ideologies, and promises. Impatient....easily upset by circumstances. Those folks in Exodus sound a lot like me. Again I pray to have ENOUGH faith that I would give my all unto sufficiency and even until there is too much--at least some of the time. Forgive me, Lord, when I fail. Thank you for your constant mercy and grace. xo