Trapped and overwhelmed.
return to top

Trapped and overwhelmed. Did you ever feel so overwhelmed that you didn't want to get out of bed? Oftentimes we create a personal expectation that we must complete what we set out to do. We take upon ourselves the complete burden of the challenge that lay before us. Not only do we place unrealistic expectations upon ourselves, but we refuse to take help from God and others.
When you're feeling trapped, you want to run away. But ask yourself, where will you go? What would you do if you ran? I believe God is saying to you, "Stay put." Whatever you are experiencing, God is saying something definite to you--something for your benefit. First, He is gently telling you to have hope. Believe that God is leading you through this particular trial because you need to develop something new.
Pray with me now: "Lord, help me to remember not to look too far into the future, either considering the work I will have to do or the difficulties I will encounter. But keep me in Your presence. I know that my circumstances are custom fitted for my growth."
He is calling me and you, too, to a greater trust in Him. He will accomplish what he needs to in each of us so that He might use us to further His will on the earth.

On light
return to top

On light. Spiritual light frees us from the darkness of the earthly and allows us the possibility to see into the heavenly. No one except a fool would argue that you can walk in darkness without a light. Both the earthly and heavenly need light to illuminate the path ahead. Yet we often find ourselves confused about which flashlight to use--the earthly or the spiritual. Perhaps that's our problem. Could it be that we need the spiritual flashlight to find the earthly one?

Find the wind: It works for a kite, why not for a person?
return to top

Find the wind: It works for a kite, why not for a person? Like a kite, the child that is carried with the wind may just be exploring the possibilities for climbing higher. Yet an adult who does the same lays himself open to the deception coming from the heights of experience. Certainly there's nothing wrong with the wind. Yet a wise kite flier knows when it's too rough to fly or that a longer tail is needed to balance the kite for a majestic flight. An immature flier's line is too thin for the gusts he never should have exposed the kite to. And sadly, the line breaks carrying away the kite soon to be lost for any future pleasure.

Bright cities influence the world.
return to top

Bright cities influence the world. Bright people give right testimony that attracts people to the spirit of God in them, not their personality or human giftings. There is an order to this passage; first we see a person (lamp) in a house, then a city, and finally a picture of a person out and about in the world. The light first illuminates the house, that in turn makes the city brighter which has the potential to affect the world.
One way that we're "lit up" is by laughter. I believe that some of you need to laugh more. I speak from experience, as most regard me as a rather serious person. Laughter, joy, and humor add flavor to life and enjoyment of the moment--all of which are essential to a balanced walk with the Lord. God wants to place laughter in your soul — the essence of what some call "the joy of the Lord." If there's laughter within, it will naturally flow out to others. Perhaps you are to be one who gives out laughter.
Before you discount this, pray about it. Ask the Lord if it might be true for you. Let your humor flow forth to others. The light is what attracts people to the spiritual realm. God wants you so filled with His spirit that your countenance attracts others. The joy of the Lord attracts people and besides, it's fun. Joy means feeling happy as you do when you are well and having a good time. God is calling you and me to a happy and contented life.

Are we humble enough to receive the gift of God?
return to top

Are we humble enough to receive the gift of God? Humility is an attitude of the heart, a knowing that your comments, help, and efforts are not needed for something to be completed or made whole. It is an admission that we are not complete in ourselves -- that we need God. Humility is received in the heart, not apprehended with the mind.

Oftentimes we look at our need as being a negative. If only I were ... , or I had ..., then I would be ..., or things would be great. Yet we are a people in need, not only of material or relational fulfillment, but of more of God. Whatever God gives us is a gift. He gives the best part of Himself to us--His fellowship. Our faith is a living, breathing relationship with the Creator of the universe. We first receive the gift of justification--the ability to come into His presence as a person forgiven from all faults, shortcomings, and wicked deeds that we've committed. Next we receive the ongoing gift of His friendship. Will you take His gift into your heart?

Love more deeply.
return to top

Love more deeply. A dedicated leader is committed to praying for those he leads. He believes and hopes the best for them--that every heart-felt desire they have for both themselves and their family that is within the will of God is accomplished. Yet a leader should have this passage's exhortation as his deepest heart-felt desire for others--that they love more deeply.

Love is the most important thing. Love beckons others to come to God and to us. I can't minimize the importance of drawing people to us. Before you object and say that this is arrogant, consider that God has chosen us to be His representatives, His ambassadors. We are to embrace the love of God, to experience it so deeply, that we live it. It is the love of God within us that is shown to and felt by others. And if this is what attracts others to us , then I say praise God. If your aim is to draw people toward Messiah, then strive to be a lover, first of God and then of people. Love flows from within us out to others.

Smell up the place.
return to top

Smell up the place. Savory food has a distinctive smell or aroma that creates an atmosphere. Here Jacob acted as if he were Esau by bringing his father the savory food that he so loved in order to receive the blessing normally reserved for the first born. The smell of the food caused Isaac's mouth to water and urged him to throw caution to the wind so he could eat. Savor changes the air around us; it s a perceived, distinctive smell that prompts us that something new that we want has arrived. Likewise, God can create an aroma that calls others to Him.

Are there principles we can learn for releasing the aroma of God? Three are: need, obedience, and love. By need I mean an utter dependence upon God, a conviction that alone we are helpless to accomplish the task at hand. We know that without His blessing and help we will fail. Second we must be obedient to what He's asked us to do. Finally, our actions must be done in love for Him and others.

In general, most of us don't feel a sense of need unless something big happens. This is the exact opposite of what should occur. The more we abandon to God and rely upon Him to orchestrate the events of our lives, the more His sweet aroma--savor--will manifest itself drawing people to Him.

Without a clear sense of where the arena of our action lay we are sure to err.
return to top

Without a clear sense of where the arena of our action lay we are sure to err. If you show up for the battle at the wrong battleground then you've already lost. You cannot fight spiritual battles on an earthly battlefield; nor can there be earthly accomplishment without tangibly impacting people or situations on actual soil in real-time. Yet saying this confuses our souls. Sometimes even entering into an earthly battle is defeat--potsherds striving with potsherds. Once we were fine urns--perfect pots of clay shaped by our Maker. Now having desired to ascend--to determine our own fate--we become broken fragments shouting and striving among ourselves. A sad defeat.

Doing the impossible.
return to top

Doing the impossible. Sometimes a task that's before you seems so large or awesome that you think it's impossible. And if you're not careful, action-paralysis may set in. I've found these experiences to be faith-builders. Perhaps the impossibility is just reality shaking its head no. Many times, I've not had the contacts, clout, or expertise to pull off what's at hand. Yet God did. Have hope, for through Him the impossible is possible.
Sometimes you just need to start. Arise. Begin the work and trust that God will open the doors, create the opportunities, give wisdom, and bring others along to help you. Is He there beside you? Have you asked Him to stand with you? As you begin to walk out with faith in God, He will provide what you need with a greater accuracy than you could ever achieve on your own. Could this be your test of faithfulness to both task and God?

Regret, remorse, and repentance.
return to top

Regret, remorse, and repentance. Regret feels sorry for itself at a missed opportunity or an unfortunate consequence. Remorse understands it's role in the deed. Regret wishes it were different while remorse deludes itself by allegedly bearing some responsibility. Yet both are shallow, hollow, and incomplete without repentance. Repentance adds on to remorse, the asking of forgiveness. Repentance uncovers the defensive blanket of self and other--acknowledging God's rulership.
Perhaps you feel bad about the way things turned out. Yet that emotion is not enough. I ask you to consider that if things had turned out better, you might not be feeling anything--declaring yourself not-guilty or worse still, not even giving the event or deed a second thought. Repentance comes only through a relationship with God while soulish sorrow ignores Him and depends only on the outcome.