Which sounds more enjoyable - going on a journey with close friends or going solo? There are probably many who would defend both sides of that question. For me, however, I'd much rather set off on an adventure with someone to share in my quest. I believe it enhances the fun, the observations I make along the way and the depth to which that journey takes me and endures in my memories. Together, the challenges don't seem quite as fierce or insurmountable and the mountaintops take on even more color and brilliance because the joy is compounded.

In a similar way, my walk with God deepens when I share what I'm learning with others and in return, hear what God is revealing to them. It reminds me I'm not alone - both in the celebration of God's amazing attributes and in the doubt and worry that plague humanity.

I want this to be a sacred place where I can share what God is teaching me and hear from others who want nothing more than to know God personally. So, I welcome you to this site. Read. Comment. Question. Teach. For in doing this journey of faith in Jesus Christ together, I believe we gain the opportunity to know Him more fully and leave a little bit more conformed to His Image.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Trust and Obey

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

A dear friend of mind called me last night. Two days earlier, she had made a very hard decision. She chose to obey what she believed the Lord was telling her and acted on faith and not on feeling. Her obedience was coupled with a deep peace, in spite of what her heart was saying. Then, two days later, something happened that called into question her decision. It looked shiny and bright on the outside and offered the hope of change and the promise of fulfillment, but was it God speaking or was it smoke and mirrors from our adversary who is both cunning and deceitful. Was God changing His mind and leading her opposite of what she'd previously heard Him say, or is it true that testing usually accompanies our obedience? Isn't it tempting sometimes to look back after taking a huge leap of faith and wonder "what if" or "maybe it could be different" or "did I really hear God correctly"? Like the children of Israel who cried out for slavery in Egypt over following God in the desert, or Lot's wife who turned into a pillar of salt after looking back at the destruction of the land she loved, or those in Gideon's army who abandoned him because the battle looked impossible, aren't we also tempted to turn back after facing the gut-wrenching strength and focus it takes to climb the mountains of faith?

So, what do we do when we obey God's instructions and then begin to doubt as we get more removed from that decision? I believe we have our marching orders in Philippians 4:6-7. We stop. We acknowledge whatever is calling into question our decision. We go back to the word the Lord gave us and remind Him of that word while committing this doubt-causing situation to Him. Then we rest. God gives us a promise, or rather, an exchange. He tells us to acknowledge our petition to Him and then He grants us a peace that guards (think garrison around a city) both our heart and mind. Don't miss that part. His peace guards your heart (protecting you from emotions and allowing discernment to weigh whether something is His voice or the voice of the enemy) and your mind (protecting against seeds of doubt or worry that compromise your obedience). How it happens, I don't quite know. It's a supernatural transaction. But it works. And before you turn back and go the other way, wait to hear from the Lord. Scripture confirms Scripture and I believe He will reconfirm His word to you on whatever matter you are seeking direction. He is a loving Father who in James 1, promises to give us wisdom in abundance when we ask for it by faith! He wants His will for our lives far more than we could ever want it for ourselves!
  1. So, what decision(s) have you made that you now doubt? Take those doubts before the Lord right now and ask by faith that Him reaffirm His direction while guarding your heart and mind.
  2. What if you are having trouble discerning if what you hear is from the Lord or is the manipulative voice of our enemy? (Matthew 4:6 reveals to us that satan used Scripture to tempt Jesus. He is a master manipulator and will often twist truth, cause us to question God's character, or create doubt that God really has a good plan for our lives -- all to lead us astray.) I would ask you to evaluate the fruit (the outcomes) of that decision. The fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5) accompany the presence of the Lord. Is the fruit of the Spirit at the end of that decision? Also, the voice of the Lord leads to conviction and restoration and the voice of the enemy leads to condemnation and isolation. Is that voice leading you nearer to the Lord and fellowship with believers or farther away?
  3. If you know what you need to do, if God has spoken, than I urge you to obey and not look back. You may never feel like doing it and if you wait until your feelings catch up, it might be too late (see Luke 18:18-25). Rarely in my experience do faith and feeling align. :) It reminds me of an old hymn I used to sign in church when I was little: Trust and obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.
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