Monday Morning Memo: Beyond The Limits

In the past, I have shared with you at the beginning of the year what I felt God wanted me to focus on in the New Year.  At the beginning of 2014 I wrote in “Walking with Jesus in 2014”, about the statement I had run across which said, “Knowing the Bible is one thing. Knowing the Author is another.”   I felt God wanting me to make sure that I really concentrated that year on getting to know my Savior.  I shared that we can have all the Biblical knowledge in the world, but if we don’t know the One who wrote the words, we really don’t know anything.

At the beginning of 2015, God was convicting me on my priorities.  I had to ask myself a hard question which I shared with you in “Above All Else”, “When I get up in the morning, do I look more forward to spending time in the Bible and conversing with the Lord, or am I more anxious to check Facebook?”  Because my answer wasn’t what it should be, I had to make a promise to God that I wouldn’t sign in to my social media accounts each day, until I had spent time with Him.  I have to admit that that one promise revolutionized my devotional time this past year.  I have spent much less time on social media and I haven’t missed it at all!

Now we are on the doorstep of 2016 and for the past six weeks or so, I have been trying to sense where God was leading me for the next 12 months.  No matter how much I prayed or read the Bible or talked with other brothers and sisters in Christ, I wasn’t sensing anything.  I’m the type of person who really likes to have a new focus each year and when I wasn’t getting any “vibes”, I felt just a little panicky.  Yes, I already know…I’m a little strange!

On our recent trip to Boone, NC to work at Samaritan’s Purse, my husband had the opportunity to tour their facilities.  At the end of the tour, they told the participants that they could choose a book, written by Franklin Graham, for free.  Dan actually was able to get two free books because I was supposed to be on the tour but was sick and unable to attend.  So he knew he would make me happy when he walked in with new books for me to peruse.

A couple weeks ago, I picked up one of the books and began reading and soon discovered that I didn’t want to put it down.  The book, Living Beyond the Limits, written in 1998 spoke volumes to me on every page.  Graham shared over and over again how God worked in miraculous ways as he and those around him made the decision to go places and do things that were beyond their limits.  When faced with circumstances that seemed impossible and often even very dangerous, those that he wrote about made the choice to go ahead with their plans, putting their faith and trust in their almighty God.

As a result, lives were transformed.  As a result, those who were facing an eternity in hell, accepted God’s amazing grace and were given the assurance of living in heaven forever with Him.  As a result, those who decided to go beyond their limits in following their Lord had the privilege of seeing Him work in ways they could have never imagined.

As I read, I kept hearing God ask me if I was willing to go beyond the limits.  Would I be willing to do more for Him in 2016…regardless of how far out of my comfort zone it pushed me?  I wish I could tell you that my answer was an immediate YES!...but it wasn’t.  Instead I gave Him immediate excuses.  I made sure He realized that I thought I was already doing enough and I didn’t see how in the world I could do more, especially with my health limitations.  Now if He would just heal me, THEN I might be willing to agree to go beyond the limits.  In other words…the ball was in His court and it was up to Him as to whether I would submit or not.

I finished the book and I just kept feeling uneasy.  I knew He was still asking…and I was still “excusing”.  I picked the book back up one night and was flipping through the pages and my eyes fell on these words, “You can play a role that nobody else can.  It’s your choice. Don’t get out of step by focusing on your own personal difficulties and misfortunes. Keep your eyes and thoughts on the Lord so that your spirit will be sensitive to His leading.  Don’t let your past cause vibrations that shake you out of God’s will.  You can choose to use everything God has allowed in your life to live beyond what you thought was impossible.  You will be amazed at how God will guide and direct your path”.

I knew when I read these words (especially those I have underlined), that God was speaking directly to me.   He was telling me to stop dwelling on what I CAN’T do and start focusing on what He CAN do through me.  I need to allow Him to use the difficulties that I face for HIS glory and not use them as my excuse.  But He won’t force me to follow His leading…it will be my choice to make.

Where is God leading you for 2016?  Have you been asking Him to direct you?  If not, why not use these last days of 2015 to begin seeking His direction and will for the coming days.  If you are scared of what He might tell you…join the club…because I am too!  But I am learning that beginning a new year with a renewed glimpse of His plan can make all the difference on my journey as God walks beside me every step of the way.  

Where He leads…may not be easy…but I’d rather be pushed beyond my limits with Him, than being in my comfort zone without Him.  

Will you join me?

“But if from there you seek the Lord your God,

you will find him if you seek him with all your

heart and with all your soul.”

Deuteronomy 4:29

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding. 

Seek his will in all you do, and

he will show you which path to take.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Monday Morning Memo: It's All About Him

“It’s not about you.”  If that statement sounds familiar, it probably means you have read Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life.  It is the very first sentence in chapter 1.  He goes on to say, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.  It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions.  If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God.  You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”

Warren’s words have been coming to mind often this past week as I’ve been trying to prepare my heart and mind for Christmas.  Unfortunately, of all the holidays that we celebrate, I’m guessing that Christmas is probably one of the hardest for many to realize that it’s not about us.  All we have to do is turn on the television, the radio, open up one of the zillions of ads that we are bombarded with and we are told over and over again what WE need.  We need to buy this…we have to have that…we need to make sure and include this on our Christmas list.  We won’t be happy and our life just won’t be complete unless the gifts under the tree are exactly what we want.

I can’t believe that this is what God had in mind when He sent his Son into the world on that night so long ago.  I can’t imagine that His plan was to have his Son born, so that once a year I can be selfish and hope I am showered with gifts.  If that is what His desire was, He wouldn’t have even had to have a baby be born…He could have just started a tradition of a day that we celebrate called, “ME-DAY”.

I was thinking the other day about what it would be like if, several weeks before my birthday, my family would come to me and give me lists of what they want me to buy for them to celebrate the day I was born.   What if when my day arrives, they all run in and say, “What did you get me?  Where are my gifts?  What are we going to do to celebrate me?”  I’m guessing I just might be a little hurt.  I’m guessing I might feel somewhat neglected…somewhat disappointed in those who I thought loved me.

I wonder then how Jesus feels when we hand Him our lists of what we want.  When we hound him over and over again, telling Him what He needs to do for us and with what He needs to bless us.  I wonder if He feels a little hurt.  I wonder if He feels a little neglected…maybe disappointed in us for saying that He means the world to us, but showing something different with our actions.

I think it is time for me to take a step back and realize that Christmas is not about me.  Unfortunately, it’s not about you either.  It is all about Him.  The precious, tiny baby Jesus entered this world because of His great love for us.  He entered this world so that He would grow up to become a very important part of history.  His story is one of truth, hope and love for you and for me.  His life entered this world so that one day He could pay the price for the things we have done wrong.  His life brought us salvation and He was willing to sacrifice everything He had for you and for me.

Doesn’t it make sense then that Christmas, His birthday, should be all about Him?  I happen to think it does. 

As we go through this week leading up to Jesus’ birthday, let’s make a point to ask Him what He wants from us.  Let’s inquire of Jesus of what we can do for Him to celebrate His day.  Let’s do everything we can to show Him, not just with our words but also with our actions, just how much we love Him.  He should be the guest of honor of our celebration so let’s make sure He knows that it IS all about Him.  

  

“There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

                                                        Luke 2:8-12 The Message

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!

For He alone is worthy

For He alone is worthy

For He alone is worthy

Christ the Lord!

For The Glory of God!

Last week while we were working at Samaritan's Purse packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, I had the privilege of meeting this amazing young woman.  I have to admit that when they first told us that there was a handicapped girl that was going to work on our line for awhile, I was afraid that she would slow us down.  We always love to get as many boxes processed as we can in a day, so my focus was on productivity instead of looking forward to meeting someone new.  I couldn't have been more wrong.

This wonderful child of God was such an inspiration.  I found out that she is almost 30 and loves the Lord with all of her heart.  She knew how to do the job and did it right.  While she worked she quoted scripture (which put me to shame!), sang a song and just bubbled over with joy to be able to serve her God.  

She shared something with me that I'm not sure I will ever forget.  She said, "Even though I get very, very tired...I will keep working for the glory of God!" and her face just beamed as she pointed her finger towards heaven.   I get goosebumps just thinking about that moment.

I have thought about her words many times since then and asked myself if I have her dedication.  I'm afraid that when I get tired, it is easy for me to want to just give up because it just takes too much effort.  I hope that the next time I am tempted to walk away from what God has called me to do...whether the task is big or small...I'll remember that everything I do should be for HIS glory! 

Monday Morning Memo - Be Watching...Be Listening

This past week, Dan and I had the opportunity to serve at Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, NC.  At their facility, we pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, which distributes these boxes all over the world to children who, more than likely, have never before received a gift.  This was our fourth year to do this and it seems like each year is more meaningful than the one before.

This year, the Lord used those days to remind me of something that is very easy for me to forget.  We arrived on Tuesday, our second day, ready to go to work.  The building was very large and there were many lines going at the same time…with anywhere from 13 – 15 people working on each line.  On this particular day, we were taken to one of the lines and introduced to our leaders for the day.  Each line has two leaders that oversee the work, to make sure that everything is done according to their high standards.  Our leaders gave us their instructions and we began our work.

After a while, one of the leaders, Toni, came to my station and struck up a conversation with me.  She told me that of all the jobs that are done, the one that I was doing is her least favorite.  I told her that because of my bad back and my four past surgeries, this job was perfect for me because I could either sit or stand to do it.  She then got a shocked look on her face, hugged me and tears could soon be seen in her eyes.

Honestly, I wondered what I had said to cause this reaction and she soon explained.  Toni looked at her watch and said that in three hours her mother, Peggy, would be having her third back surgery after being homebound for 9 months due to her severe pain.  Toni was struggling with having to work and not being able to be by her side in the hospital.  Hearing that I had faced the same thing and could understand what she and her mother were going through, had touched a cord within her.  She asked if I would pray for her mother and I assured her that I would definitely be lifting her up to the Father while I worked. 

Sometime later, she came and asked if she could take my picture so that she could send it to her father.  She wanted her parents to know that there was someone who understood their struggle and was praying for them.

It was at that moment that I felt the Lord reminding me that He can use my struggles to be a blessing to someone else.  Many times I have questioned as to why I have had to endure multiple health problems, but then something like this happens and I have my answer.  I believe that some of my difficulties aren’t meant to teach me anything…they are meant to help someone else in their journey.

Little did I know that 24 hours later, the table would turn.  I woke up at 3 a.m. Wednesday morning with pain in my neck and a migraine.  I spent the rest of the night trying to get the pain to subside, but had little relief.  Being the stubborn person that I am, I decided to go ahead and attempt working with my group.  I kept thinking that surely the Lord would touch me since my desire was to serve for another day.  I also wanted to be at the processing center because I wanted to get an update on how Peggy was doing following her surgery.

We arrived at the facility and once again, the Lord arranged for us to work on Toni’s line.  As soon as she saw me, she told me that the surgery had gone very well and that they were hopeful that it was going to greatly lessen her mom’s pain.  I just couldn’t have been more thrilled to hear this news.

Unfortunately, within an hour of arriving, I knew that it was going to be impossible to continue.  I excused myself from our line and went over to the break area, hoping that if I just sat still for a while I could return to my work.  Within minutes, I saw Toni come around the corner and she sat down across from me.  She asked what was going on and as soon as I shared with her my struggle, she came around and sat next to me.  She wrapped her arms around me and she began praying, lifting me up to the Father.  I was so touched by her love and concern for me.  As a result of what her family was going through, she could understand how I was feeling and chose to use that for His glory.

Toni needed to get back to her responsibilities, so she asked another staff member to keep an eye on me.   She told her that I had become her surrogate mother and wanted to make sure I was taken care of.  

I wish I could tell you that I was instantly healed and could return to working alongside my group, but I wasn’t.  To make a long story shorter…Dan had to take me back to our hotel and my day was spent there.  I later found out that after we left. Toni went back to our line and asked everyone to cease working for a moment so that they could all pray for me.  I felt humbled and overwhelmed.

Was this a coincidence that we were put on Toni’s line two days in a row?  Was it just by chance that she struck up a conversation with me and I shared with her some of my health issues…that just happened to be very similar issues that her family was dealing with on that exact day?  Was it just a fluke that Toni came over to me at the break area and took the time to minister to me at a very painful time?  The answer is a resounding NO to each of these questions!  Once again, the Lord knew what and who each of us needed during our time of difficulty.

Are you going through a time of distress right now and wondering why in the world the Lord has allowed your journey to be so difficult?  I don’t presume to know the answer but I do know that whatever you are facing can be used for His glory.  You may not be able to see that today, but the day may come when you will be able to help someone else because of what you have been through.  So many are struggling, feeling like they are all alone and that no one understands.  You may be the one to be “Jesus with skin on” when they are in their darkest hour.  Be watching.  Be listening.  Follow His lead and I can guarantee that not only will you bless others…you will be blessed in return!

By the way, I checked on Peggy yesterday and she is doing well following her surgery.  Toni reported that the surgery has seemed to cut her nerve pain by more than 50%! She has pain from the surgery itself, but that will resolve soon. Toni told me that her mom is a very social woman and the day after the surgery she was scooting all over the hospital visiting with anyone who would chat with her.  What an answer to prayer. 

May I ask a favor?  As you go throughout your day, if the Lord brings Peggy to your mind, would you please lift her up to the Father?  Even though you don’t know her…He does and I’m sure she would appreciate your prayers for a complete recovery.  Isn’t it wonderful that we serve a God who has no boundaries and is never separated from us?  He knows each of His children intimately and I’m confident that it brings Him great joy when we lift each other up in our prayers.

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

2 Corinthians 1:4

“Give, and it will be given to you. You will have more than enough. It can be pushed down and shaken together and it will still run over as it is given to you. The way you give to others is the way

you will receive in return.”

Luke 6:38