MARGINS & STRAIGHT PATHS

My husband, Jeff, is an incredibly flexible man... patient and easygoing. This has been a real blessing to me as I've shared life with a man who is undemanding and chilled. His name means peace, and anyone who knows him knows that this word sums him up!

However, I tend to be an all or nothing kind of person. Black or white, right or wrong and so on. One of my mantras is "If in doubt - throw it out". Flexibility is not my thing...

I like to go for a walk FIRST THING in the morning. If I miss FIRST THING, I tend to not go. This morning Jeff encouraged me to go a bit later; it was still early, just not FIRST THING! It was well worth it. 

Because I'm all or nothing, I often fail to see opportunity when it is right in front of me. Recently I was praying about some dreams I have, and the idea behind the prayer was, "Lord, please clear the decks for me so I can do this thing". He answered my prayer.

He said, "Use the margins".

That sounds like something Jeff would say.

This has opened my eyes, and now I see many opportunities where I thought there were none because I can see the margins and utilise them!

Now for straight paths.  

Isaiah 40:3 Listen! It's the voice of someone shouting,

"Clear the way through the wilderness

    for the Lord!

Make a straight highway through the wasteland

    for our God!

Can you see where this straight highway is to be made? It's in a wilderness and a wasteland.

It feels like a wasteland when life is complex and can be hugely demotivating. Anxiety and depression can settle in like a dark wet blanket, and all our get up and go, gets up and walks out! It can feel just too hard to DO anything in that place. So we remain immobilised, waiting for the wasteland to transform all by itself.

However, that is precisely where God calls us to action! In that wasteland. We are by faith to carve a smooth straight pathway where He can begin to work in our lives and where we can begin to make progress. I have another mantra...

 "Action kills apathy".  

Just doing something can break the spell of depression that holds us in a state of inertia.  

Like my margin issue, when we are in a wasteland, it feels like there is no opportunity to make progress. My last mantra for today is...

"When you feel overwhelmed, just start anywhere and keep moving"

What are some things we need to do to make good highways? Well, I imagine there would be some ground clearing to do. That is an excellent place to start.

Is there some rough ground of hurt and unforgiveness? What about the uneven ground in our priorities? Perhaps bad habits and thought patterns?

Then we can put some materials in.  How about an attitude of gratitude? Prayer? Acts of kindness and generosity?  

However, the first step if we want to make a straight path for God in our lives is to come to Him in genuine humility and repentance. Receive His forgiveness and ask Him to fill our hearts with His love and power.  

Then remember that He is with us every day, in every moment, loving us and ready to give us all we need to succeed. And every new day presents a unique opportunity to do better!  

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." Lamentations 3:23 

May you and I both use our margins and build our straight paths, and in doing that, see God fill our lives with joy and fruitfulness!

Until next time,

Lynda x

LOCAL CAVE OR GLOBAL VILLAGE?

If ever there was a time when we deeply sense that we are part of a global village, but might want to instinctively retreat to our local cave - it is now.  

Our hearts break and we feel so unsteady as we have been buffeted by a pandemic, controversy and division. Natural disasters such as here in Australia, devastating floods and fires. And now a tragic war is being played out in real-time on our devices and TVs.

A good question would be, 'What would Jesus say?'

Before I suggest what He might say, can we just place Him in the context of His world as He walked planet earth, fully identifying with us?  He was a Jewish man living when his homeland was under occupation by the brutal Roman Empire.  Understandably Jewish people were very defensive and passionate about this injustice.  As a Jewish man, He was one of the oppressed.

Towards the end of His life, He visits the Temple in Jerusalem and shockingly rails at the activity in that temple.

He said, “Doesn’t the scripture say, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations?"  Mark 11:17 

The temple was The Most Sacred place in all of Israel.  The nation had been singled out by God to be recipients of His Word and grace.  They lived a uniquely moral life in the midst of a pagan world.

But they had retreated to their 'local cave' and become exclusive and inward-looking... and who wouldn't in their circumstances?  They had forgotten their original mandate, stated to Abraham in Genesis 26:4... "through your descendants all the nations will be blessed".  They forgot they were part of a global village whom they were called to bless.

Fast forward to 2022.  We as believers are now 'The Temple', both individually and collectively. We, like the Jewish nation, are called to be a blessing to all nations.  

Matthew 28:18-20  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The question I ask myself is this.  What am I taken up with?  Am I more focused on preserving my cave, exclusive and withdrawn?  Is my focus inward or outward?  Is my life filled up with frenetic activity or prayer?  And when I do pray, what is the focus of my prayer?

While we may not be able to do all things for all people, we can do some things for some people - and as we do, the ripple effect will extend to more.

And of course, our prayers cross international barriers like nothing else.

My prayer at the end of all this is, "Lord, may the temple that is my life be a place of prayer, not just for me and mine, but for all nations."

Until next time, be at peace, know you are deeply loved, and your prayers carry power!

With love,

Lynda x

THE FOOTPRINT OF THE SOUL

FOOTPRINT... 

It's a familiar word to us that has come to mean so much more than the dent we leave in the sand when we walk on the beach. It's not just about space, but about the effect we leave behind us, particularly on the environment. While this is something to consider as we are stewards entrusted with the planet that God created, I want to talk about the footprint of our soul on the world around us, the people we do life with. You know, the person lying on the pillow next to yours, or the person sitting at the desk opposite you, the child you just put dinner in front of.

I remember hearing someone talk about something dear and profound to them and thinking we are relatively small in physical space, but we each have a universe within our soul. Hopes, pain, joy and love run deep in us, and behind every face, there is a story that we don't know.

Here are a few lines from a poem that I love...

"The world stands out on either side No wider than the heart is wide; Above the world is stretched the sky, No higher than the soul is high.

The heart can push the sea and land farther away on either hand; The soul can split the sky in two, and let the face of God shine through.

But East and West will pinch the heart that cannot keep them pushed apart, And he whose soul is flat - the sky will cave in on him by and by"  

(Edna St. Vincent Millay - Renascence and other poems)

This poem is very affirming for those who are confident that they are big-hearted, but for those whose hearts are small, it's quite a challenge. And life can hurt at times; we go through times when our hearts shrink, through hurt, through troubles, through weariness.

I have good news! Jesus takes us as we come to Him with our shrivelled hearts and then heals and enlarges us.

"Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth. Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full." Matthew 5:3-6 (CEB)

I want to leave you with beautiful words in the form of a prayer that St. Augustine (354-430) prayed.

"Narrow is the mansion of my soul. Enlarge it, so that you can enter. 

It lies in ruins. Repair it."

That, my friend, is a prayer that I know God will listen to. I suspect this prayer is a prayer that can be prayed many times throughout our lives as we feel our hearts shrink through the various seasons we experience.  

As we allow Him to work in us, enlarge us, give us big and generous hearts, the footprint we leave on the lives of the people in our world will be kind, generous & beautiful.

Until next time, Much love,

Lynda x

WHY HERE - WHY NOW??

If you could live at any time in history (including now) when would that be?

Next questions.  If you could live anywhere in the world, including where you live now, where would that be?

I just finished reading a short novel called, "A Wagon Train Weekend" by Stephanie H McGee.  I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it to you.  The idea behind the book is that a couple finds themselves somehow transported to another time in history and then what they discovered about themselves in that context.  

I've always been a bit of an old-fashioned soul, and also a soul that is given to feeling guilty about things I can do nothing about!  (Hello Lynda - you're not God!!!)  

For instance, when my children were young there was severe suffering in Rwanda because of civil war and famine.  I used to look at the mothers and think they were no different to me, we all want the same things, being loved, and a secure environment in which to raise our children.  I felt guilty that I was living the good life with free health care, ample food, clothing and a peaceful neighbourhood. 

Then I heard Acts 17:26 "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands."  

Although this verse talks about nations rather than individuals, it does tell us that He determines time and place.  In light of current conflicts this sound very harsh, like God is arbitrarily putting some people in horrible places.  That is not true, He determines the time and place, but what we do with that time and place is our decision, and seeing as each nation has leaders, they will one day answer to God regarding how they stewarded that trust.

However, it did settle my guilt, I didn't choose to be born in the land I was, but what I do with that privilege is my choice.

Back to here and now.  We have just come through the most difficult couple of years of our time, bookended by natural disasters of fire and flood.  Now we are witnessing a war between Russia and Ukraine that could potentially become an international disaster.

My concern is for younger people. You are carrying hopes and dreams for your future and trying to hold to those hopes and dreams in spite of all the hardship and controversy that we find ourselves in.  My concern is the fear and despair that threatens to creep in wont take over your hope and your courage.

I want to say this to you.... YOU WERE BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.  You carry the grace of God for YOUR time.  What you need, God will provide.  You are growing up in a different world from what I grew up in.  The grace you carry will be different to the grace I carried.  

God will meet your need in extraordinary ways.  He will make you equal to the task.  There will be a release of the supernatural power of The Holy Spirit in your lives that will more than match the challenges.  

The world we stand in right now is overcome with fear and suffering.  And yet, as Christ-followers we live under an open heaven.  The Christ who you follow is The One who walks on water and is in charge of the storm.  I like to say that Jesus is The ultimate 'Storm-surfer'.  

So as you look out at a world in a storm, don't let the waves of fear overcome you, put your faith in Him, hop on the board of His Word and ride the waves!  As you do, you will bring hope and life to those around you.

Let me leave you with some Scripture to stand on...

Arise, shine, for your light has come,  and the glory of the 
Lord rises upon you.

2 

See, darkness covers the earth

    and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the Lord rises upon you

    and his glory appears over you.

3 

Nations will come to your light,

    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.  (Isaiah 60:1-3)

 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;

    the Lord is enthroned as King forever.

11 

The Lord gives strength to his people;

    the Lord blesses his people with peace. (Psalm 29:10-11)

When you pass through the waters,

    I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

    they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2)

Read Daniel 3 and see how true this verse is!

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.  About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.  When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. (Matthew 14:24-29)

My prayer for you is that you would be just like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Esther and, Joseph.  What does that mean?  That you would be strong, righteous, courageous and influential in an ungodly world as you learn to surf the storms with Jesus!

You are going to see things that older people only dreamed about as you keep your focus on Jesus, your feet on His Word and make time to allow The Holy Spirit to soak your heart with joy.

With love,

Lynda xx

JESUS CHRIST - LORD OF ALL

 JESUS CHRIST - LORD OF ALL

One of the things I love to think about is this. He is LORD of ALL. Let's break this down.

The Universe. He is Lord of all of the Universe.  

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

Psalm 8:3 "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained"

Psalm 102:25 "Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands."

Psalm147:4 "He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name."

We have been intrigued by space for all of history. We have stared at it, admired it, examined it, and categorised it, but we still cannot understand it or control it.  

Earth. He is Lord of all the earth.

Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him."

Job 38 is both poetic and awe-inspiring as God speaks of His ownership of all of creation.  I encourage you to read it.

The promise of Scripture is that when Jesus returns, there will be a new, redeemed heaven and earth. While we are called to steward the earth with care, the planet's hope is not us but Christ!

The Nations. He is Lord of the nations.

Psalm 22:28 "For the kingdom is the Lord's, And He rules over the nations."

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 47:8 "God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne."

It can be frightening to see powerful governments strutting the world stage, threatening and posturing for war, but Psalm 2 tells us that He will have the last word even though they do.

This is a very simple post; it could also be very confronting. If Jesus is Lord over all this, why all the turmoil and mess?  

This is a much bigger dilemma than I have space for here. But I do hope this short post will introduce you to the possibility of hope in the middle of despair.

The thing that makes the difference is whether He is Lord of ME. I love to contemplate that He is King over the Heavens, the earth and the nations, but then I love to say, "Be Lord over me".

It is a fact that when we feel like our personal world is out of control, we often try to control things that are out of our control. But what makes us think that if we can't control our personal world, we could manage the wider space?

Rather than making the bigger space the starting point, we can start with our own hearts, the very centre of our personal world. The best way to do that is to pray, "Be Lord over me". When Jesus is Lord over me, my soul starts to come together, which has a ripple effect on my world.  

Then whatever impact the bigger space has on me and my world, I know that God will work it out for good. Amazingly, the fact that He is sovereign doesn't mean that everything that happens is His choice, but that He can weave everything that happens, the good, the bad and the ugly, into His will and our good.  

God is love, and love doesn't control. Love invites, love honours personal freedom. And in love, God invites us to make Him Lord of our own hearts. God is not after our perfection. He is after our vulnerability. Beautifully, we can bring our hearts as they are to Him, broken, messy, bruised, confused, but also soft, vulnerable and repentant, and out of that simple act, we can begin to see Him create something good and beautiful out of our mess.

What will your answer be?

Until next time,

much love,

Lynda xx

TIME TO REST

 TIME TO REST

We all have pet hates. I have two that I can think of right now.  

1. Running Late

2. Wasting time.

I want to talk about the second one.

'Days off' have proven to be a challenge to me as I try and find ways to make it count. I don't want to WASTE time! I think that I may not be at work, but this day is an opportunity to pursue some other goal, and I want to be satisfied.  

If I examine this mentality, it has a couple of nasty roots hidden away under the noble thought of productivity.   One is arrogance. You've heard the saying, "If it is to be, it's up to me".  

The second one is that I have to somehow justify my existence - my use of free air to breathe. How cruel! Do we ask our children to justify their existence in our world by doing and working?

Can't you smell the poison in those two thoughts?

I have been going through a few months of bad health and exhaustion and have found myself having to do nothing. Sometimes, I just need to go back to bed to sleep, and I find that both tedious and frustrating. 

 Exodus 20:8-10. 

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work,  but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work... "

That came to me as a breath of fresh air, a gift. It's not just OK to do nothing. It's commanded! 

Rest is obedience.  

Now I can hear some of you... you really don't have the freedom I do to go back to bed during the day. You have children at home; you simply cannot stop in that way. I have good news for you.

The Pharisees had turned this sabbath command into a crazy law that had to be obeyed regardless, but Jesus, when confronted by them, said that the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath, and also that He, Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27-28)

So for you who have others literally depending on you being on task, I want to say be kind to yourself. Find your rest in the places and moments that you can. Don't fill the margins with more work; just stop and rest. Put your feet up, read that book, watch that show, pursue that hobby or just stop and meditate on His goodness.

It really is OK to do nothing for a while. Obeying this command to rest is an act of trust. When we stop and rest, we tell God that we trust Him to keep things together. We let others know we trust them and allow them to step up and find their strength.

In sharing these thoughts, I don't want to add weight to you to whom the idea of a 'day off' seems like an impossible dream. But I do want to say that in this command, The Lord Himself legitimises regular times in our lives of doing nothing. Whatever that looks like in the season you are in, my prayer is that He will show you how to do that, and my encouragement to you is to refuse drivenness to be part of your life and personality. Believe me, it will lead to exhaustion, and that's no good for anyone.

Until next time, take time to be kind ... to yourself xx.

 

 THE YOKE IS NOT THE PLOUGH

Matthew 11:28-29 "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

This is a beautiful passage, well known and loved. When we feel tired and stressed, it's a favourite 'go-to' passage.

However, I am embarrassed to admit that up until recently, I had missed something.  

My understanding of the yoke was the particular call or responsibilities I am called to do. For instance, it may be to preach the gospel, lead people, raise my family etc.  

However, the yoke is not the plough.

What I mean by that is that the yoke is there to enable any number of different things to take place. The yoke may be hitched to a plough to break up the ground, connected to a seeder to plant the seed, or attached to a carriage or cart to take things or people somewhere. Depending on the task, the farmer may have one yoke that could be hitched to any item.

I believe the yoke that Jesus is speaking of, His yoke, is an attitude of the heart. And what is that attitude? He said, 'because I am humble and gentle at heart.' The attitude is one of humility and gentleness. This yoke makes a heavy load easy, whereas pride or drivenness makes the load hard, whether the load is heavy or light.

So whether we are called to do one thing or another, whatever it is, the yoke is how we do it, not what we do.  

This means that when our task is downgraded, upgraded or taken off for a while, we are at rest because we have nothing to prove. We are yoked together with Jesus in an attitude of humility and gentleness, not ambition and drivenness.  

How do we do that? By daily aligning ourselves with this attitude or re-aligning it whenever we feel the stress level rise!

So when we wear the yoke of Jesus, nothing is above us, and nothing is below us - we are free!