The Idolatry of Misplaced Hope...

Hope...a word that evokes thoughts of my Saviour, Jesus Christ. He alone is my hope, my salvation and my everything. I cannot imagine placing my trust, my hope or my desires into anything other than Him but I find I still perform some act of idolatry almost daily. Having an idol is merely looking to something or someone else other than God alone. It's not always the golden calf image that wrecks our loyalty to Jesus. It can be more subtle in things like our personal 'image', people liking us, money, spouses, jobs and so on. Anything that takes precedence over Christ can easily become an idol. Sadly, we often become much like those things in which we place our trust.

As I've watched news bytes, sound clips and read various articles over the recent inauguration events, I have been struck by how much misplaced hope there is and especially so among professing Christian's. I do not understand how/why anyone can place hope on the shoulders of any man (or woman) who cannot bear the weight of the government. I remember reading somewhere that Jesus handles all of that. Now, before you get yourself in a tussie, please know I am not saying God fell asleep or was napping on the job when our elections came around. Nothing has taken Him by surprise and I am so thankful for that! Our hope is never to be placed in a man or woman, no matter what his/her belief's are, no matter how many promises are made and no matter who that person believes in, even if that person is a Christian. To do so, is honestly another form of idolatry and it can be so subtle, clad with dreams of change, aspirations and so forth.

What concerns me is I see and hear so many people are placing their hope in a man and any human ability to bring them hope or change to their everyday life. This in itself bothers me. Have we opted to hear only the words of our own hearts desire? I am so amazed how much like the Israelites we have become. Remember in the Old Testament, where Israel demanded a King? This was not God's first intention or His desire for that place was to be His alone. Yet, He gave His children what they asked for and that tradition has been handed down for generations. It's almost like God Himself, the Creator of the Universe is somehow not enough for us. Oh yes, we say things like how we know God is with us or is out there for us but instead of running into His open arms, we choose to run towards a man, an office or a title. If I consider (trust) another human being, his/her ability or policies to somehow bring me hope, then I have betrayed my Jesus.

According to Scripture in Matthew 10:34-39, the Bible says Christ same to divide; to separate, if you will, good from evil, good things from the best things and man things from Godly things. It reminds me of a test of sorts - something to make clear where one's loyalty may rest:

Matthew 10:34-39 (Amplified Bible)
Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to part asunder a man from his father, and a daughter from her mother, and a newly married wife from her mother-in-law-And a man's foes will be they of his own household.He who loves [and takes more pleasure in] father or mother more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves [and takes more pleasure in] son or daughter more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me.
Whoever finds his [lower] life will lose it [the higher life], and whoever loses his [lower] life on My account will find it [the higher life].

Is Jesus enough for you? Do you trust Him enough to run to Him for everything? Will you be or are you loyal to Him alone? To whom do you place your trust, your hope? It is in verse 38 where it really strikes me. "And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me. To what or whom do I cleave? Is it my spouse, my children, my life, my political affiliation, my church? Do I conform to His example? Do I conform wholly? Is there any part of myself where I place hope in someone or something OTHER than Christ? Examination begins from within but not without the Light of Christ to bring everything out into the open. Lord, Jesus help me!

Now, I do believe we should pray for those in government. Just realize there is a subtlety that exists to place our trust in government, in systems or in man. This flies in the very face of our loyalty to Christ alone. Kingdoms will rise and kingdoms will fall but Jesus Christ and HIS Kingdom will stand forever. I long for purity of heart, purity of Spirit and purity in my obedience to the Master. Only by His grace, His love and mercy can I continue the journey towards being His.

Walking in White...

Have you ever walked in the snow at night? Or just before dawn? I did just that this morning and it was beautiful! With a dim light coming from the barn roof lamp, the snow sparkled like diamonds around my feet. As I shuffled along in my boots, I kicked up clouds of what seemed to be precious jewel dust and watched it fall silently to the ground to sparkle once more. The silence outdoors just before dawn is welcoming to my ears. It is in these times I can hear the voice of God speak so clearly.

Even yesterday, as I plodded to the barn for early morning chores, the Lord got my attention once again in the snow. It was a continuation of sorts from earlier in the morning as He showed me a bit more about His grace. With each step, God brought to my spirit how we must learn to walk in His grace. It should be effortless and with a quiet confidence in the completeness of His gift in Christ. But we tend to make things far more difficult than they really are, turning our love walk into a man-pleasing arena of works.

I thought about a friend of mine who shared recently how she was struggling in her faith. She has grown tired of the mundane routine of 'church' and longs for intimacy with Jesus. She cannot seem to find the real Jesus in church, only organizational meeting places where her loyalty to the Lord is measured by the amount of service to a ministry. Her words echoed a philosophy of works teaching that has been handed down to her for years, which she took as truth. Only now, she finds an emptiness and lack of depth that is unsettling to her spirit. As she waits on the Lord, she said she thought she was doing everything right: praying, sending offerings to churches she doesn't attend, supporting various local ministries, even giving of her time for some very good causes. As she poured our her heart and frustration, I sensed the Lord prompting me to give her a gentle reminder of the simplicity of the Gospel.

His words were to tell my friend that nothing can ever gained by doing things for the Lord. In fact, when we attempt to gain His favour by performance - even while doing good things - we have failed Christ. The only way we can come to Jesus is with the death of ourselves. There is nothing we can do to earn the favour of God. We cannot gain understanding or acceptance if we are still trying to come to Him in our own ability. While we talked, I shared some words of Oswald Chambers as they came to mind. "Beware of anything that competes with loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him. It is easier to serve than to be drunk to the dregs. The one aim of the call of God is the satisfaction of God, not a call to do something for Him."

Isn't it strange to our earthly ears when we hear the things of God as total opposites of man? I recall hearing a minister once say Christianity was the only 'religion' that says, "in order to really live, you first have to die" That statement has stuck with me a long time. During my snow walk, I was also reminded of a devotional entry in My Utmost for His Highest:

DO YOU WALK IN WHITE? "Buried with Him ... that ... even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4. One enters into the experience of entire sanctification without going through a "white funeral" - the burial of the old life. If there has never been this crisis of death, sanctification is nothing more than a vision. There must be a "white funeral," - a death that has only one resurrection - a resurrection into the life of Jesus Christ. Nothing can upset such a life, it is one with God for one purpose, to be a witness to Him.Have you come to your last days really? You have come to them often in sentiment, but have you come to them really? You cannot go to your funeral in excitement, or die in excitement. Death means you stop being. Do you agree with God that you stop being the striving,earnest kind of Christian you have been? We skirt the cemetery and all the time refuse to go to death. It is not striving to go to death, it is dying - "baptized into His death."Have you had your "white funeral," or are you sacredly playing the fool with your soul? Is there a place in your life marked as the last day, a place to which the memory goes back with a chastened and extraordinarily grateful remembrance - "Yes, it was then, at that 'white funeral,' that I made an agreement with God.""This is the will of God, even your sanctification." When you realize what the will of God is, you will enter into sanctification as naturally as can be. Are you willing to go through that "white funeral" now? Do you agree with Him that this is your last day on earth? The moment of agreement depends upon you."

My precious Lord, help me to walk in Your grace and in the new life You have given to me. Continually guide my steps as I walk in Your perfect will for my life. Renew me this day in my pursuit of Your best, of knowing you intimately, personally and eternally. Show me, Lord, the things that distract me from Your presence and from doing Your will. Give me the strength to release those things which delay me from reaching You. Thank you Jesus, for your precious gift of grace! Help me never to take You for granted, lovingly walking in Your ways, Your light and Your will. I want to walk in white, in Your grace and in Your completeness. I love you, Jesus!

Grace like snow...

This past weekend has brought some of the coldest temperatures I have ever experienced with the thermometer dropping to -10 degrees Friday morning. Saturday morning was no different, in fact a couple of degrees colder and feeling more bitter than the day before. My husband managed to snap a photo from the porch, which reflects -12 degrees or so to document the frigid 'event'. A few of our oldest sheep were shivering in the barn, along with two of my oldest horses. I hustled through the feeding chores both days since my husband was called out to work so often. Cold temps such as these keep the natural gas business employees quite busy. Fortunately, the forecast has allowed for some more moderating weather, although it has brought snow in abundance since Sunday.

It is quite peaceful to be outdoors as the snow falls. Everywhere you look there is a blanket of white. Birds flock to the feeders, hoping for an easy meal of seeds and suet. The sheep are eagerly munching on their hay bales and the turkeys pace atop their shelter roof, seemingly not wanting to get their feet wet. The dogs seem to love the white stuff and long to be outdoors, free to romp and play. Even my old basset hound/house dog, Josey, likes a long walk on days like this.

The newest addition to household is Wally, a collie pup who has been with us about a week now. After 10 years, its seems I have caved into what I call 'puppy fever' much to my family's dismay. I must admit that in those first few days, I questioned my decision frequently (like with each leash-lead potty trip, every 20 minutes). The first night I cried quiet tears of 'what was I thinking' questions and seriously debated calling the breeder to return him. Sleep interruption of the smallest sort frays my nerves rather quickly so I know better than to make 'rash' decisions. Wally is a smart fellow, very loving and affectionate. He is also very much a puppy, requiring constant supervision - something I have grown accustomed to NOT having to do with my ten year old basset hound. I must say he has adapted to our home quickly and learned the ropes of potty training within about 48 hours. He will go to the door and paw at it when he needs outside. You just have to make sure you are in the same room when he does that! Perhaps my family will extend to me the grace and forgiveness I seem to need so often these days. I'm sure there is a lesson to be learned in all of this too and I pray for the understanding to come.

Wally

At least I need not worry about the Grace that comes from my Heavenly Father. Like the snow, it falls effortlessly and rhythmically towards the earth, covering a multitude of surfaces (i.e. self and all that comes with it). You don't have to do anything to be touched my His grace, love and mercy - no trace of human effort amounts to anything eternal. Simply being before Him and allowing the blood of Christ to wash over you is there just for the asking. I need Him so desperately this day! Cover me Lord, in Your mercy. Wash over me and through me. Make me clean and as white as this new fallen snow. Forgive me Lord of all that isn't of You, show me the err of my ways and allow me to turn from sin, always looking to Jesus for strength. I cannot do this on my own and I am so thankful I do not have to trust in my own inability.

The snow continues to fall from the sky, effortlessly and rhythmically, like grace from the heaven's above. May every snowfall remind you of His mercy, His love and His unending gift of grace, through His Son, Jesus Christ!