A Different Kind of Boredom

The excitement of the holidays having subsided, I dove into the first work week of the new year resolved not to get dragged down. Monday morning, I found myself experiencing boredom - but not from idleness. I was busy, yet bored. My mind swirled with ideas. I mulled over multiple ways to escape this dull state, terrified of the possibility that boredom might crush me to complacency over the winter. I longed to be more active, more time-efficient. I wasn't hyper; I was restless. There had to be something more...

This morning, someone encouraged me to try different hobbies. Then I realized that more to do was not my need. Although I do have vast amounts of energy to make good use of, I also have a mental determination that can far exceed my energy levels. As a result, I am notorious for running myself into the ground.

I realized here that everything I had been contriving was out of selfishness. My ideas were not all necessarily bad ones, but all would have eliminated much time in what is most important to me - my faith, family, and friends. The Lord showed me that I need to be getting the most out of what HE has currently given me to do. He will not give me the next level of challenges until I have (with His help) mastered these. Rather than seeking ways to escape, I need to be seeking ways to excel - here and now!

See Your Calling

"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Cor. 1:26-31).

Definition of "see" as I am using it here: to perceive (things) mentally; discern; understand.

* See your calling. God - in His providence - called you. Note that this is an undeserved privilege.

* See your status in the world. What's special about you? Nothing really. Seriously, each and every one of the how many million people on the earth is "special." However, being aware that you are nothing in the big picture qualifies you as a useful vessel in the Lord's eyes. (It's called humility.)

"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Is. 57:15).

"For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Is. 66:2).

* See that it is because of God (not because of you) that you are in Christ (saved).

* See that God made Jesus to be our wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. He is the beginning and the end! (Rev 1:8)

*See that the Father sees potential in us, not because we are good, but because Christ is good. Of ourselves, we can do nothing. (Jn. 15:5)

* See that only the Lord is worthy to receive glory.

"And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever" (Is. 40:5-8).

~What it boils down to~

Even though I'm nothing special, I'm nothing less than everything God has made me to be.

Even though I'm just a wretched sinner, Christ saved me by His grace.

Even though I wander, His Spirit will never leave me nor forsake me.

Because I have not arrived, my heavenly Father will guide me every step of the way.

May all who see these truths see fit to give God all glory!

God's Call to Faithfulness

"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1Cor. 1:26-31).

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (2 Pet. 1:5-10).

Growing up and being exposed more to "the real world" has been nailing down a few principles found in God's word in my life. One is God's calling. I do not yet know His calling for my life as far as WHAT He wants me to do specifically. However, I do know that whatever steps He places before me to take, I must take. In other words, He has chosen me to be His and called me to be faithful to Him. (2 Tim. 1:9) Being faithful is simply continuing on- being faithful when I'm weary of getting up the same time every morning; being faithful when I feel like devotions aren't worth the time - I could be sleeping; being faithful when I'm tired of scrubbing the same floors every day. Who knows what He is teaching through this - what greater challenge He is preparing me for? Being faithful is putting the words: "I trust you" into action. If I really trust the Lord, I will faithfully obey Him.

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work" (2 Thess. 2:13-17).

Being faithful in the little things develops an immovable steadfastness in the Lord that gives great peace about what I don't know! What more could I ask for?

In the Palm of His Hand

"Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." (Prov. 30:8,9)

In these two verses I see an author simply asking God for a simple life. Nothing more; nothing less. This plea for merely the basic elements in life shows a heart seeking to humbly enjoy all things the way the Lord created them to be and credit all to Him. Simple devotion. Simple trust. Simple life. (Not simple as in "ignorant", but as in "not complicated".) This man's desire was to set aside all earthly distractions, from wealth to poverty, that he might simply glorify God.

He asks the Lord in verse 8 to remove vanity(the passing things of this world) and lies FAR from him. "Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches...When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors" (Ps. 73:12, 16-19).

This brings to mind the story of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:30-31. "The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, 'O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee...' "

Now there is an example of some serious vanity due to pride and faith in riches!

Look at the outcome: "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase" (vs. 37).

In the New Testament, those on the other end of the spectrum (the poor) are instructed to "be obedient...Not purloining, [stealing] but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things" (Titus 2:9,10).

What simpler thing is there to ask the Lord for than your allotment in life as He sees fit? When you find yourself searching, ask Him for simple contentment with what He has been pleased to give you.

"Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works" (Ps. 73:25-28).

If I could have the world and all it owns
A thousand kingdoms, a thousand thrones
If all the earth were mine to hold
With wealth my only goal

I'd spend my gold on selfish things
Without the love that Your life brings
Just a little bit more is all I'd need
'Til life was torn from me

If I should walk the streets no place to sleep
No faith in promises You keep
I'd have no way to buy my bread
With a bottle for my bed

But if I trust the One who died for me
Who shed His blood to set me free
If I live my life to trust in You
Your grace will see me through

I'd rather be in the palm of Your hand
Though rich or poor I may be
Faith can see right through the circumstance
Sees the forest in spite of the trees
Your grace provides for me

My family

~~Country roads, take me home~~

Recently we've had some awesome thunder storms. These are some pics my sister took after a particularly amazing one last Saturday night....

~ Sunset outside my bedroom window ~

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

~Psalm 19:1-3

Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth,

Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

~Psalm 147:7-8

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

~Psalm 19:7-10