I have written about love previously, but I felt compelled to do so again when I read this scripture.

Don’t just pretend to love others.  Really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Hold tightly to what is good.  Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.  When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.  Always be eager to practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you.  Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.  Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with each other.  Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.  And don’t think you know it all!  Never pay back evil with more evil.  Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.  Dear friends, never take revenge.  Leave that to the righteous anger of God.  For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.  Romans 12:9-19

I wonder how often we pretend to love.  Honestly, I believe it happens all the time.

When we weigh genuine love according to these verses, we see it’s glaringly obvious, once again, that many of us really have no clue what it is.  We say, “I love you” often because we feel some burst of emotion, but that’s not real love.  That’s a fond affection.  That’s not lasting.  What does last?

The scripture shows us that genuine love hates wrong, clings to good, take delight in honoring others, is hard working, serves the Lord, and a list of other things.  Can you honestly say this is how you love others?

It’s rather revealing and convicting, if you ask me. 

I’ve discovered that more often than not, love in worldly terms has more to do with “me” than someone else.  What’s in it for “me”?  Am “I” happy?  How are they treating “me”? 

That’s not love at all according to Biblical standards.

Then it goes a step further instructing us to work at living at peace with others and not taking revenge.  These are difficult things to do.  But I’d much rather allow God the opportunity to defend me than to poorly attempt to defend myself.  I choose to place that in His hands.  I’ve personally seen His vindication in my life when I’ve done this and it’s a far better outcome than anything I would achieve.  Are you brave enough to allow God to defend you?

I long to see a revolution of love.  I’ll go first.  I’ve really been pressing into this idea of genuine love and I’m devoting myself to begin to display it toward my family.  I fail, but I get right back up and try again.  My heart is working toward change.  Change isn’t perfection, it’s effort. 

I wonder how your family dynamics might also change if you embarked on this journey with me?  How could it affect your work relationships?  Church relationships?  Friendships? 

What if we decide to embark on a genuine love journey?  I’m all in.  I hope you are too!

I was reminded of this scripture recently…

How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You.  You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world.  You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who conspire against them.  You shelter them in Your presence, far from accusing tongues.  Psalm 31:19-20

God has stored up goodness for us.  Isn’t that wonderful to know? 

Here’s what I notice in those scriptures, though.

He has stored up goodness for those who fear Him…the goodness is already there, waiting.  But it’s lavished upon us when we come to Him for protection. 

Think that through.

The longer we try to survive on our own.  The more we resist running to Him for protection, the more we avoid that which is waiting for us.  The goodness is already there, we must humble ourselves and come to Him for protection.

Have you noticed that sometimes it seems that people will literally exhaust every other method of protection, apart from leaning on the Lord?  When leaning on Him is literally an action with promised outcome. 

It’s our choice to receive His goodness.  It’s on us.  He’s already set it aside; we just ask for it.

Did you also notice that He desires to bless us right in front of the world?  This is another example of Him wanting to use us as examples to the world, as we discussed two days ago. 

Guys, we need to realize that our being blessed is part of His plan.  It’s one thing He uses to draw others to Him.  That’s so amazing!!  So kind!

I hope we can shake off the old notion that as believers we must all be poor.  That’s so ridiculous given the kings, queens, and others that we see so wildly blessed as used by God in the Bible. 

I don’t want to waste anything that God has stored up for me and my family.  I long to see everything that He desires for us, and for you!!  Come on!! Let’s be blessed together!  All we need to do is actively turn to the Lord in all things, then we will be blessed, for all the world to see the goodness of God.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23:5-6

Have you ever noticed that most of us really don’t like change? 

I used to think it was simply because it’s inconvenient, most of the time.  But now I see that it’s because change is risky. 

Change always involves a risk.

When we change jobs, we risk not liking the new one.  We risk not succeeding in that new job and losing it.  Change is risky.

When we get married, it’s risky.  What if we “grow apart”?  What if they aren’t who you think they are?  What if you get divorced later?  Change is risky.

Choosing which new home to buy, new car, new city to live it, even something as simple as new running shoes…it’s all risky.  What if you don’t end up liking your choice?  It’s risky.

It’s true that change is risky, but that doesn’t negate the fact that change must occur.

One day, someone close to me asked me…if I never change for the rest of our life, would you still love me?  I said, “That’s not love.  It’s because I love you, that I want to see you grow and change.”

And that’s the truth.  The only One Who doesn’t need to change is God.  He Who was and is and is to come, never changes because He is perfect.  The rest of us need the friction and stretching of change throughout our lives. 

Some of the most stable people I know, according to world standards, are the most stagnant.  They have the appearance of goodness in their habitual lifestyle, but really, they are just afraid. 

We have to change and be changed. 

There are certain things that we would say never need to change…our love for God, for example…but I would propose that even must face change throughout our lifetime.  Don’t we want our love to grow?  Don’t we want to discover the many facets of His love for us? 

Change is risky, but necessary.

I encourage you to consider your own life today.  Do you resist change?  Do you scorn it?  The moment that habit creates a feeling of safety you can’t live without, is the moment you know you have elevated your habits to god status in your life.  Nothing should replace our dependence on God.  Nothing.

So, if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!  Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.  We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.  But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth.  And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.  Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.  But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  So, all of us who have had the veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.  And the Lord- Who is the Spirit makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.  2 Corinthians 3:11-18

You know a momentum shift is coming when you begin to be aware of things that you had previously ignored or were simply naïve to see.  I’ve learned to recognize the signs.  I’ve learned to see when that opportunity is available.  I’ve also learned that if we don’t capitalize on these moments and lean into the shift, then it will undoubtedly pull deeper into the wrong direction, and quick.

In the spirit I see a giant hand, forming a fist, and pounding down on the earth.  This is the hand of God.  He has made just such a moment.  A moment to grab a hold of the momentum shift.  Hold on, unapologetically.  Unrelentingly.  Determined to not let go, no matter what. 

It’s time for the momentum to shift.

Fear is roaming the earth, trying to convince everyone that there’s too much momentum in the wrong direction for any good to occur.  Many preach that it’s all but over now.  Many believe that it would be better for it to all end now.  Better for who?  Better for you?  This isn’t about you.  This is about eternity.  Too many people don’t know Jesus.  Can’t you see this is our moment?!

It’s time to bring the good news.  It’s time to live like Jesus.  It’s time to inhabit the land, take dominion and draw others through our example…the example we spoke about yesterday. 

This is our time to take the land.  To live prosperously and confidently, to establish our families and homes.  All to serve as examples. 

One thing that struck me about the Israelites when they were slaves in Egypt was that they thrived.  Even in that horrible place they thrived. 

When the world is in chaos, we should thrive.  In our thriving we offer hope to the world.  Eternal hope.  God is real. 

We don’t hide. 

Even in our family’s largely disconnected way of life right now, we aren’t hiding.  We are shining our light in the everyday activities.  Loving our literal neighbors, in our neighborhood.  Walking around town as a joyful family unit, displaying the glory of God through the way we interact with each other.  We are being examples to our children, showing them what it is to be steady and to consistently follow Jesus.  And anytime I observe any sort of momentum shift in family, media, the world…I lean into it.  I agree with it in my spirit and lean into it.  I allow myself to feel encouraged.  It emboldens me to stay the course and move even further out of this Egypt and into God’s hands. 

It’s time for our daily lives to transform into the image of a Godly life.  Return to scripture and discover what that means.  Lay down fear and embrace our Savior.  Lay down gossip and embrace an encouraging word.  Lay down earthly striving and rest in the Lord.  Lay down bitterness and complaining and rejoice in the Lord.  It’s time.

I often tell people, don’t think about everything that needs to change, think about one small change you can make now.  Just one.  Make it really small, then use that momentum to propel you toward the next change.  Find tiny victories, so they can lead you to major victories.  We often give up before we start because we can’t see rightly.  It’s always about one thing first.  One small change could be the momentum shift your life needs to begin creating that huge momentum change you’ve long desired to see. 

Today, I encourage you to ask God to show you where His momentum is shifting in your life.  Ask Him what is one small thing you can do to agree with that shift.  Then simply lean into it.  Take the small step.  Make the small change.  And before you know it, we’ve transformed generations!

Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa.  On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem!  Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm.  Believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”  After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising Him for His holy splendor.  This is what they sang:  “Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!”  At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.  The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them.  After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other.  So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see.  Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.  King Jehoshphat and his men went out to gather the plunder.  They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables- more than they could carry.  There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!  On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got it name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.  2 Chronicles 20:20-26

To piggyback the topic of yesterday, I wanted to read the scriptures in Ephesians that follow the ones from yesterday.

For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.  God saved you by His grace when you believed.  And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.  Ephesians 2:6-10

God saved us for a purpose.  To be examples of His grace and kindness.  Isn’t that wonderful?!

Instead of becoming “better” than others, in our minds, we are to simply serve as an example of HIS grace and kindness.  That’s so beautiful.  That means when we have success, He has success.  When we show kindness and humility, He is shown to be kind and humble.  When we grow and mature in our faith, He is shown as a good Father. 

Instead of our lives becoming about our superiority, they should always point to the fact that none of it is ever possible apart from God. 

Think about that for a moment.  Let it sink in.

By simply living a holy and successful life, we showcase the grace and kindness of God.  Not because we deserve it, but because it’s what He saved us for.  It’s to draw others to Him. 

If we become successful, and lose sight of God in the process, then we misuse this gift.  If we become arrogant and selfish, then we are misusing His grace in our lives.

We are to be examples of HIS grace and kindness.

The whole world needs to reset.  The entire church needs to reset.  Oh, how far we have all strayed. 

Once upon a time, living a holy life only pointed to God.  Now, many use it to cash in and become famous.  Oh Lord, please have mercy on our corrupt generations.  The Bible said that at the end people would become lovers of themselves.  He didn’t just mean in the world, He also meant within the church.

That day appears to have been here for quite a while.

This only propels me forward in my home-based lifestyle.  Living quietly.  Working hard.  Remembering why I’m here.  Devoted to the God and ministering to my family.  We could all use a reset.

I encourage you to ask God to show you any ways that you have fallen to the compromise of the age.  Self-centeredness, self-promotion, self-love, self-aggrandizing.  Ask Him to forgive you and reset your entire life.  Reset your priorities.  Reset your heart.  Renew your mind.  It’s crucial for us to do this now.  Then we can begin again with pure hearts and innocent motives.  It’s not too late.

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.  For people will love only themselves and their money.  They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.  They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control.  They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.  Stay away form people like that!  2 Timothy 3:1-5

We need Jesus.

There is only one way to heaven.  Jesus.  There’s only one way to know the truth.  Jesus.  There’s only One way to know the Father.  Jesus. 

Jesus is our righteousness.  When He lives in our hearts, we are righteous through Him.  Apart from Him, we can do nothing. 

I think of this often as I’m growing older.  When I was younger, I had a tendency toward arrogance and believing that I was somehow better than others.  I’d think, “I don’t do those bad things, so I am better.  I don’t have that problem, so I am better.”  I’m not proud of this line of thinking, but I would wager that if each of us was truly honest, we’ve all felt this way at one time or another. 

Then I would remember. 

I’d remember everything God pulled me out of when I truly surrendered my life to Him.  Man, I was a rotten and wretched person before I came under the full influence of God.  I was sarcastic, hateful, jealous, promiscuous, prone to heavy drinking, bitter, and full of rage.  I had done a whole lot.  I know exactly what it means to have God pull you out of the muck and mire. 

When I remember, suddenly I’m face to face with my absolute helplessness.  I need Jesus.  I can’t live without Him.  I couldn’t be saved apart from Him.  I never want to be separated from Him again.  Oh, how I love Him. 

We are not one of us righteous. 

In the “church” we have designated acceptable sins and unacceptable sins.  These are like social norms and people really seem to hate it when you point them out.  Living at a higher standard can be costly. 

We view certain sins as worse than others, even though scripture makes it clear that they aren’t.  All sin is sin.  There aren’t levels.  It’s our earthly, fleshly minds that create levels so we can feel justified in our own actions.  There are no levels of sin.  Sin is sin.

We are not one of us righteous.

We see drug addicts and alcoholics, sex addicts, porn addicts, etc. and think, “Well, at least I don’t do that.” 

But I propose that gossip, slander, lying, hatred, gluttony, and several other things are just as bad.  Sin is sin.

We are not one of us righteous. 

The whole point of everything is that we need Jesus.  He saved us.  He died on the cross, carrying our sin and shame…He did that work, not us.  He made Himself like a man, to walk the earth and provide us with this bridge to heaven.  He did it all.  We only get to receive. 

We are not one of us righteous.  He is.  Fortunately, when we receive Him, He becomes righteousness within us.  He is always and forever the source of that righteousness in us.  Lest any of us boast in ourselves.

I’m not trying to be a downer; I’m just putting out a reality check.  We need Him.  That never stops being true.  The only way to walk in a righteous life is through Him.

I encourage you to take some time today to remember where you came from.  What did salvation look like for you?  Remember what He saved you from.  Thank Him again.  Return to the origin of your salvation and ask Him to forgive you for anytime you’ve arrogantly assumed you’re better than another.  Look into His wild eyes and surrender again. 

Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others?  No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.  As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous- not even one.  No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.  All have turned away; all have become useless.  No one does good, not a single one.  Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.  Their tongues are filled with lies.  Snake venom drips from their lips.  Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.  They rush to commit murder.  Destruction and misery always follow them.  They don’t know where to find peace.  They have no fear of God at all.”      Romans 3:9-18

But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.  (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)  Ephesians 2:4-5

I think Sunday is a great day to celebrate! 

It’s easy to celebrate when we know that God is good.  Do you know that He is good?  I mean, truly know it. 

Many of us say, “God is so good”, but nothing in our lives indicates the belief in that word.  At the first sign of difficulty, we moan and complain and wonder where God is and what He is doing.

What if we truly believed?

What would your mindset become if you truly believed that God is a good God?  Would we be so inclined to mimic the grumblings of the Israelites?  They saw one miracle after another, but in between them they complained and lost belief.  It’s crazy, but it’s true.  If that was the case for them, then we must also be susceptible to this sin. 

Oh Lord, help me in my disbelief. 

I have started to practice certain things, and one of them is this…when I hear good or bad news, I thank God for His goodness.  I imagine myself handing over that difficult thing to Him.  Or I thank Him for the good things and ask Him to keep moving in our lives.

I think what I’m realizing is we need momentum in our lives.  That momentum isn’t dependent on whether we have good or difficult things happening.  If we truly want to move forward and take lasting ground in victory, then we must hand over everything.  The difficulties and the victories.

Too often I’ve received a victory, then fallen straight into complacency.  I know I’m not alone in this…it’s exactly the way of the Israelites.

Let’s learn to celebrate our victories and thank God…while at the same time believing for even more.

This is the way forward, I believe. 

Not being unsatisfied with victory but allowing it to make us hunger for more.  Thanking God and then praising Him for leading us in victory.  He leads us this way.  Glory to glory. 

Why would we settle for just enough, when we serve the God of more than enough?

If you ask me, just enough is selfish because it only allows for your own victory.  When we move from victory to victory, then we have enough to share with others.  We create a momentum of victorious mindset that becomes contagious.  We owe it to others to discover how to walk in the victory that Christ died for us to have. 

I challenge you to ask for victory in your life…then when it comes, praise God for it and ask Him to lead you into the next victory!  Christ followers, it’s time to take the land!!!

But thanks be to God, Who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.  For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.  And who is equal to such a task?  Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.  On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.  2 Corinthians 2:14-17

As I was walking the other day, I began to ask God what He wanted to talk about.  Soon, I was reminded of my time at a certain church.  He reminded me of something I hadn’t thought about in a long time…but if He’s bringing it up then I know this story will be relevant to someone.

I entered that church during a very alive time in my walk with Jesus.  I had just moved and before we had, I had been leading worship multiple times a week, teaching youth, writing, leading worship nights at my home, etc.  All that to say, it was a time of so much fruitfulness.  I felt so alive.

We moved and I thought, “Great!  Now I can move forward into this next chapter with all the momentum of the last.”  I was mistaken.

From this side of things, I now see that I needed a series of breakings to occur in my own heart.  We can only operate at the level that we are taught by God.  I had gotten to a certain place, and the only way to move forward in Him and with purity, was to make a pit stop and allow some realigning to occur.  But I didn’t know that yet.

Instead, we immediately did what we thought we should and became immersed in a new church.  Establishing relationships for our whole family.  I felt some hesitations in our choice at the start, but shrugged them off because of the other good things I saw the church could provide.  I became very plugged in…still feeling very sharp in my spirit and walk with Jesus.  Until I didn’t.

At a certain point I started to feel disconnected from Him.  I started to feel dumb.  It was weird at the time, although now it’s so obvious.  I noticed that during worship there, I was hearing from God less.  I thought maybe it was because I had backslidden in some way. 

When the Lord told me to leave, I agreed…but was still confused.  I felt so much confusion and a dumbness over me.

It wasn’t until later that I realized that church had been pulling me into a deaf and dumb spirit.

When we align ourselves with a body, we align with whatever spirit is covering that place.  While it may appear all positive, it might not be.  When a place requires blind obedience, not to God, but to the leaders…you have a problem.

There are many operating in the deaf and dumb spirit.  They don’t want growing people, they want people to lead.  You may be wondering why.  Well, it’s simple…they want to control not grow. 

It’s such a common thing in any type of organization, and churches are not exempt.  It’s easier to lead a group of people who don’t think on their own.  It’s easier to lead people who have fallen into a sort of trance of just dumbly following a person.

When Holy Spirit is involved in our lives, we begin to be unpredictable.  Many leaders don’t like that.  I’ve often heard that when we allow Holy Spirit to move in individuals it creates messes.  Most leaders don’t like messes.  But messes are completely necessary for growing.  Think about it, when you teach a baby to self-feed they first make a huge mess.  Then over time they learn the proper way, but the only way for them to learn is to have the opportunity to make messes.  The key is to always have someone near to clean up that mess.  That’s the rub.  In current church culture, leadership is often overwhelmed, so to make life more manageable they control.  That shows that maybe they haven’t leaned into God and asked Him to establish their leadership structure, instead they’ve done it on their own. 

Think of Moses.  When he led the Israelites out of Egypt, at first they exhausted him with their needs.  Soon, God brought his father-in-law to visit.  He saw this current structure was not going to work, long-term, and he suggested another.  When established, this structure created freedom. 

God wants to be part of everything.  Even the structures that we’re convinced are the only way to do something…simply because that’s what has been done for many years.  Duration of a method doesn’t indicate practicality. 

I encourage you today to lean into God’s heart for your family structure.  Then spend time asking God if you are in a healthy church structure…or have you fallen deaf and dumb for a season.  If so, simply repent and ask Him to awaken you.  He created us to think.  To hear.  To listen.  To follow Him above all others.  Let’s be a people whose God is the Lord.

The beauty of the cross is that God was making a way for us to each have individual relationship with Him.  No priest required.  He wants to know, love, and guide each person.  It’s ok to lean into that.  It’s also ok if He leads you in a way that others don’t understand.  I’d rather die than stop following Him.  He is a jealous God and doesn’t desire that we would place anyone before Him, as God of our lives.  It’s time to take a sobered look at who truly leads your life…God or man.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.  For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.  In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him.  The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.  Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.  Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen what I did.  For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.”  So, I declared on oath in My anger, “They shall never enter My rest.”  Psalm 95

I’ve always said that I want to live until I die.  Meaning, I want to continue learning, growing, teaching, sharing, worshiping, etc. forever.  I also desire to remain childlike.   I want to always play and be silly.  I hope to have lots of energy when I face the final chapter of my life.  I want to live.  Truly live. 

As I watch my dad, I consider this. 

As his last chapter has rolled around and his life is changing, his last stretch into the world has been ministry.  His days since retiring are full of men’s luncheon at a church, Bible/book study at another church, Sunday services, Wednesday services, prison ministry…

As I considered my own desire for my final years, this morning, I realized that I have a great example.  It’s been beautiful to watch him lean into this part of his life.  Letting go of his business and career was difficult, as I would imagine it is for any person.  But in all things, I always look for the fruit…the fruit of his decision to retire has been sweet and juicy.  It’s created this space for him.  I don’t believe he will ever regret it.  Except, maybe that he didn’t embrace it sooner. 

The catch is, when we let one thing go there is always a time of emptiness.  It’s a beautiful time, but most of us feel it is a burden.  We wonder if we even have a purpose anymore.  We may flounder and think we have made a bad decision.  Only a very few people learn to lean into that emptiness and discover the beauty of the in between.

In the in between, anything is possible.  You have ample time to heal or learn a new part of God’s heart from a peaceful, still place.  In the in between, you can begin to ask God what His dream is for your next chapter.  In that space we can find the boredom that brings the blessing.  Remember me mentioning that a while back?  We need that bored place as much as kids do.  It’s in that place that we finally have time to think, create, dream, and just be. 

The in between is where we’ve been living for a while.  It’s always a different amount of time for each person, but it does serve a wonderful purpose, if we’re willing to surrender to it.

In that space we can begin to see…possibility.

With God all things are possible.  The view from the in between can seem overwhelming because of the number of options, but what a gift!  Isn’t it wonderful that we follow a God Who values freedom?  Freedom to choose. 

The world these days has been attempting to chomp away at our freedom to choose, and that’s what makes me value it even more.  In God I am always free.  So are you.

I challenge you to lean into your chapter of life.  Find satisfaction in it, no matter what.  Are you living from a purpose, or just happenstance?  There are few things better than living a life filled with purpose.  You can find it in any season, even the in between. 

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.  For You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.  How great are Your works, O Lord, how profound Your thoughts!  The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.  But You, O Lord, are exalted forever.  For surely Your enemies, O Lord, surely Your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.  You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured upon me.  My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.  The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.  They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.”  Psalm 92

Today I had a slight disappointment happen.  I mean, it wasn’t a life-or-death thing.  It wasn’t even anything that would affect my life long-term, it just showed me that in a certain place, I wasn’t going to move forward in this way right now.  I needed a new plan, or to simply wait.

But it’s amazing how quickly the disappointment came and sat on my chest.  Largely, I guess, because I immediately began to try to act like I didn’t care.  But that wasn’t honest.  I did care a little…in fact, I felt a little foolish for thinking this thing might actually happen and be a huge blessing to our family.  There was no reason to feel foolish, but I did.

Why?

When we are raised in an environment where we aren’t allowed to hold an opinion and/or are mocked for our opinions or told they are not good…then it can create a wall within our minds.  It can create a part of us that truly struggles with hearing “no”, because it translates to, “What a dumb idea”.  Shame comes and we are buried under an imaginary condemnation.

I am not that little girl anymore.  I do get to have opinions and ideas, and some will be good and successful, and others won’t…but who cares?

If we are to grow in life, then we have to rub against the difficult and sometimes painful places in life and have the courage to allow God to change us.  Heal us.  Restore us. 

You can’t grow if you hide from change and challenge.  You can’t grow if you’re always playing it safe. 

We must learn to dance upon disappointment.

This doesn’t mean that you’re likely to change overnight.  It does mean that you learn to embrace discomfort in a variety of places. 

I was uncomfortable when I even pursued this possible new source for our family, but it was worth it to me…because, what if?  As the meeting came close, I began to feel insecure and wanted to cancel, but my husband encouraged me not to do so.  During the meeting I felt confident…until the expectation made it clear this wasn’t for me. 

It’s not a hateful act for something to not be good for our family.  What’s hateful is trying to make an opportunity fit when it doesn’t. 

So, I’m learning.  I hope you are too.  I encourage you to reach straight into the things that make you uncomfortable and find God’s hand to guide you through.  I hope you learn to dance upon disappointment.  You were made for more!

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.  “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.  He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.  Psalm 91:11-16