One Size Doesn't Fit All....On Purpose

Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:38-40 (NLT)

David was sent by his father Jesse to bring food to his brothers. They were fighting the battle against the Philistines. When he got there, he heard Goliath shouting insults at the army. He was jeering and taunting them. And the Israelites were afraid.

David’s was incredulous. Why was Goliath allowed to insult God’s army without consequence? Didn’t he know that they had God behind them? In essence, he was insulting God. He went to King Saul and said he wanted to fight the giant.

King Saul was not easily convinced. David was so, well, small. How could he possibly fight Goliath? And David’s reciting of his experience didn’t help. Sure, you may have killed lions and bears but this is a GIANT! Finally, Saul gave in. He handed David his armor and said “Wear this.” David put it on. And then he took it off.

David knew that he couldn’t fight anything trying to be something he wasn’t. He wasn’t Saul. He didn’t look like Saul. He didn’t fight like Saul. He was David. He had to be who he was. A man that trusted in God.

How many times do we try to fit in where we shouldn’t? How often do we compromise on our core values, our beliefs, in order to accomplish some goal? How many times do we try to put on what is not ours to wear in order to win?

God created you. You are his masterpiece. And even if you haven’t fought lions or bears, your experience matters. God never wastes anything. He will use you, where you are and with what you have. If you have to go face a giant today, trust God. He’s in the battle with you and he knows what he’s doing. And, do you know the best part? He won’t make you wear someone else’s armor.

If You Could Have Anything....

Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” Mark 10:46-52 (NLT)

In this story, doesn't it seem odd that Jesus asked "What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asked this question multiple times. Once, when he asked it of the disciples, they said they wanted to be elevated in his kingdom. 

Maybe Jesus asks to draw out our true intentions. Do we want to receive material comforts? Do we want relief from stress and burdens? Do we want a miracle for ourselves or someone else? All of these things are not necessarily bad. We can definitely ask for them! But, then we have to ask ourselves another question.  If you don't receive what you ask for, will you still love Jesus? Will you still seek him?

Sadly, some of us would not. And that is the most important reason to reflect on the question He asks.

What is it that you really want?

A Minute In It - Many Blessings

A minute in Gods' word will change your life.  Read through the Bible text and ask yourself the questions at the bottom of the post.

1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.

4 Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.

5 You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.

6 Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.  Psalm 23 (MSG)

Sometimes we need to take a moment and count our blessings. In this wonderful Chapter, there are things that God blesses us with. Read through the text and thank God for the blessings he provides for you.  

"I'm Right Here!!!"

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

The other day my husband and I were playing Hide and Seek with my grandson. He's a toddler so one of us would go with him to hide and the other would seek. It was my turn to count and then find him and my husband.

As I was standing in the family room, I saw my husband take him into the front closet. I dutifully counted "1, 2, 3, 4, 5" and went to find them. I knew where they were so I wasn't really looking. All the while, I am talking out loud saying "I wonder where they are? I have to keep looking!" As my hand reached for the closet door, my grandson yelled from the stair landing "I right here!" (Apparently, my husband saw me spy their hiding place and moved.)

He couldn't help himself! He wanted to be found by me. He wanted to be together, to play some more and to share the moment.

Who else does this remind you of? God does the same thing. He says that if we seek him we will find him. There is no game here. He wants to be found! He wants to spend time together, to share moments, talk and play. As a matter of fact, he goes out of his way to get us to see who he is. The problem comes when we think we know where to find him so we stop looking. 

Just like I thought I knew where to find my grandson, I didn't really search. I went to where I thought he was; expecting him to be there. But he moved! Do we do that with God? Do we go to the same place every time because we think he's there? Do we even notice when he's not?

The depth of our relationship with him has a lot to do with our response to his call. Are you seeking God? Really seeking him? Or are you going through the motions to play a game and missing out? God is jumping up and down and yelling "I'm right here!" but we miss it because we thought we had him figured out.  But, just like my husband and my grandson, he is full of surprises making it well worth the search! 

I Prefer Safe And Sound

One day the prophet Gad told David, “Leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah.” So David went to the forest of Hereth. 1 Samuel 22:5 (NLT)

David was safe in his stronghold. It was his safe place. A place where he knew he could relax because he was protected there. And then God shows up through the prophet Gad and says "Go." He told David to leave his safe place and go out to where he was unprotected. He was to go where danger lurked because Saul was always hunting him trying to kill him.

If I were David, I might have spent some time in prayer asking "Can't I stay here? It is safe here. I am comfortable. I have everything worked out perfectly. No surprises. I know how to handle this." And maybe David did talk to God about this new command, we don't know. What we do know is that he went. 

And sure enough, Saul heard he was out and about and the chase began again. Story after story of Saul (and others) trying to kill David but God always worked it out. We know that eventually, Saul dies and David becomes King. We know that God was faithful and kept his promises. All throughout David's life he demonstrated that he trusted God.

But we don't know that about our lives. Or do we? When God asks us to do something and it seems kind of crazy and uncomfortable, how do we respond? Do we ask "Can't I stay here? It's comfortable and safe and I don't know what it looks like to do what you are asking." Or do we respond like David and go. 

Just like with David, God will be faithful to you and keep his promises. What he's asking you to do may sound scary and crazy but when you get to the other side, you'll know that it was the best plan. 

Recognizing Treasure

Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch! 1 Samuel 25:29 (NLT)

What is a treasure pouch? It is a bag used to carry valuable treasure.  What is a treasure? We are!

Others were given in exchange for you.
    I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
    You are honored, and I love you. Isaiah 43:4

See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Isaiah 49:16

Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
    With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Jeremiah 31:3

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!           1 John 3:1

For the Lord your God is living among you.
    He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
    With his love, he will calm all your fears.
    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

God holds us so very close to him and protects us as we would hold on to and protect a treasure. Our lives are precious. You are loved. You are a treasure. Yes, you.  But, don't just take my word for it.  Ask him yourself.  He'll tell you!

Labor Of The Heart

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26 (NLT)

It is Labor Day weekend in the United States. So, I decided that this weekend would be a good time to labor around my house. With all the activity in our lives, I don't always get to do a deep clean. We surface clean pretty regularly. We vacuum.  We dust. We clean the counters but we don't always get into the crevices and corners.

Do you know what I discovered? I have a spider on steroids that lives in my house. Corner after corner I found cob webs.  And as I cleaned them up, I thought "Why didn't I see those?" As I cleaned, I wondered "Is my life like this?"

Were there areas in my life that needed to be "cleaned" and adjusted that I didn't see? Are there places that needed to be swept and tidied so they looked more like the home of Jesus than the home of Elaine? Do I get so busy in my day-to-day that I forget to spend some time digging deep into God's Word?

I think just like my house and my spider on steroids, if I am not careful my life can also be overrun with corners that need to be cleaned.  I need to spend more time in God's Word, more time in prayer and more time focusing on the places he wants me to tidy up.  And just like looking around at my clean house, there is an immense joy and satisfaction in my heart after I spend time with God focusing on the places he wants spick and span.

Minute In It - How Well Do You Rest?

A minute in Gods' word will change your life.  Read through the Bible text and ask yourself the questions at the bottom of the post.

The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” Exodus 33:14 (NLT)

He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:2-3 (NLT)

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:9

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 give rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. Hebrews 4:9-11 (NLT)

How well do I rest? Do I take time to rest my body, my soul and my mind? How much do I depend on God to provide rest to my soul? Do I take time out to spend time with God for my spiritual rest?