Psalm 31:24
So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Last night we attended Timothy’s pre-K Christmas program. Children from three different classes (a 3-year-old pre-K group, and two classes of 4-and-5-year-olds) offered their renditions of familiar Christmas tunes. Timothy’s group was one of the “older” ones, and they sang three tunes, “Jingle Bells”, “Christmas Colors”, and “Feliz Navidad”.
You never know what you will get with small children, and we were not disappointed. The 3-year-olds were all dressed as angels… flowing white “robes” trimmed with silver tinsel… tinsel halos on their heads. And each and every one of them sang well. There were no “melt-downs”... no one looked frightened… all performed with strength and courage.
The second group contained about a half dozen 4-and-5-year-old boys and one little girl. For the most part, they did well. But one little boy was terribly upset. He didn’t just cry… he sobbed. And thankfully, someone came to his rescue and held him on the stage until this group completed their performance.
Then it was time for Timothy’s group. We did not know what to expect, but he did well… once he located his family in the audience. We watched him walk down the aisle… searching every pew of the church sanctuary for us. He was visibly concerned when he got to the stage, and we could see him mouth, “Where is my family? I can’t find my family!” We knew it would not go well if he didn’t locate us before the songs began. And sure enough… he spotted us… and his face lit up as he smiled and waved and called out to us. Then, he lifted his eyes to the ceiling, drew in a big breath, and heaved a giant sigh of relief.
To see such palpable consolation in that little boy just made me want to cry. Timothy had put all of his hope in the love and support of his family. He trusted them to be present for him… to observe him and encourage him in his performance…and he tried very hard to be strong and courageous. And when he saw his mom, dad, grandmother, siblings… and his Aunt Debbie and Uncle Greg (who were surprise guests to him)…all of his fortitude and bravery were worth it! He sang his little heart out…smiled, waved and gave a “thumbs up”… and even bowed at the end!
What about you? Are you still seeking God as you walk down the “aisle of life”? Are you wondering if God is there to support you? Do you have hope that He is with you… meeting your needs and cheering you on? Does God undergird everything you do? Is He present in your life in a tangible, profound way? Have you exhaled that all-important sigh of relief as you inhaled God’s goodness and power over your life? Isn’t it time to do exactly that?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 27:4-5
The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“All I want for Christmas…” is a phrase that is uttered countless times by children of ALL ages every year. This is the first year that Timothy has really understood about Santa Claus. And he has a list – a Spiderman pillow pal, cars and trucks, and “other stuff”!
Isn’t that how we are so much of the time? We have a list of specific things that we want from God… and a lot of “other stuff”. We are anything but single-minded, when in fact, all we need is to seek the house of the LORD all the days of our life… to delight in His perfections and meditate in His temple. If we focus on God, He truly will conceal us in the sanctuary of His love, grace, wisdom and mercy when the troubles come…and they will come in this earthly lifetime!
In this season when our focus is scattered in a zillion different directions, let’s stop and take a minute to reel things in… to pull back on the festivities and plans and wishes and expectations and focus on God’s gift of Jesus Christ… the real reason for Christmas and so much more. If we pin our hopes on Jesus… if we concentrate on living with Him as the center of our very being… everything else truly is “other stuff”… as it should be.
What are you asking for this Christmas? Who are you seeking? Are you hoping for – and expecting – to receive your heart’s desires… because they line up with those of God Almighty through His Son, Jesus Christ? Will this be the season that you begin to seek the One Thing that matters and forget the “other stuff”? Are you ready to rest in the safety of His love and care? Will this be the day you start to make it happen?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Psalm 119:113-120
I hate the two-faced,
but I love your clear-cut revelation.
You’re my place of quiet retreat;
I wait for your Word to renew me.
Get out of my life, evildoers,
so I can keep my God’s commands.
Take my side as you promised; I’ll live then for sure.
Don’t disappoint all my grand hopes.
Stick with me and I’ll be all right;
I’ll give total allegiance to your definitions of life.
Expose all who drift away from your sayings;
their casual idolatry is lethal.
You reject earth’s wicked as so much rubbish;
therefore I lovingly embrace everything you say.
I shiver in awe before you;
your decisions leave me speechless with reverence.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When Timothy and Zola visited this week, I showed them a little vintage elf ornament that hangs on a Christmas tree I decorated for them. They have an “Elf on the Shelf” at their house named Christopher Pop-In-Kins, so I told them that OUR elf was named Henry Truman, and that he was watching them just like Christopher did at home – and reporting to Santa. The children were very well behaved… and any time they started to falter, we reminded them about Henry Truman - and they generally changed their mind. It is very hard to be good at Christmas time with all of the temptations, exciting events and sweet treats to keep your mind and body revved up. But the Christmas season is also a time when children of all ages often at least try to act nicer!
Have you noticed that you see a lot of people in church around the Christmas and Easter seasons that you never see there the rest of the year? Or maybe you’ve observed that a lot of people are friendlier and more generous to others during the holidays. A friend of mine actually refers to these folks as “Christmas and Easter Christians”! While I’m glad to see people in church any day of the year… while I will take all the incentives for good behavior in children that I can get – especially at Christmas time…it does leave me to wonder about what they are like the rest of the year.
Don’t misunderstand me… God is thrilled ANY TIME we turn to Him. His heart is glad when we worship Him and come before Him for guidance and care. But He is so much more than a “Christmas and Easter God”. He wants us to walk with Him each and every day of the year… to be diligent and serious in our Christian discipleship – not casual worshippers. God wants us to spend time in His presence and hear what He has to say 365 days a year… not to drift away from His teachings for months on end – or to call on Him only when the chips are down and we are desperate!
I am sad to admit that I think my friend might be at least partially right. I am afraid there truly are “Christmas and Easter Christians” who hardly give God any thought the other ten months of the year. And sadly, I’m pretty sure they are missing out on all of the benefits and blessings of a constant relationship with God. They don’t fully know what it is to shiver in awe with speechless reverence at God’s power in their lives. They have not given Him their full allegiance, so their hopes – if they even have any – often end in disappointment.
As I told Timothy this morning, there are “ten more sleeps” until Christmas. Let’s recommit ourselves in this next ten days to waiting on God’s word to renew us… to finding a place of quiet retreat with Him each and every day of the year. Let’s let take God’s side and keep His commands… and live every minute of the day with assurance that He is giving life to our hopes, meeting our every need, and planning for our future even into Eternity. Let’s be “Everyday Christians” who really, truly operate in the hope of Jesus Christ… at Christmas, Easter, and always.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Numbers 23:19
God is no mere human!
He doesn’t tell lies
or change his mind.
God always keeps his promises.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Timothy has a memory like an elephant! Last year after Christmas, I inadvertently erased “Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer” from our DVR. In the nearly 12-months since, he has mentioned it every time he visited… “You’re going to record Rudolph again… and you’re NOT going to erase it this time… RIGHT?” I have assured him that I would do this. So when the iconic children’s program aired last week on a local channel, I was ready! And when he visits later this week, I am quite certain that we will watch “Rudolph” more than once!
We try to keep our promises to Timothy and his siblings. But there have been times when we told them they could visit… or that we would go to the park to play…or that we would watch one more episode of a program on televisions… and things just did not work out the way we had hoped. We can’t control illness, icy weather, and other unexpected interruptions that are simply a part of mortal life.
As this scripture passage emphasizes… God is no mere human! Unexpected interruptions are not in His wheelhouse! He doesn’t change His mind or make promises He cannot – or will not – keep! So when we read in the word of God that He will hear our prayers… and answer them… we can take that to the bank! When we hear God telling us, “I am not going to desert you. I’ve got this!”… we can believe it! When Jesus tells us that He has gone to prepare a place for us…with “many mansions” and streets of gold, we who have made Him the LORD of our life can trust that this is most assuredly in our future! You may live in a shanty in this life…but Baby, you’re destined for opulence in Paradise!
Each one of us is at a totally different point today. For some, life is on an even keel and everything is seems incredibly positive and peaceful. I know people who are looking forward to a wedding in coming months… others who are anticipating the arrival of a precious new baby…and folks who just got an exciting new job, a promotion, a new house, or a clean bill of health - and a “new lease on life” in the bargain! For others, the road is rocky and uncertain. I have friends who have openly admitted on Facebook that they are reminding themselves to breathe and put one foot in front of the other. I know people who would give anything to hear that a baby is in their future, and still others who wish they would receive a “forever home”. Some wish that a serious diagnosis – or a foreclosure bill – had never been delivered. Many in our community face a plant closing the end of this year and the loss of their employment… and all of the ramifications that come with it.
Wherever you are today… whatever is happening in your life…God is with you. He is fulfilling His promises… orchestrating the outcomes…and working on your mansion! He won’t change His mind… He will not abandon you…He will never make promises and fail to keep them! I know I sound like a broken record on this sometimes, but many of us need to hear this… several times a day! We need to imprint it on our hearts and minds and remind ourselves of these words often! We need to remember to breathe and put one foot in front of the other in the hard times… to be grateful and humble in the good times…and to remember that God is with us through all of them!
This is a message of hope! God will NEVER “erase the program on the DVR” or forget to do what He has promised. God will never have an excuse…He is forever and ever the REAL DEAL! Do you trust Him? Do you believe His word over your life? Are you confident that God is working on your mansion… and numbering every step of your life in the meantime? Will this be the day that you ask Him to remind you of His hand in your life? Will you begin to live with hope and confidence? Isn’t it this a great time to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Job 13:13-15
Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences. Yes, I will take my life in my hands and say what I really think. God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. But this is what will save me - I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel!” If you have not ever uttered that phrase to someone, perhaps it has been expressed to you. And truly, there are people with whom we can be brutally honest, “vent” and share our innermost thoughts… and others for whom we sugarcoat the situation. I am truly blessed to have a mate and partner with whom I can be completely honest. I don’t have to pretend to Greg that I am having a good day when I am not. I can share my greatest joys with him with confidence that he will celebrate the victories with me. I can also express my deepest frustration and pain… and he will commiserate and console. It’s a “no-holds-barred” relationship… and I truly treasure this.
I am blessed to share a similar relationship with my best friend Marla Ann… and my cousin Natalie. Because of our relationship and our “history,” we share thoughts and feelings that nobody else would understand. We are comfortable being real and raw with each other about what is happening in our lives. And like the phrase, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” we know we can be completely honest and transparent with each other… and nobody else will ever hear of it.
So here we are with Job. He is being persecuted and tortured with all sorts of afflictions. And he has decided to ask God exactly why this is happening to him. Others are warning him NOT to question God… suggesting that he will die for his audacity! But here’s the thing… Job knows that his only hope is God. It’s a risk he is willing to take.
Now remember, this all happened to Job long before Jesus came to earth and died for our sins so that we could have first-hand access to God. In Job’s day, mere mortals were not supposed to talk to God directly. They were expected to talk to a high priest who would intercede on their behalf. The nerve of Job to think he could just cry out to God and plead his case! But that is exactly what he did. And this is what we can do, as well.
God is more than our best friend… He is closer than our mate… He is always ready to hear from us - and never betrays our confidence. God wants to hear how we really feel! He can take it! This should be the best news you have had all day! This should fill each of us with hope and confidence… that God is ready, willing, and able to hear our petitions – and to answer them. We truly have nothing to lose. We are not Godless… and He will save us.
I am grateful for Greg, Marla Ann and Natalie. I am glad that God has given me earthly support in the form of these three people. But I am even more grateful for His love and care… and the promises He has made to me to meet my every need. So the question is, “Are you ready to take your life into your own hands and lay it on the line with God?” Is He your hope… your only hope? Will you be completely honest and open with Him and trust His guidance and care? Isn’t this a great day to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
For days, all we heard from newscasters was “Get ready for the big storm.” We were told to make sure we had non-perishable food items, water, fuel, cash, flashlights, batteries and more… in case we were iced in for several days and lost power. We were warned to run any errands and make preparations to stay at home for a while. I saw people in Wal-Mart who were gathering games and other activities to occupy their kiddos over the weekend – especially things that wouldn’t require electrical power. I helped a couple of bewildered husbands find the candles their wives had sent them to purchase.
The ice came, and some areas lost power. Those who didn’t have a plan in place must take personal responsibility, because we were all given ample time and warning to face this storm with hope for a positive outcome.
Anyone who knows me very well can tell you that I am one of those people who like to have a plan. I don’t function well in the realm of “whatever comes along”. I can be spontaneous, and I can adjust on the fly… but I really like to know what’s on the agenda. Of course, there are always unknowns. We can’t always prepare for trees that fall on our house… cars that spin out of control on an icy driveway…or power outages that last far longer than we expected. We can’t know that we will get sick…that certain events will have to be cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, and more. In short… we truly don’t know for certain what our future holds… at least not 100 percent!
The GOOD NEWS is that God knows exactly what’s in store for us. His plans are perfect. He knows what will be cancelled, what obstacles we will face… and even if the power will go out – and for how long! If we trust God’s plans for our lives… if we have faith and confidence that He will work things out for good and not for disaster… we can live with hope that our future is bright. We still won’t know what is going to happen at any given moment… but we know that God is working things out perfectly. In other words, we don’t know what the future holds, but we know WHO holds the future.
Because of this promise, I can handle the “surprises” that come my way… both the happy ones and those that are not so pleasant. I know that God is planning every minute of my future…and it is indeed a good one. Because I believe in God… because I trust His promises are true…I have hope - and I pray that the same can be said for you. Are you with me?
©2013 Debbie Robus
If you do not hear from me again for a few days, it will be because of the ice storm we are expecting - and a loss of Internet service and/or power. God bless and keep you ... stay safe and warm!
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December 5 ~ Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
If you live anywhere in the “Ark-La-Tex”, you probably know that weather forecasters are predicting that we will experience a major winter storm in the next several days… with the primary culprits being freezing rain and ice accumulation…and pipe-freezing cold temperatures (lows in single digits several nights). We have been warned for days to prepare… to get plenty of food, water, cash (in case there is no power for the ATMs), and gasoline for our vehicles. People have polished and serviced their generators and kerosene heaters…tree limbs have been trimmed away from power lines in many areas… road crews are already pre-treating certain areas…and the bread shelves at the local supermarkets look like the Apocolypse is approaching!
This morning when I awoke, I began to think about all of the “issues” we would have if we lost power. We have a gas range, but our heat requires electricity. We could huddle around a wood fireplace, but if we get the single digit temps that are forecast, that would not provide much warmth. Greg’s mother is elderly and lives alone… what if she lost power, too? My niece and her husband have three small children… what if they lost power? As I wrote in my prayer journal, I expressed my concerns to God… but I also told Him that I trust Him to handle these things and the other concerns I have.
Greg awoke early this morning and began to think about the winter storm. He researched portable generators and kerosene heaters…then he left home as soon as he thought stores were open to do a little shopping. When I realized he was doing this, I thanked God for taking care of my needs almost before I spoke of them! I thanked Him for giving me perfect peace. I know the storm is coming. I realize that we very well may still lose power. But God has provided for us… and He will continue to do so. I don’t think it is any accident that Greg purchased the last kerosene heater at one store… or that an ample supply of the very portable generator he preferred was available at another.
This is just one more reminder for me to trust in God… to keep my thoughts fixed on Him… to relax a little and rest in the knowledge and peace of knowing that He is meeting my every need. There are times when things look like they are falling to pieces. But honestly, this is when God truly “shows out” and does His best work in my life. I am learning more every day about living in God’s perfect peace. He is my strength… He most certainly fills me with hope! What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Hebrews 6:10-12
God is always fair. He will remember how you helped his people in the past and how you are still helping them. You belong to God, and he won’t forget the love you have shown his people. We wish that each of you would always be eager to show how strong and lasting your hope really is. Then you would never be lazy. You would be following the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you have ever watched small children in a group setting, you have probably noticed that there is always at least one child who is eager to greet the others. This child wants to welcome the other children with hugs… wants them to come and play with him/her… wants to “hang out” with them. And often, at least a few of the children will bristle and resist these loving gestures. Some might even be downright rude in their rejection. It’s interesting to watch what happens next. Sometimes the loving, caring child will be upset and even lament to an adult… or pout. But most of the time, he/she simply moves on to another child – or another activity – and continues to happily dole out love and a positive attitude.
Have you ever been in a situation where no matter how much you do for someone… how much you love them and give of your time and energy to them… they seem to take every opportunity to kick you, put you down, and trample on your heart? In essence, you stick out your hand to greet them and say, “Come and play with me”… and their answer is a resounding – and sometimes ugly – “NO!” What do you do with this? How do you react?
I believe that we can learn a lot from the example of the children I described. I believe that this is exactly what God is telling us to do in this scripture passage… “Move forward… keep loving and giving. You may have to pick an alternate recipient, and/or you may have to grow a thicker skin toward those who reject and rebuke your efforts… but never lose confidence in God’s promises… and NEVER stop demonstrating your hope and faith to others in His name.”
It’s a tall order… especially when your feelings are raw and your heart is breaking. But God will not fail you… He will not leave you to suffer and flounder under the weight of insults and burdens. He will show you how and where to concentrate your efforts… where you can do the most good in His name. And He will BLESS YOU for your obedience and perseverance! Keep loving… keep doing things for others… and keep hoping and believing in God’s fairness and His promises. He will not forget the love you have shown His people…and they won’t either!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Hebrews 10:22-25
So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Every year of our 39+-year marriage – except maybe two of them – we’ve decorated our house for Christmas. One year I had surgery right before Thanksgiving, and I don’t think we even put up a tree. Another year, we were moving, and everything was in boxes. But aside from that, I think we have put up at least a small tree and gotten out some lights and decorations every single year… even in years when we truly weren’t in the mood.
I can tell you… decorating for Christmas is a lot of work… especially at our house! (HUGE nod to Greg for carrying most of the heavy boxes and our big tree down the stairs!) But it is also an act of love… for each other and for others who will visit our home this holiday season. Call it a way of making ourselves “presentable inside and out”…because there is a whole lot more going on with Christmas decorating and festivities than putting up a tree and getting out some decorations.
My friend John Birdsong noted last night how he and his family had spent the day decorating… and reminiscing. Each decoration held some memory or personal meaning for them. His wife Belinda - a school teacher far longer than I was - hung ornaments she had been given by former students. They put out nativities that they had purchased when the kids were little. And they laughed and smiled and remembered the hows/wheres/whens of these precious mementos that warm their home and encourage love and goodwill. And we’ve been doing the same thing.
There are sweet memories attached to many of our pieces. And even some of the newer ones are taking on a special meaning. As I sat out an inexpensive wooden snowman yesterday, I remembered how Timothy has loved to play with it these last few Christmases. It was one of several decorations that I knew he couldn’t break and would enjoy, so I set them on a low shelf for him to reach. I hung plastic and non-breakable ornaments on a little fiber-optic tree that twinkles and blinks. I picked it up at an estate sale for a dollar… so it’s nothing special. But when I remember how it makes the children’s eyes dance with delight, that tree is worth 100 times what I paid - or more.
There are ornaments on our tree that my Mam-ma Polly made – her felt birds, quilted “pillows” made from Santa faces I cross-stitched the Christmas my grandparents’ house burned, and a crocheted “doily” ornament that holds a picture of my grandparents and my dad when he was about four or five. There are nativities I have collected over the years... several given to me by loved ones, and others purchased at estate sales of friends I knew and loved. There is the trunk that belonged to Greg’s grandfather… laden with Christmas needlework I have done, vintage Santas, and a little ceramic Christmas tree that twinkles in the corner. And before Christmas Eve, Greg will put out twinkling “reindeer” in the front yard… a gift to me one Christmas - now a promise to the children that the reindeer who “went back to the North Pole” would return again at Christmas time. He’ll also set out a large plywood Santa that his dad cut out for us more than two decades ago. We painted the features to create a replica of the Santa that stood in the Robus family’s yard when Greg was a child.
I could continue my description of holiday traditions that we will continue. We could also just say, “Forget it!” and not do them! But Christmas is the season of hope… and in that spirit, we decorate and celebrate all over again each year. As we enter into the days of Advent, hear this message…Christmas is not the end, but the beginning… the reminder many of us need to keep putting one foot ahead of the other and moving forward. We were given a tremendous gift when Jesus Christ was born. While the true meaning of His life on earth is revealed in the story of Easter and His resurrection…it starts with His birth. God’s gift of Jesus on that starry night represents the promise of eternal salvation. That’s enough to keep me going… wouldn’t you agree?
Moreover, we have an incredible opportunity in the coming days to practice demonstrating Christ’s love to others… being the “real deal” for Jesus inside and out…worshipping together… and being inventive as we encourage others and help them. Then we can spend the other eleven months of the year putting our “practice” to good use. Maybe… just maybe… we can keep a spirit of hope in Jesus Christ alive past our earthly “Big Day”! Because you see… this is not where the story ends… it’s where it begins. The ultimate BIG DAY still lies ahead… when we meet Jesus face-to-face and spend the rest of eternity with Him.
So let’s decorate… let’s celebrate… let’s encourage and assist and demonstrate Christ’s love with gusto! Let’s operate in hope on the inside and outside… and make it as natural to our lives as breathing. Pour a cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea…put on your Christmas music…and get busy spreading hope in Jesus Christ as you “decorate” your life for the BIG DAY! He is coming… will you be ready?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Ephesians 4:4-6
You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
For those of us known as Arkansas Razorback fans, this has been a difficult season. We didn’t win a single Southeastern Conference game this year. In fact, our overall record was 3 wins and 9 losses. In the heartbreaking loss to LSU today, I think we fans experienced every emotion possible. There were moments of frustration, trepidation, hope, sheer joy and delight, and an ultimate sense of outward and inward defeat. But all good Razorback fans know that we win together… we lose together… and we STICK together! The Razorbacks will take the field again next season! And fans will fill the stadium and turn on their televisions and radios to cheer them on in their efforts. We’ll hope and dream of victories…and we’ll celebrate together when we get them!
I wish we were all as hopeful about our Christian faith as we are about football teams. We Christians all serve the same God… we believe in one baptism…one way to Salvation… and an eternity in Heaven with Jesus. We encourage each other in both joys and sorrows… we pray for one another and say that we trust God’s promises to meet our every need. But we often operate in a state of hopelessness. At the first “fumble” or “interception”, we panic… and in any defeat that we are handed, we completely crumble.
Is our faith really so fragile that we fall apart with the first challenge? Are we so insecure in our relationship with God that we cannot grasp how connected we are… to Him and to fellow believers? We are never alone! God is always available to us, and Christ’s disciples are all around us… ready, willing and able to lend us a hand. All we have to do is trust God and call on Him for help…and He will supply whoever and whatever we need!
Today, the starting quarterback for LSU was injured late in the game. Arkansas was ahead as a back-up freshman quarterback for LSU took the field. Arkansas forced LSU to their one-yard line, with mere minutes remaining in the game. And the quarterback steadily drove the ball down the field before throwing a 49-yard pass that was caught for the winning touchdown. Clearly, this team never lost hope. They kept working together for a common goal…and the end result was a victory.
Don’t you think that God will allow this same principle to apply in your spiritual life? Do you see that there is always hope - and victory - with God? Even in the waning minutes of a dire situation – or even your very life… when you are at the end of your rope and it seems you are out of time and options… God is still there – ready, willing, and able to help you turn things around.
So take a look at the situations you are facing – and your life in general. Where have you given up and accepted defeat? Where have you said, “There is no way out of this” or “This is just the way things are” and thrown in the towel? Are you like a “fair weather fan” who only supports the team when they are winning? Or do you trust God to handle whatever comes your way? Are you operating in faith and hope… believing that you can do all things in the strength of Christ Jesus? Is everything you think and do permeated with Oneness? Isn’t it time it was?
©2013 Debbie Robus
