Psalm 119:121-127
I stood up for justice and the right;
don’t leave me to the mercy of my oppressors.
Take the side of your servant, good God;
don’t let the godless take advantage of me.
I can’t keep my eyes open any longer, waiting for you
to keep your promise to set everything right.
Let your love dictate how you deal with me;
teach me from your textbook on life.
I’m your servant—help me understand what that means,
the inner meaning of your instructions.
It’s time to act, God;
they’ve made a shambles of your revelation!
Yea-Saying God, I love what you command,
I love it better than gold and gemstones;
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.
Thirty-nine years ago today, I married my high school sweetheart. I remember how hard I worked all summer with my mom and my grandmother to get everything ready for the wedding. We made pretty much everything… down to the gowns, cake, mints and flowers! I remember when Greg and I returned from our honeymoon. We still had a couple of weeks before school started at our university, and my family was on vacation in Texas… so we stayed at their house. When Greg returned to his summer job, I still recall thinking, “Now what?” The “hoopla” was over… college still lay ahead of me. But for the moment, reality had set in – and I was more than a little thrown by it all.
For many of us, there are lots of “Now what?” moments in life. When we settle into our college dorm room or new home for the first time, we may have those moments of asking… “Now what do I do?” When the wedding toasts have all been given and the honeymoon trip has been taken… and you return to the everyday world of work, school, household chores – or whatever your life entails, it is normal to have that moment when you wonder, “What is next?” When you finish school and enter the workforce, you may wonder, “Where do I go from here?” As you age, retire, lose family members, peers – or even a spouse, it is natural to ask, “Now what?”
In any life-changing event, there is a time of a “natural high”… followed by a “reality check” where we may wonder what will come next. Even in our Christian faith, we often go through a period of exhilaration… a “mountaintop experience” in which we are filled with joy, confidence, and inspiration to be the most devoted Disciple for Christ. On the Walk to Emmaus, participants are cautioned on the last day as they return home that the world does not operate as we do… that we will face all sorts of challenges and struggles… and the potential for becoming discouraged or complacent is high.
So where does this leave us? How do we avoid the pitfalls and navigate the “what nows”? I believe that these verses help us figure out where to begin… “teach me from your textbook on life. I’m your servant—help me understand what that means, the inner meaning of your instructions.” If we continually seek God in all things… if we listen and learn from His teachings… we can experience peace even in the midst of the most troubling “Now what?” event. God will show us how to proceed in every circumstance… He will guide us – and number our steps. And this, my friends, is worth more than the purest gold or a chest full of diamonds and gemstones.
Even after 39 years, I don’t know for certain what lies ahead… but I know Who is in charge. Because of God’s love and care, I can give my “Now whats?” to Him and rest in the assurance – and peace - that He will show me the right answers. Can you say the same?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label uncertainty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label uncertainty. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for April 23, 2013
Judges 6:12-17
The angel appeared and spoke to Gideon, “The Lord is helping you, and you are a strong warrior.”
Gideon answered, “Please don’t take this wrong, but if the Lord is helping us, then why have all of these awful things happened? We’ve heard how the Lord performed miracles and rescued our ancestors from Egypt. But those things happened long ago. Now the Lord has abandoned us to the Midianites.”
Then the Lord himself said, “Gideon, you will be strong, because I am giving you the power to rescue Israel from the Midianites.” Gideon replied, “But how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest one in Manasseh, and everyone else in my family is more important than I am.”
“Gideon,” the Lord answered, “you can rescue Israel because I am going to help you! Defeating the Midianites will be as easy as beating up one man.”
Gideon said, “It’s hard to believe that I’m actually talking to the Lord. Please do something so I’ll know that you really are the Lord.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Yesterday, I was informed that Kristina Loveless Davis, one of my former kindergarten students, was killed in a car wreck Sunday evening. Kristina was a 39-year-old mother of two girls (ages 4 and 7). Her sister was injured in the accident, as were her daughters – one of whom has undergone surgery and faces a long recovery. Kristina’s mother reports that little Paige does not understand why her mommy is not visiting her at the hospital. I thought of our little Timothy – now almost four – and wondered how we would explain to him that a terrible thing happened, and Mommy was not ever coming back.
With a backdrop of recent events like Hurricane Sandy, the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, the bombing in Boston, Massachusetts, and the explosion in West, Texas, it’s no wonder many of us are asking, “…if the Lord is helping us, then why have all of these awful things happened?” We know the answer… most of us know that the LORD really IS the LORD – and that He truly is helping us. But I would be willing to bet that each of us - in our own way and because of our own circumstances – has cried out to God at one time or another and said, “I am not strong enough for this!” And the truth of the matter is that none of us really are strong enough for many of the challenges we face… under our own power. The beauty of our faith is that we don’t have to be!
Remember the angel’s words to Gideon… “The Lord is helping you… and you are a strong warrior.” I believe that God often understands our excuses and weaknesses in these situations. But we have to realize that God expects us to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps, to trust His power over our circumstances, and to move forward. God may allow us a momentary pity party… He may listen to our justifications for why we cannot do what He asks or accept His will for our lives. But we dare not linger here! God expects us to operate in faith… to acknowledge His sovereignty… and to proceed under His power and care!
I am as heartbroken as anyone over the inexplicable tragedies that have surrounded us in recent months. I still see Kristina’s bright, smiling, 5-year-old face, and I cannot fathom that her own little daughters will not have her to nurture them as they grow. But I know that God has big plans for each of us… that He is already bringing about blessings and knitting together circumstances that we could never even imagine on our own – much less implement. God is providing each of us with opportunities to serve and to share His message with others… even in the midst of our own trials and uncertainties. Of this, I am 100% certain!
So I will mourn the loss of a little-girl-turned-mother who has left us too soon… as well as the losses of those who have suffered and died in other recent tragedies. But I will not allow these experiences to defeat me – or to diminish my faith in God to give me power and strength far beyond what I have as a mortal being. I will believe that I am actually talking to the LORD… that He is always with me… and that with His help, I am a strong warrior. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
The angel appeared and spoke to Gideon, “The Lord is helping you, and you are a strong warrior.”
Gideon answered, “Please don’t take this wrong, but if the Lord is helping us, then why have all of these awful things happened? We’ve heard how the Lord performed miracles and rescued our ancestors from Egypt. But those things happened long ago. Now the Lord has abandoned us to the Midianites.”
Then the Lord himself said, “Gideon, you will be strong, because I am giving you the power to rescue Israel from the Midianites.” Gideon replied, “But how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest one in Manasseh, and everyone else in my family is more important than I am.”
“Gideon,” the Lord answered, “you can rescue Israel because I am going to help you! Defeating the Midianites will be as easy as beating up one man.”
Gideon said, “It’s hard to believe that I’m actually talking to the Lord. Please do something so I’ll know that you really are the Lord.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Yesterday, I was informed that Kristina Loveless Davis, one of my former kindergarten students, was killed in a car wreck Sunday evening. Kristina was a 39-year-old mother of two girls (ages 4 and 7). Her sister was injured in the accident, as were her daughters – one of whom has undergone surgery and faces a long recovery. Kristina’s mother reports that little Paige does not understand why her mommy is not visiting her at the hospital. I thought of our little Timothy – now almost four – and wondered how we would explain to him that a terrible thing happened, and Mommy was not ever coming back.
With a backdrop of recent events like Hurricane Sandy, the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, the bombing in Boston, Massachusetts, and the explosion in West, Texas, it’s no wonder many of us are asking, “…if the Lord is helping us, then why have all of these awful things happened?” We know the answer… most of us know that the LORD really IS the LORD – and that He truly is helping us. But I would be willing to bet that each of us - in our own way and because of our own circumstances – has cried out to God at one time or another and said, “I am not strong enough for this!” And the truth of the matter is that none of us really are strong enough for many of the challenges we face… under our own power. The beauty of our faith is that we don’t have to be!
Remember the angel’s words to Gideon… “The Lord is helping you… and you are a strong warrior.” I believe that God often understands our excuses and weaknesses in these situations. But we have to realize that God expects us to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps, to trust His power over our circumstances, and to move forward. God may allow us a momentary pity party… He may listen to our justifications for why we cannot do what He asks or accept His will for our lives. But we dare not linger here! God expects us to operate in faith… to acknowledge His sovereignty… and to proceed under His power and care!
I am as heartbroken as anyone over the inexplicable tragedies that have surrounded us in recent months. I still see Kristina’s bright, smiling, 5-year-old face, and I cannot fathom that her own little daughters will not have her to nurture them as they grow. But I know that God has big plans for each of us… that He is already bringing about blessings and knitting together circumstances that we could never even imagine on our own – much less implement. God is providing each of us with opportunities to serve and to share His message with others… even in the midst of our own trials and uncertainties. Of this, I am 100% certain!
So I will mourn the loss of a little-girl-turned-mother who has left us too soon… as well as the losses of those who have suffered and died in other recent tragedies. But I will not allow these experiences to defeat me – or to diminish my faith in God to give me power and strength far beyond what I have as a mortal being. I will believe that I am actually talking to the LORD… that He is always with me… and that with His help, I am a strong warrior. What about you?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 30, 2010
Matthew 24:43-46
Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in. Always be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A whole lot of preparation has been going on lately – for everything from holiday celebrations and gift-giving to abundant meals to football bowl games. And the question of the day seems to be “Are you ready?” People pass in the store and ask, “Are you ready for Christmas?” They see mutual fans for their football team and ask, “Are you ready for the big game?” The coaches are talking on newscasts about how they are preparing their team, and “We’re almost ready!”
The common thread for all of these events is that we know when they will occur. We know the date for Christmas, the Sugar Bowl, a wedding, and sometimes… even the birth of a baby! But we don’t know when Jesus will return. We don’t know when we will die and pass over into Heaven (hopefully!). We don’t know what will befall us next day/week/year.
So we have some work to do. It seems a little crazy that we work so hard to prepare for the events for which we know the date, yet the most important events of our lives don’t get nearly the same amount of attention. Would we work harder to be ready for Jesus if we knew the hour of our death or when He would return for His church? Would we procrastinate until the last minute, like we do about so many other things?
The point is… we do not know God’s timing. But we need to be ready! We need to continually be on top of our game… in the best possible condition… totally prepared and committed in service and obedience to our Heavenly Father. There will most likely be other Christmases. There may be more bowl games and second chances for other events… but we only get one shot at Eternity. There are no “do-overs!” when Jesus returns or calls us home. Will you be ready? Have you prepared daily to be called His faithful servant? Isn’t it time you began?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in. Always be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A whole lot of preparation has been going on lately – for everything from holiday celebrations and gift-giving to abundant meals to football bowl games. And the question of the day seems to be “Are you ready?” People pass in the store and ask, “Are you ready for Christmas?” They see mutual fans for their football team and ask, “Are you ready for the big game?” The coaches are talking on newscasts about how they are preparing their team, and “We’re almost ready!”
The common thread for all of these events is that we know when they will occur. We know the date for Christmas, the Sugar Bowl, a wedding, and sometimes… even the birth of a baby! But we don’t know when Jesus will return. We don’t know when we will die and pass over into Heaven (hopefully!). We don’t know what will befall us next day/week/year.
So we have some work to do. It seems a little crazy that we work so hard to prepare for the events for which we know the date, yet the most important events of our lives don’t get nearly the same amount of attention. Would we work harder to be ready for Jesus if we knew the hour of our death or when He would return for His church? Would we procrastinate until the last minute, like we do about so many other things?
The point is… we do not know God’s timing. But we need to be ready! We need to continually be on top of our game… in the best possible condition… totally prepared and committed in service and obedience to our Heavenly Father. There will most likely be other Christmases. There may be more bowl games and second chances for other events… but we only get one shot at Eternity. There are no “do-overs!” when Jesus returns or calls us home. Will you be ready? Have you prepared daily to be called His faithful servant? Isn’t it time you began?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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