OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE

He has called us to OBEY.

Instead, we choose to run.

Away from Him.

We run.

He chases.

R-e-l-e-n-t-l-e-s-s-l-y.

We run back.

Back and forth. Back and forth.

Before Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, the running back would materialise itself in animal sacrifices.

That’s what we’re so caught up doing; sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice.

Sinning.

Repenting.

Sinning.

Repenting.

The cycle never ends.

Yes, we’re allowed to make mistakes. For when we do, grace abounds.

Yes, this world is so full of evil.

Situations turn ugly.

People are unbearable.

The temptations are too strong.

We falter.

We cave.

We need to stop glorifying the sacrifices and the lessons learnt through our running away from Him.

Storms do produce character. But self-inflicted storms that we stir up from our disobedience are not on Him, they’re on us.

And yet, He works even that into good.

He does not demand perfection. Just a heart willing to obey. To take the narrow road.

We need to start realising that the rewards gained, the fruits produced, and the lessons learnt in our obedience are far, far greater.

We need to start telling ourselves that obedience draws us so much nearer to the Father’s heart than every victory over our rebelliousness ever could.

He doesn’t even ask us to do it alone.

The Spirit guides.

The Spirit gives strength.

The Spirit equips.

Allow Him to work.

So how about this; how about we strive to obey?

DEAR SUMMER 2o18

Dear Summer Twenty Eighteen,

You’ve showed me that “hopeless” does not exist in the dictionary of my great God. Hard hearts can repent. Relationships can be restored. Forgiveness can be sought. Forgiveness can be granted. Families can be brought together.

Thank you for showing me that if it isn’t good, it isn’t the end. No situation is too hopeless. No heart is too far gone. He is still at work.

Thank you for showing me how He lifts up Nehemiah’s amongst us. Drawing themselves out of the comforts of their palaces and placing them amongst the ruined cities. Our ruin. Making our pain their pain. Turning their “your problems” into “our problems”. Tirelessly going around our walls and pointing out all the areas that require work.

Nehemiah’s that testify of His past victories. Nehemiah’s that strengthen our hands to build. Because of them we say “let us rise and build”. Because of them we begin to rebuild. Because of them we see His love. Because of them we believe in His love. These love as He did. Unconditionally. Tirelessly. Putting all else aside.

Summer ’18, you kicked down walls and flung open doors even where windows had no scope of breakthrough. Church seats filled up. His bride came together. Distinctive parts drew closer.

And then there were all the small things. The friendships. This blog. Small desires of my heart, big desires for Him.

Twenty eighteen, your summer might just have been the best one yet. A one where He broke through in the big and in the small. A one filled with love and hope.

Because His plans are still to prosper. Because He has not forgotten us.

My friend, if He can do it for me. He can do it for you!

QUIT QUESTIONING, START TRUSTING

God.

Wisdom so deep. Power so great.

God.

Mountain mover. Foundation trembler. Sun shielder. Star maker. Star destroyer. Sky stretcher. Water walker.

God.

He does wonders that cannot be understood. Miracles that cannot be counted.

And yet, we think we are worthy enough to question. We think we are wise enough to know what’s right, what’s best. But, like Job says, “Even if I were right, I could not answer Him; I could only beg God, my Judge, for mercy.” “Even if I were right, my own mouth would say I was wrong; if I were innocent, my mouth would say I was guilty.” Who are we to question His ways? Who are we to justify?

These verses aren’t intended to shun or to make us feel worthless. If anything, it should do the opposite. This God, clothed in majesty and armed in strength, looked down at us and found us worthy of His love. And He didn’t just choose to give us life through His Son but chooses to show us kindness and carefully watch over our lives. Now I can rest easy because I know it isn’t all on me. This God is on my side. What more do I need?

So, quit questioning. Start trusting.

GRAB ON

The sound of the water is loud; the ocean waves are powerful, but the Lord above is much greater.

Psalm 93:4

The insults, the opinions, the negativity, the bickering, the self-hate, the comparisons, the gossiping, the voices of the internet, the voices in your head, the pinging of your phone.  The sound of the water. Loud. Never-ending. Never considerate. Hardly loving. Your body; high enough to hear and low enough to know that one more tug of this water will result in drowning.

And then there’s the uncontrollable. The situations. The church, the family, the future. All the questions. All the uncertainty. Pulling you left and right. Tossing you from one end to the other. For a few seconds there’s hope as you think your toes graze the bottom of the ocean. But who are you kidding, you’re in the middle of an ocean, not by the shores of a beach. So far gone, there’s no sign of hope. These ocean waves. Relentless. These ocean waves. Powerful.

It’s funny how the author says “the Lord above”. Not behind; waiting at the shore. The shore where you once had your life together and when your righteousness was intact. Not before either; the end of the line. Where it’ll all fall into place. Where it’ll all make sense. Nope. Not behind, not before, but, above! Look above because that is where your help will come from. He has the power to piece your life back together. In the now. He has the power to change your situation. In the now. And He isn’t just above literally. He is above it all spiritually. When this fallen, evil world tosses you around like you’re nothing, keep your eyes fixed on Him. On His outstretched arm. His ever-present help; there all along.

He will silence the waters. He will still the waters.

All you’ve got to do is look up and grab on.

BE REAL

He sees.

The worship charisma.
The social media holiness.
The people pleasing.

Saying the right thing.
Doing the right thing.
Your leaves.
Dressing your fig tree.

And He comes toward.
He approaches.
Acknowledging the effort.
Never disregarding.
He stretches out His hand.
Expecting fruit.

He sees the facade.
He wants to see past the pretense.

What a God.
Seeing the hypocrisy.
Still hoping for the best.

He stretches out His hand.
Expecting fruit.
But there isn’t any.

Leaves are good.
Leaves are beautiful.
Leaves are an indication of the season.
But the fruit more so.
It indicates the state of the heart.
Focus on your fruit.
Let the leaves follow.

CAUGHT UP IN THE PAST?

Picture this: Israelites. Just rescued from Egypt. In the wilderness. Complaining. Wanting better. Better food. More fish. A better life. Apparently the dew-turned-seeds-turned-food falling from the sky was lacking. God provided their every need and apparently that wasn’t good enough. They couldn’t see the miracle in the midst of their greed.

Such are our hearts. Constantly desiring more. Clouded by our safe yet bleak pasts. The Israelites knew not what they were asking. So focused on how life was “better in the past” that they lost sight of the riches in store. So willing to give up the promised greatness down the road that they were willing to not walk the road at all.

Such is the way we reject God. When we choose to settle. When we grumble. When we refuse to see the gravity of the miracles being performed right before our eyes. When we choose not to trust. When we want to go back because the present is too hard. When we choose to give up the glorious blessings in store for us. We lose sight of Him. We lose sight of His character. Of His love. Of His plans for us. Of Him being God.

And the funniest thing is that the life they wanted to go back to wasn’t even great at all. Far, far, far from! They were slaves. In bondage. Captives. With absolutely no freedom. These people saw the hand of God the minute Moses stepped into the scene right to and after their exodus from Egypt. They were free. Chosen by God. Subject to miracles on a daily basis. They had the presence of God before and behind them. LITERALLY. They didn’t need to do anything; God was doing everything for them. But idleness, travel and the lack of fish weighed everything in comparison to the profound manifestation of God in their lives.

We don’t deserve a God like this. We don’t. I know the Israelites didn’t. And more so; I know I don’t. I grumble when the cold gets too cold for this desert kid in the UK. I complain about the cultural differences. I curse when I have to move a muscle or two and walk places. I get discouraged when I’m misunderstood or made fun of. I refuse to see how the very fact that I’m in Oxford is a miracle. How He provides for my every need. And constantly at the back of my mind I keep desiring to go back. Back is great. Back is where the family is. Where the heart is. Where the warmth is. Ah! But back is not where I’m meant to be. I don’t need to be in the wilderness. My own grumbling and mistrust put me here. Like it did with the Israelites.

So, don’t allow your heart to harden. Look ahead. To all that He has in store for you. And while He takes you down the path to where He wants you to be; keep your eyes fixed on Him. On His promises. On His covenant. On His cloud that goes before and behind you. On His Spirit that guides. On His love. Live loved. Walk loved. For He is not weak! He will do what He says. He will be with you always. And He WILL take you to your promised land.

But be careful what you ask for. They wanted fish, they got quail. And with it they got sick and died. He knows what’s best for us. And apparently quail wasn’t. He won’t deprive us of our cravings and sinful desires. But with these cravings comes consequences. Don’t be going outside the camp. Draw near to the centre. That’s where He was. That’s where He is. That’s where He wants us to be.