seeing Jesus in my every day

After a few weeks of late nights, late mornings, and lack of routine, I’m attempting to get back on track with Scripture reading and some dedicated time to learning about the One who should be my first love.

To do so, I’m going to try to read and think on Philippians this week.  Today, I was struck by the call of God in chapter 3 to put no confidence in the flesh.  If you’re anything like me, then you’ve grown up constantly barraged by the idea that self confidence is vital to success in this life.

But, Paul says otherwise:

‘For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.  Philippians 3:3

NO confidence?  Really?  My mind goes to all the things that give me confidence in this life:

Family and Heritage-It’s easy to find pride and security in knowing my parents, their accomplishments, and my greater family’s heritage and history.

Wealth-I’m certainly not in the upper class strata of our country, but I can find myself confident because of the security and comfort provided by money and the things it can buy me.

Religion-In the weaker moments, when family or wealth or home seem to fail me in boosting self confidence, I can lean toward my religious activities.  If I start to waver in feeling good about myself, I can always turn to good deeds, church attendance or involvement, or past ministry successes for encouragement.

Education and Career-Though I can certainly find others who are better educated and more gainfully employed, I still tend towards defining myself by my intellectual or money earning capabilities.

Home and country-When I read about struggles in far off lands or even in ‘bad neighborhoods,’ I often find myself comforted to know I live in the US and have the ability to live in ’safer’ places.  Though not super patriotic or political, I can still find myself full of confidence based on my nationality and language.

Paul made a list in Philippians 3 of all his reasons for self confidence.  And though he said he had MORE reasons to be self confident than anyone else, he was counting all those things as a loss.

I have to ask myself this morning?  Can I do that?  Can I be thankful for all these blessings God has given me (family, wealth, education, etc.) and yet refuse to find my confidence in those blessings.

1. Could Christ’s love for me far surpass the love I can receive from family, husband, children?  Could the Father’s acceptance of me as His child be the only source of confidence I need, were I to lose or be betrayed by my earthly family?
2. Could the great riches of Christ’s character and person placed within me be so precious to me that I find more security there than in any wealth I might acquire on this earth?
3. Could the acceptance of Christ and His conforming me to His image satisfy me even if no human were to recognize my religious deeds and spiritual maturity?
4. Could knowing Christ and being taught His wisdom be more important to me than degrees of education or success and esteem in the workplace and among peers?
5. Could the comfort of being ‘at home’ with Christ and the promise of His eternal kingdom give me a sense of safety and assurance even in some of the darkest and dangerous areas of the world?

Questions like these and passages like this one in Philippians remind me that even in times of crazy schedules, I must be daily (hourly) be looking at Christ, learning from Him, and leaning on Him.  Without constant reminders of His beauty, His strength, His character, I’m certainly doomed to be full of self confidence and void of Christ confidence.

What parts of your flesh are most powerful at tempting you toward self confidence?   What practices and thoughts lead you towards Christ confidence?

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In my home, we enjoy a lot of the old Winnie the Pooh stories-the original stories where no one seems to know how to spell and Pooh Bear is obsessed with one thing-honey.  Tigger is one of our favorite characters as he seems to bring life to every page with his bouncing and lisping and adventuresome spirit. Nevertheless, as we read, I can’t help but notice Tigger’s infamous phrase:

‘THAT’S WHAT TIGGERS DO BEST.’

It would be understandable if Tigger said this about one or two particular skills.  But, it seems that nearly every story we read about Tigger includes his boasting that he can do something-the particular something everyone wants to do-the BEST.

Of course the story often proves him wrong as he gets himself into trouble by biting off more than he can chew or bothering all his buddies in the process of being ‘the BEST’. The truth, of course, is that Tigger does not do all these things ‘the BEST.’

• Pooh is much better at eating honey and being kind
• Rabbit is much better at gardening and organizing
• Roo is better at hill bouncing
• Even Eeyore is better at carrying things

Reading about Tigger’s boasting has reminded me of my own desire to be the ‘Best All Around’ (do you remember that award in high school?)  Though I can easily laugh with my kids at Tigger’s antics, it’s not quite as easy to laugh at myself when I realize that I’m not the best in a certain area…and maybe not in any area.

This division of skills and gifts among characters is not just something the creators of Winnie the Pooh dreamed up, but started with God’s design.  I’ve been reading about the BODY that God designed in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.  Just like the human body, He’s put in lots of parts that are all designed to carry out different functions.  And each part is vital to the LIFE of the BODY.

Sometimes, I must admit, I feel a bit like Piglet, the weak one that’s slowing everyone else down.  Or, like Eeyore, who can’t even seem to keep my tail on straight.  But, the best part of the Winnie the Pooh stories are the endings…when everyone is content in their own skin and doing their part to the best of their ability.

• Pooh is sharing his honey
• Rabbit is letting go a bit and sharing his garden’s bounty
• Piglet is making everyone laugh
• Owl is telling stories of his aunt or uncle or some estranged family member
• and Tigger is using his BEST skills to entertain or provide a new adventure for the group

Life in the body should be like this-where we are all content to be who God made us to be, certain of our calling and eager to use it in LOVE among the others God has called.  In the body of Christ, I have to remind myself that Jesus said we’d be known in the world, not by being THE BEST, but by loving one another—different as we all may be.

How have you discovered your role in the body of Christ?  Have you experienced times like Pooh’s stories, where individuals are fulfilling their roles in the body?  What do you think made this possible?

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The sun has been out for a few days here and the snow is starting to melt.  So, I’m thinking of flowers blooming and challenged to love and live the gospel in ’spring’ like ways.  Here are a few posts I’ve enjoyed over the past few weeks.  Happy weekend.  Hope it’s warm in your ‘neck of the woods.’

Wake me Up When Winter Ends-this is a post from last February and as I noticed some buds on our cherry tree outside, I couldn’t help but think about how God grows our roots in the cold, dry seasons so that the fruit will be that much greater come springtime.

How to Make Your Work Last Forever-I’ve recently subscribed to this blog and find Ann’s writing to be inspirational and personal.  She writes very poetically but in a manner that’s approachable and understandable.  I have been thinking a great deal about the need to do all things with love and Ann’s account of her family’s circumstances teaches the lesson so beautifully.

Our Whole Life as Christians-this is a great quote about the fact that the Christian walk is one of a constant return to the gospel.  I love this picture of life with Jesus.

Husband and Wife-this is a great simple quote about what husbands and wives are created to do for one another through Christ.  The simplicity of the words has stuck with me through the past week though the message continues to challenge me.

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Cause for Alarm

One early morning last week, I was dressing my son and discovered an unusual bruise.  It was unusual enough to cause a bit of worry.  And so, after calling the doctor and waiting for a return call, I conducted a quick Google search (not recommended for mothers who could tend towards overreacting).  A few very scary descriptions later, I was thankful to hear my phone buzzing with a call from the nurse.  She wasn’t alarmed and after a few days of watching the bruise diminish, my concerns are now fairly gone as well.

But, between the moments of discovering the mark and hearing that things will most likely be fine, I found myself filled with an amazingly high level of fear, love and hurt.  Imagining the worst, my world seemed to stop for about an hour as I considered what it would be like to lose one of my little ones.

Unfortunately, I know many of you have felt this pain, only to not be comforted by a quick call from the nurse, but to face the dark days of losing a child or watching your child through times of pain or distress.

Our Father in Heaven

Looking back on this event and others that have stirred up such extreme emotion, I’m reminded of the fact that God instructed us to call on Him as, ‘Father.’  And to consider the fact that as our Dad, He not only sees and cares for our physical struggles but most importantly for the fatal spiritual sickness from which we all suffer.  If a small bruise can cause such alarm in me, how much more has our sin and death sentence kept God’s eyes watching us through long and dark nights.

This day, as I hold my little ones tight and thank God for their health TODAY, I’m thankful for God’s cure for sin’s deathly grip and asking that I be awakened to long as intently for my children’s spiritual health as I do, in fearful moments, for their physical well-being.

HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

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Waiting on the Sun

We currently live on the East coast and this winter has produced record amounts of snowfall.  In fact, I sit looking at the window, hearing that more snow is about to come any minute.

Most days, when the sky is clear, the weather is not too hot or not too cold, I must admit that I don’t think much about God’s unlimited p0wer.  But, there are the days, when large storms roll in-thunder storms, rain storms, or all these snow storms.  And I’m reminded again of the power and sovereignty of this world’s Creator.

As the snow came down hard on us this past weekend, old and seemingly strong trees fell, roads were closed, power was off.  But the hope through the storm was that the snow would eventually let up and things would return to ‘normal.’  But after more than 24, 30 hours passed, the thought occurred to me that I was presuming on the goodness of God–assuming He would eventually stop the snow and show His sun again.

Listen to the Roar of His Voice

I love this section from Job:
At this my heart pounds
and leaps from its place.
Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth.
After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds,
he holds nothing back.
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
So that all men he has made may know his work,
he stops every man from his labor. Job 37:1-7

Stopped from our Labor

These are difficult days-the toddlers are eager to run and jump and slide and swing and my husband and I are eager to return to ‘business as usual.’  (Even the kids off from school in my neighborhood seem to be getting bored).

But, for today, He is once again stopping us from our own labors and reminding us of His work.  ‘Listen,’ He calls to me, ‘Listen to the roar of my voice, calling for the snow to fall to the ground.’

I’m still learning what the fear of God truly is, but I think some part of it must start with moments in the cold and dark–moments when my work stops and I am forced to wait on the mercy of God to come and shine His light and bring His warmth.

What lessons have you learned from your surroundings lately?  Any snow or cold in your area?

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