Get On Your Feet, C'mon and Make it Happen

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." 

Hebrews 13:8

So the light coming in our windows this morning woke me and a Voice said, "Today is a new day. You're awake in time to make a change. The dog's been running off because he's not getting enough exercise.  You tell me you'd like to feel more energetic and drop some pounds.  Here's your opportunity to do something about all of the above:  get up, get dressed, and take Gus for a brisk 20 minute walk. Now is the time to decide whether you're willing to work with Me to make it happen, or whether you'll keep waiting for Me to wave a magic wand and save you a lot of inconvenience and character - and, by the way, good luck with that last one."

I arose from my memory foam mattress, dressed to walk, found the leash, managed to attach it to a wiggling dog, took a deep breath, and opened the front door.  Trumpets sounded (a train horn blew) and the voices of many tribes and tongues sang out (cardinals, robins, mockingbirds, blue jays) in celebration of my decision to do what was best for woman and beast.   


Although I laughed out loud, God was telling me in His unique and humorous way that He was with me and celebrated my decision to join Him in working on things that bother me about myself and Gus.  

The Jesus Calling entry today starts with "I am with you and for you, your constant Companion and Provider. The question is whether you are with Me and for Me."  

Thank You God, for being my cheerleader and encourager in all things.  Thank You for caring about the things that bother me and for caring more about my character.  Thank You for using dogs, and birds and trains to to get me on track (Good one, God!).  Always speak as clearly to me as You did this morning and give me strength to respond with gratitude and obedience. May we join You to work on what bothers You about us and about Your church.  May we respond in gratitude and obedience as You mold our character. Thank You for never changing in spite of our rallies and our dips.  You are most Holy and most celebrated!
In the Name of Jesus - the Never-Changing One!

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. 
And I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you." Genesis 28:15

Down By The Riverside

     Veteran's Day has given me a rare day alone at home and I've wondered all weekend what I would do with it.  Creature of habit that I am, I woke at the usual time, enjoyed lying in bed sleepily recalling the weekend we shared with our church and community family in Springhill, Louisiana.  As they say, "God showed up."  His Spirit was obvious in the faces and voices of the musicians, in the words and encouragement of the leaders, and in the response of the congregation as we celebrated together the heritage of Central Baptist Church's 90-year anniversary.  I woke up wanting to fan the after-glow of yesterday's fellowship into full flame again, so I put the dog in the car and we went for a ride to see what colors God had on His palette this morning. 
     Everywhere I looked driving up Hot Springs Highway offered a burning bush, a field, a stream, a bridge, a gate, a barn, a driveway, a trail, a new curve in the road or a hill to top.  It was too much "God" to process. I could've spent all morning exploring, but I stopped at the riverside and let Little Mac stretch a bit as I absorbed the canvases Abba laid before me in this particular studio of His. 

     
      Down by the riverside, God reminded me of a few important lessons.  First, it's easy and tempting to look back to yesterday and think God only shows up in certain places or under certain conditions. We cling to those places and conditions wanting God to work in and around us exactly like He did then. But like a river, His work moves on through changing locations and landscapes. We must keep this faulty reasoning and miracle-binding nostalgia from blinding us to God's work where we are today.      

        Step Two of God's lesson plan for me today centered on this large leaf I watched fall in the river. 

It had hung in the same place for at least nine months watching the river roll by, shielding waders and swimmers, advancing in musical skills from a soft flutter to a crisp clap, and fighting off summer rains and storms to change from  translucent green to autumn brown.  What a life!  But, at this precise point in its leaf life, it was time to find out where the river goes; time to ride the rapids

    The leaf landed gingerly on the still waters, floating on its back to view its branch home and the sky beyond. In a moment,  a current caught it and pulled it under, popped it back up, drew it under again, rolled it, swirled it and sent it, stem up, faster and faster toward the first set of rapids. What a ride!

     God's creation shouts His glory and whispers His truths.  We don't have to stay where we are spiritually.  We don't have to be afraid we'll never be used again or never know His power like we once did.  We don't have to settle for half-hearted worship or lack-luster praise or shallow fellowship.  Today can be the day we look back to appreciate what God has done just long enough to let it propel us into finding out what He's doing today, where we are.

Like the last dying leaf on an autumn tree, 

I cling to what I know,

Afraid to let go,

Lost and alone in my own strength.

Then Your Spirit comes to me,

Whispering, "Child, I'll set you free,

from all that would hold you back." 

     Lord, thank You for working wherever we are, wherever You send us or wherever You keep us.  Thank You for the firm foundations of how You've worked before and for the promise that lies ahead if we'll let You take us on the ride of our lives. God help us trust You, trust Your plan, trust your Word. May we die to self today to see You live in and through us.  Thank You for the accountability of friends, for the body of people You testify through, for the encouragement and inspiration we find in people who've experienced Your power.  Give us the courage to make today the day we let go and let You sweep us forward.

In the Name of Jesus, Giver of New Life, the Root of Jesse, the Promised Messiah, the Vine

"For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life!"  Galatians 6:14-16