“Hey, its’ me…”
I paused after playing my answering machine message to listen closely. The voice on the other end sounded familiar, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on which of my friends was “me”.
Preoccupied with the mail, I hadn’t focused on the message the first time. So, I replayed the message, and listened carefully to the mystery caller…
Join me today as I post at the Internet Cafe. Click HERE to read the rest of my devotion.
Carol
“I think I’m going to fail,” my son mumbled about his upcoming standardized test at school. “You can’t fail,” I explained. “It’s just a test to let the teacher know where you stand. She needs to know your level, so she can plan for the third grade.”
I recalled my years of training to become a teacher. I knew the importance of testing, but I also knew how nervous it could make the children. I tried to encourage my son to do his best, so that he could let the teacher know what things he mastered and where he needed help.
The conversation led me to think of some of the tests in my life lately. If God already knows everything, I wondered, then why does He test us at all? He knows the outcome before it even happens. I spent some time in prayer and in God’s Word looking for the answers. I’d love to share with you what I found.
1. The one who learns from the test is you.
While our children are tested for the benefit of the teacher, we are tested for our own benefit. When we go through trials, it brings us to a place where we learn more about ourselves.
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Genesis 22:1-2 NIV
God used this test to teach Abraham that he truly could depend on Him to provide. Abraham was willing to give his long-awaited child back to God, and God instead provided a ram for the sacrifice.
Often we don’t know how much our faith can be stretched until it’s tested.
2. Testing is a catalyst that brings us to change.
When we are riding the fence of faith, God can use a test to push us to the other side. We become who God wants us to be only through the trials of the test.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. Exodus 16:4 NIV
The Israelites weren’t completely dependent on God at this point. They knew He was powerful and He was the God of Moses, but it wasn’t until they were tested that they learned to fully depend on Him. God wanted His people to trust Him to meet their needs daily. Through the test, their relationship with Him changed from one of distance to one of intimacy. He became their personal God.
3. Testing makes us stronger.
To discuss this, I must talk about heating steel. The hardness of steel is created by the degree at which it is heated and cooled. When it has been heated to cherry hot and then plunged into freezing water (Ever been in a test that felt like this?), the steel becomes stronger. Steel that has been slowly heated and slowly cooled is much softer.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV
Paul had this one figured out. He tells us, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.” (2 Cor. 11:24-26 NIV) And I would venture to say Paul had one strong faith.
God already knows the answers, but more importantly He knows the person you are going to become. So next time you find yourself in the midst of a trial, stop and remember God is just bringing you to become the person He created you to be. And in that, find peace.
This is a post originally from June of 2009. It speaks to me again today. Are you being tested right now? Stand firm and cling to God.
Carol
Do you have a perfect love? Join me at the Presidential Prayer Team to hear more about it. Click HERE to read my devotion.
**Reminder: This direct link is only good for today. After today, you’ll have to choose 2/14 from the drop down menu.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
Carol
A splash of color caught my eye as my fingers stretched and popped over my keyboard. Glancing down at my hand, I found the culprit.
Mashed between gold settings and the flash of diamonds was neon yellow play-doh dried in my wedding band. My mind immediately flashed to hours earlier when I rolled, cut, pressed and molded the squishy stuff with my daughter Grace. While trying to write at the kitchen table, she begged for me to get down cans of the age-old toy and join her. I figured I must have gotten it stuck in my ring while rolling snakes. “’Nother one,” Grace kept telling me as she slithered bright blue and yellow serpents across the table. “Sssssssss,” her tongue wagged between her tiny lips and teeth.
Focusing again on my wedding ring, I reached over to scratch away the dried up substance only to find it wouldn’t budge. As I walked to the bathroom to wash the play-doh away, I noticed how it covered the sparkle of my diamonds and realized it was a great representation of my marriage.
Sometimes, without me realizing, the kids get put first, and my husband is moved to the back burner. The glitz and sparkle of our passion is covered with Barbie, Legos, and Polly Pocket shoes. If I were to look closely, I’d notice the big clump of Play-doh on top of my hubby, but more often than not I’m too busy to pay attention.
Not long ago, I was in a group of women where one of them said, “I feel so guilty when I put my kids second. I feel like they should always come first, but sometimes I have to put my man first.” When the lady shared, heads all over the room began nodding. Unfortunately, this is the opinion of many. Women feel guilty when they put their kids on hold for their husbands. This shouldn’t be.
For as many who don’t understand the correct order of things are the ones who understand it, but fail to make it happen. I know my husband should come before my kids but am often guilty of getting the order reversed. I’m preaching to the ladies here but gentlemen, you aren’t off the hook. Guys are just as guilty of allowing their jobs to take top priority.
If you aren’t sure whether or not you’ve put your kids before your spouse, just ask. Make time to talk to the love of your life and check to see if you make them feel important.
As you prepare for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, reflect on your relationship and make sure you have your priorities in the right order: 1. God 2. Spouse 3. Kids. It’s really as easy as 1,2, 3.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Cor. 13:7 ESV
What things do you do to help keep your marriage relationship before the kids?
Carol
My Sunday school teacher is dead.
His death was just as blunt and rude as that statement. We were given no time to say good-bye, no adjustment period, no moments (even fleeting) to allow our minds to comprehend the possibility. And we were left standing stock still with our mouths hanging collectively open wondering, “What happened?”
He slipped quietly from this world with no one watching. No wife to hold his hand. No mother shedding tears. He was across the nation on business and suffered a heart attack. He was gone – just like that. By the time his wife was informed, he was already walking with Jesus.
This man was not just my Sunday school teacher for the past eleven years; he was my friend. Like many whose lives have been touched, I am broken. Why is it we Christians can preach, teach, sing, write and wear t-shirts about life after death? We talk about heaven with stars in our eyes, but when one of our own is granted passage, we act as if it isn’t fair.
I’m guilty as charged. When I heard the news, I left my full cart in the grocery aisle and ran from the store with tears flowing. As soon as I was alone in my car the sobs rolled out in wails, and the moan that followed was probably one uttered by many. “Why, Lord? Why?”
Do we shake our heads and stomp our feet when we hear of someone winning the lottery, saying, “That’s just not right. He shouldn’t have to deal with that much money?” Obviously not.
I’ve been praying a lot about this situation – hurting for my friend who is left to raise her two young children alone, but believing her husband is truly in the arms of God. I do believe there is life after death for those of us who choose to claim it. (Romans 10:9) But I also believe there is life IN death. Let me explain.
On January 12, 2012 (exactly three weeks before the death), I wrote in my journal, “For the past 3 days, I have seen/read the story of Lazarus 3 times in 3 different places. I know God is trying to speak to me through it.” I went on to write, “God, what is dead that you are going to bring back to life?” You see, I had no idea God was preparing me for this. But in His ultimate sovereignty, He was.
In the days leading up to the funeral, I’ve had the opportunity to really become the Everyday Missionary – to meet the needs of those hurting around me. I’ve been allowed to minister to my friend while she mourns. I was given the honor of writing the obituary. And to my great surprise, others have been watching. They have contacted me to let me know how touched they’ve been by it. While I’ve been shaking my head in confusion, my husband said, “Is it possible that God is using this to launch and grow your idea of being an Everyday Missionary?” There is life IN death.
Another close friend of mine called me last night excited. God has been speaking to her through this death, as well. He is opening doors for a large-scale ministry she has only dreamed of for years. “Shawn’s death has motivated me to move forward,” she told me. There is life IN death.
I sat listening to the gospel message yesterday during the funeral. I knew without a shadow of doubt there were those in the church who were making a decision to choose Christ over death, and many others were committing to change the way they were doing life. There is life IN death.
This realization doesn’t change that every other second I’m thinking of my precious friend and her sweet children as they learn to live again without their daddy. I’m still hurting, and I’m still crying. But here’s the thing. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. We have to start making a difference today. There is life IN death – if we allow Christ to raise it.
When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:43-44 ESV
If you’ve been broken, if you’ve lost someone close to you, if your marriage is dead, allow Jesus to gently blow in you the hope of the living. He can perform a Lazarus moment in you. There is life IN death. What will you choose to do about it?
Please pray for my friend Valerie and her children as they mourn the loss of a great man. Shawn Smith left a wonderful legacy to inspire us all.
***UPDATE: Due to the large numbers of people reading and sharing this post, I have to believe that some of you may not be sure of your salvation. Shawn Smith is in Heaven. Do you know without a shadow of a doubt that you will see him again? If you aren’t sure where you’ll go when you die, did you know that you can? God gives anyone who chooses it the free gift of salvation. Want to know how?
It’s really pretty simple. Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you see, “Do you know my Jesus?” This will lead you through the steps to accept Christ as your personal Savior. If you do this, please email me so that I can pray for you.
Carol