Change

I  just wanted to stop in and share a bit of what is going on. I'm in a very bitter sweet place right now but I know that through it God is stretching me and showing me things that I didn't even realize were there. Within the past few months a good amount of change has come. God is opening doors for a lot of people and physically moving them away from our church, my job, and even my state. Additionally, rumors have begun to circulate about my own job and the possibility of it too being moved out of state. So naturally these types of changes and life-events can cause a bit of uncertainty and usually with uncertainty fear tends to tag along. 

Change and transition in life is inevitable and is something that we can pretty much count on happening. Loved ones pass along from this life onto the next, career paths move us to new cities, God tells us our assignment at one church is over and that it's time to move on; these are all things that have taken place within my circle of friends and co-workers  in the past few months and the uncertainty of tomorrow weighs heavy on me. We've all felt the pressure of change and we have the choice to look at these life events through the eyes of fear or the eyes of faith. We cannot control everything that happens to us but we do have control how we react to it. 

It's in these life-changing events that we have to be sure we have our anchor, our point of reference, our constant thing that never changes. For those of us that are in fact followers of Christ and trust in God's word the only thing that never changes is Jesus. We know that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and in the process of change that we have to set aside our feelings and trust in the unchanging. I spent some time this morning in prayer and to be perfectly honest I was just a feeling a sad and I believe God understood that. He knows what is going on inside us better that we do but it was in that sadness that He comforted me. You see He knew I was struggling with emotional attachments and like a good Father He didn't make me feel condemned for it, He wrapped me in His arms and comforted me. I can't explain it but He was there in the middle of my living room at 3:45 in the morning and even though I was psychically alone I felt such a love, peace and a presence that just can't be verbally described. I knew it was His Holy Spirit being "A Comforter" as described in John 14:16 and He was just loving on me because He knows what we need even before we even ask (see Matthew 6:8). 

After that time with Him multiple scriptures began rising up within me. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you - Deuteronomy 31:6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

So be encouraged that God knows what you feel and your feelings are real and relevant but we can't allow our feelings to supersede our knowledge of what God's word says. The bottom line here is that in an ever-changing world there is only true constant is a never-changing God!

Take Care & God Bless,

-E

Masks

You Pharisees are a walking contradiction. You are so concerned about external things—like someone who washes the outside of a cup and bowl but never cleans the inside, which is what counts! Beneath your fastidious exterior is a mess of extortion and filth. Luke 11:39 (VOICE)

I really believe that God has been prompting me to talk (write) about this for a while now and it's come to the point where I can't put it off any longer. In the above portion of scripture Jesus is confronting a Pharisee in a way that I believe many of us today can relate to if we take the time to be honest and take a hard look in the mirror. As I was reading through this story I kept getting the impression of a mask. Webster defines the word as a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise. So it's pretty safe to say that figuratively we all wear masks from time to time and don't get me wrong at times I think these masks can be beneficial and healthy. However, saying that we eventually have to remove these masks and face God and ourselves.

Some of the masks are created out of insecurities, loss, pain, and countless other life-impacting events and for a season I believe they can help but I've seen that the masks can sometimes become stuck. Jesus called the Pharisees a "walking contradiction" the Pharisees were the best at wearing masks that they believe made them look more holy and religious. Now we all have played the religious card at one time or another. "Oh they smoke cigarettes...have tattoos...and only go to church one day a week...They can't be true believers then." It's this religious mask that has left a bad taste in the mouth of an unbelieving world towards the Church.

On a more personal level, you have the Pharisee…ah hem...I mean Christian that seems to perfect outwardly on Sunday morning then goes home and their behavior in no way resembles a Christ-like demeanor. Let's ask our loved ones how they would describe us. Spouses, would your spouse say that the way you speak to them, and treat them is out of love? Parents, would your kids say that Mommy and Daddy are always so kind and I always see them praying and reading their Bibles. What if a camera followed you on any given day and recorded everything you did and said; would you be comfortable showing the video in your church on Sunday morning? If you are a true follower of Christ you already have the Characteristics (peace, kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control, love, etc.) of His nature but whether you chose to walk in them or not, that's your decision.

You see we all have masks that we put on for one reason or another but in order to get to place where God has called us we need to take of these masks and just start letting our true Godly inner Man (woman) shine through. "I don't feel like it" and "You don't know what I've been through..." you say, well that's true but; if you are calling yourself a Christian isn't it time that you start believing like one? And even if you don't believe be honest about that, go before God and tell Him that, He is still big enough to work that unbelief out within you (see Mark 9:14-29). It all just starts with you taking off the masks that you've been wearing for so long and being honest with God and yourself. 

Take Care & God Bless,

Title: Still Believe

Artist: Kim Walker-Smith

Album: Still Believe