I love this quote by John Wayne: "Courage is being scared to death . . . but saddling up anyway."
We don't need to get down on ourselves when fear invades our life. It’s what we do with the fear that matters. Even the great apostle Paul experienced fear. He said in 1 Corinthians 2:3, "I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling." Paul went to the Corinthians in spite of his fear. He "saddled up."
Some of the synonyms for weakness are feebleness, puniness, frailty, helplessness, inability, exhaustion. The word fear means fright, terror, panic, alarm, timidity. Paul felt that way in addition to "much trembling" which is to shake, quake, shudder, shiver.
What caused Paul to go the Corinthians despite his feelings of weakness, fear, and trembling? Obviously, his obedience to Christ overruled his fear. But also, I believe Paul saw his message of the cross so crucial that it overrode any fright he had. Paul loved the Corinthians enough to put aside his fears for their wellbeing.
So what do we do when fear squashes our courage?
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. . .He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:4,8b
Jesus endured the cross for our salvation. Do we love as Christ loved? Are we willing to overcome our fear for the benefit of others? Fear calls us to look inward; courage calls us to look outward and upward.
Sometimes I'm tempted to use my chronic illness as an excuse when God calls me to do something scary. You know what keeps me going? First, thinking about Christ's sacrifice for me. Then, thinking about people like Joni Erickson Tada. I'm sure she's overcome many fears so that God could work through her in an amazing way.
You may be the example of courage that someone is looking for. We never know who's watching our lives. So,ladies, we live in Texas. Next time we’re scared to death to step out in faith and obey God, let’s saddle up anyway!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Facing our Fears
Franklin D. Roosevelt, at the height of the Great Depression, uttered these memorable words during his first inaugural address: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Fear seeps into our minds, leaving us apprehensive, discouraged, and anxious. Fear feeds on itself. Roosevelt recognized that fear brings panic and often the inability to act.
It's interesting that one of the synonyms for fear is distrust. It took me a long time to realize that when I let fear dominate my thoughts I am not trusting God.
I find it encouraging that seemingly weak people in the Bible are the very ones whom God often calls to carry out His plans. God called Gideon to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. Gideon's answer - "But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." God's reply - "I will be with you, and you will strike down the Midianites as if they were one man."
Gideon was obviously afraid, but God reassured him and used him anyway in spite of his fear. When God calls me to do something that seems overwhelming,I often look at my limited ability rather than God's great power.
And then there's Moses. Who can forget his response when God said to him, "Now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." Whoa! That hit Moses like a ton of bricks. He said to God, "But who am I, that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" We see God's patience as Moses threw out one excuse after another about why he couldn't do what God commanded. The Lord answered all his objections, yet Moses said, "O, Lord, please send someone else to do it." Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses.
Friends, this story motivates me to face my fears and obey God when He puts seemingly impossible tasks before me. Not because of His anger, but because no matter what Moses came up with, God's answer was bigger than Moses' fear.
When I was a student at DTS, I used Moses as my password to get into my student account because I felt like Moses. "Who am I to be doing"...whatever it was God was leading me to do. I changed my password to Esther during my last semester at DTS, choosing to believe that God had called me for "such a time as this." I still revert back to my doubting Moses identity occasionally, but thankfully I don't stay there.
Imagine the Creator of the universe wanting to use us to fulfill His purposes on earth! What could be more exciting, rewarding, or meaningful? As we face our fears, we will discover God's faithfulness in enabling us to complete whatever He calls us to do. Let's go for it!
Antidote to fear: A greater understanding of who God is, His power and might and ability to work through us when we submit to Him. That comes only from spending time with Him in prayer and in His word. How big is God in your eyes?
Fear seeps into our minds, leaving us apprehensive, discouraged, and anxious. Fear feeds on itself. Roosevelt recognized that fear brings panic and often the inability to act.
It's interesting that one of the synonyms for fear is distrust. It took me a long time to realize that when I let fear dominate my thoughts I am not trusting God.
I find it encouraging that seemingly weak people in the Bible are the very ones whom God often calls to carry out His plans. God called Gideon to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites. Gideon's answer - "But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." God's reply - "I will be with you, and you will strike down the Midianites as if they were one man."
Gideon was obviously afraid, but God reassured him and used him anyway in spite of his fear. When God calls me to do something that seems overwhelming,I often look at my limited ability rather than God's great power.
And then there's Moses. Who can forget his response when God said to him, "Now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." Whoa! That hit Moses like a ton of bricks. He said to God, "But who am I, that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" We see God's patience as Moses threw out one excuse after another about why he couldn't do what God commanded. The Lord answered all his objections, yet Moses said, "O, Lord, please send someone else to do it." Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses.
Friends, this story motivates me to face my fears and obey God when He puts seemingly impossible tasks before me. Not because of His anger, but because no matter what Moses came up with, God's answer was bigger than Moses' fear.
When I was a student at DTS, I used Moses as my password to get into my student account because I felt like Moses. "Who am I to be doing"...whatever it was God was leading me to do. I changed my password to Esther during my last semester at DTS, choosing to believe that God had called me for "such a time as this." I still revert back to my doubting Moses identity occasionally, but thankfully I don't stay there.
Imagine the Creator of the universe wanting to use us to fulfill His purposes on earth! What could be more exciting, rewarding, or meaningful? As we face our fears, we will discover God's faithfulness in enabling us to complete whatever He calls us to do. Let's go for it!
Antidote to fear: A greater understanding of who God is, His power and might and ability to work through us when we submit to Him. That comes only from spending time with Him in prayer and in His word. How big is God in your eyes?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Delayed Dreams
Job 42:12 says "And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning." As a late bloomer, I whooped with joy when I first read that verse. I wrote it on an index card and have it on my desk to remind me that with God it's never too late for Him to fulfill dreams.
Throughout my life, one of my greatest regrets was that I never finished college. In my early 50's I found out about a small Christian college that would give me credit for my life experiences if I wrote a relevant paper. I was accepted and attended the college for about a year. My credits added up to 30 at the end of the year.
One of the instructors was an intern from Dallas Theological Seminary. One night he mentioned that DTS would accept someone without an undergraduate degree if he or she had enough ministry experience plus an acceptable score on the GRE. The admissions committee reviews each of these types of applications individually and makes a decision.
Shortly after that I was driving down the freeway, and God very clearly spoke to my heart to apply to DTS. I kind of laughed like Sarai when God told her she was going to have a child when she old and barren. But, convinced that I was supposed to do this, I attended a "Discover Dallas" day which gives prospective students the opportunity to find out about DTS.
We had the opportunity to sit in on classes, which I loved. My excitement level soared as I listened to teaching by some of the best Bible professors in the world. Could it be possible that God really meant to fulfull my dream by getting me into DTS? I came back to earth with a huge thump as I sat through lunch. The president of DTS highlighted one of the prospective students whose parents (and I think other relatives) had both attended DTS. He had high praise for the young twenty-something.
Also at lunch those around my table asked each other about their undergraduate background. Where is that hole that opens up when you need it? Thoughts of my unstable, sinful background, my lack of a degree, and my age bombarded me. Rather than fixing my eyes on Jesus and who I am now as a child of God, I let the enemy convince me that I didn't belong at DTS. All I wanted to do was escape the shame I now felt.
Biting my lip to hold back the tears, I got up to leave. However, God had other plans. Somehow I ended up talking to a kind, compassionate, and encouraging admissions counselor. He listened to my doubts and then said, "Why don't you apply anyway; you never know."
Well, I did. . .and I was turned down, even though I did well enough on the GRE to be admitted (that was a shock). "Lord, did I not hear you correctly?" I prayed. The letter telling me I didn't make it told me to apply again in a year, so I did. I was turned down again! A couple of years later I sensed that God was telling me to try again. This time I had no illusions about being accepted, but if God wanted to me try again, I would. Surprise! After five years and three trys, I made it. So, at age 54 1/2 I enrolled as a student at DTS. I graduated three and a half years later with a master's in Christian Ed.
Lessons learned:
Comparing ourselves with others leads to pride or disillusionment. God's Word tells us not to do it, so why do we struggle so much with it? I shudder when I think how close I came to walking away from the dream that the Lord wanted to fulfill for me.
God's timing is perfect. Between the time I first applied and the time I was accepted, DTS changed their policy on students without an undergraduate degree. I would only have been allowed to earn a certificate in Biblical studies rather than a master's if I had been accepted the first or second time I applied.
With God all things are possible. I have fibromyalgia, and when I took the GRE I was experiencing foggy brain which means I couldn't think. I prayed my way through the test, and the Lord in His graciousness allowed me to score high enough for DTS requirements. Also, I needed 30 hours to apply to DTS which is exactly what I had.
With God, it's never too late to see your dreams fulfilled. I graduated when I was 57 years old. He alone enabled me to finish in spite of constant pain and overwhelming fatigue. I will never forget staring at a blank computer screen when I had to write papers, not knowing how I could do this. Except for the year I spent at the small Bible college, I had been out of school for over 30 years. Yet amazingly over and over I got papers back with A's or B's.
The greatest thing that came from my time at DTS was a fresh, expanded awareness of God's faithfulness. Over and over He kept me going when I didn't think I could put one foot in front of the other. My dependency on Christ grew exponentially. I hung on to Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Dear friends, God wants to fulfill your dreams! Trust His heart and His timing. Know that He desires wonderful things for you. The path to the fulfillment of your dreams may be long and hard, but it is so worth it. Don't give up! Many times I came home from DTS and collapsed, barely able to move. When my faith was weak, He was still faithful. We serve a mighty God who is able to do more than we can think or imagine.
Let me pray for us. Dear Father, thank you that You have wonderful things planned for us. Help us to trust You and not give up. Help us to be obedient and follow Your plan for our lives. Ultimately, it's about glorifying You and fulfilling YOUR purposes on earth. I pray my sisters in Christ would catch a renewed vision of Your great faithfulness and Your ability to finish the good work You started in us (Philippians 1:6). We love You and praise You for Your grace, mercy, and love. In the precious name of Jesus, amen!
Throughout my life, one of my greatest regrets was that I never finished college. In my early 50's I found out about a small Christian college that would give me credit for my life experiences if I wrote a relevant paper. I was accepted and attended the college for about a year. My credits added up to 30 at the end of the year.
One of the instructors was an intern from Dallas Theological Seminary. One night he mentioned that DTS would accept someone without an undergraduate degree if he or she had enough ministry experience plus an acceptable score on the GRE. The admissions committee reviews each of these types of applications individually and makes a decision.
Shortly after that I was driving down the freeway, and God very clearly spoke to my heart to apply to DTS. I kind of laughed like Sarai when God told her she was going to have a child when she old and barren. But, convinced that I was supposed to do this, I attended a "Discover Dallas" day which gives prospective students the opportunity to find out about DTS.
We had the opportunity to sit in on classes, which I loved. My excitement level soared as I listened to teaching by some of the best Bible professors in the world. Could it be possible that God really meant to fulfull my dream by getting me into DTS? I came back to earth with a huge thump as I sat through lunch. The president of DTS highlighted one of the prospective students whose parents (and I think other relatives) had both attended DTS. He had high praise for the young twenty-something.
Also at lunch those around my table asked each other about their undergraduate background. Where is that hole that opens up when you need it? Thoughts of my unstable, sinful background, my lack of a degree, and my age bombarded me. Rather than fixing my eyes on Jesus and who I am now as a child of God, I let the enemy convince me that I didn't belong at DTS. All I wanted to do was escape the shame I now felt.
Biting my lip to hold back the tears, I got up to leave. However, God had other plans. Somehow I ended up talking to a kind, compassionate, and encouraging admissions counselor. He listened to my doubts and then said, "Why don't you apply anyway; you never know."
Well, I did. . .and I was turned down, even though I did well enough on the GRE to be admitted (that was a shock). "Lord, did I not hear you correctly?" I prayed. The letter telling me I didn't make it told me to apply again in a year, so I did. I was turned down again! A couple of years later I sensed that God was telling me to try again. This time I had no illusions about being accepted, but if God wanted to me try again, I would. Surprise! After five years and three trys, I made it. So, at age 54 1/2 I enrolled as a student at DTS. I graduated three and a half years later with a master's in Christian Ed.
Lessons learned:
Comparing ourselves with others leads to pride or disillusionment. God's Word tells us not to do it, so why do we struggle so much with it? I shudder when I think how close I came to walking away from the dream that the Lord wanted to fulfill for me.
God's timing is perfect. Between the time I first applied and the time I was accepted, DTS changed their policy on students without an undergraduate degree. I would only have been allowed to earn a certificate in Biblical studies rather than a master's if I had been accepted the first or second time I applied.
With God all things are possible. I have fibromyalgia, and when I took the GRE I was experiencing foggy brain which means I couldn't think. I prayed my way through the test, and the Lord in His graciousness allowed me to score high enough for DTS requirements. Also, I needed 30 hours to apply to DTS which is exactly what I had.
With God, it's never too late to see your dreams fulfilled. I graduated when I was 57 years old. He alone enabled me to finish in spite of constant pain and overwhelming fatigue. I will never forget staring at a blank computer screen when I had to write papers, not knowing how I could do this. Except for the year I spent at the small Bible college, I had been out of school for over 30 years. Yet amazingly over and over I got papers back with A's or B's.
The greatest thing that came from my time at DTS was a fresh, expanded awareness of God's faithfulness. Over and over He kept me going when I didn't think I could put one foot in front of the other. My dependency on Christ grew exponentially. I hung on to Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Dear friends, God wants to fulfill your dreams! Trust His heart and His timing. Know that He desires wonderful things for you. The path to the fulfillment of your dreams may be long and hard, but it is so worth it. Don't give up! Many times I came home from DTS and collapsed, barely able to move. When my faith was weak, He was still faithful. We serve a mighty God who is able to do more than we can think or imagine.
Let me pray for us. Dear Father, thank you that You have wonderful things planned for us. Help us to trust You and not give up. Help us to be obedient and follow Your plan for our lives. Ultimately, it's about glorifying You and fulfilling YOUR purposes on earth. I pray my sisters in Christ would catch a renewed vision of Your great faithfulness and Your ability to finish the good work You started in us (Philippians 1:6). We love You and praise You for Your grace, mercy, and love. In the precious name of Jesus, amen!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Late Bloomers, Take Heart!
We've all heard of Grandma Moses. Did you know that she painted her first picture when she was 76 years old? She continued to paint almost every day until a few months before her death at 101. Her paintings hang in nine museums in the United States as well as museums in Vienna and Paris. Grandma Moses took up painting because arthritis had crippled her hands and she could no longer embroider. What a woman!
The Grandma Moseses of this world give me hope. I am a late bloomer, and for many years I beat myself up because I felt like I should be further along in life. My early life shouted "mess!" It was only when my relationship with Christ began at age 32 that I started learning what life is all about. I had so much to unlearn - it was the old one step forward and two steps back.
Philippians 1:6 says that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on until the day of completion." That's a wonderful promise, but it can throw you for a loop when God starts carrying it out. He set about pruning me for His purposes after I was saved, but I had this unrealistic view of the Christian life. For many years I didn't understand that He was ridding me of pride, selfishness, and many other un Christlike characteristics. Therefore, I pitched fits like the child I was rather than cooperating with Him when difficult things happened in my life. But...God does not give up on us! Even in the midst of giving Him a hard time, I saw progress. Now, thirty years later, I can look back and thank God for disciplining me. Hebrews 12:11 is so true: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful (Amen!). Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
I love the story of Caleb. This feisty 85 year old claimed his portion when the land was being divided among the tribes of Israel. Here's what he said: "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day." He then promised Joshua that he would drive out the Anakites. He got his land, and he kept his promise!
How about you? Are you a late bloomer? Do you have dreams that lie buried deep in your heart? My friend, with the Lord it is never too late! Look for the next post where I'll tell you how God resurrected a dream that I thought was dead. Talk to you soon!
The Grandma Moseses of this world give me hope. I am a late bloomer, and for many years I beat myself up because I felt like I should be further along in life. My early life shouted "mess!" It was only when my relationship with Christ began at age 32 that I started learning what life is all about. I had so much to unlearn - it was the old one step forward and two steps back.
Philippians 1:6 says that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on until the day of completion." That's a wonderful promise, but it can throw you for a loop when God starts carrying it out. He set about pruning me for His purposes after I was saved, but I had this unrealistic view of the Christian life. For many years I didn't understand that He was ridding me of pride, selfishness, and many other un Christlike characteristics. Therefore, I pitched fits like the child I was rather than cooperating with Him when difficult things happened in my life. But...God does not give up on us! Even in the midst of giving Him a hard time, I saw progress. Now, thirty years later, I can look back and thank God for disciplining me. Hebrews 12:11 is so true: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful (Amen!). Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
I love the story of Caleb. This feisty 85 year old claimed his portion when the land was being divided among the tribes of Israel. Here's what he said: "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day." He then promised Joshua that he would drive out the Anakites. He got his land, and he kept his promise!
How about you? Are you a late bloomer? Do you have dreams that lie buried deep in your heart? My friend, with the Lord it is never too late! Look for the next post where I'll tell you how God resurrected a dream that I thought was dead. Talk to you soon!
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