Excitement rivals nervousness as I launch my poetic gift book, “A Friend in the Storm.” After five years and a thousand revisions, I liken this feeling to sending a child to college, hoping he’ll fly against the winds and rains.
I wrestle over which daily duty to attack: laundry, e-mail, phoning, planning or blogging?”
I love how God volunteers to be our business manager:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
Born with “nervous genes,” I’m great at asking and listening; it’s the relaxing and resting that gets me. I ache to be “joyful” and “light” like God desires. I sigh, relieved that we worriers at least make great prayer warriors!
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4:5-7
Fear diminishes gentleness which God’s Word says must to be “evident to all.” Fear hinders our witness in the same way it hinders our health. I’m sickened that fear, unbridled, shrouds God’s peace in my demeanor (with an emphasis on meaner!)
Want to be a contagious Christian? Join me in crying, “Lord, have mercy,” expectant that He’ll grant it. Resist fear’s mind-zapping, peace-leaching, time-traps. Fear seeks to undermine trust in God’s Sovereignty. He wants us to hand Him our dreams with full confidence, knowing, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
God cares about what He accomplishes through us, but He also cares about what He accomplishes in us; thus, we remain faithful and restful throughout our dream-birthing process.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28 – 30
These words graced Christ’s lips shortly before He bore His cross and our shame. Goal in mind, He loved others despite the fact He foreknew they’d soon stop caring. Likewise, we’re called to live and love no matter what. We’re to take orders from our Commanding Officer, rejoicing and keeping our eyes on the prize as we carry out His calling. This we know: obedience is always rewarded in the end.
“Ask of me, and I make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.” Psalm 2:8
Someone said, “dream a dream so big that apart from God it would be completely and utterly impossible.” Are we ready to transform nations with the life-saving knowledge of Jesus? Could there be a higher calling than setting ourselves to a short season of difficult work for the sake of God’s lasting kingdom?
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all or the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3
Laundry, E-mail, showering, planning (I guess I went blogging!) ~ God is pleased with them all when they’re done unto Him. Likewise, He’s pleased to take the lead in launching our dreams, our precious babies (they’re His anyway); therefore, we can rest with full confidence as we labor with faithfulness, that despite harsh elements, our Friend in the storm always works out everything for our good and His eternal glory!
“Loving and gracious, Savior, thank you for directing our steps today. May your kingdom come; your will be done! We give you the strings of our dreams. We rejoice, knowing that when all is said and done, our dreams WILL fly sky high simply because You fly in us! Thank you for being our brightest dream and our greatest success ~ both now and forever! Amen!
“Do not fear, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
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