Trust Without Borders

For me, 2013 will be remembered as a year of venturing into deeper water. I have learned so much from our Good Teacher, the Holy Spirit this year. I'm sure you have heard someone somewhere say that we go through different cycles in life. I believe that now more than ever. But what I see a little differently now is that it's not just one cycle at a time. We are cycling in various areas of our lives constantly. At any given time, we are in a phase of breaking, listening, healing, learning, seeking, waiting, exaltation, breakthrough, etc. I can be going through another learning phase in my marriage, while being in the middle of a breaking stage in my finances, and simultaneously experiencing a revelation in ministry! 

In the life of a believer, these cycles are directed by God (well, they are for everyone, but believers choose to acknowledge it). We still try to control the cycles...we try to shorten the hard phases and stretch out the ones that involve blessing. But what I have come to understand more clearly is that my responsibility is simply to acknowledge what phase I'm in, and be obedient to what's in front of me. God's job is to direct the cycle - the duration, the intensity, the results. All I have power to do is respond to the Good Teacher as He speaks through whatever phase I'm in. The visual that God gave me to understand this is a surfer. I am fondly recalling the beautiful days living in Hawaii as I write this on a freezing cold day. :) 

Let your imagination follow me here... The power and magnitude of God is obviously represented by the ocean in this illustration. Its depths are unfathomable. Its behavior is mysterious and unpredictable to the human mind. It provides sustenance, beauty, and pleasure to those who experience it. At times, it even produces fear. And the way it swells, ebbs, and flows are like the cycles we go through in life. We have no control over the pattern of the waves. We have no idea when the swells will come. We cannot predict the size of the swell or where it will end up. We simply have a choice. Will I dive in? Will I furiously kick against the current because I can't see land anymore? Will I just stand on shore and watch because I can't swim and there could be sharks for goodness sake? 

I've done all of those things. When God has whispered vision into my heart, I have responded in so many different ways. I

could beat myself up about the times I was wrong or I may have missed it. But even through my mistakes over the years, the Good Teacher has been leading me to the next level. As I look back over my years learning to swim in this incredible ocean, I see how God's plan has been working under the surface, guiding the current, holding back the swell when I wasn't ready. As we head into 2014, He has clearly said "Stop paddling and treading water - it's time to ride the wave." There are cycles for everything. I'm looking right into the moment of opportunity to stand up, take my stance, and allow the power of a God-sized vision to propel us forward in reaching people for Christ in a new way. The swell seems massive - way too big for me to survive. The risks are immense. I may wipe out and look like a complete fool. And hey - I'm not alone on the board. What about those that will join me? What if I fail and disappoint them? 

But this is what it comes down to...I've wanted to surf all my life (I even drew pictures of it as a child - born and raised in the Dakotas)! The strength training and conditioning has been done. The swell is undeniable, even though the timing is mysterious to me. I am all in. I am stepping out. So what this means for me specifically is that I step out and ask our church to come together to provide a brand new facility to allow greater ministry to students in Yankton and the surrounding area. I don't know where it leads or how it really happens, but I sense the swell is coming and I want to be ready to ride the wave. Vision isn't about seeing the end...it's trusting the One who causes the swells to heave, and taking action when He says "GO!" 

Be obedient to the thing that's right in front of us. God will direct the rest. Are you all in?

Living in random

Too many people live life "in random".  I know that's not a phrase...but it's the best way I can describe what I see!  It reminds of "in tandom" - which is a phrase.  :o)  I guess I expect those who do not know the Heavenly Father (and subsequently do not know their purpose) to live in random.  But I see far too many seasoned Christians doing the same thing.  It really puzzles me!  They wake up each day and go through their regular routine, and don't even consider that God has something specific for that day. 

Each person has been given a specific gift or ability in this life - some haven't yet discovered it.  But for those who have, I'm surprised at how often they just use it to make a living, or amuse themselves, or even just as a hobby.  They forget that it was a supernatural implant, and that God gave it to them FOR A REASON! 

God does nothing in random.  I don't believe in luck or coincidence.  The Word says that "the steps of a righteous man are ordered by God".  Things don't just happen to a believer.  God takes each day's activities very seriously.  I'm ashamed to think of how many opportunities I've missed.  I don't want to live in random.  I read this amazing excerpt from Max Lucado that goes right along with this...

"Set apart for a special work.


God shaped you according to yours. How else can you explain yourself? Your ability to diagnose an engine problem by the noise it makes, to bake a cake without a recipe. You knew the Civil War better than your American history teacher. You know the name of every child in the orphanage. How do you explain such quirks of skill?

God. He knew young Israel would need a code, so he gave Moses a love for the law. He knew the doctrine of grace would need a fiery advocate, so he set Paul ablaze. And in your case, he knew what your generation would need and gave it. He designed you. And his design defines your destiny. Remember Peter's admonition? "If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies" (1 Pet. 4:11)." 
From Cure for the Common Life, Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2006) Max Lucado


If we can avoid the random way of thinking, we can discover our real purpose for being here!  We only have this one life! 

Father, I want to live ON PURPOSE.  I want to wake up asking "What if...?"  And on the days that I am weary, and not necessarily feeling ablaze, like Paul was, I want to simply be available and aware of where Your hand is moving.  I know that you placed these gifts within me for a reason - for this generation.  I want to be obedient to Your Master Plan!