I was enthralled as my colleague, an art teacher, described a photograph taken by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Cartier-Bresson believed that photography was capturing a decisive moment, the most meaningful moment in an event. Something inside me came alive as I pondered the decisive moment, and questions began to fill my brain. How long did he sit and wait for the decisive moment? How did he recognize it when it arrived? Did he miss out on other moments waiting for the perfect one? Is there really ever a "most meaningful moment"? Do we set ourselves up for huge disappointments waiting for the decisive moment that never comes?
Life is made of moments. Some joyful, some hard, some life changing. But most of life is made of ordinary moments. Moments that aren't worthy of photography or social media documentation. How do we handle these moments? Do we treat them as a waste of time? Do we rush through them hoping to get to more exciting moments? These moment are just as important to the journey of life as the defining moments are, and yet, we often brush them aside without taking note of them or allowing ourselves to feel the contentment of the routine.
I've had my share of life-defining moments, but some of my favorite moments might seem ordinary to an observer. These are the memories that I return to when I question who I am and whether my life is making a difference. I take them from their hiding place deep in my heart when I need reassurance and reminders that I am loved and valued and accepted. Quiet moments, deep emotions, meaningful connections that would not be significant to anyone else.
As I have been thinking about moments this past week, God asked me a question that completely changed my perspective. Where was Jesus in all of those moments? He was there, because He is always with me. I pictured Him in the room on the day I got my cancer diagnosis. I saw Him in our first family picture the night that Christopher was born. I saw Him in our wedding pictures. I saw Him sitting in moments of conversation with family and friends. Through the good, the bad, and the ugly, and even the mundane, Jesus has been in my moments.
Somehow, we've been programmed to crave moments of excitement and adventure and accomplishment. We want moments that will bring approval and admiration to fill our life stories. We long for the "decisive moments" to fill our days. I am as guilty as anyone of thinking that way.
I'm determined now to see Jesus in my moments. His presence brings significance. His presence brings meaning. His presence makes each moment the decisive moment!
Friday, November 23, 2018
Saturday, November 10, 2018
fight the good fight
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (The Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 4:7)
I've been thinking about the life of the Apostle Paul. Life after his miraculous encounter with Christ and his conversion was not easy. In fact, it was filled with shipwrecks, persecution, and imprisonment right up to his execution. Paul wrote Philippians (a letter of joy) from prison and he wrote his second letter to Timothy while he was awaiting his own death in prison. Second Thessalonians was written to a church whose people were being persecuted. Life was not easy for the early church, and it isn't easy for Christians today.
Christians who are seeking God and seeking to do His will are ALWAYS going to face opposition. We have a spiritual enemy and he wants to steal from us, kill us, and destroy us. (Ephesians 6:12 and John 10:10) Jesus even told His disciples. "Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) It comes as no surprise to Him that the devil comes at us any way he can, trying to steal, kill, and destroy the abundant life that is already ours through the resurrection of Jesus. The victory of every battle we face has already been won by Jesus, but the enemy certainly tries to convince us otherwise. The devil "wins" when we give up the fight for what God wants for us.
We must keep fighting, my friends! I know that it's hard. I've been discouraged in my own battles lately and it has affected every part of my life...and especially fulfilling my God-given purpose. It's the little things that get to me. One thing leads to another, and before I know it, I'm ready to give up the fight. James 1:2-4 was written for such a time. "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing more."
Ephesians 6:10-18 gives Christians their fighting instructions. A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Truth, God's righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God are our defense, along with prayer. And once we have every piece of armor in place and our weapons in hand, then we stand, firmly rooted in God's love and confident because we are His children. No where in Ephesians 6 does it mention any of our typical human solutions. Our enemy is NOT human, and his attacks are in the form of lies, deception, anxiety, insecurity, and hate, to name just a few. Nothing good comes from our enemy. Fight his lies with God's truth about who you are and who God is. Put on the righteousness that Jesus died to give us. Walk in peace. Hold up your faith in God like a shield. Put salvation on your head to guard your thoughts. Know the word of God and use it like a sword to cut through lies and deception. Pray in the Spirit every moment of every day. Be alert to the schemes of the devil and STAND.
It is okay to grow weary from battle. Hide in the presence of God and be refreshed and restored. Find other believers who will stand and encourage. Fill your mind with God's truth and pray. Keep fighting the good fight...I'm in it with you!!!
I've been thinking about the life of the Apostle Paul. Life after his miraculous encounter with Christ and his conversion was not easy. In fact, it was filled with shipwrecks, persecution, and imprisonment right up to his execution. Paul wrote Philippians (a letter of joy) from prison and he wrote his second letter to Timothy while he was awaiting his own death in prison. Second Thessalonians was written to a church whose people were being persecuted. Life was not easy for the early church, and it isn't easy for Christians today.
Christians who are seeking God and seeking to do His will are ALWAYS going to face opposition. We have a spiritual enemy and he wants to steal from us, kill us, and destroy us. (Ephesians 6:12 and John 10:10) Jesus even told His disciples. "Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) It comes as no surprise to Him that the devil comes at us any way he can, trying to steal, kill, and destroy the abundant life that is already ours through the resurrection of Jesus. The victory of every battle we face has already been won by Jesus, but the enemy certainly tries to convince us otherwise. The devil "wins" when we give up the fight for what God wants for us.
We must keep fighting, my friends! I know that it's hard. I've been discouraged in my own battles lately and it has affected every part of my life...and especially fulfilling my God-given purpose. It's the little things that get to me. One thing leads to another, and before I know it, I'm ready to give up the fight. James 1:2-4 was written for such a time. "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing more."
Ephesians 6:10-18 gives Christians their fighting instructions. A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Truth, God's righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God are our defense, along with prayer. And once we have every piece of armor in place and our weapons in hand, then we stand, firmly rooted in God's love and confident because we are His children. No where in Ephesians 6 does it mention any of our typical human solutions. Our enemy is NOT human, and his attacks are in the form of lies, deception, anxiety, insecurity, and hate, to name just a few. Nothing good comes from our enemy. Fight his lies with God's truth about who you are and who God is. Put on the righteousness that Jesus died to give us. Walk in peace. Hold up your faith in God like a shield. Put salvation on your head to guard your thoughts. Know the word of God and use it like a sword to cut through lies and deception. Pray in the Spirit every moment of every day. Be alert to the schemes of the devil and STAND.
It is okay to grow weary from battle. Hide in the presence of God and be refreshed and restored. Find other believers who will stand and encourage. Fill your mind with God's truth and pray. Keep fighting the good fight...I'm in it with you!!!
Saturday, November 3, 2018
exposing frustration and discouragement
It all started with a nightmare on Sunday night. I was standing in the midst of a large group of people from school and I was very frustrated. Apparently, the best solution that I could come up with was to scream, not words, just high pitched screaming. Not one person in my dream heard me screaming or responded.
Sadly, I allowed the feelings from my dream to set the tone for my week. Frustration and discouragement seemed to be around every corner. I allowed people to fuel the fire of my emotions. Deep sigh. Bad choices abounding.
This morning, I looked up the words frustration and discouragement in a thesaurus. I really wanted to know the antonyms. I found these words: hopeful, cheerful, joy, faith, trust, confident, encouragement, delight, peace, calm. And it was then that it hit me.
The antonyms of frustration and discouragement sounded like the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (See Galatians 5:22-23) Frustration and discouragement can only come from the devil and I don't have to live with them! I can throw them far from me and turn my back and walk away! The devil sent them my way to steal from me, kill me, and destroy me, but Jesus came so that I could have abundant life. Abundant life does not include frustration, discouragement, or any of the other junk the devil brings to me!
What have I learned from this week? There isn't any room for frustration and discouragement when I am full of Jesus and the fruits of the Spirit! That requires spending more time with Jesus and filling my brain up with truth from the Bible. I need people on "my team" during the week who will encourage me and point me to Jesus! I am grateful that there is Hope and that Jesus never gives up on me!
Sadly, I allowed the feelings from my dream to set the tone for my week. Frustration and discouragement seemed to be around every corner. I allowed people to fuel the fire of my emotions. Deep sigh. Bad choices abounding.
This morning, I looked up the words frustration and discouragement in a thesaurus. I really wanted to know the antonyms. I found these words: hopeful, cheerful, joy, faith, trust, confident, encouragement, delight, peace, calm. And it was then that it hit me.
The antonyms of frustration and discouragement sounded like the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (See Galatians 5:22-23) Frustration and discouragement can only come from the devil and I don't have to live with them! I can throw them far from me and turn my back and walk away! The devil sent them my way to steal from me, kill me, and destroy me, but Jesus came so that I could have abundant life. Abundant life does not include frustration, discouragement, or any of the other junk the devil brings to me!
What have I learned from this week? There isn't any room for frustration and discouragement when I am full of Jesus and the fruits of the Spirit! That requires spending more time with Jesus and filling my brain up with truth from the Bible. I need people on "my team" during the week who will encourage me and point me to Jesus! I am grateful that there is Hope and that Jesus never gives up on me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)