I live on the edge of danger, it seems. Who, me? Well, danger of a sort. It’s the danger of never finishing anything I start. I enjoy writing short fiction pieces for several reasons, but one of those reasons is simply that they are quick and relatively easy to concoct. Novels, on the other hand, take a whole lot of ingredients along with lots of measuring and stirring and long, slow simmering. Which is why mine seem to remain neglected, put off and forever unfinished.
Starting and stopping, putting off and procrastinating, losing interest, changing course and haphazardly dropping projects altogether – none of these things gets me to the finish line. Living like that is dangerous. The danger is that effectiveness is lost and change never comes about, not for me nor for those I could perhaps be ministering to.
‘Finish’ is a word I sense the Holy Spirit speaking to me often. He urges me toward discipline, and His Holy Fire never seems to let up. He is refining and purging, and always encouraging me not to give up. He is training me to submit to His leadership and training me to run with endurance.
The balance of this, of course, is to be careful that I am still following – that I haven’t charged ahead of Him by not waiting for His guidance, His plan and – as a writer and artist – His inspiration. Sometimes I need to advance and move forward aggressively. Sometimes I need to slow down and rest. At all times I need to listen for that still, small voice, the voice of the Holy Spirit. It is as though He is pacing me in my race.
Though I recognize the significance of not finishing specific tasks in my life, there is clearly a much greater danger faced by all Christians, and that is not finishing the overall, real race – the race all Christians are called to run. Nothing is more important than that race, because it represents our faith, our very life in Christ. And quite truthfully, we are not called to merely ‘run’ that race, but to ‘win’ that race.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
It’s easy to become complacent in our walk – our race - at times. We can think back on times of renewal and of feeling so close to God that He was everything that mattered. The danger is in losing the focus of our first love. Do you remember your first love? How close do you feel to Him now? Are you drifting in your relationship? If you are, don’t blame God, because He never drifts. You drift. I drift. He remains faithful.
Hebrews 2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
I’m thankful for His love and patience. I’m thankful that He warns me when I begin to drift, paying less heed to Him. He warns me of the danger, reminding me to wake up and pay attention! I’m thankful for His very steady influence in my life – much like the rudder of a boat, guiding it to safety.
1 Timothy 1:18-19 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
Revelation 3:2 'Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.
What if God didn’t finish the things He started? Unthinkable, I know. That’s a relief! Because if He didn’t follow through on His plans, it would have been the doom of you, me and the entire human race – perhaps at the first crunch of that juicy apple in the hands of Adam and Eve. I’m glad His plan is something He never deviates from – the redemption of all mankind through the sacrifice of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The happy news is that all of those projects we actually do finish – you know, the ones that are like assignments from Him, and done for His glory as acts of love and obedience – are not forgotten by Him. Rather, at the finish line they are, in a sense, stamped by His approval and come with His promise of reward. Even before we get to the finish line, if we are making the effort to run well, by faith in Him, then we have peace, and that alone makes it all worthwhile.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A Blind Eye
Being nearsighted didn’t bother me much as a little girl, because I didn’t really know the difference – to me, it was normal to see clearly only close up. As I grew older it surely became a pain. In upper grade school I always had to be seated in the first row or two so that I could read the chalk board. By the time I was in seventh grade that was no longer sufficient, and I had to get the dreaded glasses.
The frames for glasses back then were those unsightly, pointy things, as though people who had to wear them really wanted to look like cats. I even cried when I first realized I would have to wear them to school. I do remember, though, my vision with the new glasses as I was driven home by my father that first day. I was truly amazed at what the world actually looked like, and at the distance I could now see clearly.
In high school I was so vain that for a time I only put the glasses on during class when I was trying to read the black board. Some people said I was stuck up because I didn’t wave or say ‘hi’ in the hallways between classes. What they didn’t understand was that without my glasses, I couldn’t distinguish one blur from another – I really just didn’t see them.
Eventually I saved up enough to get contacs. Anyone who has had to wear them knows what a nuisance they can be. I endured them for years, but eventually my eyes just rejected the hard lenses, and would not accept the newer soft variety either. So, it was back to glasses. At least the styles were kinder to faces by then.
Now, I am what could be called “a medical miracle.” A few years ago I had the surgery to correct nearsightedness. Before the surgery, the doctor told me that if I could read that sign on the wall, my vision would be 20/400. I couldn’t, and that made me more than twice legally blind which is defined as seeing from 20 feet what you should be able to see from a distance of 200 feet.
I was blind, but now I see. It’s not the sort of thing one can easily take for granted. In truth, my far vision is better now than it has ever been my whole life. When spending time with my husband, I am usually the one to say, “Look, a deer!” Or, “Look, pelicans!” I don’t fear not being able to read signs when I’m driving – the list of reasons I am grateful goes on and on. It is just indescribably wonderful.
When I was a little girl, I was content being nearsighted. As I grew up, I knew it was simply not acceptable to live that way. As Christians, are we content to be nearsighted or are we seeking to become farsighted? Do we have our eyes set on the temporal things of earth? Do we turn a blind eye to the things of God, not praying and seeking Him, resisting His presence, not seeking His heart but seeking our own desires?
Too often, I fear, we focus on everything we want in the here and now, not considering how quickly the time is racing by and how soon the present time and world will give way to the eternal. Ah, how sad, because we don’t realize the wonder of becoming farsighted, and having the vision for the incredible future God has in store for us.
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom
The story of Martha and Mary is a good illustration. Martha had her focus on temporal things; she was distracted away from the presence of the Lord by her goal of preparing a meal for Him and the others. Mary, on the other hand, had heavenly vision – He was calling her to listen and grow, and she wasn’t about to miss the opportunity by being distracted with the things of earth.
Luke 10:38-42 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."
But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Why was Jesus able to endure all the things He had to endure while on earth as a man? For the 'joy set before Him' – simply put, He had heavenly vision!
Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Matthew 13:16-17 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Dear Lord, let us be thankful for eyes that see – and don’t let us be content with nearsightedness! Thank you that You do have a good plan for Your people!
Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
The frames for glasses back then were those unsightly, pointy things, as though people who had to wear them really wanted to look like cats. I even cried when I first realized I would have to wear them to school. I do remember, though, my vision with the new glasses as I was driven home by my father that first day. I was truly amazed at what the world actually looked like, and at the distance I could now see clearly.
In high school I was so vain that for a time I only put the glasses on during class when I was trying to read the black board. Some people said I was stuck up because I didn’t wave or say ‘hi’ in the hallways between classes. What they didn’t understand was that without my glasses, I couldn’t distinguish one blur from another – I really just didn’t see them.
Eventually I saved up enough to get contacs. Anyone who has had to wear them knows what a nuisance they can be. I endured them for years, but eventually my eyes just rejected the hard lenses, and would not accept the newer soft variety either. So, it was back to glasses. At least the styles were kinder to faces by then.
Now, I am what could be called “a medical miracle.” A few years ago I had the surgery to correct nearsightedness. Before the surgery, the doctor told me that if I could read that sign on the wall, my vision would be 20/400. I couldn’t, and that made me more than twice legally blind which is defined as seeing from 20 feet what you should be able to see from a distance of 200 feet.
I was blind, but now I see. It’s not the sort of thing one can easily take for granted. In truth, my far vision is better now than it has ever been my whole life. When spending time with my husband, I am usually the one to say, “Look, a deer!” Or, “Look, pelicans!” I don’t fear not being able to read signs when I’m driving – the list of reasons I am grateful goes on and on. It is just indescribably wonderful.
When I was a little girl, I was content being nearsighted. As I grew up, I knew it was simply not acceptable to live that way. As Christians, are we content to be nearsighted or are we seeking to become farsighted? Do we have our eyes set on the temporal things of earth? Do we turn a blind eye to the things of God, not praying and seeking Him, resisting His presence, not seeking His heart but seeking our own desires?
Too often, I fear, we focus on everything we want in the here and now, not considering how quickly the time is racing by and how soon the present time and world will give way to the eternal. Ah, how sad, because we don’t realize the wonder of becoming farsighted, and having the vision for the incredible future God has in store for us.
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom
The story of Martha and Mary is a good illustration. Martha had her focus on temporal things; she was distracted away from the presence of the Lord by her goal of preparing a meal for Him and the others. Mary, on the other hand, had heavenly vision – He was calling her to listen and grow, and she wasn’t about to miss the opportunity by being distracted with the things of earth.
Luke 10:38-42 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."
But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Why was Jesus able to endure all the things He had to endure while on earth as a man? For the 'joy set before Him' – simply put, He had heavenly vision!
Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Matthew 13:16-17 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Dear Lord, let us be thankful for eyes that see – and don’t let us be content with nearsightedness! Thank you that You do have a good plan for Your people!
Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Yellow Dress
Welcome to Patty Wysong's Friday Fiction! This week it is being hosted by Sharlyn, so be sure to visit her at Dancing on Rainbows for more great fiction.
Marianne stared at her long-legged reflection in the full-length mirror. The hem was perfect; she had measured and sewed straight enough. She glanced at the six inches of bright yellow linen lying on the floor, the six inches which had made the dress seem more suited to her mother than herself. “I love this dress,” she said quietly as she caressed the round neckline and sleeveless edges of the straight sheath. “It was just so unstylish and long, so – matronly! I am not my mother!”
“Marianne,” a voice called from downstairs, “Hurry or you’ll miss the bus, and I don’t have time to drive you to school today!”
“Okay, Mom!” Marianne glanced nervously again at the hemline and tugged on the skirt as though to make it long again. Her mother wouldn’t approve, but she doubted that she would go so far as to stop her from going to school in it.
As she expected, her mother noted the new skirt length with a frown. “Oh honey, what have you done to your beautiful new dress?”
“Oh, Mom, don’t be so old fashioned! All the girls are wearing mini-skirts these days!” Her words boasted far more confidence that she actually felt, but she buried her sense of rising regret under an air of determined resolve. “Bye, Mom!” She grabbed her purse and books and bounced out the door.
Connie was conceited and gregarious, and had never had anything kind to say to Marianne. The spiteful remarks she often made usually targeted her clothes, hair and makeup. The other girls would laugh and agree, feeding Connie’s obvious need for eminence and popularity.
The new yellow dress had caused just one such outburst the first day Marianne had worn it. “That dress would look great on your mother. Don’t you think it’s just a little long for you?” Connie had smiled smugly and turned away to the approving giggles of her girl fans.
Marianne sat now at her desk in Social Studies, uncomfortably shifting to one side and then the other as she willed her legs to stay locked together. “I hate short skirts,” she thought woefully. She could almost sense the Lord agreeing with her, but actively tried not to think about everything that just might be on His mind today. She tried to focus instead on the teacher’s lecture. His voice droned on about food and water supplies in a dry climate, and Marianne’s thoughts wandered again, this time to the inevitable encounter at the lockers that would follow class.
As she expected, Connie looked her up and down for a long moment while they exchanged books from their lockers. Then, however, Marianne was caught a bit off-guard as she made some uncharacteristic comments. “Well, your mother will never wear that dress now! It looks nice, I like it.”
They stared at each other for a moment before turning to go to their next class. “Thanks,” Marianne said, trying to sound casually indifferent as she walked away.
That evening after helping her mother with the dishes, Marianne sat in her room at her desk, trying to study for a test in history. Her thoughts kept turning to the yellow dress, which now hung in her closet, as though waiting until she worked up the courage to wear it again.
“Traitor.”
“Oh, Lord, I’m so sorry!” Tears began to form, blurring the words on the history book page.
“Does Connie love you?”
“No, Connie loves herself.” Marianne grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk and blew her nose.
“Do I love you?”
“Yes, Lord, You love me.”
“Did you feel good wearing that dress today?”
“No, I felt awful all day!” Marianne sighed despondently. “But Lord, You just don’t know what it’s like to have to be so different from everybody else.”
“Nobody likes to be different. But you are wrong, child, I do understand. Take a break from the history book.”
Marianne pushed the history book aside, and after a moment picked up her Bible instead. As she read, tears again filled her eyes. “Lord, You do understand! You were despised and rejected, and scorned, and mocked, and if all that weren’t bad enough, you were beaten and then crucified. Will you please forgive me once again, not only for the dress, but for pouting and whining, and most of all for preferring what the other girls think of me to what you think?”
“Of course I forgive you, child! Are you going to wear that dress again?”
“No, and I’ve ruined it so no one can ever wear it!”
“What about Jenny?”
“Lord, You are so smart! Jenny’s shorter than I am, but she wears the same dress size. On her it will be long again!” Marianne’s brooding gave way to elation. She wouldn’t ever have to wear the dress again, but it wouldn’t have to be tossed out. Jenny’s family didn’t have a lot of money, and Marianne was pleased to have a way to help. Best of all, Marianne would go to school in the morning with a clear and peaceful conscience, dressed in that old green corduroy jumper and a white blouse, an outfit that even her mother could wear!
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