God Is Who He Says He Is

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’”-Matthew 14:27

Let’s journey back to the story I blogged about last week.  The disciples had found themselves in a wind and wave tossed boat with what they thought was a ghost walking on the water straight for them.  Could you imagine the fear that must have been welling up within them?  Yet, all Jesus had to say was, “It is I. Don’t be afraid,” and there goes Peter making the offer to walk out on the water with Him. 

“It is I.” That’s it.  Jesus didn’t have to go through a long list of signs and wonders He had performed to convince Peter that He could be trusted.  Less than 10 words and Peter was convinced enough to say, “If it is you, Lord, call me out on the water with you.”  Peter knew His Lord.  He not only knew enough about Him to know He could be trusted, He had experienced Him. 

Truly experiencing God leads us to shake off the shackles of fear and step out in faith.

For the longest time, any time God would call me to step out in faith, He would have to first go through a list of all He had done in my life and all He is capable of doing.  I would go through a list of all the reasons I couldn't do it, mostly fears, but He would counter each one with, “Yes, but it is I…”  Today, I see a difference.  It doesn't take Him nearly as long to convince me anymore, and that is a result of experiencing who He is in my walk with Him.  Step by step I am discovering that He is who He says He is, and He can be trusted!

I want every step I take to say, “I believe that God is who He says He is.”  Are you with me, girls? When Jesus calls me out, I want “It is I. Don’t be afraid,” to be enough to shed my fear and lead me onto the waters.  I refuse to be weighed down by my fears.  God is who He says He is and I want the way I live my life to show that I believe it!

Lord, I am standing at the edge of my boat, looking into the eyes of you, my King.   Lord, help me to remember who you are.  When you say “It is I” bring to mind all that you are.  Help me to remember all the ways you have taught me that you are who you say you are so that when you call me out, my faith in you will surely hold me up.  Thank you, Lord, for all that you are.  You amaze me.  I trust you, Jesus. I love you, Amen.

3 Truths for Walking on the Water

A year ago my small group read a book that ignited our faith and put a skip in our step toward our impossible dreams.  By the end of the book, God had given us all fresh vision for our lives and unshakable faith.

                As we shared those “impossible for men, but not impossible for God” dreams, we encouraged each other and cheered each other on.   I was the master at figuratively pushing all of my friends out of the boat so they could do the impossible and walk on water toward Jesus.  It was awesome! I cheered them on and watched them go…meanwhile, I stayed safe and dry in my boat.  Well, as you could imagine, that didn't last long. 

If you are unfamiliar with the story of Peter walking on the water toward Jesus, see Matthew 14:22-33.

                 

Jesus called me out of the boat, and here I am completely out of my comfort zone.  I’m out of the boat and dripping wet!

I have just wrapped up a day spent with 300 other women who I have never met, in a city I have never been to.  I also had my first meeting with a literary agent, and as I handed her my book proposal, it really was like handing her my baby (they warned us that we may feel that way).

                Let me tell you what I have learned so far as I have journeyed out on the water with Jesus...

1.   The waves are big, and they will try to sweep over you.

Did you ever make a wave pool as a kid? My brother and cousins and I used to do it all the time.  We would all grab some kind of flotation toy and bounce up and down as fast as we could to make the biggest waves possible.  Well, this is what I think Satan is doing when He sees us walking out on the water toward Jesus.  I think he HATES to see God doing the impossible through us, so I bet he’s over there trying to make the waves look like they will engulf us at any minute. 

He almost had me last week.  As I worked tirelessly to finish my book proposal, life happened.  My husband ended up in the ER with kidney stones.  As he underwent two surgeries and an overnight hospital stay, I juggled the kids and everything else and refused to give up.  I know Satan wanted me to tap out.  He wanted me to see the size of the waves and give up on my proposal. But I was not going to let him win…no no, not this time, because I was walking toward my Jesus and I knew He would not let me fall!

2. You get wet out on the water.

When you are out on the water, YOU WILL GET WET.  Some of the dampness will come from the waves of life splashing up against you, but some may be your own tears running down your cheeks.  When God calls us out of the boat, He promises to hold us up, but He never promises it will be easy.

My girls have been taking swimming lessons for the last two weeks, and I noticed something as I observed.  There are a lot of tears shed at the swimming pool.  Kids, like us, get scared when they are called out of their comfort zones and out onto the water.  IT IS SCARY!  But then I watched, as the children focused their attention on the teacher, the one who was urging them on saying, “It’s okay.  Just keep your eyes on me,” they began to relax and just enjoy the experience.  Yes! That’s exactly the picture of us and Jesus! I think He’s okay with our tears, as long as we don’t take our eyes off of Him.  As long as our eyes are on Him, He will urge us on and calm our every fear.

3.     Just when you think you are going to drown, Jesus takes your hand and pulls you up.

There will be times when the waves distract us and our fears pull us down.  If we take our eyes off of Jesus, we will begin to sink.  But here’s the good news…He will never let us go under.  In the story of Peter walking on the water, it says He sees the wind and waves and begins to sink, but IMMEDIATELY, Jesus grabs His hand and pulls Him up. 

Those waves may seem like they are going to sweep over you.  The fears that creep into your heart may feel like anchors that will pull you straight to the bottom of the ocean. BUT, the one whom you are walking toward is never going to let that happen.  He is strong enough! He is powerful enough! And our minds cannot even fathom all that He is going to do while we are out on the water! 

So let me ask you, friend, where are you?  Are you staying safe and dry in the boat watching everyone else go for it? If you are in the boat, might I challenge you to step out? There is a beautiful intimacy with Jesus out there on the water.  Don’t miss out. 

Or are you out on the water, walking toward Jesus and trusting Him to do the impossible in and through you?  If you are out on the water, I hope to encourage you, dear sister.  Keep your eyes on your Jesus and take it one step at a time.  Don’t let Satan trip you up with his ridiculous wave pool, and do not let those fears bring you down.  Look into the eyes of your Savior, and He will never let you fall!  

The Dance

In many ways it made perfect sense, the way her life had played out.  The old woman glanced up from the tattered old Bible in her lap and she skimmed the pictures on the wall, each representing a different season of her life that God had brought her through.  Lost in reflection, she thought about this dance that she and Jesus had been dancing over the last 80 years.  

It was a beautiful dance, with a master choreographer.  There was no doubt that it had its choppy parts, but looking back at how it all fell together, she saw it as a beautiful piece.  She first accepted Jesus’ invitation to dance as a young, awkward seventh grader.  The sound of His voice echoed through her soul as He called out to her.  It was an invitation she just couldn’t resist.  As he taught her the steps, her moves were flimsy and uncertain.  As she transitioned into a teenager, the music became louder and the crowd surrounding them more obvious.  The noise and distractions of the teenage world pulled her in many directions as others tried to cut in.  She struggled to keep her eyes on her partner and struggled to hear His voice above it all.  

Just as she was tempted to leave the dance floor, the music faded into a soft, melodious love song.  She then found herself in the loving embrace of her True Love, her Savior.  As they swayed softly back and forth, He whispered to her that He was all she would ever need.  She shared her dreams and plans with Him, and He continued to sing His love over her, assuring her that this dance would all be worth it in the end.  It was here that she learned to follow His lead.   

Lost in the wonder of this dance she called life, a certain season caught her attention.  There was a time in which their dance changed tempo frequently. It was harder to perform than any other, yet they had never been so in sync as in this season.  The season was motherhood.  Oftentimes she found herself dancing in the embrace of Jesus to her favorite lullabies.  In quietness and trust she closed her eyes with her head against His chest, and He would sing lullabies from His Word into her heart.  Many times as they rocked side to side to the melodious truths, she would dance with her daughters on her toes, teaching them what it looked like to dance a dance with Jesus.   

She recalled how reluctant she was to dance this dance at first.  She thought it would be easy and natural, but the steps proved to be more complicated than she ever could have imagined.  When she and her husband decided to start a family, they thought it would be unproblematic, and she assumed she would be dancing her way into her happily-ever-after fairy tale.  Learning of health issues that would complicate the matter, she struggled to keep up with the dance that Jesus was leading her through.   It was through this time that Jesus taught her to lean her head upon His chest, close her eyes, and trust Him as He led her.  

She finally got pregnant against all odds, but three months into her pregnancy she lost her first little miracle.  She thought she would never dance again.  This, she thought, was the type of injury that would keep a dancer out for life.  But for Jesus, that was not an option.  He swooped down and lifted her into the cradle position, and danced with her in His arms until her heart was mended enough for her to stand again. As she was held in His arms, His heart beat against her and He revealed Himself to her in astonishing ways.  It was here that He opened her eyes to hope and gave her glimpses of the dance they were about to dance. 

Once she was ready to dance on her own two feet again, he set her down but held her up.  A new little miracle began to grow within her womb.  As she battled fears, doubts and pregnancy complications, Jesus held her close.  She found refuge within His close embrace.  As she learned again to close her eyes and trust Him, He taught her the lullabies that she would soon need to know to dance with her tiny babes.  

At last she welcomed her first child.  The tiny baby grew into a bright, energetic toddler, and as the tempo quickened life resembled a tap dance: fun and upbeat yet rhythmic and synchronized with the steps of Jesus.  

The cadence of the music would again wind down as Jesus pulled her close and prepared her for their next steps.  He used scares and trials, picking her up in lifts and maneuvers, to increase her faith and her capacity to trust Him.  Somehow she became comfortable with those lifts as Jesus would elevate her high into the air, higher than she ever fathomed her faith could take her. She knew that Jesus would never let her fall. Her second daughter was born without a heartbeat, and no oxygen filled those tiny lungs. All those watching gasped in fear, yet Jesus brought victory and the baby was healed.  In fact, after seeing the seamlessness of how Jesus moved through this miracle, some decided that they too would like to dance with Jesus.  

     

After almost losing this child again to an illness that threatened to take her life, Jesus stunned His audience with another amazing move.  After the child was saved, the woman and her family broke out into a celebratory victory dance, with Jesus in the middle as they praised Him for all He had done for them. 

Replaying this dance in her mind filled her with great joy.  The dance was hard, and it seemed choppy. But now looking back at how it all flowed together, it was beautiful. In many ways it made perfect sense. 

Where is God?

Hello friends! I am writing to you today from the beautiful mountains of Gunnison, Colorado. As I sit here on the cabin porch, listening to the rushing waters of the East River, I am reminded of a recent revelation I had. I grew up in these mountains, vacationing to Gunnison once a year and taking frequent weekend trips to our nearest mountain parks. From the time I could remember I have always found great peace in the sounds of rivers and streams. The sound of rushing water as it crashes against the rocks and flows along the river bed is a fascinating and soothing sound.

When I was in 7th grade at FCA Camp, I first met Christ alongside a new stream as fresh run off made it's  way down the mountain. We had just finished our small group time and our group leader had us go around the circle and share one of the ways God reveals Himself to you. Our answers consisted mainly of nature: the clouds, the stars, the river. My answer was the sound of rushing water.

Our 7th grade answers revealed our lack of experience with life.  At the time I thought these answers were so juvenile, but looking back now I think that as adults we get so busy and caught up with life we tend to overlook these simple yet magnificent revelations.  We 7th graders were on to something. We need to slow down and look up once in a while, lest we miss God all together.

After our small group time we were instructed to go away by ourselves and spend time alone with God. I went out on to the deck of our cabin and the familiar sound of rushing waters grabbed my attention. There behind our cabin was a stream that had just begun to makes its way down the mountain as the warm sun beat against the snow after a long, frigid winter.  As I marveled at the sight and sound of it, I knew that God had orchestrated it just for me. This is the moment that marked my life forever as I prayed to ask Jesus into my heart to be my personal Lord and Savior.

Recently, more than 15 years after my mountain top experience with The Lord, I discovered something in our study of the book of Revelation. Revelation 1:15 says "his voice was like the sound of rushing waters."  I had read this many times, but the connection just recently occurred to me. His voice is compared to the sound of rushing waters; the sound that brought me peace throughout my childhood, the sound that called out to me as a 7th grader, prompting me to begin a personal and intimate relationship with Him, and this sound that whispers into my soul at this very moment. That sound is the voice of Jesus.

 I still get goosebumps every time I think about it. Who knew that one simple question, "How does God reveal Himself to you?" could lead to such life changing steps. So I ask you, my friends, how is God revealing Himself to you? I would love to hear from you. Please comment below and share your revelations with us. Maybe your revelation will help somebody else see the fingerprints of God on their life today.  Let's do this together...slow down...look up...and breath Him in. Where is God today?  He's with you and His fingerprints are all over the place. Let's make it a point not to miss Him.

My Sweet, Beautiful Lord, thank you for the beauty that surrounds me right now. Thank you Lord for the intricate detail you put into your creation and for your tender care over all of it.  Father, today I pray for all of us to slow down and take a look at what you are up to. Reveal yourself to us, Lord. Show us your glory! We love you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

When You Just Can't Get Alone

“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

³² So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. ³³ But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35 Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. 36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”

37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”

-Matthew 6:31-37

Jesus knew the value of spending time alone with God.  It was how He drew strength from His Father.  He was as human as his disciples, and He knew they all needed a break.  They needed to be able to go off by themselves to a quiet place to rest.  

Photo by Scott Liddel

It sounds like Jesus would be able to relate to all the mommies of young children who are probably begging for the same thing.  We just need to be able to go off by ourselves for some quiet alone-time once in a while.  We need to get alone with God and draw strength from our Father.  I usually try to do this in the morning when my kids are still asleep.  I purposely get up an hour earlier than what I “have to” just to spend time alone with God.  It is truly what gets me through my day.  It fills me with the strength and joy of the Lord. 

One morning I was feeling especially exhausted.  I was desperate for some time alone with a cup of coffee and my Bible.  Just as I sat down and started reading the Word I was interrupted by a cry from the bedroom.  I glanced up at the clock.  “Seriously? Already?”  I thought begrudgingly.  Then I remembered this passage.  I had a choice: I could be frustrated with my kids for not allowing me to have this time with God, or I could do what Jesus did and have compassion on them.  

Jesus knew well what it was like to never get a second to Himself.  He understood what it was like to not even have a second to eat.  He and his disciples were surely desperate for some time alone, but when they didn’t get it, Jesus told the disciples to feed the people.  So that’s what they did.  They put their own needs aside and served them.  Actually, it was here that Jesus performed one of his biggest miracles and fed 5,000+ with five loaves of bread and two fish.  Could you imagine if Jesus and his disciples would have been selfish and sent the people away?  Everyone there would have missed out on one of Jesus’ biggest miracles.  After they finished serving the people, they were finally able to be alone.  Jesus then when up the hill and prayed by himself.  

Next time you sit down to a cold dinner plate after taking care of everyone else, remember that Jesus knew the feeling.  When you miss out on the time alone that you are so desperate for, remember this story.  You can send your kids away, put the TV on or hide yourself in the bathroom (yes, I admit, I have done it), or you can call on God and ask for a fishes and loaves kind of miracle with your time and energy.  Don’t miss out on what He can do with the little that we have.  He is the God of miracles. You will get your time alone, but don’t miss out on what God wants to do here and now.  And remember, yes, this role as mom is terribly exhausting, overwhelming and just plain hard, but God has equipped you to give those children of yours exactly what they need.  Keep going, dear sisters.  Keep pouring yourself out.  Keep making your time alone with the Lord your priority, and He will fill you up to overflowing so that you can keep pouring His love out to all those around you.    

Oh Lord, Thank you! Thank you for filling us up and for the daily miracles you provide in our lives.  Father, fill us up to overflowing.  Provide loaves and fishes miracles with our time, our energy, and everything we could possibly give of ourselves.  Thank you that you have chosen each one of us specifically for the children you have gifted us with.  I need you, Lord.  Help me to be the mom you have called me to be.  Strengthen me.  Equip me. Empower me. Guide me.  I love you, my Lord.  Amen.