Confident of the Catch

Remember going to the circus and watching those amazing performers who did their work near the top of the tent?  They stepped out onto a wire, walking high overhead with skill from one tiny platform to another. Then came the trapeze act – that breath-taking moment when a person swung out overhead, sitting on a small bar. Suddenly she slipped down and hung by her hands from that bar, swinging back and forth overhead. Another, stood waiting and watching, holding his own bar. In a practiced moment he slips from his platform, locking his bar behind his knees, to begin his own timed swing.  

 Then, she is flying through the air, looking like she will crash to the ground below … until he swings towards her, hands extended, and catches her hands in his. There is only one reason the person would let go of the relative safety of the trapeze bar. She must be confident of the catch, sure that he will be there at the second she flies, that his grip will be secure.  (If you want a visual image, click on this link. Flying Trapeze.)

Call me sentimental, if you want, but I found myself choked with emotion as I watched that video clip and sensed the Holy Spirit inviting me to let go and trust Him to catch me!

In this time, unprecedented in my lifetime, we are watching leaders making it up as they go because, responding to new information, trying to keep people alive and well, health systems functioning, the national economy from crashing under the stress of the pandemic. In various ways, we all feel the uncertainty – some about our own health, some with job and income loss, some with general concern about an unknown future. If you are having trouble sleeping, you are not alone. If you are over-eating because of stress, you are among many. If you are finding yourself trying to pray and your prayers turn into tears, know that many of us are there with you. 

(A note here -  be wise. Gaining 20 lbs from eating junk, drinking too much and doing foolish things, overspending and creating debt – are ultimately self-defeating attempts to find comfort. You know that, but I had to say it.)

May I invite you to renew your faith, to become confident of His ability to catch us as we let go?

When the future of Judah was hidden, God spoke with a promise that we can hold onto today. "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)  In the Psalm of the desperate, a lament for times of trouble, the writer goes to worship and finds himself caught by God, renewed. He declares - "I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me." (Psalm 73:23-24, The Message)

What are you clinging to, where are you attempting to find security? Reality check time! 

Government can help but it cannot save.

Friends and family are an amazing resource, but ultimately they cannot save us.

Our money cannot save us, something that ought to be clear as we watch the wild swings on Wall Street.

But God is there, inviting us to let go of those things.  We cannot find His unfathomable peace unless we are willing to let go and fly into the unknown. Yes  it hard to let go of what we know to grasp what is, as yet, unseen. But, He is trustworthy, the One who secures us for this life and the next, as well.

If you are troubled, you may wish to find a place alone for prayer. There, with pen and paper, write down what troubles you. Then, hold it up and ‘let go.’  Fold that paper and tuck it into your Bible at the 73^rd Psalm as a symbolic way of saying, “I’m letting go and reaching out to YOU, confident of Your catch!”

Here is a word from the Word for your meditation today. "Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength. Your throne is founded on two strong pillars—righteousness and justice. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants. Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness." (Psalm 89:13-16, NLT)

___________

Trust In You

Letting go of every single dream

I lay each one down at Your feet

Every moment of my wondering

Never changes what You see

I've tried to win this war I confess

My hands are weary I need Your rest

Mighty warrior King of the fight

No matter what I face You're by my side

When You don't move the mountains

I'm needing You to move

When You don't part the waters

I wish I could walk through

When You don't give the answers

As I cry out to You

I will trust I will trust

I will trust in You

Truth is You know what tomorrow brings

There's not a day ahead You have not seen

So in all things be my life and breath

I want what You want Lord and nothing less

You are my strength and comfort

You are my steady hand

You are my firm foundation

The Rock on which I stand

Your ways are always higher

Your plans are always good

There's not a place where I'll go

You've not already stood

Lauren Daigle | Michael Farren | Paul Mabury

© 2014 CentricSongs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

See You At The Pub (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Farren Love And War Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook]))

Integrity's Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook]))

CCLI License # 810055

Opportunity

An up-front disclaimer – sometimes the things I write in these daily blogs are still truths ‘in process’ for me. If my words come across in a way that implies that “Jerry has it all together and is living in completely perfect serenity,” please know that I am often teaching myself, listening to the Spirit, learning from the Word of God. Today is one of those days. I know what I am writing is true but I am also doing the hard work of applying this to my life. Some days I do better than others, as you do, I know.  So, remember we are on a journey where we walk together, ‘keeping in step with the Spirit’ as He leads us to life.

The statistics that were reported in yesterday’s press briefing (4/1/2020) made me catch my breath, the implications sinking in. I am not all that alarmed for myself, having reconciled myself to my own mortality a long time. I love being healthy and hope that God allows me to live a long, productive life before I find my home in Heaven. But, there are many questions about the long-term effect of this crisis. What kind of world will be formed for my children out of all of this? How will Christ’s Church emerge from this?  In my prayerful musings that followed, and into my prayer in the evening, the Spirit whispered but one word –

Opportunity.

The words of Joseph, spoken to his brothers as they stood in his royal palace, echoed in my mind.

Remember him? God gave him a promise of great leadership when he was a teen. For the next 20 or so years, his life went from bad to worse; sold by jealous brothers into slavery, jailed on false charges of sexual assault, and forgotten by people for whom he did good things. But God never forgot him and he miraculously became the Prime Minister of Egypt, God’s man in the right place at the right time. When his starving family showed up for supplies, he eventually revealed his true identity to them. With an astonishing grace, born of profound faith, he said: “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people." (Genesis 50:19-20, NLT)

This viral crisis that grips our world is an opportunity.  Some say it is God’s judgment on a world of violence, greed, and injustice. It is not for me to say. Others suggest that it is the beginning of the Last Days before the Return of Christ. Perhaps, but Jesus did remind us that “when reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places.” (Matthew 24:6-8) What I do KNOW, most certainly, is that good and evil will compete for the hearts of people.

That struggle is one where Christians can shine with the bright light of Jesus, where opportunities are found! So I am praying for revival of faith among apathetic believers and new faith to be born in the minds and hearts of those who do not yet know the love of God.  Honestly, we face a big challenge of faith that invites us to be open to ways to love Him and others. Let’s step up to the challenge with confidence in the promise of Jesus.  He says, "I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, The Message)

It is a mistake to think that representing Him well requires a complete knowledge of the future. The Lord seldom reveals the plan for tomorrow until we are walking faithfully with Him - today.  We will not experience His provision for Wednesday’s need unless we have lived for Him faithfully on Monday and Tuesday.  

Here’s the word from the Word for those who are ready to 'make the most of every opportunity.'

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.

It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see ..

So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith.

Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God

and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (Hebrews 11:1,6 NLT)
_______________________
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
(this song speaks of the faith that leads us into deep water,

where we find His opportunities)

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sov'reign hand will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name

Keep my eyes above the waves

My soul will rest in Your embrace

I am Yours and You are mine

CCLI Song # 6428767

Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm

© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use.  All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 810055

Better Together

How are you doing with ‘social distancing?’ I, for one, am so grateful for social media, that once reviled part of our world. The internet is helping us to stay connected, ‘talking’ to one another, sharing life, love, laughter … well, yes, it’s not all good. But on the whole I am thankful for it.

Human beings are wired for connection and in its absence we become depressed.

Christians are called into a holy community.  Jesus said "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." (John 15:5-6, NIV)  

Some only focus His words about our mystical connection about the spiritual life received from Him through faith. Let’s not miss an important sub-text.  "You are the branches!"  Christians are not only alive through Christ they are part of a Living Tree. That connection is VITAL for health and effectiveness as a follower of Jesus.

The book of Acts, which tells us the stories of the first generation of disciples is all about church planting, the experience of knowing Jesus inseparable from being part of the Church. They did not use that word to describe an organization or a building. The ‘church’ was a living thing, people who became intimately connected to Christ and one another.

As I read about the formation of the first church I noted a key line for this moment in time.  "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2, NIV)  Their lives were changed by connections, relationships, and shared experience. AND it wasn’t all centered in a building, around a program. It was practiced in everyday life.

Social distancing may keep us from the building but it does not need to keep us from the Body!

Our worship together at church is surely a part of being in the Vine and in fellowship, and I am eager for the day when we can raise our voices together in the church house, but we remain His Church. Let's be intentional about making life together, about getting involved in the work of the Kingdom in a way that demands a second set of hands, that makes us love the prayers of the saints.

Reach out to a friend today and see how they are doing.

Send someone a text, email, or (really be old fashioned) send a written note.

Make a phone call or Facetime with someone.

Talk about more than the weather, the trivia of life. Inquire about their heart and soul.

Pray with someone. *Yes, you can!

Our word from the Word is a call to connection. 
Do you hear it? Will you listen and obey? 

"You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts-limbs, organs, cells-but no matter how many parts you can name, you're still one body. It's exactly the same with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, The Message)

"What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, "Get lost; I don't need you"? Or, Head telling Foot, "You're fired; your job has been phased out"? As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way-the "lower" the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a stomach. When it's a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honor just as it is, without comparisons." (1 Corinthians 12:20-23, The Message)
________

We Will Stand
(Russ Taff sings a great song about being together!)

Sometimes it's hard for me to understand

Why we pull away from each other so easily

Even though we're all walking the same road?

Yet we build dividing walls

Between our brothers and ourselves.

But, I don't care what label you may wear,

If you believe in Jesus you belong with me!

The bond we share is all I care to see,

And we'll change the world forever,

If you will join with me,

Join and sing, sing.

You're my brother, you're my sister,

So take me by the hand.

Together we will work until He comes.

There's no foe that can defeat us,

When we're walking side by side,

As long as there is love,

We will stand!

The day will come when we will be as one

And with a mighty voice

Together we will proclaim that

Jesus, Jesus is King.

It will echo through the earth.

It will shake the nations.

And the world will see, see that;

You're my brother, you're my sister,

So take me by the hand.

Together we will work until He comes.

There's no foe that can defeat us,

When we're walking side by side,

As long as there is love,

We will stand!

James Hollihan | Russ Taff | Tori Taff

© 1983 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055