Out of sight, but not out of mind

Two old proverbs stand in contradiction. One insists that ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder.’  I like that one, don’t you. The other says ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ speaking to an honest reality.  The longer we are separated from others, the less space they occupy in our thoughts, crowded out by the ongoing activities of our lives. Some are ‘invisible’ because of age, or poverty, or physical limitations.  Without careful intention we will overlook them, forget to include them, or even ignore their existence all together. Tragic, right? But, all too true. 

In the 31^st Psalm, David writes a lament. “I am a dread to my friends—  those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. (useless)” (Psalm 31:11)

It may be that you are feeling somewhat invisible these days, even feeling like God Himself has sidelined you from life’s mainstream.  I can assure you that He has not forgotten you and that there are things that can happen to us in those times that will not happen when we are swept along by the noisy swirl of a busy life.  

Even when our own choices cause us to be forsaken by others, God will not write us off!  When the people of Judah were taken up by selfishness, greedy and sinful, God allowed their nation to be overwhelmed by Babylon, the best and brightest of the land carried off in slavery.  Yet they were not forgotten nor abandoned. Listen to His promise. “The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:10-11, NLT)

In reading the story of the first generation Christians in the book of Acts, I find that one of the ‘superstars’ of that generation spent time on the sidelines. Saul (later, Paul) had an experience with Jesus that changed him. He then disappeared from the scene for severel years!  He mentions spending time in Arabia, but the details are lost to us. Was the apostle to the Gentile world forgotten, invisible to God.  Not at all!  

As the Church began to grow, many moved from Jerusalem to Antioch to avoid persecution. The increasing numbers needed leadership, so we read that  "News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”

It was soon obvious to Barnabas that his spiritual gifts of encouragement needed to be balanced by a teacher, someone whose gifts would strengthen and stabilize the new converts. Someone remembered a man schooled in Scripture, who had taughts Believers in Damascus. The story goes on to tell us -  “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:22-26, NIV)   Paul went on to change the Roman world, taking the Gospel of Christ to the ends of the Empire and leaving us letters that make up about half of the New Testament!

If you’re living in the shadows, if you’re feeling out of sight and out of mind, give yourself to prayerful reflection and ask the Lord to help you to be content in that situation as HE does what HE wants to do in your life. Pastor Chuck Swindoll suggests that there are at least four things that can happen in us while we are in such a time of life.

1. We can learn to live with PATIENCE, able to wait without complaint.
2. We can learn that we are not INDISPENSABLE, developing genuine humility.
3. We can discover DEPTH in the life of the Spirit, understanding Who God is better.
4. We will find out about God’s PLANS and RESOURCES, making us more effective in our service.

Friendships may die. Circumstances beyond our control may move us from the place we most desire. Choices we make may cause us to be set aside. Illness may come leading to confinement. Age will surely bring its own challenges. But know this: you are not forgotten, no never, by the Lord of Heaven. Be careful about kicking and screaming for attention!  Avoid trying to break open something, anything, to leave that place where you feel so useless. Instead, be present to the Spirit, entering into worship, listening for the Spirit’s voice.

Let the story of Hagar, the slave girl of Abraham’s household who was mistreated and ‘forgotten’ when she ran away into the desert to escape her torment. There she met the Angel of the Lord, her heart renewed, and her strength restored. This is our word from the Word today -  "She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13-14, NIV)

Most loving Lord,
Give me a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag downwards;
An unconquered heart, which no hardship can wear out;
An upright heart, which no worthless purpose can ensnare.
Give me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you,
and a faithfulness that will finally embrace you;
Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

• Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
  

(Video of this blog at this link)

_____________________________

 

Lord I Need You

Lord I come I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
And without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way\
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay

Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You

Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher

© 2011 sixsteps Music; Sweater Weather Music; Thankyou Music; Valley Of Songs Music; worshiptogether.com songs

CCLI License # 810055

Unfinished

Are there any projects in your life that remain unfinished, perhaps not even started yet?  Seven years ago I started to talk about repainting the master bedroom in my home … it’s not even started yet. Other things became priorities, the project was not made a priority so it’s still just a dream.  There are some things of much greater importance in my life that remain unfinished or in need of my attention. I fairly certain that the same could be said of each one of us.

In my Christian discipleship, I am an unfinished project. There are parts of my life that are mis-aligned with the will of God, things that I make fitful starts at correcting, but that are still unfinished business. I need to love others better, more consistently, without reserve. I need to serve without complaint more often, forgetting the cost while focusing on the privilege. I should forgive more readily and give pride no room in my life.  It is tempting, at times, to look back over my years and only remember those things that were left unfinished, the choices made that should have been different.

But, I know that if I am spending too much in regret or focusing only on ME I will not live as Christ desires TODAY.  Rigid self-discipline and beating myself up is NOT the way to Christian maturity and holiness that the Word teaches.  The paradox of the life of the Spirit is that greater things are accomplished, not because of my resolute will but because of His infinite power at work in me.

Note the call to the upward look in this passage.  "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was 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 endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (Hebrews 12:1-3, NKJV)

Jesus Christ gives us grace, fills us with His Spirit, and calls us to finish well as we follow in His steps. He is the example, the captain, who leads us. And He has already perfectly accomplished the work of salvation for us. What an amazing thought. By faith, we are now completely right with God, assured of our eternal life, and in relationship with the God who made us to love Him.  Christ did for us what we could never do for ourselves "so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:29-30, NIV)

The grand story of the father of the faithful, Abraham, reminds that he did earn his place. God gave it to him. By faith he accepted God’s declaration and was made ‘righteous,’ that is to say, restored to his relationship with the Lord. Was Abraham perfect in his choices and behavior? If you think so, then you really don’t know the story. He made some awful choices at key moments in life, but God loved him and continued to lead him into life. 

None of this should be understood to say that our choices are without consequences, or that we should carelessly toss aside our failures.  We are called to work His grace into our lives, to appropriately respond with humble confession when we become aware of what we have done to offend God or others, but all the while our focus remains on the unfathomable grace of Jesus Christ. We grow on when he leads. The evidence of the Spirit’s life flourishes, like fruit on healthy tree - "he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT)   

So what is unfinished in your life? Are you looking only backward in regret or forward in anticipation? 

Trust the grace of God given us through Christ Jesus.  “Keep step with the Spirit” and one day, when time is called, you will enter into His Presence forever, with great joy, a beloved child of the Father, welcomed home.

Here is a word from the Word.  May this familiar passage own your mind today.  "I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)  “Lead on, oh King Eternal!”

(Video of this blog at this link)

_____________________________

Trust In God

 

Blessed assurance

Jesus is mine

He's been my fourth man in the fire

(reference to the fiery furnace story in the book of Daniel)

Time after time

Born of His Spirit

Washed in His blood

And what He did for me on Calvary

Is more than enough

 

I trust in God

My Savior

The One who will never fail

He will never fail

 

Perfect submission

All is at rest

I know the author of tomorrow

Has ordered my steps

So this is my story

And this is my song

I’m praising my risen King and Savior

All the day long

 

I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered

I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered

I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered

That’s why I trust Him

That’s why (I trust Him)

 

Brandon Lake | Chris Brown | Mitch Wong | Steven Furtick

© Brandon Lake Music; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing; A Wong Made Write Publishing; Integrity's Praise! Music

 

CCLI License # 810055