There are different kinds of hard times. This is for those of you trudging through muck. May your efforts pay off and your outcome be freedom. May your hard times come again no more.
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Parable of the Hamster
Several years ago at a grade school where I worked, there was an infestation of mice. Students were asked to clear their desks and backpacks of snacks, while custodial staff handled the eradication of the rodents. One afternoon after the students had been dismissed, a mouse happened near the path of a teacher. Being a pragmatic guy, a farmer on the side, and conveniently wearing sturdy hiking boots, the teacher promptly stomped on it.
Not wanting to burden the custodians, he took cleanup into his own hands. Just as he returned from disposing of it in an outdoor bin, he heard a frenzied colleague inquire of their peers, “Has anyone seen my hamster?”
I know. It’s horrible and hysterical all at once. To us. But not to either of those teachers. And not to the poor little classroom hamster, may he rest in peace.
Unfortunately, we can relate to that hamster. Too often, we have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, incorrectly assessed in an instant, and smashed before we knew what happened. Unlike the profusely apologetic and remorseful teacher in this true story, too many hamster smashers have no conscience about leaving us flattened in their wake.
We try objecting to the wrongful stomper: “But I … I didn’t say that. I didn’t even think that.” Our words are but tiny squeaks: “Hey! Why have I been tried and found guilty of a crime I didn’t do? I didn’t even get a chance to speak.” The people wearing the boots don’t hear. Or worse: they twist our objection into justification for the mistreatment. We get swift kicks for good measure.
There are no quick fixes for the damaging malady of humanity, no “Ten Steps To Eradicate Wrongdoing on Earth”. But we can find some solace in this: We are not alone. Others have suffered injustices too. We are not unworthy beings — it is the crushings that are wrong, not the victims.
Our accusers and abusers may never say they are sorry. The more we trusted them, the more that reality hurts. But we can move on. We can. It may not feel like it when we’re newly and thoroughly smooshed, but we can recover and regroup. As long as there is life in us, we can continue our journey to goodness.
Let’s agree to not become one of them. Let’s vow to never get even by becoming hamster stompers too. Some say vengeance is sweet, but that feeling is fleeting — the path of revenge leads to the ruin of our own lives. Let repayment be God’s business.
Let’s build the ranks of good, not evil. God will help us dodge the stompers of this world so that we can move forward. Onward we go, stronger and wiser and determined. Let’s do some good on this earth we share.
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV): “17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Does Anyone Care?
When people can’t be trusted; when even loved ones won’t listen; when nobody comprehends or cares …
You are still never alone; you are never neglected, unheard, or unloved. Always, always, your maker is present to envelope you in his compassion and understanding.
“Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:8
Your Promotion
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If there was a camera that could capture near and far views of your lifetime, you could zoom out and see the value of your life experiences. You could examine a time of your life that you were restricted, suffering, or failing, and see how that painful time produced qualities for success later.
We don’t recognize the value of frustration when we’re in it. The best we can do is trust that God has our best interests in mind. If we stay committed to letting God have our lives for his purposes, we can be sure that he will release us when the time is right.
I can imagine God’s hand holding us back despite our anxiety, impatience, and confusion. He does so to set us up for long-term success. But God doesn’t kill the heart and aspiration to eventually go forward — that drive is needed to surge ahead when he removes his restraining hand, and says “Now, the time is right. Go.”
Your release is ahead. You will see your life make sense when God places you in the position he is preparing for you. What is in your heart will not be snuffed out — it will be fanned into flames when the time is right.
When your position is ready, God will make sense of your life by promoting you to that position.
What frustrates you now, will make sense then.
What you view as failure now, will make sense later.
Until then, God is causing your character, abilities, and desires to develop and grow. Your heart will continue to fill with God-approved aspirations. When he removes his restraining hand and allows you to move forward without hindrance, your aspirations will direct you according to God’s intent.
“13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
You have within you the heart to do what God has planned for you to do.
You have within you the abilities to do what God has planned for you to do.
So don’t fret the frustrations. He hasn’t removed his restraining hand yet. When he takes his hand away, you will be free to burst forth in a spirited release of all that is within you.
“6 For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert.
7 But God is the judge; he puts down one and sets up another.”
Psalm 75:6-7 (Jubilee Bible 2000, JUB)
Fan the Flames
I’m not a fan of futility. I’ve noticed it’s about the biggest oppressor of my spirit. I don’t mind hardship so much if it yields something good. But if trouble is all for nothing—if there are no improved conditions, if all is futile—then the flames of my hope, ambition, purpose, and joy are reduced to smoldering embers.
In Romans 8:20, it says: For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
The NIV version uses the word “frustration” instead of “futility.” That doesn’t sound any better. And I’m curious about the phrase, “because of him who subjected it.” It implies God may be the one responsible for frustrating us. Why would he do that? And if…
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Irresistible Destiny, Part Two
Destiny by definition:
1. something that is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; lot or fortune.
2. the predetermined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events.
From experience, I can verify the irresistible aspect of destiny. It beckons. It takes me forward despite all of my human shortcomings and fears. I do not want to resist it. I could, I know, and thereby prevent a whole chain of events from transpiring. But I don’t want to do that.
Why allow myself to be taken forward into the unknown, into a wilderness, even into a wasteland?
Because I sense something wonderful ahead. From what I’ve stumbled upon so far in this new, unfamiliar wilderness, it is good. Very, very good.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:9 NIV)
Despite the challenges and insecurities, I choose to proceed in the unknown. Why?
Because I am absolutely certain that God’s love for me is beyond my comprehension. I am convinced that his vision is infinite, flawless, and inconceivably wise, even while my view is through a tiny, mist-covered porthole. I am sure of God’s protection for me in this unfamiliar terrain — where he beckons he provides an impenetrable fortress, a complete shield and rear guard — I may hear hostile voices beyond his walls, but enemy arrows will not reach me.
I am safe in my destiny. I am secure in my destiny. I will have the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit in my destiny.
What’s true for me, is true for you.
You are safe in your destiny. You are secure in your destiny. You will have the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit in your destiny.
God beckons with a plan for your life. Will you follow?
Destiny, Part One
I woke today with the word “destiny” on my mind. So I did a little digging, some reading, and a whole lot of listening …
“All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old” (Psalm 139:16 NCV).
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
“You can miss God’s destiny for your life. People do it all the time. In fact, you can go through your entire life and miss God’s purpose for your life — by your own choices.
God’s will is not automatic. He allows us to make choices. Many of the things that happen to you are not God’s perfect will. We all have to choose between God’s will and our will. We often choose our will.
But you can have God’s will for your life. Even when you mess up, God can turn disaster into destiny. It’s never too late to have his perfect will in your life. Just pray, “God, I want your purpose for my life,” and you won’t miss it — no matter where you’ve been. He’ll get you in line with his purpose. He wants you to fulfill your destiny more than you do!
It’s why Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” God’s will is done perfectly in Heaven. He wants it done perfectly in your life, too.
But your destiny is your choice.” Rick Warren
So … Destiny. I chose mine almost twenty years ago, albeit fearfully, hesitantly, and somewhat erratically. I remember well the misgivings and angst that accompanied the decision. I can describe it only as a sense of purpose, a destiny beyond my understanding — a calling from my “known” life into an “unknown” one.
For many years after, I had a mysterious expectancy — something better was “ahead.” Only recently am I aware of being “in it”. Finally. I can’t say that I can identify WHAT exactly, I am in. I just know that it has finally arrived. Or maybe it’s me who finally arrived in IT.
Maybe this sense of “destiny being fulfilled” has to do with the writing that began in earnest three years ago. Maybe it’s the new people that have come into my life unexpectedly. Maybe it’s the removal of some people. Perhaps it’s the distance I’ve gained on my past and seeing that “the bad stuff” is not repeating. Maybe it’s due to further yielding to God’s will, of passing some kind of crucial, incremental notch on my seemingly-endless cog of surrender.
Maybe it’s all of that and far more. I may remain forever oblivious, and my understanding of it might not matter — I just know I’m in something new.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)
You also have a destiny, a purpose, a calling to something new. It is good ahead for you, irresistibly good. Choose it, and be confident that God will make a way for its fulfillment.
Continued in “Irresistible Destiny, Part Two”
Taking Shape
“But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.” – Isaiah 64:8
Remember this:
God’s hands don’t touch clay to IMPOSE a shape,
but to FIND its shape.
You are in the hands of the great, I AM. His goodness cannot be exaggerated. His compassion for you is unlimited; his affection unconditional. His hands patiently draw out the best that is within you. He is making it possible for you to become who you were always meant to be.
Be honored and secure. Be excited and happy. Be hopeful and confident. Be joyful and thankful. You are blessed.
“For because of our faith, he has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be.” — Romans 5:2 (Living Bible, TLB)
Photograph by Lou Lourdeau.
Fullness Of Joy
“You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11
A prayer of King David
Fallen Hope
Isn’t it nice to know people you can be honest with?
I ran into an old friend this morning. We have had many long talks over the years about religion, so our updates today of families and jobs were naturally viewed under a canopy of faith.
“You’re in a calling,” he said.
“That could be. But I doubt. I’m doubting a lot the past few days.”
“We have an enemy,” he reminded.
“I’m not sure if it’s that and I need to keep believing, keep hoping, and not give up on some things … What I’m aiming for requires God. I have these fears I’m headed to big disappointment.”
“Are you expecting enough of God? We have to remember how much he wants to give. We have ‘fall-back’ plans in case he doesn’t pull through for us … that’s not full confidence.”
I nodded. “I expect huge things from him. I think he’s shorted by us. We restrict him, we settle for very little, and don’t experience who he really is. I’m after more and taking risks for more, and was certain it was put there by God … but now I’m doubting. What if he doesn’t do the things I’m hoping for?”
“At the same time, we have to let his will be done, not ours.”
“I need to stop and be sure.”
“And you are, in your doubting,” my friend said. “Suffering can be useful. It makes us stick close to God, or get even closer.”
It was a timely and helpful talk. I’ve since reflected on it, and boiled my angst down to this: I’m afraid my hopes will be dashed. My heart literally aches recalling how it’s happened in the past.
I know the reality of being unable to salvage relationships that others sabotaged, of having my greatest desires succumb to the opposing will of people. I don’t want to go through more heartache. It’s tempting to not hope at all.
Then this evening, a silent, clear voice of reason had its say:
It’s not over till it’s over. Yes, those past dreams fell to the ground; those old leaves dropped from your tree. Desires that come from the Lord are like new leaves in early spring — they begin as buds. Don’t give up; don’t knock them from their branches. The day will come when your hopes, those new leaves, will emerge and flourish. Your tree of life. Your desires fulfilled.
Proverbs 13:12 (Jubilee Bible 2000) –
Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
Apparently, I’m in the “deferred” stage of hope; desires are delayed or put off for a future time. Thankfully, the little hope buds on my tree of life survived another day — I did not knock them from their branches in a quest for relief. God sent the help I needed to save them from myself. Why would he do that if he weren’t ultimately going to transform those tiny, elusive buds to full, vigorous glory?
May your desires also make it through the perilous stage of “hope deferred”. I know the doubt and agony that often happens in the wait. But don’t give up. Your full, radiant, future tree of life depends on it.
Cindi Gale 