Life, oh Life!

Wow, I haven't blogged in a while! You can tell that I have more time in my hands now! Actually, I'm just getting ready for the big moment -- giving birth! I'm due on April 4th this year and I'm bracing myself for another life changer. Life, oh life!

Speaking of life, I am going through my whole Bible again (chronological), and I've just been so amazed by how relevant and accurate the scriptures are! I'm reading the story of Israel just before they entered the promised land. Moses was prepping them to conquer it and they were about to face 7 nations more powerful than they were! I read their story and God's instructions to them and I see how the choices they've made in the past (whether to obey or not to obey) have affected their future as a nation -- even to this day.

I just watched a documentary called, "To die in Jerusalem", and the movie gave me perspective on Israel's current relations with its neighboring countries. God is so wise and if only Israel obeyed Him completely, they would have had peace in all directions. But they didn't, and so their difficult journey continues. There's so much to say and share about this, but I'd keep my opinions to myself and focus on what really hit home in my quiet time today.

<sup>Deuteronomy 8:2-5

"</sup>Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. "

1. God sometimes purposely leads us through the desert of our lives, where things don't seem to be so exciting-- when everything seems lost and dull. Imagine eating the same food (manna) for 40 years! I would honestly struggle! Yet, God does this to test us and to know what's in our hearts. Will we still obey Him even when things are not as we expected them to be? The Israelites would have been in the promised land sooner than later, if they had obeyed God completely. Sometimes, we are in a rut because of our own disobedience. But, even then, God uses that time to refine us and grow us into better individuals.

2. Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Let me cite another scripture that says, "...life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." Luke 12:15. I would encourage you to read the whole parable and context of this scripture (Luke 12:15-21). It is very convicting!

How true it is that you may have all your needs and wants met, and yet still be so empty and lonely! I am convinced that ALL of us can relate to this. I remember a time in my life when I had everything -- great family, great education, good image and reputation, a promising future, a church, community involvement, etc. And yet, I felt so empty. It was so sad that I cried myself at night, and even had thoughts of wanting my life to end!

I am not exaggerating nor lip serving God when I say, "He made me whole." Studying the Bible and learning what it truly means to be a Christian-- to live in God's grace, and yes, His Lordship--that's what really saved my life.

And when I say saved, I'm not only speaking of a futuristic eternal time in heaven. I am speaking of this present life. God saved me and my life from going to a dangerous direction. I can honestly say that I am content.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13

God has given me the strength not just to endure but to see His blessing in plenty or in want. I hope that this is a conviction I keep for life. Knowing that God strengthens me to face up to any situation in life, and works out the good for me (all the time) gives me a lot of peace.

3. God disciplines us for our good. Have you ever felt like "life just ain't perfect?" Just when you think you've found stability and comfort, something happens and shakes your equilibrium. Then, you seem to be back where you started or at least starting a new chapter in your life.

I call this discipline. We are constantly in training, constantly being refined. And how long we linger on one particular lesson in life really depends on how we respond. Check out this scripture:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Hebrews 4:5b-6

The two extreme responses are: 1) Making light of the Lord's discipline; 2) Losing heart.

Making light means just being complacent and not taking life's lessons seriously. We shrug things off and pretend that everything's okay. We say, "everybody else does it, so why can't I?" Or we blame everyone else for our "misfortunes", except ourselves. If we go through life this way, then we're gonna be stuck in "our" deserts for life. We never learn, and so we stay in Kindergarten or even day care. We are designed to grow through life, not just go through it.

Losing heart means getting easily discouraged and feeling hopeless. I lean more towards this tendency. My conscience gets easily guilt-ridden and when I allow this to linger, I quit or give up. I get nervous by setbacks in life and have a hard time moving on. I thank God because lately, whenever I pray and feel like giving up on a relationship or a task or a responsibility, I get reminded to "never give up". I get reminded that if I give up, I am not learning and growing. Reliance on God is key to this attitude. By reliance on God, I mean to trust and obey His Words. And then when I've given my best to obey, to trust that God will work out the rest for me. Prayer is of course important too.

So, that's God's nugget of wisdom for me today. Thoughts anyone?