journey onWord with us

With all that happens around you, do you ever become jaded? It can happen in your family life, your work life, in your social life—–and that’s about all the life you have! And why do we get jaded? Because the expectations that we have of family members, church leaders, work associates and friends are often simply not met. And if not careful, these unmet expectations filter into the most precious relationship for all Christ-followers … our communion with the Father through His Son, Jesus. There is no doubt there are many unmet expectations present in your life today. The question is, are these disappointments (which we all face) causing you to live a less than expected life of joy, peace and service to our Lord.

From a personal perspective, I see the jadedness of unmet expectations all around me.  And I certainly deal with them in my own life as well.  But one day, you and I will stand before Christ and give an account for our lives. It won’t be adequate for you or me to say that we lost our joy, peace, and stopped serving because of others and our unmet expectations of them. Make no mistake, I understand that pain is real, and hurts are everywhere, but as my reading in the book of Mark reminded me just today, Christ will one day return for His children. Until He comes and takes us home, we all should strive to live well, meeting His expectations of a fully devoted life. In other words … FINISH WELL!

Recently, I heard a song on the radio that has reverberated through my mind. Thanks to You Tube and Google, it was just a few clicks away. The song, “Finish Well”, by Karen Peck encouraged me to do just that. If you have lost a little of your joy and spiritual excitement, the following words from “Finish Well” may challenge you as they did me … to FINISH WELL!

There will come a day
I know without a doubt
Around the throne the saints will bow
And lay down every crown
How glorious that moment
To see Him face to face
And hear Him say “well done my child”
You’ve finished your race
But for now the sun’s still rising
There’s work to still be done
While we’re waiting for the promise
Of what is yet to come.

Finish well
Every day that we are given
Finish well
For the glory of the His name
Finish strong
Until the Savior finally calls us home
Give it everything we have
Finish well.

Okay, I get it, your world and mine has been filled with unmet expectations, and that will not change. People will still let us down in every part of our lives. But we will stand before Christ based on our life, not what others have done. So this is my challenge: While knowing that people have and will fail to meet your expectations, will you determine right now to FINISH WELL, and meet His expectations? The choice is yours.

I attended a luncheon today where the speaker referenced the old 1984 hit by Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”  Remember that song?  I know many of you are humming it right now!  It shot right to #1 on the charts, and at the Grammys that year, it won Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Tina won Female Artist of the Year.  It’s listed on the 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time and named #38 on Songs of the Century.  Ms. Turner was 44 years old when the song became a hit and it truly revived her career.

But… What Does Love Got to Do With It?

Let’s take a brief look at the lyrics.  Love is referred to as a “second-hand emotion,” and “a sweet old-fashioned notion.”  The writer asks, “Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?” The perspective of the song is from someone who has been deeply hurt; they are trying to claim they don’t need love or want to love someone ever again.  I think this may be one reason Tina Turner made a hit out of it; she had broken free from an abusive relationship herself and, in some respects, felt exactly the way the song read at that time.  Years later, she used this song as the theme for her autobiographical film.

We have all felt that way, haven’t we?  We’ve been deeply hurt.  We’ve been betrayed.  Perhaps great disillusionment followed.  “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be,” we have thought.  Or maybe, “It’s so much harder than it should be.”  Or perhaps, like the lyrics to the song, we promised ourselves, “I’ve been thinking about my own protection…”

But …What Does God Say About it?

Very simply, in I John 4:8 we read, “… God is Love.”

So if the truth of Scripture defines God as Love and defines Love as God, that is our answer.

We give of ourselves to help others because God is Love – even when it becomes more than we bargained for.  We give to our churches, our local shelters, our food banks and our missionaries, because God is Love – even when it’s our Starbucks money for the month.  We sit and chat with a lonely senior because God is Love – even when we’ve heard the same story every week.  We offer to help the neighbor with the broken foot with his yard work because God is Love – even when we have been on our feet at work all day.  We read that same book again to the 5 year-old child at bedtime because God is Love – even when we can hardly keep our eyes open.  And yes, we take a chance loving again because God is Love – even when we know that hurt could be just around the corner.

So to answer Tina’s question, “What Does Love Got To Do With It?”…

EVERYTHING!

While traveling for business last week, I was struck by a cottage industry that has taken hold in the city of Toronto. It seems like this industry has emerged on almost every street, and overall creates much revenue. The industry, you may ask … is begging!  Large numbers of people walk the streets of Toronto every day and are confronted by men and women who simply rattle soft drink cups asking for change.  I never saw anyone contribute to the revenue pool, nor did I, but it’s still sad to see people like you and me, who maybe once lived as regular citizens, reduced to begging.  My intent isn’t to ask help for the poor, or to make you feel guilty.  Rather, I’d like to set the stage for interesting words that came from the lips of Jesus.

One of the street vendors that I passed was a blind man sitting with a cup seeking just a bit of change.  Yesterday in my personal reading from Mark chapter ten, I was confronted by another blind man who sought mercy from the Son of God. On a particular day as Jesus was leaving Jericho, trailed by his disciples and a large crowd others, Bartimaeus sought Him out. If I was blind and a beggar when Jesus of Nazareth, the Great Healer passed by, you can rest assured that I would have done the same thing. Who wouldn’t?

This scene is rich with truths to dive deeper into, such as the fact that Bartimaeus called Jesus the Son of David twice, and then Rabbi. There was also another blind man with him (Matthew 20:30). It’s significant, too, that this is the last healing miracle recorded in the book of Mark. But none of these points grabbed my attention like Jesus’ words, “What can I do for you?” (MSG).

It doesn’t surprise me that a beggar’s voice captured the attention of Jesus. And it doesn’t surprise me that He had compassion on Bartimaeus. It doesn’t surprise me that Jesus touched his blind eyes and gave them sight. It is interesting to me, however, that Jesus asked a question that had an obvious answer. “What can I do for you?” In doing so, Jesus gave Bartimaeus the opportunity to express himself, and even give evidence of his faith.

Every day you and I rub shoulders with, or pass by people who have obvious needs. I am not speaking of beggars on a street corner, but work associates, family members, store clerks, social friends, and so on, and so on. To ask, “what can I do for you,” may not be easy, but it is often what I think Christ would want us to do. There are times when we’ll already know what we can do for someone. The issue for all of us is, will compassion and care outweigh the desire for our personal needs? We can’t help every need, but if we sense His leading we should always ask; “what can I do for you?”

If you are a Christ-follower and today you sense that someone has a need, would you ask, “what can I do for you?” You won’t touch blinded eyes and heal, but you may speak words of hope and healing into a hurting life. And with that, Christ will be pleased.

For the last few days, I’ve been in Toronto for a conference. There were more than 8,600 people at the conference, most from places other than the USA. Observing people from around the world causes me to reflect on my life, my faith and all the privileges of my journey.

With my journey glasses on, I actually view the traveling adventures of people every day. Observation has taught me that, by percentage, very few are commuting on a joyful trip. For a variety of reasons, daily circumstances tend to override the capacity we have for joy. It’s understandable that someone without a relationship with Christ would be frustrated; they are traveling alone. But for those who have entered by faith into the family of God, why doesn’t the traveling contain more joy? If your journey is in need of a boost, consider how you are using the daily rest stops available through His Word.

For the most part, it’s impossible to control the external circumstances that invade our lives each week. Have you noticed how often your weekly travels have taken you over one mountain, only to find another looming ahead? And while there are certainly stretches of smooth highways and level roads, for the most part the terrain of life is tough.

Pulling over for daily rest stops will deepen your resolve that external circumstances never give true joy on the journey. Disciplining ourselves to create strategies for internal growth is vital. Nothing on the outside will ever satisfy our internal longings. The people that surround us, the culture we live in, or the activities that fill our lives will never give us lasting journey joy. Take a few minutes, and let the words of II Corinthians encourage you to look inward to buffer the externals of life.

II Corinthians 4:16-18 (MSG)
So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

For a moment, honestly evaluate your recent internal growth through the nourishment of his Word. Is it secondary to your daily travels? Is there too much life in the fast lane and too few rest stops? God wants you to enjoy the growth and joy that He alone can provide. If He’s willing to make us strong internally and unfold His grace in our lives, we must let the nutrients of His Word transform us internally. Our daily doses of nourishment and light are essential to create the strength that stands firm in defense against the attack of those external circumstances that we can’t control, but we know will come.

Journey joy is simple. Give time and priority to rest stops, and let His Word re-energize and fuel you. If your personal rest stops are too infrequent, honestly admit that your travels are out of balance and start each day with pulling into your rest stop.  He knows when you’ll need the miracle, or maybe just some encouragement for the next mile. Remember, there is a lavish celebration prepared for all who know Christ.

Don’t traverse another mile without seeking Him first.

There’s a phrase common to the unique relationship I have with my youngest son.  It comes out each time he initiates or we share in considering a question which possesses at least trace amounts of gray.  I don’t even have to say it anymore.  As soon as I inhale to begin to say it, he takes the lead and speaks the words, “The question is not ‘Can I do it?’, but ‘Should I do it?’”

I smiled and thought of our many meaningful conversations considering that question as I was reading ahead this past week in preparation to write about yesterday’s passage in the book of Mark.  I love our focus this year on the words of Jesus.  I love taking the approach of being one of His followers as He walked this earth as one of us.  I love just sitting and listening to Him talk.  Among so many other things, He has the divine ability to reframe the question, turn conventional thinking and human wisdom on its ear and get to the heart of the matter in just a few words.  He does all those things with his response to the Pharisees question about divorce.

He asked them first how they would answer the question based on the law they would claim to be experts in.  “What did Moses command you?”  (Mark 10:3 ESV)  Then, in just a handful of words, Jesus completely reframes the question and gets to the absolute Truth concerning the sacred bond between a man and a woman, who have said their vows before God.  He speaks the truth of God’s creative work and of His design for us in this broken world.  He shuts the book on the potential nuances the Pharisees might follow with.

I am so thankful for, and so aware of, God’s presence in my everyday.  When I received the invitation to write today, I was in the midst of preparing the words that would grace the inside of the handmade anniversary card for my wife.  We were married 23 years ago yesterday (“thank you!” to all those silent anniversary wishes I imagine are being thought right now).  It would take too long to detail the connective thread, but suffice it to say the passage in Mark resonated perfectly with the thoughts and words I was crafting.  God is so good.

As Jesus rightly reframed the question to speak the truth of God’s creative work and design, please allow me a moment to share two bits of context for the true love and marriage that I have seen modeled in my own life.  Whenever the subject of true love and two becoming one enters my mind, I think of my maternal grandparents.  I think of the longsuffering, grace and love my grandfather modeled for me in sitting day after day at my grandmother’s side for 4 years in a long-term care facility.  The image in my mind’s eye is of my grandfather sitting so close to my grandmother’s side, there was not even a sliver of daylight between them.  Whether she was sitting up in the TV room or lying in her bed, he was right by her side.  He insisted on being there everyday … all day.  He would stroke her hand, and she would turn and just stare at him for what seemed like forever.  Their gazes and smiles wrote chapters and volumes in their love story over the years.  I never heard my grandfather speak a discouraged word during all that time.  My grandmother suffered physically and mentally, and he persevered and never wavered.  Even for the final year or so, when my grandfather’s face and name were unrecognizable because of the devastating effects of Alzheimers,  they continued to sit, gaze, smile, and breathe out the deepest and most godly love I have ever witnessed.

I recently experienced another deeply moving example of this two-as-one love in visiting the hospital room of a dear friend’s father.  He was in what would be his final days and could only “communicate” with facial movements that spoke significant pain.  As I walked into his room that singular evening, I saw my friend’s mother sitting with similar posture to that of my own grandfather.  She held her husband’s hand and spoke to him softly.  She smiled at him and occasionally began singing.  It was what they had done together all their lives, and it was how she chose to honor and love him all the way to his very last breath.  It was beautiful to witness.  And like every occasion on which I visited my grandmother, it was like standing on holy ground.

As I left that day, I stopped to give my friend’s daughter a hug.  She is a beautiful young woman who I have come to know as a friend and care for as a little sister.  I encouraged her with the picture of her grandmother and grandfather in those meaningful moments.  “Don’t settle for anything less,” were the words that were on my lips and are the prayer of my heart for her.  They are the picture and words I will encourage my own sons with, and those we should use to encourage all our young men and women.

There is a sacred design and plan for all our lives.  In living, Jesus set out the model that we as individual souls should follow.  In the words of His teaching today, He reminds all of us, who have entered into the sacred union of two souls, that we are one flesh.

Last Thursday, I had a front row seat in watching my Lord engineer an event that I could have never created. It was one of those circumstances that causes me to reflect on why I too often live based on my own ability, and not His supernatural ability. Most likely, I’ll not know the full impact of the God-authored event on this side of heaven. But there is no doubt that God did something special … and I got a front row seat. Again, I must ask myself why I trust less and stress more, all while seeing our all-powerful God at work over and over, and over.

While reading Scripture and the words of Jesus this week, I have seen the power of Christ bleed through scenes in the book of Mark. He fed the four thousand, healed a blind man, and was transfigured before Peter, James and John. Wow, what a powerful God we serve! During my reading I was also mesmerized by the scene where Christ delivered a defining challenge to His disciples.

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”
Mark 8:29

It struck me that without confessing Christ as Savior, no one can be saved. There is only one way that leads to God, and that is through Christ. I trust that you know Him.

It seems safe to assume that most, if not all, those who read our articles have either already confessed Christ as Savior, or are at least curious about issues of faith. You likely believe deeply in Christ’s power to accomplish the miracles mentioned above, and even would agree that God does special miracles like the one I witnessed last week. But like me, you may often find yourself affirming truths, but frustrated by not applying them as you should.  While praying this morning, I was challenged about really believing that the items on my prayer list could be accomplished. I do! But again, affirming truth alone, without applying the principles of His Word is futile.  God is no less able to work in your life and mine than He was to author the event that I saw last Thursday.  The issue is not God, but me (and us).

There are lots of reasons why we find ourselves living in a world where the distinctiveness of our faith is blurred in the eyes of those who don’t know Christ as Savior. One of the key issues (at least to me), is that there doesn’t seem to be much difference in the way that believers and non-believers act and react to the stresses of life. Among the believers I know, there is not much issue with affirming biblical truth, but living its principles is a sticking point (therefore, very little distinctiveness).  We must all ask ourselves, “Is my faith contagious to those around me?”  What I saw this week in Scripture, and last week amidst the everyday of my life, reminded me of God’s awesome power. When you and I rest in that power, and live out His Word, our faith is distinctive and contagious.

If you are a Christ-follower, yet you aren’t seeing much of His power at work in your life, don’t be afraid to honestly ask the Father why. And then accept that the following verse can be a reality for you. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)  If you have yet to believe, but are curious, we would love to begin a dialog about who we say He is.  Don’t wait another day.

Today was beautiful and the sun shined brightly (not too hot, not too cold). But if it gets much warmer in our area, complaints will start. Just a few months ago however, we were wondering if summer would ever arrive. Snow and cold turned to a wet spring, and the collective attitude was mild frustration. But if these beautiful days turn too hot, the coolness of autumn will start to look pretty good. My point in all this is … are we ever pleased? We can be tempted to spend life looking forward or gazing in the rear view mirror, and completely miss enjoying the beauty of each moment. Our desire for perfect weather illustrates the subtle uneasiness in the soul of most believers in Christ. I am a fan of seeking to live in the moment, although the ultimate priority of meeting God in each moment is still a work in progress for me.

My impression is that Christ lived each day to the fullest, and I know He was content with God’s purpose for every day.  His days were filled with people who needed physical and spiritual healing. He was confronted with crowds and animosity. Those closest to Him on so many occasions didn’t understand Him, and certainly failed Him at critical times. Our Lord lived in the moment, and those moments were critical to those who needed His touch, His healing and His teaching. Assurance in the purpose of each moment, not anxiety about the last or for the next, was the way Christ navigated the daily demands of His life. Sure, He was the perfect Son of God, but as His followers we live best by seeking to meet God in each moment, not regretting yesterday or anticipating tomorrow. Those lives that you and I are challenged to touch need us to be in the moment, living with assurance and casting off anxiety.  A poem you have seen in my articles before, written by a woman I’ve never met, Helen Mallicoat, gives us all great perspective.

I was regretting the past and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
“My name is “I Am”. He paused.
I waited. He continued,
When you lived in the past with it’s
mistakes and regrets, it is hard.
I am not there.
My name is not “I Was”.
When you live in the future,
with its problems and fears,
it is hard.
I am not there.
My name is not “I Will Be”.
When you live in the moment,
It is not hard.
I am here.
My name is “I Am”.

Could it be that one of the reasons we struggle with life today is that we don’t look for, and live in His purpose for today? Spending our time looking backward or forward doesn’t lend itself to meeting and enjoying God in each moment. I was deeply reminded by a cell phone text today that those we can affect eternally are with us in the moment, not our tomorrows or yesterdays. My words are not a pep talk about turning challenges into opportunities, but an encouragement from one who also struggles, that this moment matters to God and to others.

When autumn comes, we’ll miss the summer. When the snow flies, we’ll long for the beauty of those cool crisp fall days. But whether our days are cool, snowy or downright hot, someone needs us in that moment. Will you consider meeting God in your moments today?

Let me ask you a question.  Would you describe yourself as “humble?”  If so, take a moment and consider a limit to your humility, both on the high side and the low side.  How quickly would pride creep in, say if someone began praising you for something you had done or for the type of person you are in their eyes?  And do you have a lower limit?  How many times could you be taken advantage of or humiliated before your defense mechanisms kicked in?  Is there a “too far” or a line just this side of absolute bottom?

I found myself asking these questions internally on Wednesday morning this week after consuming the words of Jesus in Mark chapter seven, and the story of someone just like me (in so far as we are both Gentiles).  It touched something at the very core of who I am.

There are plenty of things that I can project outward on a society that seems to fail so often and so epically when it comes to pride; so many cliché-type condemnations on the tip of my tongue that I could rightly direct to “others.”  But I found myself personalizing the question of humility, answering it quickly, and then wrestling with the standard I saw in the story, and how, or whether it is manifested in my own life.  It was me who wrote just a little over a week ago about choosing to live like Jesus did with the rhythm of my life.  “How am I doing in this area?” was another question that traveled to my core and settled there.

Jesus traveled to the region of Tyre and Sidon, and to a home where he hopes to go unnoticed.  As the story goes, and as you would expect, the crowd finds him.  There is a particular woman, a Greek, whose daughter is possessed by a demon.  When she finds out where Jesus is, she hurries to the house and falls at his feet.  Although the Bible does not describe it this way, I don’t think it’s out of line (pun partially intended) to assume that there was a line to Jesus … people, His own people, who were in need.  All of a sudden this Greek woman runs into the house, right up to Jesus and “fell at his feet.” (Mark 7:25 NIV)  No doubt there were some in line who had some cliché-type condemnations on the tips of their tongues.

The woman proceeds to beg Jesus to drive a demon from the body of her daughter.  Can you relate to this Gentile woman who is desperate for Jesus to heal someone she loves?  I have heard Jesus’ answer a hundred times before, but for some reason this time it traveled deep within me.  I wonder what His tone was when He spoke the words?  “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (Mark 7:27 NIV)  Read those words again … and then maybe a third time.  Do they hit you in a different or deeper place each time you read them?  Do they have you questioning if this woman has a lower line, just this side of absolute bottom?  Can you put yourself in this woman’s place, maybe in another context, something unique to your own life?  Was I just called “a dog?”

I wonder what the timing was between Jesus’ last word and the woman’s first one in response?  The Bible reads as though it was immediate, and, from the words she spoke, I believe it was.  Showing no reaction to the lowly reference, she responds in way that reads, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3 NIV)  She responds in perfect illustration of the words Jesus spoke at the very beginning of his most famous public teaching.  “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (Mark 7:28 NIV)

“Lord,” I can hear her say, “I accept my lowly place and don’t consider it, even for a second.  I believe, and I am here because, you have the power to heal.  I will praise you and thank you for even the scraps from the table of your servants.  I consider myself as literally nothing for You to be seen as everything.”  This is what she says.  This is no lower limit.  This is poor in spirit.  This is blessed.

Jesus heals her daughter instantly in response to her words.  Is that how it works all the time?  I would dare say based on the experiences of your life and mine, “No, it is not.”  Is this what I aspire to?  Is this the illustration of how I want to answer the questions I was asking myself this past Wednesday and each day since?  “Yes!  Yes, it is.”

Allow the words of Jesus and the stories that surround them to touch your life, and stir in you questions such as these.  Keep asking these questions in your everyday.  Allow the conversation to drive you to new depths in your relationship with the risen Savior.  Allow it to change the way you see and serve others.  So what is your answer?  Would you describe yourself as “humble?”

Last Friday, we had an unusual flight from Tampa.  My wife and I would probably explain the “unusualness” from different perspectives, but unusual it was.  Genel was trying to study, but was continually interrupted by two dogs and two babies that never stopped crying the entire flight. For her, it was an annoying adventure in flying.  The noise also distracted me, but I was confronted by someone from my past that thoroughly encouraged me.  As I sat down and buckled up for the flight, I exchanged greetings with the gentlemen next to me. After a few moments and curious looks, we realized that we knew each other. It had been at least 23 years since we last saw each other, so obviously there were a few “gray” areas that caused us to hesitate! After renewing acquaintances, we talked about his mom and sisters, who I also knew well.

The especially encouraging part of our discussion centered on his sharing that both he and his wife had come to faith in Christ while in a ministry that I directed. Today, they are active in church and serving in leadership roles. I was stunned and blessed all at the same time.  At that point in our lives, Genel and I were leading a ministry that had been a leap of faith. I had been asked to take a ministry position that was beyond my comfort zone and training, but in His will. Humanly speaking, it was a risk for me to take the position as it demanded things that were beyond anything I had ever achieved.

I firmly believe that God often places us in positions that are beyond us, but never beyond His ability.  Have you ever faced a situation sensing that it was “impossible” or “beyond your ability?”  Is there anything in your life today that requires more faith than sight?  Living in our comfort zones and doing only what we feel capable of doing may mean that we are keeping Him at arm’s length.  Faith will stretch us.

I would dare say, everyone knows the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. It was a miracle of dramatic proportions.  In fact, it’s the only miracle apart from the Resurrection that is recorded in all four gospels. As I was re-reading it Saturday, the words of Jesus to His disciples leapt off the page at me. Jesus had compassion on the large crowd, and taught them. Late in the afternoon His disciples wanted Him to send the crowd away so they could buy something to eat. But Jesus said, “You feed them.” (Mark 6:37)  Talk about asking the disciples to do the impossible! There is so much to learn from this incredible miracle, but for once my eyes focused solely on, “You feed them.”

  It seems to me that Christ wanted to emphasize the disciple’s inability, and His ability. The men did what I would do, they started to count the unaffordable cost of providing food. If not careful, you and I look at every faith stretching, comfort zone removing opportunity by calculating costs that we feel we either can’t, or don’t want to pay.  The disciple’s inability was no match for Christ’s ability, and the people were fed. How easy it is for us to miss His ability on display when we refuse to take steps of faith.

We all stand today looking forward in the direction of the future. Will our futures be dictated by sight and what we can accomplish, or by faith and what He wants to accomplish? All Christ-followers should seek faith-stretching opportunities that depend on His ability. It has been almost thirty years since my wife and I took a risk. I wonder if we would take that same chance again. Getting older seems to make us more security-oriented, but meeting miracles on a plane reminds that God’s ability is what we should all trust … not ours!

An interesting thing happened on Monday that is beyond my ability to explain. The results were undeniable and meaningful, but hard for me to comprehend. My wife, daughter and I were on vacation at Disney World for a day, and our daughter Lindsay was posting pictures to Instagram for her friends. Somehow, one of the launched pictures (imagine a picture floating through air), returned to orbit in the account of a childhood friend in South Florida. Her friend then called her parents who were at Disney World and asked if they were with us (her parents had no idea that we were enjoying Mickey Mouse for a day). A text ensued (which I really can’t figure out either), and we connected with two of our closest friends in the entire world. And it all happened from a picture floating through air.

So much of life is filled with God’s undeniable, yet unexplainable power.  Throughout my spiritual journey, I have seen God do the unexplainable so many times. His protection, provision and grace are undeniable to me, however, too many times I experience a distractedness that enters my spiritual focus and prayer life. It’s easy to rationalize the “why”, but too much me, and too little God leads to less spiritual effectiveness … and correspondingly, less unexplainable moments! If your journey has taken similar paths, you know the frustration I’ve felt. Those God-authored Instagram moments seem so distant.

Without a doubt, when I re-tune my life to the Father’s heartbeat, He is pleased.  As if on cue, the great unexplainables start happening again. It’s easy for thoughts like, “would this have happened anyway?” to creep in.  But I am confident that a lifetime of coincidences (like there are such things) are from the Lord. I may not be able to explain everything, but His working in my life cannot be denied. You may be traveling a road where the great unexplainable blessings of God seem to only happen to others. If so, consider re-tuning your will to His; your life to His heartbeat. We should not be so bold as to think just because we refocus, God is bound to immediately perform some unexplainable miracle. His design however, is to bless those who walk with a surrendered, faith-filled heart. Jeremiah’s faith mirrored a trust in the unexplainable, undeniable power of God.

Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Every person reading this article has a “too hard” issue, but He made the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm. Unexplainable! Undeniable! If you have stopped praying fervently for your children, given up on finding a job, or lost hope that God may heal your loved one, you may be traveling by sight. Turn to the Father with renewed commitment. Let Hebrews 11:1-2 become your reality … Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. (NIV)

When my daughter hit Send on her Instagram pictures, she had no doubt they would immediately be in the view of her friends. I can’t explain how it happens, but I believe it. I can’t explain how God hung the world in space, or fully comprehend the death and resurrection of Christ, but I believe it. I don’t know how He chooses to pour unexplainable, undeniable blessings on the lives of those who are fully devoted to Him, but I believe it. Do you?