It's 5:40 am and it looks like another beautiful Colorado morning. Daphne and I will take off for our morning hike in about an hour and a half, then I'm hoping to take Nicole to breakfast on my way to Home Depot to pick up some wood; I need to reinforce both decks on our house (front and back) because apparently they were built 30 years ago using only nails (I guess screws weren't in vogue back then), and with time the nails just begin to work themselves loose. I was planning to basically rebuild both decks over time, but two days ago some old friends of ours stopped by for a visit and Lane showed me a few things I could do to reinforce the decks and gain another 2-3 years before we'll need to rebuild them. God is good - even when I don't know enough to ask Him to send me some free construction counsel!
Been thinking more about our Promised Land today, and what that looks like for us. Surely this is what Jesus had in mind when He said, "I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly"? As I'm working on my sermon for this Sunday I wanted to give examples of believers who have lived, or who live in the promised land of God's peace and rest every day. I'm sad to say that I could only think of less than a handful of Christians I know who seem to live free from bondage to fear. One of them is my friend Georges in France whom God has used in such amazing ways in our lives. I cannot explain this phenomenon, but during our last two years in France literally every time Georges would set foot in my home the Lord would speak to me in some dramatic fashion. He never came with the intention of being God's channel of communication. In fact, I think most of the time Georges was oblivious of how God was using him in my life. But as I think about it, that's exactly how God loves to use us -- without us even knowing that He's doing it. I believe God uses Georges and Valerie in this way because their lives are genuinely submitted to Him, and they seem to live for the most part free from the bondage of fear and anxiety. I know we are where the Lord wants us to be, but I confess that I wish we were still in France so I could spend more time with Georges - he is such an encouragement to me. I'm waiting for him to call me on Skype right now so we can at least talk for awhile.
I think it must sadden the Lord deeply that so few of us really trust Him with our lives. Most of the time we're worried and anxious about money, about job security, about interpersonal conflicts, about illness, or loved ones who are suffering, etc. But Jesus did say we shouldn't be anxious about ANYTHING, and He promised to give us rest if we'll let him carry our burdens. Here's something else I find amazing: when He promises rest for His children, he doesn't seem to be talking at all about rest from our labors, or from working. Instead, He speaks of rest for our SOULS, because He knows this is where we struggle the most with fears and doubts. SOUL REST. That's what we really need. Work Hard when it's time to work - and be at rest in our souls. Funny thing: workaholism is a big problem for many of us men - but I believe the root problem of a workaholic is the same thing - fear. We work too hard, too many hours each week because we're afraid to relax, or afraid to face up to the problems at home, or afraid we'll lose our job if we're not burning the candle at both ends.
What does the Promised Land look like today? It looks like laughter - lots of it. The deep kind of laughter that hurts your guts, but leaves you feeling absolutely wonderful. It looks like tears - tears that flow easily; tears of joy, tears of compassion, tears of sorrow for others' pain. It looks like genuine contentment with whatever God provides, no matter how much or how little, because we know how deeply He cares for us. It looks like joy that can't be explained, and can't be stolen. It looks like peace that is beyond understanding. It looks like relationships that are real, honest, and free of hidden agendas. It looks like working hard and playing even harder. It looks like a heart that is continuously grateful, because we don't deserve anything, really. It looks like humility, and gentleness, and patience. Real patience - the patience to let God be God in others' lives, and give Him the time and space to work. It looks like a life filled with memories. . . memories of some hard times, but far more memories of all the wonderful times of blessing with family and intimate friends. And more than anything, it looks like a heart that is deeply, passionately, in love with Jesus - because if we have Him, we have all the rest.
This is the Land I long to live in every day.
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