Karen Moore's Blog, page 7

Gracious Uncertainty

I love this title from a piece in My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. In a world that struggles to be precise, to know ahead of time what might happen next, or to simply feel comfortable in the present moment, we might want to consider the idea of living in gracious uncertainty. We imagine if we’re not sure about an outcome, or we don’t know what to expect, that it probably means something negative will happen. Chambers says that notion is exactly the opposite of what is true.  If we are willing to surrender our egos, our personal brilliance, and our need-to-know things, and simply let God be God, we can live happily in gracious uncertainty. So, how can we let go of our own ideas and be certain God knows best?

Maybe you remember an old TV show called Father Knows Best. Robert Young played the father of a growing family, with Jane Wyatt by his side. Of course, the family rarely struggled with issues families face today, but they were a family first and that dictated their actions. It was a world where the parents would always strive to get to the bottom of any problem and of course, Jim Anderson, as the father, always had the answer. So, what if we could imagine even for a while that our Father, our Heavenly Father, who knew each of us before we were even born, knows the best actions for our lives? What if we could simply say, Father Knows Best?

Oswald Chambers reminds us that the spiritual life is the life of a child, and a child of God may not be certain about things that happen in the world, but he is certain about God. In fact, Chambers goes on to say beliefs are different than believing God. Beliefs are guided by learning and experience. Believing God is a matter of faith and trust.  A right relationship with God, one where we accept His love and His decisions for us on faith, are ones that give life opportunities to be more spontaneous, more joyful, and more expectant. God is the parent who knows everything about us, loves us anyway, and wants only our good. When we live in gracious uncertainty it means we might not know how or when He will show up on our behalf, but we know He will show up. 

Do you know what to expect tomorrow? You don’t know, but you don’t have to, because like a child who believes he is well protected and cared for by his earthly father, your Heavenly Father knows exactly what will happen tomorrow. You can count on Him, trust Him to be there for you, and simply believe your Father knows best!

As Chambers says, “Certainty is the mark of a commonsense life; gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life.”

 

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There’s Only One You

What do you see when you stand in front of the mirror? Most likely, you’ll see some aspect of yourself that doesn’t quite meet with your approval. You may think you need a haircut, or you need to lose a few pounds.  Or, maybe, you’ll see the reflection of someone who has lived an amazing life yet knows there’s still more to do. The fact is there’s only one you, and that’s great news!

Your attitude toward that person in the mirror makes a difference in how you relate to the rest of the world. Jesus told us to love everybody else the way we love ourselves. It sounds simple, but in fact, it’s not easy at all. When you’re having a good hair day, or you love the way you look, you project that attitude everywhere you go. You see yourself and others in a positive way. Positive people are a gift to everyone else because they always project enthusiasm for life and see the potential of what’s ahead. Add to that positive sense of self, a dose of the Holy Spirit, and that person is a force to be reckoned with. That person can take their beautiful and unique gifts and graciously share them because they know what God has called them to do. You know people like this. You know people who always see the bright side, who always pray with their whole hearts, and who always love their neighbors as themselves. You are most often that kind of person too.

When you’re not feeling positive, when you’re not certain about God’s plan for your life, or your direction, then you retreat. You fall back on old habits and don’t imagine there’s anything else you can do. You tell yourself you’ve done all you need to, and you don’t have to do more. You might even imagine God no longer sees you or expects anything from you. If so, you need to face that person in the mirror and ask some more questions. When did God leave you? What makes you think you have nothing more to offer? What have you done with the life God gave you?

No matter what age or stage you are in, you are a blessed person, unique and powerful. You are a gift to your family, and your friends, and your neighbors. God gifted you for such a time as this and so look back in the mirror and see a much needed, loving, generous person. See someone more equipped today than ever before to shine God’s light. See a beautiful and beloved child of God because He sees a unique and adorable and perfectly designed soul. 

Only you can do what God brought you here to do. No one else has your job or your talent to get things done. What a gift you are!

 

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What Is a Devotional Book?

As the author of a number of devotional and prayer books, I thought it might be helpful to share my perspective on what a devotional book is, or at least what it is intended to be. Personally, I read several devotional books each morning along with my Bible, and whether it’s Oswald Chambers, Spurgeon, John Baille, or my own book, it helps me begin the day. How does it help? It helps immediately, no matter what the theme of the reading may be, to remind me that God is bigger than I am. When I read a devotion, it causes me to focus on the One who wants to spend time with me. It helps me to draw near to Him and to rest in His care even for a few moments. It reminds me I’m not in charge, and no matter what the world might be doing to make things crazy, God is still there, steady and faithful. 

A devotional reading also gives me a scripture to focus on, to think through more carefully. It helps me to see why that scripture not only applies to the reading, but how it is still relevant to my life today. It causes me to recognize that the Word of God is solid, no matter what translation I choose to read.  The intention of that scripture is the same. It reminds me that God, who knows my heart, can use any scripture to help me understand His truth. I sense His great desire to know me better.

Sometimes, a devotional reading will leave me with a feeling, that I’m so blessed because I needed to read that very thing that day. As a writer of devotions, I will confess that I most often write what I also need to hear. Most of the time, when I read a piece I wrote several years before, it doesn’t strike me as a thing I did at all. It strikes me as a thing God did and how humbled I am to simply be His keyboard. When I get out of the way, God’s Spirit can lead me to create a message that will bless the lives of others. That is always my intention and prayer.

So, the gift of a devotional book is that it reminds you God is worthy of your love and praise. It shines a light on an aspect of life and helps you gain a new way to respond to it. It blesses you with a peaceful moment to share between you and God that no one can take away. The One who is within you, is far greater than the one who is in the world, and so He is with you always, holding you up, affirming you, and protecting you. Draw near to God and He draws near to you. 

How wonderful it is to give Him your love and devotion. The One who sees you and knows your heart, is devoted to you as well.

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What Do You See?

Your opinion, your point of view, and what you see when you look out at the world, are unique aspects of who you are. Your view is colored by your own cognitive biases and perspectives built on years of shaping your experience of life. You and your neighbor may see the exact same scene, but only vaguely touch on points of agreement. 

So, the idea here is that if we each bring our own unique spin to what we see, how does that help or hinder us from seeing God? For some, seeing is believing. If you don’t see God’s hand at work in your life, it may be because you aren’t sure He’s even there. You imagine if you could see Him, well, then, you’d believe in Him.  For others of us, believing is seeing, and so the more we believe in God, the more we recognize His presence everywhere we go. What we see then, has a lot to do with the data we’ve collected through life. 

Humans are temporary at best. We go from being an “I am” to an “I was” fairly quickly. We imagine our intellect and our opinions define reality. We may think we are on this planet by chance, brought here by biology, living for no real purpose at all, and then returning to the dust. If that’s true, then whether you live as a kind and loving person, or as an angry and jaded person, life is just a short ride and then it’s over. You are not equipped for eternity.

When God told Moses His name was “I Am Who I Am,” He was affirming He existed, and not only that, but He existed generations before Moses and He would exist generations after Moses. God can’t be a “was.” He has neither beginning nor end. You and I have both a beginning and an end. When we were born, God put a little part of Himself within us, in that place we call the soul, and He waits for us to discover He’s there. When we do, we begin to see more clearly. We realize we are not just some carbon life forms, but we are intentional, and special. We are more than we even imagine because God breathed His Spirit into us and proved His love for us through Jesus. 

God sees you clearly. He sees your doubt, your intellectual rejection, your emotional uncertainty, and your great heart. He sends people to help you along the way, to strengthen you when you can’t stand a moment longer on your own, so you can see His hand at work in your life. The fact is you are so important to God, He will keep sending love and hope and possibility into your life until the day you breathe your last. He sees you as good and beautiful.

When you make the slightest effort to see Him more clearly, a door will open, a light will shine, and God’s Spirit will guide you from that moment on.

God sees everything you are. In His love for you, He wants you to see everything He is, and everything He can be to you.

Keep looking!

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Remember Me

We recently celebrated Easter, a most important event on the church calendar. We remember the resurrection of Jesus because we know that in His life and death and resurrection, we are redeemed. We too can live and die and live again. We too can be the sons and daughters of God. We remember that like Jesus, we are simply visitors on this planet, here to do all we can with the life God gave us. We are born to help others remember how loved they truly are. When we love with our whole heart, and live with compassion and joy, we create opportunities for others to step into the light of Christ. We are ambassadors here, called to serve each person we meet.

The writer of Deuteronomy 11:18 was concerned about how well people would remember God’s love. He said, “Remember my words with your whole being. Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign: tie them on your foreheads to remind you.” God knows that the more we are swept into the world, we are apt to suffer memory loss. We are so busy pleasing the world that we forget to please God. Indeed, sometimes we even imagine we are in control, or that we can live without God. So what can we do?

The writer of this ancient script tells us the best thing to do is make some kind of symbol, a lasting sticky note that is always with you. You can tie it around your forehead, your wrist, or around your hand. The point is you can create a visible reminder of God and all He has done for you. Why would you need it? You need it because sometimes life weighs you down to such an extent, you imagine God has deserted you, or believe He no longer cares about you. You can walk so far away from God, you cannot hear His voice, even though He is continually calling. He is always aware of you, looking to find ways to help you see Him and know Him better. God wants to be remembered as your Redeemer and as the One who knows everything about you. He loves you unconditionally, and He is willing to forgive any offense you’ve committed against Him. He draws near to you and simply says, “Remember Me!” 

God actually tried to make this easy for you. He placed a portion of His Spirit within you. He left His imprint throughout creation, and He gave you friends and family who can shine His light. He wants you to find Him, to search for Him and to know that He already lives inside you. He longs for you to discover He’s there.  You can embroider HIs name on a pillow, see His face with every rising sun, or simply speak HIs name. When you do, He’ll come to you with wide open arms. Don’t worry if you have forgotten Him. He remembers you, and He waits for you to know He’s with you always.

May you remember Him today and always keep a little bit of Easter in your heart.

 

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Love, Prayers, and Enemies

If you read news feeds on any particular day, you’ll probably be asking yourself, “Why do the “bad guys” seem to succeed in the world, while the rest of us are hanging on for dear life? It’s not easy to be confronted with continual hostility, cruelty, intolerance, and tsunami events that try to wash away every ounce of hope we try to carry. 

In Matthew 5:43 we see that Jesus has something to say about this. The scripture says, “You have heard that is was said, You should love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who harass you so that you will be acting as children of our Father who is in heaven.”

Sure, we’ve heard this before, but we resist it. We struggle with having to love those who harass us, persecute us, challenge us, or forsake us. We struggle because we are better at loving people who are more like us, more agreeable to us, than those who fall far short of the mark. Perhaps the point that Jesus is trying to make is that hate has no place in the world. If we choose to be a reflection of God’s love than there’s only one way to do that. We have to love those He deems to be His children. If we look at John 3:16, then we have to realize that it says “God so loved the world,” If God so loved the world, that is people all over the world, and those we don’t understand, those we don’t agree with, and those who are unlovable by our standards, then we have to follow suit. We have to love like He does. Not only did God love the world, He sent His Son to squash the enemy, to stamp out hatred, and to redeem the lost. God so loved the world, He gave His only Son. 

Imagine what the world would be like if we simply didn’t have an ounce of hatred, malice, jealousy, and ill-temper in our bodies. What if we looked at every person we meet as a child of God, therefore loved, therefore redeemed? Would it then be easier to love our “enemies?” 

Clearly, we’ll all need to work on that, but we can start with prayer. We can start by asking God to help us love each person we encounter, the same way He loves them. We can pray for those who challenge our thinking, vex our spirits, and those who need us to help them discover the God we know. Let’s reflect His love without judgment, without anger, without any preconceived notions. If we do, the news of the day will change because the “good guys” will be winning. 

Thank you for being one of the good guys!

 

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Creating a Masterpiece

From my book, It’s Still Possible

 

God may not have needed a blueprint or a rough draft to wind up with a masterpiece, but we do. We need a fresh canvas, a vision, or a great idea before we can create anything new or even if we want to polish up an old idea. It’s just not in our skill set to be able to create something out of nothing. We have to surround ourselves with plans and ideas, wads of paper that represent our discarded attempts, and stories from others, complete with photos to give us inspiration. If things go well, we may just stumble onto an idea that we play with, manipulate, build, and rebuild, until it becomes our personal masterpiece. No doubt, our achievement will surprise us as much as it surprises others. 

So, what do we need to be able to work more efficiently and effectively? The writer of Ephesians tells us that once Jesus entered the earth’s arena, He brought a bright new canvas, a clean slate, and a finished manuscript. He made it possible for us to do the good things that would please God. With the help of Jesus then, we not only become a more useful piece of art, but we become something entirely new and extraordinary. We are a masterpiece that is a unique and incredible design. If we accept the work of our Designer and take it to heart, we become a work of art that God can showcase. We become part of His beautiful plan for His children everywhere. 

Imagine that Jesus has handed you a clean slate, a chance to sketch a new plan, create a new design, upgrade the image you have of yourself. Initially, you may not be certain of all it will take for you to create something beautiful. That’s okay. You don’t have to know everything because He will never leave you. He will stand with you through all things and give you what you need to fill your canvas with amazing texture and brilliance. With your new perspective, you will see the gifts of grace and mercy that color your life from here to eternity. 

Here’s an eraser. Wipe out the limitations you’ve imposed on yourself so you can see all that God wants for you now. You are a glorious picture of His love. You may not even recognize the person you see in the mirror, because you will see a reflection of someone totally beautiful and loved. You will see the work of a master Designer, created by His love and faithfulness.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “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.” 

Wow! Look at you now!

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Your Bucket List

Have you pulled out your bucket list lately? You know, it’s the one filled with goals and ideas of things you still hope to accomplish, or places you want to visit, or dreams you have carried in your back pocket for a number of years. Of course, you may have “a things I will Never do” list also. You might note you will never bungee jump off a high bridge, or you will not walk a tight rope over Niagara Falls. Those are excellent items for your never list, but what about that dream list? Maybe you hope that you will visit the pyramids of Egypt one day. Or maybe you want to take a cruise to Alaska. Whatever it is, this list is a picture of your optimism, and your faith. 

Your bucket list is full of reminders of the things you imagine are beyond your reach, at least for now. You write down goals and plans that with a little hard work and good timing could happen. You hold on to them as a possibility.

Some of the goals on your bucket list may require more than time or money. Maybe they require discipline. study, and intention. Maybe you want to run a 5K when you’re 65 and finish in the top 10 percent. If you have never entered a race before, or you seldom workout, this may seem far-fetched and unattainable. What it requires is a change of attitude and a commitment to practice and discipline. 

Maybe you’re willing to set a goal where you actually risk failure. Perhaps you’ve been longing to try out for the community theater, but you haven’t done any acting since you were in a high school play. If you don’t try out, you can’t get a part in the play. If you do try out, you might not be picked for the role you want. Is it time to get out of your own way, try out, and achieve a long-held dream?

Maybe you have something on your bucket list that pertains to your faith in God. Perhaps you plan to join a church or write a devotional book. Maybe you want to be more intentional about spending time with God, but you’ve been waiting till you retire, when you’re less busy, or when the family responsibilities are not so all-consuming. The idea here is that it’s great to create a bucket list, but it’s better to create opportunities to achieve your dreams. If you think what you want will never be possible, then you have already written your script. You’ve already pushed aside your hope. 

If you truly believe that with God all things are possible, then it may be that your bucket list needs to become your prayer list. It needs to be a measure of hopes and dreams that you consistently turn over to the only One who can navigate life to make them happen. You may be standing in the way of all God wants for you. If so, step back and step up to share your heart’s desires with God and never say never. With God’s help, you can do it. God is with you always.

Blessings to you today. 

See my book, It’s Still Possible, for more inspiring ways to trust God for your hopes and dreams.

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Blinded by the Light

The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn’t recognize the light. The light came to his own people, and his own people didn’t welcome him.

Luke 1:10-11

 

About thirty years after the resurrection of Christ, an ardent Jewish scholar and Pharisee, was threatened by those who had become Christ followers.  He didn’t want his people to be tempted by this new religion built around a man named Jesus. He did his best to weed out those rebels from the flock. Someone had to stop them, and he was dedicated to the cause. He was even present at the stoning of the apostle, Stephen.

His crusade against Christians was doing well until the day when Saul was blinded by a light that fell across his path. He was on the road to Damascus, on a mission to put some more of those Christians in jail. He couldn’t see a thing in the midst of the bright light, but he heard a voice that asked, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul didn’t know who was speaking to him, so he said, “Who are you?” The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.” Saul was bewildered and his friends had to lead him into Damascus because he couldn’t see. About that same time, another man, named Ananias heard the voice of Jesus in a vision. Jesus told him to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street where Saul was praying. Ananias was to heal Saul from blindness and baptize him in the Holy Spirit. For Ananias, this was a scary request, but he obeyed.

The thing about this story that is so amazing is that Saul was like a lot of us. He was walking around in the dark and didn’t even know his militant style of defending his faith, was not serving God at all. He simply couldn’t see the truth of Christ. The gift he received was Jesus and Jesus had a job for him to do. Saul was literally stopped in his pursuit and given a purpose that would change lives for eternity. Ananias already walked in the Light of Christ and so he trusted God’s voice. He healed Saul, despite his own fears.

Of course, we’d like to think we would say “yes” to God under any circumstances. Both Saul and Ananias listened to what God wanted them to do. Saul became known as Paul, the man who followed the crucified Jesus, sharing the gospel to anyone who would listen. His teachings live on in the words of several epistles and in the account of the early church. He saw the Light and nothing was ever the same again. 

What about us? What more can we do to draw closer to the Light? 

Easter is a good time to lean in and let His light shine through you.

Blessings to you, dear friends.

 

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Once Upon a Time

One of the golden cliche’s of storytelling is the opening phrase, “Once upon a time.” Its origin goes back to the 1300s and has been used across continents and cultures in a variety of languages. It communicates a beginning without the need to define an actual time in history. It is a phrase that, for children and even adults, evokes a sense of mystery and excitement. We imagine that whatever happened “once upon a time” is something we want to hear more about. 

Storytelling is God’s way of sharing His truth and His examples. Jesus could have easily shared His parables with that opening line. God uses stories and parables to help us understand who He is and what He wants us to know. He wanted His children to tell those who would come after them the amazing tales of what He had done. Why? Because each generation helped to frame the Divine nature of God and strengthen their faith. It’s interesting to note in the Old Testament that after Joshua declared that he and his family would worship the Lord, those who followed Joshua no longer told God’s stories and so generations passed without anyone knowing or realizing the presence of God. 

Imagine what your life would be like if no one ever told you the story of God’s saving grace and mercy; His faithfulness and love. As you’ve probably noted before, history is really His Story. It is God’s legacy passed along from one generation to the next to bring the Light into the darkness. 

The thing about God’s story is that once you have been introduced to the story, it creates a space in your soul that can’t be filled by anything else. It causes you to want more details, more information so that you can understand clearly how to share those stories yourself. After all, you’re an ambassador to planet earth and your visit here is all about sharing the stories God gives you to tell. This kind of storytelling doesn’t depend on how well you tell the tale. Of course, the more connected you are to the Creator of all our stories, the more you’ll want to share what He has done in your life. Stories about God are spine-tingling, uplifting, clarifying, and life changing. They are the stories that bring possibility to others.

If you’re not quite certain how to tell God’s stories, I would encourage you to use an old refrain, “Once upon a time.” As you move through the story, you’ll be more impressed with the way His tale will ultimately end, with “Happily ever after.” Your life is God’s story. It makes a difference to everyone around you.

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