Sometimes my thoughts are a little random, no surprise to my kids! Often I am amazed at how the Holy Spirit manages to pull those thoughts together for this blog…

I was very busy last couple of weeks; and every time I thought I might sit down to write, a quick glance at the clock reminded me that I needed to be somewhere else. I am grateful that I put the extra effort into thoroughly cleaning our back patio for my little granddaughter’s fourth birthday party, though.  As I finished moving, hosing down, and cleaning up the last few pieces of furniture, I found a very much alive black widow spider clinging to the bottom of a stand of TV trays – I have got to admit that I am glad the spider stayed put while I carried the trays out to where I was hosing everything off!

Sometimes it just doesn’t pay to take shortcuts.

Most times it is important to complete the task-at-hand.

All the time the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives will enlighten and enable us to know what to do and how to it.

Endurance or perseverance are not only evidences of spiritual maturity; they also characterize those who are pleasing to God. Hebrews chapter 11 defines faith—“the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”—and reminds us that it is only with faith that we are pleasing to God.  The writer continues on to list many imperfect people who the Holy Spirit recognized as being people of faith.  Chapter 12 begins with, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

The book of James also counsels us to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2, 3).

We often admire, as well as hold ourselves to the standard of the old adage to “get back up on the horse when you’ve been bucked off”; yet that saying relates more to the human tenacity required to overcome physical obstacles instead of “counting it all joy” through the storms of life—and understanding that it is the testing of our faith which produces patience.

…which drew my thoughts to the verses in Isaiah which prophesy, “All the people will know…who say in pride and arrogance of heart: ‘The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will replace them with cedars’” (Isaiah 9:9, 10).  This was Israel’s response to God’s punishment for their disobedience and rebellion.  Instead of repentance and humility, they chose defiance and independence from the one who blessed them and chose them for covenant relationship.

It is often much easier to hold on to a subconscious (if not intentional) attitude of “not thy will but mine be done” instead of “not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:38).  Having the mind of Christ, who is God “but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant…,” who “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” does not come naturally to us—particularly in a society bent on demanding personal rights.  Yet Jesus taught, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24, 25).

May God grant us discernment to become aware of our attitudes and the vows we make. Repentance, admitting that we are missing the mark with our thoughts and behaviors while turning to God for forgiveness, and humility rarely come easily; but intimacy with our heavenly Father demand both.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

“…be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:5-7).

Letting go of my pride

Giving up all my rights

Take this life and let it shine

Take this life and let it shine.

I lay me down I’m not my own

I belong to you alone.

Lay me down, lay me down.

Hand on my heart this much is true

There’s no life apart from you—

Lay me down, lay me down.

It will be my joy to say, “Your will, Your way”

It will be my joy to say, “Your will, Your way”

It will be my joy to say, “Your will, Your way—always!”

(From “Lay Me Down” by Chris Tomlin)