The Hole in the Night

By Jeannine Sawall

So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down and, if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

1 Samuel 3:6b (NIV)

God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes, he calls us gently in the night to talk. If we heard the Lord’s voice calling to us tonight, what would we do? Would we think it was the Lord’s voice calling to us personally, or would we think it was that beef burrito we ate for supper?!

I have a friend who had to ask himself that question. He found himself waking up routinely in the middle of the night. Instead of grumbling about lost sleep, or tossing and turning, he thought it must be the Lord waking him and decided to make use of this time to share his heart through email to fill what he calls “the hole in the night.” Soon, the thoughts and musings he shared with friends and family grew from a dozen email addresses to over 200. He blesses us with truths and thoughts to ponder, challenging us to live a deeper, freer, less “religious” faith. He inspires us to be about the work of Jesus, not just quoting  Jesus. He encourages us to be about God’s work on the “waiting room” side of eternity.

What has endeared this “old geezer,” as he fondly calls himself, to so many is his honesty about his relationship with the Lord. He readily admits that some things are a mystery. He prompts us to hear the Lord’s quiet voice in the midst of this loud world because the more we listen, the more we’ll hear Him speak. He dares us to seek the Lord in the midst of every circumstance. And he shows us that the Lord works in mysterious ways…who’d have thought an 87-year-old widower would have an email following of over 200 and growing, just because he couldn’t sleep through the night? How many of us might have just popped an Excedrin P.M. and called it a night?! When God gives us an opportunity to do His work, it will lead to a crisis of faith and action. We might question if it really is God; however, when God sees us listening with an attitude of obedience toward opportunity, He blesses that work because it brings glory to His name. I encourage you to listen for His voice calling to you in your day…or night...today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. In the midst of the loud world, what are you doing to be able to hear the Lord’s quiet voice calling to you?
2. How might you be missing an opportunity to bring glory to the Lord in your day or night?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 46:10; John 16:13

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

Open the Windows of Heaven

By Elin Henderson

“So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, ‘Look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?’”

2 Kings 7:2 (NKJV)

What do you think? Are there really windows in heaven where God peers down on the earth below and pours out His love and resources? I don’t know whether they are avenues for us to see little glimpses of this amazing God we serve, or avenues for Him to pour forth His love and resources, but I am thankful for the word picture this verse provides.

Sometimes though, like in this story in 2 Kings 6 & 7, the windows of heaven only swing open when we come to the end of ourselves and our human resources. Samaria is under siege by the Syrians, hopeless and helpless. Then, the prophet Elisha comes along and says to the main officer in Samaria, “Tomorrow your salvation will come!” Obviously the officer on duty questions the validity of this statement and incredulously says (basically), “God will have to open the windows of heaven to do this, there is no other way!” Elisha then responds with, “You better bet He will!”

Sure enough, the Lord sends out four lepers and the entire Syrian army flees. The windows of heaven swing open and the people of Samaria not only get a little glimpse of the power and might of the God of Israel, but also experienced His wonderful provision. They went from the brink of starvation to having abundance!

It is often when we too are in desperate straits that we finally look to Him and realize He is sitting there with His hand on the shutters, ready to throw open the windows of heaven, show us Himself and provide in abundance for our needs. In Malachi 3:10b we are reminded that it isn’t a trickle or a token provision, but a pouring so great that “there will not be room enough to receive it.” May we always keep our eyes looking heavenward, waiting the moment when the shutters swing back and love pours down!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever had any glimpses into the windows of heaven? How has the Lord shown Himself strong on your behalf and provided in miraculous ways for you…and who have you told?
2. I love the old song He Giveth More Grace. One of its verses says, “When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, Our Father’s full giving is only begun.” What does that mean to you today?

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:19; Acts 2:17

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to sixteen-year-old Callie and fourteen-year-old Elias.

Fear of Failing

By Lexi Cole Ellis

The Lord is my light and my salvation - - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - - of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

This year has been really healthy for me professionally. As I looked back at previous years of teaching, I realized I often spent time considering other instructional strategies to try, but was hesitant about implementing them because of a fear of failing. My over-thinking and the fear of what others would think held me back in incorporating new strategies for my students.

This changed through a positive encounter with my new administrator. As I shared ideas I wanted to try, I was shocked at her excitement. She encouraged me to keep taking risks and that it would be okay if it didn’t work perfectly every time.

In an environment where teachers are under continual pressure to be perfect, this permission to try new instructional formats to best help my students was incredibly freeing. I began incorporating techniques, meeting with other teachers, and working on multiple taskforces for new district proposals on what individualized, personalized learning can realistically look like in different kind of classrooms. Is each thing I try perfection? Not at all. But I’ve seen incredible results across the board in my students. This freedom and support has energized my teaching in a healthy way, replacing my fear of failing and of my inadequacies. I now have this sign by my desk:

[1]

I recently heard Matthew West’s song, “Day One,” on the radio.

“I wish I wasn't wishing anymore

Wish I could remember that nobody's keeping score

I'm tired of throwing pennies in a well

I gotta do something

Here goes nothin'

It's day one of the rest of my life.” [2]

I began to realize my fear of failing wasn’t exclusive to my teaching. As I work to be in the Word and improve my prayer life, this “day one” mentality has become applicable and easier to live out. As I look at Scripture, I see stories of those willing to take risks for the Lord. Imagine what could happen if I was willing to take risks for His Kingdom, to be in the Word and in prayer, so I could discern what God’s direction was and be bold in my faith. [3] I will not let the fear of failing prevent me from living out my calling. It’s day one...have you rejected the fear of failing?

GOING DEEPER:

1. What do you need to do to so the fear of failing doesn’t consume you?
2. Take time to listen to Matthew West’s song “Day One” today. (Click HERE to listen to it.)

FURTHER READING:

2 Timothy 1:7; Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 56:3-4

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

[1] https://www.pinterest.com/pin/161285230377931171/

[2] http://www.klove.com/music/artists/matthew-west/songs/day-one-lyrics.aspx

[3] Our small group just finished Max Lucado’s book /study “Fearless” and the book elaborated on this as well.

Meeting With God

By Susan Klein

“There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you…”

Exodus 25:22 (NIV)

Reading through the Book of Exodus, one could really get bogged down with all of the details and specifications that are recorded for the building of God’s Tabernacle. Some might even question, “Why must we know all of this minutiae?” I often tend to skim over sections such as this, but if God chose to include them in His written word, there must be some important nuggets to glean.

As I pondered chapters 25-30, I came to understand some things about God’s reason for such detailed plans regarding His meeting place with His people. First of all, God’s people were on the move. Places and circumstances were always changing. The Tabernacle was to be a consistent place to meet God, one which never changed. Secondly, it was to be holy and reverent. They had just fled Egypt, where it was easy to get caught up in wrong customs of the culture, which could (and did) distract from authentic worship of the one true God.

I may not be nomadic, but I’ve moved more than once in my life. With each move, I’ve searched for a new church that was consistent in its beliefs and practices with the one I had left. But, what about the issue of cultural distractions? Our culture deems it appropriate to don our preferred team’s jersey on game Sunday, or to sip our favorite coffee drink during the sermon. Or, how often do we run into the building at the last minute because we let simple distractions at home make us late? Perhaps we’re just  more focused on after-church activities than we are on the message being preached. While these may not necessarily be wrong in and of themselves, they can become wrong if they distract our focus from worshipping God.

I am hugely thankful that we live in the age of grace. Unlike the Israelites, we have not been given pages upon pages of specific instructions on how we are to worship or how we are to build our Tabernacles. That said, “holy and reverent” should never be left out of our worship equation. We are all still responsible to enter God’s house of worship with a right and respectful heart. We are there to meet with Him! If we allow the distractions of the world to take the forefront of our thoughts, we will not be able to reverentially worship our God in the way in which He deserves.

How are you meeting with God? 

GOING DEEPER:

1. How do you prepare yourself to worship on Sunday mornings?

2. Identify the distactions that might be keeping you from “reverential” worship.

FURTHER READING:

1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 95:6-7; John 4:23-24

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads an on-site small group.

The Designer’s Wardrobe

By Vernette Kureck

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

Proverbs 31: 25 (NIV)

After a long cold winter, it is time to open up the closet, clean out the drawers, and get ready for spring.  I sort through my clothes and determine what is too old or too small or too out of date. Some articles of clothing have fond memories attached to them. Some are just fun to wear. But because of my lifestyle, most are just everyday regular women’s casual wear. So, how should I dress? I felt led to check out the Word.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity.” How do you fold that in a drawer or drape it on a hanger?! Strength is the quality of being able to withstand the application of force without yielding or breaking. That sounds like a physical workout, but in reality, it is both physical and spiritual exercise resulting in a steady composure. Dignity is a manner of serenity; a state of honor and worthiness. That sounds like I hold a high rank or position. Well, I am  the daughter of THE King! So, how should I dress?

Colossians 3:12-14(NIV) says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” In other words, demonstrate pity for the suffering or distress of another with the desire to help, while being modest and humble. Be gentle, considerate, goodhearted, mild and amiable. Be this way while also being capable of awaiting results with tranquility and uncomplaining endurance. Cease to blame and grant pardon to those who have offended you. Cover yourself with God’s love and experience harmony and mutual understanding.

So, this is how I should dress. The beauty of this Holy Spirit-designed wardrobe is it never gets too old, outgrown or out-of-date. And it is perfect for every occasion, dress or casual. Yes, it’s a good time to evaluate just what I have been wearing and ask the Holy Spirit to do His spring cleaning…and to make sure His designer wardrobe is never packed in a drawer or draped on a hanger. 

GOING DEEPER:

1. What are you wearing that identifies you as a daughter of the King? We are all works in progress so pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal what you need to cast off and what you need to put on.

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 6:30-33; Matthew 7:7-11

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married 48 years and are blessed with 8 grandchildren.  She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain and with Family Promise.

Do It Gladly

By Brita Crouse

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)

Nervously, I sat staring at the blank email open on my computer screen. The empty page was waiting for me to fill it with words, but I began to second-guess myself that I was doing the right thing. My fingers began to type, but my mind began to race with thoughts discouraging me from sending this email.

I was writing a classmate to share exciting news: some research we found was able to help students at another university become better informed on a certain psychological diagnosis. I was writing to encourage her.  But yet, I couldn’t shake the thoughts that were telling me this was just going to be another email added to the dozens we as students receive daily, that what I had to say could wait, or wasn’t even important enough for her to know.

Maybe this scenario seems silly, but maybe you have been there before too. You are presented with the opportunity to encourage and bless someone, but that opportunity is missed because of thoughts that cause you to doubt. Thoughts like, Oh, they already know or How will they respond? or What if it makes me seem weird?

In the verses above, you can see how Paul is urging us to use our God-given abilities, whether that be teaching, encouraging or showing kindness. Not only are we told to use these talents, we are also told to “speak out,” “serve…well,” “do a good job,” “do it,” “share…generously,” “take the responsibility seriously,” and “do it gladly.”

Reading through these verses has caused me to take these instructions more seriously. How could I not?! This school semester I have set out to challenge myself: to say kind thoughts or encouraging words freely. Why keep them to myself?

God has given each of us certain abilities. Let us show His love by using them to bless others.

I did end up sending that email. And I ended up doing it gladly!

GOING DEEPER:

1.      Think of someone you know who could use some encouragement and kindness this week. Challenge yourself to bless them specifically. Do it gladly!

FURTHER READING:

1 Peter 4:10; 1 John 4:19

Brita is a licensed K-12 School Counselor and works as the Non-Public Counselor in Roseville, Minnesota. For the past eighteen years, she has called Oakwood her home church.

EXTREME Impossibilities!
By Elin Henderson

“For with God, nothing will be impossible!”
Luke 1:37 (NKJV)

We have all heard of extreme sports. People go to all lengths to prove their might, speed, even foolishness at times. And, if you are like me, you really enjoy watching Extreme Makeover, where they do miraculous wonders and change someone’s complete appearance. But, you know, God delights in extreme impossibilities!

In I Kings 18:20-40, we find poor Elijah doing battle with the prophets of Baal. They have set up a “test” for their gods to see who is the most powerful. What is interesting in this story is that God wasn’t satisfied in proving Himself in just an “impossibility” - -raining fire down from heaven to burn up the offering. Instead, He told Elijah to pour water on the sacrifice, soaking it completely, not once, not twice, but three times! Like the fire wasn’t enough, he added layers to the impossibility.

There are multiple examples throughout Scripture: God weeded Gideon’s army down from hundreds of thousands to a measly 300 to defeat an impossibly large army. Jesus waited until Lazarus was dead for three days before raising him. Do you see a pattern? I do! God loves the impossible, but really delights in the extreme impossibilities.

When I was in Mozambique, I found myself asking God for the impossible and even the extreme impossible a lot. Not only was I trying to learn a virtually impossible, unwritten language, but I got to live with the constant stresses that life brings: a solid week of rain which results in moldy clothes, centipedes crawling into bed with me…all sorts of added “buckets of water” being poured on top of an already impossible task. And then, lest I forget, I was reminded of the more impossible task at hand of seeing the lives of hundreds of thousands of “resistant” peoples brought from darkness into light. Yes, the task before us was, and is, pretty extreme…extremely impossible! Yet, in the end, the God of extreme impossibilities will be victorious!

So, next time you feel like “it can’t get any worse!” and it does, just think of it as another bucket of water onto the quest for the impossible. When your day meets obstacle after obstacle and your goals seem totally unattainable, remember, God delights to show Himself strong on our behalf, going above and beyond what we could ask or think. Not only will the outcome be amazing, but it will be totally His doing! In those extreme impossibilities in Scripture, was there any way, humanly speaking, that victory could have been achieved? I don’t think so! God delights in the work He does and He specializes in Extreme Impossibilities!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What seemingly impossible task or situation is God asking of you? Give it to Him and expect His extreme provision!

FURTHER READING:
Judges 7; John 11:1-44

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to sixteen-year-old Callie and fourteen-year-old Elias. 

A Beautiful Mess

By Peggy Kleckner

“Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This ‘letter’ is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.”

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NLT)

It was a Sunday morning. I was feeling frustrated yet again. I felt disorderly on the inside and my home felt cluttered and disorganized. I was familiar with this feeling of inadequacy and burdened by it, but unsure what to do with it. Meanwhile, I plunked myself down in front of my bowl of cereal and started to flip through the Sunday coupons. Suddenly I wanted to burst out laughing and knew that God was saying to me exactly what my husband lovingly tells me often, “Lighten up, woman!”

There in the ad, in a lovely script font were the words “A beautiful mess.” An artist had collected the dust from ten homes that was swept up with a cleaning product and arranged it into those words written across a wood floor. [1]

So, can God take the dust of my life, as well as the lives around me, and arrange them as a letter of love on the floor of this world? I would bow down and say “yes,” He most certainly can.

So there I sat, bowed down in worship to the one, true God who can make all things possible. Who can take all of my messes and somehow arrange them for good. I was cheered on by those three words hidden in the open of a public ad for me on a day when I needed them.

Oh, but that was not the end. I shared those words with a woman at church who went away encouraged and giggling. Then on Monday I shared them with the women I work with. Today, I share them with you.

God can take our messiness. He is not repulsed by it, any more than we are repulsed by our own child smiling behind a face full of cake frosting from the cake we baked for them.

It is us who try to hide, thinking that we have to have it all together before we can be loved, before we can be used by God. Oh, how wrong we are.

God sent Jesus right into the middle of our messiness to say, “I love you” while we were yet sinners….perfection amidst imperfection.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What mess do you need to willingly hand over to God?

2.  Do you, in the depth of your heart, truly believe that God can create beauty from ashes?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 61:1-4; John 3:16-18; Romans 5:8

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

[1] You can see the ad “being made” at www.ocedar.com/beautifulmess

Rearview Mirror

By Susan Klein

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Romans 15:4 (NIV)

Whenever I get into my car after my husband has driven it, I need to adjust the rearview mirror. He has 9 inches on me in height, so our vision fields are not quite the same. The earliest of cars were not even equipped with rearview mirrors. Thus, people could only focus on the road ahead, not behind. In her 1909 book, The Woman and the Car, British racing driver Dorothy Levitt noted that women should "carry a little hand-mirror in a convenient place when driving" so they may "hold the mirror aloft from time to time in order to see behind while driving in traffic". [1] Yikes!

We all glance at our rearview mirrors from time to time, partly out of habit, but mostly to be safe. Yet, how much time are we spending looking behind us in life? Some might gaze forlornly into the mirrors of their past, weighed down by former sin and struggles that continue to grip them. The enemy would like nothing better than to keep us backwardly focused. That way, we might not see the forgiveness and love that God so freely holds out in front of us. On the other end of the spectrum, some haphazardly race on ahead into their futures. Completely forgetting about, and not always learning from, what happened in their past.

Many times in the Old Testament, we hear God telling the Israelites to remember what He has done for them. How He has delivered them and continues to provide for them. Likewise, in the New Testament we often hear Paul, Jesus and others admonishing people to remember what happened with their forefathers - - to learn from their errors and trust God. Our personal rearview mirrors not only provide a reminder of past mistakes, but all the good God has done as well. We need not look back mournfully.

Keep in mind that there is a reason why the standard rearview mirror is only about 9 inches wide, and a standard windshield is five or six times that amount. While we are to check our small mirror periodically, the majority of our time should be focused on the big window (of what God is doing) immediately ahead of us.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Might you have a foggy mirror or a dirty windshield that needs cleaning so you can see better?

2. How can you use your personal rearview mirror to aide you in moving forward?

FURTHER READING:

Deuteronomy 32:7-9; Romans 8:1-2; Hebrews 12:1-2

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Levitt

He’s Aliiiiiive!!

By Jeannine Sawall

“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.’ And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.”

Matthew 28:5-6, 8 (NIV)

My family often has gone camping over Easter and we aren’t always able to find a traditional church service to celebrate Easter. One tradition we’ve developed, though, is to celebrate our own Easter service around the campfire while sharing the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection using Resurrection Eggs.

Resurrection Eggs are a dozen plastic eggs, each filled with some symbol to represent a part of the Easter story. We pass the eggs out to the kids and anyone we’ve invited to join us for our celebration, and when we come to their part of the story, we let them tell it in their own words. Years ago, as we went around the campfire circle, listening again to the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His betrayal, trial, beating by the Roman soldiers and His death on the Cross, we finally came to my youngest son who held the last egg. When he opened it, the egg was empty, representing the empty tomb. At the time, Josh was just four and so I wasn’t sure he would understand the meaning behind the empty egg, let alone how he would explain his part of the story. As he opened his egg and realized there was nothing in it, he stood up and in a loud, joyous voice began singing “He’s aliiiiiiiiiive! He’s aliiiiiiiiive! Jesus is aliiiiiiive!!” Everyone around the campfire smiled at his enthusiasm and joined his celebration.

As I remember back to that special night of celebrating Jesus’ death and resurrection, I am amazed by the conviction and passion my young son had. He got it! Jesus is not dead; He is alive! It is something to stand up and sing about! He understood, even at that tender age, what a miracle it is. He did not hesitate or try to explain it in complicated terms. He accepted it for face value and stated it simply…the tomb is empty, Jesus is alive! It makes me want to stand up and sing and let the whole world know…our Savior is not dead, He is alive today, and we serve a living God!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Does the story of Easter make you want to stand up and sing with great joy, letting the whole world know the tomb stands empty? If not, ask the Lord to fill you with His passion for His story.

FURTHER READING:
John 2:19; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 13:30

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

The Story Isn’t Over

John 19 (NLT)

“So they took Jesus away.  Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).  There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them…

 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did…

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit…

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away.  With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds^[k] of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.  Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before.  And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”

But the story isn’t over.  Praise God it doesn’t end there! While it is important to realize the magnitude of His suffering and death, we cannot stay exclusively in mourning.  What a gift and privilege that we know this isn’t the end of the story.  That, after two days, He conquered death and paved a way for a relationship between us and Himself when we are willing to accept His free gift of salvation.  This Good Friday - - and every day - - may we be people who recognize the high cost of His sacrifice and equally celebrate the gift of His resurrection! 

Greater

By Lexi Cole Ellis

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4 (NIV)

A while ago, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop for our women’s retreat on the subject of comparisons. As I prepared, I dug into societal implications of comparing and how they hinder our oneness with God. What started as comparisons with physical appearance soon turned into a realization that we are drowning in comparisons in every facet and role. I just want to be prettier. I just want to be more like _________; she has it all together. I just want to be the best teacher. I wish I was a better ministry leader like _________. I long to be a better mom. ________ really is a better wife than I.   

Whether appearance or performance, these constant, detrimental comparisons often mean we are comparing ourselves to an unknown, unattainable ideal. We don’t know what “better” looks or feels like; we just know it’s not us. This results in never really accomplishing our standard of perfection.

As I struggle with rejecting self-deprecating, life-sucking comparisons in my own life, I’ve come to appreciate the comparisons in life that are  life-giving. There’s incredible hope, peace and a release of guilt that comes with surrendering our thoughts of unhealthy comparisons over to the God who knows and is greater.

Chris Tomlin’s song, “Our God,” is filled with comparisons words…the good kind. He identifies God as greater, stronger and higher than any other. Recently, as I listened to this song on the radio, singing along with the familiar chorus, I realized that it felt incomplete. For me, I felt God speaking to me, adding to the comparisons. I grabbed my phone and started using the speaking function as I spoke what His Spirit was saying:

Our God is greater… {than my circumstance.}

Our God is stronger… {than my fear.}

God, you are higher than any other…{insecurities I have.}

Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God! [1]

The single best and healthiest comparison is that God is bigger and stronger. As we go through storms and struggles, may we cling to the truth that He is higher than all…and that praising Him means working through and rejecting the unhealthy comparisons we mentally entertain. May we be children of God who actively pursue His healthy comparisons.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Spend time with the Lord. How is His Spirit adding onto the lyrics for you today?  Fill in the blanks: “Our God is greater than ________.”

2. Take time to listen to the song, “Our God” today. (Click HERE to listen to it.)

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Psalm 46:1

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

[1] http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/ourgod.html, brackets added