The Next Step

by Becci Terrill

 

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

 

 

Whoosh!

 

In a split second, my feet went out from under me, and I lay motionless on the ground. As I gathered my thoughts, I realized that my right foot was not where it ought to be - -  tucked neatly under my body. Instead, it had gone a different direction. I reached down, picked it up and placed it back where I thought it should be, then lay still in the snow.

 

What now?

 

After an ambulance ride and emergency room visit, I lay at home with my ankle set and bandaged, facing surgery and months of recovery. This was not part of "the plan." This was not "supposed" to happen. I had prayed about being in that place at that time. God had directed. I had followed. I was supposed to be speaking the next morning, sharing with a group of women what God had given to me for them. Surely He wanted me to finish the work He had called me to do?

 

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps,"   read the verse written in a card from a friend (Proverbs 16:9).  Does that mean thisstep too, Lord?

As I lay with elevated foot, the Holy Spirit reminded me what God's Word said...

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take."  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

"I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  (Isaiah 29:11)

 

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purposes for them."  (Romans 8:28)

 

God's Word is constant and true in every situation - - even the unexpected "steps" that take us down a new path to a new destination. Does this mean that we shouldn't make plans?

 

It certainly does not; however, it does  mean that our "expected destination" may be different than the destination God has planned. Scripture is filled with examples of this happening in the lives of those who loved God.

 

Psalm 37:23 says, "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."  

 

Yes, even the unexpected ones.

 

 

GOING DEEPER:

1. Has there been a time when God re-directed your steps? How did He use this re-direction for good?
2. What "next step" are you considering? Have you taken it to the Lord?

 

FURTHER READING:

Read the stories of Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-47), Esther, Ruth and Daniel in the Old Testament (the last three are found in books by the same name). See how God took seemingly "bad" circumstances and worked them out for good.

 

Becci Terrill is a wife and mom to two adult daughters. She is the Children's Ministry Director at Oakwood Church.

Wrestling With God

By Brita Crouse

           

"Yes, [Jacob] wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him - - the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is His name!"

Hosea 12:4,5 (NLT)

 

It is amazing how much happens in a year. For me, a specific year recently was full of joy and struggle and changes. Here is what I wrote:

 

Now I find myself preparing to make another big transition. Of course, there is excitement in this because it means new people, places and experiences. But, it also means that many doors, which opened up a year ago, are now beginning to close.

 

Over the past year, I've had opportunities to teach, lead, minister, learn, grow, witness and deepen relationships through work, volunteer positions and interactions with loved ones. Now that I am approaching this new stage of life - - one that I have anticipated and praying about for years - - I find myself on a roller coaster of emotion.

 

Lately, I have felt like I'm in a wrestling match with God. I have so much to look forward to, but it's hard for me to see past my disappointment in giving up things I have come to love doing. God has led me to and through some amazing places this past year, so I keep reminding myself that I will embrace where He leads me in the future.

 

In Genesis 32, we read about Jacob, who is feeling the pressure of an impending meeting with his estranged brother. A "Man" sees Jacob, who is alone, and wrestles him. Jacob is at a point in his life where he needs to submit to God. He has a lot riding on this meeting with his brother Esau but he needs to trust God with it. That is what the Man is there to help him realize. Jacob didn't wrestle with God, God initiated and wrestled with him to bring him to a point of true surrender. (1)

 

Much like Jacob, I am also learning this lesson of submission and trust. God has blessed me immensely this past year and now He is calling me to move on to something else. Instead of resisting His great plan for me, I am learning to embrace it.

 

God's plan for our lives is so much greater than we could ever hope or imagine. Our response?  Submit to and trust in Him.

 

GOING DEEPER:

 How can God be shining through your weakness today?

Listen to "You Make Everything Beautiful" by Rebecca St. James (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRyDhDXMaog).

 

 

FURTHER READING:

Genesis 32:24-29; Ephesians 3:20, 21

 

(1) Perkins, Daniel. "The Cost of Wrestling with God." Relevant Magazine. Web. 25 June 2014. Read it here:  http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/cost-wrestling-god

 

Brita recently graduated with her Master's in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church for the past eighteen years.

Reconciliation and Restoration-Lessons Learned

By Jeannine Sawall

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

2 Corinthians 5:18 (NIV)

Almost six years have passed since I received the letter from my bio-dad, Larry, and the five-year anniversary of my mom’s passing is quickly approaching. As I reflect back, God has taught me many things:

1)     God’s timing is always perfect. Larry’s letter was sent at a time I would be open to his becoming a part of my life, and he was eager to become a part of my and my family’s lives.

2)     God is always working to perfect us and have us reflect His Son’s image. The Lord knew my mom was going home 16 days after she and Larry reconnected. He allowed her to work through the conflicting, painful emotions that Larry’s re-entry into our lives had brought to the surface. He gave her peace on THIS side of heaven before she entered into eternal peace. That was a gift for her, for Larry and for me.

3)     God is never done writing our story and it’s never what we think it’s going to be. After 41 years, I never expected to hear from my bio-dad, let alone form a loving relationship with him. Yet, he has become part of my extended family. What a blessing to “feel at home” with my father.

4)     God’s ultimate story is shared when we allow ourselves to be used by Him. Larry often brings up faith. He says he “sees” the difference that was in my mom and is in me and wants faith like that, but he felt he let us down and struggled with unconditional acceptance. How could we just let him into our lives, “no strings attached”? It has opened up many opportunities to share the gospel with him and let him know the only way we were able to offer unconditional love and acceptance was because of the unconditional love and acceptance given to us through Christ’s death and resurrection.

God grieves brokenness. However, our God is a God of healing!! Out of the pain and heartache of a broken relationship, an unplanned pregnancy and an absentee father, God has brought beauty from ashes. He has reconciled relationships and restored hearts. While my mother/daughter story is complete, He continues to write my father/daughter story. It’s not what I would have planned or expected, but God is faithful and good and He is the source of all blessings…even unexpected ones that show up as a letter in God’s perfect timing. 

GOING DEEPER:

1.      Where in your life do you need to acknowledge lessons God has taught you?

2.      With whom do you need to share the gospel today?

FURTHER READING:

Colossians 1:20, Jeremiah 33:6-7

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.

Reconciliation and Restoration-Peace!

By Jeannine Sawall

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Seeing the two of them sitting next to each other, smiling and chatting brought tears to my eyes. For the first time in my 41 years, my mom and bio-dad were in the same room with each other sitting and talking like old friends. I felt compelled to take of a picture of the two of them but hesitated to do so. I didn’t want to make their first meeting feel awkward.

I sat down with them and began talking with both  my parents! I pulled out pictures of my family’s recent vacation and shared them with Larry while my mom looked on. Later in the evening, my mom, stepdad and a couple of friends were sitting in the family room with Larry…still talking! I asked if they were going to join us for the fireworks. My mom smiled and said, “We’ll be down in a minute. We’re working on getting Larry saved!”

The next day, I told my mom how proud I was of her. She seemed so at ease with Larry after all these years, despite the initial emotional struggle after he contacted me. She said it was good to see him after all that time. I asked her if she had found “closure,” and she said she hadn’t, but God had given her a peace that she hadn’t had before. She shared how good it was to see Larry and me together. “He really does love you, Bean. I’m so glad I had a chance to see that.” Sixteen days later, my mom died in a car accident.

As I look back at that time, I see the hand of God so very clearly in every detail. He brought Larry into my life in His timing, not to replace my mom but to offer me the opportunity to develop a father/daughter relationship I didn’t even know I was missing at a time I would desperately need it. While my mom had experienced healing in many areas of her life, Larry was the one “loose end” she struggled with. God, in His goodness, allowed her to experience peace with Larry before she was called home, and God allowed me to witness that process. God’s plans and timing may not always be clear to us or easy to walk. But we can be sure His plans are for our good, for hope and for a future, if we trust Him and allow Him to work in our lives.

GOING DEEPER:

1. With whom does God desire you to reconcile?
2. Where do you need to trust God with your future?

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:28, Psalm 118:8

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.

Reconciliation and Restoration-Beauty for Ashes

By Jeannine Sawall

“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness; a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

Isaiah 61:3b (NIV)

“He better not think he’s going to come into your life now after I’ve done all the hard work. You’re MY daughter! He CAN’T have you!” The response from my mom shocked me. I thought she would be glad to hear my bio-dad Larry was interested in a relationship after all these years. The Lord had worked healing in mighty ways in my mom’s life and she was a ministry leader offering hope of restoration and reconciliation to women who had experienced brokenness. Did she not see maybe this was God working to restore and reconcile THIS broken relationship?

“Mom, we don’t even know how this relationship will play out. Maybe we’ll keep in touch through Christmas cards, or maybe we’ll have another guest at the boys’ birthday parties.” “Well, if Larry is there. I won’t be there!” My mom was struggling with unresolved feelings of abandonment, rejection and heartbreak. She had become pregnant while she and Larry had been dating and while they had become engaged and planned a future together, life didn’t quite work out that way. She felt left with ashes.

Several weeks later, after a promising meeting with Larry, I asked my mom how she was doing with the whole “Larry thing.” She responded by saying, “I’m good.” She explained she and God had wrestled and He showed her exactly where He wanted her to be. I asked her what “being good” looked like if Larry came to my son’s birthday party. She responded she’d happily be there.

God had done His restoring work in my mom. She had made an about-face. God had shown her while her path had a few more twists and turns, her response to His love and healing had brought her to a place of spiritual prosperity. He had exchanged beauty for ashes and the splendor of God’s divine work in her life was now bringing glory to Him. Despite poor choices, when we respond in obedience to the Lord, He works to restore us and turns our mourning into joy.

Only our God could be at work like that and I’m thankful my mom chose to be teachable to His will. But He wasn’t done teaching me about reconciliation and redemption. Tomorrow, the story continues.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Where in your life can you be teachable to God’s plan and allow Him to exchange ashes for beauty?
2. Who can you share your restoration story with?

FURTHER READING:

Joel 2:25-26, 1 John 5:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17

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.

Reconciliation and Redemption-The Letter

By Jeannine Sawall

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)

It had started out as an ordinary day. My husband and children were gone, and so I had a small window of time to be alone. As I pieced through the mail, there was a letter addressed to me. So preoccupied with what should be for dinner, I didn’t really look at the sender’s name. I opened up the letter and began to read:

“Dear Jeannine,

You should probably sit down as you read this…”

Oh great! My first thought was it was one of those “send a dollar to the first name on this list and in six months you’ll be a millionaire” letters. I read on:

“I want you to know I have never stopped thinking of you. This is Larry and I am your_____________.”

I stopped reading as my heart began to pound. This letter was from my biological father with whom I had had almost no contact during my life. The letter said he had always wanted to have a relationship with me, but things in his life had made it difficult. As the years went on, he felt he had lost the right to even ask for one. He wanted to meet me and then let me decide how I’d like to proceed, if at all, with a relationship.

I started to cry. I had no idea hearing from him would cause such strong emotions within me.  Why now? Why not before? I was challenged to be available to God to work in me and through me. As I considered what God might be orchestrating, I also had fears, “What if he doesn’t like me?” “What if I don’t like him?” But there was one fear that stopped me in my tracks.  “Lord, if you are sending Larry now because you are planning on taking my mom, then I DON’T want him.” I wasn’t sure what the Lord was doing and I wasn’t sure I was ready to go where He was leading. But I also knew His ways are not my ways and so I knew I had to trust Him.

This letter was unexpected but I now had a choice with how I would respond, and if I would trust God’s leading. Tomorrow, we’ll see the next part of this incredible story where God chose to teach me about reconciliation and redemption.

GOING DEEPER:

1. When something out of the ordinary happens, how do you recognize God’s hand in it?
2. What do you do when fear makes you question the path God is taking you down?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 147:5

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.

What’s Your “Neither?”

By Susan Klein

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

                                                                                            

I wonder if you’re like me. I have days where I feel completely run over by my circumstances. Sometimes, they hit me so hard and catch me so off guard, I feel like a helpless hit-and-run victim. Like today, it’s a bit hard for me to focus on the gorgeous, hot and sunny weather when my furnace just very suddenly died. And my husband’s car is about to die. And our family pet of 17 years just recently died. Man, life’s casualties can be real joy-robbers!

Perhaps that’s why we are told not to fix our eyes on our circumstances. Oh, that doesn’t mean we don’t think about them or deal with them or even grieve over them, we just don’t make them our primary focus. After all, everything here on earth is temporal. Our possessions and circumstances bring us momentary troubles or fleeting happiness, not true joy. Our real treasure to focus on is the immensely incomprehensible love our Father has lavished on us through His Son, enabling us to be called His children. And that is eternal! Neither awful situations nor difficult people can negate the Father’s love for us. Neither the evil one nor his fiery darts of temptation can stop or weaken God’s love. Neither the world’s hardships nor man’s criticisms can deem us less loved and valued by our Creator. Neither separation nor death of a loved one can extinguish the flaming love God desires to pour out upon His children.

Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If,” starts out: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs…” It lists many other “ifs,” and then finishes by stating the world and everything in it will be yours. Similarly, if we can keep our focus on the Father’s love rather than on our momentary hardships, then we will be blessed with peace, and strength, and hope, and every good gift He desires for us to possess. All the trials and difficulties of life will eventually fade away, but God’s love will remain forever.

So, what circumstances might be running you over, keeping you from focusing on His love? What’s your “neither”?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Consider memorizing Romans 8:38-39.

2. Meditate on the immensity of God’s love for you.

FURTHER READING:

John 10:28-29, 17:23; Psalm 138:7-8

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.

Lonely, but not Alone
By Elizabeth Cole

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.”
John 14:15-16 (NIV)

When I watch Spiderman II,  I’m touched by the loneliness Peter Parker feels day after day. He’s not like those around him. While his childhood friends chase financial and theatrical success, Peter’s busy chasing bad guys. While his peers enjoy fame, he hides in the night’s shadows with a strange-looking mask over his head and no money to pay the rent. Very little in common with those around him. Thinking thoughts no one can understand. Choosing a lifestyle others find odd at best, or freakish at worst.

Not so far off from the life of a Christ-follower, is it? Becoming a citizen of God’s heavenly Kingdom turns everything upside-down, making us “aliens and strangers” no longer of this world. He calls us to spend our time differently, to spend our money differently, to fill our thoughts differently, to care about others selflessly, to step out beyond our own comfort, to take daring risks for His sake and for His glory…the list goes on. It can be a place where we’re misunderstood, mistaken and subtly maligned. Ever spent time with old friends from years ago and you have nothing to add to the conversation at hand? Ever sat at a family Christmas gathering wondering if anyone even knows it’s Someone’s birthday? Ever been surrounded by a crowd of people and felt completely, utterly alone?

Praise God, we are not alone in our loneliness. Most importantly, praise Him as He makes it clear that His presence is with us “forever.” There is nowhere we go that He is not there. There is no cry of our hearts that He does not hear. There is no point at which He doesn’t understand our thoughts before they’re formed. We are not alone.

In His precious generosity, God goes even further and gives us His people, the other citizens of His Kingdom, as our encouragers. Listen to Paul in his letter to the Romans, “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong; that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” And to the Thessalonians, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” You are not alone…We are not alone.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What could you do today to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Spirit?
2. Who, in your life, needs your spiritual encouragement today?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Peter 2:11; John 15:19; John 17:16

Elizabeth is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.

How’s the Love?
By Elin Henderson

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is  LOVE.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)

To do this justice, I would need a deep, gravelly radio voice that asks, “How’s the Love, baby?” One of the greatest signs of maturity is love. This is evidenced here in 1 Corinthians 13, the great love chapter. Paul is just finishing a serious discussion on diversity and unity in light of the liberty that we have in Christ. Liberty and love intersect in chapter 13 when Paul unites the two to show that true maturity is not measured by the number of rules you live by, how much freedom you have, or even your gifts, but by the love you show to others.

We can have many accomplishments, gifts or graces as it were. The tail end of 1 Corinthians 12 is a list of these many great graces. Yet, Paul doesn’t stop there, in verse 31 he tells the Corinthians, “Wait, just a minute, there is a better way,” and goes directly into love. Each of the gifts he mentions in verses 28-30, he shows (in chapter 13) to be useless and empty on their own. Just because we have these gifts does not mean we are mature or qualified; the qualifier is always love. It truly is the core of all the virtues. If we love others, we can rejoice with them and where is envy and strife? If we love others we can be patient and long-suffering because we are thinking of them first and not ourselves. If we love we can see past differences and find unity. And the list goes on.

So, my challenge to each one of us is to do a “love evaluation” and hand it in to God! How’s the love going in your life? For myself, I made a list: 1. family, 2. close friends, 3. acquaintances, 4. colleagues/coworkers, 5. strangers, and even 6. enemies. I went through each category and asked myself, “How am I doing?” The results were convicting and challenging. It brings us to our knees before the great Love of our lives. It shows us our need to allow His love to infuse and change each area of our lives, and to flow out to each of our relationships.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are some gifts/abilities that you have? Make a list of those and ask yourself how love is impacting them.
2. Conduct a personal “love evaluation.” Did you find some relationships lacking? Can you think of some practical ways to show love to those individuals? How can prayer be a part of that?

FURTHER READING:
1 Peter 4:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:5

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 fourteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.

Freedom

By Tracy Smith

 

“So, if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”

John 8:36 (NLT)

 

Bravery, strength, struggle, liberty, freedom. Those are words I think of when I think of the July 4^th holiday. July 4, 1776, Independence Day - - the day our country declared our independence from England. It sounds so simple, so easy. It wasn’t. It took a war to win our independence and war is never easy. Driving down the road the other day, I heard the song “Arlington” by Trace Adkins. This song is sung from the perspective of a young soldier who was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery after giving his life for our country. As he reflects on his life, he sings these words:

I remember daddy brought me here when I was eight,
We searched all day to find out where my granddad lay,
And when we finally found that cross,
He said, "Son, this is what it cost to keep us free." [1]

 

We celebrate our freedom as a country on July 4th. Our forefathers had a vision, and in order to create the country they wanted, they needed to be free from England and the constraints it wanted to put on us. We celebrate because we won that freedom, but it is also solemn because that freedom cost lives. Men stood up and said that their freedom (and the future freedom for their families) was worth whatever price they may have to pay, and they backed up that belief with action. The crosses at Arlington symbolize what it takes to keep us free - - the lives of those who fought and ultimately died.

 

But oh, how the words to that song have another meaning. “And when we finally found that cross, he said, “Son, this is what it cost to keep us free.” There is another Cross that symbolizes what it cost for us to be free. Free from the bondage of sin. Free from trying to earn our way to heaven. Freedom from the heartbreak of knowing we could never do or be enough to earn that way. That Cross is the Cross of Calvary. That Cross symbolizes that we have a God who loved us enough to send His Son to this earth to die to make us free.

 

As we celebrate this July 4th, let us be thankful for the freedom we have living in the United States and the freedom we have in Christ.

 

GOING DEEPER:

1. Do you know someone who has served or is serving in our country’s military? If so, look for an opportunity to thank them for the sacrifices they have made for our country.

2. Spend some time in prayer, thanking our Lord for the sacrifice of His Son for our freedom.

 

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:2; Galatians 1:3-5, 5:1

 

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

 

[1] Adkins, Trace. “Arlington.” Songs About Me, Liberty Records, 2005.

In-dependence

by Becci J. Terrill

For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5b (NIV)

Independence. As Americans, we are proud of our independence. We remember what it cost and celebrate it every summer. We send troops around the world to defend and protect it.

As parents, we raise our children to be independent. From an early age, we do what we can to help them learn skills and make wise choices in the hope that they will become independent adults. We celebrate each victory and achievement.

But, is “independence” what God wants for His children?

I have been experiencing a prolonged season - - not of my choosing - - of living “in dependence” on others. Unable to do all but the simplest things, I have had to depend on the help of family and friends.

As an “independent” woman, living in dependence on others does not come easy for me. Independence brings pride. Dependence requires humility. I have experienced many humbling and humiliating circumstances on this journey. It has not been fun. It has taught me much.

Throughout Scripture, God makes it very clear that as His children, He wants us to live “in dependence” on Him. In John 15, Jesus says He is the vine, we are the branches. A vine is dependent on the branch for life. Jesus further tells us to “abide in Him.” Just like the example of the vine and branch, we are to “dwell” in Jesus or take up our residence with and be dependent on Him.

Psalm 91:1-2 says, “”Those who live in shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”  As a child, I loved these verses. The visual picture that accompanied this Scripture was of a giant saguaro cactus standing in the middle of the dessert. Tucked in one of the mighty branches was a small owl. The saguaro provided safety, protection, shelter and rest for the tiny bird.

As an adult in a season of dependence, these verses have taken on new meaning. I see a beautiful picture of “abiding in” Jesus, and being dependent on Him. When I do this, I will experience shelter and rest as in Psalm 91. Living in dependence on Jesus also brings safety, protection and peace (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Like the tiny owl, I want and need this.

My body will heal and my “independence” will return, but I will always have the scars from my season of living “in dependence.” May God use these to keep me depending on Him.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Listen to the song, “Christ in Me” by Jeremy Camp. May we, like the song says, empty ourselves so Christ is the source of our life…the One by whom we live and breathe.

FURTHER READING:

John 15, Psalm 91, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Becci Terrill is a wife and mom to two adult daughters. She is the Children’s Ministry Director at Oakwood Church.

Meaningful Pointing

By Lexi Ellis

Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street…”

Psalm 27:11 (MSG)

Two years ago, we were in the process of training our German Shorthair Pointer puppy, Calvin, to be a hunting dog. Since the first session with the trainer, walks (and even going outside) have not been the same. Calvin picks up on all kinds of animal scents - - birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rodents, even other dogs’ excrement - - and will immediate take the pointing stance. Pointing is when a hunting dog stops, its head goes low and sticks out, tail goes up and one front paw curls to communicate, or point, to where the bird is.

Interestingly, the “pointing at the little, meaningless things” is very much a phase. As Calvin continues his training, he’ll learn to distinguish the difference between a hunting bird and a squirrel. While hunting, he’ll ignore the chipmunks, dog poop and mice because he understands they’re temporal and worthless. Eventually he’ll learn the distinction between the little scents and the “meaningful” scents  - - the birds Andrew hunts - - that bring him an even greater delight.

It got me thinking: Have I learned the distinction between pointing at the meaningless and the meaningful? How often do I point to the temporal, allowing it to consume my thoughts and steal my joy? If I’m honest, I think I find myself often pointing or focused on my pride, my own ability or my reputation.  Other times I point at selfishness by choosing a bad attitude and unkindness. Often, these meaningless things I devote my time and energy, thoughts and actions to result in missing out on the privilege of pointing on the meaningful - - the opportunity to be a part of God’s Plan, to love others and share His redeeming grace.

The question becomes: What am I pointing at - - the meaningless or the meaningful? While we are free from a life of guilt and shame, I wonder what time and talent is wasted pointing to the meaningless that could be spent doing amazing, meaningful things for the Gospel. Calvin is still learning to distinguish between the meaningless and meaningful. I’m thankful we have God’s Word and the opportunity to be in relationship with the Creator of the Universe so we can continually learn to point to meaningful as well.

GOING DEEPER:

1         1.  Think about the meaningless and meaningful things you point to.

2.  What godly opportunities are you missing out on because you’re pointing to the meaningless? What do you need to do to address that? Not sure? Ask our God in prayer and spend time allowing Him to speak to you through His Word. 

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 5:8; Philippians 4:8; Isaiah 26:3         

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School. Lexi serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.