Walk with a View

A wonderful walkway winds in and out around the woods of my neighborhood.  The canopy of trees certainly makes for an excellent escape from the Texas heat.

I typically find myself on the walkway on a Saturday morning run; ipod app to track my fitness, with a playlist set to shuffle.  I always take off in the same direction, as I know the mileage and can pace myself.  It gives me time to think as the beat of my feet hitting the pavement keeps rhythm with the music.  I’ve run this way hundreds of times; I know each turn by heart.

But, today was different.  It was not a running day.  Actually, it was just one of those days where I had a weird gap in between my morning “taxi” driver events for my daughter and I decided to go for a walk.

As I reached the start of my usual route, my inner rebel said, “counter-clockwise”.  What could it hurt to head in the opposite direction since it wasn’t a measured run in which I needed to pace myself. 

With only minor hesitation…. yes, I actually took time to contemplate it…. I took a left turn.

I was enjoying my newly created playlist and meditating on the words of the song, when I looked up to see a spectacular sparkle of sun streaming through the trees above.  Up ahead was a completely unique and beautiful scene; they way the sidewalk curved just so around the hilly ground; the sunlight captured at just the right angle.  How could I have run this path so many times and missed this scenic section of it?

But, I hadn’t missed it.  It was here all the time.  The same path I usually ran, only this time, I was facing the opposite direction.

Typical.

Typical of myself, I’m usually in “me” mode.  You know, “I know best”!  That’s when I just go about my day doing and saying things that are set in my mind because that’s they way they make sense to me.  It’s not necessarily “truth”; it’s just “my way”.

But it’s really just my perspective; my view from the direction on the path that I chose to take.

It hits me hardest when my husband says something like, “I know you won’t agree with this but…”, or, “Just listen to all I have to say before you reply.”

Obviously, there are times when I have let my perspective become my reality.  I have neglected to see things from a different direction; someone else’s perspective.

And, the reflection on my heart tells me that God is at work again, breaking down my pride.  While there are many good and beautiful perspectives, there is only one truth.  Psalm 25:9 tells us that “He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way”.

He is asking me to let go of the tight grip that I have on “my way” of doing things; my perspective is not always truth.  The only place I can find truth is in God and in His word.

“And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  Those are His instructions in Micah 6:8. 

How can I put these into action throughout my day?  

What does it mean to "act justly"?  Maybe it could simply be that I don't join in on gossip in a conversation of friends.  Or possibly that I stick up for the store clerk who is being "bullied" when there is a long line, and she is having difficulty when people waiting are being rude.  If I look for opportunities in my day, I will find them and they are not all about "me".

How to I love with mercy?  I admit this one takes a little more work for because it often cuts deeper into long term relationships.  Often it is overlooking faults of those in our family; biting our tongue and not using the sarcasm that is so easy to show our true heart even though it's funny.  It is going out of our way to do something loving for a family member, even when I know they will not notice or give me the praise I would seek.  "...working as for the Lord rather than for man," (Col 3:23)

Putting other's before self and serving them while putting yourself last is extremely difficult in a world that constantly advertises and promotes, "me" first.  But God is seeking humble and gentle hearts.  He is a rewarder of pure hearts.

"True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor and long life," according to Proverbs 22:4.

So before I even lift my head off the pillow and place my feet on the floor each morning, I first need to set my mind on the path that my journey for that day will follow.

I will choose to act justly so I can look up to see a spectacular sparkle of sun streaming through the trees above.

As I follow the curves today, I will choose to love with mercy, making allowance for others’ faults so I can see the beauty around the hilly ground.

And if I keep my head bowed and let God lead, knowing that He is in control, then at just the right moment, the warmth and glow of the sunlight will be captured through the trees at just the right angle. 

That is His reward and grace sufficient for today and I can see the beauty in God’s creation with an open perspective and honor to God.

The Call

Ephesians 1:17-19

For I always pray to the God of

our Lord Jesus Christ and Father of Glory

that He might grant me a

spirit of wisdom and revelation, of

insight into mysteries and secrets in

the deep and intimate knowledge of Him,

by having the eyes of my heart

flooded with light

so that I can know and understand

the hope to which He called me!

And, that I can know and understand

how rich His glorious inheritance

in the set apart ones (that’s me).

And, that I can know and understand

the immeasurable, unlimited, and surpassing

greatness of His power that is

in and for us who believe

that raised Christ from the dead and

gave Him authority, power and dominion

over all things now and for eternity.

Mark 8:34

Jesus asks me everyday...

"If you REALLY intend to follow me, you need to:

   *deny yourself - forget, ignore, disown self and selfish ways. 

   *take up YOUR cross - admit/repent my sin without blame or excuse. 

   *walk with Me - listening, learning, growing."

Adapted from Mark 8:34

recipe

The recipe each day I stir

ingredients as I rise,

rolls out before my feet a path

which may be narrow or wide.

A blend of thoughts begin to whir

my blurry mixture poured

more of Him than me be measured,

for nourish soul assured.

Choose this day whom you will serve,

setting the table with finest ware,

ready to feast with Prince and King

eternal reward with family share.

“I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.  And may love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days…”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a

Fitness

With the New Year upon us, FITNESS is always on everyone’s mind.

Join a gym.

Start my diet….  Again.

Don’t deny it!  You may be putting it off, but you DID think it.

You might like the gym where I work out since it’s a voyeur’s paradise.  It has an upper level balcony of cardio equipment that encircles the gym.  You can, from on high, look down upon and watch all types of techniques, rhythms, and forms of exercise.

This morning, I watched a trainer, with whom I’ve “worked”, begin a relationship with a new client.  He would demonstrate the exercise with two or three repetitions and then he would stand back to wait, watch and count as his client went through the same motion.  At least that was the plan.

As I said, I have utilized this same trainer and he can be....well, intense.  Form is key, motion must be fluid and focus is necessary.  But at the root of all of these, is the student’s desire to be trained.  You have to want to change your body.  You need to have goals and desires so deep that you are willing to push through even when it’s hard; to do one more rep, even when you feel weak; and, to deal with the soreness and pain afterward that builds muscle and strength.

Today, the “new guy” had very little, if any of that.  I am not certain why he signed up for this.  Unless, he thought it would be easy; or maybe got a few free sessions when he joined the gym.   But, he was sloppy and rushed.  He showed no respect or effort for the motion or the coach.  I couldn’t imagine why he would waste his money or his time.

The trainer was patient and calm as he coached and observed.  He made his notes, as usual of the progress on his client’s chart.  But as the hour grew near, the “keep it up’s” and “you can do it’s” seemed to wane.

I wanted to laugh and put on my “proud pants” since I’d worked out harder than the “newbie”, when God tapped my on the shoulder.  He reminded me that sometimes even I just go through the motions.

How often have I gone to church just because it’s Sunday or said a quick prayer out the door because I knew it would be a hectic day?  Told others I was trusting God to handle my problem and then worried myself sick until it resolved.

My days are filled with sloppy spiritual workouts more often than not.  And my Coach is patient and knows my heart. He often sits back and lets me simply be sloppy until I'm willing to give Him my attention and my effort.

He tells us though Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians:

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by scripture.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.”   (2 Thess 2:15-17)

Just as our bodies need good food, exercise and rest to be healthy in this New Year, our spirit, soul and mind, needs God’s good food {His inspired scripture}, exercise {prayer, giving, kindness}, and rest {stillness of mind, waiting and listening for His voice}.

We need spiritual workouts.  I can't just get up and go through my day expecting it to just "happen".  My spirit won't be in tip top shape without building some spiritual muscle.  But, it will take focus and it will require me to push through when I feel weak.  And yes, it may even hurt a bit as I grow.  But as I workout and practice, when a tough time comes, I'll be fit and ready for the challenge.

Join a gym, hire a coach, start a diet…….whatever it may take to  meet your physical goals.

But, don’t neglect your spirit.  Don’t just go through the motions.

Build some Spiritual Muscle!
Spend time with the Eternal Coach who loves you with the immeasurable and unconditional love.  The God of grace, mercy and forgiveness who wants to make all things new (Rev 2:1) and give you a new start to this New Year!

New Year: "Want To"

“Serve the Lord with GLADNESS.

ENTER His presence with joyful songs.”

Psalm 100:2

Sometimes all I can do is “want to”.

I don’t know what I am to do for Him.

I don’t know how I am to serve Him that day.

Sometimes, I don’t even know what verse to read or where to turn I my Bible.

I just know that I "WANT TO" serve Him.

I KNOW He is with me.

I KNOW He is on His throne.

This world is so full of noise and distractions that my mind gets cluttered and distracted.  I have to sit and just be still; trying to hear His voice.

My greatest desire is to finish strong. 

My greatest desire is to enter His kingdom and hear Him say, “Well done, Lisa.  You served me and did all that I asked.”

What is He asking of me today?

I will put on my “service goggles” and try to see the world as He does. 

But if I don’t heal or help, give or gift, provide or promote…

…I will serve him with GLADNESS!

I will speak kind words to others.  I will walk and talk with a smile on my face.  I will carry a joyful song in my heart and carry His praise with me.

I will ENTER His presence today…here on earth!

Will you choose to spend your day with Him?

“Serve the Lord with gladness.

 Enter His presence with joyful songs.”

 Psalm 100:2