Psalm 37:23-25a:
“The steps of a man are established by the LORD when he delights in his way; though he falls, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand”. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken…”
Is the Call to Mission still binding even in significant times of change?
Jim and I were called many years ago in college to go to the Philippines. We spent 13 years overseas then God reassigned us back to the USA.
When we first came back to the States this transition seemed like an intrusion to our original calling. We found ourselves in another stage of life. God, how do we live out our calling in this season of life and in this new place? Are we still called to mission even though now we live in “America”?
Today, we continue to give our hearts to the mission of God, to the next generation in leadership development, whether, Majority World Leaders, and/or young leaders in ministry and mission, so that the 2.9 billion Gospel-less peoples who have not had the chance to hear, will. The calling and passion by God has not changed only the places have expanded and specifically collaborating with others to see the commission realized.
Part of that calling responsibility has always been to our family as well. We find ourselves now in the season of “The Sandwich Generation” between aging parents and grandkids. These various seasons and/or stages of life in the midst of the calling is not always easy to navigate. His steps are not always clear. But His call remains a sure marker for our lives.
WHEN SEASON’S OF CHANGE ARRIVE UNANNOUNCED
We received word today from a couple serving overseas, that they just had a miscarriage. The baby was stillborn. Of course, it came in the middle of a busy time of personal transition but yet the fruitful season of ministry. (Not easy!) Where does one land their emotions when this happens?
Another friend of ours in ministry whose work is flourishing, just found out the husband has cancer. They feel hope but nonetheless, it is a tough time. They may even have to sell their home because they may not be able to take care of it given his sickness. Where does one land their emotions when this happens?
For me, my mother is declining physically. She is 83 years old and we don’t live near her. Seeing her aging is hard to watch and concern for my brother-in-law who is the primary caregiver. How can we serve him and my mother given such distance? All this causes one’s mind to race in the midst of other responsibilities.
You know this day will come but there is no preparation for grieving when it happens. You can’t turn the clock back. Everyone’s situation is different. There are lots of unknowns because no one knows the day and time. Life seems to be on hold but you know it can’t. You have work, grandkids and now aging parents. Where does one land emotionally in these moments?
The same God who has gotten us through SO much before can get us through this too. Only a good God can orchestrate the good of all pain for His glory. Yet there seems to be much fear and uncertainty in just such times.
They feel like interruptions and they hurt. They stop us in our tracks and cause us to wonder, what is God up to? We often become disoriented. We are going one way and when this happens we feel turned around. Emotionally you want to be in two or three places at the same time but you can’t SO what do you do?
Can you relate to any of these seasons or stages of life?
So, how does one live out the calling to others (the assignment God has given us) as well as other responsibilities (such as Love of extended family) when emergency’s or the unexpected with life happens?
FINDING GOD IN THE INTERRUPTIONS
What does this look like? For each person, this will look different!!!!!!! We need prayer and grace for sure as we navigate this journey together.
Everyday I personally have to go back to looking for all God is doing and has already provided and led us. I have to go back to the truths I know and coach my heart on who God is.
Especially when the “what if’s” creep in or the fears of the unknown. Or questions like where should I put my energy and emotions?, when I have a husband and work needs, where I travel, have grandkids, kids, aging parents, and unsaved loved ones, to consider and honor.
I have to remind myself Jesus is watching over my mom and loves her more than I do.
But at the same time, I have to tell myself, it is okay to feel these emotions. Grieving is no respecter of person. Sometimes I have to give up the guilt and realize God has called me to play only a small piece in the lives he has called me to care for. I am not expected to do it all.
Sometimes I just have to wait it out when there are no answers. Leaning into Jesus knowing he will bring clarity in his timing. And He has! All part of His calling in our lives where we are living out the Gospel for His glory.
But I am only reminded of these things as I read, meditate and pray the Words of God. Especially found in the book of Psalms. As I seek Him out and it is He that uplifts me. Wait upon Him! “God, what is my part in this?” “What is my assignment to honor my mom and family in this stage and season of life?” or whatever your situation is. Taking each day as it comes. Knowing His mercies are new each day and His steadfast love is forever. (*Lam. 3:23-25).
Again when life is hard or you are going through a season of grieving, and you don’t “feel” or “sense” God in there or doubts creep in, questions like “Why did I come”, “Did I make the right decision”, “Maybe I am not cut out for this”, or “Does God even care” shout out. “Why would this happen to us especially now?” You “feel” like you are in survival mode or these life events are interruptions to the “real ministry”.
You are also thinking, there are people who are counting on you: your local church may be, your partners, your family and/or your team. You feel the expectation and often maybe some quilt for even having these emotions. What do you do? You are the missionary should you not have it all together?
May I suggest you stop, get away if you can and read or even listen to the words from Psalms over and over? What did David do in those moments of loneliness, doubt and/or dark and hard moments? He cried out to God, sometimes brutally honest so. He mediated and delighted in God’s Word, remembered who God was and what He had done. He confessed, and/or waited upon the LORD, often resulting in hope, finding new strength, and courage.
It might not come overnight but you are taking refuge and are in a safe place, so in due season you shall reap what you are sowing. (*refer to Psalm 91:1,2 Galatians. 6:9) These are not interruptions, God sees and knows them all!
Psalms often give us the language of what we are feeling and how to pray when we don’t feel like it. David can take us back to God, to help us “remember”, where we find that God has been there all along.
Maybe even praying the Psalms together with a friend in the community may be the need of the hour. We need each other. Get others to pray and walk the journey with you. You are not meant to be alone.
Learn what it means to lean into Jesus like one who is asked to encounter a big wave instead of fight the current, lean into it. If you try to fight the current of the wave you will probably sink and drain but if you lean into the wave you will make your way out to the other side. It’s okay to let Jesus just hold your hand for a while…
Fear not
For I am with you.
Be not dismayed
For I am your God
I will Strengthen you,
I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
(*Refer to END NOTES below on this verse for you to STOP and meditate on as time permits)
I would love to hear your meditative thoughts…..
PERSONAL THOUGHTS: How have you found God to help you, strengthen and uphold you with His righteous right hand, in what seems like the interruptive fearful, and/or uncertain seasonal time(s) of your life….? What steps can you do today to move forward to encourage and coach your heart? Can you start reading Psalms today and “remember” who God is or “thank Him” for what he is doing, and/or using the language of Psalms to find the words to cry out to God what you are feeling? Who can or are you turning to, to help journey with you during this stage or season of life? Please let me know your personal thoughts. I find encouragement from your journey.
From One Pilgrim to another together on the journey,
”Consider how you may spur one another on towards love and good deeds….. encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
*ENDNOTES:
*Psalms 91:1,2: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust.”
*Galatians 6:9: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
*Lamentations 3:19-25: Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
*Meditative Thoughts on Isaiah 41:10
One way I have used “meditating on Scripture” with Jesus to coach my heart during difficult times.
FEAR NOT
We will fear, it is normal to have them. What are our fears right now? Name them before the Lord, David did and we find them in Psalms.
However, why not “Fear” might be your question, for I am human? But God is saying to Him, Fear not because….
FOR I AM WITH YOU
God promises that He is there even if we don’t “feel” Him. We see David in many of the Psalms realizing God is there. His presence is with us. Stop and let this sink in. God promises us His presence. You are not alone.
BE NOT DISMAYED
Why not get dismayed? Which includes any gamic of emotions we may feel. Look it up! What are they? David didn’t hold back but cried and prayed to God. God understands we will have these emotions. It is okay but He is making a way out for us. God says:
FOR I AM YOUR GOD
No matter our emotions, remember, God is God. Who is God? Take them and lay them at His feet.
Not only is God promising to be with us, but He reminds us He is God. I love Psalms, because of the magnitude of SO many beautiful adjectives to describe God. Can you find them? Stop and meditate on who God says He is. No matter our problems He is bigger. But it is okay to sit with Him awhile and feel His presence. He understands and wants to comfort us as a parent does a hurting child.
As I read Psalms over and over, I remind myself of who God is. Then He says.
I WILL BE THE ONE TO STRENGTHEN YOU.
If we believe and feel God’s presence, remembering, who God is, once again reminding ourselves, then it is easier to believe, what God will do also. He will strengthen us, too. Strengthening us even when we don’t feel like it. How is He strengthening you? Stop Count your blessings name them one by one. Remember what He has already done in the past and thank Him for what He is going to do.
Many times David waited with the expectation that God would strengthen Him. He believed this even when he didn’t feel it because he knew it to be true about God and that reality in his life. I want that in my life. I try to look around and record what God is already doing, or providing. Do I see evidence of God strengthening me or working in the midst of this situation? God says….
I WILL HELP YOU
Do we believe this? After one meditates on the above it is easier to believe He will help us in whatever is needed going forward. Sometimes we have to wait but He says He will help us. He even will hold us up with His righteous right hand because He says,
I WILL UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND.
Maybe God is saying, I will not let you go, or let you fall, I got your back!
He is holding your hand with His very righteous right hand, holding you up and guiding you along. You are not alone. Ask God to show you ways He is holding your hand. How Might He be parting the waters so to speak in this tough season? Or believe He will and wait and rest in this.
What might be your part or assignment to bring Glory to Him? He might want you to be part of one of the solution and give you wisdom or bring an answer or maybe He wants you to just remember He is holding your hand and you can trust Him and have confidence in Him in this season. Resting in His presence is enough. He doesn’t make mistakes.
Please Reply in a gracious manner