What Shoes Are You Wearing?

Have you ever found yourself wearing the wrong pair of shoes?

I remember a winter a few years ago when we woke to much colder conditions then our Southern norm. I was excited for the chance to finally wear my leather boots. But as my daughter and I stepped outside to head to the car, I made a shocking discovery. My boots were warm and, oh, so pretty, but they weren’t remotely suited for an icy walkway.

In that moment, my backside felt the brunt of a life lesson. It doesn’t matter how nice or attractive footwear is, if it doesn’t fit the need it’s pretty much worthless.

The same holds true with the shoes we wear in our faith walk. Spiritual flip flops are easy to slip on, but they’ll never be sufficient to take us through difficult terrain or across long distances without tripping us up. 

When the Apostle Paul was headed to Jerusalem, the believers were afraid and didn’t want him to go. They knew that road led to nothing but danger and suffering. But Paul was never one to wear flip flops. God had placed him on the rocky path to Jerusalem, so he laced up his hiking boots and pressed on.

If God has placed you, or allowed you to be, on a difficult path right now know that it’s natural to not want to be there. There’s nothing wrong with asking God to smooth the way, to place you on an easier road. But often time, that’s not His will. We can’t always understand the purpose of the road we’re on, but He certainly does.   

Even Jesus prayed for another option in the garden. He knew the cross lay before him and that path required a serious pair of shoes. But his desire was to only do God's will. He didn’t falter. Wearing steel-toed boots, He saved us all.

A believer’s path will never be completely smooth. In fact, we’re promised trouble. But we’re also promised that we won’t walk alone. We need to stock our closet with footwear suitable for any path we may find ourselves on. Shoes that give sure footing when the way is slippery. Shoes for covering long distances as we run the race. Shoes to step freely without harm from hazards around us. Shoes strong enough to trample the head of the enemy when he attacks. But also shoes of peace as we share the Good News with the world. And shoes for dancing in the joy of the Lord.  

I’ve been on a particularly rocky road this year. And though I’ve prayed for the way to change, this is where He has led me. So instead of praying for a different road, I’m praying for the right pair of shoes to walk it in a way that brings Him glory.

Message for the Journey:

It's hard to focus on much more than your discomfort when you're wearing the wrong pair of shoes. When you find yourself going through diffculty, think less about the road you're on and more about what’s on your feet. Ask God for shoes to walk it well. The right pair really can make all the difference. 

                                                                                                  -Ann Wilds

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Heb 12:1b-2a

3 Steps to Taming Closet Gremlins

What is it about closets? You clean them out, organize them neatly but turn your back on them and they’ll be in disarray once again.  I’m pretty certain there are gremlins living in mine. Sometimes they make such a mess that I can’t find what I want to wear, so I settle for what I can easily grab. Other times I’m digging for something only to discover a treasure I’d forgotten I had. I’m not even certain how all of the things in my closet have gotten there. It must be the gremlins again.

I can’t be the only one who suffers from this infestation. Entire businesses are dedicated to closet management. While their accessories and furniture are beautiful, I don’t need to spend money to tame my closet gremlins. What I need is intentionality.

It takes daily, ongoing deliberateness to keep my closet, and hence what I wear, organized. I have to regularly get rid of the things I no longer want. If I don’t or shouldn’t wear it, I need to remove it. Before I put anything into my closet, I have to be certain it is something I truly want there. If it is, then I need find a place for it where it can be readily accessed.      

Like closets, our hearts and minds can be in disarray. Tossing things in willy-nilly or hiding junk in them from others only leads to a mess. If we aren’t diligent about what we keep there we can easily put on the wrong type of psychological garment. But there is help. All closet gremlins can be restrained with a solid closet management system.  

1.      Clean out the junk regularly- As you go through the day, think about what it is you are thinking in your heart. Is the negative attitude worth keeping? Is the spirit of unforgiveness really what you want to wear? If you’re unsure if it’s worth keeping, ask. The Holy Spirit will respond.

“For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”(Luke 6:45b)

2.      Only put in things worth keeping- In fashion there are standards as to what makes something tasteful and flattering. In the spiritual life, the Bible is our standard. It doesn’t matter if Stacy and Clinton say it looks good.  If it isn’t something Jesus would wear, don’t let it in.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Phil. 4:8)

3.      Arrange things to be readily accessible- Have you ever found it hard to believe you said something you did? When in a hurry to get dressed, just as when we are in an emotional rush or under pressure, we don’t have time to search for what we want. What we put on is what is easiest to reach. The more purity that enters your closet, the more certain you can be that whatever you pull out will reflect who it is you want to be in Christ.

 “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”(Col. 3:14)

Message for the Journey:

Closets rarely become a mess overnight. The same is true with our innermost being. If we aren’t careful, the gremlins of poor attitude and foul language, along with their many friends can take up residence and make a mess of things. But they can be kept under control with a holy closet management approach. Be intentional, be in the moment and be in tune with what it is you want to reflect to the world by what you put on. Closet doors can be used to hide the things inside from others, but God sees it all.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)

                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                           ©Ann Wilds

How to Reach Your Promised Land- Fix Your Eyes

          The Equestrian Jumping trials are underway in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics. It’s a beautiful sport, with horse and rider moving as one to hurdle obstacles of many shapes and sizes.

          With a horse-crazy daughter in the house, we’ve spent many hours at our local stables watching her ride. While she has tried different styles, jumping is her joy.  Though I don’t ride, I’ve gained many tips from years of observing her lessons. One is just how important it is for the rider to focus their eyes in the right location. It seems a simple thing, but can have painful consequences if done incorrectly.

          Because a horse takes its cues of what to do and where to go from the rider’s body, it’s essential that the rider looks past the jump to the intended destination. Should they drop their eyes instead and look at the obstacle, a shift will occur in their body position. This shift, though slight and nearly unseen, changes the weight on the animal’s back, along with the rider’s balance. As a result, the horse can easily refuse a jump- stopping suddenly before the standard or passing to the side. Either way, the rider may find themselves on the ground in a blink of an eye, failing completely to overcome the obstacle in their path.   

          We, too, can find ourselves struggling to overcome the obstacles of life when we drop our eyes from God’s promises and instead look in the wrong direction. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, when we fixate on the immediate circumstances it is easy to become disappointed, frustrated or upset with the situation at hand.  

          The Israelite’s story holds an important lesson for us. Their attitude in the wilderness caused, what scholars report should be an eleven day journey, to turn into forty years of traversing rough country. Of all those who were led out of Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb - those who kept their eyes on God’s promises -were able to enter the Promised Land. In order to reach our own promised land, we also need to fix our eyes.   

          There is no doubt we’ll all face difficulties while on earth. In fact, Jesus was clear in promising that trouble will come. But that wasn’t all that was promised. He assures us we don’t have to go through them alone. When we focus on the problem, we rely upon ourselves and stumble. But when we keep our focus on Him, He carries us across to the other side. It is in faith that we move in tandem with God, able to hurdle obstacles of all shapes and sizes. 

Message for the Journey:

         

          Even a well-trained horse will miss a jump when its rider misdirects their eyes. So, too, will the obstacles of life cause us trouble if our eyes are focused in the wrong direction. Just as the rider needs to look ahead, passed the jump, to successfully navigate it, we need to look to our promised future, instead of the trouble of the day, to remain triumphant. 

                                                                                                                                ©AnnWilds2012 

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."(2 Corinthians 4:18)

How to Respond in a Crisis

A merchant ship with 276 people on board was struck by hurricane force winds while at sea. The gale was severe and raged for over two weeks battering the craft relentlessly. In an effort to save the ship and their lives, the crew took drastic action—they threw the cargo overboard. When that was unsuccessful, they threw important equipment off to further lighten the load. The trip had not been intended to last as long as it had so food was also of concern. They rationed their supplies, even going without eating. The crew and passengers were terrified. They gave up hope, certain they would all die—all except one.

On this ship was a Christian believer who had faith in God’s promise that he would not be destroyed. Remaining calm in the midst of the storm, he encouraged them all to eat in order to keep their strength. He openly shared his faith and by doing so, reassured the others. Trouble did not dissipate instantly; the ship broke up when it ran aground in shallow water. Yet just as the believer, the apostle Paul, promised, not a single life was lost.  

When crisis strikes, do you respond calmly like Paul? Or do you immediately act out in fear as the crew of the ship did? As believers, how we respond in a crisis is a clear indicator of where we are placing our trust and our faith.  When trouble comes:

1.      Don’t Panic- 

We’ve all seen people who respond like Chicken Little running around saying the sky is falling when troubles arise. Don’t allow yourself to become like them giving in to fear and distress. Keep things in perspective. Remember your King has everything under control. We may not know why something is happening, but He certainly does.

2.      Trust God’s word to you-

An angel spoke directly to Paul assuring him of God’s promise to keep him safe. Likely you won’t have an angel speaking to you of God’s assurances for your life, but He does speak directly to you in His word. Search it and stand on His promises about your situation. 

3.      Walk out your faith-

It’s easy to say you trust God when things are going well but it’s in the midst of the storm you demonstrate that trust. When your faith is in the fire, paraphrase Daniel 3:17-18—God is able…but if He doesn’t, we will still stand firm in faith.

                                                                                                                                ©AnnWilds2011

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PawPaw's Penknife

     PawPaw, my grandfather, had a beautiful yard which he lovingly tended with painstaking care. Every blade of grass was neatly cut and every hedge trimmed in a perfect line. PawPaw worked in his yard daily. Rising early, he would carefully walk the yard surveying his domain. If water was needed, he gave it. If nutrients were missing, he fed it. I loved the feel of his lawn on my bare feet. The grass was always thick and lush, a deep shade of green. You needn’t worry about stepping on a briar for he didn’t permit anything but grass to grow in his lawn. He was diligent in watching out for weeds, keeping a vigilant lookout any time he was in the yard. If he saw one beginning to emerge, he would immediately take his trusty penknife out of his pocket ready to do battle. PawPaw would insert the blade into the ground right next to the weed, press the weed against the blade with his thumb and then pull them out together, removing both the weed and its root. He was a warrior and weeds were his enemy.

     Just like a weed in PawPaw’s lawn, doubt can grow in the garden of our faith. It may sprout from a seed within our heart or it may be planted by the enemy. Either way once there, it seeks to take root and grow, spreading from one into many. Yet, every single weed of doubt must be removed for even one can weaken our faith and the power of our prayer. In the book of James we are told that doubt blocks our prayers from being answered.

     If you experience doubt, you are not alone. We don’t start with a full and perfect faith. We are all like Thomas who doubted what the others had seen or Peter who faltered while walking on water. Thomas failed to believe Christ’s promise of resurrection. Peter failed to believe in His power. When we doubt, we fail to understand the awesome character of God.

     Just as we don’t start with a perfect faith, we don’t each start at the same faith level. In Romans we learn that God gives each of us a different measure of faith. Our task is not to achieve the faith of someone else but to grow whatever measure we are given until the one day “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13).

     While we grow towards the whole measure, weeds of doubt will creep into our faith garden but we have a much better tool than a penknife to eradicate them. God’s word is more powerful than any manmade tool. Along with prayer, it is the most powerful weapon to battle that which would weaken or destroy our faith. Be proactive, ready with scripture to combat doubt when it comes.

     When doubt says:

•  God’s love is conditional. Faith says God’s love never fails for it is written, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness”.(Jeremiah 31:3)
• God will hold my past against me. Faith says God forgives completely for it is written, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”. (Psalm 103:12)
• My sin is too big for God to forgive. Faith says God forgives all things for it is written, He “forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” (Psalms 103:3)
• God isn’t good because bad things happen. Faith says God is always good for it is written “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. (Romans 8:28)
• God is distant and far away. Faith says God is near for it is written“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth”. (Psalm 145:18)
• I can’t count on God to take care of me. Faith says God meets all my needs for it is written, “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing”. (Psalms 34:10)

     When Jesus spoke to His disciples, He was also speaking to us. To Peter, He said “you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31) To Thomas, He said “Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:27) Like PawPaw we need to be diligent, ever ready to go into battle against our weeds of doubt for we are God’s warriors and doubt is an enemy.