I am overwhelmed as of late with thoughts that I wish I could live my life over again. I weep as I write. I don't think I am wrestling well with this. Oh, the arrogance to think that I could do it right the next time. No one can! How did Paul live well with the haunting faces of those he murdered for his own cause. What about David sending his mistress' husband to the front lines to be killed. And the horror David faced in how his son Absalom turned out, wanting to murder his own father. And David's best friend's father attempted to kill David more than once! Whew. And, then there's Peter, who denied to the world and every generation after that that he ever even knew Christ. Oh my! And here I sit. Wishing I could go back, take back, do it again with my children, my friends, my ministry. Every parent on the face of the earth has let their children down. It's just that, I'm so changed! I wish you knew me before---but wait, I read this sixth chapter of Ephesians and remember the places where I was when I read it in days gone by. I was walking with God. But not like this.
Eph 6:13 After you have done it all, and still don't know what to do, stand firm! Stand firm, Bev!
It is not meant to know the future or change the past. I won't know what could have happened. All I have is this present moment. What will I do with it? Stand firm. Put on the full armor of God. This is all about Living in His Strength, not mine.
Isaiah 26:3-4: "You keep him in perfect peace
ReplyDeletewhose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
After a few days of trials, I finally came to the resolution to trust in the Lord. This morning I woke up to the good news that He is always faithful, as I must be faithful. Whenever I try to get ahead of God, He pulls me back.
Stay strong, stay faithul, don't look back,as Lot's wife did. Look to the future. The prize is ahead, and keep our eyes on it. The prize is eternal life with our Father. Today, I will be strong as I put on the armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-20- "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
Ephesians 6:
He equips. I love that it is called armor of God. For there are battles in this world. We all have regrets and honestly, consequences of mistakes, and raw deals that we've been given, but we press ahead, looking to the prize. His armor equips us for the battles that each day brings. No promise of easy--only that He will not forsake. That's enough grace for this day and the next.
ReplyDeleteWe also have joys immeasurable, bounties of gifts that He's granted, full hearts, and enough strength to do ALL things through Him. That perfect peace that He talks about is elusive--
Keep our eyes, our minds our hearts stayed on You, Lord. Build our faith, increase our trust. And grant us Your beautiful perfect peace. Amen.