Consider it Joy - Called to the Storm

One thing that catches me off guard is James 1. I think when we view it and consider it in the midst of a hardship, it could cause bitterness to rise up. It could cause us to question God, or even to say you want nothing to do with Him. But if we truly believe His word is true, and we truly strive to see the pieces of it fall into place in our lives, we need to take James 1 with the package:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sister, whenever you face trials of many kinds," - James 1:2

As I have walked the line of unknowns, trials, tests, burdens, feeling like a burden all my life, (don't we all feel like we walk this line?) I find this verse intriguing. And over the last several years it has actually been the one that pops into my head most on any given day. That is why I have considered this to be my next "series" in this blog, and furthermore, the topic most likely to become my book someday, as it is one that continues to affect all of us. So without further ado...

Last week was a hard week for the Ruhlig bank account. I get text alerts when our bank account is low and I woke up every morning to a "warning" that we were at $4.91 all week. Talk about anxiety every morning. Sunday - Thursday. The best part is we didn't touch it. The number stayed above 0 all week despite auto bills and forgotten checks. That happens occasionally for us. We end up diving into reserves in the freezer and living on Ramen Noodles, but we always come out the other side. I can't say we're always proud of those moments, but it's a reality we fall into from time to time when the license plates ended up costing way more than we thought, or the gas to get to the appointment was a little unexpected, or that appliance/car/sink/house broke again, or there was a gift to pitch in for and shame didn't allow us to say "can't right now". The bills were paid, but we didn't go nuts last week. Sometimes we're short because of unexpected things, sometimes because we simply didn't think ahead well enough, but we try to learn each time. This is just one of those trials in life we occasionally face that we keep trying to grow from and plan better for. Sometimes inevitable, other times we just make a dumb choice and get forgetful about an expense. 

We can learn from our trials, whether we bring them upon ourselves or not. 

Aside from considering trials joys in James 1:2, the next thing we have to notice is that word "whenever". This insinuate they will happen to all of us. If you're living life, breathing air, dealing with other humans, failing body parts, and fickle finances, trials are gonna happen, y'all. This series is going to get personal because truth is we all deal with storms. So what if I challenge your thinking a little bit today in stating that perhaps the trials we are facing are ones we may be "called" to? Hang with me a second. 

Every single one of us comes with a unique set of gifts, skills, achievements, etc. But every single one of us also comes with brokenness, failures, struggles, weaknesses, etc. Am I depressing you yet? Keep with me. 

So with this reasoning, we can't help but know that our trials, hardships, struggles, etc. are brought about by our own set of unique traits. Some seem unfair and never asked for. Some we bring upon ourselves when we make terrible decisions. Either way, they are considered our trials. But our trials make us who we are. And later on as we continue to talk about them in this series, I'll point out just how we can respond in healthy and not so healthy ways, but consider today that whether you brought upon the hardships you face this very moment yourself, or if they are ones you never asked for, perhaps there is a reason. 

Perhaps you are called to the trials you face. Let me say it a different way...

Perhaps you are meant to face this storm for a reason much greater than you. 

Because down the road, perhaps years from now, someone else will face it too, and need you to show them they will make it through. 

Because down the road, perhaps years from now, you will look back and be able to see so clearly how God's hand was all over you in the midst of that storm, and that realization itself brings about a powerful feeling that your God is so incredibly sovereign. 

Because down the road, perhaps years from now, you will see the reason, even if now you can't. Even if you don't see it until you're standing face to face with your Creator. 

What if we started owning our trials? Not intentionally sinning and falling into the trials of our choices, but what if we took our terrible situations and look for the Real, Powerful, Silver Lining that is actually the Light of our Savior? This may sound naive if you are walking the difficult road of something hard right now, but trust me here. Trust HIM here. What if you are called to be at rock bottom? Not to be tormented, but to actually see Who the Rock is? Because I think as humans, we will search every tangible option we can before reaching out in faith to the only One Who can actually be Our Rock. 

"You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail..." - Oceans (Hillsong)

What if it is true He does call us out into the waves and wind where we have no idea what's going to happen? Aren't these the best times to grow though? For me, those were oddly the golden times of growth, and I pray that they continue to be times of growth with every twist, turn, frustration, and annoyance of the storms I face. I pray I can draw close to Him in the midst of current storms and future storms, because that is the position I need to take to live up to the calling of my storms. May we fulfill the calling well. 

Read:

Mark 14:22-33, James 1:2-4

Ask:

When was a time you felt rock bottom? Do you recall feeling God's presence in that time?

How might we be called to a storm in life? 

What happens when we try to walk through a storm by our own power or other peoples' power? What happens when we actually reach out to God's power?

Fill the Gap - Character Challenge

I love caller ID. Seriously, you can't even believe how much I love it. As an introverted, insecure, unsure, plan ahead for any possible scenario, fearful person, answering the phone is something I hate doing. It's a BIG part of my job, so I do it and I find out it wasn't so bad each time, but since I got caller ID, I no longer have to deal with telemarketers. (Except those ones that trick you by calling from a local number when they're really in Tahiti...but another frustration for another day.) The thing is, I can take the easy way out with caller ID with telemarketers. I don't have to worry about them recording my voice when it accidentally says "yes" or something along those lines, and have them use it against me when the "yes" had absolutely nothing to do with the thing they were selling anyways. It's cruel, I know...so I love letting my voicemail answer them.

Taking the easy way out is usually an option. Sometimes, we're forced into corners where this really is no easy way, and I truly believe those are the moments the rubber meets the road in terms of faith. But I also believe when we see something through and do it the right way, we refine and reveal our character greatly.  Another thing I worry about a lot is how I look to people. I have always lived to please man, which is an unhealthy place to be. By pleasing people, I'm too busy trying to stay out of conflict to realize I'm not honoring God, the One I should be pleasing.

When we are in the midst of rock bottom, of singleness, of unknowns, we tend to either keep fighting or give up. We embrace hope, bitterness or both. Ruth, having hope, went out to provide for her mother in law in the fields. Naomi flat out told her old friends that she was bitter. Ironically, Ruth's fighting to find hope is what attracted Boaz to her. (Ruth 2:8-12) "I have heard all the things you have done for your mother in law." Boaz's words to Ruth's question, "why have I found favor with you?"

Character is gained when we fight through the struggle. Character is gained when we can humbly take a knee and allow God to carry us through. Character is gained when we allow the irritating grains of life to turn us into perfect pearls. As I review James 1:2-4, we remember that this is how faith is gained. "because the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

If we really dig into this passage, we see that trials, hardships, unknowns are what give us character. They give us faith. They give us perseverance. They make us mature. With these things, we can take on the next trial, and the next trial, and the next, knowing we can grow even more.

Before you try to fill the gap in your heart with trying to impress people when what you have, with your words, with your body, fill the gap of your heart with Jesus. Nothing screams character more than a person who has an all out pursuit of faith in Him. It may not make you a popular person in this world, it may not win you awards, or even pay the bills, but it will matter as you lead a legacy in your family. Change the hardship story to a story of hope. Cling to Him and build something that may require a risk, or time, or patience. In Him, find peace, find worth, find something greater than your circumstance, and allow Him to build a character in you that can inspire others to find character in Him one day. 

Scripture to Read:
Ruth 2:8-12, Galatians 1:10, James 1:2-4

Questions to Ponder:

What does character mean to you?
How do you build character, especially in Christ?
Hoe does trying to please man over pleasing God hinder a building of character? 

Parables of Jesus - Foundations

I don't know anything about building stuff. I can barely hang a picture on the wall without a mishap or having it look terrible when I'm done. But I do know that foundations are important. I couldn't tell you how to build one, but I know from house-shopping that that is a deal breaker if it isn't good. Jesus knew that firm foundations were important as well.

As He wraps up His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sums everything up with a visual of foundations.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” - Matthew 7:24-27

After this sermon filled with words on loving each other and how to find relationship with God and each other, Jesus sums it up with this. Seems appropriate since the words of His sermon are great for foundation building one's faith. Have you really stopped to think about what your foundation is? When the bottom falls out of life or when the storms come, are you still standing on the Rock?

It takes great faith indeed to know that everything will be okay in the midst of hardships. But after you experience so many storms and adjust your foundation accordingly, the storms won't get easier, but the ground you're standing on will be firmer. I think storms help us realize whether or not our foundation is there. This advice Jesus leaves the crowd with is played out perfectly in Peter's life as we see him try to toddle on the waters as Jesus encourages him to do in Matthew 14. Though Peter sinks because of the fear from the storm that overcomes him, Jesus catches him and asks him why he didn't hold onto faith longer.

We can knock on Peter and his short faith all we want, but he got out of the boat, in a storm, and trusted Jesus. The rest of them sat in the boat. I can't tell you why for sure, but I'm guessing fear, the storm, unsureness, was part of it. I think the last thing people want to do in a storm is sink in water. But we see the depth of Peter's faith, though not long.

What kind of storms have you feeling like you're sinking today? I hope you have the faith or begin forming your faith into one that isn't afraid to step out of the boat and allow Jesus to catch you when things get shaky. Peter shouldn't have been ashamed, nor should you be ashamed to have Jesus catch you when you fall. He wants to. He's waiting to. He wants you to put your faith out there to test and continue refining it. We can't do it any other way. Storms, hardships, unknowns - those things beat on us, our houses, and they may collapse it, but pick it back up and learn from your mistakes and the paths you've walked down, ready to adjust accordingly. This is what makes a solid foundation.

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 14:24-32

Questions to Ponder:
When have you completely felt your life fall apart? How was your foundation in that time?
What kinds of teachings from Jesus can you put into play to allow your foundation to grow stronger?
How is your faith when it comes to taking risky steps with God's guidance?

Day 95: Satisfied in Him

Day 95
Psalms 41-43

There are so many places you can end up if the bottom falls out of your life. David (and perhaps his descendants) write so beautifully about the longing and emotions of his heart as he experiences such a crazy time of his life. It is hard to deal with this world at times when depression and hopelessness hit. As you read today's passages and think about those bad times in your life, recall how God comforted you. Maybe you're in the midst of that depression, that loneliness, that hopelessness of life right now. Be encouraged by David's writings and remember where to lay your heart.

The place we will be most satisfied in this world is in the hands of our Savior. He is most glorified when we find that satisfaction in Him as well. How many times have you felt judged because of your satisfaction in Christ?
 We read here:
"Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, 'Where is this God of yours?" (Ps. 42:10)
From there, we read that the writer says they put their hope in the Lord. Nothing can discourage them. When we praise Him for what He has done in our life, we will be encouraged and find our satisfaction in Him.

When I fall to the taunting of the world around me, the one that judges, or casts blame, or makes me feel less than, I remember this portion of Psalm, and remind myself the only thirst for Him. The lyrics to this song is directly from those of these Psalms. I encourage you to listen to it, and reiterate the words you read today, keeping yourself in the arms of your God. 

"Let my sighs bring songs that sing about Your faithfulness.

Let my pain reveal Your glory as my only real rest.

Let my loses show that all I truly have is You.

'Cause all I truly have is You.

I am satisfied in You."

Day 89: Ups and Downs

Day 89
Numbers 14-15; Mark 1

Whenever we face a high point in life and in our spiritual walks, we can usually be certain that a downward spiral isn't far behind. While this sounds scary or disheartening, we can rest assured that if we truly place it in the hands of our Father, that upward swing will come back. Today we read about instances in the lives of the Israelites and in Jesus' life of highs and lows. We also discover how important it is to keep Christ at the center and forefront of our lives to keep us in check during those swings.

As we continue to read of the Israelites' dismay at the land that is seemingly impossible to occupy. However, we need to keep in mind all of the miracles and hardships God has already pulled them through to get them there. It is incredibly generous of God to bring them to this land filled with blessing despite the grumblings and complaints of the people all along. Now, as the people continue to grumble and flat out reject the gift from God, the wrath of God pours out on them and is revoked from their generation, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua who had faith. Even after God had taken it away, the people realized they did want the land and tried to occupy it, but were chased far away.

Remember to look at what God has given you and what He has already done for you before complaining about what He is handing you. If you has pulled you out of the muck before, He sure will do it again if it is His will and direction for you. Don't look at the highs as lows in your life. Be thankful for all He has provided and don't wish for more or better. What He has given you is the best for you.

We need to make sure God is a priority in our lives each and every day. When we face those times in our lives that are high, it is easy to forget our dependence on Him and His strength, because it's not a high demand at the time. When we face those low times in life, it is easier to face when we have the relationship with Christ at our right hand, guiding us and showing us how to make it through. The Israelites had standards for coming before the Lord in their sacrifices and how they respected the Sabbath. While those standards aren't held to us and we have the freedom to come before God whenever and wherever we are, it is still important to make it a habit. Because we may not be stoned for dishonoring the Sabbath Day, life may be a little more tricky to navigate without spending time getting to know God and His voice.

Jesus experienced these highs and lows throughout His ministry. As we read about His story through the Gospel of Mark, we can see how Jesus seemed to live from a high to a low and back again. Jesus was baptized, then tempted, and his friend, John the Baptist was arrested. Then He called His disciples and began His ministry, healing many and carrying out the will of His Father.Notice, however that Jesus prays in an isolated place. Even He needed to take time to reconnect with His Father and know the direction He was going in. If Jesus set this example for us, we need to do this more than ever with each day.

One thing I'm intrigued by is the interaction that comes between Jesus and the man with leprosy. This man, who was probably feeling lower than low at the time, tells Jesus "If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean." How often do you face something so low in life and say to Jesus "if You are willing...?" But do you know what the man did here? He gave the power to Jesus and made it His choice. He would have been fine either way, because he trusted what God was making out of his life that much. Jesus heals him, and tells him not to tell anyone else about it. However, the excitement this man had about being healed was something he couldn't keep to himself, and as a result Jesus was surrounded and followed everywhere He went. This man's low, his fear, became such a huge high and full of faith. Because he shared of his hope and his redemption, the Good News was shared.

You can be on a mountain top right now, or in the lowest pit possible in life, but know that in a blink of an eye, that can all change. How you handle your highs and your lows shares a story about Who Jesus is to you. Is His will enough for you? Don't underestimate a God Who has pulled you through before and complain about what He hands you. Don't neglect your time with Him and forget His voice when life is going well, because when you fall into that pit, you need to remember what His voice sounds like. Share the hope you have and remember to leave the choice in His hands for your life. He is creating something beautiful out of those highs and lows.

Day 55- Let it Grow

Day 55

Exodus 23-24, Matthew 13:1-30

Jesus explains the four types of seeds in His parable, which we can probably relate to if we've been working on growing our faith or planting the seed in someone else to grow. Jesus says "he who has eyes and sees is blessed and he who has ears that hear is blessed."

It takes an open heart and soul to allow our faith to grow. The Israelites have experienced this every step of their way, and now they are ready to build a relationship with God and know Who He is. God comes to them and tells them the covenant He wants to form with them, and the people are able to be in awe of the Lord because of their ears that heard (literally at times) and there eyes that saw.

This can be a very frustrating thing in our lives. Sometimes we long to see God and we long to hear God but we feel like He isn't moving. God's timing, as you know by now, is everything. There are seeds that are sown that land on a path, and never have the chance to grow, because their foundation is not ideal. Maybe you've shared the message with someone, but it just didn't click for them, or they were turned off by it.

The seeds that were sown onto rocky soil also didn't have ideal conditions to form roots. They are so excited about what they have heard or what they have experienced, but as soon as life throws them a curve ball or worries hit, their hearts turn to other things. The seeds that are choked by thorns let the worries of life invade and they don't turn to God for those worries. They deal with them on their own and fall away from the true help they could have had. Then there are the seeds that grow in the good soil and produce great fruit in their lives that give off the sweet taste of God and their faith. They are able to share it with all who come near them because they give off a wonderful vibe of Who God is.

What kind of seed are you? Do you know someone who falls into a category that could use some prayer?

If you have the open ears, open eyes and open heart to received the goodness that God has poured into your life, you are blessed indeed. Even in the rough times of life, if you can cling to what God has in store for you, you are sitting pretty good. But for those who need prayer to grow in faith and to hear the message in a powerful way, don't give up! God's timing is everything. Keep planting the seeds and let God work.