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A gentle whisper…. (devo reflection)

1 Kings 19:11a The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by….”

Our God is mighty and powerful, so I always find this verse fascinating for a number of reasons: One: God told Elijah that He was about to pass by. That kind of announcement doesn’t often happen, but God knew what Elijah needed in his despair. Two: There were three separate, mighty events that occurred directly after God’s pronouncement (powerful wind, earthquake, fire), but the Lord wasn’t in any of those mighty acts. (Well, He was because He is the God of all creation, but what He knew Elijah needed in his despair wasn’t one of those.)

1 Kings 19:11b …Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

Three: The Lord showed up, passed by, in a gentle whisper. It might have been completely missed had Elijah not been paying attention (because the Lord gave him a heads up to keep watch). The Lord knows Elijah. He knows what Elijah needs to be ok in this moment, and He shows up to Elijah in that gentle way to renew his spirit.

1 Kings 19:12a After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire….

Lord, How often do I miss you passing by because I am on the lookout for the big, mighty appearances. Thank You that You also show up in the gentle whispers. Help me to train myself to look for You, to see You, everywhere. Thank You that You whisper to my heart so often during our mornings together. Amen.

1 Kings 19:12b …And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

Have a blessed day.

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On being heard…. (devo reflection)

1 Kings 19:9a There he went into a cave and spent the night….

It is so important for people, especially people who are struggling in some capacity, to feel like they are heard. As a fixer and a problem solver, I want to jump right in and offer solutions, try to fix the issues. These verses in 1 Kings offer a beautiful example of what being heard looks like.

1 Kings 19:9b …And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

The Lord sees Elijah’s distress, recognizes it, asks for more information. Elijah says his peace. The stress and frustration are clearly there, but I’m willing to bet he feels better, he feels heard. I’ve learned that instead of offering solutions, sometimes the most powerful words at a time like this are, “I hear your frustration, Elijah. I hear your stress. I’m sorry that you are feeling so overwhelmed.”

1 Kings 19:10a He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty….

Lord, Thank You for this illustration of the power of being heard. Thank You that I understand much better now that the need to be heard is not a cry for others to offer solutions. Help me to listen better. Help me to hear and to understand and to acknowledge people so that they feel seen and heard. Always. Amen.

1 Kings 19:10b …The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

Have a blessed day.

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A beautiful map for self-care…. (devo reflection)

1 Kings 19:5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”  

Remember that in verse 4 Elijah was so stressed, so frustrated, so fed up, so scared that he said, “I’ve had enough, Lord.” The antidote for him is to sleep, to eat, to rest. The angel doesn’t lambast him, saying, “You big idiot! You can’t do anything right! You are a failure!” The angel encourages rest, encourages food, reminds Elijah why rest is needed (“…for the journey is too much for you.”)

1 Kings 19:6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

What a beautiful map for self-care: Recognize your limitations. Rest. Relax. Recenter. Be gentle with yourself. Remember that you are doing your best and sometimes it just takes a while. Don’t give up. Give it to God.

1 Kings 19:7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 

Lord, I would do well to remember Elijah and this lesson because I, too, have a tendency to give everything until there is nothing left, until I am so stressed, so frustrated, so fed up, so afraid that I explode and rail at You. Help me, instead, to rest, to be kind to myself. Help me to remind others of this same lesson. Help us to give our all for You. Always. Amen.

1 Kings 19:8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

Have a blessed day.

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The power of being kind…. (devo reflection)

1 Kings 19:3-4a Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness….  

Who of us hasn’t reached the “I’ve had enough, Lord” (v4c) stage before? Sadly, I hit that state yet again yesterday morning. Lack of sleep, lots of uncertainty, so much stress. I was absolutely there. Yet a sticky note signed by 18 precious souls and a mini-pack of M&Ms brought me back from the edge.

1 Kings 19:4b …He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die…. 

I realized yet again yesterday just how powerful kindness can be. I shouldn’t be surprised because anger, frustration, and fear can blow up to explode my day, so why not kindness, but it made me wonder what could happen if we all focused on trying to be just a little kinder to each other today. The results could be revolutionary.

1 Kings 19:4c …“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

Lord, I know kindness in itself won’t solve the world’s problems, but thank You for illustrating so powerfully for me the power of being kind. Help me to try to infuse kindness into everything that I do. Help me combat the “I’ve had enough, Lord” frustration that is sometimes so prevalent. Amen.

1 Kings 19:5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

Have a blessed day.

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Connections…. (devo reflections)

Philippians 4:14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 

I am guilty of putting the apostles, like Paul who wrote Philippians, on pedestals at times. They don’t feel like everyday humans like me. They feel….elevated somehow, more than. I’m sure this is tied up in how foundational the apostles and their writings were to the founding and spreading of Christianity. But what strikes me today is Paul’s humanity.

Philippians 4:15-16 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.  

He thanks the Philippians for sharing in his troubles. He wants to be sure they get the credit they deserve for showing up for him when he needed it, when no one else did. I absolutely understand gratitude for those who show up for me, who share in my troubles, who help me out, who lift me up when I am struggling. I, too, try to acknowledge and thank them for their love and kindness.

Philippians 4:17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.

Lord, Thank You for helping me see connections with Paul, a foundational apostle and early Christian. Sometimes what’s in the Bible seems so foreign, so far from life as I know it. Thank You for helping me see these connections. Thanks also for wonderful people who show up for me in life. Help me to be there for others in that way. Amen.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

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Contentment whatever the circumstances…. (devo reflection)

Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 

Contentment whatever the circumstances is a beautiful gift, and one I continue to try to cultivate. I’m not there yet, though I’m a little better than I used to be…I think. I wish I could tell you how I made whatever progress I’ve made, but that’s God, 100%, because, my self-sufficient, have a plan, make everything better tendencies do not lend themselves to contentment. At. All.

Philippians 4:12a I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty…. 

And even when I struggle, I know what I need to do (even if I have trouble doing it). I’m trying to recognize that God has me. Always. He is with me. He is sovereign. He is loving and gracious. He can and will supply all my needs IF I allow Him to. It’s my getting out of His way and allowing Him to work that’s always been the problem. Jesus, Help me.

Philippians 4:12b …I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your presence in my life and Your fierce love. Thank You that peace and love and contentment can be found in You always. Help me to draw closer daily, to lay down my burdens at Your feet, to allow myself to be swaddled in Your love, grace, and peace no matter my circumstances. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Have a blessed day.

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The peace of God and the God of peace…. (devo reflection)

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Apparently, I have entered a phase of life where sleep is elusive. Again last night I saw way too many hours tick off the clock. So I am incredibly heartened that in the span of three verses I am told that the peace of God and the God of peace will be with me today.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

I’ve read those verses several times this morning, but it wasn’t until I typed them out that it dawned on me that verse 7 and verse 9 aren’t saying the same thing. Both are vital. Both provide balm to my soul. Both are present with me according to this scripture. Thank You, Jesus.

Philippians 4:9a Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice…. 

Precious Savior, Thank You that all You ask of me on any given day is the best I have to give. Sometimes my best is pretty great, if I do say so myself. Other times my best isn’t much. Thank You that You are with me, that Your peace is with me. Always. Thank You that Your love and care for me isn’t contingent on what my best looks like today. Thank You that I am always Your fiercely loved child. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Philippians 4:9b …And the God of peace will be with you.

Have a blessed day.

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Excessive planning…. (devo reflection)

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

The daily devo I read each morning (Sarah Young’s _Jesus Calling_) began today, “You will not find my peace by engaging in excessive planning….” I’ve mentioned before that I am a planner. I have a plan, a back up plan, and a contingency plan for the back up. And I can attest that that way leads to even more anxiety as I continue to think of contingencies that might need planning for. There is never an end.

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

But I am learning–oh so slowly, I’m learning–to trust more and plan less. I still have a plan. I’ve at least pondered what to do if it starts going sideways, but the contingency back-up plan never quite comes to fruition anymore, and I can attest that there is definitely less anxiety involved, and sometimes, there is even excitement about the possibilities.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Lord, I love when You speak so clearly to my heart about matters that I know I still need to turn over to You as You did this morning. Thank You for the progress I’ve made in the area of planning and anxiety and trusting You. Thank You that I am Your deeply, fiercely loved child even when I struggle. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

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Living in joy and peace…. (devo reflection)

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Verse 4 today reminds me of John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” We can rejoice in the Lord, we should rejoice in the Lord, always. It is what He wants for us–peace that surpasses all understanding and joy that overflows in a world that is often lacking in both.

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

But how do we go about that in a world that is often chaotic? Verse 6 gives us a guide: Don’t be anxious. Instead, pray and petition, give thanks, and present your requests to God. The same Lord who told us in John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” He wants us to bring everything to Him. He wants us to channel everything through Him. He wants us to live in joy and peace. He is for us. Always.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Lord, Sometimes I let the world get into my head. Sometimes I forget just how close You are. Verse 5 reminds me that You are near. The world tells me You are so very far away. Forgive me when I forget the truths You tell me. Help me to bring everything to You–the joy, the pain, sorrow, weariness, every single thing. Help me to rejoice in You, always. Draw me closer. Amen.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

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A gentle whisper…. (devo reflection)

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  

This idea of testifying, witnessing to others (see verse 27) is terrifying to me. I’m not sure what about it is so disconcerting. Is it the “showboating” feel? The fact that I would feel like the center of attention? The fear that I don’t have important enough testimony to share? I have no idea.

John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

In part, I think, I began sharing my daily devos to combat that feeling within me. I have seen God’s love in a thousand different ways, both big and small. Most of them may not be particularly earth-shattering (see the fear about not having important enough testimony) but are more of a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12) that I know to be my Savior.

John 15:26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 

Lord, Thank You that You are present daily in so many ways. Thank You that I see you in the sunrise bouncing off the clouds, the smile and kind words of a neighbor, the unexpected text from a friend. Thank You for being a gentle whisper that permeates my life. Help me to share You and the many ways I see You with all I meet today. Amen.

John 15:27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

Have a blessed day.