Moving forward in faith

Today I was struggling. My doctors say I must not only restrict sodium, but also potassium. A new medication has messed with the balance of potassium. I am not a salt lover, so the sodium restriction is a challenge only when eating out. However, potassium is in many foods that I would normally eat, particularly the fruit and vegetables of the summer. Yesterday I was complaining way too much.

In the afternoon, we decided to go to a book store and to my amazement, I found a cookbook for people who are restricted from too much sodium and potassium. It even has menus and shopping lists, along with recipes. However, I soon realized I will need to do much more meal-planning, particularly for a combination that will not deprive my husband (or me) from the nutrients we need. Not easy. I was still complaining.

But all that grumbling robbed my joy and my strength. I felt crappy and finally realized this complaining had to stop. I took it to the Lord and He gave me Tozer’s devotional thoughts and this passage from the New Testament:

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (Philippians 3:13–16)

I also thought of this passage, especially the last sentence:

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11–13, italics mine)

The thoughts from Philippians 3 and Tozer’s writing are a huge encouragement. He says that the normal Bible direction is not backward, it is always forward. Jacob returned to the altar, but in doing so he did not go back, he went forward.

And the Prodigal Son did not say, “I will go back.” He said, “I will arise and go to my father.” From where he was, going to his father’s house was a forward step in his moral activities. It represented no retreat, but a distinct advance over his previous conduct.

This is the will of God, to move forward. I would like to go back to my former health, yet He wants me to consider this new and challenging situation as a step forward, an opportunity to rely on Him in a new way, and to experience His faithful in what seems like a time-consuming, no-fun obstacle. I can do this because of grace.

^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, relying on You in new situations has always been a blessing, yet many times the situations seem to be negative and I want to pray them away. I want to quit the meds that are helping my heart but messing with my kidneys. I want, I want, I want. You are showing me that Your will is perfect and Your way will bring out faith and the image of Christ in me. This is far better than my self-centered choices. Not only that, moving forward brings back joy and hope, even though up front this still seems very difficult. Keep assuring me — I can do all things through the grace of Your strength. As Tozer says, You want me to grow into something higher, not fall into the calamity of having my soul satisfied with its present condition or with lamenting over the past.

Considered perfect in Christ

When Moses came down from the mountain with the Commandments on tablets of stone, the people were told to obey them. This is the image that many have of God; He is up there someplace and thunders down His commands to a fearful or defiant people and that’s it.

Not so. There is more to this story. Sadly, many heard them, some tried to keep them, but everyone fell short. They could not do what God wanted. He knew all along, but humanity had to find out two things: one that God’s standards are high, He calls for perfection; and two, that we cannot do it. The purpose of the Law was not to make us perfect but bring us to our knees.

Were the disciples of Jesus there yet? Maybe, but the big difference between them and those Old Testament saints was that they experienced the Word of God made flesh, full of grace and truth. They saw Him and touched Him, ate with Him and heard Him talk. He told them many things, even gave them commands, yet while these words of Jesus were just as impossible to keep, He also gave them something else . . .

These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:25–26)

They didn’t know what that would be like, but they were not left on their own with impossible commands. They trusted Jesus and would learn what it meant to listen to the Holy Spirit, to remember the words of Jesus, and to walk with Him, not to be perfect. He gave them Himself; He became their perfection. They were set free to live from impossible to become justified before God, made possible by His death and resurrection.

I try to imagine how puzzled they were. It would be like telling pagans in the jungle how a smart phone works. What a mystery! What an impossibility! Yet once it was in their hands and they experienced it, they would know it was true and their fear and wonder would be replaced by delight.

Jesus did not want the disciples to be troubled by this mystery of the Holy Spirit who would take over when He was gone. He also did not want them to brood over His commands, but move ahead in confidence. He said . . .

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. (John 14:27–31)

Chambers points out that when gave those wonderful words to His disciples, He didn’t tell them to go sit down and meditate over what He said. They had heard the voice of God, found out what He wanted, and now they must get up and go.

From these verses, Chambers points out that once we have sat before God to get in line with what He wants, we must go out and obey what He says. Further dreaming is procrastination. It is also disobedience which reflects lack of faith.

This one puzzles me. What about timing? God gave me (at least I think He did) an idea, yet each time I try to act on it, something happens to thwart my actions. Is this God’s way to tell me the idea wasn’t from Him? Or is He telling me that the timing is not right?

One thing I do know is just as I waited on Him for the idea, I must wait on Him for the answer to my questions. As He promised the disciples, He also promises me peace. The Holy Spirit will teach and guide me. He also will give me the power to rise up when He gives the command to go!

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Family Update: Bob had an MRI of his head last night. While we joked that “they found nothing” we really don’t know what they found, only that Bob said it was an extremely unpleasant experience. He was smiling when he went in and broody and silent when he came out, not like him at all. However we are thankful for a medical system that will do these tests, even long after others facilities are closed for the night. One more test and hopefully a good word from his doctor on Tuesday.

God’s Word on despair

If I had to choose the three saddest words, it would be a toss-up between “I should have . . .” and “It’s too late.” Failures produce regrets and dwelling on regrets is far too easy.

Just before the crucifixion, Jesus asked the disciples to watch and pray with Him. But they fell asleep. In the moment, and certainly later, they must have experienced incredible despair. They failed Him at the time of His greatest stress.  

Chambers points out that this is a very ordinary human experience; not doing what we had opportunity to do. Sometimes I feel like my whole life is made up of missed opportunities. I should have said this. I should have done that. Certainly I cannot go back and change my responses, no matter how much I would like to. However, what Jesus said to His disciples gives me a strong word of encouragement.

Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” (Matthew 26:45–46)

In other words, ‘sleep on now . . . that opportunity is lost forever, you cannot alter it, but arise and go to the next thing.’ Let the past go. Share it with Jesus and then go into the future with Him. He did not berate His disciples for their failure. Instead, He took them forward.

Right now I cannot think of one specific example from my life, maybe because there are so many. I feel an ache in my heart from the memories of all of them. Like Chambers says, this is an ache that comes from actual events and I cannot lift myself out of it.

The disciples must have felt that their failure was unforgivable. Going to sleep instead of praying with Him? How terrible, yet He said—‘Arise and do the next thing.’

This reminds me of Elizabeth Elliot. She was asked how she managed her busy schedule. She said, “I always do the next thing and as a Christian, I always know what it is.”

Sometimes God is silent on that next thing. In that case, we wait for direction but even waiting on Him is a ‘next thing’ and such waiting is just as important as doing something.

Jesus wants His people to know that the horrid sense of failure after missing an opportunity is not supposed to ruin our lives. Chambers says not to let the sense of failure corrupt my next action. God’s Word says:

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13–14)

This is another reason, among many, why I love Him so much.