Here (God is With Us)

"Come and rest here.

Come and lay your burdens down.

Come and rest here.

There is refuge for you now.

You'll find His peace,

And know you're not alone anymore.

He is near."

(Here by Kari Jobe)

God is here.

     Last year on New Years Eve, just a few hours before the countdown to the new year began, my friend and I took a moment to step away from the people and the noise. We went outside and sat in her car, turned up the music, and worshipped. There was a stillness and a sense of peace in that moment. In the silence, we simply listened as God spoke. His Spirit breathed over us and moved amongst us in that car as the words of the songs echoed in our hearts. One song we seemed to play on repeat was "Set a Fire" by Will Reagan and United Pursuit. It's one of my favorite songs - I've listened to it, and worshipped to it, a thousand times before. But each time, something different stands out to me. On this night in particular, the phrase that stood out to me was "There's no place I'd rather be than here in your love." That word "here" stood out to me because at that point in my life, my here was in place of deep discouragement and disappointment. I picked up my phone and began to type what God was speaking to my heart.

This is what I wrote:

There's no place I'd rather be than here in your love. It's easy to get discouraged when we focus too much on the future, on the hopes and promises of God, because we start expecting them right away - and we get discouraged when we don't see things playing out the way we imagined. But God doesn't work on our timetable, and His ways are exceeding abundantly above anything we could ever ask or imagine. Likewise, it's easy to get discouraged when we focus too much on the past, because we start to focus on the things that didn't seem to play out and the prayers God didn't seem to answer as opposed to the ones He did. We fear the future because we forget the faithfulness of God, but God doesn't want us to focus on the future or the past. We should look to the future for our hope, and we should look to the past for our lessons, but we should learn to dwell in the present moment. We should learn to dwell in the presence of Christ. He was with us in the past, and He'll be with us in the future, but He is with us right now. He is with us here. Everything in our past led up to this very moment we are living in, and where we are right now will lead us to the place God has prepared for us in the future. Live in the moment. Experience the presence of God. Take life one step at a time, walking in full trust and obedience to the will of God.

     Now a year has passed, and God is still teaching me the importance of here. I'm at a good place in my life now. I'm not discouraged or disappointed, but I'm still not satisfied with my here. I feel like God is calling me to do more, to be more. I feel like God is calling me to greater things, but I don't know how to get from here to there. I recently heard a sermon from Christine Caine and she said, "People are always telling me they want to be where I am. They point to me and say they want to be there." She went on to say, quite simply and quite profoundly, "But I'm here." She said "I'm 50 years old, but it took me 50 years to get here. I've had 25 years of ministry, but it took me 25 years to get here. I've been married for 20 years, but it took me 20 years to get here." All we have is here. We can't get there without first being here, and once we get there, then there will become here. We are always growing, always evolving, always transforming. We are always moving from here to there.

     As much as I hope and wait to get there, I often find that my fear is holding me captive here. I eagerly anticipate getting there, but I'm fearfully hesitant to make the transition. I want to go to new places, to new heights, but I don't want to get on the plane that will take me there. I'm afraid. I'm afraid of what could happen. I'm afraid of what will be required. I'm afraid of all that could go wrong.  I fear being called out of my comfort zone. I fear the unknown. I fear being alone. But God has showed me that the very reason I fear, is the very reason He commands me not to fear. He says in His Word, "Fear not, for I am with you" (Isaiah 41:10). He says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).

     God is here. His name itself tells us that He is here, He is with us. Matthew 1:23 says, "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” I love to study the meaning of numbers, and it is no coincidence this verse is found in the 23rd verse of the chapter. The number 23 has a lot of significance to me. I was saved on September 23rd 2006. I started my job (which was a huge answered prayer to me) on March 23rd 2015. In 2009, I lost a close friend of mine in a car accident. He passed away on the night he preached his first sermon during a youth service at our church. The message he preached was on Psalm 23. This year I turned 23 years old, and I really began ponderingthe importance of this number in my life. I looked it up, and was amazed at what I found. I discovered that, in addition to Matthew 1:23, the number 23 is often related to Scripture telling us that God is with us.

Zechariah 8:23 is the 23,000th verse of the Bible, and it reads, "This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: 'In those days, ten men from different nations and languages of the world will clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say, 'Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

 Matthew 18:20 - "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them."

John 14:23 says - "Jesus replied, 'All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.'"

Psalm 73:23 says, "Yet, I still belong to you; you hold my right hand."

Jeremiah 23:23-24 - "Am I a God who is only close at hand?' says the Lord, 'No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and the earth?' says the Lord."

And finally, Psalm 23:4 says, "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."

     We have no need to fear, because God is here. He is with us. His name does not mean "I was there" - in the past when things were simpler than they are now. His name does not mean "I will be there" - in the future when things turn around and everything is easier than it is now. He is not the great "I was" nor is He the great "I will be" - He is Yahweh, the great "I am." He is Immanuel, "God with us." He is here. In this moment, in this madness. In the midst of the chaos and confusion. In the midst of our anger and frustration. In the midst of our pain and heartache. He is here. He is with us. We have no need to fear. We need only trust. He always has been, and He always will be with us. He will never leave or forsake us. God is here now, and He will see us through from here to there.

     What we do today is preparing us for what we will face tomorrow. God is preparing us in this present season. He is equipping us for the calling He designed us to complete. We have to be here in order to get there, so we need to learn to embrace it. We need to learn to embrace here. We need to learn to embrace the present by embracing God's presence. We don't have to wait until we are in a church to experience His presence. As children of God, God's Spirit dwells in us. Wherever we go, God is there. Wherever we go, with a heart of worship, we can experience His presence. I've experienced God in some unlikely places, and my most meaningful worship experiences have been outside the walls of a church building. God is worthy of our praise in all times, in all seasons, and in all places. Don't wait to worship Him, don't wait to serve Him. Worship Him now, serve Him here.

     When was the last time you experienced God's presence? Where was the place you encountered His power? What are you waiting on? God is here now. What is holding you back? God is with you, there is no need to fear. Will you take the time to welcome Him into your here & now? Wherever you are, whatever you are doing. Whether you find yourself on a mountaintop, or in a low valley, God is here. God is with you. Let Him use you here. Let Him use you now. Be open to what He has for you today, so you can be prepared for what He has for you tomorrow. Listen to His voice. Live in His love. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to You. Abide in Him, and He will abide in You.

"Here, now. All I know is You are here now. Still my heart, let Your voice be all I hear now. Spirit breathe, like the wind, come have Your way. 'Cause I know You're in this place."

(Here Now by Hillsong United)

Blessed

      It's the week of Thanksgiving, and I keep hearing this word "blessed" a lot. Just this past weekend at church, I heard three different songs that included this word in one way or another. 

"I have been blessed, God's so good to me. Precious are His thoughts of you and me. No way could I count them, there's not enough time, so I'll just thank Him for being so kind. God has been good, so good. I have been blessed." 

"God's been good in my life. I feel blessed beyond my wildest dreams when I go to sleep each night. And though I've had my share of hard times, I wouldn't change them if I could, 'cause through it all, God's been good." 

"There's a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep. There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet. You gave me your love, Lord, and a fine family. Thank you Lord, for all your blessings on me."

 I couldn't help but notice the trend. In each song, being blessed by God correlated with something good. When we think of blessings, we tend to think of all the good things God has done for us and given to us. However, when I look at Scripture, I see something a little different.

When Jesus is speaking in Matthew 5:3-12 He says,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
  Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
  Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
  Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
  Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
   Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

     Is God good? Absolutely. Does He do good and give us good things? Absolutely. But do good things always constitute as being blessed by God? Absolutely not. I couldn't help but notice that in this passage of Scripture, being blessed doesn't necessary seem like a "good" thing in the way we classify "good" nowadays. We ask for God to bless us - to bless our lives, to bless our plans, to bless our families and friends, to bless our churches and communities, to bless our nation - But do we really understand what we're asking for? How many times do we use this word without really grasping what it means? We are essentially asking to be poor, to be sad, to be hungry and thirsty, to be persecuted, to be insulted and lied about. Being blessed by God does not mean an easy and simple life. It does not mean you get to go from rags to riches. It does not mean you receive instant fame and success. It does not mean all your problems go away, and it does not mean you always get the answers you're looking for. There is a quote I love that says, "I'm thankful for my struggle, because without it I would not have stumbled across my strength." God's blessings often come in the form of obstacles to be overcome, obstacles that become opportunities. God uses our struggles to grow us and strengthen us.
     A blessing is defined as "God's favor and protection." We have found favor with God. What do you typically think of with someone who is "the favorite." I usually think of the "favorite" child in families with multiple siblings, or the "teacher's pet" at school. These are the people who tend to get away with wrongdoing. Parents and teachers tend to look the other way when they mess up. They may find excuses for their behavior, or they may discipline them, but in either circumstance they freely offer forgiveness. They take their side and stand up for them in times of trouble. They privately correct them, and publicly reward them. In Christian terms, we call this grace. We call it mercy. I've heard it said that mercy is when you don't get what you do deserve, and grace is when you do get what you don't deserve. God gives us grace and mercy, not because of anything we have done, but because He loves us. We are His beloved. We have found favor in His eyes. Unmerited favor.

     In the same way a parent disciplines a child, so God disciplines and chastises His children. He chastises because He loves us, because He wants what is best for us. This is a form of His blessing. Proverbs 3:3-6 and 11-12 says, "Let not mercy and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths... My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves, He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights." 

     We need to shift our perspective. We need to learn to recognize our hardships as blessings in disguise. We need to see the good in the not-so-good situations. We need to see that in every trial we endure, there is a lesson to be learned. God is using these hard times to teach us. He wants to grow our faith, and strengthen our spirit, and He knows what it takes to get through to us. I'm grateful for all the good things God has done in my life, but God is still good even when the world around us and the battle within us seems far from good. If it wasn't for the bad, we wouldn't even know what the good looked like. 

     I recently watched the movie "Inside Out" which is basically a cartoonized version of our emotions. The basic premise of the movie is it gives human-like characteristics to the emotions of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. It follows the adventures of these emotions as they fight for control in the mind of the main character. 

      As in life, Sadness often gets a bad rap. She's a bit of a downer, and the other emotions are always trying to push her out of the way. They don't want her to touch anything, for fear that she'll mess up everything. Joy always seems to be working overtime to compensate for the damage she felt Sadness has done. But in the end, we learn that Sadness actually played a valuable role. We learn that some of the most joyous memories were preceded by moments of sadness. Those joyful memories would not have been possible without the sadness. 

     We experience this so much in life. When your friends show up to cheer you up after a bad day, and manage to make you laugh when all you want to do is cry. When your mom takes care of you when you're sick, and comforts you when you're sad. When you sit around and reminisce with friends and family about loved ones who have passed, and you find yourself laughing through the tears. These are the moments when joy and sadness intersect, and it is beautiful. These are moments to be thankful for.

     When we think of blessings as only the good things in our life, then we are cutting God short. We are limiting God by putting Him in a box. God uses the good, the bad, and the ugly. He works all things together for good. Don't for a moment think that because your life looks like a chaotic mess right now that God can't use you. Don't for a moment think you are not blessed and highly favored by God simply because there is not a lot of "good" going on in your life right now. You are God's beloved. You are chosen by God. You are called and set apart for a particular purpose. God has a plan for your life. He can take a messed up situation and turn it around for His glory. He is capable of far more than we give Him credit for. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ever ask or imagine. He uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.

     Take a look back at Scripture, and look at the lives of those who were considered to be blessed by God - the patriarchs, the prophets, the disciples and apostles. Look at the difficulties they endured. Look at the hardships they faced. Look at their sins and mistakes, and how God bestowed His grace. If a single blessing, good or bad, had been withheld then where would we be now? If the lineage of our Savior had been filled with only good things, good people, good situations - then we wouldn't even have a Savior. Our joy and salvation is birthed though the pain and struggle.

     So when you count your blessings this year, count the confounding foolishness. Count the sadness and tears. Count the heartache. Count the sickness. Count the losses. Count the trials. Count the loneliness. Count the struggles. Count the hardships. Count every difficulty you've endured, and every one you're still enduring. Count every obstacle you overcame and everyone you're still striving to overcome. If it made you stronger, it counts. If it taught you a valuable lesson, it counts. If it led you to a person or place you needed in your life, it counts. James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

     We are blessed. God has blessed us with good things. He has blessed us with bad things. He has blessed us with the seemingly average and insignificant things. He has blessed us with easy days, and hard days. He has blessed us with strengths, and He has blessed us with weaknesses. God is good. His goodness doesn't change based on the goodness of our days. His goodness doesn't change with the seasons in our life. Through the highs and lows, through the calm and the storm, God's goodness is unchanging. He is always good, always faithful, always true. Thank You, Lord, for your blessings on me!

Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable

In Jeremiah 27, the Lord tells Jeremiah to make a yoke and fasten it on his neck with leather straps. It's uncomfortable. Then he tells him to send a message, calling the people to submit to the yoke of the king of Babylon. Again, it's uncomfortable.

Later that year, a false prophet named Hananiah comes along and tells them that God will remove the yoke from their necks. He tells them that within two years God will bring back all of their treasures that were carried off to Babylon and will bring back the captives. His message was comforting to them at that time, but it was simply not true. They were being comforted with a lie - something they would always be hoping for, but never see come to pass.

Then, in Jeremiah 29, God gives them a true promise. Jeremiah sends a letter to the people who had been exiled to Babylon, and in this letter he tells them,"Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare" (v. 5-7). He is telling them to get comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. Sometimes God's promise doesn't come in the form of a hopeful breaking of the yoke. Sometimes the truth hurts. Sometimes God's promise does not mean your yoke will be lifted in two years. Sometimes God's promise means the slavery continues, the captives remain, and the treasures are not returned. Sometimes God's promise requires 70 years of endurance. It may not be easy to understand, and it may not be easy to accept, but one thing you can be sure of is that God's promise is TRUE. The truth may be harsh, but the hope is REAL. God doesn't comfort us with lies. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.." God doesn't just speak truth, He is truth. In John 14:16-17 Jesus says the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, and He leads us into all truth. In verse 27 He says, "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." We have no reason to fear, no reason to doubt. What better to be comforted by than the truth? Or better yet, who better to be comforted by than the truth?

So when God says get comfortable, you can trust you're going to be there for a while. When God says you're going to be in slavery for another 70 years, then you're going to be in slavery for another 70 years. But the beauty of it all is that God's promise doesn't end there.

Jeremiah 29:10-14 says,

"This is what the Lord says: 'You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,' says the Lord. 'I will end your captivity and restore you fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.'"

God will lead you to uncomfortable situations, but He won't abandon you there. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. He has a plan and a purpose for all things. He has led us here and now for a reason. Every season has a reason.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says,

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born, and a time to die. 

A time to plant, and a time to harvest. 

A time to tear down, and a time to build up. 

A time to cry, and a time to laugh. 

A time to grieve, and a time to dance. 

A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather stones. 

A time to embrace, and a time to turn away. 

A time to search, and a time to quit searching. 

A time to keep, and a time to throw away. 

A time to tear, and a time to mend. 

A time to be quiet, and a time to speak. 

A time to love, and a time to hate. 

A time for war, and a time for peace."

The changing seasons of life were not meant to leave us unchanged. They are meant to grow us, to strengthen us, and to transform us more into the image of Christ. But as C.S. Lewis said, "Mere change is not growth." He went on to say, "Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth." In these changing seasons of life, we find our continuity in the unchanging truth of God. We find our consistency in the God who's love never fails and mercy never ends (Lamentations 3:22-23). He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). He is our constant source of hope. Hebrews 6:17-19 says, "God bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary."

We can learn from the past because God has been faithful before, and we can hope for the future because God will be faithful forevermore, but we need to learn to live in the present - because God is faithful now. He is the great I AM. He is a here-and-now kind-of God. We need to live in the present moment and enjoy His presence with us. Everything in the past has led us to where we are now, and where we are now will lead us where He has prepared for us next. The situation may not be comfortable now, but we can find our comfort in Him. The season may be changing now, but we can find our consistency in Him.

Embrace the uncomfortable - We discover strengths we never knew we had when we reach beyond the borders of comfort zones.

Embrace the change - The greatest transformations occurs through the most difficult trials and transitions.

We can find contentment in the chaos when we put our hope and trust in God.

We need to follow the advice God gave in Jeremiah 29. We need to submit to the yoke of slavery. We need to settle down and get comfortable where we are now, because God has us here for a reason. We may not be where we want to be, but we are where we need to be. God always has our best interest at heart. Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Submitting to the will of God may be uncomfortable at first, but that's only because it's unfamiliar to us. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, so in Him we find all the comfort we will ever need. That's why God told the people to build homes, plant gardens, and start families. He wanted them to be comfortable. He wanted them to be blessed, not burdened. God is in control, and in His sovereignty He will lead us where we need to be. But we have free-will, and in our freedom we determine how things unfold once we get there. If we choose to dwell in the past and look back with longing for how things used to be, then we will always be miserable. Likewise, if we choose to be comforted with lies, then we will find ourselves watching and waiting for an immediate deliverance that will leave us disappointed time and time again.

Ecclesiastes 3:10-13 says,

"I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God." 

God makes all things beautiful in time. He is working all things together for good, and we will rejoice in time to come, but for now we need to enjoy the moment we've been given. We serve a God who is big enough, and good enough, to make the uncomfortable comfortable. When you pray, He will listen. When you seek, He will be found. And, in time, He will fulfill all that He has promised. Trust in His plan. Trust in His promise.

Deep Waters

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

~ Isaiah 43:2 NLT ~

     "God brings you through deep waters because He knows your doubts can't drown on dry ground." 

- Pastor Stephen Furtick, "Creating Separation"

I've never been a fan of deep water. It scares me. When I was younger, I would stand at the edge of the shallow end, and if my feet began to slip out from under me I would panic. I would make my way around the edge of the pool by holding tightly the sides, and if my fingers began to slip I would panic. When my mom tried to teach me how to float she would hold me just above the water and tell me to relax, but as soon as she let go I would panic. There's something about being in the midst of something more powerful than you. When it overtakes you and you lose control, it can be really scary. It's the same way with God. He's so big, so powerful. And when we surrender to His will and way in our lives, it's like we can feel our legs starting to come out from under us. We can feel our fingers slipping.  The water starts rising above our head, the current starts to carry us away, and it is terrifying. But do do you know what I eventually learned? I learned to trust my mom. Eventually, after a lot of flailing and failing, I learned to float. All I had to do was take a deep breath, lift my body up above the water, relax, and let the water carry me. It's so peaceful to just float above the water and let yourself be carried by something bigger and more powerful than you. That's how it feels in the arms of God. That's how it feels when you ultimately surrender to His call and discover the peace that surpasses all understanding. Not only did I learn to float, but I also learned that if I slipped into the deep end, all I had to do was start kicking my feet and moving my arms. I had to put forth some effort, but it was possible to stay above the water, and it was worth it. Those times when I let go of my firm grip on the edge, those moments when I let go of my fear and just jumped right in - that's when I had the most fun. I learned to swim. I learned to trust. We miss out on so much when we spend our lives in the shallow end, consumed by fear. There's so much more to see and explore just beyond the borders of our comfort zone. We are capable of so much more than we choose to settle for. The power of Christ working in our lives can take us deeper than our feet could ever wander, further than our minds could ever imagine. 

When I think about deep waters, I think about the Israelite's standing at the edge of the Red Sea, looking out at the waters, knowing their enemies were approaching quickly, and feeling completely overwhelmed. They were so consumed by their doubts and fears that they were ready and willing to admit defeat, turn back, and return to the bondage of slavery. Why is that we will surrender to the will of the enemy more quickly than we will surrender to the will of God? It's because our minds can't even fathom what God is capable of. The Israelite's only saw two options: return to slavery and live, or stay trapped at the edge of this water and die. But our God is a God who makes a way where there seems to be know way. Surrendering to His will means surrendering to option #3 - which requires trusting in what you cannot see, to do what seems impossible. We serve a God who has the power to separate deep waters with the breath of His Spirit so that we can walk across on dry ground. We serve a God who can release the walls of water at any moment so that the fears and doubts of our past are drowned in the depth of the sea. This is why He calls us to deep waters. This is how He displays His glory. This is how He shows the magnitude, the depth, of His love and grace. Could God have found an easier way to get the Israelite's to safety? Absolutely. He probably could have found them a place to hide out, or maybe He could have taken them along a different path. They may have escaped, but they would have continued to live in fear, knowing their enemies could reappear at any moment. If God had chose a more feasible path, they may have thought they made it out by their own strengths and abilities. But God does the impossible, so we know it is Him at work in us. God does the impossible so that our fears and doubts cannot resurface. God does the impossible so that we will learn to trust Him.

When I think about trusting God in deep waters, I think about Peter. It's easy to step out when God's holding the water back for you and you're walking across on dry ground. It's another thing to step out on the water, in the midst of a storm nonetheless. A lot of times people tend to give Peter a hard time in this passage. They use it as a "what not to do" kind-of message by focusing on the fact that he eventually took his eyes of Jesus and began to sink. But I choose to focus on what Peter did right. The strength of his faith amazes me, and I admire his so much for what he does in this passage. What I love about Peter is not just what he did by stepping out of the boat, but I think a lot of his faith came from the words he spoke. He says, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." Peter knew what Jesus could do. He had seen him calm the storm before. He could have easily said, "Lord, if it's really you, come to us and calm this storm." But he didn't, Peter wanted to go deeper. He saw where Jesus was, and He wanted to be there. He saw what Jesus could do, and He wanted to do it. That is what we are called to do as Christians. We are called to be like Christ. Jesus didn't come to this earth to suffer and die so that we could stay in the boat and call him to come rescue us when we got in trouble. He came to this earth to suffer and die so that we could receive the power of the Holy Spirit. He came to this earth to suffer and die so that we might take up our crosses and follow him. He came so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. He came because He had a purpose and a mission for us. Jesus wants to go deeper, He has called us outside of our comfort zones. That's where He can use us. It requires trust, it requires obedience, and it requires faith. Are we really willing to say, "Lord, if it's really you, tell us to come to you walking on the water?" Because we already know what Jesus' answer is going to be. He's going to say, "Yes, Come." Then there's no turning back. Like Peter, we'll have to step out of the boat and start walking on the water - something beyond ourselves, something that seems impossible, something only God could do. And like Peter, when we'll eventually take our eyes off Jesus and start paying attention to the wind and waves around us. When that happens, we'll give in to our fears and begin to sink. It's not going to be easy. He didn't promise it would be easy, but He did promise to be our strength in times of weakness. It's not going to be comfortable. He didn't promise it would be comfortable, but He did promise the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter. Jesus knows that we will stumble and fall. He knows we will fail. And he is ready to reach out and save us when the need arises. When Peter cried, "Save me, Lord" Jesus did not hesitate to reach out and save him. Scripture says He immediately reached out and grabbed him. 

Jesus doesn't call us out to deep waters for us to drown. He calls us out to deep waters so that He can drown our doubts. Jesus used Peter as an example. When they got back in the boat, all the disciples who had been convinced they had seen nothing other than a ghost, fell down and worshiped, declaring Jesus to be the Son of God. That's what God can do through you, if you'll just step outside your comfort zone. That's what God can do through you, if you'll just ask Him to take you deeper. How much faith does it take to step outside of a boat and walk on waves in the middle of a storm? Not a lot. In fact, when Peter began to sink, Jesus asked him "Why do you have so little faith? Why did you doubt me?" Look at what Peter did with so little faith. If we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Nothing is impossible when we put our hope and trust in the power of Christ working through us. Just a few chapters later, Jesus tells Peter, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." If we really want God to use us, if we really want to make a difference in His Kingdom - We have to have a little faith. We have to step out on our mustard seed faith. We have to trust God to do what seems impossible. We have to obey and follow where He leads. He won't abandon us. He promised to be with us through the deep waters. He promised we wouldn't drown in the rivers of difficulty.

As the boat drifts further away from shore, as the winds rage and the waves crash around us, we can rest assured. We have an Anchor to hold us firm and secure. We have a Light shining in the distance, illuminating our way to safety. We have a God above us who spoke the wind and waves into existence. We have a Savior among us, walking towards us on the water. He is calling us out. He is calling us to Him. He has power to calm the storm with His still small voice. He will reach out and save us when our strength fails. All around us, God is with us. He will never leave or forsake us. Why fear the wind and waves, when the God who controls them lives within us? It's time to step out. It's time to go deeper.

"Lord, if it's really you, tell us to come to you walking on the water."

Expectation

     "Expectation is the root of all heartache." I heard this quote from a friend recently and it really stuck with me. It is a quote that is attributed to William Shakespeare, but it is actually a paraphrase. The original quote is from his play, "All's Well That Ends Well" and it reads:

"Oft expectation fails, and most oft there

Where most it promises, and oft it hits,

Where hope is coldest, and despair most fits."

     When I first heard this quote, my immediate reaction was that I completely agreed. "Expectation is the root of all heartache." Absolutely. You expect things to turn out a certain way, and they never do. You expect people to act a certain way, and they never do. Expectations always end up letting you down and leave you feeling disappointed. I was reminded of that phrase, "What screws us up the most in life is the picture in our head of how it's supposed to be." But I quickly realized that it's not our expectations that lead to heartache, it's who we expect it from. If we put our expectation in man, yes, we will end up heartbroken and disappointed. Mankind is flawed. We are sinful people. We can strive to live up to the expectations people set for us, but we will almost always fall short. We can make promises, and we can genuinely desire to change our ways and live up to the promises we make, but we are imperfect people. We will let ourselves down, we will let those we love down, and we will let God down. When you put your trust and expectation in mankind, you will end up disappointed. BUT when we put our trust and expectation in God, and when we put our hope in the promises HE has made for us, then we will never be disappointed. God CANNOT and WILL NOT fail us. God IS love (1 John 4:8). He is the embodiment of love. He is loved defined. And 1 Corinthians 13:8 tells us that Love NEVER FAILS. God will never fail us, and God can never lie to us. Jesus assures us of this in John 14:6 when He says, "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life." Jesus IS truth. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not human that He should lie, not a human being that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" Hebrews 6:17-19 says, "Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." When we put our hope in the promises of God, we can rest assured that God will do what He has said He will do. He cannot fail us, and it is impossible for Him to lie to us. Mankind will let us down, but God never will. God is on our side. He is fighting for us. Romans 8:28 assures us that He is working all things together for our good. Even when we can't see it, and even when we can't feel it, we can trust that God is at work behind the scenes. He is in control, and He is orchestrating everything together for good. Something beautiful is about to unfold. Put your trust in God. Believe with all your heart that He is able to do what He has said He will do and that He is faithful to fulfill all that He has promised to do.
     If anyone had reason to doubt the promises of God, it was Abraham. God promised that Abraham would be the father of many nations, with as many descendants as there were stars in the sky. But by the time Abraham was 100 years old, and his wife was way past the age to bare children, that seemed like an impossible promise. Yet, Abraham continued to hope for all those years. Against all hope, he continued to believe in hope. Romans 4:20-21 says, "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised." 

Why do do we doubt the power of God? Why do we doubt God's ability to do what He has promised?

Why do we choose to put our trust in man, rather than in the God who created man in His image?

In the storms of life, why do we fear the waters rather than the God who controls the storm and sea?

Jeremiah 5:22-25 (NLT) says, 

"Have you no respect for me? Why don't you tremble in my presence? I, the Lord, define the ocean's sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set. But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me. They do not say from the heart, 'Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for He gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.' Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things."

     So many times, our lack of faith (our unbelief) keeps us from experiencing the full extent of blessings God wants to pour out over our lives. It goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Why did Eve fall into sin? She was tempted of Satan because she believed his lies over the TRUTH of God. She was led astray because she did not BELIEVE that what God had said was true. When Jesus walked this earth, how many times  did He assure those He healed that it was their FAITH that had made them well? In Matthew 9 the woman with the issue of blood presses her way through the crowd. She does not say a word. She asks nothing of Jesus. She simply BELIEVES that He is who He says He is. She simply BELIEVES that He is able to do what she has SEEN and HEARD He is able to do. And she simply reaches out in FAITH. Luke's account of this story says that Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." In Mark 10 Jesus passes by a blind man. The man can't see. but he can HEAR that Jesus is near! We can't always see what God is doing in our lives, but if we listen closely we can hear Him! We can hear the evidence that He is living, and active, and at work around us. We just have to call out to Him, and He will answer. The blind man called out for Jesus in a desperate act of faith. He asked for nothing more than mercy, but God recognized His faith and granted him the desire of his heart. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus says. And the blind man replies, "I want to see." In verse 52 Jesus says, "Go, your faith has healed you." The man immediately receives his sight, and rather than return to his seat as a beggar, He follows Jesus along the road. When we come to God in faith, we will leave with overwhelming joy and peace. We will be able to follow God with more fervor and zeal than ever before. We will have a greater passion and desire to serve Him, and we will overflow with thanksgiving. Our lives will shine with the light of Christ, and others will be drawn to Him because of what they have seen and heard Him do in our lives. Put your hope and expectation in God. Trust in Him. Walk in faith, and see what He is able to do.

Matthew 13:15-17 says,

"For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them. But BLESSED are your eyes because they SEE, and your ears because they HEAR. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

      We stand in a unique place of honor with God. We are a blessed generation because we have seen and heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Messiah has come. He lived and walked on this earth. He died and was brought back to life. He is now seated on the right hand of God, and His Holy Spirit lives in and among us. Because we have experienced this, we have no reason to doubt the promises of God. Imagine where Eve stood. She was the first woman to ever walk this earth. It is true that she doubted the truth of God's spoken word, but she had no way of looking back and seeing His past faithfulness, and she had no way of looking forward and seeing the consequences of her actions. Imagine where Abraham stood. He could see only stars, a sign of the promise. He couldn't see the faces of the 12 tribes of Israel. He didn't have a Holy Book that listed each and every descendant by name - all representing a star, all representing a piece of the promise fulfilled. But here we stand. We can look all throughout history. We can see the faithfulness of God. We can see the consequences of disobedience. We can see the hope of glory. We can read in scripture, and study, and find all that our heart needs to rest assured that God is able to do what He says He will do. In the past, God's people could only experience God's presence through certain terms and conditions. It required a priest. It required a sacrifice. The presence of God resided in an ark that would strike you dead if you touched it or even came near it unworthily.You had to go through many different channels to receive pardon for your sins. But now, we have only ONE channel. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He became our sacrifice. He became our High Priest. He tore the veil, allowing us access into the Holy of Holies. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can experience God's presence at any time. We don't have to go through a Priest to commune with the Savior. We have unlimited access to His presence and power. We can call on Him at any time, day or night.

And because we have SEEN His Goodness,

Because we have HEARD His Word,

Because we have FELT His Presence

Because we have EXPERIENCED His Faithfulness,

Because we KNOW that He is TRUTH and He cannot lie,

Because we KNOW  that He is LOVE, and He will not fail us,

We can TRUST Him. We can BELIEVE in Him. We can EXPECT great things from Him.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV) says that He is able to do "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think."

Isaiah 55:9-11 (KJV) says,

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

     In Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) God tells us that He has a plan for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give a us "a hope and a future." The KJV translates this by saying He plans to give us an "expected end." We can expect it. It is a sure thing. It is a good thing. God has a plan and a purpose for all things. He is in control of it all, and He is working all things together for good. His Word will not return void, but will accomplish all that He sets out for it to accomplish. When you put your trust in man, you can expect heartache. But when you put your trust in God, you can expect a hope and a future. You can expect your needs to be met and promises to be fulfilled. You can expect blessings and fruition far greater than anything you could ever imagine. You can expect it because God has been faithful before, and He will be faithful forevermore.

To expect from God, means to hope in God.

Psalm 62:5-8 says,

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

     Our hope comes from God. He alone is our rock and salvation. He alone is our refuge. When the storms of life come our way, Hebrews 6:19 says we have a hope "as an anchor for the soul." It holds us firm and steady. It holds us safe and secure. We have no need to fear. We have no need to worry. The God who controls the storms and seas is living inside of us. Even in the darkness. Even in the storms. Even when it feels like you are on the edge of heartbreak. We can't be shaken. We can't let our faith waver. We must patiently wait and eagerly anticipate. In this season of waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled, we must continue to hold tightly to the hope that anchors our souls, the only true hope we can ever place our expectations in. My soul waits only upon God, for my hope is in Him.

Singleness ≠ Loneliness

          In our society, it is often easy to confuse singleness with loneliness. Our thought process is: “I am single, therefore I am alone” or “I am never going to get married, therefore I am going to be forever alone.” In Genesis 2:18, God says it is not good for man to be alone. Being 22 years old and never having been in a relationship, this was always my go-to verse to assure myself that it was not God’s will for me to be “forever alone” and I often used it as I prayed for God to send me a Christian husband.  However, I recently heard a message from Pastor Steven Furtick on this same verse, and his perspective completely changed my outlook on singleness and loneliness. He said this verse does not just apply to marriage, but to all relationships. This was a huge eye-opener for me because I finally realized that just because I am not dating anyone or on the path to marriage, it does not mean I am alone. It is easy to get discouraged when we feel like God is not listening or has not heard our prayers. However, we often forget that God does not always answer our prayers in the way we think He could or should. God gives us what He knows we need, not what we think we want. He never promised me a husband, but He did promise me I would never be alone.

          Loneliness is something I have struggled with my whole life, not only in regards to a relationship, but also in regards to friendship. It is estimated that only 1% of the population has my same personality type (INFJ), so I was often misunderstood growing up. My teachers and peers did not understand me, my family did not really understand me, and I didn't even really understand myself. I wanted friends, but I didn't know how to make friends. I often felt invisible to the outside world. My personality made it difficult for me to build relationships and allow people to get to know me, but at the same time I still longed to be known and to build close and intimate relationships. Suffering through the pain of loneliness was a dark and miserable time for me. I cried myself to sleep many nights, and I would always pray and beg God to send me at least one good friend who I could talk, and laugh, and simply share life with.

          I surrendered my life to Christ when I was 14 years old, and it was then that Christ became my best friend. I learned to be content in my relationship with Christ. I was still alone, but I no longer felt alone because God was always with me. I was alone, but I wasn't lonely. I was completely satisfied in my relationship with Christ. He was all I needed, and He was more than enough for me. However, there was still a part of my heart that longed for that human connection and friendship. Since I have graduated and moved back home, I have really begun to develop some great friendships. It is the first time in my life that I have really experienced what true friendship is like, and I don’t know how I made it this long without it. There is so much beauty in having someone to share and connect with, someone to laugh and cry with, and someone you can really just be yourself around. God created us to be in relationships with one another. He looked at Adam and saw that it was not good for him to be alone. He looked at me and He saw that it was not good for me to be alone. God heard my cries of loneliness, and He answered my prayers for friendship. It took many years of pain and loneliness, but I was finally able to break beyond the barrier of superficial acquaintanceship and experience the joys of deep and meaningful friendship. You can’t appreciate the light until you've been in the dark, and I can appreciate the friendships I have now because I know what it is like to be alone. Those years of solitude were difficult, but they were necessary in order to make me who I am today. I learned to trust God in those times of darkness, and I learned to lean on Him in those times of trouble and heartache. God became my best friend at a time when I felt the loneliest, and He filled a void in my heart that only He could fill. I had to reach a point where I was completely devoted to and dependent on Christ alone, because no other human relationship can fulfill us until we first enter into a relationship with Christ and find our ultimate fulfillment in Him.

          I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance God has planned for me. I have learned to stop looking and waiting for some so-called “perfect” man to show up in my life and sweep me off my feet. I have learned to start living in the present moment and enjoying my life as it is. I spent so many years feeling sorry for myself because I felt like I was the only one who didn't have a boyfriend, the only one who didn't have a date to the prom, the only one who didn't get engaged in college, and I finally began praying “God, if it is not your will for me to be in a relationship, then please just take away this desire that I have.” I prayed this prayer, first of all because I was tired of feeling miserable all the time, and second of all because I knew if I kept waiting and hoping for something that was not God’s will for me anyway, then it was just going to distract me from God – who should have been my sole desire to begin with. But to my surprise, I really did begin caring less and less about being in a relationship. I could actually start to imagine my life as a single person, and it didn't seem so bad. I started to realize that maybe God could use me in ways that He couldn't if I was married and had a family. But, when this realization started sinking in, I got scared. I got scared because that infamous “forever alone” phrase began creeping into my mind again. It wasn't long after this fear entered my mind that I heard the message from Steven Furtick and God showed me that, even if I never get married, I am never alone. Being single does not mean I am alone. I have a God who loves me and cares for me. He sees my pain, He hears my cries, and He answers my prayers. I have a loving family to be my strong foundation and solid support system, and I have a loving church family to guide me spiritually and lift me up in prayer. And now, because God heard my prayer, I have friends to keep me entertained on the good days and encouraged on the bad days. I am surrounded on all sides by a God, and by people of God, who love me and care for me unconditionally. I am truly blessed beyond measure. Being single does not mean I will be "forever alone" - because I understand now more than ever that as long as I have God, I am never really alone at all.

What is Loneliness?

According to Dictionary.com, loneliness is defined as:

•  Affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone
•  Destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship or support
•  Lone, Solitary, Without Company
• Remote from places of human habitation, desolate, unfrequented, bleak
• Standing apart, isolated

          Loneliness is much more complex than simply being alone. It is a mindset. It is a feeling of being alone, even if you aren't really alone. Many people who struggle with feelings of loneliness are often surrounded by people on a daily basis. Feelings of loneliness occur, not only from being physically isolated from people, but also from being emotionally disconnected from people. If you struggle with loneliness, do not lose hope. I ran across a quote recently that said, “I like to think loneliness is just the echo of missing someone you haven’t the good fortune of meeting quite yet.” I like to look back and think about the loneliness I once felt from that perspective - missing the friends I didn't have yet. The key word is yet. We have to learn to look beyond our present circumstances. If I had let my loneliness consume me and completely given up hope of ever finding a good friend, then I would never have experienced the friendships I have now. God provides rainbows in the sky as a sign of His promise, but you can’t see the rainbow until you've endured the rain. We only learn to appreciate beauty when we've seen the ugly, we only recognize the good when we've been through the bad, and we can’t understand the joy of healing if we haven’t first been hurt. There is a beauty to our pain and suffering, because without enduring hardship we would never experience the gifts of grace, mercy, healing, and deliverance. There was a time when I thought I was going to always be alone, a time when I thought that overwhelming feeling of loneliness would never leave, but now I look back and I’m amazed by how far God has brought me. It is truly beautiful to look back and compare where I was then to where I am now. It is beautiful to see how God has been at work in my life, and I stand in awe at the wonder of it all. His faithfulness amazes me.

          Rest assured that it is not God’s will for you to be alone. Even in the times when we feel all alone, we are never really alone, because God is always with us. Scripture assures us that in Christ we have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Even the best of friends let us down, and even the closest of family will hurt and disappoint us, but in Christ we have a faithful friend who will never leave or forsake us. As the body of Christ, we are all connected to one another with an unshakable bond. There are so many different connecting links and relationships that have shaped me into the person I am today. With God, and with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I know that I am never alone. Despite how much the world tries to convince me otherwise, I know that I do not need a husband to complete me, to define me, or to give my life meaning and purpose. Christ completes me. Christ defines me. My life has meaning and purpose because Christ lives within me. I am becoming more and more assured of this, and I am becoming more and more content with where God has me at this point in my life. God has given me the people I need in my life. He knows what I need better than I do. He is working all things together for my good, and He will do the same for you if you put your trust in Him!

What Does Scripture Say about Loneliness?

          God’s Word is full of promises that ensure you will never be alone. When I was looking up scripture about loneliness, I noticed two distinct words that stood out. The first is the Hebrew word "yâchı̂yd" which translates as “lonely” and means to be the only one, to be unique, to be solitary. This is the word used in Psalm 25:16 when the psalmist writes, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” Next was the Hebrew word “bad” which translates as “alone” and means to be separate, to be by oneself, to be apart. This is the word used in Genesis 2:18 when God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him.” These two words reveal two different types of loneliness. The first is a loneliness in which “there is no one like me” and the second is a loneliness in which “there is no one with me.” In both instances, loneliness is not a good thing. The Psalmist said loneliness is like an affliction; it is the cause of great pain and suffering. God said it is not good for us to be alone; we need suitable helpers by our side.

          The word "helper" found in Genesis 2:18 is derived from the word "‛êzer" which means "to help or succor, especially in times of difficulty." This is the same word used in Psalm 33:20 when the psalmist writes, "We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield." God is our ultimate helper, especially in times of trouble, and we can put our hope and trust in Him. It is because of God’s grace that we can have that blessed assurance that we will never be alone. God’s Holy Spirit dwells among us as a comforter, a constant companion, and a friend that will never leave or forsake us.

          Friendship is important to God. He knows it is not good for us to be alone. He knows we need suitable helpers, and He desires us have strong Godly friendships. In fact, in John 15, Jesus calls us His friends - and He commands us to love one another the way that He has loved us.

    

          Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart” (NASB).

          Strong, Godly friendships allow us to work together and bear one another’s burdens. It is in these relationships with one another that we can best reflect the friendship that Christ has so graciously demonstrated to us.

***

Thank you, Lord, for hearing my prayer and reaching down and pulling me out of my pit of loneliness and despair. Thank you for coming to my rescue in my time of greatest need. Thank you for becoming the closest and most faithful friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for putting suitable helpers in my life to walk with me through this journey and help draw me closer to you. Thank you for never leaving me or forsaking me. With you I am never alone. Thank you for changing my outlook on life from “forever alone” to “forever in awe” of who you are and all that you have done. I can’t thank you enough for how good and faithful you have been to me. Let my life be a reflection of the outpouring of love you have so graciously shown to me, and may I be the type of friend that you have been to me. May I never take for granted your friendship, and may I never confuse my singleness with loneliness again. Thank you for the opportunity to focus my eyes and tune my heart to you. I love you, Lord.

Complex & Deeply Rooted

This devotion was originally inspired by a blog I read from Holly Furtick about "Becoming an Uncomplicated Woman." In her blog, Holly writes,

"In a culture that puts so much emphasis on social media, appearances, and keeping up with each other, how can we fight the temptation to be needy and dramatic? We all know a complicated woman. You know, she is unpredictable and inconsistent. Being in her life means you have to have a special knowledge of all her difficult ways. But even then, you can never be sure of how she will react. The only thing you can be sure of is that she will have a dramatic reaction. But what about the times when I am complicated? How does this affect those around me? How can we become pillars of strength for the people in our lives?"

She goes on to say,

"I am complex, not complicated... A complex woman is like an oak tree. A complicated woman is like an orchid. Both are beautiful plants. An oak tree is a picture of strength and beauty. An orchid is a picture of fragility and beauty. An orchid must be coddled. It cannot be too hot or too cold. It cannot have too much water. Its leaves do not like to get wet. An orchid needs constant special attention."

We all have distractions that beg for our attention and make life more complicated than it needs to be. We all have stresses and worries that consume our thoughts and make life more complicated than it needs to be. We all have fears and insecurities that fill our mind and make life more complicated than it needs to be. But these are all unnecessary complications. Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church, Holly Furtick's husband, preached a message recently about "Unnecessary Complications." In this message he identified 5 unnecessary complications that plague our lives on a daily basis:

• Unnecessary Complication #1: Unrealistic Expectations
• Unrealistic expectations occur when we expect things from people that they are incapable of offering us, and when we expect things from God that He never promised to us. People are not perfect; they are guaranteed to fail us. And God never promised us an easy life; He simply promised to always be with us - through the good and bad times. 

• Unnecessary Complication #2: Imaginary Scenarios
• We all have these imaginary scenarios that play in our minds at all times. In these scenarios we imagine the past as we feel it should have or could have been and we imagine the future as we hope it will be, but the problem with imaginary scenarios is that they always lead to disappointment. We can't change the past, and the future never turns out exactly the way we imagine it to be. God works in ways we can not understand, and His ways are far above what we could ever ask, think, or imagine.

• Unnecessary Complication #3: Approval Addiction
• In our society today, we are much too focused on and too worried about what other people think about us. We build these perfect lives online, only telling people the stories we want them to hear and only showing them the pictures we want them to see. We conceal the things that make our lives messy and embarrassing because we're afraid of what people will think. Our lives will always be unnecessarily complicated if we try to live based on the approval of other people. God's voice is the only voice that we should listen to. God's opinion is the only one that matters. God's approval is the only one we should seek - and He accepts us just as we are!

• Unnecessary Complication #4: Regret & Resentment
• According to Furtick, regret is what we have done that distracts us from what we are supposed to be doing, and resentment is what others have done to us that distracts us from what we are supposed to be doing. Either way, both are unnecessary complications that distract us from what we are supposed to be doing and end up leaving us feeling distraught and discouraged. We have to learn to let go of what is behind us so we can take hold of what is before us.

• Unnecessary Complication #5: Toxic Secrets
• In his message, Furtick says our sins will strangle and sabotage us when we allow them to become secrets. Sin only has power until we confess it. When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive (1 John 1:9). Furtick worded it perfectly when he said, "The only sin the cross cannot overpower is the one you won't confess!" Don't let secret sins complicate your life and keep from living the life God has planned for you.

Avoid the unnecessary complications. Become an uncomplicated woman. Live an uncomplicated life.

Put your trust in God - Do not worry - Do not fear. God reminds us time and time again throughout Scripture that He is with us, and He is for us. There is no need to fear. There is no need to worry. We can avoid the unnecessary complications of life by fixing our minds and focusing our hearts on the things above, where God is in control. God has given us promises all throughout scripture - promises to be with us and strengthen us in times of trouble, promises to guard our hearts with His peace, promises to give us rest when we are weary and heavy burdened, promises to provide our every need. We make our lives unnecessarily complicated when we don't take God for His promises.

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 

1 Peter 5:7 

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."  

Isaiah 41:10

"Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  

Philippians 4:6-7

"Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."  

Matthew 11:28-30

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don't worry about these things, saying, "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?" These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Matthew 6:25-34

As Holly Furtick pointed out in her example of the oak tree and the orchid, both are beautiful creations. In the same way, complicated women are just as beautiful and able to be used by God as complex women are. I look at scripture and I see many examples of both complex and complicated women whom God used in amazing ways. God can still use us despite our complications. We are all complex, and we have all been complicated, but there is no reason for us to stay complicated. The journey to where God is leading us could be so much easier if we would take hold of God's promises and rid ourselves of the unnecessary complications that clutter and confuse our lives. Like the orchid, our complications make us weak, fragile, and easily tossed about. Like the oak tree, our complexities make us strong, beautiful, and able to withstand the fiercest of storms.

We are complex beings.

God created us with intricate detail and complexity. He knows everything about. He knows our innermost parts and innermost thoughts. He knows when we sit and when we stand. He knows us better than we even know ourselves. There is nothing we can hide from God. Our complexities are not beyond the grasp of his love, and grace, and understanding.

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up, You know my thoughts even when I am far away. You see me when I travel, and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me, and You follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is to wonderful for me, too great for me to understand." 

Psalm 139:1-6

"You made the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it." 

Psalm 139:13-14

The NASB translates Psalm 139:14 as "I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." In the original Hebrew language, this word "wonderfully" comes from the word "palah" which means "to be distinct, to be marked out, to be separated, to be distinguished."

Our complexities make us unique. They make us who we are, who God designed us to be. They allow to stand out from the crowd and to make a difference in the world. We were created for a purpose. Our complexities give our lives meaning, they allow God to use in ways that He can use no one else.

Like the oak tree, our complexities make us strong, but even an oak tree first begins as a seed. So how do we become strong? How do we grow and develop into a beautiful tree, strong enough to withstand the fierce rains and winds from the storms of life?

We must be deeply rooted.

"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit."  

Jeremiah 17:7-8 

"They delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do." 

Psalm 1:2-3  

"And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." 

Colossians 2:6-7

When our roots grow deep, our faith is strengthened and our lives produce an abundance of spiritual fruits. Jeremiah tells us our roots must reach deep into the water. Paul's letter to the Colossians tells us our roots must grow down in Christ. John tells us Christ is the Living Water (John 7:37-39). Christ is our source of nourishment. The Holy Spirit of God quenches our thirst and provides us with the nutrients we need to live strengthened, empowered, and uncomplicated lives. The Holy Spirit produces within us fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). How do we let our roots grow deep? How do we produce spiritual fruits? We must meditate on God's Word day and night. We must take it to heart, and put it into action. We must learn from it, and live it out. We must learn to live as Christ lived - complex, yet not complicated. As we meditate on God's Word we will see examples of others throughout biblical history who have lived both complex and complicated lives. We can learn from their mistakes and failures, and we can grow and develop because of their successes and achievements. For the purposes of this study, I have identified 8 women in Scripture who provide us with examples of weakness, fragility, and complication and I have also identified 8 women in Scripture who provide us with examples of a strength, beauty, and complexity. All in all, each of these 16 women lived out beautiful stories that have left a lasting impact on the Kingdom of God. Thank you Lord for providing us with Spiritual Role Models in the pages of Scripture who can still influence our lives to this day by inspiring us and encouraging us to live more complex and deeply rooted lives!

Examples of Complicated Women in Scripture:

• Eve
• Eve was beautifully complex. She was the first created woman, the mother of the world. Created in the image of God, she was designed to be the helpmate of Adam. However, Eve was led astray by the beautiful and tempting appeal of sin. She listened to the compelling voice of Satan over and above the convicting voice of God, and she was deceived by his craftiness. Eve's disobedience made God's plan for creation much more complicated than He ever intended it to be. She allowed Satan to distract her from what God originally intended, and her actions caused an eternal division between God and mankind. 
• Sarah
• Sarah was beautifully complex. The wife of Abraham, she became the matriarch of the nation of Israel and it is through her lineage that Jesus Christ entered this world. However, Sarah did not always take God for his promises, and after many years of being barren she decided to take matters into her own hands. Sarah gave her maidservant, Hagar, to Abraham and Hagar bore Abraham a son. Hagar's son grew up to become the forefather of the Arab nation, a nation constantly at odds with the nation of Israel. Sarah's lack of faith made matters much more complicated than they needed to be, and her actions caused a new enemy to rise up against the children of Israel
• Leah & Rachel
• Leah and Rachel were both part of a beautifully complex love triangle in the story of God's redemption plan. Two sisters married to the same man, they began to battle for his love and attention. Rachel was the one whom Jacob loved, so Leah sought his affection by bearing him children. She bore him six sons and two more sons by her maidservant. Rachel became jealous of Leah's fertility, and she eventually bore Jacob two sons by her maidservant and two sons herself. Leah and Rachel made things complicated because they were so focused on winning the love of Jacob that they were distracted from the love of God. The result of their actions led to a family of sons that were so hostile and jealous of one another that they sought to kill their own brother.
• Tamar
• Tamar was beautifully complex. Her story is a painful one, because she was betrayed by her own family and denied what was rightfully hers. Tamar was not responsible for the complications in her life. Her husband died, leaving her childless. His brother was next in line to marry her and give her a son, but he refused to do so and ultimately died as well, once again leaving her childless. She spent many years alone, childless and widowed, patiently waiting for her husband's youngest brother to reach the age of maturity in which he could marry and give her a child. But the years came and went and Judah, her father-in-law, never gave her his youngest son as promised. It was then that Tamar took things into her own hands, in a very complicated way. She pretended to be a prostitute and tricked her own father-in-law into sleeping with her and getting her pregnant. Tamar further complicated an already complicated situation by allowing her hurt and anguish to fuel her decisions rather than being led by God's love and grace.
• Bathsheba
• Bathsheba was a beautifully complex woman. Although not necessarily complicated herself, Bathsheba got caught up in a complicated situation because of the actions of King David. Bathsheba was minding her own business, showering in privacy, only to be taken away from home and essentially raped. She became pregnant as a result, her husband was killed, and she even lost her baby. It was a terribly heartbreaking and complicated situation, and Bathsheba had no control at all. Sometimes we don't bring complications on ourselves, sometimes other people bring complication into our lives, but we must continue to trust God in these times and He will see us through.
• Gomer
• Gomer's story was a beautifully complex representation of God's love and faithfulness towards His children. Gomer was a prostitute whom God told Hosea to marry. After they married, Gomer continued in prostitution. She bore three children, and Hosea raised them as if they were his own, even though he was unable to know for sure if they were biologically his or not. At one point, Hosea even had to go and buy Gomer out of prostitution. This was a complicated situation. Gomer was a complicated woman with many sins and struggles. But God was able to use Gomer and Hosea's story, complicated as it may be, to symbolize the relationship we have with Christ. Even in our unfaithfulness and even in our complications, God remains faithful and continually rescues and redeems us. 
• Martha
• Martha is a great example of how we can allow our complications to distract our focus and shift our attention away from God. Sometimes even good things can become unnecessary complications in our lives. In Luke 10:38-42, we see that Martha did a good thing by welcoming Jesus into her home. However, she was so distracted by all the work and details that went into preparing the meal that she neglected to sit and commune with Jesus and enjoy his presence. Sometimes we let the work we do for Christ become a complication that distract us from actually spending time with Christ. Don't be like Martha and allow your good service to make your life unnecessarily complicated, keep your focus and attention always on Christ first and foremost.

Despite the many troubling consequences that often accompany a complicated life, there can still be beauty in the complications. An orchid, though weak and fragile, is still a beautiful creation. When we are complicated, when we make mistakes, when our decisions complicate matters more than they need to be - God is still at work! Our complications make things harder for us, but nothing is too hard for God. There is no pit too deep, no valley too wide that God cannot still reach down, rescue, and redeem. He is faithful. Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things, good and bad, together for the good of those who have been called according to His plan and purpose. Just look at the stories of these 8 women who found themselves in complicated situations. Much like us, these women were filled with worries, fears, and insecurities. They got distracted at times, they got hurt, they allowed themselves to be deceived by the lies of Satan, they lost sight of God's plan for them, and they lost their faith at times - but God still used them! Each and every one of these women are a part of the story of God, forever inscribed in His Word and forever inscribed in the hearts of His children. Many of these women are even named in the lineage of Christ Himself. What a testimony of God's faithfulness! Our complications do not sway God - they don't alter His view of us, they cannot thwart His plan for us, and they do not make Him love us any less.

Examples of Complex Women in Scripture:

• Ruth
• Ruth was complex and deeply rooted. When her husband died, Ruth was given the option to return home where she would be supported by her family until she was able to remarry. Ruth chose instead to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, who was also widowed and alone. Ruth demonstrated strength, loyalty, and commitment through her actions. She chose not to return her homeland of Moab, an idolatrous nation that was formed by incestuous relationship and was constantly at odds with the children of Israel. Instead, she stood by Naomi's side decided to follow wherever the one true God would lead. Ruth dug her roots down deep into the God of Israel and stood firm. In Ruth 1:16-17 she tells Naomi, "For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and you God, my God. Where you die, I will die; And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me." Ruth was rewarded for her faithfulness - She eventually met and married Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, and gave birth to a son. Ruth was an unlikely heroine of the faith, a symbol of uncomplicated strength and beauty, and she is one of only five women to be named specifically in the lineage of our Savior.
• Abigail
• Abigail was a complex woman, filled with strength, wisdom, and courage. When her husband, Nabal, foolishly tricked and insulted King David, Abigail took action. She did not hide in fear, and she did not let her insecurities keep her from doing what needed to be done. She boldly approached the King of Israel, and humbly submitted to his authority. She pleaded her cause, sincerely apologizing for the mistakes of her husband and earnestly requesting that David spare the lives of those he intended to kill as a result of Nabal's actions. Abigail acted as God's messenger to David, and lives were spared as a result. David respected and admired Abigail for her words and actions, and when her husband later died she became David's wife.
• Esther
• Esther was yet another boldly unashamed, complex and deeply rooted heroine of the faith. Esther was the Queen of Persia and the niece of a Jewish official in the royal court. As the Queen of Persia during a time of intense anti-Jewish prejudice, Esther was forced to conceal her Jewish roots. However, her faith in the God of Israel remained strong. When a plan was concocted to eliminate God's chosen people, it was up to Esther to take action. At this time, anyone who approached the king without being sent could have been killed. Even as queen, Esther could have been killed for her actions. Naturally worried about the consequences of her actions, Esther's fears threatened to complicate the situation and keep her from carrying out God's plan. Her uncle and father-figure, Mordecai, assured her, "If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14). Esther responded by saying, "Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die" (Esther 4:16). What faith and courage Esther demonstrated! She did not let her fears and insecurities become complications that distracted her from doing God's will. 
• Proverbs 31 Woman
• If ever there was room for complication and distraction, it would be in the life of the Proverbs 31 woman. A hardworking business woman, a devoted wife, a caring mother, a leader in the community - she is a woman of many trades, a woman stretched in many different directions, a woman busy and consumed with many different chores and activities. This woman is complex, but she is not complicated. Many women nowadays are intimidated by the Proverbs 31 woman because she is the ideal woman, a picture of unachievable perfection. However, Jesus was a picture of unachievable perfection as well and yet we still strive to be as much like him as possible. We should do the same with the Proverbs 31 woman, because there is a lot to be learned from the life she demonstrated. So how is it possible to live such a complex yet uncomplicated life? The answer is found in verses 25-27 and 30, "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and she suffers nothing from laziness... Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last, but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." The Proverbs 31 woman remains complex yet uncomplicated because she is clothed with strength and dignity. She remains uncomplicated because she trusts in God and does not fear the future. She remains uncomplicated because she is careful and attentive to the world around her. She remains uncomplicated because she manages her time wisely and does not waste the time God has given her. She remains uncomplicated because she speaks with wisdom and acts with kindness. But first and foremost, she remains uncomplicated because she fears the Lord above all else.
• Mary, Mother of Jesus
• Mary demonstrated the strength of a complex and deeply rooted woman through her humble obedience and selfless surrender. Mary found favor with God, and she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. It was through her womb that God, Himself, entered this world in human flesh. When the angel first approached Mary to give her this news, Scripture says she was "confused and disturbed" (Luke 1:29), but she did not complicate the situation. She never once doubted God. She expressed curiosity by asking how it would happen, considering she was a virgin, but she never once expressed doubt or fear. Rather, she humbly submitted to God's will by saying, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true" (Luke 1:38). There were countless questions and concerns that could have flooded Mary's mind in that moment, clouding her vision of God and keeping her from accepting His will for her life, but Mary tuned those voices out. She was not worried about what Joseph or anyone else would think. She was so focused on God, and so intent on following Him, that she accepted His will without hesitation.
• The Sinful Woman
• The sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50 is a perfect example of undistracted and uncomplicated focus and devotion to Jesus Christ. Most likely a prostitute, this woman was broken and dejected, condemned and rejected by the religious leaders in the room. But this woman paid them no mind, she ignored their haughtiness and judgment, and she tuned out their hateful comments. Her attention was focused completely and solely on one person - her Savior! She knelt at His feet and wept, pouring out expensive perfume and kissing His feet as she wiped her tears with her hair. This is a beautiful picture of complex and deeply rooted faith and devotion to the Savior. God is worthy of our time, attention, and worship. We are doing Him a disservice when we allow the cares and worries of this world to complicate our lives and distract our attention away from Him.
• The Bleeding Woman
• The bleeding woman in Luke 8:40-48 is yet another perfect example of uncomplicated and undistracted focus and devotion to Jesus. This woman had been dealing with an issue of blood for twelve years. This was a constant and consistent suffering for which there had been no cure, but she heard about Jesus and she knew that with one touch He could heal her. This illness had taken its toll on her body for twelve years, so I can't even imagine how weak and frail she must have been, but with every ounce of strength left in her body - she pressed her way through the crowd. She touched the hem of His garment, and immediately she was healed. It was her faith that had made the difference. This woman let nothing distract her from receiving the healing that she knew Christ could offer her. Despite her physical limitations and despite the pressing crowd that blocked her way, she was faithful and determined to reach Christ!
• Mary of Bethany
• Mary was the sister of Martha. While Martha rushed around, cleaning the house and preparing the meal for Jesus, Mary chose to sit at His feet and listen as He taught. Mary was aware of the task at hand, but she recognized what was the more important task. Her priorities were in order, and she was not going to let anything or anyone distract her from spending time Christ. Although Martha was doing a good thing by welcoming Jesus into her home and preparing a meal for Him, Mary took the time to actually rest in Him and enjoy His presence. That is all that God desires of us. The work we do for God is of no importance if we neglect to first spent time with Him. We become uncomplicated women by focusing our attention on Christ and digging our roots down deep in Him. This is where our strength comes from, and there is no doubt that Mary drew strength from Christ by listening to His teaching that day.

These 8 women exemplified the type of life that God desires us to live. They took hold of God's promises and trusted in Him. They dug their roots down deep and allowed Him to be their source of nourishment and provision. They stood firm and did not allow their faith to be swayed by the unnecessary complications of life. These women were oak trees - complex and deeply rooted. May we learn from them and live like them. May we take hold of God's promises. May we dig our roots down deep in Christ and grow in Him. May we produce an abundance of spiritual fruits. May we stand firm with the strength and beauty of an oak tree - not easily swayed by the fears, worries, insecurities, and distractions that threaten to complicate our lives. May we be complex and deeply rooted. Help us, Lord. Give us strength.