Straying From the Heart

Valentines is this week. We see hearts everywhere. Various forms of expressing love is all around us. I'm impressed by the thought that goes into some of these. Who will you show love to this week? Have you ever forgotten to love? Or, have you forgotten how much someone loves you?

I have often wondered how is it possible that a people could totally not remember that there was a God who loved His people so much that He brought them to Egypt to save their lives. They may have even known they were suppose to live there for 400 years, if their forefathers passed on the stories of old. But how could they have forgotten Him enough that they worshiped Egyptian gods as well. Is this even possible?

Then the leaders of this study reminded me that the Israelites were there 400 years. Looking back is always 20/20 hindsight, but if I look at it from today's perspective I get a totally different view.

Officially, the U.S. will be 243 years old this year. But, if you include the years of colonization and settlements then we are right around the 400 year mark. (410 from the founding of Jamestown.)

Just like the Israelites in Egypt, we too became a great nation with many riches and power. Of course, we had lots of infighting that has left a mark that remains even today. The saying that speaks of history repeating itself can sadly be seen in our country. We too have slowly forgotten the religious strengths and stands we had when we first arrived to this land.

For many, many years we have been known for being a God-fearing nation, but over the years we have embraced so many things that have pulled us away from our first drive. Now, we aren't too far from the Israelites. Sadly, I see it is possible to forget.

I hope that you and I will do what is needed to keep remembering who God is. He is our first valentine. And His love is never-ending. He is here for us. We only need to talk to Him and listen for His answer. The listening part is sometimes hard to wait for, but is so worth it when it happens. You know what I've said so many times in the past...there is always hope...in Jesus, with Jesus there is always hope to overcome whatever is in our path. He is the ultimate valentine gift.

Can't believe it. Second book in the series is coming.

Working Alongside God

So many times I want God to just magically change something or do an action. But that's not always the case. In fact, I find that I sometimes impatiently take care of a problem or issue before waiting for God's reply. It can create frustration on my part. Even thinking, where is God? Does he care? The Psalms are full of David's cries about this. (Psalm 13 for one.) Yet, he always ends up glorifying God.

Recently I heard a point made in a Bible study. God wants us to work alongside Him. He doesn't want to do all the work. He wants us to work with Him. How many times do you read that He tells His prophet or disciple to go or do something? Think about Jonah - go to Nineveh. Think about Peter - go to the lake and fish to get a coin (Matthew 17:27), or submerge your net in the deeper part of the lake (Luke 5:4).

Wouldn't it have been easier for God to just do it Himself? Of course. But then where would the relationship growth have been? Think about it...if you as a parent always spoon feed your child then when does your child learn to feed himself?

Now I'm not saying we need to solve all our problems in our own will power. That leads to self sufficiency and a lack of dependency on God. What I am saying is that when you ask God for a solution or direction, wait and He will instruct you, but He won't do it for you. He wants us to work, and will walk alongside us in all we do. We are not alone in anything we do. He's there with us.

I love that thought. He's with me. Everywhere.

There have been times when I'm too tired to think about making dinner. If I ask Him what I should eat, He makes suggestions. I love that. But, it is up to me to put together the meal. Has He left me because He didn't make the food suddenly appear, prepared ready for me to consume? No. He guides me through the preparation time.

You may think this is a silly example but I hope it gets the message across. The work God directs me to do is in order to teach me more and draw me closer to Him. As He guides me through the steps needed to complete an assignment, I learn more about His guiding grace and trust Him in a new way. And without realizing it my faith grows. Walking and working alongside God brings me back to the thought that there is always hope.