Big Picture Shoes

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance . Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

During the past two weeks, God has been pounding me with an answer to my wrestling spirit. Simply put, the answer is , "Step back!" What? "STEP BACK!" When I step back from my tiny picture of the world and expand my point of view, all the events around me begin to look very different. I am able to see a big picture.

The big picture draws my eyes away from my concerns and enables me to see the needs of others as well as God's purpose in bringing about a given trial or event. Sometimes it is impossible to see God's purpose because an event is so very harsh and painful. Still, the big picture reminds me that God is over all things, because I know "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."(Romans 8:28) The big picture considers that "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."(Romans 8:18) The big picture is beautiful.

In the past two weeks I have witnessed the pain and suffering of my brothers and sisters. It is painful, and so I weep with them. I pray for them. I write notes of encouragement to them. I show them the love of Christ. I listen. I am also very careful not to flippantly quote a verse about God working it for good.   Their pain makes seeing the big picture very difficult. Instead, I pray that the Great Healer will bring about His purpose and enable my brothers and sisters to step back and open their spiritual eyes. If I  share a verse, it is carefully chosen to reflect the truth of God's love and comfort.

 How can we wear " big picture shoes "? Simple. Open up the Word, read it, apply it. Turn your eyes and thoughts away from yourself. Step back and see the beauty:

" ' No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him' " (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Wrestling Shoes

" He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." (Colossians 4:12b)

Wrestling shoes have been the chosen footwear recently. As disciples of Jesus, wrestling shoes should always be worn because we are in a spiritual battle, wrestling against the powers of this dark world. Yet, the wrestling shoes that I have been wearing are for prayer. I have been wrestling in prayer, seeking God's direction for a specific area of my life.

The shoes in the picture are my son's. He used them to wrestle while on his high school team. I watched him wrestle in amazement, struck with his discipline and determination. Each bout that he wrestled lasted for only six minutes - three two minute periods. Sometimes the bout would end early, sometime there would be an overtime period. The short periods seemed like an eternity as my son worked to hold his opponent or escape an opponent's hold. The bouts always ended - sometimes with a victory, sometimes a loss. Nevertheless, the wrestling ended for a time.

Wrestling in prayer also requires discipline. Prayer is work! In fact, the Greek word translated "wrestling" from the Colossians passage literally means "agonize". To voluntarily "agonize" requires determination. As we wrestle in prayer it may feel like an eternity....like we will never know the answer. For God it is only a 6 minute bout. There will be direction. There will be an answer. Whether the answer is the one we wanted or not, the end of the bout will leave us standing firm in the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Freedom Shoes

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you really are my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" (John 8:31-32)

Freedom. Such a beautiful word, a word heavy with meaning. This weekend those in the United States celebrate the freedom and independence of their country. It is freedom that has been bought at the price of many lives. Because of the price, this freedom is precious. It is worthy of great celebration! I am grateful to live in this nation of freedom.

For a follower of Jesus Christ, the concept of freedom is regarded on a different level than just an outward freedom. A Christian's freedom includes the whole person. As a result, a believer living in an oppressive country, imprisoned for their faith can speak of their freedom. Their spirit is always free. As a follower of Jesus we are freed from the law of sin and death. We are called to be free to serve one another ( Galatians 5:13). We are free to no longer sin.

Freedom in Christ grants us the ability to become who God made us to be. We are given gifts to freely use for "faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10) This is especially true within the church. If you are a PW, this includes you too! Do not be intimidated if your gifts are not the typical "pastor's wife job description". Don't play the piano? No worries. Never worked with children? No problem. Not sure what "women's ministries" means? Relax. Be who God designed you to be, and do it with gusto.

When I married my husband, my mother (also a PW), said to me, "You are better prepared than I was..." She was referring to the issue of understanding the role of a PW. Maybe I was. However, what my first generation Christian mother demonstrated to me was the principle described above: BE YOURSELF.
In every church that my father served, I watched my mother interact with others in her very own unique way. She had no preconceived ideas about the role of a PW because she did not grow up in the church. My mother relished her freedom in Christ and used her special skills to serve the church.

Sisters, celebrate your freedom! It is precious and of high value, being paid for with the blood of the Son of God. It is worthy of celebration. Let go of conforming to the expectations of others. Seek instead to conform to the image of Christ. Serve Him with passion. Serve Him with joy. Serve Him in FREEDOM.

" So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)