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“Inaworldthat’sconstantlytryingtodrawusawayfromGod,Linapointsustothebiblicaltruthswemustclingtoandbelieveaboveallelse.Whatawonderfulresourcethisbookis!”

LysaTerKeurst,NewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorandpresidentof

Proverbs31Ministries

“JesustoldustocomeandfollowHim.Hedidn’tsayitwasgoingtobeeasy.Todoit,weneedresolve.IloveLina,andIlovethismessagethatissuretohelpusbreakawayfromatoe-deep,defeatedfaithtoonethatrocksourworldforJesus.”

ChristineCaine,authorofUndauntedandcofounderofthe

A21Campaign

“TherearesomepeoplewhowritebooksthatmakeyouwanttograbaSnuggieandcuddle.ButLinaisn’toneofthosewriters.SheisskilledatdrawingoutthewarriorinherreadersandmotivatingthemtoberesolvedinfollowingJesus.InResolved,shechallengesustomakeadecisionandincludessimplewaystoworkoutourcommitment.”

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A21

“Resolvedisanimmenselypracticalandhelpfulbook.Itaddressesboththetemptationswecommonlyfaceandthebiblicalprinciplesweneedforcourageous,uncompromisingobedience.ItteachesustoabandonfearandlivefortheultimategloryoftheGodwhoisresolvedtoloveus.I’mgladtohavereaditandnowrecommendit.”

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“CulturalChristianitypromisesthe‘goodlife,’butauthenticChristianfaithremembersthewordsofJesus:‘Inthisworldyouwillhavetrouble.’Dr.LinaAbuJamrachallengesustoliveoutourfaithintherealworldwhenthingsdonotgoaswewish.‘Followme’isstillthecallofChrist.AnythinglessisnotworthyofthenameChristian.”

GaryD.Chapman,PhD,authorofTheFiveLoveLanguagesand

LoveAsaWayofLife

“Linaliveswhatshewrites,andI’mgratefulforheropenheartandclearvoiceinthematterofusbecomingstrongmenandwomenoffaith.EverypushshegivesthroughoutthebookwillbringglorytoGodandgoodtoourlives.Ican’timaginesomeonereadingthisandnotbeingchanged—forthebetter,forgood.”

AnnieF.Downs,authorofLet’sAllBeBrave

“FollowingJesusseemslikeanintriguinginvitation...untilyouhearHimsay,‘TakeupmycrossandfollowMe.’It’sthechallengingaspectsoffollowingChristthatseemssodauntingandsohardtonavigate,andoftenendupderailingthemostwonderfuljourneyoflife.ThankstomyfriendLina,wenowhavesomerelevantandsolidadviceforhowtofollowChristregardless.”

Dr.JosephM.Stowell,president

ofCornerstoneUniversity

“MydearfriendLinaisbrilliant,candid,engaging,andlovesJesuswithobviousabandon—Iliketothinkofherasamodern-daychickversionoftheapostlePaul!ShewritesaboutourCreator-Redeemerwithsuchcontagiouspassionandrefreshingauthenticitythatyou’reboundtoseeHim‘bigger’asaresult!”

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“Resolvedisspiritualmedicinelovinglyprescribedbyareal-lifeERdoctor.Dr.LinaAbuJamraisapediatricianandBibleteacherwhogivesuschewablepillsthattastelikecandyandwhosomehowmakesuslaughwhenit’stimeforhertofillhersyringeandgiveusashotoftruththathelpsus,asbelievers,togetwell.SheremindsusofwhatitmeanstobeaChristianandshemakesBiblestoriessuperfuntohear.Everychapterinthisbookneedstobeshoutedfromtherooftops.Iffornootherreason,Christiansshouldbuythisbookjusttomemorizeandapplyitstableofcontents.It’sabookthatmakesyoufeelcleanafteryoureadit.”

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authorofAngryLikeJesus

“ResolvedispreciselywhatyouneedfromanERdoctor:adirectassessmentandclearprescriptionforlife—andlifeinJesus.Itasksquestionsdesignedtoprovidehealingsolutions.Itdoesn’tmessaroundwithsmalltalkbutusesScripturetomakeitslife-givingpoint.LinaAbujamratakesaverbalscalpeltotherootofthethingsthatinfectandweakenourlives.Shehastheprofoundgiftofcombiningastartlingvulnerabilitywitheternaltruthinsuccinctlanguage.Iwasdeeplymovedandgreatlyhelped!

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LifeintotheAdventureofaLifetime

“ResolvedappliesScripturepracticallyandincludestransparentexperiencesfromLina’slife,offeringafriendyoucantrustforthejourney.I’vealwaysappreciatedLina’searnestcommitmenttoChristandHisWord,soifyou’relookingforsolid,honest,biblicallybasedencouragement,thisbookisforyou.”

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on1,2&3John

“LinaAbuJamramentorsusthroughthedeepestquestionsweface.Yes,we’veabsolutelydiscoveredthatJesusistherealdeal.We’vetakenrisksoffaithandHe’scomethroughforus.We’vefoundakindofencouragementandjoywehadn’tknowntolookfor.Butnowwe’vebeenatthisforawhileandthatearlyglowhasfaded.Whatdoesitlooklike,inthefaceofrealdisappointments,tofollowthatmostprofoundspiritualadviceofall:Hanginthere!Linaisthebesttypeofcoach,fullofempathyandyettoughandunyieldingthatouronlypathisforward.”

DaveSchmelzer,executivedirectorofBlueOceanFaithandauthorofNottheReligiousType:ConfessionsofaTurncoatAtheist

“I’mimpressedbyLinaAbuJamra.I’mimpressedbyherenergyandintelligence;I’mimpressedbyheropennessandauthenticity.ButmostofallI’mimpressedbythedepthofhercommitmenttofollowing

Jesus.Thisiswhatstandsoutinherwonderfulbook,Resolved.DrawinguponScriptureandherownexperience,LinashowsuswhatitlooksliketobeaseriousdiscipleofJesusinthetwenty-firstcentury.I’mcertainthisbookisgoingtohelpmanyothersfindnewresolvetoradicallyfollowJesus.”

BrianZahnd,leadpastorofWordofLifeChurch,St.Joseph,Missouri,andauthorofA

FarewelltoMars

ForDiana,whoseresolvetobe

likeJesuscontinuestofuelmy

own.

Contents

Cover1TitlePage2CopyrightPage3Endorsements4Dedication5Acknowledgments9

Introduction:ItStartsRightNow11

1.BelieveWhenItLooksRidiculous192.LoveWhenIt’sInconvenient413.ObeyWhenIt’sNotPopular674.YieldWhenIt’sMyRight835.SpeakUpWhenIt’sEasierNotTo1036.GiveWhenIBarelyHaveEnough1217.BeinCommunityWhenI’dRatherBeAlone1418.HaveJoyWhenLifeIsDepressing1579.HopeWhenItHurtsTooMuch17710.RestintheMidstofChaos197

Conclusion:SoNowWhat?217AbouttheAuthor221BackAds222BackCover224

Acknowledgments

Somebooksareeasiertowritethanothers.Inthiscase,Iknowit’sonlybecauseofthebrilliantsupportofthesefolks:BrianThomasson,myeditoratBakerBooks.Thankyou.Yousawthe

finishedproductbeforeitsinceptionandhelpedshapeitintoitspresentform.Iamsothankfulforyourvisionandfaithinme.Also,thankstotheentireteamatBakerBookswhohaveworkedsohardwithme,especiallyLindseySpoolstra,RuthAnderson,andHannahBrinks.SpecialthankstoTimBealsandthefolksatCredoCommunications,andto

KarenCampbellofKarenCampbellMedia.IcontinuetobedeeplythankfulformyteamatLivingwithPowerMinistries:

Bonnie,Tina,Nate,Diana,andRafi.Iamdeeplythankfulforyourloyaltyandpatience.IamindebtedtomyPediatricERfriendsandcolleagues.Youguysmakeit

possibleformetofulfillGod’scallingonmylife.Thankyou.IamblownawaybythekindnessofbrothersandsistersinChristwhostill

readmyblogandwatchmyBiblestudiesandsendmeemailstellingmehowGodisworkingintheirlives.Iwouldn’tbedoingwhatI’mdoingwithoutyou.Thankstothosewhohavetrustedmetoteachintheirchurchesandcolleges

andconferencesandretreats.Mylifeisfullerbecauseofyou.Finally,thankstomymomanddad,whoseunconditionalloveallowsmeto

riskwithoutfearofcrashing.ThankstoNick,Patricia,Maya,Leya,Fawzi,Ramzi,andRafi.Thankstomyownpersonalentourageandposseofpersonaladvisors:Diana,Ben,Micah,andSamuel.Isavedthebestforlast:Jesus.You’rethereasonIdowhatIdo.You’rethe

OneIworshipandadore.MayeverybreaththatItakebringYoupraise.I’llnevergetoverYourloveforme.ThankYoubarelyscratchesthesurfaceofwhatIfeelforYou,butit’sastart.

IntroductionItStartsRightNow

Resolved[ri-zolvd]AdjectiveFirminpurposeorintent;determined.

IrememberatimeinmylifewhenIfeltlikeIwassinking—andfast.Duringthatseason,IfinallygottoapointwhereIhadnochoicebuttothrowitallatGod:mysin,mypride,mylust,myhurt,mydreams,myhopes,mygifts,myall.Ifoundthatitdidn’tmatterwhatIthrewatGod,Hewasnevershockedbyit.Hewasnevermad.Hedidn’tavoidmeorpushmeaway.Instead,Hewalkedwithmethroughmypainandshowedmeabetterway.ItisusuallyinthepainfulseasonsofourlivesthatwelearnwhoGodreallyisandwhatHelongstodoinusandthroughus.ItisinourdarkestplacesthatwesenseHisloveforus,alovethatremainsnearevenwhennooneelsecanstandto.Jesuswasamasterataskingtherightquestions.Onedayablindbeggar

namedBartimaeuscameuptoJesuswantingtobehealed.“Havemercyonme,”hesaid.Inresponse,JesuslookedatBartimaeusandasked,“Whatdoyouwantmetodoforyou?”(Mark10:46–52).That’sagreatquestiontoaskatthebeginningofthisroadtogether.Why

don’tyoutryansweringitrightnow?WhatisitthatyouwantfromGod?WhatdoyouneedHimtodoinyourlife?Theonlywaytoanswerthequestionistounderstandwhereyou’reattoday.What’syourproblem?Areyoualive?Doyoufeelalive?How’syourconnectiontothepowersourceoflife?Isthereadisconnectsomewhere?I’makids’ERdoctorinmydayjob.There’saphenomenoninresuscitation

thatwecallpulselesselectricalactivity(PEA).It’swherethepatienthasaheartrhythmbutnodefinitepulse.It’sconfusingforeveryoneinvolvedintheresuscitation.Isthepatientdeadoralive?Inprinciple,thepatientisalivebutsomewheredeepinsidethemisasignificantproblemthatwillultimatelyleadtocardiacarrestanddeathifnotcorrected.Wearefacinganepidemicinthechurchtoday.Thereisadeepdisconnect

betweenwhatChristianssaywebelieveandhowwelive,andit’sthreateningtodestroyus.WesaywebelieveinaGodwhorosefromthedeadbutwelivewithasteadysenseofdefeat.Weknowweshouldhavejoybutwalkaroundinahazeofworry.WesayGodcandoanythingbutwedon’tbelieveHewilldoanythingforus.Despiteyearsoffaithunderourbelts,allittakesisonesmalltrialtotopplethemostseasonedChristianintoaplaceofdespair.Weareweakandquicklyshaken,leavingthewatchingworldunderwhelmedbyus.Maybethatdescribesyoutoo.Youlongtobridgethegapbetweenwhatyousayyoubelieveandhowyoulive.Youlookalivebutyoufeeldead.You’renotevensurewhatyourproblemis.Butyou’dliketofindout.Youwanttostandstrongintheheatofthebattle.You’retiredoffeelinglikeyourfaithisonlytoe-deep.Whatyouneed,whetherornotyouknowit,isresolve.It’saworddreamsare

madeof.It’sawordthat’schangedthecourseofmanypeople’slives.Youresolvedtoopenthisbookandreadit.Congratulations.Yourlifeisabouttochange.Oryoumighthavepickedupthisbookbecausesomethingfeelsamisswith

yourlife.You’renothappy.You’renotfulfilled.You’retiredoffeelingwishy-washy.Youwantyourlifetobedifferent,moreimpactful.Youneedhelpandyouwanttofixtheproblem.Good.You’regoingtogetsomeanswersbytheendofourtimetogether.Maybeyoupickedupthisbookbutyou’reskeptical.Youfeellikeyou’ve

beenthereandtriedthatbutitsimplyhasn’tworked.Everyresolveyou’veevermadehasfailed,sowhytryagain?Whatguaranteedoyouhaveofsucceedingthistime?ManyofusconfuselivingbyresolvewiththetraditionofmakingNewYear’sresolutions.DidyouknowthatalmosthalfofAmericanssetNewYear’sresolutionsbutonly8percentaresuccessful?ThinkbacktothelasttimeyoumadeaNewYear’sresolution.Youwereso

convincedyouweregoingtolosethosetenextrapounds.Youreallybelievedyouweregoingtotakeadvantageofthatgymmembership.YouweresosureyouweregoingtokeepupwiththatBiblereadingplan,buildupthatsavingsaccount,andstopbuyingthosethingsonAmazonthatyouneverreallyneeded.Andineverysinglescenario,yourresolutionbarelylastedamonth.Soyouopenedthisbookwithanaturalguardedness.Idon’tblameyou.Theproblemwithsomanyoftheresolutionswemakeisthattheydon’treally

matterinthebigschemeoflife.Theyfeelimportantinthemoment,butwhenpushcomestoshoveit’seasytoignorethem.Imean,whoreallycaresifyoubuyyetanotherpairofshoesyoudon’treallyneed?Furthermore,mostresolutionswemaketendtobemotivatedbyguiltorfear.WillIevergetmarriedifIdon’tlosethatweight?WhatwillhappentomeifIfaceacrisis

withoutafinancialcushion?WhatI’mgoingtodointhefollowingpagesisshowyouwhattruebiblical

resolvelookslike.We’regoingtotalkaboutthekindofresolvethat’simpossibletoaccomplishonourown.ItisthekindofresolvethatismotivatedbyachangedlifeandatransformedheartthatlongstopleaseandglorifyGod.Insteadoffocusingonwhatwe’remissingoutoninlife,we’regoingtofixoureyesonallthatisgainedwhenweliveourliveswithgodlyresolve.Thegoodnewsisthatwe’renotinthisalone.OurGodisaGodofresolve.He’sresolvedtoloveuswithoutlimit.He’sresolvedtostaywithusnomatterwhat.He’sresolvedtogiveuseverythingweneedtoliveanabundantlife.AstheyearshavepassedandI’vegottenolder,I’venoticedthatIcanget

caughtupinlivingmylifewithoutreallyfeelingalive.Icatchmyselfgoingthroughthemotions.AsaChristian,afollowerofJesusChrist,InoticethatItalkaboutGod.IsayIknowHim.IreiteratethatIbelieveinHisresurrectionpower.Buttoooftenmylifesimplydoesn’treflectit.IknowwhatI’msupposedtobedoingandIhaveenoughmotivationtodoit,butIcatchmyselffailingtofollowthrough.Whenmylifegetshardandfeelsoutofcontrol,allmygoodintentionsgooutthewindowandIbecomediscouragedandafraid.I’mtemptedtogiveup.Haveyoueverfeltthisway?NomatterhowstrongweclaimourfaithinGodis,whenlifeisharditall

comesdowntoresolve.Dowereallybelievewhatwesaywebelieve?Theanswerwecomeupwithnotonlyaffectsourfeelingsbutalsoourculture.GoingthroughthemotionsisadangerousplacetoliveforfollowersofJesusChrist.Wearelivinginanagewherethereismuchatstakeinourobedience.Wearecalledtobethelightoftheworld,thesaltoftheearth.Wearetostickoutinaculturethatisdesperatelylookingforanswers.Ifwedon’tfigureoutthisthingwecalltheChristianlife,andlivelikewemeanit,wewillbethrownoutandtrampledunderpeople’sfeet.Idon’twanttobetrampled.IwantmylifetodeclarethatGodisrealandalive

andpowerfulandrisenfromthedead.Iknowyouwantthattoo.InthefollowingpagesI’mgoingtopresenttenresolutionsthateveryfollower

ofJesusChristmustmakeinordertostandstrongintheshiftingsandsofourculture.Ihopetohelpyouunderstandthedisconnectbetweenwhatwesaywebelieveandhowwelive.Iwanttogiveyoubiblicalstrategiesforlastingchangethatwillallowyoutostandstrongnomatterwhat.Untilyougettotheplaceinyourlifewhereyouseeyourneedforchange,

you’llneverchange.Ourworldischanging.Ourculturehasblurredthelineswhenitcomestotruth.ChristianshavebecomeadeptatbendingGod’sWordto

suittheculturalflavoroftheday.Thinkaboutit:Whosedefinitionofmarriagehaveyouadopted?Doeslifereallybeginatconception?Couldtheworldreallyhavebeencreatedinjustsixdays?It’seasytofeelthepressuretocompromiseandgiveintothepopularbeliefsofwhateverfadeveryoneistryingtograbonto.TheonlywaytostaystronginashiftingcultureistoresolvetoknowGodandlivebyHistruth.ThegreatestplatformyouandIhaveishowwerespondwhenourlivesareshakenbytrial.IfGod’sWordistrue,thenthefollowersofJesusChristoughttobethehappiestandstrongestpeopleontheplanet.Butitallstartswithresolve.Areyouresolvedtodowhateverittakesto

becomethekindofChristianGodhascalledyoutobe?Areyouresolvedtochangenomatterhowuncomfortableitmightbe?You’reabouttobechallengedintencriticalareasofyourlife.Ineachoftheseareas,you’regoingtohavetodecidewhetheryou’rewillingtolivebythetruthornot.Ifyou’relongingtomakeadifferenceinyourworld,youdon’treallyhaveachoice.Yousimplymustdothis.Nowlet’sgetmovingandtalkaboutthefirstresolutionwemustmakeinordertostandstrongintheshiftingsandsofourculture.

1BelieveWhenItLooksRidiculous

YoumightrememberthefirsttimeyouturnedtoJesusforhealing.Youthoughtyourlifewouldbeawesome.YouthoughtyoucoulddoanythingwithGodatyourside.Hehaddiedandrisenagainforyou.NothingcouldstopyoufrombelievingthatGodwasgoingtocomethroughforyou.Thenoneday...Thewatersgottoohigh,thestormstoostrong.Youlookedforimmediatereliefanddidn’tfindit.Youhadaquestionbutdidn’tgettheansweryouwerelookingfor.Youwantedaspecificsolutionanddidn’tgetit.Youfeltcheated.Yourexpectationswerecrushed.Yourhopesweredeflated.Yourdreamswereputonhold.Yourlifeplandidn’tturnoutasyouintendeditto,andhereyouare.Allthe

self-helpandpersonalcoachingintheworldhaven’tpluggedthevoidinyourlife.AllthesermonsyoucanlistentoandBiblestudiesyouattendaren’thelpingbridgethegapyousensebetweenwhatyousayyoubelieveandhowyoulive.Alltheblogsintheworldaren’tgivingyoutheanswersthatyourheartlongsfor.You’redissatisfied,frustrated,lessthanalive.Youfeelbetrayedbytheunexpected,disillusionedbyyourfaith.Thisisthelifeofpoweryouweretoldyou’dreceive?Thisistheabundantlife

withJesus?InJohn10:10,JesustoldHisdisciples:“Thethiefcomesonlyinordertosteal

andkillanddestroy.Icamethattheymayhaveandenjoylife,andhaveitinabundance[tothefull,tillitoverflows]”(AMP).Abundant.Powerful.Overflowing.That’ssupposedtobethedestinyofevery

followerofJesusChrist.Yet...formostofuswhocallourselvesChristians,ourlivesdon’tdemonstratethetruthoftheseverses.Somethingisdesperatelywrong.IfGodhasfarmoreforourlivesthanwecanimagine,it’stimewegrabholdofthetruthandrun.

WhenIwaseightyearsoldIhadsevereabdominalpain.Myparentswaitedforthreedaysbeforetakingmetothedoctor.Ialmostdied,butIpromiseI’mnotholdingitagainstthem.Ihadaninfectioninmygutandwedidn’tknowwhy.Whenwegottothehospital,allwecoulddowashopethatwehadfoundtherightphysician,andthenIhadtoputmylifeinhiscare—completely.Ihadtoletgoandentrustmylifetothephysician’shands.WhenitcomestoourChristianlife,wehavebeengivenmorethanjusthope.

We’vebeengivenaresurrectedSavior.HediedforusandHelivestogiveushope.Heasksforourtrust—daily.YouprobablyhadnotroublegivingHimthiskindoftrustearlyon.DoyourememberwhenyoufirstrealizedthatyouwereasinnerinneedofGod’sgrace?YoubelievedGod’sWord.YouentrustedyoureternallifeintoHisoutstretchedarms.YougaveHimyourall—atleastforawhile,untilthingsstartedtogetcomplicated.BelievingGodwhenlifeissmoothiseasy.It’swhenwe’reinthemidstofthe

stormthatthetruenatureofourfaithisrevealed.Thediscipleswerebustedfortheirweakfaitheverytimeastormhit.EventhoughtheyhadwitnessedtheamazingpowerofJesusoverandoveragain,allittookwereafewwavesfortheirtruecolorstoshow.Andoverandoveragain,Jesuslovinglyrebukedthediscipleswiththesewords:“Youoflittlefaith,whydidyoudoubt?”UnlessweresolvetobelieveGodnomatterwhat,wewillsinkinaculturethatchallengesourfaithwithitspressingcircumstances:unexpectedillnesses,unforeseendisasters,unfairattacksbythosewethoughtwereourfriends,uncompromisingschedules,trialsthathavenoend,prayersthatremainunanswered,problemswithoutobvioussolutions.Thelistisendless.Whichofthesepressingcircumstancesisthreateningtoundoyou?YoulongtobelieveGodnomatterwhatbutcan’tseemtopullitoffinthefuryofthestorm.HowdowegofromsimplytalkingabouttrustingGodwiththedetailsofour

livestoactuallylivingitout,victoriously,onechallengeatatime?DowehavetobelieveGodfirstandthenseehowthingsplayout,ordoesGodshowupfirstandourfaithfollows?

HeBelievedGod

Theysay“repetitionisthemotheroflearning,”whichiswhyeventhoughyou’reprobablyveryfamiliarwiththestoryofDavidandGoliath,I’dliketorevisitit.Likeariveryou’vefishedatamilliontimesbeforebutcan’thelpgoingbacktoandlovingforitsfamiliarity,thestoryofDavidandGoliathstillhasthe

abilitytoinspiremetoafaiththatisdeeperandstrongerthanIcurrentlyhave.Goliathwasbigandscaryandimmovableandoverwhelming.Andhewasveryreal.Tomakemattersworse,GoliathhatedthepeopleofIsrael.OnthatparticulardayGoliathchallengedtheentirearmyofIsraeland,understandably,theywerepetrified.Theyreactedpredictably.Here’swhathappened:“WhenSaulandallIsraelheardthesewordsofthePhilistine,theyweredismayedandgreatlyafraid”(1Sam.17:11).Duh.Ofcoursetheywereafraid.Thegiantwasbigandthepeoplecouldn’t

seepasthim.Theypanicked.Theyneededamiracle.Instead,Godsentthemanunexpecteddeliverer,someonetheyneversawcoming.GodsentthemayoungmannamedDavid.YoungDavid,thefutureking,wastheruntoftheeightsonsofJesse.Hewas

akeeperofsheepwholikedtosingandwritepoetry.Hewasoftenoverlookedinahomefullofmusclesandtestosterone.ThedaySamuelshoweduptoanointthenextkingofIsrael,nooneevenrememberedthatlittleDavidwasoutinthefield—exceptforGod.Butthat’sastoryforanothertime.ThemorningDavidfacedhisGoliathhehadbeenassignedachore,anda

simplechoreatthat.HisfatherJessehadgivenhimasacklunchtotaketohisbrotherswhowereface-to-facewithGoliathattheValleyofElah.Davidfaithfullydidwhathisfatherhadaskedhimtodo,eventhoughIimaginehemusthavefeltlikethenewkidontheblock,alittlewetbehindtheearscomparedtohismightywarriorbrothers.ButDaviddidn’tletanydormantfearsgetthebestofhim,andprettysoonhegotcaughtupintheaction.Thesacklunchwasforgottenandthedramaofthemomenttookover.

AllthemenofIsrael,whentheysawtheman,fledfromhimandweremuchafraid.AndthemenofIsraelsaid,“Haveyouseenthismanwhohascomeup?SurelyhehascomeuptodefyIsrael.Andthekingwillenrichthemanwhokillshimwithgreatrichesandwillgivehimhisdaughterandmakehisfather’shousefreeinIsrael.”AndDavidsaidtothemenwhostoodbyhim,“WhatshallbedoneforthemanwhokillsthisPhilistineandtakesawaythereproachfromIsrael?ForwhoisthisuncircumcisedPhilistine,thatheshoulddefythearmiesofthelivingGod?”(1Sam.17:24–26)

AlltheothermenofIsraelcoweredindisbeliefwhileDavidstoodstronginfaithandresolvedinfocus.WhatmadeDavidsodifferentthaneveryonearoundhim?Whatallowedhimtostandstrongwheneveryoneelsewobbled?HowdidDavidpracticeGod’speacewhileeveryoneelsefretted?Talkaboutimpactingyourculture.We’retoldthatafterthebattleagainstGoliathnoonecouldstoptalkingaboutDavidandhisGod.Theyevenwrotesongsaboutit.There’sanincredibletruthforusinDavid’sstorythatwecan’taffordtomiss

ifwehaveanyhopeofstandingstrongintheshiftingsandsofourculture.It’satruththat’slifechangingandempowering,andit’ssimplerthanyoumightimagine.

imagine.Whatwebelievewhenwe’refacingourgiantswilldeterminehowweact.Theproblemwithmostgiantsisthattheymakeusfeelafraid.Theyrobusof

ourjoyandshaketheveryfoundationsofourfaith,mainlybecausethey’resobig.AndonlyaGod-givenresolvecanturnourattentionawayfromourgiantsandfixoureyesonJesus.Whatridiculouslylargeandimposinggiantareyoufacinginyourlifetoday?

Whatisyourriveryouthinkisuncrossable?Isitamarriageyou’vegivenupon?Isitafinancialmessyoucan’tstraightenout?Isitajobyoucan’tlandoraloveyoucan’tfind?Isitasinthat’ssobigyoucan’tseearoundit?Orisitadreamyoucan’tmove?Whatisthegiantinyourlifethathasyouinaheadlock?Ifyoulongforvictoryoverit,youneedtounderstandthatwhereyoufixyoureyeswhenyou’reupagainstthegianthasafargreaterimpactonhowyoulive,whatyoufeel,andhowyoureact.I’mtalkingaboutyourfaith.I’mtalkingaboutnotbeingconformedtothisworldbutbeingtransformedby

therenewingofyourmind(Rom.12:1–2).I’mtalkingaboutsettingyourmindonheavenlythingsandnotonthethings

ofthisworld.YoucaneitherfocusyourmindonyourgiantoryoucanfocusyourattentiononGod.LikeDavid’sbrothers,mostofushavebecomeincrediblyadeptatfixingoureyesontheobviousgiantsinourlives.It’snothardtodo.Ourgiantsarehugeandthey’rereal.LikeDavid’sbrothers,wemightevenresenttheDavidsinourlives.Theyupsetandthreatenus.Theydon’tinspireus.Theymakeusfeelpeeved.WhenEliab,David’soldestbrother,sawDavid’scourage,hesaid,“Whyhaveyoucomedown?Andwithwhomhaveyouleftthosefewsheepinthewilderness?Iknowyourpresumptionandtheevilofyourheart,foryouhavecomedowntoseethebattle”(1Sam.17:28).Insecurityhasawayofbringingouttheworstinus.It’seasytodeflectthe

attentionawayfromourownfearsandinsecuritiesbyattackingthosearoundus.ButDavidremainedundeterred,undaunted,andunshaken.Hiseyeswerenowherenearthegiantstandingbeforehim.HiseyeswerefixedontheLord.Saul,thekingofIsrael,wasshocked.Howinheaven’snamecouldthiskidtakeonagiantlikeGoliath?ButDavid’sfocuscouldn’thavebeenclearer.

“Yourservantusedtokeepsheepforhisfather.Andwhentherecamealion,orabear,andtookalambfromtheflock,Iwentafterhimandstruckhimanddelivereditoutofhismouth.Andifhearoseagainstme,Icaughthimbyhisbeardandstruckhimandkilledhim.Yourservanthasstruckdownbothlionsandbears,andthisuncircumcisedPhilistineshallbelikeoneofthem,forhehasdefiedthearmiesofthelivingGod.”AndDavidsaid,“TheLORDwhodeliveredmefromthepawofthelionandfromthepawofthebearwilldelivermefromthehandofthePhilistine.”(vv.34–37)

Wecan’taffordtomissit:evenbeforefacingGoliath,Davidhadalreadywonthebattleofbeliefinthesecretplacesofhisheart.Yearsbeforefacinghisgiant,DavidhadlearnedthatthesecrettowinningeverybattlewastotrainhiseyesonhisLord.DavidbelievedGod.Thatwashissecret.I’veheardfaithdescribedasbelievingGod’sWordandactingonitnomatter

howwefeel,knowingthatGodpromisesagoodresult.Davidhadexperiencedthislife-alteringtruth,andwhengiventhechancetoshowhisfaithinthefaceofhisgiant,DavidsimplypracticedhisbeliefthatGodwashisever-faithfulandnever-changingdeliverer.UnlessweresolvetobelieveGodnotjustforoursalvationbutalsoforour

everydaypracticallife,wewillsinkinaculturethatcontinuouslychallengesustofearandpanicandfallintodespair.Goddoescareabouteverylittledetailofourlives.WhetheryouliveinChicagoorPaducah,Godcaresaboutthedetailsofyourlife.Hecaresaboutyournewborn’sfeedingissuesorthefactthatyou’restillsingle.Hecaresaboutyourunexpectedcarbillandyourrespiratoryinfection.IguaranteeyouHecares,becauseofthelifeofJesus.Afterspendinghoursministeringtopeopleandhealingtheirdiseases,Jesusspentasmuchtimemakingsuretheyhadamealtoeatbeforegoinghomeinthedark.NoproblemistoominorforGod.He’snotjustaSaviorforlateron,ineternity.He’syourSaviorandProviderrightnow.YoucanbotherGodwiththemundane.Ifanyoneunderstandshowtediouseverydaylifecanget,it’sJesus.Don’tsettleforlessthantheabundantlifeGodhaspromisedyou!Don’tletanythingobscureyourvision.

TheTroublewithSpecks

SomuchofourfaithinGodhastodowithwherewedeterminetofixoureyeswhenfacedwithlife’schallengingcircumstances.Inprinciple,itshouldn’tbedifficulttofixoureyesonJesus.Webelievethegospelmessage,afterall.ThatGodsentHisSonJesustoliveaperfectlifeanddieforusseemstobeacompletelytrustworthyfact.ThatHewascrucifiedforusandthatHeroseagainafterthreedaysispuretruthtoourears.ThatHeisseatedattherighthandofGodmakingintercessionforus,thatHelivesinusandhasapurposeforus,andthatHelovesusunconditionallyallsoundgreat.Butwhatlookseasyonpaperbecomesimpossiblewhenthegiantsinourlivesdistortourvision.IrecentlytookcareofakidwhocameintotheERbecauseofeyepain.I

examinedtheeyeandcouldn’tfindtheproblem.Iplacedafluoresceindropintheeyetocheckforcornealabrasionsbutcameupempty.Eventually,Ilookedundertheuppereyelidandfinallyfoundtheculprit:a1mmspeckofdirthadlodgeditselfunderneaththeeyelid.ItookaQ-tipanddabbeditout.Thekidexpressedimmediaterelief.Ithasalwayssurprisedmethatatinyspeckcancausesomuchpainanddiscomfort.Itdoesn’ttakemorethanaspecktodistortone’svisioninlife.Manyofusarelookingforboulderstoovercomeforthevictoriouslifeoffaithwhileallthewhileitisthetinyspecksinourlivesthatcauseusthemostpain.Mostspeckswefacecomeinoneofthreedifferentforms.

1.TheSpeckofDistraction

Doyoutextanddrive?Manypeoplethinktheycanlookawayfromtheroadforasplitsecondandbeokay.Theyarewrong.BeforetheyknowittheyfindthemselvesinmyER,staringupatmysmilingfacefromtheirgurney.Wearelivingintheageofdistractions.Fewtasksarecompletedwithoutanintermittentbuzzfromanunwantedphonecallorthepeskydemandsoftheurgent.It’stimetolayasidetheurgentforthesakeoftheimportant,andnothingis

moreimportantthanlearningtofixoureyesonJesus.AreyouprioritizingyourtimeinGod’sWord?Doyoumakeitahabittospendtimeinprayer?HowsacredisyourtimewithJesus?Doyoucutitshorttomakeittoyouryogaclassontime?Doyouskipitbecausethekidsareoffofschool?It’seasytotellyourselfyou’llsqueezeJesusinlater,butitneverworks.FixingyoureyesonJesusmustbeanintentionalpriorityinyourlife.DavidspenthoursoutinthefieldswiththesheepwithhiseyesfixedontheLord.HewrotesongstoGod.HethoughtaboutGod.HerejoicedinGod’scharacterandmeditatedonGod’struths.Itpaidoffwhenthegoinggottough.Mostofusthinkwe’retoobusytobebotheredwithtimealonewithGod.My

fatherisonkidneydialysis.Threetimesaweekhetakesfourhoursoutofhisscheduletositinachairandwaitforhisbloodtobecycledthroughthemachine.Withoutit,he’dbedead.It’samazinghowquicklywecanfindtwelvehoursaweektositinachairanddonothingwhenourlivesdependonit.WesayweneedtheLorddaily.Webelieveittobecriticaltoourspiritualhealth,butthewaywespendourtimehardlyreflectsthehonestnatureofourbeliefregardingourtimewithGod.IfGod’sWordisfoodforoursoulandsweeterthanthehoneycomb,ifGod’sWordislighttoourpath,thenwe’vegottodevelopsomehabitsthatwillstrengthenourspiritualhealth.IfwebelievetimewiththeLorddailyislife-changing,thenwemustnotallowthelittlespecksofdistractionstorobusofsuchalife-givingpractice.

2.TheSpeckofDefeat

Defeathasawayofkillingourfaith.IusedtohatefailurebutI’mlearningtoappreciateit.I’mlearningthatfailure

isneverfinal,andwithGoditisalwaysmeantforourgood.Ifyou’realiverightnowtheoddsareyou’vefaceddefeatatsomepointinyourlife—evenifitwasbackwithyourlittleleaguebaseballteam.Whenupagainstourowninadequacies,wearetemptedtogiveup.ButdidyouknowthatGodisn’tsurprisedbyourfailures?He’stheOnewhofearfullyandwonderfullymadeusandknittedusinourmother’swomb(Ps.139:13–14).Heremembersthatwearedust(Ps.103:14).Heknowsexactlywheretofinduswhenwe’redealingwiththespeckoffailureinourlives.Davidmayhavefeltlikeafailurewhenhisbrothersdressedforwarandhe

waslefthomealonetendingthesheep.Davidmayhavefeltlikeafailurewhenhewasgiventhesimplejobofpackingbrown-baglunchesfortherealmenoutthere.ButitwasDavid’shumilityinthefaceofhisowninsecuritiesthatbecamethepathwaytohispromotion.Breakthroughiswhathappenswhenwekeepondoingwhatwe’resupposedtobedoingevenifnobodynotices.BreakthroughiswhatweexperiencewhenweresolvetoobeyGodonedayatatimeevenifwecan’tseetheoutcome.AdoniramJudsonisoneofthegreatestmissionariesofalltime.Hespenthis

lifeinBurmapreachingthegospelofJesusChrist.Hehadoneconvertinhisfirstyearonthemissionfield.HehadonlyeighteenfollowersofJesusaftertenyearsofservice.Hesufferedpersonaltragedyaftertragedy,losinghiskidsandhiswife,andcouldhavequit.Imighthavequit.ButAdoniramJudsondidnot.Hecouldhaveassumeddefeat,butheunderstoodthatGodwasbiggerthanhisseemingfailures.God’splansareneverhinderedbyourdefeat.Hisgraceisourstrengthinourweakness,andHismercyisourhopeatthebeginningofeachnewday.TodaythelargestChristianforceinBurma(Myanmar)istheBurmaBaptistConvention,whichowesitsorigintoAdoniramJudson.Itboastsover600,000membersinover3,700congregations.Wemustrefusetoletourfailuresdeterusfromourmission.It’stimeweseeinourdefeattheopportunitytoruntoJesus.Thetinyspeckofdefeatisacomma,notaperiod—apauseonthewaytovictory.

3.TheSpeckofDelay

Mostofusareflummoxedbydelays.Wedon’tunderstandwhywemustwaitsolong.Youmightbesingleandsickofwaitingfor“theone.”Youmightbemarriedandstillwaitingforachild.Youmightbewaitingforajob,apromotion,yourgraduation,oryourturnattherestaurant.Nomatterthelocation,atthemeresightofawaitingroommostofusbreakintohivesandthreatentojumpship.IsGodreallyhere?weaskourselves.HasHeforgottenaboutme?GoneisthestrongfaiththatwasourswhenwefirstturnedtoJesus.GoneisthegratitudewefeltatthemeresightofGod’sgrace.HowsoonweforgetthatGod’sdelaysarenotHisdenials.Justbecausewehaven’tseenithappenyetdoesn’tmeanit’snotgoingtohappen.TrustingGodmeansbelievingnotonlythatHewilldowhatHehassaidHewilldobutthatHewilldoitinHisperfecttiming.ToomanyChristiansareblindedbythewaitingroom.Theybegintoquestion

GodandHisgoodness.ItwouldhavebeeneasyforDavidtodoubtGodattheValleyofElah.Herewasaguywhohadalreadybeenanointedkingbutwasstillwatchingsheepasadayjob.HecouldhavewonderedwhyGodhaddelayedinfulfillingHispromise.HecouldhaveblamedGodfornotdoingwhatHehadpromised.ButDaviddidn’t.DavidsawinthedelayanopportunitytogrowinhisfaithandbuildahistorywithGod.Infact,David’swaitingseasonwasfarfromover.JustbecausehebeatGoliathintheValleyofElahdidn’tmeanhislifewasabouttobeproblem-free.David’sproblemswerejustgettingstarted.FortunatelyforDavid,hiseyesweren’tfixedonhisproblemsbutonhisGod.Doyoufeelstalledbythetinyspeckofdelayinyourlife?Insteadoffocusing

onthedelay,focusonbuildingyourhistorywithGodsothatyouhavesomethingtofixyoureyesonthenexttimeyoufaceaGoliaththatisevenbiggerthantheonestaringatyourightnow.Whatwefocusonandwherewefixourmindsdetermineshowweliveand

whatwefeel.Ifwe’relookingforthelifethat’sunshaken,it’stimetolookpastourgiantsandfixoureyesandourmindsonJesus.

SpeakingofJesus

JustlikeGoliathattheValleyofElah,ourgiantscanfallinaNewYorkminute.

WhatseemsimpossibleforusrightnowcanfadeintooblivionasGodbecomesbigandourcircumstancesshrink.It’sallamatterofrecognizingthreebasicprinciplesaboutJesus,theperfectSonofGod.

1.HisPromisesAreSurerThanOurFeelings

Ifyou’reoneofthosepeoplewhotendtoleanmoreheavilyonyourfeelingswhenitcomestoGod’spresenceinyourlife,you’resettingyourselfupforfailure.OneofmyfavoriteBiblepassagesispennedbyJob,amanwhoenduredmoretrialsthananyonepersonevershould.Hesaid:

Behold,Igoforward,butheisnotthere,andbackward,butIdonotperceivehim;onthelefthandwhenheisworking,Idonotbeholdhim;heturnstotherighthand,butIdonotseehim.ButheknowsthewaythatItake;whenhehastriedme,Ishallcomeoutasgold.(Job23:8–10)

Job’sproblemwasthatwhenthingsgotreallyhardinhislife,hestoppedfeelingGod’spresence.Nomoregoosebumps.Noeasyanswers.Nomagicpillstoswallow.ForJob,whenthingslookedreallygrim,theonlysecurityhehadwasthesecurityofGod’spromisesthroughHisWord.Ifyou’reaimingforatouchy-feelykindofHolySpiritexperiencetohelpyourecognizeGod’spresenceinyourlife,youneedtofaceuptothefactthattheHolySpiritismuch,muchmorethanafeeling.WeneedtomovepastthehighwegetduringSundaymorningsongtimeand

liveinthedailyjoyofthecertaintyofGod’spresence.WemuststoprelyingonoursensestospotGod’spresenceinourlives.Ourstabilitydoesn’temanatefromourfeelingsbutfromtheveryrealfactofGod’spresenceandthepromiseofHisfaithfulness.WhatGodhaspromised,Hewillaccomplish.WhatGodhasspokenwillcometopass.DavidunderstooditwhenthewindsblewstrongintheValleyofElah,andsomustwe.AsIwritethischapter,myfatherisdying.EachtimethephoneringsIfeelthe

windsblowingovermyheartasitplummets.Willthisbethecall?Theworrythreatenstosqueezethelifeoutofme.Whateveryourcircumstancesmaybetoday,youknowhowquicklylifecanchange.Andsodoourfeelings—theychangelikethewind.Theonlythingthatremainsforever,asureandsteadfastanchorforoursoul,isGod’sunchangingWord.Ifyouwanttostandunshakenintheheatofyourbattle,it’stimetorecognizehowerraticourfeelingscanbeandsettleonthesurefoundationofthelivingWordofGod.

2.HisPurposesAreAlwaysforOurGood

Itdoesn’talwaysfeellikeit,doesit?Yetthere’spowerinlookingintherearviewmirrorandlearningfromourlionsandourbears.ShortlyafterIpublishedmyfirstbookIbecamealittlebitdepressed.Mydreamhadbeentobecomeanovernightsensation,amajorleagueMVPforJesus,butinstead,Ifeltlikealittleleagueplayer.WouldIeverpublishanotherbookifmyfirstonedidn’tsellenoughcopies?WouldIeverhaveafutureinministryifmybooksaleswerejustaverage?IwassooverwhelmedbythegiantofperceivedfailureandsocaughtupinwhatIwantedGodtodoinmylifethatImissedwhatGodhadalreadydone.Ialreadyhadmy“lionandbear”storybutIhadn’tpaidanyattentiontoit.Itwastimeformetotakethepatchesoffmyeyesandsee.Godwasn’twaitingformetohaveabigliterarybreakthroughtousemeinministry.God’swillingnesstousemeinministrytoimpactmyworldwasneverbasedonwhoIambuthadalwaysbeenbecauseofHisowngreatnessandHisgrace.BecauseIhadbeenthereanddonethat,Icouldnowfacethefuturewithconfidence.AreyoublindwhenitcomestoseeingGodatworkinyourlife?Areyou

overlookingtheawesomenessofthegreatworksHehasalreadyaccomplishedinyourlife?Itmightbetimetositdownandtakethepatchesoffyoureyes.God’spromisetothosewholoveHimandarecalledaccordingtoHispurposeisthatallthingswillworkouttogetherforourgood.TheGodwhohelpedusbackwhenwewerefacingthelionandthebearisthesameGodwhoishelpingustakedownGoliathtoday.Hispurposesarealwaysforourgood,evenwhenwedon’tunderstandthem.Hispurposesareforourgoodevenwhenwedon’tknowhowtheywilleverhappen.Hispurposesareforourgoodevenwhentheoutcomedoesn’tlookinourfavorrightnow.DavidwasgivenarmortowearagainstGoliathbutquicklyremovedit.He

understoodthattheoutcomeofthebattlehadlittletodowithhisownabilitiesandeverythingtodowithGod’spurposeforhislife.InDavid’scase,victoryoverGoliathcamequickly.Inyourlifeandmine,thevictoryisn’talwaysimmediate.It’stemptingtodoubtGod’sgoodnesswhenourcircumstancesdon’tmatchwhatwethinkis“ourgood.”MylifeverseisPhilippians1:6.Itsays,“AndIamsureofthis,thathewhobeganagoodworkinyouwillbringittocompletionatthedayofJesusChrist.”I’mlearningnottojudgeGodtoosoon.Theverdictonyourspecificcircumstancesandminemightnotbeinyet,butwhatwecanbesureofisGod’scharacter:Heisalwaysgood.He’saGodworthyofourtrust.He’saGodwhoalwaysfinisheswhatHestarts.

worthyofourtrust.He’saGodwhoalwaysfinisheswhatHestarts.

3.HisFaithfulnessIsGreaterThanOurFailures

Ifyou’relookingtoocloselyatyourgiant,it’stimetostepbackandgetaholdofthebiggerpicture.It’stimetolookpastyourgiant.Mostofusthinktoosmall.Ourdreamsaretoonarrowandrevolveprimarilyaroundus.Godisalwaysdoingmuchmorethanwesee.Heisalwaysbuildingabiggerkingdomandseekingahigherendpoint.ThegoalattheValleyofElahwasn’tsimplyaboutakidfromthesticksdefeatingagiantnamedGoliath.Thiswasn’taboutDavidbecomingasuperhero.God’sgoalwasbigger.God’sgoalwastheprotectionandsalvationofthepeopleofIsrael.God’sgoalwastheeventualbirthofamannamedJesusofthelineofDavid.God’sgoalwasultimatelythesalvationofthewholeworld,includingyouandme.GodusedDavidasaperfectpictureofJesusChriststeppingintoourbattles,facingourgiants,andwinningourvictoriesforus,aneternalreminderthatwearefreetostepasideandletHimwinourbattlesforusdaily.HaveyoudiscountedGod’sfaithfulnessinyourlife?AreyoujudgingHimbyyourpresentcircumstances?In2Timothy2:13Godpromisesthat,“Ifwearefaithless,heremains

faithful.”God’spromisedfaithfulnessstandstruenotjustwhenweaccidentallyfailbutalsowhenwecauseourownfailureswithourself-focuseddecisions.WheneverI’mstuckintherutofsinfulchoices,IthinkaboutSamson.Thisguyhaditall.HewaschosenbyGod,hehadgodlyparents,andhewasphysicallyableandstrong.YetSamsonblewitoverandoveragain.Hemarriedthewronggirl(s).Hemadebadfriends,andeventuallyhesufferedforhisdumbdecisions.Hiseyeswerepluckedoutandhewasthrownintoprison.Ifanyonedeservedhispunishment,Samsondid.YetGodinHismercystillfaithfullyusedSamsoninanepicwaytodefeatthePhilistinesonelasttimebeforehisdeath.Ifwearefaithless,Godstillsomehowremainsfaithfultotheend.OnlytimewillrevealthebiggerpictureofGod’sfaithfulnesstowardyou.LifewithGodisfarbetterthanyoueverdaredimagine.GodisbuildingHiskingdom,andHeisusingyoutohelpintheprocess.

Davidcouldhavestoodonthesidelineswithhisbrothers,staringatGoliathindisbelief.ThankGodhedidn’t.InsteadDavidrefusedtosuccumbtothepressureoffixinghismindonwhateveryoneelsewasfocusedon.GodusedDavidtochangetheworldasaresultofhisunwaveringresolvetobelieveGodwhenitlookedridiculous.Nothingwilldestroyourimpactfasterthansettlingforthesamekindoffaith

Nothingwilldestroyourimpactfasterthansettlingforthesamekindoffaiththatmanyothersintoday’sculturearegoingfor,ame-centered,prosperity-driven,blessings-focused,comfort-seekingkindoffaith.It’safaiththatjudgesGodbyhowmanyhousesHegivesusandhowhappyHemakesus.Alternatively,thekindoffaiththatwillallowustoshinebrightlyisthekindoffaiththatisrootedinGod’scharacterandthetruthofHispromises.Itdoesn’tshiftwhenthegoinggetstough.Itisabletowithstandoccasionaldelaysandthesenseofpersonalfailure.It’safaiththatrestsinthefinishedworkofJesusChristandgloriesinthesurevictorythatisoursinHim.AsfollowersofJesusChrist,webelieveawholelotofcrazystuff.Webelieve

inaTriuneGod.Webelieveinthevirginbirth.Webelieveintheresurrection.WebelieveintheHolySpirit.Webelieveineternallife.Ifwe’rehonestaboutit,thestoryofJesusiseitherthecrazieststoryevertoldorit’sworthgivingeverythingupfor,includingourfears.Isn’tittimeweresolvetobelievethatGodcanhandlewhatevertrialsand

giantscomeourway?Ifwelongtomakeadifferenceinourworld,it’stimetoresolvetobelieveevenwhenitlooksridiculous.I’min.Whataboutyou?

RESOLVED:thatIwillbelieveGodisgoodandHisWordistrueevenwheneverythinginmylifepointsagainstit,andthatevenwhenIfailGodisstillalwaysformeandwilldeliverme.

2LoveWhenIt’sInconvenient

IoncehadadognamedMadamBaileytheThird.Igotherwhenshewasoneyearold,abigoleyellowlab.I’dneverhadadogbefore,butIknewwithoutadoubtthatIwouldlovethisdogwithallofmyheart.Thenewspaperadwasstraightup:“One-year-oldwell-behavedhouse-trainedyellowlab.Willgiveheraway.Ownerillandcan’tcareforheranymore.”Ifyou’veeverhadadogbefore,thenyou’rebrightenoughtorecognizealltheredflagsinthatad.Unfortunately,Iwasn’tthatsmart.Idroveanhourtogether.Ididn’tevenhaveabowlforMadamBailey’smeals,butIwasconvincedIcouldhavealong-termrelationshipwithher.I’ddigupabowlforhermealseventually.MadamBaileylastedexactlytwenty-fourhoursinmyhomeuntilIfoundher

anewone.Holdupforasecond.Beforeyoushutthisbookinmyface,givemeasecond

toexplain.Myintentionswerenobleandmylovepureenough.WhatIdidn’texpectwasthewhimperingthroughthenight,thehyperactivewaggingofthetailinmytinyapartment,andtherainstormthefollowingmorningthatendedwithherdraggingalineofmudstraightthroughmyclean-freakdomain.WhatIhadn’tplannedonwastheinconveniencethatlovewoulddumpintomylife,andfrankly,mydear,Iwasn’tquitereadyforit.Loveiseasywhenit’sconvenient.Loveiswonderfulwhenit’sreciprocated

andfunandfullofdaisiesandchocolates.Buttakeusoutofourcomfortzoneandthrowinawrenchortwo,andseehowstronglywestillfeelaboutlove.Christianslovetotalkaboutlove.Startinginkindergartenwesingsongs

aboutlove:“JesuslovesmethisIknow,fortheBibletellsmeso.”Liketherichyoungruler,weknowthecommandmentswellandhaveconvincedourselvesthatwe’rekeepingthem,atleastforthemostpart.LoveGodandloveothers.Easypeasylemonsqueezy.Butwhatarewereallytalkingaboutwhenwetalkaboutlove?Whatdowe

reallymeanwhenwetellourselvesthatloveisallweneed?Ifyou’remarried,youknowthekindoflovethatgotyoutothealtarisnotthesamekindoflove

that’skeepingyoumarried.Somewherebetweenthehoneymoonandtheforty-thirdloadoflaundryyouwokeuptothefactthattrueloveismuchmorethanafeelingandmuchharderthanitlooksonTV.Thereisapredominantideainourculturethatsuggeststhataslongaswehaveloveforoneanothereverythingwillbeallright.Whilethisideasoundsnobleonpaper,therealityisthatnoonecanmaintainthiskindofloveforever.Allittakesisforsomeonetocutyouoffintraffictounderstandthatwhenwetalkaboutlove,evenourbesteffortsatlovehavetheirlimits.SomewhereintheprocessoflovingGodandlovingotherswe’vebecome

cynicalaboutlove.Whocanblameus?Everywhereweturnwehearthisfour-letterwordtossedaroundwithoutasecondthought.We’vemadeitourmantra,ourgoal,ourall.Lovewillchangetheworld.Lovewillwinourenemies.Loveisallweneed.Faith,hope,andlove,butofcoursethegreatestoftheseislove.Loveisgreat—untillovefailsus.Despiteourbestintentions,allittakesisaslightinconvenience,abadhairday,oraharshwordfromsomeonetoloseourresolvetoloveotherswell.

Love’sLimits?

I’mforty-threeandstillsingle.TherewasatimeinmylifethatIbelievedinlove,buttwobrokenengagementsandanunrequitedbrokenheartlater,andyougetthepicture.Loveisnoteasyandonlygettingharderwithtime.Ihavebecomeanexpertatbuildingbarriersaroundmyheart.Ihaveconvincedmyselfthatpeoplecan’tbetrusted.Thatloveistoohard.Thatit’ssafertowatchfromadistance.I’vebecomeselectiveinmyloveforothers.I’mpickywhenitcomestolove.Ihaveahunchyouunderstandthesetensionsaboutlove.YoubelieveinGod’sloveandagreewithGod’sWordaboutlove,butwhenitcomestopracticalapplicationofthatloveyoualsocowerinfearandexcelatcollectingself-protectivedevicesaroundyourheart.IwasinJordanrecentlyandmetaChristianIraqirefugeefamilywhohad

escapeddeathbyISIS.IwastheonlymemberofourteamwhospokeArabic,anditdidn’ttakelongforthematriarchofthefamilytoaskformyphonenumberincasesheevershowedupatmydoorstepinneedofahome.Amused,Irelayedthecommenttomyfriend,expectinghertosmirk.Instead,shesaid,“Youwouldhavenoproblemdoingthat,right,Lina?”Ouch.Likeanarrowtomyheart,Ifeltthestingofthequestion.CouldIreallyhostarefugeefamilywithanopen-endedtimeline?WouldIbewillingtodoit?OrwouldIthrow

themouttheminutetheyspilledcoffeeonmycarpets?Couldn’tIwriteacheckoutforthemtostayinalong-termapartmentinstead?Iwastooashamedtoanswer.Andpragmaticallyspeaking,writingacheckmightwork.ButisthatwhatJesushadinmindwhenHetoldustoloveotherslikewewouldloveourselves?WasthisthekindoflovethatChristsaidwoulddistinguishmeasHisdisciple?Didn’tJesusunderstandthatlovehasitslimits,atleastinthetwenty-firstcentury?WhatexactlydidGodhaveinmindwhenHetookontheformofmanand

cametoearthforus?WhatdidHereallymeanwhenHesaid,“Greaterlovehasnoonethanthis,thatsomeonelaydownhislifeforhisfriends”(John15:13)?DidHemeanitliterally?ItwasonlyafewhoursaftermakingthatstatementthatJesuswalkeddowntheroadtoahillcalledCalvaryandgaveHislifeonthecrossforyouandforme.JesuswastheverypictureofGod’sunconditionalandeverlastingloveforus.Johnunderstoodthiskindofinconvenientlove.InJohn3:16,themostfamousverseintheBible,JohnexplainedGod’sperfectlovelikethis:“ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlySon.”Laterinhislife,JohnwasstillrivetedbyGod’slove:“Inthisislove,notthatwehavelovedGodbutthathelovedusandsenthisSontobethepropitiationforoursins.Beloved,ifGodsolovedus,wealsooughttoloveoneanother”(1John4:10–11).Doyouwanttochangetheworld?Doyouwanttomakeadifferencefor

God’skingdom?It’stimetostopwaitingforthepastortomakethefirstmove.It’stimetoletgoofthatgrudgeagainstthein-laws.It’stimetoopenourdoorstoournoisyneighborsandourheartstoourdifficultco-workers.Theonlywaytochangeourworldisbyresolvingtoloveotherswhenit’sinconvenientandmessy.Theonlywaytostickoutinaculturethatisself-seekingandself-centeredistopickupatowel,leanlow,andwashfeet.ButthiskindofloveisimpossiblewithoutfirstunderstandingandreceivingGod’snever-endingloveforus.Johnsummedituplikethis:“Welovebecausehefirstlovedus”(v.19).WelovebecauseHefirstlovedus.Byfarthecraziestthingyou’lleverhavetocometotermswithinyourlifeis

theirrevocable,unconditional,incomprehensible,andunstoppableloveofGod.

Season2

TherewasatimeinmylifewhenIusedtothinkthatGodandIwereonmorelevelground.Imean,IknewIwasasinner,andthatJesushaddiedforme,butapartfromthatIusedtothinkIbroughtsomeswagtothetable.AndthatlasteduntiltheendofSeason1ofLina’sworld.Season2iswherethingsgotheated

untiltheendofSeason1ofLina’sworld.Season2iswherethingsgotheatedup.Unexpectedfailures,unansweredprayers,unwantedbrokendreams,unfulfilledlongings,unbreakablehabits,andunforeseendisastersbrokedownmyfaçadeofpersonalperfectionuntilIhadtocomeface-to-facewiththefactthatIbroughtabsolutelynothingtoGod’stable.AndyetHestilllovesme.Thatirrevocable,unconditional,incomprehensible,

andunstoppableloveofGod—it’sdeeperthanmydoubts,strongerthanmysin,greaterthanmyguilt,andmorethanIdeserve.ButhowquicklywelosesightofGod’scrazyloveforus.Isupposelifehasawayofsuckingtheloveoutofus.We’retaughtthatGod’slovecanconqueranything.Atfirst,webelieveit.Butafterafewdisappointments,westarttodoubtit.Webecomeweigheddownbyourownwants.Webecomeafraidtogivetoomuch,worriedabouttheramificationsofself-

sacrifice,unwillingtoriskitallforlove.WeforgetwhoweareinChrist.WeforgetthepowerofGod’slove.ThedimmerthememoryofHislovefor

us,theeasieritisforustoturninsteadtoourfavoriteanestheticfortemporarygratification,andtheeasieritistobuildwallsaroundourhearts.Insteadofpouringourselvesintothelivesofothers,wehuddleinourcornersinfear.Brokenandmessy,wefeellikeGod’sstepchildren.Wewonderwhetherwe’vefinallypushedGodawaywithourlatestfailure.Sowehide.Wesinkintoself-pity.Werefusegrace.WeresistGod’s

irresistiblelove.IfyouandIwanttoloveotherswithfreedomandpower,we’regoingtohave

tounderstandGod’sloveforusfirst.That’swhereour“swag”comesin.OuridentityrootedinChrist’sloveiswhereourfreedomtoloveothersisborn.

AnUnbelievableStoryofLove

HaveyoueverheardofMephibosheth?Ididn’tthinkso.ThereisnobetterbiblicalexampletoexplaintheawesomenessofGod’sloveforusthanthestoryofKingDavidandMephiboshethin2Samuel.DavidwasfinallythereigningkingoftheunitedkingdomofIsrael.Having

defeatedthehouseofSaul,Davidhadcomethroughimmensetrialsanddifficultiesandwasfinallyenjoyingallthefruitofhislabors.Godhadblessedhishousegreatly,justlikeHehadpromised.Bythetime2Samuel9rolls

around,wecanalmostfeelGod’sfavoronDavid’slife.Oneseeminglyrandomday,Davidhadabrilliantidea.LikeaCubs’winat

WrigleyField,David’sideaseemedbornoutoftheunexpectedandshockingblue.“IstherestillanyoneleftofthehouseofSaul,thatImayshowhimkindnessforJonathan’ssake?”(2Sam.9:1).Saywhat?Whilehelived,SaulhadbeenKingDavid’sswornenemy.Hehadtriedtokill

Davidonmorethanoneoccasion.Nokinginhisrightmindwouldvoluntarilylooktoofferanactofkindnesstotheseedofhisswornanddefeatedenemy.ExceptthatDavidhaddeeplytastedofGod’sgoodness.DavidhadreceivedGod’sunconditionallove.AndDavidhadmadeapromisetohisbestfriendJonathan,Saul’sson,whowasalsodead.Itdidn’ttakelongforDavidtofindoutthatJonathandidindeedhaveasurvivingson.HisnamewasMephibosheth,buthehadoneminorproblem.Mephiboshethwascrippled.Havingsufferedafallasayoungchild,thegrandsonofSaulwasbroken,

hurting,afraid,andonewhomighthavebeeneasilyoverlooked.SomewhowerewatchingmighthaveevenadvisedDavidtokillthisheirofKingSaul.ButDavidwasnoordinaryman.DavidwasamanafterGod’sownheart.Davidwasmorethanreadytobeinconvenienced.“Whereishe?”heasked(v.4).IcanonlyimaginewhatMephiboshethmusthavefeltwhenhewas

summonedtoKingDavid’spresence.Icanimaginethefearthatmighthaveparalyzedhim,thefeelingofnauseaatthedimprospectofhisfuture.IcanimaginetheshameMephiboshethmusthavefeltasheshuffledhiswayintotheking’scourtthatday.LittledidMephiboshethknowwhatwascoming.Nothingcouldhavepreparedhimforthekindoflovethatwasheadedhisway.Insteadofanger,Davidofferedgrace.Insteadofpunishment,Davidgavelove

tothecrippledsonofJonathan.Insteadofbanishinghim,DavidofferedMephiboshethaplaceathistableforever.“Donotfear,forIwillshowyoukindnessforthesakeofyourfatherJonathan,andIwillrestoretoyouallthelandofSaulyourfather,andyoushalleatatmytablealways”(v.7).Illogical.Crazy.Radical.Unbelievable.Overwhelming.Stunning.Anddumb.

That’showDavid’sactionsmighthavebeeninterpretedbyanyonewatchingintheking’scourtthatday.EvenMephiboshethwasshocked.“Whatisyourservant,thatyoushouldshowregardforadeaddogsuchasI?”(v.8).DavidowedMephiboshethnothing.Instead,hegavehimeverything.

Mephiboshethsawhimselfasnothingmorethanadeaddog.Brokenandfilledwithshame,hedidn’tfeelhedeservedanything,yethewasofferedeverything,includingaplaceattheking’stableforever.

includingaplaceattheking’stableforever.Theonlykindoflovethatwillchangeyourworldisaradicallovethatis

willingtobeinconveniencedenoughtoinviteyourenemytoyourtablenightafternight.Thiskindofloveisbeyondhuman.It’sdivine.It’srootedinthecross.ItflowsoutoftheGoodNewsofthegospelofJesusChrist,andit’sGod’splanandpurposeforyourlifeasHisfollower.Thisisthekindoflovethatwillturnyourworldupsidedownandcauserippleeffectsbeyondyourwildestimagination.Sowhydosomanyofusstruggletofreelygivethiskindofunconditional

lovetoothers?

ACaseofMistakenIdentity

WelovebecauseHefirstlovedus.Beforewecanbegintoloveothersradically,wemustgobacktounderstandingGod’sloveforusandthepowerofourverticalidentity.Longbeforethatdayin2Samuel9,DavidhadpersonallyexperiencedGod’sloveandgoodnessoverandoveragaininhislife.HeknewexactlywherehestoodinGod’seyes.Earlyoninhislife,DavidhadlearnedthatGod’slovewasnotrootedinwhathebroughttothetablebutinGod’sverynature.ExternalappearanceswouldfadebutGod’slovewouldneverfailhim.Fromtheverybeginning,wheneveryonehadforgottenaboutDavid,Godsawaruddy-lookingkidpastoringsomesheepandchosehimasthenextkingofIsrael.EventheprophetSamuelwasstunned.GodexplainedthingstoSamuel:“Donotlookonhisappearanceorontheheightofhisstature....FortheLORDseesnotasmansees:manlooksontheoutwardappearance,buttheLORDlooksontheheart”(1Sam.16:7).Godlovespeoplemorethananything.Helovesthemall:blackandyellow,

redandwhite,theyarepreciousinHissight.Itmakesnodifferencewhetheryou’rebigorsmall,youngorold,foreignornative,maleorfemale,gayorstraight.Tobehonest,somedaysIfeelmorelikeadeaddogthanGod’schild,unwantedandunloved.ThankGodHeseespastmyfeelingsandlovesmeevenonthosedays.Othersmightbedistractedbytheshufflinggaitofanimperfectcripple,butGodloveseveryhesitantstepwetaketowardHistable.Youmightfeelbrokenandimperfect.Godseespastyourexternalappearance.Helovesyou,andHe’sinvitedyoutoHistableforever.Toomanyofusfallintothetrap

ofembracingthewrongidentityaboutwhoweare.Ourculturecoaxesustoembraceliesaboutwhoweare.Letmegiveyoufivecommonmistakenidentitieswebelieveaboutourselves.

1.WeAreNotWhatWeDo

Whenasked“Whoareyou?”thetemptationistotellpeoplewhatyoudo.“I’madoctor,”wesay,or“I’maplumber.”Oryoumightgivethemyourmaritalstatus:divorced,single,married.Ifyou’reamongChristians,youranswerwillreflectmorefamiliarterritory:Baptist,Methodist,small-groupleader,orteacher.OneofthebadhabitsintheERisthatwecallpeoplebytheirdiagnosis:thewheezer,thelaceration,themigraine.WhileHIPPAlawsmighthavebeenbehindthestartofthispractice,itisdemeaningandrude.Instead,Itrytoremindmyselftocallpeoplebytheirnames.It’swhotheyare.WhentheapostlePaultalkedabouthisidentity,heneveroncecalledhimself“Bibleteacher”or“writer.”Instead,Pauldescribedhimselfasthechiefofallsinners(1Tim.1:15),anda“wretchedman”inneedofaSavior(Rom.7:24).Hedescribedhimselfas“theleast[worthy]oftheapostles,andnotfittobecalledanapostle”(1Cor.15:9AMP).Paulhadadeephumilityeventhoughhewaswellawareofhiscredentials.Hewashighlyeducated,wellknown,andsuccessful,butnoneofthesethingsmeantasmuchtohimastherealitythathewasbelovedbyGod(Phil.3:3–9).IfweareChristians,ouridentityisnotwhatwedobutwhoweareinChrist.WearechosenbyGod,predestinedforadoption,purchasedbyHislove,savedbyHisgrace,broughtnearbyHisblood,andmadeinHislikenessforgoodworks.It’simperativeforustoknowwhoweareifwearetofindthefreedomtoloveotherswell.

2.WeAreNotWhoPeopleSayWeAre

It’seasytobelieveyourownpress.Youthinkyou’recoolbecauseyou’re“liked,”andyouhaveanimpressivenumberoffollowersandretweets.Fewthingsaremoredangerousthanthecomfortthatotherpeople’saffirmationbrings.Iliketocallthishorizontalfavor.Popularsells.Popularfeelsgood.Idon’tknowaboutyou,butwhenothersaffirmme,it’snice.Itgivesmeawarmandfuzzyfeelingofbelongingandwell-being.Buthorizontalidentityfadesandpeoplearefickle.Theonlywaytodevelophorizontalimpactistounderstandthepowerofourverticalidentity.VerticalidentityisGod-focused.ItrestsinwhoGodsaysweareandwhatHeistryingtoaccomplishinandthroughus.Areyouheavilyinfluencedbywhatotherssayaboutyou?Doyoufindyourselfelatedbypeople’spraiseanddefeatedbytheircriticism?It’stimetoletgoofyourhorizontalidentityforsomethingfarbetter.It’stimetoembraceyourvertical

identity.You’remorethanwhopeoplesayyouare.You’reexactlywhoGodsaysyouare—beloved!

3.WeAreNotWhotheMirrorSaysWeAre

Someconsiderittobemoreofafemaleproblem,butanobsessionwithexternalappearancesisanequal-opportunitytrapforeveryfollowerofJesusChrist.Saulwasareallygood-lookingguyandthepeoplewereimpressedwithhissexappeal.Unfortunately,heturnedouttobeadud.Hecavedbecausehecaredtoomuchaboutwhatpeoplethoughtofhim.WhenGodchoseDavid,Helookedpasthisfaceandstraightintohisheart.Doyouhatewhatyouseewhenyoulookintothemirror?Doyoushudderwhenyoustandonascale?Haveyoubeentoldyou’renotbeautifulsomanytimesthatyou’vestartedtobelieveit?Youweretoldalie.GodcreatedyouinHisimage.Youarefearfullyandwonderfullymade.Heseesfarpastyourskin.HeseesyourheartandHelovesyoudeeply.Youmightnotfeelworthyoflove,butGodfoundyouworthyenoughtosendJesustodieonthecrossforyou.There’snothingquitelikeHislove.

4.WeAreNotOurPastMistakesorOurBestPerformances

Igrewupinaveryperformance-basedculture.Ourgradesdefinedwhowebecame—literally.Ourcareerchoicesweremadeduringourearlyhighschoolyears,anditwaseasytobelievethatwewerenothingmorethanourbestperformancesandnotmuchbetterthanourpastfailures.ThiskindofthinkinghasseepedintoChristianculture.Youpatyourselfonthebackwhenyou“doright.”YouthinkGodlovesyoumorewhenyou’rebetterbehaved.Youdevelopaquietpridewhenyouconsiderhowmuchyougavelastyearorhowmanyversesyou’vememorized.Whenyoustopandconsiderit,thiskindofthinkingispharisaical,nothingmore.It’sself-righteousandbelittlesthecrossofChrist.DoesGodwantyoutoliveinobedienceandtodoright?OfcourseHedoes.ButdoesHisloveincreaseinproportiontoyourobedience?Never!God’sperfectlovefreesustoknowthatwearemorethanourseriesof

mishapsorthesumofourbestchoices.OneofthegreatestobstaclestooureffectivenessinGod’skingdomisourrefusaltoletgooftheheavyweightofourpastmistakes.InsteadoffeelingthesafetyofbeingfullyknownbyGod,weremainpummeledbytheliethatGodwouldn’tuseusifHereallyknewus.Whatisitaboutyourpastthat’skeepingyoufromyourfuture?GodalreadyknowsaboutyourpastandHestilllovesyou.Youcan’tout-sinGod’slove.Youcan’tshockHimwithyourstory.OfallthepeopleGodcouldhaveusedtobuild

can’tshockHimwithyourstory.OfallthepeopleGodcouldhaveusedtobuildHischurch,HechoseabetrayernamedPeterandamurderernamedPaul.Godwilluseyoutoo,despitetheweightofyourpast.HaveyouaskedHimforforgiveness?Areyoulivingindailyrepentance?Hisgraceisbigenoughevenforyou!

5.WeAreNotOurChurch

Mybirthcountry,Lebanon,isfascinating.Lebanesepeoplearedefinedbytheirreligiousaffiliation.Yournameusuallyreflectswhichreligiousgroupyoubelongto,andwhenitdoesn’t,peopleareboldenoughtoaskyouyourreligiouspreferencewithinthefirstfiveminutesofmeetingyou!Whilethismightsoundshocking,it’snotfarremovedfromWesternChristianculture.SoonaftermeetingabrotherorsisterinChrist,mostofuswanttoboxthemin:Baptist,Lutheran,Catholic.Seeker-friendly,mega-church,Reformed,ordispensationalist.Premillenial,postmillenial,amillenial.Modernworshiporold-timehymns.Satellitechurchormulticampus.Charismatic,prophetic,KJV,orNIV?Thelistislongandonlycontinuestogrow.TherewasatimewhenIbuiltmyidentityaroundmychurch.WouldImakeit

withoutthatparticularchurchaffiliation?Wouldmyfaithgoon?WouldtheministryGodhadcalledmetosurvive?IhadstoppedthinkingofmyselfasafollowerofJesusChristandhadbecomeidentifiedwithaspecificgroupofpeople.That’sadangerousplacetobe.It’snotthechurchthatsavesusandredeemsusandtransformsus.Godusesthechurchtoshapeus,butitisHisSpiritinuswhoisthecatalystforourtransformation.ItisChristinuswhoisourhopeofglory.WhilethechurchisChrist’sbride,wehavebecometoocaughtupwith“mychurch”—whichistypicallybetterthan“yourchurch.”Weforgetthatthechurchissimplythebodyofbelievers,peoplewhoprofessChristastheirSavior.WeforgetthatitisnotourdoctrinalaffiliationsthatdefineusbutChrist’sbloodoverusthatunitesus.It’stimetotakeoffourchurchswagandstartactinglikebrothersandsistersinonefamily.It’stimetoloveoneanotherwiththesamekindoflovewithwhichJesuslovesus.

ThePowerofLoveUnleashed

It’simpossibletoloveotherswelluntilweknowwhoweareinChrist.Ouridentityisnotbasedonourcircumstances.ItrestssecureinGod’slove.Hislovedefineswhoweare.WhenweunderstandGod’sloveforus,thepowerofHislovecanbeunleashedthroughus,transformingourworld.Thiskindofloveisunstoppable.Butfirstwe’vegottobelievethetruthaboutwhoweareinChrist.Nowthatweunderstandwhatdoesn’tdefineus,we’rereadytodiscoverwhowe

Nowthatweunderstandwhatdoesn’tdefineus,we’rereadytodiscoverwhowereallyareinChrist.

1.WeAreAliveandWell

Nomatterwhat’shappeninginyourlifeorhowyou’refeeling,ifyou’reinJesusyouhaveeverythingyouneedtothriveandgrow.SometimeswejustneedJesustoshowusthisistrue.LazaruswasafriendofJesusandhadtwosistersnamedMaryandMartha.InJohn11,Lazarusgotreallysickoneday.HissisterssentoutanemergencycallforJesus,fullyanticipatingthatHewouldrushtotheirrescue.ButHedidn’tcomerightaway,andbythetimeHefinallyshowedup,Lazarushaddied.Thesistersweredeeplyhurt.Howcouldtheir“friend”Jesusdothattothem?Didn’tHecareabouttheirfamily?Thesistersdidn’tunderstandthatChristhadabiggerlessonoffaithinstoreforthem.Jesuswasabouttobridgethegapbetweenwhatthesisterssaidtheybelievedandhowtheylived.JesuswasabouttoturntheirlivesinsideoutandupsidedownwithHishealingpower.Butthat’snotwhereIwanttofocusyourattention.InJohn11:43JesusspokethreewordstoLazarus.Hesaid,“Lazarus,come

out.”NowLazarushadachoicetomake.Hecouldhavestayedinthetomb,hugginghislinenstripsandinsistingthathedidn’tfeelalive.OrLazaruscoulddothesmartthingandwalkoutofthetomb.Fortunately,Lazaruswasnodummy.We’retoldinverse44that“themanwhohaddiedcameout,hishandsandfeetboundwithlinenstrips,andhisfacewrappedwithacloth.”ThemomentJesusspokelifeintoLazarus,Lazarusgotupandjoinedtheland

oftheliving.IimagineLazaruswalkedaroundwithabitofastrutafterhisresurrection.Areyouwalkingaroundlikeyou’realive,ordoyoulookmorelikethewalkingdead?BecauseofChrist’sloveforus,wearenolongertrappedinatomb.Wearefreeforever.It’stimewestartactinglikeit.

2.WeAreForgivenandFree

Regardlessofhowashamedorconfinedyoufeelrightnow,youarecompletelyforgivenandfreeinChrist.Mostofusforgetthetruthofthegospelinourdailylife.RememberwhenyoufirstturnedyourlifeovertoJesus?Youwereprettyexcited.Butdaysturnedintomonthsandyouslowlydiscoveredabasicreality:youdidn’tstopsinningjustbecauseyougotsaved.Andyouhateyoursin.YouidentifywithPaul,whosaid,“Ihavethedesiretodowhatisright,butnottheabilitytocarryitout.ForIdonotdothegoodIwant,buttheevilIdonotwantiswhatIkeepondoing”(Rom.7:18–19).Youfeellikeahypocrite.Youknowyououghttolivedifferently,butyoucan’tseemtochange.WhatusedtofeellikeacloserelationshipwithChristnowfeelslikeanever-wideningchasmbetweenyourFatherandyou.It’stimetorememberwhoyoureallyareinChrist.Jesusdiedforallofyoursin:past,present,andfuture.Hepaidthepriceonceandforall.Heisnotundertheillusionthatyou’regoingtobeperfect,andneithershouldyou.InChrist’sdayspeopletookbathsinpublicbathhouses.Theywouldthenput

theirsandalsbackonandwalkhomeonthedustyroads.Whentheygothome,theysimplyhadtowashtheirdirtyfeetsincetherestoftheirbodywasalreadyclean.Whatagreatpictureofsalvation!ThoughoursinshavebeencompletelycleansedinChristatthecross,ourfeetcontinuetogetdirtythroughthedailyfailingsofouroldsinnature.That’swhyweneedtoconfessoursindaily.Whenwedo,Godpromisestoforgiveusofallofoursinandto“cleanseusfromallunrighteousness”(1John1:9).Ifyou’reoverwhelmedbythesininyourlife,thesolutionisnottotryharder

tostopsinning.Thesolutionistogetlowerandaskforforgiveness.It’sthroughsincererepentancethatyouwillfindit.AreyoureadytohumbleyourselfbeforeGod,whoiswaitingtocleanseandrestoreyou?

3.WeAreLovedandValued

Evenwhenyoufeelunworthyofit,God’sloveisthekeyuponwhichyourjoyhinges.God’sloveisthemotivatorthatpropelsustowardgreaterobedience.God’sloveisthegluethatkeepsourlivestogether.God’sloveisthepeacethatwillleaveusunshakennomatterhowchaoticourcircumstancesare.God’sloveismorethanasloganthatgetspeopleintheChristiandoor.It’smorethanageneralconceptintendedtomakeusfeelbetter.God’sloveisfarmorepersonalthanaslogan.I’mtalkingaboutyou,now.MostofusagreethatGodisloveandthatHelovesthewholeworld.Ourproblemisthatwedon’tbelieveGodlovesus,orthatHeevenlikesus.YetGod’sloveispersonal.Hecaresaboutyouandfavorsyou.Hisplansarenottoobigtoincludeyourdreamsandgoals.YoucandroptheCinderellaact.Youdon’tneedtohideinthebackgroundanymore.Godlovesyou.Heseesyou.Heknowsyou.He’snotmadatyou.OneofthereasonswefailtounderstandGod’sloveisthatweassociateHis

lovewithHisgifts.WefigureifGodreallylovedus,Hewouldgiveusthethingsweaskfor.WehaveconvincedourselvesthatifGodreallylovedus,HewouldmakelifeeasyforusbysimplyeradicatingoursinfuldesiresinsteadofallowingustofailandforcingustokeepturningtoHimformercy.WefigureifGodreallylovedusHewouldmakeallofourdreamscometrueallofthetime.Weareprosperity-drivenChristiansatheart.God’slovehasnothingtodowithyourcircumstances.Hisloveissteadfast

andneverending.Godlovesyoutoomuchtocavetoyoureverywhim.HeknowsexactlywhatyouneedandlovesyouenoughtoaccomplishHispurposeforyouinHistime.HisgoalistokeepyoudependentonHimthroughyourweaknesses.Youareloved.That’syourtrueidentity.It’swhoyouare.Letthistruthsinkintoyoursoulandchangethewayyouwalkandlive.

4.WeAreMoreThanConquerors

Inthemiddleofourtoughestbattles,God’spowerinusmakesusmorethanconquerors.AsfollowersofJesusChrist,wehaveajobhereonthisearth.Jesusprayed,“Yourkingdomcome,yourwillbedone,onearthasitisinheaven”(Matt.6:10),andyouarethemeanstoaccomplishingHisprayer.Yearsago,mybirthcountry,Lebanon,wasaFrenchcolony,andsomepositivetracesofFrenchinfluencearepalpableinLebanontothisday.TheLebanesespeakFrench,dressaswellasParisians,andsitinsidewalkcafesandlikeFrenchfood.Infact,therewasatimeinthe’60swhenBeirutusedtobecalledtheParisoftheMiddleEast.Ifyou’veeverbeentoParisthenyoumightunderstandexactlywhymostLebanesewereprettypumpedaboutthelabel.Thoseweresomegooddays.JustliketheFrenchhaveinfluencedtheLebanese,weasfollowersofChrist

oughttoinfluenceourworld.WearetorubtheflavorofChristontothisworld’sculture,nottheotherwayaround!Doesitsoundimpossibleinaworldthatdoesn’tbelieveinJesusChristorHisWord?Itisimpossible,exceptforonelittledetail:wearealreadyvictoriousinChrist.Thisisamissionthatwecan’tlose.Theoutcomehasalreadybeendetermined.Rightnow,asIwritethischapter,ChristisseatedattherighthandofGod,victoriousandreigningovertheworld.He’salreadydefeatedSatan.OnedayHe’sgoingtoreturnandsetupHisrulehereonthisearth,butuntilthenHeisstillthevictoriousOneleadinguson.Youmightfeeltired,andalone,andweak,butChristhasalreadygivenyou

thevictorythroughfaith.AreyoutellingothersabouttheGoodNewsofthegospelfromthestandpointofvictory,orareyouhidinginshameanduncertainty?ItisonlyasyouseeyourselfvictoriousinChristthatyou’refinallyfreetoloveotherswithoutexpectationorfear.

ItBoilsDowntoThis

WhenitcomestoGod’slove,therealityisthatweneedreminders.Wearehealed.Weareforgiven.Weareloved.Wearefree.Nowit’stimeweresolvetoshowthatsamekindoflovetowardothers,nomatterhowsteepthecostis.LikeMephibosheth,wehaveachoicetomake:wecanremaininourhomes,hiddenfromthestaresofalltheotherperfect-lookingking’ssonswhoactliketheybelong,orwecanslowlyshuffleourwayuptothetableforsupper.Wecan

belong,orwecanslowlyshuffleourwayuptothetableforsupper.WecanbelievetheKingandtakeHimuponHisinvitationtodinner,orwecanhide.Whatifloveweretrulypossible,evenforthemostreprobate,irrevocably

broken,unexpectedcrippleintheworld?Whatifunconditional,unstoppablelovewereofferedtoyoutoday?Whatifyouweretofreelyreceiveit?Andwhatif,evenmoreradically,youweretogiveittotheneedyinyourlife?Givingthiskindofunconditionalloverequiresyoutobeintentionalandpersistent.Itwilltakeyouplacesyoumightnothaveplannedongoing.Itmightcauseotherstowonderaboutyourstateofmind.Mostofushavenotroublelovingthosewhoareexactlylikeus.Buttrueloveiswaymoreradicalthanthat.It’sthekindoflovethatiswillingtogowhereotherswon’tgoanddowhatotherswon’tdo.It’sthekindoflovethatdoesn’tdefineothersbytheirreligiousaffiliationsorsexualorientation.It’salovethatlastslongerthanadayandiswillingtobeinconveniencedenougheventodieforothers.ItwasinconvenientlovethatsentJimElliottotheAmazonjungle.Itwas

inconvenientlovethatsentHudsonTaylortoChinaandAdoniramJudsontoBurmaandAmyCarmichaeltoIndia.Itisinconvenientlovethatcontinuestomotivatemenandwomentodaytodounthinkableactsoflove:freevictimsofsextrafficking,forgiveoppressors,servethepersecutedchurch,andprovidewatertoanonymousgroupsofkidsinremotevillagesinAfrica.There’snothingtouchy-feelyaboutthekindoflovethatsentGod’sownSon

todieonthecrossforus.Thiskindoflovechangeseverything.Maybeyou’vebeentoobusytoloveothersunconditionally.Maybeyou’vebeentooself-centered,tootired,toobroken,toomisunderstood,tooashamedofyourpasttorisklovingotherswiththekindoflovethatwillturnyourworldupsidedown.Isn’tittimetochange?Yourresolvetoloveothersbeginsrightnow.Itstarts

theminuteyouacceptGod’sperfectloveforyou.Butitdoesn’tstopthere.Willyoudowhatotherswon’tdo?Willyougowhereotherswon’tgo?Ifyoulongtomakeadifferenceinyourworld,listencarefully:youmightheartheshufflingofthebrokenmakingtheirwaytothetable.Nowscootover;there’salwaysroomattheKing’stableformore.

RESOLVED:thatIwillreceiveGod’sunstoppableloveforme,especiallywhenIdon’tdeserveit,sothatIcaninturnloveothers,especiallywhenit’sinconvenientandhard.

3ObeyWhenIt’sNotPopular

Thismightcomeasasurprise,butIwasn’tverypopularinjuniorhigh.Iwantedtobe,butIhadbuckteeth,Ispoketoofast,andmymomboughtmetheugliestpairofglassesanyhumanhaseverworn.ThinkMrs.Doubtfire,butwithoutthesassyattitude.Iblameallofmyissuesinlifeonthisonedecisionofhers.HowIsurvivedthoseyearsisamysterynoonewilleversolve.Deepdownweallwanttobepopular,oratleasttofitin.Theconceptof

“tribes”hasreallycaughtonlately.Whetherit’saFacebookpage,aGooglecircle,orachurch-basedcommunity,fewthingsfeelaswarmandfuzzyasthesafetyofacceptance.YetGodcallsustomore.Godcallsustoobedience,andrarelydoesobediencefeelsafe.Oneofmyfavoritesayingsisthis:Yourwalktalksandyourtalktalks,but

yourwalktalkslouderthanyourtalktalks.Simplystated,obedienceiswalkingthetalk.It’smovingpastwordstoaction.It’sactuallylivingoutwhatyousayyoubelieve.Inotherwords,obedienceisaverybigdeal,especiallyforfollowersofJesus.Howbigadealisit?Here’showGodputsit:“Whoeversays‘Iknowhim’butdoesnotkeephiscommandmentsisaliar,andthetruthisnotinhim”(1John2:4).Wow.Inotherwordsifyou’veeverwonderedwhetheryou’retrulyaChristian,takethistest:“Bythisweknowthatwehavecometoknowhim,ifwekeephiscommandments...whoeverkeepshisword,inhimtrulytheloveofGodisperfected.Bythiswemayknowthatweareinhim”(vv.3,5).InsimpleEnglish,ifyoudon’tobeyGod,youmightnotbeaChristian.Does

thatsoundharsh?ThoseareGod’swords,notmine.Obedienceistheultimatetestofyourfaith.IfyousayyouloveGodbutdon’tobeyHim,you’vegotaproblem,Roger.IfyousayyouloveGodbutdon’tdowhatHesays,youmightbelyingtoyourself.Whataboutgrace?Wellwhataboutit?Godisallaboutgrace.Unfortunately

toomanyofususegraceasacrutchtogetawaywithdisobedience.Don’tgetmewrong,IheartilyechothewordsofPaulinRomans5,thatwheresin

aboundsgraceaboundsevenmore,butinaculturerichwithitsshadesofgray,we’retooeasilytemptedtocutcornersandselectivelyobeyGodinaquesttoremainpopular.NotonceinHisWorddoesGodevercallustobepopular.Hecallsusto

followJesus.Hecallsustobesaltinaculturethatisblandandlightinthedarkness.Hecallsustostickout,toswimupstream,tochoosethenarrowroad.Ifwe’relookingtostandstrongintheshiftingsandsofourculture,wemustresolvetoobeyGodevenwhenit’snotpopular.Butisthatevenpossibleanymore?Isitrealistictobelievewecanconsistently

obeyGod’sWordintoday’sculture?And,Imean,isitreallythatbigadealtolivewithyourboyfriendbeforemarriage?Ortowatchpornifyou’redoingitwithyourhusband?OrtoworkonSundaysifyouchooseto?Inanerawheremarriagehasbeenredefined,wheremoralityhastakenabackseattogodliness,andwhereindependentautonomyisthenorm,isitevenrealistictobelievethatanyonecanstilltrulyliveincompleteobediencetoGod’sways?

AnythingIsPossible

Whatwouldyoudoif,asateenager,youwereforcedintopoliticalexileinAfghanistanandtoldtoblendintotheIslamiccultureorelse?DanielwasaJewishteenageramongoverthreethousandotherJewishyoungmenwhoweretakencaptivebytheirmostdreadedenemy—Babylon.BabylonreflectedeverythingthatwasworldlyandsinfultotheJewishpeople.TheBabyloniansworshipedidolsandhatedtheonetrueGod.DanielsuddenlyfoundhimselfnotonlytakencaptivebutlivingamongtheeliteinKingNebuchadnezzar’scourt.Theking’splanwastobrainwashtheyoungJewishmindsintoBabylonianculture.ThewholeschemeshouldhavebeenarelieftoDaniel.Insteadofbeingbeaten

andpunishedinhiscaptivity,Danielwasbeingofferedareprieve.Insteadofbeingtreatedlikeaslave,Danielwouldbetreatedlikeroyalty,allforthepriceofhisloyaltyovertime.Danielcouldhavebeensmartenoughtoseetheopportunitybeforehim.He

hadbeenselectedasoneofthebest,thecreamofthecrop,andwasofferedathree-yearfreerideintheking’scourt.WhatcouldbebetterforDaniel?Justlaylowanddon’tmakeanyripples.Learnwhatyoucanandenjoytheride.Dowellinschool.Becool.Whoknows,youmightevengetachancetoshareyourfaithwithsomeluckyBabyloniansuckerintheking’scourtsomeday...“ButDanielresolvedthathewouldnotdefilehimselfwiththeking’sfood,or

“ButDanielresolvedthathewouldnotdefilehimselfwiththeking’sfood,orwiththewinethathedrank”(Dan.1:8).Danieljusthadtobedifferent.Danielhadtostickout.Hehadtomakea

scene.WhilealltheotherJewishyoungmenembracedthehabitsoftheculture,Danielrefused.Whileeveryoneelseatemeat,Danielwantedveggies.Whileeveryoneelsedrankwine,Danielaskedforjuice.Whileeveryoneelsewentwiththeflow,Danielswamupstream.Whileeveryoneelseagreedtobeateamplayer,Danieloptedforanindividual

sport.Seriously,Daniel?ThemostradicalthingyoucandointheworldistoresolvetoobeyGod.

Whileeveryoneelsemightchoosetheeasyway,theboldestthingyouwilldoistosticktoGod’sprincipleswhennooneelsewill.Inaworldwhereevenevangelicalsarebendingtherulesforthesakeofrelevance,nothingwilldistinguishyouasafollowerofJesusmorethanyourwillingnesstoobeyGodnomatterhowirrelevantandoutoftouchitseems.EverysingledayisachanceforyouandmetotakeastandfortheLord.

Everysingledayisachanceforustostickout,torefusetoblendin,tobedifferent.Therewerethousandsofyoungmenwhoweretakencaptive,butonlyDanielchosetoobeyGod.WhatgaveDanielthekindofresolvethatwouldlaterchangehisworld?

TheSecrettoObedience

Obedienceisnotascomplicatedaswemakeit.Iwalkintoapatient’sroomandrecognizethefamiliarfacesofthefamilyIhadmetintheER.Wecatchup.IrememberthatI’dtreatedthepatientforarashafewweeksbefore.Icheckthepatient’storso,andit’sclear.“Howdidtherashclearupsowell?”Iaskthefamilywithwonder.Theysmilesheepishlyandtellmetheirsecret:“Wedidexactlywhatyoutoldus,Doc.”“Wedidwhatyousaid.”That’sthesecrettovictoriousobedienceina

nutshell.Yetsomepeopledoitsomuchbetterthanothers.WhenitcomestolivingwitharesolvetoobeyGod,wemustkeepinmindthreeimportantprinciples.

1.WeNeedtoStopLookingAroundatWhatEveryoneElseIs

DoingandFocusUpwardonWhatGodHasCalledUstoDo

Mostofusareseverelyobsessedwithwhateveryoneelseisdoing.Don’tbelieveme?CheckhowmanypeopleareonFacebookthesedays.InarecenttriptotheMiddleEastIwasbaffledtofindthatwhilesomeoftheSyrianrefugeesdidn’thavefoodtoeat,theyhadFacebookaccountsontheirsmartphones.Ourculturetellsusthatifit’snotonTwitterit’snotreal.Thatifit’snotshareditdoesn’tcount.Thatifeveryonelikesitthenitmustbegood.Neverbeforehasgroupthinksodrivenoursocietalconsensus,andneverbeforehasthepressuretoconformbeengreater.Therearetwowaystoliveyourlife:youcanpleaseGodoryoucanplease

man.Paulsaysitlikethis:“ForamInowseekingtheapprovalofman,orofGod?OramItryingtopleaseman?IfIwerestilltryingtopleaseman,IwouldnotbeaservantofChrist”(Gal.1:10).Youcan’thaveitbothways.Danielcouldlookaroundanddowhathisbuddiesweredoing,orhecouldlookupandfocusonwhatGodhadcalledhimtodo.ButinordertoknowGod’scallforhislife,DanielhadtoknowGod’sWord.

BackinthebookofLeviticus,GodhadgiventhepeopleofIsraelcertainlawsregardingfood.Meathadtobecookedacertainwayandnomeatofferedtoidolswasallowed.InordertoobeyGod’sWord,Danielhadtofirstknowit.Sadly,toomanyofustodayhavenoideawhatGodsaysaboutanything.WehavemoreBiblesthanweknowwhattodowith.We’vegotBiblesonlineandBiblesineverylanguageandflavor,yettheyremainuntouchedandunopened.Evenworse,whenwedoopentheBible,wedoitselectivelyandselfishly.Webendittomeetourfancyandwethrowoutorcountasirrelevantthepartswedon’tcarefor.Moreoftenthannot,wecaremoreaboutwhatourfavoriteBibleteacherhastweetedthanwhatGod’sWordhaspromised.Thoughthetwomightoverlap,mayGodraiseupagenerationoffollowerswhoaremoreconcernedwithpleasingHimandknowingHisWordthanwithfittingintothemoldofwhatevertribeismostpopularfortheday.Onlyaverticalfocuswillfreeusfromthehorizontalpressuretoconform.

Onlyaverticalidentitywillfreeusforgreaterhorizontalimpact.Youdon’tneedotherpeople’sapproval,agreement,orpermissiontoobeyGod.Yousimplyhavetohavethewillingnesstosay,“Yes,Lord,I’lldowhatYouwant.”

2.WeHavetoBecomeMoreObsessedwithGod’sPlansforUsThanwithOurOwnAgendaandPlansforHim

TheJewishmentakencaptivemighthavehadanobviousagenda:tosurvivelongenoughtopossiblygobackhometotheirfamilies.Theiragendamighthave

longenoughtopossiblygobackhometotheirfamilies.Theiragendamighthavebeentowinovertheenemywithactsofloveandkindness.TheiragendamighthavebeentochangetheworldoneBabylonianfriendatatime.Whilealloftheseagendasmayhavebeennobleandgood,andwhilesomanyofourowndreamsandgoalsmaybenobleandgood,whatmattersisnotwhatwedreamforGodbutwhatGoddreamsforus.WeneedGoddreamsnothumanstrategies.WeneedGodplansnotmarketingplans.WeneedGodgoalsnotyear-endgoals.TheonlythingthatwillkeepusgoingistheresolvetobemoreobsessedwithGodandHisplansforusthanourownagenda—evenifouragendahappenstobea“Christian”agenda.WehaveawayofmakingplansandChristianizingthem.WecallthemGod’s

plansforus,butreallytheyareourideasofwhatwewanttodoforGod,withan“inJesus’sname”taggedontotheend.Weprayself-centeredandself-seekingprayers,thenaddthemagicalformulaof“forYourwill,andinYourname,”andwait.WhenGoddoesn’tstepuptotheplateanddowhatwewant,wegetmadatHim.TheonlywaytoknowwhetherourdreamsforGodarewhatHehasinmind

forusornotistoseehowwereactwhenthosedreamsfailoraredelayed.Myroadtoministryisaperfectexampleofthis.IcametoGodwithsomanydreamsofwhatIwantedtodoforHim.IbecameobsessedwithmyplansandagendaforHim.SincemydreamswereallaboutHim,surelyHewouldblessthem.SincemyplanswereultimatelyaboutHisrenownandHisfameandthegloryofHisname,surelyGodwouldhonormewithanswersandabundance.InsteadofthesuccessIdreamedof,Ifacedmanycloseddoors.Myfaithwasshaken.Didn’tGodloveme?Didn’tHecareaboutme?Whywasn’tHemovingonmybehalf?ToooftenIthreatenedtoquit.Sincetheoutcomewasn’ttomyliking,IassumedthateitherGoddidn’tlikemeorthatperhapsIhadmisheardHiscallforme.IttookalongtimeformetounderstandthatGodwasmoreinterestedinmy

surrendertoHimthaninmyplansforHim.IttookawhileformetounderstandthatGodwaslookingforahearttoworshipHimwithpraiseevenwhenthingsdidn’tgomyway.WhenyoubecomeobsessedwithGod’splansforyourlife,youtrulybecome

unstoppable.WhenyoumakeGod’swaysforyouyourfocus,youstartlivingthefreestlifepossible:alifefreeofanxiety.YourcaptivitytodaymightnotbeliteralbutitmightfeeljustassuffocatingasDaniel’scaptivitybytheBabylonians.YoumightbeincaptivitytotheridiculeofyourscienceprofessorwhenyouconfesstoyourfaithinGod.Youmightbeincaptivitytothelaughterofyourco-workerswhentheyfindoutyou’restillavirginatforty.Youmight

beincaptivitytothejeersofyourfamilywhenyoutellthemyou’regivingupasix-figureincometoworkwithorphansinHaiti.God’spowerinyoubreaksthepowerofotherpeopleoveryou,andcaptivitynolongerhasaholdonyou.Onthecontrary,captivitybecomesanadventurewhereyoucan,throughyourobediencetoanunseenGodwholookslikeHe’sabandonedyou,declarethatGodisstillgoodandthatHeisstillincontrolofyourfuture.YourabilitytochangeyourworldbeginswithyourresolvetopraiseGodin

themidstofyourcaptivitywhenyourplansfailandyouragendablowsupinyourface.AsyouofferthefruitofthanksgivingtoGod,youwillseeHimturnyourmourningintodancing.Youdon’thavetowaitforyourdreamstocometruetoofferGodthepraiseofyourlips.YourresolvetopraiseGodnomatterwhatyou’regoingthroughisthefirststeptoturningyourworldupsidedown.

3.WeMustResolvetoActbyFaithTodayNoMatterWhatTomorrowBrings

Anythingcanhappenonanygivenday.OnanygivendayyoumightwalkintotheERandfindoutyoursonhasanabdominalmassthat’sgoingtoendhislife.Onanygivendayyoumightwakeupandfindtheenemyatyourdoorstepwithswordsintheirhandsandmasksontheirfacesreadytoslashyourthroat.Aswetalkedaboutinthelastchapter,lifeishardandtrialsshouldbeexpected.Justbecauseyou’relivinginobediencetoGoddoesn’tmeanthatyou’regoingtobesparedthetrialsofthislife.ObediencetoGoddoesnothingeonthebeliefthatGodisgoingtospareusthepainoflivinginabrokenworld.LastingobediencetoGodisalwaysbestmotivatedbyaresponsetoGod’sloveforus.Itismotivatedbytheknowledgethatthoughwecan’tguardagainstevilwecancertainlybelieveGodthroughit.Youmightwonderhowmuchfaithyou’llneedtogetthroughit.It’sneverthe

sizeofyourresolvebutthesizeofyourGodthatmakesthedifferenceinyourvictory.YourresolvetoobeyGodbecomesdangerousbecauseitisfueledbyadangerousGod.ToooftenwelookatourcircumstancesandwronglyassumethatGodhas

forgottenallaboutus.WelimitGodwithourunbelief.I’mconstantlyremindedthatwhatkeptthepeopleofIsraelfromenteringthePromisedLandwasnottheirimmoralitybuttheirunbelief(Heb.3:18–19).WhenDanielresolvedtoobeyGodandnoteatmeat,hetookahugerisk.He

didn’tknowthathisdecisionwouldbringhimsuccess.Whenheapproachedthechiefeunuchwithhisrequest,theeunuchsaid,“Ifearmylordtheking,whoassignedyourfoodandyourdrink;forwhyshouldheseethatyouwereinworse

conditionthantheyouthswhoareofyourownage?Soyouwouldendangermyheadwiththeking”(Dan.1:10).Theeunuchwasafraid.ButDanielwasundaunted.WhenyouresolvetoobeyGod,Godwillgiveyouthecourageyouneedtostandstrongdespiteopposition.Danielcouldhaveresignedhimselftoapatheticconformitysimplybecauseheranintoaroadblock,buthedidnot.DanielstrovetoobeyGod,andGodmadeawayforhimtodoso.Heaskedagain.“Putmetothetest,”heoffered.“Godwillcomethroughforme”(seevv.12–14).Threeyearslater,DanielstoodbeforeKingNebuchadnezzarandwasfoundto

betentimesbetterthanalltheotherguys.YouandIhavenoideawhattomorrowwillbring.Forsomeitmightbringpainandmoresufferingandperhapsevenpersecution.Butforsomeitwillbringfavorandsuccesshereonthisearthandmaybeeventhechancetobepromotedinthelandofyourcaptivity.WhatGoddoespromise,forallwhoresolvetoobeyHim,isthatcomerainorshine,Hisnamewillbeglorifiedforever,andhereinisenduringjoyandlastingsatisfaction.

It’snotthatweresolvebutwhatweresolvethatmatters.EveryyearmillionsofpeoplemakeNewYear’sresolutionsandbreakthembeforetheendofJanuary.Thereasonisthatthiskindofresolveisfocusedmoreonourowndesiresandneedsandwhateverfadismostpopularthatyear.God-sizedresolveisfarmorethanalow-carbdietoratreadmill.It’sbasedonobediencetoHisWordandtrustthatHischaracterwillcomethroughforusevenwheneveryonearoundusmightthinkwe’rebeingjustalittlebittooradical.WhenweresolvetoobeyGod,we’redeclaringtoawatchingworldthatGodmattersmost,thatthisGodwe’vegivenourlivestowillcomethroughforus,andthatHeisgoodandincontrolnomatterhowbadthecircumstancesinourlivesmayseem.Thiskindoffaithmovesmountainsandtransformshearts.Iftheworldis

underwhelmedbyChristians,it’slargelybecausewebendatthemerestinconvenience.Weoptforpopularityinsteadofpain.Wechooseworldlypleasuresandtemporarycomfortsatthecostofallwesaywebelieve.Personalappetitesandpeoplepleasingmaygiveussomesenseofimmediategratification,butlivingwithoutresolvewillresultinlong-termdisappointmentandanegligibleimpact.Thetimetoresolvetoactboldlyiswhenthestakesarehighandwe’reuncertainofthefuture.Thetimetoactobedientlyiswhenitdoesn’tmakesenseandwefeelforgotten.Youmightfeellikeyou’relivinginthelandofcaptivity.Godiswithyou

eventhere.ThoughDanieldidseesometremendousfruitforhisobedience,GodneverdiddeliverhimfromtheBabylonians.Yetheremainedfaithfulandneverlosthisimpact.DanielunderstoodthatfreedomhadnothingtodowithhislocationandeverythingtodowithhisKing.TheapostlePaulcouldsaythesamething.Evenwhenhewasinprison,theworld’ssystemcouldn’ttouchhim.HesawhimselffirstandforemostasaprisonerofChrist.NowonderhewasusedbyGodtochangetheworld.WhatwouldourworldlooklikeifeveryfollowerofJesusChristresolvedto

obeyGod,especiallywhenit’snotpopular?Howwouldourworldbedifferentifeveryoneofusresolvedtolivebyfaith,walkingthetalkandnotjusttalkingthetalk,andrefusedtogiveintoourpersonalappetites?Youmightthinkthelifeofobedienceisalonelylife.Itis,butGodalways

provideswhatweneedwhenweneedit.ForDaniel,God’sprovisioncameintheformofthreeyoungmennamedShadrach,Meshach,andAbednego.TheysawDaniel’sresolveandfollowed.Welearnaveryimportantlessonaboutobedience:whenwe’rewillingtostandaloneforGodotherswillfollow.Shadrach,Meshach,andAbednegosawDaniel’sresolvetoobeyGodand

tookthechallenge.Theydidn’twanttowatchfromthesidelines.Inthatmomentacommunitywasborninthelandoftheircaptivity.Youdon’tneedalotofpeopletochangetheworld.Youdon’tneedthousandsoffollowersandbestsellingbooksandstadiumsfullofpeople.AllyouneedisthelivingWordofGodandHisfaithfulpresence.WhenyouresolvetoobeyGod,youwillturnyourworldupsidedown.Godwillalwayscomethroughforyou.HedoesitinHiswayandinHistiming.Hegivesusthestrengthwhenwefeelweakandthetenacitywhenwewanttoquit.YoumighthaveresolvedtoobeyGodinthepastandfailed.That’swhere

God’sgracecomesin.Todayisachanceforyoutoresolveafresh.What’skeepingyoufrommakingupyourmindtoobeyGod?What’skeepingyoufromstartingagain?Godisfaithful.AskMosesafterfortyyearsinthewilderness,orAbrahamaftertwenty-fiveyearsofwaitingforason,orSarahatninetywhenshewaspushingIsaacout,orJosephafteradecadeasaslave,orDavidoncehewasseatedonthethrone:GodalwayscomesthroughforHispeople.AndHe’sgoingtocomethroughforyou!

RESOLVED:thatIwillobeyGodevenifnooneelseisdoingitandevenwhentheoutcomeisunclear,knowingthatGod

alwayshonorsradicalobediencetoHisways.

4YieldWhenIt’sMyRight

Ihateyielding.There’sayieldsignthatcomesuponmywaytoworkrightafterItaketheexitoffthehighway.AsIgetclosertothesign,Iglancetotheleftandbarelystoplongenoughtoblink.IfigureI’vegotit.Icandrivefasterthantheotherguy.OneofthosedaysI’mgoingtocrashandburn.Untilthen,Irevelinmyabilitytoriseabovethecrowdandwin.TheWesternmindinparticularchafesattheideaofyielding.Asearlyas

elementaryschoolwe’retaughttobestrong,topullourselvesupbyourbootstraps,tostriveforgreaterindependence.Theminuteweturneighteenwe’reexpectedtomoveout,tomakeitonourown.Ourworldbecomesaman-eat-man,woman-pushes-womanfree-for-all.Maythestrongestsurvive.Againstthisfreneticmindsetofself-sufficient,self-reliant,self-governing

autonomystandsthewayofChrist.Fundamentally,thecalltodiscipleshipisacalltoyield.It’sacalltoself-denial.It’sacalltosay“yougofirst”evenwhenitmightbeourrighttogofirst.

“Ifanyonewouldcomeafterme,lethimdenyhimselfandtakeuphiscrossdailyandfollowme”(Luke9:23).“IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist.ItisnolongerIwholive,butChristwholivesinme”(Gal.2:20).“Youarenotyourown,foryouwereboughtwithaprice.SoglorifyGodinyourbody”(1Cor.6:19–20).“Sotherefore,anyoneofyouwhodoesnotrenounceallthathehascannotbemydisciple”(Luke14:33).

Yougetthepicture.YoucannotchooseyourownwaysandfaithfullyfollowGod.Thecalltodiscipleshipisanall-intotaltakeoverofwhoweare.It’sawillingnesstosay“Yes,Lord”evenwhenwefeellikesayingno.It’snotaself-improvementprogram.It’satotaltransformation.It’snotaface-lift.It’saheart

transplant.It’snotaminorprocedure.It’sageneral-anesthesia-going-to-be-in-the-OR-until-we’re-through-with-this-procedurejourneyoflearninghowtoyieldtoGodineverywayimaginable.NowonderJesuswarnedHishearerstoseriouslycountthecostbefore

followingHim.Whichofyou,desiringtobuildatower,doesnotfirstsitdownandcountthecost,whetherhehasenoughtocompleteit?Otherwise,whenhehaslaidafoundationandisnotabletofinish,allwhoseeitbegintomockhim,saying,“Thismanbegantobuildandwasnotabletofinish.”Orwhatking,goingouttoencounteranotherkinginwar,willnotsitdownfirstanddeliberatewhetherheisablewithtenthousandtomeethimwhocomesagainsthimwithtwentythousand?(Luke14:28–31)

Mostpeoplecouldn’thandleit.WhentheyheardthesalespitchofJesustofollowHim,manyofHisdisciplesturnedbackandnolongerfollowedHim(seeJohn6:66).Whataboutyou?Areyoustillinoristhistoomuchforyoutohandle?Thisis

seriousbusinessandonlytheyieldedneedapply.Thankfully,yieldingtoGodisnotasolosport.YourteammatesareGod’snever-endinggraceandthepresenceandpowerofHisHolySpiritinyou.ThereisnothingyoucannotdowhentheHolySpiritisyourguide.Haveyoueverheardofthe“IAmSecond”movement?It’samodern-dayChristianwebsitewherepeoplearevideotapedgivingtheirstoriesoffollowingJesusandalwaysenditwiththisstatement:“Iamsecond.”There’sBethanyHamilton,thesurferwhosearmwasbittenoffbyashark;ScottHamilton,theOlympicgoldmedalskaterwhodespitecancerisstillyieldingtoGod;andLecrae,theChristianbillboardrapperwhosurvivedabuseandstillgivesGodthegloryforhissuccess.Weapplaudthesepeopleandtheirstories.Weamenthem.Wenodourheads

inagreement.ButwhenpushcomestoshoveandGodactuallytestsourresolve,manyofuscan’thackit.WewalkawayorattheveryleastchoosetolivepatheticlivesofdisillusionmentinGod.NowonderJesuswarnedus:“NoonewhoputshishandtotheplowandlooksbackisfitforthekingdomofGod”(Luke9:62).

YieldintheDetails

Thethingaboutyieldingisthatit’seasytodowhenitinvolvessomethingyoudon’tcareaboutthatmuch.Onceayearmysisterforcesherkidstocleantheirclosets.They’reaskedtoputasidestufftheynolongerneedandgiveittocharity.Youwon’tcatchthemarguingwhentheyyieldtheirleastfavorite

charity.Youwon’tcatchthemarguingwhentheyyieldtheirleastfavoritejacketsandunlovedtoys.IwasrecentlyatTargetwiththosesamenephews.Theyeachhadfivedollars

tospendinpursuitoftheirlatestobsession:LEGOminifigures.Eachofthesefiguresisabout2cminheightandbarelyvisibletothenakedeye.Eachcomeswithatinytoollikeaswordorpizzabox.MynephewseasilyhaveaboutahundredoftheseLEGOfiguresandtheyloveeachofthemwithalovethatsurpassesallotherloves.Onthatparticularday,Micah,thetwelve-year-old,madehischoicebuthislittlebrotherBendecidedtosavehismoney.IttookalloftwominutesafterleavingTargetforBentoregrethisdecisionandbegMicahtolethimtouchhisnewLEGOfigure.Ifyouhavepreteenboyswholovetheirtoys,Idon’tneedtotellyouhowmiserabletheridehomewas.Yieldingisnoteasywhenyoulovethethingyou’rebeingaskedtoyield.

WhenitcomestoourwalkwiththeLord,everydayisachanceforustoyield.Whatwillwechoose?Godoroursillylittletoys?Godorthatonethingwethinkwecan’tlivewithout?Sadly,toomanyfollowersofJesusareregularlyoptingfortheirpeanut-sizedLEGOfiguresinsteadofthebrillianceofGodAlmighty.NowondertheworldisunderwhelmedbyourrepresentationofGod.Ifyou’reseriousaboutchangingyourworldforChrist,andifyou’reserious

aboutlivingwhatyousayyoubelieve,thenit’stimetoresolvetoyieldtoGodineverydetailofyourlife—inthebigthingsandthesmall.GodisjustasinterestedinyouryieldingtoHiminyoureatingchoicesandtelevision-watchinghabitsasHeisinyourchoiceofacareerandspouse.See,yieldingisaboutyourheart.EitheryourheartistheLord’sorit’snot.Andtypically,beforeHeasksustoyieldinbigthings,Godwilltrainustoyieldinthesmallthings.

ButIt’sMyRightofWay

NostoryillustratestheconceptofyieldingbetterthanthestoryofAbraham.WhenAbrahamlefthishometownofHaran,hetookwithhimafewotherpeople,includinghiswifeSarahandhisnephewLot.YoumighthaveheardofLot.He’stheguywholivedinSodom.ButbeforeSodom,LotwasjustayoungnephewwhowasmentoredbyhisuncleAbraham.IfyouknowanythingaboutMiddleEasternculture,thenyoumightpickuponsomeofthefamilydynamicsthatwouldhavebeenatplayhere.Abrahamwasthepatriarch,thementor,thefatherfigure,andtheoneinchargeofLot.Assuch,hedemandedtherespectofthepeoplehewasleadingsimplybecauseofhisposition.AddtothatthefactthatAbrahamwasgreatlyfavoredbyGodandthathewasaveryrichman,andyou’llunderstandthatAbrahamwasamanofgreatcaliber,onewhotypically

you’llunderstandthatAbrahamwasamanofgreatcaliber,onewhotypicallywouldhavehadfirstchoiceinwherehelivedandhowhelived.Inotherwords,Abrahamwasabigdealintheeyesofeveryonearoundhim,

andLotwasmoreorlessabeneficiaryofallthegoodthingsthathadhappenedtoAbraham.AnynormalnephewwouldlikelyhaveidolizedthegroundthatUncleAbewalkedon,andIhaveafeelingLotlookeduptoAbrahamtremendously.AstimewentbybothAbrahamandLotbecamericher,tothepointwherethe

landcouldn’thandlethemboth.Itwastimetosplitup.InsteadofforcinghiswayonLot,Abrahammadehimthisoffer:“Lettherebenostrifebetweenyouandme,andbetweenyourherdsmenandmyherdsmen,forwearekinsmen.Isnotthewholelandbeforeyou?Separateyourselffromme.Ifyoutakethelefthand,thenIwillgototheright,orifyoutaketherighthand,thenIwillgototheleft”(Gen.13:8–9).Iamsecond.Youbeforeme.That’swhatAbrahamwasofferinghisnephew

Lot,anditwasradicalineverywaybecauseofhisageandpositionandroleinLot’slife.Nowifyou’refromtheMiddleEast,thenyouwouldbeawareofsomeofthesocialdancesthataretraditionalandexpected.Youwouldunderstandthatnoneverreallymeansno,andthataninvitationtoactionisneveracceptedonfirstrequest.SoifyouheardAbrahammakethisoffer,yourknee-jerkreactionwouldbetoanswer,“No,no,UncleAbe.Yougofirst.Youchoose,thenI’llchoose.”Everyoxygen-breathingMiddleEasternerwouldknowthat.WhatwouldthenensueisadancelastingafewstepswhereIwouldofferyouthefirstchoice,thenyouwouldoffermethefirstchoice,andsoonandsoforth.It’sexhaustingandsortofamusing.Technicallyspeaking,Lotwouldeventuallyhavetocavebecauseofhisage

andposition.That’swhatwouldbeexpected.Inthiscase,though,thingswentdownalittlebitdifferently.Therewasnosuchsocialdance.Lotsimply“lifteduphiseyesandsawthattheJordanValleywaswellwateredeverywherelikethegardenoftheLORD,likethelandofEgypt,inthedirectionofZoar....SoLotchoseforhimselfalltheJordanValley,andLotjourneyedeast”(vv.10–11).Yikes.Lotlooked.Lotsaw.Lotchose,andLotwent.Anditallwentdownhill

forLotfromthatpointon.Thereisn’tonepositivestoryaboutLotafterthisverse.Areyoutrackingwithme?We’retalkingaboutyielding,andwhenitcomesto

yieldingwhatwechoosewillalwaysaffecttheoutcomeofourlives.AbrahamyieldedtoLoteventhoughitwashisrighttogofirst.Lotrefusedtoyield.Theramificationsofeachdecisionwerehuge.ForAbraham,Godshowedupandhonoredhim.AfterLotleft,theLordsaidtoAbraham:

Liftupyoureyesandlookfromtheplacewhereyouare,northwardandsouthwardandeastwardandwestward,forallthelandthatyouseeIwillgivetoyouandtoyouroffspringforever.Iwillmakeyouroffspringasthedustoftheearth,sothatifonecancountthedustoftheearth,youroffspringalsocanbecounted.Arise,walkthroughthelengthandthebreadthoftheland,forIwillgiveittoyou.(vv.14–17)

Godisn’tinterestedinhowwellwateredthelandwechooseis.Hecaresmoreabouttheconditionofourheartsthantheconditionofourlands.Hecantakethedriestlandandturnitintoagarden.Hemakesawayintheseaandapaththroughthestorm.AllHeasksisthatweyieldtoHimbyputtingallofourtrustinHim.OuryieldingwillalwaysproducefruitbecauseGod’spromisesneverfail.

BlessedisthemanwhotrustsintheLORD,whosetrustistheLORD.Heislikeatreeplantedbywater,thatsendsoutitsrootsbythestream,anddoesnotfearwhenheatcomes,foritsleavesremaingreen,andisnotanxiousintheyearofdroughtforitdoesnotceasetobearfruit.(Jer.17:7–8)

Yieldingispowerful,anditwillchangeyourworld.Refusingtoyieldwilldestroyyou.Lottookmattersintohisownhands.Hemovedcloserandclosertosinandeventuallyendedupindisaster.Hishomewasdestroyed,hiswifebecameapillarofsalt,andhisdaughtersdruggedhiminordertosleepwithhim.Hebecamethegrandfatherofhisownkids.Lot’sstoryissick,andit’ssad,andit’sheartbreaking—anditallstartedwhenhechosehiswayinsteadofyieldingtoAbraham.

LearningtoTrustGod’sBest

Ultimately,yieldingisabouttrust.It’saboutfaith.It’saboutbelievingthatGodiswhoHesaysHeisandthatGodwilldowhatHepromisesHewilldo.Yieldingmovesfromthedriver’sseattothepassengerseatandrefusestobeabackseatdriver.YieldingispowerfulbecauseitelevatesGodtoHisrightfulplaceofworship.YieldingtoGodisadeclarationthatIamnotGod,butItrustGodwithwhat’sbestforme.Ifitsoundsimpossible,thenyou’reontherighttrack.ButGodhasnotleftus

onourowninthis.Hehasgivenusthreeprovisionsforthebattletosurrender.

onourowninthis.Hehasgivenusthreeprovisionsforthebattletosurrender.

1.WeNeedtheHelpoftheHolySpirit

DoyoueverwonderwhyGoddidn’tcreateamagicbullettohelpusinourtimesofneed?Technicallyspeaking,Hedid.TheHolySpiritisthemagicbulletwhomakesitallpossible.He’stheOne

ChristpromisedtogiveusafterHisdeparturefromthisworld(John16:7).He’stheSpiritofGodwhocametodwellinourheartsthemomentweturnedtoChristforsalvation(1Cor.12:13).He’sthethirdmemberoftheTrinity,eternalandholy.He’stheOnewhodrawspeopletothegospelandtheOnewhoequipsuswithstrengthtoaccomplishGod’spurposesforus.Heconvictsusofsin(John16:8–11;1Thess.1:5).Heintercedesforuswhenwepray(Rom.8:26).Heisoursealofsalvation(Eph.1:13).He’sourhopeandfreedomandjoyandpeace,andHe’soursanctifier(Gal.5:22–23).Heisourpoweroversin(Rom.8:2).Mostimportantly,He’sourhelpintimeofneed,theOnewhogivesustheabilitytoyieldwhenitfeelsimpossible.Ifyou’retryingtoyieldwithouttheHolySpirit,nowonderit’snotworkingsowell.Whetherit’sforamoreconsistentprayerlifeorinfinallygettingvictoryoverthatrecurrentsinfulhabit,askHimtohelpyouwhereyou’refailing.

2.WeNeedGod’sWord

God’sWordisfoodforoursoul.InPsalm119we’retoldthatGod’sWordrevivesoursoul,makeswisethesimple,rejoicestheheart,enlightenstheeyes,andenduresforever.God’sWordislightforourpath.It’sourswordinourbattles.Itcontainseverythingweneed.Itismorethansufficienttogiveusstrengthandguidance.God’sWordisaliveandactiveandisadiscernerofthethoughtsandintentsofourhearts.WeneedGod’sWordifwewanttoyieldwell.Imentionedthatyieldingis

abouttrustingGod.It’sabouthopingforthingsunseen.Whenwedon’tseetheway,theonlythingwecanhangontoisGod’sWord.Whenourfeelingsbetrayourfears,onlyGod’sWordwillgiveusthestrengthandthestabilitytoendurethroughthestorm.Ifyou’renotgrowingintheknowledgeofGod’sWord,you’reprobablynotgoingtohavewhatittakestoendurethroughthetrialsinyourlife.MostChristianswouldagreethatit’simportanttogrowinGod’sWord,buthow?IwastwentyyearsoldandstartingmedicalschoolwhenIheardthatittakestwenty-onedaystoformahabit.IfiguredthatmightworkindevelopingaconsistentBiblereadingpattern,whichmightinturnhelpmethroughmedschool.Itdid.Overtheyears,though,Ihavefoundthatsimply

readingGod’sWordisjustthebeginningpoint.ThepointofreadingGod’sWordistogettoknowtheGodoftheWord.ThemoreyoumeditateonwhatHesays,thedeeperthatWordwillpenetrateyourlifeandchangeyou.AsyoumemorizeHisWord,Godwilluseittoremindyouandencourageyouandcomfortyouwhenyouneedit.Andifyou’renotsurehowtopray,manyauthorshavedescribedthesimplicityandeffectivenessofprayingGod’sWordbacktoHim.Trystartinginthepsalms.Ifyou’restartingtofeeloverwhelmedbyallthis,don’tbe.Rememberthat

Romewasn’tbuiltinaday.GodtellsusinIsaiah28:10thatwedothis“preceptuponprecept,preceptuponprecept,lineuponline,lineuponline,herealittle,therealittle.”It’sadailyprocessofgrowthandlearning.

3.WeNeedUnendingGrace

Haveyoubeentherebefore?Haveyoutriedyieldingandfailed?That’swhatgraceisfor.God’sgraceisneweverymorning.Youdon’tneedtofretoveryourpastfailures.Youdon’tneedtohidefromyouruncertainfuture.AllyouneedistheunendinggraceofGodthatwillpickyouupwhenyoumakewrongchoices.ThereisnosinsodarkthatGodcannotforgiveit.ThereisnofailuresorecurrentthatGodcannotdeliveryoufromit.ThereisnobondagesotightthatGodcannotdestroyitandsetyoufreefromit.I’mspeakingfrompersonalexperience.IamwritingthisbooktodaybecauseofGod’sgrace.I’vefailedmoreoftenthanIliketoremember,butI’mstillhereandGodisstillusingme.Heisthatfaithfulandgood.He’lldothesameforyou!

EverydayYielding

Oneofthescourgesinmylifeistalkingtocustomerservicerepsonthephone.Everyconversationisabattletoyield.Willitbetheirwayormyway?SinceI’mthecustomer,Ifigureitshouldalwaysbemyway.Thewarrantyshouldlastlonger,thebenefitsshouldbebetter,andthedeliveryshouldarrivefasterthanittypicallydoes.Ihaveastrongsenseofentitlement.IsupposeItellmyselfthatI’mhighlyeducated,highlyrespected,highlypaid,andhighlydriven.Itdoesn’ttakemuchformetobelievemyownpress.ButallittakesisoneconversationwithacustomerservicereptoremindmethatI’mnotgreatatyielding.Whataboutyou?Areyougettingstrongerwithtime?IsyourfaithinGod

growing?Youcangaugehowstrongyouarebyyourwillingnesstoyield.IknowI’mfailinginyieldingwhenI:

losemypatiencetooquickly.demandmyrightstooforcefully.refusetowaitlikeeveryoneelsedoes.spendmoretimetalkingthanlistening.choosetoargueinsteadofsayingthanks.feelmorejoyingettingmywaythaninshowingkindness.

wastetoomuchtimetryingtowinmywaythroughtheargumenttooreadily.overlooktheopportunitytowinasoulfortheopportunitytowinanargument.

Everydayisachanceforustopracticeyielding.EverydayGodistrainingustoholdthethingsofthisworldlooselyandhangonwithdearlifetoHispresenceandHisWord.Everydayisatrainingarenatohelpusgetstrongerinfaith.Wedon’thavetowineveryargument—evenifweknowthefactsandwearerightaboutthem.Wedon’thavetoproveourpointtotheworldjustbecauseweknowwe’reright.Godcertainlydoeswantustospeakthetruthandintelligentlyfightforthegospel,butwhenitbecomestoopersonalandstopsbeingaboutGodwesimplymustlearntolovinglyyield.

TheBiggestTests

Whenweresolvetoyieldourselvesinsmallthings,we’llfindourselvesreadytoyieldinthebigthingstoo.ForAbraham,thebigtestcamefromleftfield.He’dfinallyhadhislong-

awaitedpromisedson,Isaac.Lifefeltgood.GodhadprovenHimselffaithful.Andthenoneday,“GodtestedAbrahamandsaidtohim,‘Abraham!...Takeyourson,youronlysonIsaac,whomyoulove,andgotothelandofMoriah,andofferhimthereasaburntofferingononeofthemountainsofwhichIshalltellyou’”(Gen22:1–2).Talkaboutyieldinginthebiggestthing!ThecloseryouwalkwiththeLord

thesteeperthetestwillbe.ThemoreyouwalkintimatelywithGodandseeHisfaithfulness,themoreyouwillbeaskedtotrusteverythingintoHiscare.TheChristianlifedoesn’tgeteasierwithtime.Rather,webecomemoredependentwithtime.Godisconstantlyinthebusinessofmakingusstronger.StrongerinrelianceonHimandstrongerinfaith.Strongerinhopeandstrongerinendurance.No,itdoesn’tgeteasierwithtime,butthesameGodwhowasfaithfulinGenesis13istheGodwhoisfaithfulinGenesis22.WhenIsaacaskedhisfatheraboutthelambfortheoffering,Abrahamsaid,

“Godwillprovideforhimselfthelambforaburntoffering,myson”(v.8).Godisalwaysabletoprovideeverythingweneed.Youdon’thavetoknow

how.Yousimplyhavetoyield.You’reaskedtoyieldwhenitlooksridiculous.You’reaskedtoyieldwhereothersmightnot.You’reaskedtoyieldwhereithurtsthemost,andwhereyoudesirethemost.

hurtsthemost,andwhereyoudesirethemost.Itwashardformetoendoneengagement,letalonetwo.ButIgladlydidit

forthechancetoserveGodwithallofmyheart.IsawmysinglenessandbrokenengagementsasfuelforservingGodwithmorezealandpassion.WhattookmebysurprisewasGod’sdemandthatIofferHimtheonlythingIhadleft:mydreamofservingHiminministry.ItseemedcrueltomethatGodwouldtakemylesserdreamofmarriageandthenaskformydeepestdreamofservingHiminministry,yetHisdemandwasunmistakable.Lina,giveMeyourministry.GodwillprovideforHimselfalamb.Ourpartistowalkupthehillandtiethe

sacrificetothealtar.Oursistosay,“Yes,Lord,I’lldowhatYouwant.”Thenoutofthewoods,orcaughtinthethicket,wewillseetheperfectlambfortheofferingthatGodhasprovided.Abrahampassedthemostdifficulttestofhislifewhenhewalkedupthathill

withIsaacathissideandafewscrapsofwoodonhisbacktobuildanaltarforGod.“ByfaithAbraham,whenhewastested,offeredupIsaac....HeconsideredthatGodwasableeventoraisehimfromthedead,fromwhich,figurativelyspeaking,hedidreceivehimback”(Heb.11:17,19).Themoredifficulttheactofsurrender,thepurertheofferingwillbe.I’mnotsurewhatmakesusthinkthatsurrenderisgoingtobeeasy.It’snot.GivingtoGodwhatmattersmosttousisheartwrenching.It’sdevastating.It’spainful.Andit’swortheverydropofbloodweshedforthatoffering.Becausewhenwefinallyraisetheknifetoofferthesacrifice,we’redeclaringtoawatchingworldthatGodisbetter.ThatGodisgreat.ThatHeisgoodandfaithful.AndthatHewillprovideexactlywhatweneed.Jesusunderstandsthecostofsurrendermorethananyoneelseonthisearth.

KneelinginGethsemanejusthoursbeforeHiscrucifixion,HeprayedsohardHesweatdropsofblood,andsaid,“Father,ifyouarewilling,removethiscupfromme.Nevertheless,notmywill,butyoursbedone”(Luke22:42).UnlikewithAbraham,therewasnolambinthethickettosaveJesusfromthehour.JesuswasthatperfectLambofGodwhosebloodwasshedsothatwewouldbefree.What’ssoamazingaboutJesusisthatthreedayslaterHerosefromthedead.

HeovercamesinanddeathandnowsitsattherighthandofGodmakingintercessionforus.ThatsameJesusistheOnewhoisaskingustoyieldeverythingtoHim.Inreturn,He’spromisedtobefaithful.He’spromisedtobewithus.He’spromisedtogiveusHisunstoppableloveforever.WhatisitthatGodisaskingyoutoyieldtoHimtoday?Isitadesirefor

marriageorforkids?Isitarelationship,adream,abusiness,aministry,oryourlifestyle?WhateveritisthatHe’sasking,Godisabletodomorethanyoucanimagineinrestoringitone-thousand-fold.WhatiskeepingyoufromyieldingtoHiminbigthingsandinsmall?Someofthemostcommonreasonsfornot

Himinbigthingsandinsmall?SomeofthemostcommonreasonsfornotyieldingtoGodinclude:

Ourfears.WhatifGoddoesn’tcomethroughforme?Ourpride.Doesn’tGodwantmetobehappy?Otherpeople.WhatwilltheythinkofmeifIdoit?Ouraddictionstopleasures.WhatifI’mmiserable?Ourmaterialpossessions.CanIaffordtoloseit?Ourfreneticpace.CanIfitonemorethingintomyday?

Thisisabattlethatbeginsinthemind.Paulsays,“ButIamafraidthatastheserpentdeceivedEvebyhiscunning,yourthoughtswillbeledastrayfromasincereandpuredevotiontoChrist”(2Cor.11:3).Satanisamasterdeceiver.HeknowsexactlyhowtodistractourattentionfromtheonlyOnewhowillgiveusdeepandlastingjoy:Jesus.HeplaysonourfearsandinsecuritiesandfoolsusintothinkingthatwewillonlybehappyifGodwillfinallydoexactlywhatwewant.TheonlywaytostaydeeplyinlovewithChrististo,overandoveragainin

thecourseoftheday,tellHimyouloveHimandshowitbychoosingHimovereverythingelseinyourlife.ThisiswhatitmeanstobeaChristian,afullysurrenderedfollowerofJesus.

It’saradicalall-intotaltakeoverofwhoyouarewithnoturningback.AnythingremotelyclosetothiswilldemandyourunwaveringresolveandthebeliefthatGodistheonlytreasureworthsellingeverythingfor.

RESOLVED:thatIwilldailygiveupmyrightsandsayyestoJesusinbigthingsandsmall,evenwhenIfeellikesayingno,confidentthatsurrenderisthepathwaytojoy.

5SpeakUpWhenIt’sEasierNotTo

IrememberexactlywhereIwasthedayIresolvedtospeakupforGodwithoutapology.I’vealreadymentionedthatIwasn’tverypopularinjuniorhigh.ThingschangedasIgotolder,andbythetimeIreachedmedicalschoolmycoolfactorwasontherise.IknewIwasreachingnewgroundafewweeksintomyfirstyearofmedschoolwhenShelbyandJohnaskedmetojointhemforastudygroup.YouhavetounderstandthatShelbyandJohnwere“it.”Theyembodied

everythingIhadwantedtobeinjuniorhighandhighschool.NowthatI’dfinallygraduatedfrommyChristiancollegeandwasstartinganewadventure,Ipermittedmyselftodoahappydanceovertheprospectofbeingpartofthe“it”crowd.Ifyouknowmuchaboutstudygroups,thenyouknowthatthefirstthirty

minutesarewasted.Peoplecatchup.Theygossipandkilltimeuntiltheurgefinallysettlesuponthemto,infact,study.Iwasalittlebitnervouswalkingintothatstudygroup.Ididn’twantanyofmyolddorkfactortoshowup.Ihadagonizedoverwhattowearandhadfinallysettledonacasualbutstylishstudyoutfit.Iwasgreetedwithsmilesandlaughterandmyheartswelledwithinme.Ifonlymyoldjuniorhighselfcouldseemenow.Andthenithappened.Anamecameup,akidinourclasswhoIthoughtwas

cool.ItwasShelbywhosaiditfirst:“He’ssoweird.He’sabornagain.Thosefolksareallcrazy.”Saywhat?Bornagain.Weird.Crazy.Incaseyoumissedit,that“thosefolks”

includedme.BythattimeinmylifeIwasanall-outChristian.IhadthrownmystickinthecampfireandwrittenmyfavoriteverseintheflyleafofmyBible.JesuswasmyLord.IlovedJesuswithallofmyheart.Yetinthatmoment,Ifroze.Isaidabsolutelynothing.Crickets.Themomentpassed.Wefinishedstudying.AndtheminuteIgotbacktothe

crushingsilenceofmyapartmentImadethisresolve:fromthatdayforwardIwouldspeakupforGodnomatterwhat.Ineverjoinedthatstudygroupagain.IalsofinallyunderstoodwhatPeter

Ineverjoinedthatstudygroupagain.IalsofinallyunderstoodwhatPetermusthavefeltwhenheheardtheroostercrow.Iunderstoodwhatitmeantwhenhewentoutandweptbitterly.IhadturnedmybackontheOnewhohadgivenmeeverything.IhadbetrayedtheSaviorIloved.IhadchosenmypopularityoverthenameofJesus.Ihadchosenthesafetyofacceptanceovertheprivilegeofstandingupforthetruth.Butneveragainwouldthathappentome.YouandIhavearesponsibility.Weknowtheway,thetruth,andthelife.We

havebeengivengraceupongrace.Wehavebeenlovedandacceptedandforgivenandsetfree.Anyonewhohascomeface-to-facewithGod’sgoodnessandembraceditknowsthatwehaveaduty—evenmore,aprivilege—tosharethistruthwithothers.It’seasiertostaysilent.It’seasiertoaimforacceptance.It’seasiertohideintheshadowshopingthatsomeoneelse,somewhereelse,willbetheonetospeakthetruth.We’relivinginacultureofhyper-tolerance.Everyonewantstofitin.We’re

toldwehavethefreedomtodoanythingaslongaswedon’timposeouropinionsonothers.Manyofushaveinterpretedthatfreedomastheneedtostaypolitelysilent.We’reafraid.Whatwillhappeniftheyfindoutwhatwereallybelieveaboutmarriagebeingacovenantbetweenonemanandonewomanforlife?HowwilltheytreatuswhentheyfigureoutwereallybelievewhattheBibleteachesaboutthehomosexuallifestyle?Willtheythinkwe’retoodrastic,toojudgmental,tooharsh?Whatiftheydon’tagreewithus?InsteadofwalkinginobediencetoourLord,we’vechosentokeepourbeliefsprivate.Wehaveforgottenthattheimpactofoursilencecanbedeadlyformany.Inchoosingthesafetyofsilence,wehavecondemnedmanytoalifeapartfromGod’sgoodnessandgrace.SupposeapatientcametomyERwithadeadlyinfectionthatcouldbecured

withanantibiotic.Andsupposethefamilywasknowntobeopposedtomedication.Andsupposeoutofrespectforthefamily,Ichosenottotellthemaboutthemedicationthatcouldbelifesaving.IfthepatientdiedanditbecameknownthatIhadwithheldknowledgeoftheprescription,Iwouldbesuedformalpractice.Nojudgeinthislandwoulddeemmekindforholdingbackwhatcouldhavesavedthepatient’slife.Nojuryintheworldwouldcommendmefor“respectingthefamily’swishes.”Ourresponsibilityistospeakupwiththetruth.Wemustdoitlovinglyandkindly.Whatpeopledowiththetruthistheirresponsibility,butoursistospeakupnomatterthecost.Ifwereallybelievewhatwesaywebelieve,thenwehaveadutyasfollowers

ofJesusChristtospeakthetruthwhenit’seasiernotto.Anythinglessthanthatisstarkdisbelief.

ButWhatIfItCostsTooMuch?

Thepriceforspeakingthetruthcanbehigh,sometimestoohigh.ImentionedKingNebuchadnezzarearlierandit’stimetorevisithim.NebuchadnezzarwasthekingofBabylonandhewasprettyfullofhimself,somuchsothathedecidedtobuildagoldstatueofhimselfandforceeveryonetobowbeforeit.AlltheleadersaroundNebuchadnezzaragreedtotheharebrainedplanandsignedthepetition.Therewasonecaveattoit:“Andwhoeverdoesnotfalldownandworshipshallimmediatelybecastintoaburningfieryfurnace”(Dan.3:6).DoyouwanttoknowhowthepeopleinBabylonresponded?Youbet.When

thepeopleheardthesoundofthemusic,theydidexactlyastheywereinstructed:they“felldownandworshipedthegoldenimagethatKingNebuchadnezzarhadsetup”(v.7).EverythingwouldhavebeenA-OKexceptforonething.Somepeople,three

tobeexact,refused.TheirnameswereShadrach,Meshach,andAbednego.Rememberthem?Theyhadachoicetomake.Theycouldbowdowntotheking’sidollikeeveryoneelsedid,ortheycouldspeakupwiththetruth,evenwhenitcertainlywaseasiernotto.TheChaldeanswerelocalleaderswhohatedShadrach,Meshach,andAbednego.Theywerejealousofthem.Theyhatedthefactthattheseforeignershadbecomeleadersandrulersintheirlandandtheywantedthemout.SomuchsothattheChaldeansapproachedKingNebuchadnezzarandpointedoutthefactthatShadrach,Meshach,andAbednegohadrefusedtobowtotheking’sstatue.KingNebuchadnezzarwentintoafuriousrageandcommandedthatthethree

menbebroughttohim.“Isittrue...thatyoudonotservemygodsorworshipthegoldenimagethatIhavesetup?”heasked(v.14).Hethengavethemonelastchancetobowdownandanultimatum:“Ifyoudonotworship,youshallimmediatelybecastintoaburningfieryfurnace.Andwhoisthegodwhowilldeliveryououtofmyhands?”(v.15,emphasisadded).Challengeserved.KingNebuversusAlmightyGod.Gameon.Shadrach,

Meshach,andAbednegoareatacrossroads.It’sacrossroadsmanyofusarefamiliarwith.It’sthesilentpauseafterShelbyandJohnviciouslyattackallbornagains.It’s

themomentaftertheservantgirlaccusesPeterofbeingafriendofJesus.It’sthemomentyou’veprobablyfacedatafamilyreunionoradinnerparty.It’sthemomenteveryChristianbusinessownerdreadswhenheorsheisaskedtheirstanceonmarriage.It’sthemomenttheChristiansurgicalresidentmustdecide

whattodoaboutabortiontraining.It’sthemomenteveryoneatworkislaughingaboutthenewestR-ratedmovieandyou’retemptedtolaughalong.It’sthemomentyoufinallythinkyou’vefoundtheone,themanyou’vebeenwaitingfor,buthewantstogoalltheway.DoyougivehimwhathewantsandcountonGod’sgracetocoveritall,ordoyoustandupandspeakthetruth,riskingsomuch?Nebuchadnezzarcries,“Whoisthegodwhowilldeliveryououtofmy

hands?”IsGodtrustworthywheneverythingseemstopointagainstHim?IsHisWordtrue?WillHecomethrough?Whydoesn’tHejuststandupforHimself?DoesHereallywantmetobetheonetotelltheworldhowtolivetheirlives?Can’tIjustbowmykneestothekingandinmyheartstillholdontotheLord?Whataboutlove?Isn’tloveabetterstrategyforwinningpeoplethanspeakingtheharshtruthtothem?Ourhopeisthatwecansliponbywithoutmakingascene,andwelongto

justifyouractions.Yetdayafterdaymanyarebeingkilledforthesakeofthecrossallovertheworld.InChinaChristiansmeetinsecrettoworshiptheKingofkings.Dotheyreallyhavetohaveachurchservice?Can’ttheyjustworshipGodinprivate?InIranfollowersofJesusareheldcaptiveandpersecutedforrefusingtodenytheSavior.Can’ttheysaywhatthey’rebeingaskedtosayinordertobesetfreeandlater—perhapsmuchmorequietly—telltheworldwhattheyreallybelieve?InIraqChristiansarekickedoutoftheirhomesbytheIslamicStateforrefusingtobowtheirkneestoMohammed.Isitworththestruggle?Isitworththefight?Doesn’titcosttoomuchtospeakupwhenit’seasiernotto?ForShadrach,Meshach,andAbednego,thechoicewasclear.“O

Nebuchadnezzar,wehavenoneedtoansweryouinthismatter.Ifthisbeso,ourGodwhomweserveisabletodeliverusfromtheburningfieryfurnace,andhewilldeliverusoutofyourhand,Oking.Butifnot,beitknowntoyou,Oking,thatwewillnotserveyourgodsorworshipthegoldenimagethatyouhavesetup”(vv.16–18,emphasisadded).It’salmosttheexactthingthatPetersaidtohisaccuserswhencommandednot

tospeakaboutJesusanymore.Peter,whohadalreadytastedtheagonyofbetrayal,nowanswersboldlyandclearly:“WhetheritisrightinthesightofGodtolistentoyouratherthantoGod,youmustjudge,forwecannotbutspeakofwhatwehaveseenandheard”(Acts4:19–20,emphasisadded).Wecan’thelpbutspeak!We’vebeensetfree.We’vebeenredeemed.We’ve

beenprotectedandhelpedandsavedandgivennewlife.Wecan’thelpbutspeakofwhatGodhasdoneforus.Nomatterwhatitwillcostus,wewillopenourmouthsandspeakthetruth!Ifyou’rewonderinghowyou’llhavethestrengthtocarryouttheresolvetospeakupforChristwhenit’seasiernotto,it

strengthtocarryouttheresolvetospeakupforChristwhenit’seasiernotto,ithelpstorememberthesefourprinciples.

1.TheResolvetoSpeakUpComesfromReallyKnowingWhatWeBelieve

Nooneshowsupforatestwithoutstudying—unlessyouintendtofail.Inordertopassthetestwithflyingcolors,firstyou’vegottobeenrolledintheclass,andthenyou’vegottoknowthematerial.UnlessyoureallydobelievethatJesusistheway,thetruth,andthelife,you’reprobablygoingtohaveahardtimestandingupforHim.UnlessyoureallydobelievethatHisWordisthehighestauthorityinyourlife,you’regoingtohaveahardtimespeakingitout.We’relivinginadaywherepeople—evenfollowersofJesusChrist—havebecomeBibleskeptics.WeownBiblesbutaretoobusytoreadthem.WerelymoreonourfeelingsandlessonGod’sWordinlivingourlives.WereadblogpostsandtweetsinsteadoftheOldandNewTestaments.Wewaitwitheageranticipationforourfavoriteauthor’snextbestsellerinsteadofhungeringforGod’sWord.NowonderwefailinthetesttospeakupforGod.Wedon’tevenknowwhatGodwantsanymore.TodayisthedaytoresolvetoopenGod’sWordandlearntorightlyhandleit(2Tim.2:15).Whenthetimecomes,He’llgiveyouthewordstosay.

2.TheResolvetoSpeakUpIsBasedonWhoGodIs,NotWhatHeWillDoforUs

Modern-dayChristianityseeksoutGodforwhatHe’lldoforus.WelookforGodtogiveuslife,riches,andhappiness.WetalkaboutGod’sfavorandforgetthatlegionsofmenandwomenbeforeussawGod’sfavorontheirlivesastheyweretorturedandbeatenandridiculedandkilledforthesakeofthegospel.Somehow,wethinkwe’reexempt.ThewriterofHebrewsdescribedmenandwomenoffaiththisway:“Theywentaboutinskinsofsheepandgoats,destitute,afflicted,mistreated—ofwhomtheworldwasnotworthy—wanderingaboutindesertsandmountains,andindensandcavesoftheearth”(Heb.11:37–38,emphasisadded).Thesemenandwomenunderstoodthatwhenitcomestoalifeoffaiththatstandsupforthetruth,it’snotaboutwhatGodcandoforus.It’saboutwhoGodis.DoyoufeelmorefavoredbyGodwhenHegivesyouwhatyouwant?Doyou

believeHisloveistruerwhenyourprayersarebeingansweredthewayyouwantthemtobe?YoumightbeconfusedaboutwhoGodis.AndwhoisGod?He’stheOnewhoneverchanges.He’sthesameyesterday,today,andforever.

He’stheOnewhoneverchanges.He’sthesameyesterday,today,andforever.He’stheAlmightySavior,theCreatorandSustainerofthisworld.He’sthelovingMessiah,theKingofkings.He’stheonlyOneworthyofourworship.He’sourunconditionalAdvocate,Comforter,andProviderofallweneed.He’stheOnewhopaidthepriceforoureternallives.He’sworthyofourpraise.Peterunderstoodit.Thethreebrothersunderstoodit.Andifyou’vecomeintoasavingknowledgeofJesus,thenyougetittoo.

3.TheResolvetoSpeakUpIsEasierinaGroupbutNecessaryIndividually

There’spowerinaccountabilityandindoinglifeincommunity.ThelongerIlivethemoreIunderstandthatwhoIsurroundmyselfwithwilldirectlyimpactmydestiny.“Donotbedeceived:‘Badcompanyruinsgoodmorals’”(1Cor.15:33).Attimeswe’llhavetostandalone,butstrengthcomesinnumbers.Thewisestmanintheworldwrotethat,“thoughamanmightprevailagainstonewhoisalone,twowillwithstandhim—athreefoldcordisnotquicklybroken”(Eccles.4:12).Yourfriendscanmakeorbreakyou.Ifyou’reafollowerofJesusChristandcan’tpointtoacoupleofGod-fearing,God-loving,God-pursuingChristianshelpingyouthroughlife,chancesareyou’regoingtocaveatthecrossroadsofyourtesttospeakupforJesus.Eventhoughthere’sgreatpowerincommunity,theresolvetofollowJesus

andtheresolvetospeakupforHimmustbemadeindividually.There’snowayaroundit.Yourparentscan’tdecidetotakeastandforyou.Yourspousecan’tspeakupforyou.Yourpastororsmallgroupleadercan’tmakethisdecisionforyou.OnlyyoucanresolvetoknowGodandHisWordandtospendyourlifeinHisundividedpursuit.

4.TheResolvetoSpeakUpIsTestedWhentheStakesAreHigh

WhenKingNebuchadnezzarheardthebrothers’resolve,he“wasfilledwithfury,andtheexpressionofhisfacewaschanged....Heorderedthefurnaceheatedseventimesmorethanitwasusuallyheated”(Dan.3:19).HeturneduptheheatsohighthatthemenwhothrewShadrach,Meshach,andAbednegointhefirewerethemselvesburnedupbytheflames.Thestakeswereveryhigh.Thecostwasverysteep.Andthebrothersfellboundintothatburningfieryfurnace.ThosewhoopposeChristnaivelybelievethatbindingourwristswiththeir

shacklescansomehowbindGod’sWord.Theyarewrong.OverthelastfewmonthsIhavewatchedtheimprisonmentinIranofayoungIranianAmericanChristianpastor,aformerMuslimwhoconvertedtoChristianityin2000.In

Christianpastor,aformerMuslimwhoconvertedtoChristianityin2000.In2012,hewasdetainedinIranandsentencedtoeightyearsinprisononchargesofunderminingtheIraniangovernmentbycreatinganetworkofChristianhousechurchesandattemptingtoswayIranianyouthawayfromIslam.Todayheisstillincaptivitywaitingforhisfreedom.Tothewatchingworldhisfateseemssealed.Hisfuturelooksgrim.AlleffortsatgettingthisAmericancitizenhisfreedomseemfutile.YeteverytimeIreadsomethingaboutthisyoungmanI’mpumpedjustalittlemoretostandupforthekingdomofGod.HiswillingnesstopaythepriceforfollowingJesuspressesmetogetstrongerandremainundauntedbytheenemy.Imetatwenty-eight-year-oldwomanwhenIwasinLebanon.Shehadgiven

herlifetoJesusoverayearagoandwasfilledwithjoy.Iaskedherstory.HowwasherMuslimfamilyresponding?“Myparentsdon’ttalktomeanymore,”shesaid.“AndmyhusbandleftmeandIonlyseemytwokidsonSundays.”Don’tbefooled,thestakesarehighwhenyouwalkinobedience.Thepricemightseemunimaginable.Youmightberejectedbyyourclosestfriendsandhatedbyyourfamily.Youmightsufferpainandyoumightevendie.Butifyou’reafollowerofJesusChristthenyouunderstandthatyou’vealreadydiedandyou’realiveforever.You’vebeencrucifiedwithChrist.Younowlive,butyounolongerliveforyourself.Younow“livebyfaithintheSonofGod,wholoved[you]andgavehimselffor[you]”(Gal.2:20).

AHugeRayofSunshine

ThetruthisthatspeakingupforJesusisn’talwaysashardaswethinkitwillbe.ThelightofGod’slovewillinevitablyshinethroughusasweliveourlivesforGod’sglory.I’velearnedtocomeoutoftheChristianclosetveryearlyinmyfriendshipsandrelationships.Thatwaytherearenosurprises.Whenpeopleknowwhatwestandfor,itoftensparesustheneedtosaytoomuch.It’souractionspeoplearewatching.Whilethingsmightnotalwaysworkoutthewaywethinktheywill,asfollowersofJesusChristwealwayshavestrengthinthenameoftheLord.Andintheend,thingswilleventuallyworkoutforourgood.KingNebuchadnezzarthoughthe’dwonthewar,buthehadn’tevenwonthe

round.Afterthrowingthebrothersintothefieryfurnace,he“wasastonishedandroseupinhaste.Hedeclaredtohiscounselors,‘Didwenotcastthreemenboundintothefire?’Theyansweredandsaidtotheking,‘True,Oking.’Heansweredandsaid,‘ButIseefourmenunboundwalkinginthemidstofthefire,

andtheyarenothurt;andtheappearanceofthefourthislikeasonofthegods’”(Dan.3:24–26).WhenGod’spresenceiswithyou,thefirehasnopoweroveryou.Thesame

GodwhowillleadyouintothefireistheGodwhowillwalkintothefirewithyou.ThesameGodwhopromisesthat“whenyouwalkthroughfireyoushallnotbeburned,andtheflameshallnotconsumeyou”(Isa.43:2)istheGodwhowillkeepthatpromise.HediditquiteliterallyforShadrach,Meshach,andAbednegowhentheywerethrowndeepintothefurnace.ThepoweroftheChristianisthatwedon’thavetofearthefieryfurnace.God

hasovercomeeveryfieryfurnacewewilleverface.Ifwe’relookingtoimpactourworld,itwillhappenwhenwelearntotrustGodunflinchinglyandcompletely.Thepowerofourtestimonyisloudestwhenwe’reinthefieryfurnace.ThepresenceofGodismostvisiblewhenwe’rewalkingthroughthefire.KingNebuchadnezzarsawit.HewassooverwhelmedbytheoutcomethatheblessedthenameoftheLord.Hewroteanewdecree:“Anypeople,nation,orlanguagethatspeaksanythingagainsttheGodofShadrach,Meshach,andAbednegoshallbetornlimbfromlimb,andtheirhouseslaidinruins,forthereisnoothergodwhoisabletorescueinthisway”(Dan.3:29).God’sarmswillalwayscatchyouwhenitfeelslikeyou’refalling.Youmight

notseetheoutcomeonthefrontendofthetest.You’llhavetowalkbyfaith,notbysight.Buteverytestyoutaketospeakupwhenit’seasiernottoisachancetolivewhatyousayyoubelieve.It’sachancetoliftupthenameofJesusanddeclarethatHeisindeedworthyofyourtrust.ThestrengthofyourresolvehaslesstodowiththeoutcomeofthematterandeverythingtodowiththeOneyou’recommittedto.DoyoubelievethatGodisgoodnomatterwhat?DoyoubelievethatGodis

abletodeliveryounomatterwhat?Thestorymightnotalwaysendthewaythatyouwantitto,butwhenyouputGodfirstinyourlife,Hewillalwayscomethroughforyouinwaysyoucan’tbegintoimagine.Manymenandwomeninthislifehavesteppedoutinfaithtospeakthetruth.

Someweredelivered,butmanywerenot.JimElliotwaskilledbytheverymenhewastryingtoreachforChrist.James,oneofthedisciples,waskilledinprisonbyHerodwhilePeterwasmiraculouslydelivered.EvenJohntheBaptist,oneofthegreatestdiscipleswhoeverlived,hadhisheadchoppedoffwhileJesuswentaboutperformingmiracles.ThegoaloftheChristianlifehasneverbeentemporaryearthlycomfort.This

earthisnotourhome.ChristHimselfsaid,“Forwhoeverwouldsavehislifewillloseit,butwhoeverloseshislifeformysakewillsaveit.Forwhatdoesitprofitamanifhegainsthewholeworldandlosesorforfeitshimself?”(Luke9:24–25).

25).Youmustdecideforyourself.Whatareyoulivingfor?Whatdoyouwant

morethananything?ThebreadthofyourimpactwillbedeterminedbythedepthofyourresolvetofollowJesusandspeakupwhenit’seasiernotto.TrustingGodmightnotalwaysyieldvisibleresultsandsignificantpromotionandthepraiseofpeople.ButyourresolvetoobeywillalwaysbemetwithGod’sfaithfulpresence.Stephenwasamanwhocouldhaveremainedquiet.Hewasn’tevenan

apostle.HewassimplyamanwhofollowedJesusandHisways.Whenputtothetestherefusedtoremainquiet.Hislastwordsonthisearthashewasbeingstonedtodeathwere,“Lord,donotholdthissinagainstthem”(Acts7:60).Tothewatchingworld,Stephen’slifemighthaveseemedlikeawaste.Tothejeeringcrowd,Stephenlookeddefeated.Totheangrymob,Stephengotwhathedeserved.Noone,afterall,darestandupagainstpopularcultureandwin.Butonemanwaswatching.HewastheonewhohadorderedStephen’s

murder.HeheardeverywordthatStephenspokeout.HisnamewasSaul.YoumightknowhimbetterastheapostlePaul.Yourresolvetospeakupmightbringyouridiculeandshame.Butwhatifyou

toohadawatchingPaulintheshadowswhoseverylifemightberadicallytransformedbyyourresolvetospeakthetruthatanycost?Whatifyourresolvecouldchangetheworldofjustoneperson?Wouldn’titbeworthitall?

RESOLVED:thatIwillboldlyandunashamedlyspeakupforthegospel,admittingmyallegiancetoJesusChristandHisWord,knowingitmightcostmemylifebutcertainthatGod’spresenceisalwayswithmeeventhroughthefire.

6GiveWhenIBarelyHaveEnough

Safetyisn’tjustaword.It’safeeling.Andwhenitcomestomoney,forthelongesttimeinmylifeIdefinedmysafetybymyfinancialcondition.IfIcouldgrowmyfinancialcushionenough,thenI’dfinallybesafe.Itshouldn’thavecomeasasurprisetome,then,thatforovertwentyyearsofmylifeeverytimeIbuiltupthatcushion,Godcompelledmetogiveitaway.Letmebehonestwithyou:atfirstIdidn’tlikeit.Iwantedtobesafemorethananything.IwantedtoknowthatIwouldbeokayonarainyday.Iwantedtobreathemoreeasilyanddreambiggerdreams.Inotherwords,Iwasinbondagetomoney.Mybankaccounthadaclutchholdonmylifeandwasn’tlettinggo.WhileinLebanonImetwithamanwho’sdonemoreforGod’skingdomthan

anyoneIknow.He’sbuiltchurchesandtrainedleaders.Atalmosteightyyearsoldhestilltravelsintodangerzones,wheretheIslamicJihadiskillingChristians,simplytoencouragethechurchandgivehopetotheneedy.ItoldhimthatIwantedtoministertoArabs,andespeciallyMuslims.ItoldhimIwasdesperatetogetinvolvedinministry.Hiseyesgotbigandhesmiled,“Iknowjusttheplaceforyou.IjustgotbackfromKurdistan,”hetoldme.“Andtheyneedapediatrician.Theycanpayfiftydollarsaday.Youcouldmovethererightnow!”Ididn’thavetodothemath.Myhearthadstoppedatfiftydollarsaday.Icouldbarelypayoneofmybillsatfiftydollarsaday.Didn’tthispastorunderstandmyworth?Inthatverysamebreath,IrealizedIhadamoneyproblem.Wearelivinginstressfuldays.Nomatterhowhardwework,itneverseems

toaddup:ourbillsaretoohigh,ourneedsaretoomany,andourabilitytokeepupistoosmall.Evenwhenwedoourbesttocutourexpensesandworkevenharder,moneyisneverenough.Admitit.Weren’tyoutemptedtoskipthischapter?Whoevenhasenergytotalkaboutgivingwhenwebarelyhaveenough?Evenifweweretofindourownpersonalcashcow,mostofuswouldusetheextrafundstopayoffourdebtsandmaybefinallytakethatfamilyvacationwe’vedreamedabout.Aslongaswe’reenslavedtoourwallets,wewillhavelittleimpactonour

Aslongaswe’reenslavedtoourwallets,wewillhavelittleimpactonourculture.TheworldisnotimpressedwithpeoplewhoclaimthatGodismorethanenough,thatJesusisallweneed,andthatwe’relivingforeternitywhenourday-to-daylifestylesreflectanunusualattachmenttothethingsofthisworld.TheworldisunderwhelmedbyChristianswhoclaimthatGodisabletoprovideforourneedswhileallthewhileweclutchourstuffinanxietyandwonderwherewe’llcomeupwithenoughcashtoaffordournewestgadgets.Fewthingswillstickoutinourcultureliketheresolvetopursuealifestyleof

givinggenerouslyandsacrificiallywhenit’sunexpected,unnecessary,oruncomfortable.NothingwillpointtotheworthoftheSaviormorethanourwillingnesstoopenourhandsandgiveallthatwehaveforthesakeofsomethingbiggerthanweare,moreeternalthanwe’lleverbe,andfarmoreimportantthanourtemporaryneeds.

TheAmazingPowerofGiving

There’ssomethingextremelypowerfulaboutgivingwhenyoubarelyhaveenough.Itactuallyfeelsgreat—Imeanitliterallyfeelsgreat.Haveyouexperienceditbefore?I’vefoundthattheharderitisformetopartwithsomething,andthemoreIloveit,thegreatertheblessingIfeelwhenIgiveit.IknowI’mnotaloneinthis.Thereoncewasaboyandhislunch.Neverinhislifetimecouldhehaveexpectedthathislunchofafewcrackersandacoupleoffishwouldmakeitintohistoryforever.Neverinherlifetimecouldhismotherhaveimaginedthathermealthatdaywouldbecomeasymbolofsomuchthatisgoodinthislife.Thecrowdwashungry.ThedisciplesweretiredandbeggedJesustocallita

day.ButJesushadaplanthatwasabouttobloweveryoneaway,andsaid,“Theyneednotgoaway;yougivethemsomethingtoeat”(Matt.14:16).Don’tyouloveitwhenJesusasksyoutodowhatseemsimpossible?Noamountoffoodthatdaycouldhavefedthatcrowd,andthedisciplesknewit.Wasthisajoke?Still,oneofthedisciplesmusthavemadeaneffort,becauseofallthepeopleinthecrowd,oneboysteppedupwithhisbrownpaperbag.Fiveloavesandtwofishwereallhehadbutalsoallhegavewhenhebarelyhadenough(John6:9).Doyoueverwonderwhatcouldhappenifyou’dgiveyouralltoJesuswhen

youbarelyhaveenough?Theneedwillalwaysbesomuchbiggerthanwhatwehavetooffer.It’seasytogetoverwhelmed.ButGodisn’tconcernedwiththesizeoftheneed.He’snotdependentonthesizeofouroffering.WhatGodwants

sizeoftheneed.He’snotdependentonthesizeofouroffering.WhatGodwantsissimplyallthatwehave.“Bringthemheretome,”Jesussaid(Matt.14:18).GiveMewhatyou’vegot.Godwantsonlywhatwehave.Itmayseemlittleoritmaybebig,butallGod

asksforisonlywhatwehave.WhateverisinyourhandiswhatHe’saskingyoutogive.HeasksnotbecauseHeneedsitbutbecauseHeknowsthat’swherethemiraclebegins.Jesusorderedthecrowdtositdown,saidablessing,thenproceededtofeedeverysinglepersoninthecrowd.Witheverybrokenpieceofbreadanotherpersonwasfed.Everyoneate.Everyoneleftsatisfied.Notonewasoverlooked.Anditallstartedwhenoneboygaveallthathehad—justfivelittleloavesandacouplepiecesofsmellyfish.YouwillneverknowthepowerofGodtoprovideforyouuntilyougiveHim

allyouhave.Areyoutemptedtoargueandshowmethatit’sstupidtogiveeverythingtoGod,andthatGoddoesn’twantustobeunwise?You’remissingthepoint,andyoumightjustbeinbiggerfinancialbondagethanyoususpect.Godtellsusawholelotofthingsaboutmoney.Here’sasamplingofHisview

onmoney:

“Loveyourenemies,anddogood,andlend,expectingnothinginreturn,andyourrewardwillbegreat.”(Luke6:35)“Giveanditwillbegiventoyou.Goodmeasure,presseddown,shakentogether,runningover,willbeputintoyourlap.Forwiththemeasureyouuseitwillbemeasuredbacktoyou.”(v.38)“Whenyougivetotheneedy,soundnotrumpetbeforeyou,asthehypocritesdo....Butwhenyougivetotheneedy,donotletyourlefthandknowwhatyourrighthandisdoing.”(Matt.6:2–3)“Donotlayupforyourselvestreasuresonearth,wheremothandrustdestroyandwherethievesbreakinandsteal,butlayupforyourselvestreasuresinheaven,whereneithermothnorrustdestroysandwherethievesdonotbreakinandsteal.Forwhereyourtreasureis,thereyourheartwillbealso.”(vv.19–21)“YoucannotserveGodandmoney.”(v.24)“Theloveofmoneyisarootofallkindsofevils.”(1Tim.6:10)“Butthosewhodesiretoberichfallintotemptation,intoasnare,intomanysenselessandharmfuldesiresthatplungepeopleintoruinanddestruction.”(v.9)“Donotwithholdgoodfromthosetowhomitisdue,whenitisinyour

powertodoit.”(Prov.3:27)“Whoeverhastwotunicsistosharewithhimwhohasnone,andwhoeverhasfoodistodolikewise.”(Luke3:11)“Givetoeveryonewhobegsfromyou,andfromonewhotakesawayyourgoodsdonotdemandthemback.”(6:30)

Doyougetthepoint?MoneymatterstoGod,butwhatGodcaresevenmoreaboutistheconditionofourhearts:DowetrustHim?Mostofusliveinfinancialbondage.Wehavewaytoomuchdebt.Wespend

waytoomuchtimeworryingaboutourbillsandwhatwewilldoincaseofanemergency.WeputourtrustinourdollarsandalmostnevertrustGodwithoursecurityuntilweareinfull-blowncrisismode.Whenitcomestomoney,Godisfairlyclear.First,HewantsustoputallofourtrustinHiminsteadofinourcheckingaccounts.Andsecond,GodwantsustomakewiseandGod-honoringchoiceswiththefundsHe’sgivenus.Whenitcomestomoney,atleastintheWesternworld,we’vescreweditup.

We’vegotpastorslivinginmillion-dollarmansionsandChristianskillingthemselvestomakejustalittlebitmore.Wewatchwhiletherestoftheworldisdyingofhungeranddrinkingfilthywaterfromdirtyrivers.We’reunmovedbythestateofourownbrothersandsistersinChrist,andwhenwearejustalittlebitmoved,ourgivingissomarginalwemightaswellskipit.Nowondertheworldisconfusedbyus.Ontheonehandwesing,“Thisworldisnotmyhome;I’mjustpassing

through,”whileontheotherhandwe’retryinghardtoclaimourpieceofthisworld.Pauldidn’thavetroubleunderstandingthetruth.HehadgivenupeverythingtofollowJesus,andfromthedankprisonfloorhewrotethesewords:“Butourcitizenshipisinheaven,andfromitweawaitaSavior,theLordJesusChrist”(Phil.3:20).ThewriterofHebrewsexplaineditthisway:“Forherewehavenolastingcity,butweareseekingthecitywhichistocome”(Heb.13:14AMP).Andwe’retoldthisasthetestimonyofthosewho’vewalkedaheadofusinfaith:

Thesealldiedinfaith,nothavingreceivedthethingspromised,buthavingseenthemandgreetedthemfromafar,andhavingacknowledgedthattheywerestrangersandexilesontheearth.Forpeoplewhospeakthusmakeitclearthattheyareseekingahomeland.Iftheyhadbeenthinkingofthatlandfromwhichtheyhadgoneout,theywouldhavehadopportunitytoreturn.Butasitis,theydesireabettercountry,thatis,aheavenlyone.(11:13–16)

Areyoulivingwithyourheavenlyhomeinmind?Orisyourheartplantedhereonthisearth?

HowCanIDiagnosetheStateofMyGiving?

Ifyou’restillwithme,chancesareyoureallydowanttomakeadifferenceinyourworld.Youwanttowalkthetalk.YoulongtomakeanimpactforChrist.You’retiredofthestatusquo,andyou’rehungryforabreakthrough.Good.Let’sfigureouthowtoidentifythestateofourgiving.Herearefourdiagnosticteststohelpusassesshowwe’redoingingiving.

1.TheTestofSacrifice

It’scalledthewidow’smitebecauseitwasn’tmuchbiggerthanamite.Whileeveryoneelsewalkeduptotheofferingboxwithheavycoinsandlargesumsofmoney,thepoorwidowshuffledupwithnothingbuttwosmallcoinsworthapenny.Jesussawthewholethingandcommendedthewidow.“Thispoorwidowhasputinmorethanallthosewhoarecontributingtotheofferingbox.Fortheyallcontributedoutoftheirabundance,butsheoutofherpovertyhasputineverythingshehad,allshehadtoliveon”(Mark12:43–44).Areyougivinguntilithurts?Ifyou’renot,itmightnotbeenough.Mygoal

isn’ttotellyouhowmuchtogive,butIdoknowthepatterninScripture.OverandoveragainpeoplelefteverythingtofollowJesus,andoverandoveragainGodprovidedforthem.WhenyougiveHimwhatyouhave,Hewilldowhatyoucan’t.Stopworryingabouthowyou’regoingtoliveandresolvetofollowthewidow’sexample.Givesacrificially.Giveuntilithurts.Givewhereveryouseeaneed.Andyou’llsee.Theworldwillsitupandpayattention.

2.TheTestofRidicule

InJohn12it’sMary,Lazarus’ssister,who’sridiculedforgivingtoomuch.OverwhelmedwithgratitudeforallChristhaddoneforherandforwhomsherecognizedHimtobe,MarytookapoundofperfumeandwashedJesus’sfeetwithit,usingherhairtowipethem.Herofferingcosthersomuch.Judas,wholaterbetrayedJesusforthirtypiecesofsilver,laughedather,andasked,“Whywasthisointmentnotsoldforthreehundreddenariiandgiventothepoor?”(v.5).Hedidn’tcareaboutthepoor,buthedidcareaboutmoney.Mostofthepeoplewhowillridiculeourgivinghavenotdeeplytastedthe

graceoftheLordJesusChrist.Theyhavenounderstandingofthemeaningoftheabundantlife.Paulcommandedustosetourmindsonheavenlythings,notonearthlythings(Col.3:2).Themindthatisfixedonheavenlythingswilldocrazyandradicalstuff.TakemyfriendJackieasanexample.Mostpeopletakeiteasyafterretirement.Theytravelandread.NotJackie.Atsixty-fiveshesawaneedandactedonit.Shepouredherownsavingsintobuyinganapartmenttouseasasafehouseforabusedwomen—inWestBeirut,ofallplaces!Today,sevenyearslater,Jackiegetscallsinthemiddleofthenighttocounselvictimsofabuse.ShetoldmehowrecentlymembersofHezbollahdrovearoundthecityandontheverystreetwherethehouseislocated,insearchofawomanwhohadsoughtshelterthere.Jackiewasonherkneeswiththewomeninthehouse,praying,whileGodgavethemtheprotectiontheyneeded.Jackiecontinuestoridiculouslypourfundsandenergyandtimeintohelpinga

handfulofwomenoutoftheirlifeofbondage.SomehaveturnedtoJesuswhileothershavenot,butallhavetastedtheloveoftheSavioratleastforamoment.I’mamazedbywhatGodhasdonethroughJackieasshehasgivenHimrightfulownershipofallthatshehas.SomemaymockJackieforhereffortsandconsiderherunwiseandwithoutconcernforherownsafety,butthosewhohaveexperiencedthejoyandgraceofdangerousgivingareinspiredbyherexampletodoevenmoreforthesakeofthegospel.

3.TheTestofJoy

I’maverydisciplinedandprincipledperson,andIbelieveGod’spromises.Assuch,Ihavemadeitapointtocontinuetithingevenduringseasonsoffinancialstraininmylife.ButforthesakeoffulldisclosureIhavetoadmitthatthereisatestI’vefailedmoreoftenthanIlike.It’sthetestofcheerfulgiving.“Eachonemustgiveashehasdecidedinhisheart,notreluctantlyorundercompulsion,forGodlovesacheerfulgiver”(2Cor.9:7).Sadlymanyofusgivebecausewebelieveintheprincipleofsowingand

reaping.Whiletheprincipleisagoodandbiblicalone—GoddoespromisetoblessuswhenwecheerfullygivetoHim(2Cor.9:6–11)—wehavetheknackofmoldingitintoourownversionofaChristianbenefitsplan.BecausewewantGodtoblessus,wegive,butwedosoreluctantlyorundercompulsion.I’vebeenguiltyofgivingbecauseIwantGodtoreapbountifullyinmylife.Haven’tyoutoo?WefigurethatifwegiveGodHisdue,He’llgiveusourdue.Thetruthisthatwewillneverout-giveGod.Andthiskindofgivingisnottrueworship.CheerfulgivingsaysmuchmoreaboutourGodthansimplygivingoutofduty.CheerfulgivingisanactoftrustthatshoutsoutthatourGodisabletodofarmorethanwecanaskorimaginesimplybecauseHe’sgood.AndthatevenifHedoesn’tprovideanimmediate,tangiblereturn,He’sstillworthyofourpraise.CheerfulgivingisanactofworshipthatelevatesGodtoHisrightfulplaceandhighlightsHistruecharacter.Dennisisafriendofmine.Abouttwentyyearsagohehadjuststarted

followingJesusandwastryingtofigureoutnewlifeinChrist.OneSundayhispastortaughtthecongregationthislawofsowingandreaping.Dennisdecidedtotakeupthechallengeofgiving.Thatfirstyear,DennisexpectedGodtohonorhisgiving.Instead,hisbusinessdidworsethananyotheryeartodate.Denniswenttohispastorwithresentfulquestions.HispastorfeltbadbutheldontoGod’sWord.“Dennis,”hesaid,“I’mnotsurewhyyourbusinesshasdoneworsenowthatyou’vedecidedtohonorGodwithyourfinances,butIknowwhatGod’sWordsays.”Dennisresolvedtokeepongiving.Thatfollowingyear,andeveryyearsincethattime,GodhasblessedDennisaboveandbeyondwhathecouldimagine.GivingisnolongerahardshipforDennis.Itishiscompletejoy.It’shisnewwayofliving.Dennisretiredafewyearsago,andtodayhevolunteersasanartteachertochildrensimplybecausehe’slookingforevenmorewaystogive!Godisalwaysfaithful.Youtakethetestofgivingcheerfullyandyou’llfindoutforyourselfjustlikeDennisdid.

4.TheTestofNeed

TheprophetElijahwenttoZarephathtostayinawidow’shouse.Theseweredaysoffamine,yetthefirstthingElijahdiduponarrivingwastoaskthewidowforwaterandforbread.Overwhelmedbyherownneed,thewidowsheepishlyanswered,“AstheLORDyourGodlives,Ihavenothingbaked,onlyahandfulofflourinajarandalittleoilinajug”(1Kings17:12).Elijahwasundeterred.“Donotfear;goanddoasyouhavesaid.Butfirstmakemealittlecakeofitandbringittome,andafterwardmakesomethingforyourselfandyourson”(v.13).Elijah’srequestmayhavesoundedarrogant,butitwasn’t.Itwasatestoffaith.WouldthewidowtrustGodtomeetherneedwhenthatneedbecamedesperate?Wouldshestepoutinobedienceevenwhenshebarelyhadenough?Godmorethanmetherneed.Heractoffaithwasgreatlyrewarded.Fortheentireseasonoffaminethewidowandherfamilyhadmorethanenoughforalloftheirneeds.Thejarofflourwasneverspentandthejugofoilwasneverempty.YouwillneverputGodtothetestandfindHimlacking.Infact,God

challengesustoputHimtothetestinMalachi3.WhenwegivetoHimsacrificiallyandcheerfullyandconsistentlyandworshipfully,HewillopenthewindowsofheavenandpourHisblessingonus.

I’mnotapastor.I’mnotgoingtoendthissectionwithacallforanoffering.Yourmoneymakesnodifferencetome.Buthere’swhatIdoknow:moneydoesnotsatisfy.Themoreyoumake,themoreyouwillneed.Ishouldknow.Ineverseemtomakeenough.We’relivingindayswherepeopleneedhope.Peoplearelookingforanswersthatsatisfyandforlightinthedarkness.WhatifGodweretoraiseupagenerationlessconcernedwithpersonalcomfortandmoreconcernedwithpersonalsacrifice?Untilweresolvetogiveevenwhenwebarelyhaveenough,wewillhaveno

influenceinaworldthatismotivatedanddrivenbygreedandmaterialpossessions.Wemustresolvetobedifferent.Wearedifferent.WearefollowersoftheKing.Heownsthecattleonathousandhills.Hecontrolsourworldineverydetailofitsfunctioning.Wedon’thavetobeafraidofnaturaldisasters.Wedon’thavetoworryaboutthefuture.WecanrestknowingthatHewillguideourways.

ExcusesWeMakeforNotGiving

Sowhydon’twegive?IfwesaywebelieveGodisourproviderandthatHewantsustogive,whythendon’twedoitmorefreely?Why,inacrowdoffivethousandadults,didonlyonekidofferhislunchtomeettheneedathand?Whyisitsohardtoapplywhatwebelieveaboutgiving?Ibelievetherearefourcommonexcusesweusefornotgiving.

1.IDon’tTrusttheChurch

ToomanyChristianshavebecomecynicalaboutthechurch.Intheeraofmega-churchesandcelebritypastors,it’snothardtobecomejadedwhenitcomestogivingtothechurch.WhenyourpastorshowsupinaJagandminuteslaterispreachingabouttheimportanceofhelpingthepoor,it’seasytorollyoureyesandoverlooktheofferingplatewhenit’spassed.ThethingaboutgivingtoGodisthatyoudon’thavetotrustthechurch.You

simplyhavetotrusttheLord.Don’tgetmewrong.Godgaveyouabrainandtheabilitytomakedecisions,butifyoudon’ttrustyourchurchenoughtogivetoit,itmightbetimetofindanewchurch.Nomatterwhereyougotochurch,though,GodholdspeopleaccountableindividuallyforhowwestewardwhatHe’sgivenus.Noneofwhatwehaveisourstobeginwith.It’sallHis.Whenyouthinkaboutit,we’veallbeengivenawholelotofgraceforactinglikeit’sours.

2.I’llDoItWhenI’mRich

“Tomorrow,tomorrow,Iloveyoutomorrow,you’realwaysadayaway.”Whenitcomestogiving,fewexcusesareaspowerfulastheexcusethatyou’llgivewhenyoumakejustalittlebitmore.Butyou’renevergoingtofeellikeyouhaveenough.Ifyoudon’tgivewhenyou’repoor,youwon’tgivewhenyou’rerich.Givingisamatteroftheheart.It’sareflectionofwhoandwhatyouworship.Stopwaitingforthemoodtostrike.Itneverwill.Startwalkingbyfaithandgivesacrificiallynomatterhowmuchyournetincomeis.You’renevertooyoungtolearntheseprinciples.Mynephewsaretenandtwelve.They’retaughtthesamebiblicalprinciplesthatyouandIknowfromGod’sWord.Whentheymakeaslittleasonedollar,theyhaveasaying:“Wegivesome,wesavesome,andwespendsome.”Theygetit.Thequestionis,doyou?

3.IDon’tBelieveinthePrincipleofTithing

Christiansarefunny.Wespiritualizeeverything.Ican’ttellyouhowoftenI’veheardpeoplearguethattheydon’tgivebecausetheybelievethattithingisanOldTestamentprinciplethatnolongerappliestousasfollowersofJesus.Here’swhatIdoknow:theearlychurchwasagivingchurch.Theygaveso

muchthatnooneinthechurchhadunmetneeds.Theypooledtheirresourcestogetherandtheygave.Infact,herearetheexactwordsfromActs:“Andallwhobelievedweretogetherandhadallthingsincommon.Andtheyweresellingtheirpossessionsandbelongingsanddistributingtheproceedstoall,asanyhadneeds”(2:44–45).Wanttoknowtheresultofthisradicalkindofliving?“AndtheLordaddedtotheirnumberdaybydaythosewhowerebeingsaved”(v.47).Thechurchgrew.Revivalensued.Theculturewasturnedupsidedown.If

you’rethirstytoseeyourworldchange,youmightwanttostartlivingliketheearlychurchdid.Lookforneedandmeetit.Stoplivingsosafely.Give.It’saninvestmentthatkeepsongiving.Iknowwhatyou’rethinking.You’rewonderingifI’vegoneoffthedeepend.

Ihavenot.I’mnotaskingyoutosellyourhouseandliveonthestreet.I’mnoteventellingyoutothrowawayyourclothesorgiveawayallyoursavings.I’mjustsuggestingthatweeachoughttostoplongenoughtolistentoGod’svoicewhenitcomestohowwe’respendingtheresourcesHe’sgivenustosteward.WemightbesurprisedwhatHetellsus.WemightfindoutthatHe’sfarmoreinterestedinyouhelpingotherpeoplethaninbuyinganotherhome.Youmightevenendupmakingsomeseriouschangesinyourlifestyle.

4.I’llTrustGodtoProvidefortheNeedy

IfGodcandoanything,whycan’tHejustprovidefortheneedy?Isn’tthatGod’sjob?Whydoesn’tHejustdothemiracle?ThebestpartaboutGod’skingdomisthatHeusesus,peoplelikeyouandme,toexpandHiskingdom.Heusesourgifts.Heusesourresources.Heusesourlivestomakeadifferenceinothers’.Wegettobeapartoftheprocess.Itoldyouearlierthateverytimemyfinancialsafetynetgrew,Godcompelledmetogiveabigchunkofitaway.AtfirstIwasfrustratedwithGod.IeventriedtoignoreHim.Butineveryoccurrence,Hisleadingwasclear.Andhere’swhatIlearned:inallmyyearsofliving,IhaveneveronceregrettedgivingGodHisdue.I’veneverbeeninneed.Notevenonce.TherehavebeentimeswhereI’vefeltsomefinancialstrain,butit’sthekindofstrainthathasdrivenmetomykneesinprayer.AsI’veprayed,Godhasprovided—overandoveragain.Andmystoryisnotunique.GeorgeMuellerisafavoriteinmyfamily.Mynephewsareobsessedwith

GeorgeMuellerisafavoriteinmyfamily.Mynephewsareobsessedwithhim.Manyhaveattemptedtominimizehisfaith.“ThemythofGeorgeMueller,”somehavewritten.Irespectfullydisagreewithhiscritics.GeorgeMuellerwasamanwhobelievedGod.Heneveraskedfordonations.Hesimplylaidtheneedoutandprayed.OverandoveragainGodprovided,notjustforhisneedsbutforeverychildhecaredforinhisorphanage.IthinkaboutthenumberoflivesimpactedbyGeorgeMueller.WewillspendeternityhearingthegorgeousdetailsoffaithfulfollowersofJesuswhogavefaithfullyexpectingnothinginreturn.Ifyou’relookingtochangeyourworld,resolvetogivewhenyoubarelyhave

enough.ResolvetobelievethatGodnotonlycanbutwillprovideforyourneed.GodwilltakethelittlethatyougiveHimandturnitintomuch.He’sfaithfulandHe’sgood.He’llneverletyoudown.Justaskthelittleboywiththebrownpaperbag.He’lltellyouthatit’swhenyouletgoofwhat’sinyourhandthatyou’llseethemiraclehappen.

RESOLVED:thatIwillneverholdbackfromgivingcheerfullyandwillinglyevenwhenIbarelyhaveenough,knowingthatGodisalwaysfaithfulandwillalwaysprovideforallofmyneeds.

7BeinCommunityWhenI’d

RatherBeAlone

I’matypicalsingle.IliveintheparadoxofcomplainingaboutbeingalonebutI’malsoanexpertatavoidingcommunity.Irecognizemyneedforpeoplebutrunfromsmall-groupgatherings.IwantotherstoreachouttomebutfeelburdenedbyanyinsinuationthatI’mtoreachouttoothers.IamquicktocomeupwithalistofreasonswhyIcan’tcommittothefewinvitationsthatcomemywaybutalsoquicktocomplainwheneveryonestopsinvitingmeover.Ifyouconnectwithanyoftheseisolationtechniques,thenyoumightnotlike

thischapter.Whenitcomestolivingbyresolve,nodecisionwillimpactyourworldmorethanthedecisiontoliveincommunity.Yetmostofusrunatthementionoftheword.I’mwritingthischapterlessthanaweekafterreturningfrommybirthcountry

ofLebanon.InthetendaysIwasthere,IwasinvitedtomorehomesthaninthelastyearintheUnitedStates.IwasfedmoremealsandcalledmoretimesthanIcouldkeepcountof.WeintheWesternworldliveourlivesdifferently.Ourcultureisfacingan

endemicofindependenceandisolationismlikeneverbefore.Withsinglenessratesashighas53percentofthepopulation,wehavebecomeaccustomedtolivingonourown.TheeffectsarenotonlydetrimentalbutcountertoGod’splanforus.ItwilltakesomeseriousresolvetochooseGod’swayofcommunitywhenwe’veadjustedtobeingalone.

CreatedforRelationship

Ifyou’renotsurethatGodvaluescommunity,youcangoallthewaytothebeginningforsomeproof.InGenesis1,GodrevealsHimselfasaGodin

community:“Letusmakemaninourimage,afterourlikeness”(Gen.1:26).WhowasHereferringto?The“Us”ofGodcontinuestobeamysterybutisareferencetotheTrinity:GodtheFather,GodtheSon,andGodtheHolySpirit.ThiskindofcommunityisuniquetotheGodoftheBible.ThisisaGodwholovesrelationship.InGenesis2,whenGodcreatedAdam,HeassessedallthatHehadcreatedandsaid,“Itisnotgoodthatthemanshouldbealone;Iwillmakehimahelperfitforhim”(v.18).AndsoEvewascreated.Godlovespeople.Helovesrelationship.Helovescommunity.NowonderHe

createdthechurchandcalleditthebody,thebrideofChrist.HecametoearthintheformofahumannamedJesusinordertomakeawayforustobeincommunitywithHim.Weareonlyaffordedonerightinourlifetime,anditistherighttobecalledchildrenofGod(John1:12).TheminuteweplaceourfaithinJesusandreceiveHimintoourhearts,we’readoptedinGod’sfamily.Nowthat’srelationshipinitshighestform!YetdespiteGod’sloveforrelationship,anddespiteGod’splantoputusin

relationshipwithHimselfandwithotherpeoplethroughHischurch,werunandhidefromrelationshipslikenobody’sbusiness.Weoftenchoosetoisolateourselves,evenwhenwe’reinacrowd.Walkintoanypublicforumandyou’llcatchmyriadsofpeoplewiththeir

headsdown,staringatapalm-sizedscreen,lostinanotherworld.Alone.Walkintoanychurchtodayandyou’llfindthesamething.Weavoidlookingintopeople’seyeslesttheydemandmorefromus.Weplacewell-builtwallsaroundourlivesanddareanyonetocrossthoseinvisiblebarriers.Nowonderourimpactissolimited.Peopleareafraidtoapproachus.Theycanreadourbodylanguage.Theycantellwedon’thavetime,interest,orenergyforthem.Isuppose,whenyouthinkaboutit,it’seasiertobealone.It’ssafertoisolate.

Butultimatelyit’sunwiseanditwillruinustocontinuedownthepathofisolationism.Weweremadeformore.Wewerecreatedforfellowship,andI’mnottalkingaboutapplepieandcoleslawinachurchbasement.I’mtalkingaboutrealfellowship,realcommunity,andrealpeople.

WhyDoWeAvoidCommunity?

Beforewecanbegintotalkaboutwhatrealcommunityis,it’simportanttozoneinonwhywechoosetoisolateourselvesinsteadoflivingincommunity.Thebestwaytounderstanditistostudytheposterwomanforisolationism.Wemeet

bestwaytounderstanditistostudytheposterwomanforisolationism.WemeetherinJohn4.Shedoesn’tevenhaveaname.Eventodaywestilljustcallher“theSamaritanwoman.”She’sbeenthere.She’sdonethat.Andfrankly,she’stiredofitall.Soshe’ssetherownpathinthisworld.She’sdoinglifeonherterms,andshe’sallaloneatthewell.Onething’sforsure,theSamaritanwomanwasn’tlookingforanencounter

withthedivineonthatparticularday.Shewasn’tlookingforcommunity.Andshecertainlywasn’tlookingforconversation.Ifshehadbeen,shemighthavechosenadifferenttimetogotothewell.Insteadshechosethenoonhourtofillherjarofwater.Itwasthehottesthouroftheday.Isupposeifyou’retryingtoavoidrunningintoanyone,that’sexactlywhenyou’dgotothewell.InthecaseoftheSamaritanwoman,thatwaspreciselyhergoal.WhywastheSamaritanwomanlookingtobealone?Therearetypicallyfourreasonswechoosetoisolateourselvesfromothers.

1.WeArePainfullyAwareofOurPast

TheSamaritanwomanhadapast.She’dhadaroughgooflife.She’dbeenmarriedfivetimesandwaspresentlylivingwithamanwhowasnotherhusband.Youmightmisstheseverityofherissuesintoday’sculture.Iknowawomantodaywhosemotherhasbeenmarriedninetimes,soinourWesterncontextwemightthinkthatmultiplemarriagesandalive-inboyfriendaren’tbiggies.Butbackthen,andeventodayinMiddleEasternculture,theSamaritanwomanwascarryingsomeprettyheavysinfulbaggage.Sheknewexactlywhatandwhoshewas.Sosheavoidedothers.Shehid.Shechosetoisolateherselffromtheaccusinglooksofothers.Theoppositeofisolationisintimacy.It’shardtobeintimatewithothers,and

toopenyourlifetothem,whenyou’reweigheddownbytheburdenofyourownsinfulandwrongchoices.It’seasiertohide.I’vebeentherebefore.ThelastplaceIwanttobewhenI’mchoosingtosinisinthepresenceofotherswhomightfindoutexactlywhoIreallyam.Haveyoueverbeentherebefore?It’saheavyweighttocarry,anditmightbetimetoletitgo.

2.OthersArePainfullyAwareofOurPast

Theonlythingworsethanknowingwhoweareisthenotionthat“they”knowwhoweare.Ifyouliveinasmalltown,you’veprobablyfeltthiskindofshame.Youhearthewhispers.Youcatchthestares.FortheSamaritanwoman,theweightoftheshamewassoheavythatshetookgreatcaretoavoidevenrunningintothevillagersatthewell.Shechosethehottesthourofthedaytocoverhershame.Theysaysticksandstoneswillbreakourbonesbutwordswillneverhurtus.Yeah,right.We’veallexperiencedtheunbearableshameofotherpeople’swords.It’sfarmorepainfulthananywoundaknifecanwield.ThelastthingtheSamaritanwomanexpectedthatdayatthewellwasthevery

presenceofJesus.Hesoughtheroutwhennooneelsewould.Hefoundherevenwhenshewasn’tlookingforanswers.IwonderwhatwentthroughtheSamaritanwoman’smindonthatdaywhensheshoweduptothewellandfoundamanwaiting.IwonderifshelookeddownandavoidedHisgaze.Iwonderifshetriedtoturnaroundandleave.Shamehasawayofkeepingusfromliving.Whatareyouashamedof?Isit

yourpast?Isityourpresent?Isitthemistakesofyourhusbandorchildren?Isitanillnessyoucan’thide?Whileotherpeoplemighttrytoshameyou,ChristinHislovecomesnearyou.HeknowswhoyouareandHelovesyou.That’swherecommunitystarts.

3.WeAreAshamedofOurPast

IhatefeelinglikeI’montheoutsidelookingin.Itdoesn’ttakemuchformetofallintothetrapofself-condemnation.I’msuchafool.HowdidIletithappentome—again?I’museless,worthless,friendless.Nowondertheydon’twanttobearound

me.I’llneveramounttoanything.I’mgoodfornothing.Ifyou’veeverfeltlikethisthenyouunderstandthepowerofself-

condemnation.Ifyou’reafollowerofJesusChristthereisnoroomforliesinyourlife.Aren’tyoutiredofpunishingyourselfoutoflivinglifetothefullest?Manyofusisolateourselvesasaformofpunishmentforourmistakesandinsecurities.WhileGodhatesoursin,Heloveseachofusdeeply.HelovesussodeeplythatJesusleftHisfriendsinthemiddleoftheday,anddespitebeinghungryandexhaustedHemadeHiswaytotheleastlikelyplaceintheleastlikelyvillagetospeakwiththeleastlikelypersonintheworld:aSamaritanandawomannoless.TheSamaritanswereconsideredapeoplewhowere“lessthan”theJews.Theywereavoidedatallcost.Andwomen...well,womendidn’tevendeservetospeakinpublicplaces.YetJesusfoundtheSamaritanwomanwiththemessed-uppastsimplybecauseHelovedher.Helovesyoutoo.Nomatterwhatyou’vedoneorwhereyou’vebeen,Godlovesyouandthinksyou’reworthit.“SeewhatanincrediblequalityoflovetheFatherhasshowntous,thatwewould[bepermittedto]benamedandcalledandcountedthechildrenofGod”(1John3:1AMP).That’samazinggrace.

4.WePunishOurselvesforOurPast

I’vewrittenmuchaboutself-pityinmylifebecauseI’vefallenpreytoitsooften.Likeanunexpectedpothole,self-pitytripsmeupandkeepsmestuckwhenIleastexpectit.I’mtoosingle,tooscarred,toougly,tootalkative,andtooabrasivetobeincludedinthethrong.Woeisme.Isinkdeepintothepitofself-pitywithlittlehopefordeliverance.ElisabethElliothassaidofself-pitythat“Itisadeaththathasnoresurrection,asinkholefromwhichnorescuinghandcandragyoubecauseyouhavechosentosink.”TheideathatwedeservewhatwegetisvoidofthetruthofGod’slove.WedeservewhatwegetuntilJesuswalksin.WedeservewhatwegetuntilChristpaidtheprice.WedeservewhatwegetuntilJesussetsusfree.Doyouavoidrelationshipwithothersbecauseofthesensethatyoudon’tdeservethegraceofcommunity?It’scalledgracebecauseit’sundeserved,andit’syoursinChristtoday.

Whatisitthat’skeepingyoufromlifeincommunity?Areyouhidinginsin?Areyousinkinginself-pity?Areyoupunishingyourselfforyourownmistakes?Orareyousimplyashamed?Ifyou’renotcareful,you’llfindyourselfaloneatnoonintheheatoftheday.Yourwoundswillfester.Yourimpactwillbeblunted.Prettysoonyou’llfindyourselfstuckinapatternofdefeatthatwillrobyouofjoy.Itwillrobyouofyourfreedom.Itwillrobyouofanysortofpowerinyourlife.

DealingwithSelectiveAuthenticity

Whenitcomestofixingourproblemoflonelinessandisolationism,toomanyofusattempttofixourproblemswithourownsolutions.It’stimetotalkaboutselectivevulnerabilityandpartialauthenticity.I’vediscoveredanew“four-letterword.”It’sthewordvulnerable.Tobe

vulnerableistobesusceptibletobeingwoundedorhurt.It’sopeningyourselfuptoattack.It’ssettingyourselfupforpossiblerejectionandpain.Thatdoesn’tsoundlikesomethingIwanttosignupfor,doyou?Yetwhenitcomestofindingtrueintimacy,it’simpossibletoaccomplishwithoutvulnerability.

ThislongingforintimacythatwehaveisGod-given.Whetheryou’resingleormarried,maleorfemale,Godcreatedyouforintimacy.Theproblemmostofushaveisthatwe’vetriedthepathofvulnerabilityandfailed.Weopenedourselvesup,andtheverythingwedreadedhappened.Wewerehurt.Andifwe’rehonestwitheachother,wedon’teverwanttofeelthatkindofpainagain.Thefearoffuturehurtsimplyoutweighsourwillingnesstoriskbeingvulnerableagain.Ourpasthurtskeepusfromfutureintimacy.Sowesettleforselectiveauthenticitywithoutbeingcompletelyvulnerable.Wechoosethepiecesofourselvestosharewitheachother.Wemakeourselveslookbetterthanwereallyfeel.Andwewakeupandfindourselvesstillalone,stilllongingtobelovedandacceptedbeyondourwildestimagination.YouknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.Youshowuptosmallgroupandconvince

yourselfthatyou’relivingincommunity.Youtellthemexactlywhatyouwantthemtohear.You’retruthful—toapoint.You’reauthentic—aslongasitstayswithintherealmofsafety.You’reselectivelyvulnerable,andyouknowlittleoftruecommunity.Youleaveyourcommunityjustasaloneaswhenyouenteredandwonder

whytheChristianlifefeelssotrite.Youself-medicatewithmoresin.Youself-protectwithmoredenialandhiding.Yougiveup.Butwhatyoudon’texpectisJesus,sittingbythesideofthewell,waitingtobreakthroughyourlongingforintimacy.InPsalm139thepsalmist,KingDavid,stumblesupontrueintimacyandis

foreverchanged.“OLORD,youhavesearchedmeandknownme!YouknowwhenIsitdownandwhenIriseup;youdiscernmythoughtsfromafar....IfIascendtoheaven,youarethere!IfImakemybedinSheol,youarethere!”(vv.1–2,8).Davidunderstoodthatthoughhewasmoresinfulandflawedthanheever

daredbelieve,hewasalsomorelovedandacceptedthanheeverdaredhope,toborrowaturnofphrasefromTimKeller.HisresponsewastomakehimselfevenmorevulnerabletotheloveofGod.Heendsthepsalmwithaplea:“Searchme,OGod,andknowmyheart!”(v.23).ThereissafetyintheperfectloveofGod,andthatlovefindsitspinnacleatthecross.ThecrossistheplacewhereyouandIaretotallyseen—allofoursin,ourimperfections,ourfailures,andourneedsliebarebeforetheeyesoftheSavior,whostillchosetoloveusenoughtodieforus.Ifyou’relookingforthefreestformofliving,itstartswithafour-letterwordcalledlove.OnlyJesuscanhealourhurts.OnlyHecangiveustheintimacywelongfor.TherewasatimeinmylifethatIclungtosin.Iwashurtingandlonely,and

Godhadn’tansweredmyprayersthewayIwantedHimto.Tobecompletelyhonest,IwasdisappointedwithGod.IhadassumedthatifIplayedmypart,then

honest,IwasdisappointedwithGod.IhadassumedthatifIplayedmypart,thenHe’ddeliverHis.Itdidn’thavetobeexactlywhatIhadinmind,butIexpectedHimtolandinthegeneralvicinity.Instead,itseemedlikeIwasontheSouthPoleandGodontheNorth.Ididn’tcareforHiswayssoIchosemyown.Ifoundahabitortwothat

broughtmecomfortandturnedtotheminsteadofrunningtoHim.Iwasutterlyandabsolutelymiserable.Myoldpastorusedtosay,“Choosetosin,choosetosuffer.”That’soneofthemosttruthfulstatementsI’veeverheard.Themoreyoumedicateyoursinfullifestylewithmoresin,thedeeperyourmiserywillbe.OnlyhonestrepentanceandtruthfulsubmissiontoGod’swayswillprovideyouthefreedomthatyou’reseekingandthejoyyoulongfor.Onceyourverticalrelationshipishealedyou’llbereadytodealwithother

people.Theproblemwithpeopleisthattheycanbemean.Theysaythingstheyshouldn’tsayanddothingstheyshouldn’tdo.Theydon’tunderstandsimplebodylanguage.Theydemandthickskinthatisoftenmissingwhenwe’rewounded.ButwhenChristhealsourwounds,we’refinallyreadytofacethemusic.JesuscametotheSamaritanwoman.Hefoundherbythewell.Herefusedto

settleforsuperficialconversationandputHisfingeronhergaping,bleedingwoundinstead.HepresseduntiltheSamaritanwomanwasreadytotalk.Heconfrontedherwithhersins.HerevealedHimselftoher.ThenHeofferedherintimacyasnooneelsecould.Helovedherwithalovethatisunspeakableandunconditionalandunstoppable.There’snothingascompellingasChrist’slovetochangeus.There’snothing

thatwillturnourlivesupsidedownlikeHislove.ThemomentwechoosetosurrendertoHiswaysisthemomentwe’reunleashedforjoy.Thewoman“leftherwaterjarandwentawayintotownandsaidtothepeople,‘ComeseeamanwhotoldmeallthatIeverdid.CanthisbetheChrist?’”(John4:28–29).WhenChristbecomesourfocus,ourprioritiesarereordered.Ourhungeris

sated,andourthirstissatisfied.Nolongerareourphysicalneedsourhighestgoal.Wecanletgoofourwaterjugsandofthethingswethoughtwedesperatelyneeded.Wecanfinallygobacktothecrowdintotalvulnerabilityandauthenticity.TruevulnerabilityisthewillingnesstoadmittootherswhatGodalreadyknowsaboutwhoweare.TheSamaritanwomannolongerneededtohide.Shedeclarestriumphantly,“Come,seeamanwhotoldmeallthatIeverdid”(v.28).HavingbeencompletelyknownandstilllovedbyJesus,havingbeensetfreefromhersin,shewasreadytotakeoffherfaçadeandstanduptoheraccusers.There’spowerinknowingthat“Thereisthereforenownocondemnationfor

thosewhoareinChristJesus”(Rom.8:1).Noonecanaccuseyouonceyou’ve

thosewhoareinChristJesus”(Rom.8:1).Noonecanaccuseyouonceyou’vebeensetfreebytheSavior.WhentheJudgeoftheworldfreesyouofyourguilt,younolongerneedtohide.Youarenowfreetoloveotherswell.

WhatHappensNext?

Thinkaboutit:thetownwhorewasabouttoleadarevivalmeeting.Thewomannoonewantedtobearoundhadbecomesocompellingthateveryoneintowncameouttoseewhatallthefusswasabout.Here’swhathappened:

ManySamaritansfromthattownbelievedinhimbecauseofthewoman’stestimony,“HetoldmeallthatIeverdid.”SowhentheSamaritanscametohim,theyaskedhimtostaywiththem,andhestayedtheretwodays.Andmanymorebelievedbecauseofhisword.Theysaidtothewoman,“Itisnolongerbecauseofwhatyousaidthatwebelieve,forwehaveheardforourselves,andweknowthatthisisindeedtheSavioroftheworld.”(John4:39–42,emphasisadded)

WhenGodturnsyourlifeupsidedowneveryonewillnotice.TheSamaritanwomansuddenlyhadanewsmallgroup.Shenolongerhatedchurch.Sheevenjoinedthechoir.Doyouwanttoknowthecharacteristicsofagodlycommunity?TruecommunitycentersonacommonbeliefthatJesusistheLight.ItfocusesonGod’sWord.ItismadeupofimperfectpeopleandoneperfectSavior.Thereasonsomanysmallgroupsandchurchesfailisthatweforgetthe

characteristicsoftruecommunity.WeminimizetheimportanceofGod’sWord.WeforgetourcommonbeliefinarisenSavior.Butmostly,weforgetthatwe’resinnerssavedbygrace.Weexpecteachothertobeperfect.OnlyChrist’slovewillfreeustocontinueinauthenticvulnerabilityandtotalauthenticity,andthereinisfreedom.Youmightstillbehangingatthewellintheheatoftheday,unwillingtobe

seenorknown.Ormaybeyou’veencounteredtheSavioroftheworldbutyourefusetoletgoofyourjugandrunbacktothevillagers.Youmighthavetrieditandbeenlaughedatandridiculed.You’vedecidedtoneveragainreachouttothem.You’restillalone.You’reanexpertatisolatingyourselffromtheworld.Butwhatiftodayyouresolvedtodowhateverittakestoliveincommunity?

Whatifyourefusedtosettleforselectiveauthenticity?Whatifyouwereonceagainwillingtobevulnerable,knowingthatChristaloneisyourhealer,theonlyOnewhocaneasethepainyoumightfeel?You’resafetobevulnerablebecauseofGod’sperfectloveforyou.ImaginehowmuchfulleryourlifecouldbeifyoufeltfreeenoughtobeyourselfwiththepeopleGodhasputinrelationshipwithyou.Imaginehowmuchhappieryouwouldbeifyoustoppedhidingallthescarsinyourlife.Wespendsomuchtimehidingourscars.Yeteachonetellsastory.

inyourlife.Wespendsomuchtimehidingourscars.Yeteachonetellsastory.I’moneofthosepeoplewhoprefertohidemyscars.Ispentthreeyearsina

smallgroupbeforeIfeltbraveenoughandsafeenoughtositdownwithmysmallgroupleaderandadmitmybattlewithlust.Iwassoafraidshe’dlookdownonmeandrejectme.Instead,shemetmewiththeloveandthegraceoftheSavior.Ifiguredifshecouldlovemedespitemyscars,howmuchmoredidChrist,whodiedforme,trulylavishHisloveonme?Christ’slovesetsthecaptivefreeandbreakseveryyokeofbondage.AnditisinthecontextofsafecommunitythatChrist’sloveismostdeeplydemonstratedandvictoryisclaimed.

There’sonemorethingtoconsider:Who’stheSamaritanwomaninyourlife?There’sawellwhereyoulive,andeverydayaroundnoonsomeoneshowsuptoit.Thatsomeoneiswaitingforyou.We’relivingindayswherepeoplearehurting.It’seasytoignorethem.It’ssafertoavoidthem.Jesuswastiredandhungry.MostnormalpeoplewouldhaveavoidedSamaria.Theywouldhavechosenaneasierroad.Butwe’renotnormalpeople.WearefollowersoftheSavior.We’vebeencalledtolovewhenit’sinconvenientandgowhereotherswon’tgo.Thelong,hardwayiscalling.WhowillgotoSamaria?Ifyou’relookingtochangeyourworldforChrist,resolvetobevulnerable

whenit’seasiernotto.Resolvetobeincommunitywhenyou’dratherbealone.ResolvetolovethewayJesusloved—unconditionallyandselflessly.Whoknowswhatcouldhappenonasunnydayatnoonbyawell?

RESOLVED:thatIwillrefusetohideinisolationandintentionallychooseauthenticcommunity,knowingthatIhavegreatsafetyandfreedominChrist’slovethatsetsmefreetoloveothersinawaythatwillchangemyworld.

8HaveJoyWhenLifeIsDepressing

Everybodywantstobehappy.TheUnitedStateswasfoundedonthepremisethatweeachhavetherighttolife,liberty,andthepursuitofhappiness.Recentlyasongtitled“Happy”founditswaytothetopofthecharts,sellingover5.6millioncopiesintheUnitedStatesalone.Everybodywantstobehappy.YouwouldthinkChristianswouldwantinonthisconcept.Instead,IgrewuphearingpastorsandSundayschoolteacherssplithairsbetweenjoyandhappiness,leavingmeconfusedandunsettled.Iwantedtobehappy.Icouldn’tunderstandthenwhatIstillcan’tunderstandnow:IfweasChristiansdon’thaveareasontobehappy,whodoes?Onceinawhilemypatientssurpriseme.I’lltellthemtheirtestsarenormal,

expectingthemtobehappy.Instead,theylookglum,almostasifthey’redisappointed.Didtheywanttobesick?Weretheyhopingforaneasyanswertotheirpain?Oraretheyhappyandjustdon’tknowhowtoshowit?WeasfollowersofChristtendtobealittlebitlikethem.Wehaveahardtimeexpressingourjoy.Wehaveconvincedourselvesthatwecanbehappyontheinsidewithoutshowingitontheoutside.Perhapsyou’rethinkingthatyourproblemsareworsethananyoneelse’s.

Perhapsyoubelieveyou’vebeenlivinginthedarknightofthesoullongerthananyofyourfriendshave.You’reconstantlyweigheddownbyyourimpossiblydifficultcircumstances.Youcan’thelpthatyoutendtobemoremelancholictobeginwith.Andhasn’ttheBibleinstructedustomournwiththosewhomournanyway?Didn’tGodnicknameoneofhisfavoriteprophets“theweepingprophet”?DoChristianshavetodanceinordertoprovetheyarehappy?Isitpossibletobehappyevenifwedon’tfeelhappy?Can’twealljustsettleforjoyandcallitaday?Fewthingsareamorepowerfultestimonythanjoywhenlife’scircumstances

aredepressing.Thatkindofjoycannotbefaked.ItisGod-given,anditwillchangeourworld.

TheHappiestGuyintheBible

OneofmyfavoriteguysintheBibleisinActs3.He’slame,andhe’sabeggar.Helivesintotaldependenceonotherpeople’spityandkindness.Isupposehe’salittlepathetic,andhecertainlyneedshelp.Oneday,sometimeaftertheresurrection,asPeterandJohnmadetheirwaytothetempleforworship,thismanwaswaitingforthem.Heheldouthispalmandaskedforchange.Peter,filledwiththeHolySpirit,didn’thaveanycashbuthehadsomethingfarbetterforthebeggar:“Ihavenosilverandgold,butwhatIdohaveIgivetoyou.InthenameofJesusChristofNazareth,riseupandwalk!”(Acts3:6).Themanwasinforasurprise.Heimmediatelystoodupandhislegswereworking!Hisresponse?“Andleapinguphestoodandbegantowalk,andenteredthe

templewiththem,walkingandleapingandpraisingGod”(v.8).Basicallytheguyhadadanceparty!Hehadn’tgottenwhathehadaskedforbuthewassmartenoughtounderstandthatwhathehadreceivedwassomuchmorethanhe’dimagined.Hehadn’tgottenrichbuthewasgivenhiswholelifeback.Hisresponsewastheoutwardmanifestationofaninternalrealitythatwasunencumberedbyexternalcircumstances.Sohegotupandhedanced!Youmighthaveeveryhumanreasontobeoverwhelmed.Youmightfeelthe

stingofyourownneed.You’restillwaitingforGodtothrowafewnickelsofblessingyourway.Instead,Christhasgivenyousomuchmore:Hehasgivenyouyourlifeback.That’sreasonenoughtorejoice.NowonderPaulsaidweareto“RejoiceintheLordalways,againIwillsay,rejoice”(Phil.4:4).Writingfromadankprisoncell,Paulunderstoodthatnomatterwhathappenedontheoutside,hehadreasontoaboundwithjoyontheinside.

CanYouFakeItTillYouMakeIt?

Inthelate1980sagroupofGermanresearcherstestedthehypothesisthathowwepositionourmouthandourfacialactivitycouldinfluenceourmood.Participantsinthestudyweretoldtoholdapenintheirmouthstoeithermimicasmileorafrown.Turnsoutthatturningyourfrownupsidedown,evenifyoudon’treallymeanit,mightincreaseyourhappyfactor.Whetherornotyou’reafanofbehavioralpsychology,youcouldactuallytest

thehypothesiswithasamplesizeofone.Goaheadandtryit.Nomatterwhat

thehypothesiswithasamplesizeofone.Goaheadandtryit.Nomatterwhatyou’regoingthroughrightnow,putasmileonyourfaceandseewhathappens.Itkindofworks,doesn’tit?It’swhypeoplewhoaretrainingforsalesjobsaretoldtosmilewhentheygetonthephoneandtalktocustomers.Asmilecanchangeyourwholeoutlookonlifeandsetyourmood,atleastintheshortterm.Butourgoalisn’ttemporary,man-madetechniquesforfeelingbetterabout

ourcircumstances.Whatwe’reafterisabiblicalfoundationfordeepandenduringjoy—thekindofjoythatisunshakenandwillchangeourworld.ManyofushavespentfartoolongaroundotherChristiansjustlikeus.Wehaveadoptedtherightlingotouseinsmallgroups.Weplasterasmileonourfacesfortheninetyobligatoryminutesweareinchurcheachweek.Ontheoutsidewelooklikewe’vegotitmade.Wetalkabout“howblessedweare.”WeromanticizeourFacebookupdatestomakeuslooklikeonebighappymachine.WetelleachotherthatGodisgood,thatalliswell,butdeepdownisthesinkingrealizationthatnomatterhowhardwetrytofakeit,we’renotreallysurewe’regoingtomakeit.Someofushaveevenbecomealittlecynicalaboutjoyandhappiness.I

rememberreadingC.S.Lewis’smasterpieceSurprisedbyJoy.Lewishadspentmostofhislifesingle,andwhenatfifty-eightyearsofagehefinallyfellinloveandmarriedawomannamedJoy,shegotcanceranddiedfouryearslater.Surprisedbyjoy?I’dsayhewassurprisedbyJoy’sdeath.Yeah,wehaveturnedcynicalaboutChristianjoyandhavenotroubleunderstandingSarah’seavesdroppingchuckleinGenesis.Ababyatherage?Ha.Herexactwordswere,“AfterIamwornout,andmylordisold,shallIhavepleasure?”(Gen.18:12).Inourhungertosatisfyourveryrealhumandesires,wehavegivenuponthe

ideaofpleasure.Oh,wecanhangonfordearlifeandwhite-knuckleitthroughuntilheaven,butdon’taskustoactuallybehappy—notwithoutourneedsmetandourexpectationsexceeded.Asaresultofourmisunderstandingofenduringjoy,wehavelostthepowerofourinfluenceinaworldthatisdesperateforhope.

WatchOutforJoyStealers

Manyofusfeelwe’vebeenhandedarawdeal.Wedon’tlikeourpresentcircumstances.Wethinkothershavebeengivenwhatshouldbeours.Wewantwhatwedon’thaveandhatewhatwedohave.Wewantwhatwewant,andwewantitrightnow.Weareplainunhappyandwehavelostourinfluencebecauseofit.Ifwe’relookingtoreclaimthejoythatisoursinChrist,let’sstartby

ofit.Ifwe’relookingtoreclaimthejoythatisoursinChrist,let’sstartbyidentifyingthesefourcommonjoystealers.

1.TheGreenMonsterIsKillingYou

InthiseraofPinterest,fewquoteshavebeenusedmorethanthisoneattributedtoTheodoreRoosevelt:“Comparisonisthethiefofjoy.”Ihaveafeelingyou’ve“liked”thisquoteatleastonceinthelastyear.Andyouprobablyreadilyrecognizethedestructivenatureofenvybutyouaretrappedbyitsstrongholdanditiskillingyou.I’vebeentherebefore.MymoodswingswiththespeedofmyFacebookupdates.PeopleIhaven’tthoughtaboutinthelastdecadebecomemynewestobsession.AllofasuddenIwanttheirvacations,theirministries,theirfriends,andoccasionallytheirdogs.Whatoftenstartsoutasahorizontalissuesoonbecomesaverticalone.WebegintoquestionGod’sgoodnesstous.WewonderwhyHeprefers“them”overus.Webecomeenviousofthem.Envymakesourbonesrot(Prov.14:30).Itbringsabout“disorderandevery

vilepractice”(James3:16).EnvycausedCaintokillhisbrotherAbelinthefirstmurderever.AttherootofenvyisdissatisfactionwithwhatGodhasgivenyouandadesireforwhatothershavebeengiven.AttherootofenvyisalackoftrustthatGodisyourlovingFatherwhoknowsexactlywhatyouneedandwhenyouneedit.Whenapatientcomesinwithafishhookinhisfinger,itneveroccurstometo

simplytreatthepainandsendhimhome.IdotheonlythingIcando:Icutthehookout.TheonlywaytohaveenvyrootedoutofyourheartistohumblycometoGodandaskHimtoremoveit.Itwillhurt,butitwouldkillyoutokeepitin.Inthesameway,therearesomepracticalthingswecandoaboutthefishhooksinourlives.Forme,inthecaseofthefishhookofsocialmedia,I’vehadtoremoveallrecognizableenvytriggers.FromcompletesocialmediafaststolimitingthenumberofpeopleIfollow,I’vehadtogetseriousaboutcooperatingwithGodinthebattleagainstenvy.Whereisyourgreenmonsterhibernating?Howseriousareyouaboutuprootingthisstronghold?Itisnotonlypossiblebutitisyouronlyoptiononyourjourneytojoy.

2.TheChristianRatRaceIsExhaustingYou

HaveyoumettheJonesesyet?I’msureyouhave.TheygotoyourchurchandtheyloveJesus.Infact,theyloveHimjustalittlebitmorethanyoudo,orsoitseemsbasedontheirsteadystreamofChristianFacebookupdates.Youignoreitatfirst,butifyou’rehonestwithyourselfitbugsyouandyou’renotevensurewhy.Youtrytoone-upthem.Youtrythe“pourhotcoalsovertheirheads”approachby“liking”theirstatuses.Itdoesn’twork.Youkeepcheckingwhatthey’regoingtosaynext.It’slikeadrug.Youknowit’sbadforyoubutyoucan’tstopusing.IloveColossians3:12–13inTheMessageversionoftheBible:“So,chosen

byGodforthisnewlifeoflove,dressinthewardrobeGodpickedoutforyou:compassion,kindness,humility,quietstrength,discipline.Beeven-tempered,contentwithsecondplace,quicktoforgiveanoffense”(emphasisadded).Aren’tyoutiredofstrivingtobenumerouno?Paul,arguablythegreatest

Christianwhoeverlived,understoodthevitalimportanceofcountingothersasmoresignificantthanourselves(Phil.2:3).Hewarnedusnottothinkofourselvesmorehighlythanweoughttothink(Rom.12:3).PaulunderstoodthatthesecrettoenduringjoyistodropoutoftheChristianratrace.Thisisaraceyoudon’tneedtorun!It’stimetogetoveryourcomparisonitis.Likeeverygoodthoroughbredknows,putyourblindersonandrunyourownrace,baby.

3.YourShatteredDreamsAreHurtingYou

Youhopedthingswouldturnoutoneway,buttheydidn’t.Yourdreamsfeelbrokenintotinylittlepieces.Yourjoyisshaken.Whenyou’reatthecrossroadsofbrokendreamsandenduringjoy,youhaveadecisiontomake:WillyoutrustGod,theGiverofyourdreams,orwillyoulingerinself-pityandmisery,tryingtoconvinceGodtoreviveyourdeaddreams?Surrenderisyourpathwaytojoy.Thesooneryouembraceaheartthatissurrenderedthesooneryou’llfindthejoythatyou’velost.Youcanletgoofyourdreamofabiggerhouse,afastercar,morefriends,andabiggerplatform.ThemostpreciousdreamyouwilleverhaveistheoneGodhasgivenyou—andit’stypicallyadreamthatincludesHimatthecenterofit.Whenyougettotheplacewhereyourdreamcontrolsyourlevelofjoy,that

dreamhasbecomeyouridol.WhenyougettotheplacewhereyoudoubtGod’sloveforyoubecauseyourdreamlooksshattered,youmightwanttothinkaboutwhoownsyourheart—yourGodoryouridol.AnidolisanythingthattakestheplaceofGodinyourheart.Ifyou’reaimingforjoy,theonlythingtodowithyourbrokendreamsistoseeachancetoworshipGoddespiteyourdeaddream.Weallhavedreams.Theypropelusforward.Theykeepushoping.Theygiveusjoy—exceptwhentheyseemdead.Nothinghurtsmoreinthislifethanseeingourdreamscrushed,evenforaseason.OneofthecrucialmistakesI’vemadeistojudgeGodbythepresentcondition

ofmydreams.Whenmydreamsseemtothrive,IfigureGodisformeandthatHemustindeedbestrongandable.Butthetestoffaithcomeswhenthepathtoourdreamslooklikeit’sswervingoffcourse.Insteadofgrowinginfaith,wewallowinfear.It’snothardtoconfuseGod’sfavorwithourpersonalizedversionoftheAmericandream.ButGod’sfavorisfarbiggerthanthat.ItwasGod’sfavorthatledJesustothecrossofCalvary.ItwasGod’sfavorthatallowedHimtosuffersowecouldbefree.Ithinkyougetthepicture:God’sfavorandtheAmericandreamaren’talwaysoneandthesame.ButGod’sloveforyouisalwaysthesame,whetheryourdreamsarethrivingorseemtobeonhold—orevenifthey’vebeenburiedforsolongyoucan’tevenrememberthem.

4.YourSelf-CenteredFocusIsSqueezingtheLifeoutofYou

Me,me,me.It’salwaysallaboutme.Ifyou’restuckinacycleofself-centeredliving,you’remissingoutonrealjoy.You’veprobablyexperiencedit

before.Youtwistyourankleandthinkyou’regoingthroughtheworstpainofyourlife—untilyoumeetsomeonewhoseleghasbeenamputated.IwasteachingaboutGod’sstrippingprocessonceandcaughtmyselftalkingabouthowhardmylifewas:Ihadbrokentwoengagements,hadn’tbeenonadateinawhile,andwasdealingwithafloodedhouse.AllofasuddenIstartedlaughing.WhowasIkidding?Myproblemswereminusculecomparedtowhatmostpeopleweregoingthrough.Moreimportantly,Ihadmissedacriticallessonalongtheway,thatenduringjoyisfoundinservicetoothers.Theself-centeredlifewillalwaysleaveusdissatisfied.TrueChristianityisaboutlovingservicetoothersinthenameofJesus.

Whenthelamebeggarthrewadanceparty,thosewhowerewatching“werefilledwithwonderandamazementatwhathadhappenedtohim”(Acts3:10).Arepeoplefilledwithwonderatthejoyinyourlife?Wearelivingindifficultdays.PeoplearelostandbrokenwithoutChristandtheyneedareasonforjoy.Ifweasresurrectionpeopledon’tstartlivinglikewe’vegotsomethingtobehappyabout,ourworldisinrealtrouble.It’stimetostartdancinglikewemeanit.

EverybodyDanceNow

BeforetherewasMichaelJacksonandhismoonwalk,therewasDaviddancingonthestreetsofJerusalem.TheoccasionwasthereturnofthearkoftheLordtoitshome.ThearkoftheLordwasasymbolofGod’spresence,andDavidwassooverwhelmedwithjoyoveritsreturnthathewas“leapinganddancingbeforetheLORD.”(2Sam.6:16).HiswifeMichal,KingSaul’sdaughter,wasn’timpressed.Infact,shewasdisgusted.“HowthekingofIsraelhonoredhimselftoday,”shemocked,“uncoveringhimselftodaybeforetheeyesofhisservants’femaleservants,asoneofthevulgarfellowsshamelesslyuncovershimself!”(v.20).Peoplewhohaven’tbeentouchedbyGod’slovewon’tunderstandthejoyof

theLord.David,whoselifehadbeenradicallychangedbyGod’sgrace,understooditwell:“[Idanced]beforetheLORD,whochosemeaboveyourfatherandaboveallhishouse,toappointmeasprinceoverIsrael,thepeopleoftheLORD—andIwillcelebratebeforetheLORD.Iwillmakemyselfyetmorecontemptiblethanthis,andIwillbeabasedinyoureyes”(vv.21–22).David’sresponsewastobecomeevenmoreundignifiedthanhiswifeaccused

himofbeing.Itdidn’tmatterwhatsheoranyoneelsethought.Hisheart

himofbeing.Itdidn’tmatterwhatsheoranyoneelsethought.Hisheartoverflowedwithjoy.Hislifewasfullofworshipandpraise.Hedancedwithallhismight,undeterredbythemockeryofhiswife.WhatwasDavid’ssecret?

GiveMeBackThatLovingFeeling

ThefirsttimeIwenttoAfricaIwasthrownforaloop.Iwasinoneofthepoorestcountriesonthecontinent.Theroadsweren’tpaved.Theheatwasswelteringwithoutanairconditionerinsight.Homes—iftheyexisted—weremadeofmud.Mealswerecookedoveranopenfireandweretoofly-infestedforanyWesternertoseriouslyconsidereating.Shoeswerescarce.YetoverandoveragainitbecameevidentthatnothingcouldstopanAfricanfromdancing.Lateatnight,withtheflickerofcandlelightilluminatingthedark,onecouldcatchthesilhouettesofmen,women,andchildrendancingthenightaway.WeintheWesternchurchfindourselvesintherichestcountriesintheworldandunabletocapturethesamesortofunshakenjoy.ManytheoriesmightcontributetotheAfricans’joy:perhapslowerexpectationsofwhatoughttobe,ortheunderstandingthatsincecircumstancescan’tchange,onemightaswellchangehisorherperceptionofthosecircumstances.Whatevertheirreasonsforjoymightbe,itwouldbehooveustolearnfromtheseAfricans.Thegoodnewsisthatyoudon’thavetogoallthewaytoAfricatolearnhow

todance.Youcanunderstandtrueandlastingjoyrightwhereyouare.Youcanbehappyevenifitdoesn’tfeellikeyoueverwill.Letmerefreshyourjoymeterbygivingyoufourreasonsforrejoicingnomatterwhatyou’regoingthroughrightnow.

1.ThisIsNottheEndoftheRoad

Yourpresentcircumstancesandlifeasyoupresentlyknowitarenotallthereis.There’smore.There’slifebeyondretirement.There’shopebeyondyourmeasly401(k).You’vebeenpromisedeternallife,anditstartedthemomentyouturnedtoChristforsalvation.Youdon’thavetowaitforheaventobehappybutyoualsodon’tneedtotrysohardtocreateheavenhereonearthforyourself.Therewillcomeaday—hopefullysoon—wherewewillhavenomoretears,nomoresadness,nomorepain.Nomatterwhatyou’regoingthroughrightnow,youcanstandstrong,unshakenintheheatofthebattle,becauseyouknow

somethingthatonlyafewpeopleknow:This.Is.Not.The.End.

2.ChristIsAllYouReallyNeed

Youdon’tneedmoremoney.Youdon’tneedmoresex.Youdon’tneedtolosetenpounds.(Okay,maybeyoudoneedthat.)Butthethingsyouthinkyousodesperatelyneedtobehappyarefleeting.Christisallyouwilleverreallyneed.IttookPeterasignificantfailureandalife-transformingmeetingwithJesustofigureoutthatChristisenough.ItwasPeterwholaterwrote:“[God’s]divinepowerhasgrantedtousallthingsthatpertaintolifeandgodliness”(2Pet.1:3).IfyouhaveChristyouhaveeverythingyouneed.Don’tbuyintotheliesoftheculture.Stopfallingforthesamemarketingscamsthateveryoneelseisbuyinginto.Wetypicallydon’tbelievewhatwehaven’texperiencedyet.IttakesaleapoffaithtoseewhatGodwilldowithaheartthattrustsHim.Areyouwillingtojump?

3.NoOneCanEverTouchYou

Satancan’tharmyouwithoutGod’sapproval.Theworldcan’tdefeatyou.Noweaponfashionedagainstyouwilleversucceed(Isa.54:17).InEphesians6PaultellsusaboutthearmorthatGodhasgivenustoprotectus.Thisarmoristhickenoughtoweatheranystorm.Areyouactivelyputtingonyourarmoreverymorning?I’mnottalkingaboutthelatestfashiontrend.I’mtalkingofaclassicthatnevergoesoutofstyle.It’sanarmorthat’sfarstrongerthanyoucanimagine.Itincludesthebreastplateofrighteousness,thebeltoftruth,andshoesofpeace.Itcomeswithashieldoffaiththatcanstopeverydarttheevilonethrowsatyou.IthasafancyhelmetofsalvationandasharpswordmadeofGod’sWord.Itincludesyourprayerlife,whichisalwaysgivingyouaccesstoGodtheFatherthroughChrist.Yeah,youareuntouchable,andChristguaranteeditwithHisblood.That’sreasonforjoy.WhenDavidwentupagainstGoliath,KingSaulgavehimarmortowear.Saul

thoughtitwouldprotecthimandhelphim.ButDavidrefusedtheman-madearmor.HeoptedforGod’sarmorinstead.It’stimeforustogetridofourman-madeoutfitsandputontheLordJesusChristinstead.It’stimeforatotalmakeover!

4.You’rePartofanAwesomeTeam

ThechurchisGod’splanforrestorationandhealinginthisworld.We—thechurch—aretorepresentChrist’slovetopeoplewhodesperatelyneedlove.WearetobethehandsandfeetofJesusineverycornerofeverycountryacrosstheglobe.OtherChristiansarenotyourcompetitorsoryourenemies.TheyaremembersofthesameawesometeamGodisputtingtogether.Everyoneonthisteamhasadifferentrole.Pictureacathedral.Eachmemberoftheteamhasbeengivenadifferentpartinthebuildingprocess.ThefinishedcathedralisChrist’skingdom.Yourpartinthebuildingprocessisdifferentthanmine,buteachofourpartsisessentialtobuildingthemostbeautifulcathedraltheworldhaseverseen.Thisshouldchangehowyouviewyourlifeandministry,shouldn’tit?Itoughttorevyouuptofigureoutexactlywhatyourpartinthecathedralbuildingprocessisanddoitwithallyourmight.Othersmightnotseeorappreciateyourpart,butGodisdirectingtheprocessandHeseeseverybitthatyoudo.NothingiswastedinHiseconomy.EverydetailmatterstoHim.

Sincethisisthekindoflifewehavechosen,thelifeoftheSpirit,letusmakesurethatwedonotjust

holditasanideainourheadsorasentimentinourhearts,butworkoutitsimplicationsineverydetailofourlives.Thatmeanswewillnotcompareourselveswitheachotherasifoneofuswerebetterandanotherworse.Wehavefarmoreinterestingthingstodowithourlives.Eachofusisanoriginal....Makeacarefulexplorationofwhoyouareandtheworkyouhavebeengiven,andthensinkyourselfintothat.Don’tbeimpressedwithyourself.Don’tcompareyourselfwithothers.Eachofyoumusttakeresponsibilityfordoingthecreativebestyoucanwithyourownlife.(Gal.5:25–6:5Message,emphasisadded)

Thosearelife-givingwordsthatwillleaveyouunshakenifyou’llstartlivinglikeyoubelievethem.

Dr.LauraKubzanskyoftheHarvardSchoolofPublicHealthisanexpertinthefieldofsociety,humandevelopment,andhealth.Shehasspenthercareerstudyingthelinkbetweenpositiveemotionsandhealthandhealing.Ina2007studythatfollowedmorethansixthousandmenandwomenagestwenty-fivetoseventy-four,fortwentyyears,shefoundthatemotionalvitality—asenseofenthusiasm,hopefulness,andengagementinlife,plustheabilitytofacelife’sstresseswithemotionalbalanceappearstoreducetheriskofcoronaryheartdisease.She’snottheonlyscientistidentifyingthislinkbetweenourhappinessandourhealing.Happypeoplelivelongerandtheirwoundshealfaster.AndaskanyERnurse:ifnothingelse,happypeopleareeasiertotakecareof.Soyousee,itpaystobehappy.WeasfollowersofJesusChristhavereasonforjoy.Wehavebeengivengood

news.Ourbrokenheartshavebeenhealed.We’vebeensetfree.It’stimewechangeourworldbylivinglikeit.JesushealedtenlepersinLuke17.Onlyonecameback“praisingGodwithaloudvoice;andhefellonhisfaceatJesus’feet,givinghimthanks”(vv.15–16).AndhewasaSamaritanatthat.Jesuswasamazed.“Werenottencleansed?Wherearethenine?WasnoonefoundtoreturnandgivepraisetoGodexceptthisforeigner?”(vv.17–18).Ifyou’relookingforenduringjoy,stopaskingforyourcircumstancesto

changeandresolvetogivethanksforwhatyoudohave.It’sbeensaidthatgratitudeistheattitudethatsetsthealtitudeforliving.Youmightnothaveaccomplishedyourdreamsyet.Youmightstillbewaiting.Youmightbelivingthroughunusuallycomplexcircumstancesrightnow.Youmightevenhavereasonforsadness.I’mnottryingtominimizeyourpaininanyway.Butyou’vealsobeengivensuchreasonforjoy.Givingthankswhenwedon’tfeellikeitisanactoffaith.ItreflectsaheartthattrustsGod.ItyellsouttoawatchingworldthatwebelieveGodisourlovingFatherandHe’snotthroughwithusyet.Aren’tyougratefulforthegiftofChristinyourlife?He’severythingyou’lleverneed.He’sallyou’lleverwant.

need.He’sallyou’lleverwant.Sowhatareyoustillwaitingfor?Makeityourgoaltoputyourdancingshoes

onandstartmoving.Makeityourresolutiontodaytobegratefulnomatterwhat,toseepastthecircumstancesyoudon’tcarefor,andtorefusetosettleforanythinglessthanChrist-centeredjoy.

RESOLVED:thatIwillpracticegratitudeinthefaceofchallengingcircumstancesandrejoicenomatterwhat,becauseGodisabletoactaboveandbeyondmywildestexpectations,includingraisingmydreamsfromthedead.

9HopeWhenItHurtsTooMuch

Myfatherhasend-stagekidneydisease.Thisweekwemetwithhospiceaswe’retransitioningtoanewnormal,atleastforthetimebeing.It’sbeenhardwatchingthemanIhavelookeduptomywholelife,andstilldo,slowlydisintegratephysically.Watchinghimsufferhurts.Eachdaybringshimclosertotheend.AsdeepasourhopeinChristis,thispainisveryreal.Hopeforhealingonthissideofeternityhasdwindledformydad.Fewthingsareaspowerfulashangingontohopewhenhopelooksdead.Fewthingsinspireuslikewatchingpeoplewhokeeponhopingdespitethepainoftheirdeaddreams.Whenourdreamslookdeadandtheroadseemsblocked,it’seasytolosehope.Inordertostandstronginacultureusedtogivingup,weasfollowersofJesusChristmustresolvetomaintainhopeevenwhenlifefeelshopelessandourpainisgreat.AronRalston.Youmightnotimmediatelybefamiliarwithhisname,butIbet

you’veheardofthetwenty-seven-year-oldclimberwhogothisarmstuckwhilehikinginacanyon.Insteadofquietlydyinginhistrap,theyoungman,laterplayedbyJamesFrancointhemovie127Hours,cutoffhisownarminordertosavehislife.SomehowAronwasabletofightforhopeandembracethepaininhislife,andultimatelyriseaboveit.StorieslikeAron’sarenotunique.InthebestsellingbookUnbroken,author

LaurenHillenbrandtellsthestoryofayounglieutenantintheSecondWorldWar,LouisZamperini,whosurvivedforty-sevendaysonaraftinthePacificOceanandthenlaterwascapturedandtorturedbytheenemy—andstillmadeithomeayearandadayafterhisdisappearance.ThewordsonUnbroken’scoverinspireeventhemostcynicalhearts:“Driventothelimitsofendurance,Zamperiniwouldanswerdesperationwithingenuity;sufferingwithhope,resolve,andhumor;brutalitywithrebellion.Hisfate,whethertriumphortragedy,wouldbesuspendedonthefrayingwireofhiswill.”Ofcourse,LaurenHillenbrandunderstandsalittlebitaboutpainand

enduranceherself,asshehassufferedforyearswithwhatshedescribesasa“suddenillness”thathasleftherphysicallyincapacitated.Whenaskedaboutthe

ironyofwritingaboutphysicalchallengeswhilelivingthroughherownpainfulordeal,Hillenbrandsaid,“I’mlookingforawayoutofhere.Ican’thaveitphysically,soI’mgoingtohaveitintellectually....Andit’sjustfantastictobetherealongsideLouieashe’sbreakingtheNCAAmilerecord.Peopleatthesevigorousmomentsintheirlives—it’smywayoflivingvicariously.”1Thenthere’sNickVujicic,amanwithoutlimbs.ThisAustralianChristian

evangelistwasbornwithoutarmsandlegsandhasovercomementalandemotionalobstaclestobecomeamodern-dayhero.Henowspendshislifemotivatingotherstohope,overcometheirpain,andlivealifeofimpactandpowernomatterwhatthey’refacing.Weareinspiredbythereal-lifeexamplesofmenandwomenwhohavefelt

paininitsmostexcruciatingformsandhavebeenabletoriseaboveitwithunstoppablehope.Howisitthatwhilesomanyarecrushedbytheirpain,someareabletoremainunshakenandstronginthefaceoftheirownpersonaltorment?

HopethroughTears

AndwhatofChristiansandpain?AreChristiansimmunetopainandsuffering?AnyonewhohasfollowedJesusChristformorethanaminuteknowsthatpainisanintegralpartoftheChristianlife.Isitpossibleforus,asfollowersofJesus,tokeeponhopingdespitegreatpain?Ifyou’vereadevenafewpagesofScriptureyoucannotoverlookthestunningpresenceofpainaspartofourjourneywithandtowardChrist.Yetinthosesamepageswereadsomeofthemostempoweringpromises.

“Wearemorethanconquerorsthroughhimwholovedus.”(Rom.8:37)“Hewhoisinyouisgreaterthanhewhoisintheworld.”(1John4:4)“Thisisthevictorythathasovercometheworld—ourfaith.”(5:4)“Weareafflictedineveryway,butnotcrushed;perplexed,butnotdriventodespair;persecuted,butnotforsaken;struckdown,butnotdestroyed.”(2Cor.4:8–9)“Icandoallthingsthroughhimwhostrengthensme.”(Phil.4:13)

GodpoursoutHiswordsthroughtheScriptures,likeamotivationalbookfor

theages,remindingusthatwefollowaSaviorwhohasdefeateddeathanddestroyedsinanditspoweroverus.OverandoveragainGodusesthebroken,thebattered,thelowly,theseeminglydefeated,theprisoners,theuneducated,thehurting,andtheneedy.Theyriseabovetheircircumstancesandsoar.ChristHimself,theCaptainofoursalvation,wasmadeperfectthroughsuffering(Heb.2:10).Borninamangerasthesonofalowlycarpenter,HelaterturnedtheworldupsidedownthroughHislife,death,andresurrection.ButbeforethecrossandbeforetheresurrectionfirstcameGethsemane.ItwasinthegardenofGethsemanethatJesusfeltthemostexcruciatingpainandovercameit.OurSaviornotonlyunderstandsourpainbutidentifieswithusinitcompletely.WeworshipaSaviorwhohasfeltourdeepestpain.HesympathizeswithourweaknessesbecauseofHisownfirsthandexperience.Heyearnstogiveuscomfortwhenweneedit.TolivedefeatedbyourpainisnotourdestinyasfollowersofJesusChrist.He

gaveHislifetoensureourvictory.ToliveovercomebyourcircumstancesistomisunderstandwhoJesusisandwhatHehasdoneforus.Christneverpromisedusapain-freelife.Thefactisthatpainisreal.Wehurt,andforgoodreason.Peoplelosetheirhomesinearthquakesandhurricanes.Theylosetheirsonsanddaughterstosextraffickers.Theylosetheirlivestohunger,watershortage,cancer,andheartdisease.Whetherit’snaturaldisastersorlife-endingdiseases,violenceatthehandofevilorglobalinjustice,ourpainisrealandit’sdeep.Lifeishard.Thepainwefeelisacute,anditsparesnooneinthisworld.WhatmakestheChristianliferadicalisn’tthatweescapepainbutthatwecanriseaboveitthroughChristandthestrengthHegivesus.WhatdistinguishesthelifeofChrist’sfollowersisn’ttheabsenceofpainbuthowwerespondtothepaininourlivesandhowwereactunderpressurewhenthepainissoseverethatwecanhardlybreathe.Ourpainreflectsthevictoriousrealityoftheresurrection.Wouldn’titbeniceifwecouldtakeapilltomakethepaingoaway?But

thingsareneverthatsimple.Somedaysfeelliketorture,andithurts.Motivationalspeakerstrytoteachustousepositivitytoovercomeourpain.ButI’vefoundmyselfinplacesinmylifewherenoamountofpositivementalthinkingwillworkmeoutofmypitofdespair.WhenI’minthatplacewhereIcannotmotivatemyselfwithpositiveself-talkandpositiveenergy,Irealizethattherehastobemore.Thegoodnewsisthatwehavemorethanjustpositivethinking.WehavealivinghopeinChrist.Wehaveananchorforoursouls.Wehaveawaythroughthepain.Thatwayhasaname:JesusChrist,ourrisenSavior.

HopeIsMoreThanaPositiveMentalAttitude

Godhasgivenusfarmorethanpositivity.He’sgivenusHisSonwhodemonstratedvictorybyrisingfromthedead.He’sgivenusHisSpirittoenableustoliveouttheChristianlifethewayHelivedoutHis:victoriouslyandtriumphantly.HisplanisforustoliveinsuchavictoriouswaythatbydoingsowebringHiskingdomheretothisearth.Wearetobeambassadorsofthekindofpowerfullivingthatshakesourworldandculture.Weoughttostickoutinourabilitytoriseaboveourcircumstances.Yetsomanyofusarefailing.I’membarrassedtotellyouhowoftenI’vecrumbledunderthepressureofpain.Thiscrumblingrevealsitselfinavarietyofshapesandformsinmylife:misplacedanger,impatientfrustration,whiningandcomplaining,andonceinawhile,thepitofself-pityandevenafewpotholesofdespair.Butthisisnottheendofthestory.

WhereGodPutsaComma

Itwasaseven-milewalkfromJerusalemtoEmmaus,andonthatdaythewalkfeltlikeaninterminablejourneyofsorrow.Thetwodiscipleswereweigheddownbytheirpain.TheyhadexpectedGodtodotheimpossible.TheyhadexpectedtheMessiahtotakeovertheworld.Theyhadexpectedvictoryandsuccessandattheveryleastanaturaldeathinsteadofapainfulandshamefulcrucifixion.Itwastheworstdayoftheirlives.Suddenlyamancamewalkingupalongsidethemandstruckupa

conversation.ThemanwasJesusrisenfromthedead,butthediscipleshadnotbeengiventheabilitytorecognizeHimyet.Myguessisthatatthatpointtheydidn’tfeelliketalkingbutweretoopolitetoignoreHim.“AreyoutheonlyvisitortoJerusalemwhodoesnotknowthethingsthathavehappenedthereinthesedays?”theywondered(Luke24:18).ThentheytoldHimwhattheyweretalkingabout:“JesusofNazareth,amanwhowasaprophetmightyindeedandwordbeforeGodandallthepeople,andhowourchiefpriestsandrulersdeliveredhimuptobecondemnedtodeath,andcrucifiedhim”(vv.19–20).Buttheworstwasyettocome.Thedisciplesthenutteredthreefatalwordsof

defeatthatwerethenailonthecoffinoftheirpain:“ButwehadhopedthathewastheonetoredeemIsrael”(v.21).We.Had.Hoped.

We.Had.Hoped.Haveyoueverutteredthesethreewordsofhopelessness,notknowingthat

victorywasalreadyontheway?HaveyouevermisinterpretedthemostpainfuleventinyourlifewithoutanyideaofthemiracleGodwasalreadyworkingoutonyourbehalf?Ican’tkeeptrackofthetimesthatI’vegivenuponGodandtwistedthingsaroundinmyheadandassumedthatmypainwasfinal,thatI’dbeendefeated,whileallalongGodwaswalkingrightnexttome,preparingthevictoryforme.Youtoo?ThedisciplesontheroadtoEmmaushadputaperiodwhereGodhadputacomma.TheyhadwrittenofftheLordwhenGodhadn’tevenstartedyet.Theyhadsunkintodespairwhenhopewasontheway.It’seasytotalkaboutthelifethat’sunshakenwheneverythingisgoingwell.

PeopleflockedtoJesuswhenHefedthefivethousandandcureddiseases.Itwasatthecrossthateveryonefled.ThecloserJesusgottothecrossthethinnerthecrowdsbecame,andeventuallyevenHisclosestfriendsfled.That’swhatpainwilldo.Ittestsourmettle.Itcrystallizeswhatwereallybelieve.AnyonecanboastintheLordwhentheirdreamshavecometrueandtheirprayershavebeenanswered.Thechallengeistostandstrongwhenlifeishard,tohopewhenhopelooksdead.Thekeyistolivevictoriouslywheneverythingscreamsagainstit.AsanERdoctorIthinkinlists,andwhenitcomestopain,therearefour

thingsIknowforsure:

Painexists.Painhasacause.Paincanbetreatedbutit’sfarbettertotreatitscause.Paindoesn’thavetodefineyou.

Wecantalkabouttheresurrectionuntilwe’reblueintheface,butthewaytoshowifwereallybelieveitisbywatchinghowwerespondtothepaininourlives.Whatwilldefineyou:yourpainorGod’sWord?AreyouwillingtosettleforaBand-Aidwhiletheinternalbleedingiskillingyou,orareyoucommittedtoidentifyingthecauseofyourbleedingandgoingafteritwithavengeance?

FivePainkillersYouCanUse

Howdoyouhangontohopewhenyou’reinpain?HowdoyouholdonwithresolvetoGod’sWordwhenyoufeelcrushedbytheweightofyour

resolvetoGod’sWordwhenyoufeelcrushedbytheweightofyourcircumstances?Whenitcomestousingthepaininyourlifeasfuelforgodliness,hereareafewtoolsyoucanuseforvictoriousliving.

1.LightenUpontheClichés

“It’sgoingtohurtmemorethanit’sgoingtohurtyou.”“Nopainnogain.”“Ifitdoesn’tkillyou,itmakesyoustronger.”“Painisyourfriend.”I’mnotahugefanofclichés.Clichésarenothingmorethanold-fashionedtweets.Heretoday,gonetomorrow.Pithyquotesmightmotivateusforaminute,buttheireffectisshort-lived.Whatweneedislifechange.WhatIlongforisthetransformed,powerfullifethatChristpromisedus.Don’tyou?Weneedupside-down,inside-outradicallivingthatnolitanyofclichéswillproducebutisrightfullyoursinChristJesusbyfaith.Clichésareeasytorememberandtoretweet,butwhatwedesperatelyneedtostrengthenourresolvetolivewithhopeisGod’sWord.ThemoreofGod’sWordthatwehideinourhearts,themoreitwillgiveusstrengthwhenweneeditthemost.

2.LetGooftheBlameGame

WhenakidcomesintotheERwithacut,familiesgetcaughtupinhowithappenedandwhosefaultitwas.Thetruthisthatitdoesn’tmatterwhodidwhat.There’sacut,andithurts,anditmustbefixed.WhenAdamandEvesinned,AdamblamedEveandEveblamedtheserpent,butthefactremainsthatallofushumansarestillsufferingbecauseofittoday.Insteadofblamingeachother,AdamandEveshouldhaveacknowledgedtheirwrongandacceptedGod’smercy,thenadaptedtotheirnewnormaloutsideofEden.WhenJobwentthroughhispainfultrials,hiswifebeggedhimtoblameGodandhisfriendsblamedhimforhisownproblems.UnlikeAdamandEve,Jobwasinnocentandhaddonenothingtodeservehispain,yettheblamegamewasjustasmuchapartofJob’sstoryasitwasforourfirstparents.Blamingsomeoneelseforourpainisnaturalandgivesusatemporarysenseofcontrol.Itmightevenhelpuscomeupwithanexplanationforthepain.Butitdoesn’twork.WhatworksfarbetterthantheblamegameisrecognizingGod’ssovereigncontroloverourlives.It’sunderstandingthatGoddidn’tfindAdamandEveinthegardentoshamethembutrathertocoverthem.It’sacceptingChrist’sforgivenessforoursin.It’sextendingthatsameforgivenesstothosewhoseemtobethecauseofourpain.

3.GetofftheSelf-PityTrain

Self-pityisendemic.Itisdefinedasaself-indulgentattitudeconcerningourhardships.Theproblemwithself-pityisthatitbelievesit’sbeenwronged.It’sthenotionthatGodhasn’tgivenyouwhatyoudeserveandthatyou’vesomehowbeenoverlookedandforgotten.Self-pityisanattitudethatdislocatesaChristianfromasovereignGodwhoisbehindeverydetailandcircumstanceofyourlife.CharlesSpurgeononcesaid,“Godistoogoodtobeunkind.Heistoowiseto

beconfused.IfIcannottraceHishand,IcanalwaystrustHisheart.”ThebiggestliethatSatanwillthrowyourwayisthatGoddoesn’tcareaboutyouanymore,andself-pityslowlyfeedsthatlie.In1Peter5:7we’retoldthetruth:“[Cast]allyouranxietiesonhim,becausehecaresforyou.”Goddoescareaboutyou.Heknowseachandeveryhaironyourhead.He’saGodwhoknowsyousowellandstilllovesyousomuch.Theself-pitytraincankillyouifyoudon’tguardagainstitslieswiththetruthofGod’sWord.It’stimeyoujumpoffthattrainandruntowardgrace.

4.BuryYourPastattheCross

PaulkilledChristiansbeforehebecameaChrist-follower.YetGodusedPaultowritethebulkoftheNewTestamentandtobuildthechurch.Crazy?Youbetterbelieveit.SohowdidPauldealwithhispast?Hissolutionwastoburyhispastatthefootofthecross:“Forgettingwhatliesbehindandstrainingforwardtowhatliesahead,IpressontowardthegoalfortheprizeoftheupwardcallofGodinChristJesus”(Phil.3:13–14).Onwardandupward.DoesSatantauntyouwithyourpast?AsSt.TeresaofAvilaiscreditedwithsaying,“WhenSatanremindsyouofyourpast,remindhimofhisfuture.”RemindhimthatChristburiedyourpastatthecross.Areyouafraidsomeonewillfindoutsomethingthathasn’tcomeoutalready?Christalreadyknowsit,andHelovedyouenoughtodieforyouinspiteofit.Youhavenothingtohideanymore.Haveyoufailedmiserablyandrepeatedlyinthepast?It’stimetogetridoftheRolodexofsin.Failureisthebestteacheryou’lleverfind.Learnfromit,thenletitgo.Yourpastmightbepartofwhoyouarebutithasnopoweroveryou.UseittorejoiceinGod’smercyandgraceandmoveonwardandupward.UseitasyourplatformtohighlightGod’sloveandgraceandwatchGoduseyourpasttochangeyourworldlikeHedidwiththeapostlePaul!

5.LeaveYourFearstoGod

Painandfearareofteninseparable.WhatifIdon’tmakeitthroughit?WhatifIneverfindrelief?WhatifGoddoesn’tcomethroughforme?Whatisitthatyouareafraidof?Areyouafraidofwhatyourpainwillreveal

aboutyou?God’splanisn’ttohurtyouthroughyourpainbuttoshapeyouthroughit(Prov.25:4).Likeaperfectpotter,HeworksandreworkstheclayuntilitseemsgoodtoHim(Jer.18:4).HemoldstheclayuntilitreflectsthebeautyHeisafter.Thisprocessiscalledsanctification.It’sGod’sworkinyouthroughyourpaintomakeyoumoreChristlike.It’saworkthatisutterlydependentontheHolySpiritinyou.It’saworkthatGodstartedthemomentyougaveyourlifetoHimandiscommittedtocompletewhenyoufinallyseeJesusface-to-face.Areyouafraidthatthingsaren’tgoingtogetbetter?Theywill.Ilove2Timothy1:7.“ForGodgaveusaspiritnotoffearbutofpowerandloveandself-control.”You’vequoteditmanytimesbefore.It’stimetoembraceit.

WhenAllElseFails

I’vealreadymentionedDavidafewtimesinthisbook.BeforehebecamethegreatestkingofIsrael,Davidwentthroughmanytryingtimes.Inaparticularlydarkseason,Davidhadtolearntodealwithsomeseriouspaininhislife.Letmegiveyousomebackground.Davidwasontherun.Samueltheprophethaddied,andKingSaulhated

DavidsomuchthatDavidhadtomoveintoacaveforawhile.Hisfriendswerefew,andoddlyincludedsomePhilistines,whoweretheswornenemiesofIsrael.That’showbadthingslookedforDavid.Buttheywereabouttogetworse.DavidcamehomefromatriptofindthattheAmalekiteshadraidedhistownandtakencaptiveallthewomenandchildren.Tomakemattersworse,theAmalekiteshadburneddowntheentiretown.Nothingwasleft.

AndwhenDavidandhismencametothecity,theyfounditburnedwithfire,andtheirwivesandsonsanddaughterstakencaptive.ThenDavidandthepeoplewhowerewithhimraisedtheirvoicesandweptuntiltheyhadnomorestrengthtoweep.(1Sam.30:3–4)

Davidandhismenwereinexcruciatingpain.Whatdoyoudowhenlifeandtragedycollide?Howdoyourespondtothiskindofdevastatingpaininyour

tragedycollide?Howdoyourespondtothiskindofdevastatingpaininyourlife?David’smenwantedtostonehim.TheyfeltbadforthemselvesandblamedDavidfortheirpain.Imaginetheweightofit.TrytofeelwhatDavidwasgoingthrough.Here’samanwhothoughtGodhadchosenhimtobethenextkingofIsrael.Instead,hewaslivinginacaveandhisownmenwereturningagainsthim.Wheredoyougowhenyourpainbecomesthissevere?MillionsofAmericans

maketheirwaytotheERforpainreliefwhenfacedwiththebitterrealityofpain.Somegettemporaryrest—untilthenextwaveofpainhits.Stillothersgetprettygoodatnumbingtheirpainwiththeanestheticdujour.Theydoitwithfoodordrugsorsexormindlessentertainment.Itworksforawhile,untilthepaingetstooloudanddeafening.Davidcouldn’tnumbhispain,andhehadnowaytotreatit.Hewasbeyond

thepointofworkablehumanstrategy.Hisbackwasagainstthewallandhewasdesperate.Sohedidtheonlythinghecoulddo.“Davidwasgreatlydistressed,forthepeoplespokeofstoninghim,becauseallthepeoplewerebitterinsoul,eachforhissonsanddaughters.ButDavidstrengthenedhimselfintheLORDhisGod”(v.6,emphasisadded).TherecomesatimeinyourlifewhennothingwilldobutGodHimself.There

comesatimeinyourlifewhenonlytheLordcanmakesenseoutofyourpainandconfusion.OnlyHecanrescueyou.OnlyHeunderstandsthedepthofyourpain.WhenthedisciplesontheroadtoEmmaushadlosthope,Jesusrebukedthem:

“Ofoolishones,andslowofhearttobelieveallthattheprophetshavespoken!WasitnotnecessarythattheChristshouldsufferthesethingsandenterintohisglory?”(Luke24:25–26).HethenstartedwithMosesandworkedHiswaythroughtheScripturestogetthembackontrack.Lifeisneverashopelessaswemakeitouttobe.Weareneverasaloneaswe

feel.Thingsareneverasunclearaswethink.Ifwelookatthefactstoolongwithoutameasureoffaith,wewillsinkintodespair,andtheonlywaytobuildourfaithisthroughthelivingWordofGod.WhenyoulookatthepainfulfactsinyourlifethroughthelensofGod’spromisesyouwillfindhopeforthefuture.Thetruthisthatwithoutsufferingthereisnoglory,withoutdeaththereisnoresurrection,andwithoutpainthereisnovictory.

PurposeinOurPain

Somepeoplelovethebirthingprocess.I’mnotoneofthem.Ittookmeonenightoncallinobstetricstoknowthatmycallingwasnottodeliverbabies.Thepain

oncallinobstetricstoknowthatmycallingwasnottodeliverbabies.Thepainisexcruciating.Theagonyispalpable.EverytwohoursIwouldfindmyselfcheckingthecervixofawomanstillwrithinginpain,hersweatsoakingthesheets.Icouldn’ttakeit.Eventually,herpainonlygotworse.Hermoansgrewlouder.Herpushingbecamemorerhythmic.ForafewminutesIthoughtIwoulddie,andIwasn’teventheonehavingthebaby.Andthenlikemagic,thecrowningofahead,theappearanceofashoulder,andthenthefeetslippedout.Finally,afterwhatfeltlikeaninterminablenightofpain,morningcamewith

reliefandrejoicing.Askanymotherintheworld:inthatmoment,allthepain,alltheagony,allthediscomfortisforgottenatthesightofthelittlebundleofjoy.Idon’tknowwhereyouareinyourownbirthingprocess.Youmightbejuststartingtofeelthepaininyourlife,oryoumightbeinthemiddleofthemostpainfulcontractionsyou’veeverfelt.Youlongforrelief.I’mheretotellyouthatit’scoming.Reliefisontheway.In2Corinthians,Paulsharesasecret.Heremindsusoftheblessingofpain.

BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofmerciesandGodofallcomfort,whocomfortsusinallouraffliction,sothatwemaybeabletocomfortthosewhoareinanyaffliction,withthecomfortwithwhichweourselvesarecomfortedbyGod.(2Cor.1:3–4)

Thisisasecretthatsomedoctorsunderstandbetterthanothers.OnceinawhileIseeapatientwhohasanovariancystandisgoingthroughwhatshedescribesastheworstpainofherlife.IlookherintheeyesandtellheroneofthemostpowerfulthingsIcantellsomeone.Isay,“Iknowwhatyou’regoingthrough.WhenIwaseightyearsold,IhadanovariancystthatbecameinfectedandIhadtohavesurgeryforit.”SuddenlyI’mmuchmorethanjustherdoctor.I’mherpartnerinherpain.I’m

someonewhounderstands,someonewhofeels,someonewhocaresbecauseI’vebeentheretoo.AreyouwillingtoletGoduseyourpaintosomedayhelpsomeoneelsewho

ishurting?Areyouwillingtoendureknowingthatyourexperiencemightjustsavesomeoneelse?Ifyou’relookingtoimpactyourworld,resolvetoletGoduseyourpainandembracethepowerofsuffering.AsI’mwritingthis,IaminArizona.InJuly.It’sover100degreesoutsideand

that’sawholelotofhotforaChicagogirl.EveryafternoonItakeabreakfromwritingtogoonahike.EverydayIfigurethisisthedayI’mgoingtokeeloveranddie.ButIpersist.IpushthroughthepainandstepafterstepIhaveclimbedhigherandscaledmoregroundthanIeverthoughtpossible.IamnotthefittestorthestrongestgirlclimbingtheArizonamountains,butI’mmakingittothesummitsandIamhavingfun.Sometimesinlifeyouhavetojustpushthrough

thepaintoseehowfaryoucango.Mycancerpatientsamazeme.Prickafterprick,andchemoroundafterchemo

round,theyshowuptotheERwithafeverandasmileontheirface.Step-by-step,theypushthroughtheirpaintowardvictory.Somegetthevictorytheywantandsomedon’t,butallgiveittheirbest.WeasfollowersofJesusChristhaveasecret:wearealreadyvictorious.Ourstepsareneverwasted.Oureffortsareneverinvain.That’sreasonenoughtopushthroughourpain.AswesurrenderourpaintoGodwe’llfindinHimthecomfortwe’reseekingandthestrengthwelongfor.Fewthingswillchangeourworldlikeourresolvetohopewhenithurtstoo

much.FewthingswillradicallytransformourworldlikeourresolvetobelieveGodwheneverythingscreamsagainstHim.Hopehasawayofshowingupwhenwe’renotlookingforit.Whenitdoes,anythingcanhappen.

RESOLVED:thatIwillanchormylifeonthehopeofChrist’sresurrectionevenwhenlifehurtstoomuch,becauseIknowthatGodisincontrolofeverydetailofmylife,andIamcertainofHisunstoppableloveforme.

1.LaurenHillenbrand,“ASuddenIllness,”TheNewYorker(July7,2003),56,http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/07/07/a-sudden-illness.

10RestintheMidstofChaos

OneofthegreatestgiftsGodhasgivenusisthegiftofrest.Hegivesuspeaceinthestorm.Yetmostofusareintentonlivinginthechaos.YouknowwhatImeanwhenItalkaboutchaos.Chaosistheminivanthat

you’reafraidtoopenthedoortobecauseyou’renotsurewhatwillfallout.Chaosisthestateofyourhousewhenthatunexpectedguestringsyourdoorbell,andyouhideintheclosethopingthey’lljustgoawayandcomebackinadecadeortwo.ChaosistheERwaitingroomonaMondaynightinwinter.Chaosisyourstateofmindthesecondyoureyesopen,andyou’refullyawareofeveryneedofeverypersoninyourfamilyandeverymealyou’llneedtoprepareandeverytaskyourbosswantsyoutoaccomplishandeverybillyouneedtopayandyourfeethaven’tevenhittheflooryet.ChaosistheoverwhelmingoverflowofnegativethoughtsthatdelugeyourmindasasinglepersononaquietFridaynightathome.Inotherwords,chaosisatypicaldayinthetypicallifeofthetypical

Christian.Butwecanbebusywithoutbeingchaotic.Ourdayscouldbepackedandnotfeeloutofcontrol.Afterall,Jesuswasbusy.Hisdayswerejam-packedwithministryandpeopleanddemands.Ouraimisn’ttotakeavacationtoapeacefuldestinationandrefusetocomebackasthemeanstoescapechaos.Whatisfarbetteristoresolvetofindrestinthemidstofourchaos.Ouraimistomaintainjoyinthislifeandmaximizeourimpactinthisworldregardlessofhowhecticourdaysthreatentobe.Itispossible.AnditallstartswhenweagreetoletgoofwhatwethinkshouldhappeninourlivesandyieldtoGod’sperfectplaceforus:theplaceofquiettrust.

Hello,AnyoneThere?

Shortlyaftermyfirstbookcameout,myclosefriendswouldtellyouIwasabit

ofamess.Ihadreallywantedittobeabestseller.Ihadprayeditwouldbeabestseller.Ihaddreameditwouldbeabestseller.Iwilledittojumpuptothebestsellerlist.Thebookdidn’tevenmakeittotheshelfatBarnesandNoble.Iwasdisappointed(akadevastated,butthat’stooembarrassingtoadmitin

public).Myresponsewastoworkharderatmakingithappen.Itweetedmore,begged

morefriendstobuyit,bloggedmoreaboutit,andevenboughttenextracopiesofitmyselftohelpspeeduptheprocess.Itwasutterchaos,anditdidn’twork.AfteramonthIwasexhausted.Perhapsthestormwasofmyowndoing,butwhere,Iwondered,wastheHolySpirit’spowertotakemybookfromitsmeager,averageexistencetoahighergroundofgreaterusefulnessforthekingdom?Oneday,whenIleastexpectedit,Godspoketomeaboutit.Itwasatypicalmidsummermorning—amorningfilledwithquestionsand

anxieties.ImademyusualcupofblackcoffeeandsatdownatmydeskwithmyBibleopenbutlittleexpectationofthedivineshowingup.It’snotthatIdidn’twantHimtoshowup.It’sthatIhadgrowntoonumbwithmyown“impressGodwithmyBiblereadingplan”strategytonoticethedivine.OnthatparticularmorningIopenedmyBibleto1Kings18andreadastoryI

hadreadamilliontimesbefore:ElijahatMountCarmel.Inabrilliantaccountofthemiraculous,thishairymanofGodtookoneveryidolworshiperofhisdayandwon.Godshowedupwithfirefromheavenanditwasmind-bogglingandawesome.Andreadingaboutitdepressedme.Ihaddreamedaboutthiskindofthinghappeninginmyownlife.Ihadprayed

foritandhungeredforit.Why,despitemydeepdesiretoseeGod’sglory,hadmylifecomeshortofanythingremotelyclosetothiskindofmagnificentdisplayoftheAlmighty?WhydidothersseemtoseeGodshowupinwaysthatIsimplywatchedfromafar?ThefewtimesIspokemyfrustrationsoutloudtopeopletheywouldtellmeto

stopcomplainingandbegratefulforwhatGodwasalreadydoinginmylife.Iwasgrateful.Ididsee.ButIwantedmore.Iwasatasignificantcrossroadsinmylife.WouldGodshowHimselfmightyonmybehalfornot?AndifHedidn’t,wasitbecauseHecouldn’t,orwouldn’t?AndwouldmylifestillstandunshakenevenifGodneverbroughtdownfireinmylife—ever?ThemoreIponderedthesequestionsthemorebereftIfelt.Intellectually,I

knewtheanswers.IknewthatChristhadrisenfromthedeadforme,andIcouldjotdownpagesworthofallthegreatthingsGodhaddoneforme,butIwantedmore.Iwantedfirefromheaven.IwaslookingforaGodbigenoughtoexceedmyimaginationbutcaringenoughtoseemerighthere,rightnowinmypointof

need.IwashungryforaGodwhocouldmanageallofmyday-to-daystuffinadditiontoansweringmygrowinglistofquestions,questionsthatIwasbecomingtooafraidtoaskoutloud.ThemoreIthoughtaboutElijahonMountCarmel,themadderIgot.Howdid

Elijahgettothatplaceofpower?HadImissedastepsomewhere?Iobsessedoverthepassagefordays.SurelytherewasasecretIhadmissed,amagicpotion,aspecificprayer,aritual,somethingthatwouldunleashGod’spowerinmylife.AndthenIsawit.Itallstartedin1Kings17.ThefirsttimewehearthenameElijahistheday

heshowsuptoKingAhab’scourttopredictadrought.Here’sthissmall-townkidfromTishbemakingaplayinthebigleagues.Moresurprisingly,hispredictionturnsouttobeaccurate.Suddenlyhe’sasuperstar.Ifhewerelivingintoday’sworld,he’dbeplacedonthecoverofeverymagazineandmakinghisroundsoneverymorningtalkshow.HisTwitterfeedwouldexplodeandhe’dbeofferedamegabookdeal:therock’n’rollprophetfromTishbe.Instead,Godsendshimaway.It’shardtobelievebutit’strue:“DepartfromhereandturneastwardandhideyourselfbythebrookCherith,whichiseastoftheJordan.Youshalldrinkfromthebrook,andIhavecommandedtheravenstofeedyouthere.SohewentanddidaccordingtothewordoftheLORD”(1Kings17:3–5).Cherith.Seriously?ElijahtakesariskforGod,putshimselfoutthere,and

GodsendshimtoCherithinthemiddleofnowheretodrinkfromabrookinatimeofdroughtandbefedbyabird?WhyintheworldwouldGoddothat?

GodWorksinMysteriousWays

Godneverceasestoamazeme.Intheplacewherewemightexpectaccoladesandabiggerplatform,GodtellsElijahtoslowdownandlisten.Igraduallybegantounderstand.IfGodwasevergoingtousemeatMountCarmel,IwasgoingtohavetobewillingtospendsometimeinmyveryownCherith.Thewordcherithmeans“acuttingoff.”Itisaplacewhereyoumightfindyourselfaloneandcutofffromthecrowd,withnoonetoturntobutGod.Itisaplaceofquietdependenceandgrowingtrust.ForweeksItriedtoresistit.Ieventriedtofakethesilence.Iturnedthemusicoffandwentforwalksalone.“Iamlistening,”Iwouldargue.“I’vequittryingsohard,”Iwouldproclaim.ButdeepinmysoulIhadn’tacknowledgedwhatwasbecomingmoreand

ButdeepinmysoulIhadn’tacknowledgedwhatwasbecomingmoreandmoreevidenttoanyonewatching:mymindwasn’tquiet.Myspiritwasn’tstill.AndGod’splanwastolovinglysendmedeeperintomyCherith,whereIcouldonceagaingetacquaintedwithHispresenceinmylife.UnlikeElijah,though,Ididn’tgoquietly.Iwentkickingandscreaming,butGodstillgotthejobdone.HeploppedmeinmyCherithandheldmetightuntilIfinallysettleddown.ThereisacrazycontraptionintheERcalleda“papooseboard.”It’sablue

Velcroboardthatholdskidsdownagainsttheirwillinordertostillthemlongenoughformetofixtheirproblems.JustabouteverysinglekidI’veevercaredforintheERhatesit.OverandoveragainIcatchmyselftellingmypatientstoeithersitstillorit’spapoosetime.Thekidsaretypicallytooupsettocooperate,sotherecomesapointwhenIstopnegotiatingandlovinglybutforcefullywrapthekidsinthepapooseinordertofixthemup.IfyouareafollowerofJesusChristyouhavetwochoices:cooperatewith

Godandlearntobestill,orrealizethatGodisgoingtohelpyougetthere.It’suptoyoutochoosetoeitherquietlytrustHimorgodownkickingandscreaming.Godistoolovingtokeepyouwhereyou’reatsimplybecauseyoudon’twanttogowhereyouneedto.Thesummermyfirstbookcameoutbeganwithmedoingalotmoretalking

thanlistening.ThatsummerIquitmyjobasdirectorofthewomen’sministryatmychurchsothatIcouldlaunchmycareerasspeaker/writerextraordinaire.Thatsummermyhousefloodedinaneartotaldisaster.ByfallIenduredyetanotherblow:Ileftmychurchhomeafternearlyadecadeofservingthere.Ifeltalone,heartbroken,anddiscouraged.Ihadrunoutofoptions.InaplaceofutterdependenceallIcoulddowaslookupforGod’sraven,morningbymorning,forafreshpieceofbreadtocarrymethroughtheday.ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIfoundmyselfcutofffrommyusualconnectionsandabilitytonetwork,cutofffromtheveryplatformIthoughtGodhadworkedsohardtobuildaroundme,andcutofffrommyownnoisyattemptsatgettingsomethingamazingaccomplishedforGod.HaveyoueverfoundyourselfinyourveryownCherith?Youexpectedtosee

firecomedownfromheaven,butinsteadyoucatchyourselfstaringatyourreflectioninadryingbrookdayafterday,wonderingwhatwentwronginyourlife.YouwonderwheretheHolySpiritis.YouwonderaboutthelifeofpoweryouthoughtGodwouldmanifestinandthroughyou.Youdon’tfeelstrong.You’reshakinginyourboots.Youdon’tfeelsuccessful.Youfeelyou’vedisappointedtheHolySpirit.Andeventuallyafterarguing,andfighting,andresisting,you’reoutofwords,you’reoutofideas,you’reoutofoptions.Soyoufinallystoplongenoughtolisten.

ThePowerofQuietSurrender

FormostofusCherithisunfamiliarterritoryandit’salittlebitshakyatfirst.Youfeelforgottenandisolated.Youcheckyourpulseandconfirmthatyou’restillbreathing.You’realive.Summerturnsintofall,andslowlyIsaiah30:15takesonnewmeaning:“Inreturningandrestyoushallbesaved;inquietnessandintrustshallbeyourstrength.”Youstarttobelieveit.Thereisaweirdphenomenoninpediatricscalleda“breath-holdingspell.”It’s

scaryandwilloftenlandakidintheER.Ifyou’reaparentandhavewitnessedityouknowwhatImeanbyscary.Whenawillfultoddlercan’tgetherownwayshestartscryingsoloudandsohardthatshewillactuallyquitgettingfreshoxygenintoherlungs.Forasplitsecond,thetoddlerwillturnblueandgolimp.Occasionallythetoddlermightevenseizeorstopbreathing.Forabriefmoment,thekidlooksdead.Butsheisnotdead.Asamatteroffact,breath-holdingspellsarebenign.Whenparentsaskmehowtheycanpreventthem,Itellthemit’sapieceofcake:teachyourkidtoslowdownandlisten.Iknowwhatyou’rethinking:Iclearlydon’thaveanykidsofmyown!Ifyou’veeverwonderedwhysomeChristiansseemoreofGod’spowerin

theirlivesthanothers,it’snotascomplicatedasyoumightthink.ChristianswhounderstandGod’spowerhavelearnedtheimportanceoftheirCherith.Theyhavelearnedtofindrestinthemidstofthechaos.Theyhavelearnedtoyield.Theyhavelearnedthepowerofquietsurrender.I’vealwaysyearnedforGod-sizedbreakthroughsinmylifeandimagined

themtobeinthebigacts,likefirecomingdownfromheaven.IwantGodtorevealHimselfinbigwaysinmylife.IsupposeIhaveusedquietsurrenderasleverageforwhatIwantfromGod.IfIcouldjustsurrendereverylittledetailinmylifetoHim,maybeHe’dfinallyshowupinthebigwaysIlongedfor.ButI’mlearningthatbreakthroughisfarmorethanfirecomingdownfromheaven.Breakthroughisthedailypatiencetoendurethedrudgeryofyetanotherdayinthedrought.Breakthroughisthedailywillingnesstoeatthesamebreadmorningaftermorningandnightafternight.Breakthroughistheabilitytosingpraiseswhenyoufeelforgotten.It’sthedeterminationnottolosehopewhenyourdreamsseembrokenandhopeseemsdistant.BreakthroughisthatmomentwhenweseeJesusasleepinthemidstofour

stormsandstilltrustthatHehasn’tforgottenus,thatHe’sstillincontrol.Muchlikeus,thediscipleslackedthatkindofquiettrust.Theypanickedwhenthestormhit.Theysawthewavesandfreakedout.Theyfeltthewindandhollered.

WhentheysawthatJesuswasasleep,theyweredismayed.“Doyounotcarethatweareperishing?”theyaccusedHim.Jesuswasunfrazzled.“Whyareyousoafraid?Haveyoustillnofaith?”Heasked(Mark4:38,40).ThenHequietedthestormwithjustaword.Thiswasnewterritoryforthedisciples.TheythoughttheyknewwhoJesuswas,butthiswasawholenewdimensionofHisdeity.“Whothenisthis,thateventhewindandtheseaobeyhim?”theymarveled(v.41).EventhewindsandthewavesobeyHim.Breakthroughistherealizationthatnostormcanstealyourpeace,nohurricanecanrobyourjoy,nochaoscanbreakyourrestwhenJesusisintheboatwithyou.It’sanawakeningtowhoGodisandthewillingnesstoflingyourselfinunflinchingtrustontoHim,knowingthateventhewindsandthewaveswilldowhatHewants.SinisgettingwhatIwant,whenIwantit,inthewayIwantitwithout

consideringwhatGodwantsandtrustingHimforit.Whenthathappens,ourheartsbecomerestlessandwestopbeingquiet.Ourheartsbecomechaotic.AttherootofourtroublesisaheartthatisnotyettrainedtotrustGod.Wedon’tbelieveGod.CherithistheplaceGodwantstoteachustotrustHim.It’saplaceofhelplessnesswherewearefinallyforcedtoturntoHimincompletedependence.Cherithisourplaceforbreakthrough.Elijah’sstorydidn’tendatCherith.Doyouwanttoknowwhathappenedto

ElijahafterlivingbytheCherithforawhile?In1Kings17:7–9itsays,“Afterawhilethebrookdriedup,becausetherewasnorainintheland.ThenthewordoftheLORDcametohim,‘Arise,gotoZarephath,whichbelongstoSidon,anddwellthere.Behold,Ihavecommandedawidowtheretofeedyou.’”OnewouldthinkthatGodwouldhonortheobedienceandhumilityofHis

servantswithsomepositivity.Instead,thingshaveawayofinitiallygoingfrombadtoworse.AfterElijahhadhungoutbythebrookforawhile,itwentdry!SoGodmovedhimtoZarephath,tolivewithapoorwidowwhocouldbarelysupportherself.NorespectablemanofGodatthattimewoulddeigntolivewithawidowinSouthLebanon,yetthat’sexactlywhereGodsentElijah.Areyoufollowingthepatternhere?BeforeElijahcouldbegintoseefireatMountCarmel,hehadtolearndependenceinaplaceofneedandhumilityinaplaceofobscurity.ItwasatCheriththatElijah’sfaithgrew.ItwasatZarephaththatElijahraisedthewidow’ssonfromthedead.ItwasinherupperroomthatElijahlearnedtopraywithpower.Areyoulookingforbreakthroughinyourlife?Doyoudreamofmoments

whereGodwillshowupinyourlifewithallHismightandHispower?ThesecrettopowerfullivingistosurrendertoGodintheplaceswhereyoufeelmostneedyandbroken.GodhasputyouinaplaceofneedinordertoteachyoutotrustHim.HedoesitnotbecauseHe’sforgottenyoubutbecauseHelovesyoudeeply.AslongasyoucontinuetoarguewithyourGreatPhysicianandtrytodo

deeply.AslongasyoucontinuetoarguewithyourGreatPhysicianandtrytodothingsonyourown,itwillbehardforyoutoreceiveHishealing.It’stimetostopkickingandscreamingandresolvetofindrestinthemidstofchaos.

SilenceStealersandQuietSeekers

Whatkeepsyoufromaquietheart?Whathindersyourhearing?IsittheKillerDs:toomanydistractions,thepainofdefeat,andtherealityof

disasters?IsittheAwfulEs:electronicsthatneedleashes,entertainmentthatneedspolicing,andextrasthatyoudon’treallyneedinyourlife?Ormaybeyou’rejusttoobusywithyourworkandtoofocusedonyourmission.You’retooobsessedwithyourhobbies.You’retoointentongettingyourway.You’retooproudtoadmityou’vebeenwrongorneedhelp.You’retooopinionated.Youthinkyouknowwhat’sbest.You’retoorushedforquiet.You’retooafraidofwhatyou’llhear.You’retoodemanding,tooungrateful,toopreoccupiedwithyourproblems,

tooworriedabouttheoutcome.You’retoostiff-neckedtohumbleyourselfandadmityouneedtochange.You’retoosteepedinsin,toorebelliousforcorrection,toohunguponyour

habits.Youturntoprayerasalastresort.You’rechasingafterthewind,constantly

discontent.YouresentGodandHisways,youdoubtthatHisWordistrue.Youdon’tbelieveHelovesyou.Whatisitthat’sobstructingyourheartfromthestillnessthatwelcomestheAlmighty?What’syourexcusefornotrestinglongenoughtostop,look,andlisten?Whataccountsforallthenoiseinyourlife?It’stimetodeclutter.It’stimetodetox.Somethingshavetogo.Thisis

seriousbusiness.Youmightneedtodestroyyourtelevisionandannihilateyourphone.Youmightneedtobreakupwithyourboyfriendorkickyourroommateoutforawhile.Youmighthavetosellyourboatorgiveawayyourgolfclubs.Youmightneedtokickfearintheface.Ihavetotellmypatientsoverandoveragain,“Ifyourkidhasasthma,youneedtoquitsmoking.”Theymakeexcuses.“Weonlysmokeoutside,”they’llsay.Secondhandsmokewillkillyourkidtoo.Howfarareyouwillingtogoforyourhealing?Towhatextremewillyougofor

thelifethat’sunshaken?ThesummerofmyCheriththreatenedtobetheworstsummerofmylife,but

itturnedouttobethebest.Ifyou’relongingforbreakthroughinyourlife,andwanttoseethepoweroftheHolySpiritmovemightilyinyourlife,thenit’stimetomakeachange.It’stimetorecognizethenoiseinyoursoul.It’stimetoleavethechaosofthecrowdandfindadryingbrookforyourselfsomewhere.Ifyou’reaquietseeker,Iwanttoletyouinonfourlittlesecrets.

1.It’sMoreThanJustaTimeandPlace

WhenChristiansthinkofhavingaquietheart,theyautomaticallythinkoftheirquiettime.ForyearsnowthefollowersofJesusChristhavedescribedthetimetheyspendwiththeLordeachmorningastheir“quiettime.”Theywhipoutajournal,grabapen,closetheireyes,andthengetfrustratedwhenGoddoesn’tspeaktothemintheallottedtimetheyhavegivenHimfortheday.AlthoughIfirmlybelieveinsettingadailytimetospendwithGodeachday,havingaquietheartismuchmorethankeepingaquiettime.DevelopingaspecifictimethatyougivetoGodeachdayisagreatandnecessarysteptolisteningtoGod.Buttruerestcannotbefoundincheckinganitemoffyourto-dolistorbygoingthroughthemotionsofreadingyourBible.Thekindofrestyou’relookingforisonlyfoundinthepersonofJesusChrist(Heb.4:1–10).IthappensbyfaithwhenyougetonyourkneesanddesperatelyseekHisface.Heisyourrestingplacenomatterhowbusyyourschedulegetsandnomatterwhereyoufindyourselfinthecourseofaday.

2.ThereAreNoExceptionstotheRule

Jesustooktimeawayfromthecrowdandprayed.Thedisciplesprayed.GreatmenandwomenofGodoverthecenturiesprayed.DavidBrainerddiedatagetwenty-nineanddidmoreforGodinhisbrieflifethanmostofuswilleverdreamof.Inhisdiary,hewrote,“Ilovetolivealoneinmyownlittlecottage,whereIcanspendmuchtimeinprayer.”MartinLutherissaidtohavespentanhourwithGodeachmorning,doublingthattimeonparticularlyharddays.Ifyouwanttoliveunshaken,you’regoingtohavetoplanyourtimewithGod.You’regoingtohavetofightforitinanageofdistractions.You’regoingtohavetoprotectyourtimewithGodandacceptthatsomewillmockandmisunderstandyou.Nomatterhowhecticyourlifemaybe,thisisabattleworthfighting.Youmightevenhavetoescapetothebathroomforyourquietinthestorm.Godisn’ttoopickyaboutwhereyoumeetHim.He’lltalktoyouanywhereandatanyhour.Wherethere’sawill,Godwillmakeaway.

3.PracticeMakesPerfect

ManypeoplegetfrustratedtooquicklybytheirtimewithGod.Theycomplainthattheydon’thearanything.Theydon’tseeanythinghappeningduringthattime.GodoftenrevealsHimselfinunexpectedandunplannedways,buttypicallyHerevealsHimselfthroughHisWord.Soopenitupandeatitslowly.Rememberthatpracticemakesperfect.Leaninandlearntolisten.InsteadofrushingthroughyourdailyBiblepassageandpattingyourselfonthebackforbeingon-targetinyourYouVersionplan,meditateonasingleversefromGod’sWordfromtimetotime.BepresentwiththeLordduringyourtimewithHim.EveryonceinawhilemymomwillcallmewhileI’mbusydoingotherthings.She’lltalkforawhile.I’llanswerforawhile.It’sonlyafterIhangupthatInoticeIhavenoideawhatmymomsaidorhowsheisreallydoing.Awastedconversationisonewhereyou’relisteningbutnothearing.HearingGodwiththeintenttoobeytakestimeandpractice.

4.BeinItfortheLongHaul

WetendtooverestimatewhatGodwantstodothroughusintheshortrunandunderestimatewhatHewantstodoinusthroughalifetimeoffaithfulnessandobedience.It’shightimewegetoverourobsessionwithimmediateresultsandcommittoperseveringtotheendnomatterwhat.Someofmypatientsgiveupontheirtreatmentonlytwodaysafterstartingacourseofantibiotics.WhentheycomebacktotheER,unimproved,andIdiscovertheproblem,Iexplaintothemthattheywillnotgetbetteriftheydon’tstickthetreatmentouttotheend.Ialsowarnthemthatifthey’renotcareful,theymightevengetworseandrisktheirlifeintheprocess.

ElisabethElliotisoneofmyrolemodelsandall-timefavoritewriters.Herfirsthusband,Jim,diedasamartyrwhilespreadingthegospelinEcuador.Leftwithasix-month-oldbabytoraiseonherown,ElisabethwasthrownintotheCherithofdesperateneed.ShepennedthesewordsofprayerinKeepaQuietHeartthatshouldbeourdailypleatoo:“God...calmmedown,makemeshutupandlookto[You]fortheoutcome.Hismessagetomeeveryday[isto]wait,bestill,trust,andobey.”GodsentHisSontodieonthecrossforoursins.We’vebeengivenhopeno

matterwhatwe’refacing.God’sWordisnearus;Hispresenceisinus.Wehavetheabilitytolovetheunlovable,torejoiceinsuffering,togivethoughwe’repoor.TheamazingandawesomepowerofGodgivesusvictoryoversinandtheabilitytoovercomethetoughestobstacles.It’sbeensaidthattheChristianlifeisimpossible.Itis—ifyoutryitonyourown—butthroughtheHolySpiritlivinginyouitismorethanpossible.It’stimewesettledownandslowdownandrecognizethatGodisatworkinourmidstevenwhenwedon’tseeHimclearly.ToomanyofushavemissedGod’sworkinourlivesinoursearchforsomething“bigger.”TheawesomethingaboutGodisthatHe’saGodofsecondchances.You

mighthavetriedarguingwithHimandfightingforyourway.You’reexhaustedandfrustrated.Yourlifedoesn’tlooklikeyouthinkitshouldlook.Yourtrustisshakyatbest.You’relivinginthemidstofchaosandyou’renotsurethere’sanythingyoucandoaboutit.Thereis.Whileyoumightnotbeabletoslowyourlifedownasmuchasyou’dlike,nowisthetimetoslowdownyoursoulandlisten.WhatisitthatyouneedtosurrendertotheLord?Perhapsit’syourideaofperfection.Youwillfindthatthere’spowerinyieldedsurrender.Youmight

perfection.Youwillfindthatthere’spowerinyieldedsurrender.Youmightevenseefirecomedownfromheaven,oratleastcatchaglimpseofabirdwithaloafofbreadinitsbeak.WhereverandhoweverGodchoosestorevealHimselftoyou,Iguaranteethatyou’llnoticeHimbestwhenyou’requiet.Aswereachtheendofourjourneytogether,won’tyouresolvetofindrest

eveninthemidstofyourchaos?It’smorethanpossible.It’syoursinChristrightnow.

RESOLVED:thatIwon’tletthehecticpaceoftheculturestealthepeacethatismineinChristbutinsteadallowHimtospeaktomeinthemiddleofmybusyness,knowingthatIwillfindrestformysoulwhenIyieldtoHiminquietsurrender.

ConclusionSoNowWhat?

Nowthatyou’vecommittedtolivingbyresolve,whatshouldyouexpect?Wheredoyougofromhere?We’reinthatpartofthebookwherewe’reabouttosaygoodbye.It’stimetowrapthingsup.IlovebeinganERdoctor.Iappreciateeveryaspectofmyjob,butIwanttoletyouinonalittlesecret:nomatterhowmuchIlovewhatIdo,thebestpartofmyERshiftistheendofit.ItypicallyusethedrivehomefromtheERtoreflectoverthedayandreplayitshighlights.IevaluatewhereIneedtochangeandconsiderhowIneedtoimprove.ThebeautyofworkingintheERisthateveryshiftisanewday,anewopportunitytodobetter.It’sverysimilartotheChristianlife:everydaybringsnewmercies.God’s

faithfulnessisneweverymorning.Idon’twanttoputtoomuchpressureonyou,butifyouwalkawayfromthisbookunchanged,thenI’vefailedmiserably.SometimesIgetakickoutofmypatients.I’llsitdownwiththemandexplain

insimpleEnglishwhattheirdiagnosisisandhowwe’regoingtotreatthem.TheynodtheirheadandseemtofollowwhatI’msaying.Theylookhappyandsatisfied.RightafterIleave,thenursewalksinandtellsthemtheexactsamethingIjustfinishedtellingthem.Forexample,she’llsay,“You’vegotabrokenbone.”Thepatientwilllookupinshockandask,“Abrokenbone?Whatareyoutalkingabout?Whohasabrokenbone?”Lifeisfunnythatway.Youcanhearsomethingonce,twice,orthreetimes

andstillnotfullygetit.That’swhyyou’vegottohearitfrommanydifferentpeopleandinmanydifferentways.YoumighthavealreadyheardeveryprincipleI’vesharedinthisbookbefore,butyoustillcatchyourselflivingyourlifeshaken,fearful,andineffective.Ihopethat’sabouttochange.IhopeI’vebeenabletocommunicatethemessageoflivingwithpowerinawaythathasyougoing“Aha!”Livingbyresolveisnotaonetime,fix-allprogram.Youcan’tdoitallatonce.

Growthhappenspreceptuponprecept,lineuponline,herealittle,therealittle(Isa.28:13).YourwalkwithChristisadailyexercisethatyoumustfightfor.CovetyourtimewithGodandprotectit.TheimpactyouwillmakeinthislifeisindirectproportiontothedepthofyourrelationshipwithChrist.Yourlifebegan

whentheunstoppableGodreacheddownandgrabbedyououtofthepit.HeisaGodwhoisresolvedaboutHisloveforyou!Hesawyouandknewyouandconsecratedyoubeforeyouwereevenconceived(Jer.1:5).Heunderstandsyouinsideandout.Hegetsallofyouridiosyncrasiesandknowsaboutyourfailures,butHe’salsotheOnewhocreatedyouwithyourgiftsandtalentsandamazingpersonality.He’snotabouttogiveuponyou.He’sinitforthelonghaulwithyou.Heholdsyoubyyourrighthand.He’sforyouandnotagainstyou.HeistheOnewhowillneverforgetyou,neverleaveyou,andneverforsakeyou.HeneversleepsnorslumbersandHeneverlosestrackofyou(Ps.121:4).Heissteadfast.Helovesyouwithunstoppableresolve.That’swhyHeputonfleshandbonesandcametoearthinhumanform.Hisloveforyouisdeepenoughtodieforyou.Helongstobeonewithyou,andprayedaboutthisforyou(John17).Butevenmoreamazingly,afterJesusdiedandascendedtoheaven,HesentustheHolySpirittotakeoverandgiveusanevendeeperformofintimacywithourGod.EverydetailofourlivesnowhingesonHisabidingpresence.Don’tletanythinggetinthewayofthetransformingworkofGodinyourlife.Don’tsettleforcomfortableandeasy.Don’tbesatisfiedwithlessthanGod’sbestforyou.Whenallofthethingswe’vetalkedaboutinthisbookstartfallingtogether,

yourlifewilltakeonnewpower.Motivationalspeakerstalkabout“unleashingthepowerwithin”and“livingoutyourdestiny.”Iamnotgreatatbigwords,butIdopromiseyouthatwhenGod’sSpirittakesoveryourlifeandyoufixyourallontheLord,youwillnolongerbedrivenbyyourfears.Youwillnolongerbemiserable.Whenthathappens,everyonewilltakenotice.Lifeisnotascomplicatedaswemakeitouttobe.JesusdiedforusandHe

livesforus.Nowit’stimewewakeupandliveforHimwitheverythingwe’vegot.Whenyoulivelikeyoubelievewhatyousayyoubelieve,andwhenyoustandstrongintheheatofthebattle,you’regoingtochangeyourworld.You’regoingtomakeadifference.Andthisishowwedoit.

LinaAbuJamraisapediatricERdoctorandthefounderofLivingwithPowerMinistries.ShelovesJesusandspendsmostofhertimecommunicatingbiblicaltruthforeverydaylifethroughherpopularblogandalsothroughherspeakingministry,whichhastakenherallovertheworld.HerLivingwithPowerpodcasthasmorethan150,000listenersfromallovertheworld.SheisalsothehostofToday’sSingleChristian,hearddailyonMoodyRadio.

@LinaMayLAbujamra

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TableofContents

CoverTitlePageCopyrightPageEndorsementsDedicationContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction:ItStartsRightNow1.BelieveWhenItLooksRidiculous2.LoveWhenIt’sInconvenient3.ObeyWhenIt’sNotPopular4.YieldWhenIt’sMyRight5.SpeakUpWhenIt’sEasierNotTo6.GiveWhenIBarelyHaveEnough7.BeinCommunityWhenI’dRatherBeAlone8.HaveJoyWhenLifeIsDepressing9.HopeWhenItHurtsTooMuch10.RestintheMidstofChaosConclusion:SoNowWhat?AbouttheAuthorBackAdsBackCover