How do I know what God wants me to do?

Breadcrumbs.

They led the way back home for Hansel and Gretel. A reliable source of direction, both obvious and practical (at least outdoors).

God leaves breadcrumbs for us, too. And lately, I’ve been noticing them.

I hear them spoken as people comment about the increase in busyness and decrease in the calm of life these days. I feel it as God draws me toward simpler ways to live and be content (though if I’m honest, it’s a calling I fight hard against). And as I read scripture, God’s message is loud and clear:

“Sow for yourselves righteousness;

reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground,

for it is time to seek the Lord,

that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.”

Hosea 10:12

Earlier in the passage it speaks about the pride of Israel. How in luxury and abundance, with each new success achieved, they raised up altars to false gods, and followed the fickle desires of their hearts.

And if I’m honest (it’s a big day for honesty), I see a lot of myself in Israel.

Like how excited I get when there’s more engagement on my social media. Or how much I look forward to writing posts that will engage people. Or the fact I always seem to be coming up with new ways to create, write, or otherwise be engaged in projects that stir me creatively and intellectually.

True, none of these things are inherently sinful. In fact they’re some of the ways I like to recharge myself. But my enjoyment of and love for them should be informed and governed by my first love and devotion to God – not the other way around.

My social media shouldn’t be the first thing I think of in the morning. Or what project I’m working on, or what I want to accomplish that week. I don’t want to be so easily satisfied with these that they are what delights my heart in my waking moments.

So, lately, I’ve been making a more sincere effort to realign the solar system of my life, revering God as the blazing, unmissable sun in the centre:

I’ve started listening and actively naming the ways I know God wants me to change my life. Doing less, loving more. Detaching myself from ‘stuff’ and making much of the people I love. Stirring my affections for God by reading Scripture paired with The Valley of Vision (I highly recommend it!).

The breadcrumbs are there. I just have to look for them, and follow in loving obedience. It’s all by His grace – He leads us by still, soul-satisfying fresh waters. Providing for us an everlasting hope and foundation upon which to base our life and all we do.

What are the breadcrumbs He’s leading you with?

 

God Heals Through Hardship

There have been a few disappointing and frustrating instances in our lives of late. We’ve had a fatigue-inducing flu, several colds, ear infections, first tooth cutting, and other unfortunate-but-inevitable life circumstances wade their way in en mass. In an already sleep-deprived and busy household, this has made for an unpleasant atmosphere at times.

Sometimes the hardship endures – and so must we.

I know when I’m tired, I can get pretty cranky. Being only a few months after a second childbirth, carrying an 8 kilogram baby on me all day, and all the other activities entailed in early-parenthood, my body (and my mind) desperately need rest.

I’m often trying to find days and times when I can take it easy, to try and ease the chronic pains developing, so that I can be free to do what I need to do with a fresh head and a restful, positive attitude. I know hardships produce steadfastness (Romans 5:3-4), but my present circumstances often cloud my better judgement.

He promises us redemption, not ease.

I can’t always have the rest I want – or the rest I need. There are going to be hard times, and they may last longer than I think I can bear. Paul felt this with great abundance:

“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.”

2 Corinthians 1:8

I can’t expect God to give me an easy life – because it isn’t the point. The point of our troubles is to glorify God by increasing our faith, character, and trust in Him:

“Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,”

2 Corinthians 1:9

And in Hosea, which I’ve been reading in my quiet times lately and served as the inspiration for this very post:

“Come, let us return to the Lord; for He has torn us, that He may heal us,”

Hosea 6:1

I don’t try to protect my children from every hardship – there are some in life (like failing, falling and making mistakes) that bear consequences which serve to grow and shape them into resilient, competent and considerate people. It’s this principle which I need to remember when it comes to my own life, and how God orchestrates all things for my good (Romans 8:28).

Being a good Father, God knows what is best for His children – He purposes trials as a means to increase our faith, our character, and our joy in Him.

What have you found helpful in remembering God’s sovereignty and love in hardships? Are you in need of prayer and encouragement right now? Let me know in the comments below. 🙂

Courtney

How Do We Know If We’re Saved?

This morning, Evie and I continued our reading (okay, just my reading – she was asleep with me) in Ezekiel. But for a change, I decided to read something from the New Testament, too – and randomly decided on Hebrews 10.

It speaks about the sufficiency of God’s one sacrifice (Jesus) made for all, and how we have full assurance of faith because of this sufficiency to completely forgive our sins.

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There are two warnings given – one to non Christians (v 26-31):

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“If we deliberately keep on sinning (that is, continue in unbelief) after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

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And one to Christians (v. 35-39):

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“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”

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I think, in fact, even the first warning is also appropriate for us as Christians. The genuineness of our faith is proven by our devotion and perseverance in the faith. Not that our actions ‘earn’ our salvation, obviously – rather, the former follows the latter; just as good works flow from a thankful heart, and so prove, or show, the true state of our faith.

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How do we know if we’re really saved? Well, we’re known by our fruit (of the Spirit, Galatians 5), our love for one another (John 13:35) and the manifestation of our utmost love for God (praise, prayer, worship, reading scripture).

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This should forever spur us nearer to God in affection and awe, resulting in acts of worship and good deeds; lest we be of those who ‘shrink back’, or have a shallow/superficial faith.

Those were my thoughts from this morning’s quiet time – what has God been teaching you today/this week? Let me know in a comment below!

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“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 

If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

(James 2:14-17)

Receiving Transcending Peace

There hasn’t been a great deal of peace in our household of late. Although, I suppose a in house with two under three (a very spirited toddler, and a newborn), you might not expect there to be much.

In the period of adjusting to our new family dynamic, all of us have settled in well – except for Nathan, our son. The change in circumstances (understandably) impacted him significantly, and he was no longer reacting to discipline the same as usual, and wasn’t as much of his bubbly, confident self.

So, with a bit of observation, prayer, reading, and trial-and-error, we’ve now implemented a different form of discipline – with great success! We’ve done away with much of the yelling, tension and disconnect which was all too prevalent in this already challenging season. But, it wasn’t merely a new discipline technique which sprouted this newfound relief. That was only the by-product.

We Are Shepherds Of A Flock

In my quiet time yesterday I read through Ezekiel 34 – a prophecy against the shepherds of Israel. He condemns them for their selfish and neglectful ways:

“The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them”

(v. 4)

and declares His sovereign care and devotion to His people:

“Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them.

I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep.”

(v. 11-12, 15b)

Children are God’s gift to parents, and in a sense we are ‘shepherds’ over them – caring for and nurturing them, tending to their needs, providing a home and relationships in which they can flourish and thrive.

In the text, the part about force and harshness hit me particularly hard – I know with Nathan’s ‘adjusting behaviour’ lately (read: exponential disobedience), I’ve found it hard to not become impatient and frustrated, speaking and acting out of that frustration – after all, I’m fallible and sinful, just as he is.

But then I read God’s promises, remembering that although I am an imperfect shepherd over my children, God is perfect – the Almighty shepherd of both our souls. And it is His devotion, His righteousness, upon which I seek to build a parenthood which imitates the way He loves and shepherds me.

And in a remarkably astounding (although not at all surprising) gift of His grace, I find myself with a newfound peace – permeating all of my being, striking down my fighting will, and cooling the temper which flares too easily. With less self-trust and more sight of God and His perfection, by the Holy Spirit’s power and leading I am enabled to give my son the love God gives to me. It is wonderful, it is selfless, and it is full of compassion, laughter and joy. Praise be to God!

“Let your gentleness be evident to all; The Lord is near. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

(Phil. 4:5-7)

God’s Faithfulness For The Unfaithful

 

Many people claim the Old Testament features an ‘angry God’ or a ‘different God to the one in the New Testament’, but I think this couldn’t be further from the truth. The whole bible is written by God, about Himself; and when we look at each book, chapter and verse through the lens of “what does this say about God/Jesus?”, our eyes are opened by His Spirit to see, know and enjoy more of Him. My quiet times have been a perfect example of this of late.

I’ve been slowly but surely returning to my readings in Ezekiel for my quiet times, and let me tell you – it’s not a bed-time read. There are few books in the bible like the Prophets: so immensely powerful, direct, and densely packed with stark reminders of who God is.

Ezekiel 16 is such a compelling chapter within this awe-inspiring book. It outlines God’s response to Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness, by comparing her to a prostitute. Not only that, He goes on to say:

“Was your prostitution not enough? You slaughtered (my) children and sacrificed them to idols.” (v. 20b-21);

“Samaria (and Sodom) did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done.” (v. 51)

The picture God paints of the desires, actions and consequences of the sins of Jerusalem is grotesque and shocking. No words are minced here – we see the full evil of sin through the lens of God’s absolute holiness.

And yet, even after centuries of contempt and unfaithfulness on the part of Israel, God still shows mercy!

“‘So I will establish my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign Lord.’” (v. 62-63).

And reading this, I was reminded of some gentle words our Lord and Saviour spoke to a woman found guilty of adultery (and facing death as punishment):

“‘… neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.’”

(John 8:11b).

Notice the title of this post refers to the ‘unfaithful’, not the ‘faithless’ – believers are never completely without faith, but the remnant of sin in us means we are still capable of unfaithfulness.

And yet, we have a God and Saviour so faithful, and at the same time, so holy and willing to save – despite our own imperfection and unfaithfulness! I find this so convicting, and so freeing – because this grace God extends to me, He extends to all people. Through our faith in Christ, our continued fight against sin, and knowing God more, we are conformed to the image and likeness of Christ. Praise God!

Are There Idols Before Your Heart?

We tend to think of idolatry as an issue belonging to times long past: the word conjures images of  metal or wooden artefacts scattered throughout a home, or shrines laden with candles, incense and pictures. Truth is, idolatry has less to do with what we set in our homes, and more to do with what we set in our hearts.

I’m reading through Ezekiel at the moment – a prophecy-dense book mostly recounting the sins of Israel and her judgement, with occasional glimpses of God’s plan for their redemption. In Chapter 13 we see God condemning the false prophets of Israel: men who proclaimed false divinations and messages, and were hypocrites; and women who practised magic and confessed their own thoughts and words as God’s. In Chapter 14, God addresses the people of Israel directly (v. 4-7, 10a, 11):

“Thus says the Lord God: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols, that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols.

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to a prophet to consult me through him, I the Lord will answer him myself.

And they shall bear their punishment – that the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, nor defile themselves anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be my people and I may be their God, declares the Lord God.”

Though we may not be living the same way as the ancient Israelites, there are certainly points of note which ring true for us as Christians today:

Idolatry is the natural, primary inclination of the human heart.

I daresay there isn’t any Christian – living or dead – who has lived an entire day, or even an hour, without finding more comfort, joy, or fulfilment, in something other than God. This is the effect of the curse of sin; we still exist in our fallen bodies, which have corrupted desires (Galatians 5:17, Romans 7:18), and so it is something we fight against day to day.

Setting up idols estranges (separates) us from God.

It’s as true 4000 years ago as it is for us today – when our heart sets its joy and trust in something other than God (physical, mental or conceptual), there is a very real shift in our soul. All of a sudden, our focus is on a new need, a new love, pulling us away from God.

God loves us more than we love ourselves.

In setting up an idol (whether it be looking to convenience, comfort, health, money, a spouse or career, to fulfil us) we are assuming we know ourselves best, and what is best for us. But this is a self-deception: God knew us before He even formed the earth (Ephesians 1:4), and as the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator, He is the one who knows what our greatest good is – ultimately, for us to know and love Him!

The longings and obsessions of our hearts are strong – some may even be based in good, godly things (like marriage), but become idols when we find we cannot be content, or happy in God, without them.

Trusting in God is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day striving – through prayer and faith, accountability and honesty – to love God more than anything else life has to offer.

3 Reasons We Should Prioritise Solitary Prayer

 

Sure, we’re all busy. But there are some things integral to our spiritual health and closeness with the Lord which we ought to prioritise; prayer is one of them.

In my quiet time for today I read through Mark 1:35-39, a passage detailing Jesus’ early morning venture off to a solitary place to pray. And since my ‘resolution’ for this year is to pray more, I thought I’d share some cool insights God gave me as to why we should make time for solitary prayer:

1. It Was A Priority For Jesus

Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2), and our example of how the Christian life should be lived. Prayer was obviously a priority for Jesus, and so it should be for us. Prayer was His way of being in constant communion with the Father, discerning His will in where He ought to go and what He ought to do. Which leads to the next point:

2. Being Solitary Allows Us To Hear Undistracted

This is certainly not something I can feasibly do every day (I have a toddler, after all), but now and again, when I feel the distraction and busyness of life, relationships and all my thoughts clouding out what God’s Word is saying, I know I need to make solitary prayer a priority. Having a quiet time of the day, free from technology, other people or any distractions, is a setting in which I can fix my eyes on Jesus, and pray. I often like to prepare in my quiet times by asking the Holy Spirit to clear my mind, and teach me something new which I can apply to my life right now, or something I can use to encourage someone else. And He never lets me down!

3. We Become What We Worship

As we spend regular times in solitary prayer, increasing our friendship and love for God through reading His Word and communicating with Him, our faith is strengthened, we’re untangled from sins, and we get a clearer picture of God’s will for our lives. And as we do this, the more time we spend adoring, praising, and petitioning our Father, the more like Him we become.

 

If you feel as though prayer is not a strong suit of yours, you’re a beginner, or you often just don’t know how or what to pray – then can I encourage you to look at the Psalms as a guide? They’re a great starting point (or any point, really!), and fantastic for those dry seasons when we’ve gotten so lost in our lives and ourselves that we don’t even know what we need to pray for. There are Psalms for everything, but starting with Psalms of praise is a great way to connect with God ever closer, and refresh the soul.

Happy Praying! 🙂

My Son and I

 

I had a lot of plans leading up to Nathan’s birth. The kind of mother and parent I’d be, the routines we’d have; I had a crystal clear idea of what was expected of me as a Christian mother, and intended to fit myself and my son into a neat little box with perfect precision.

Or so I thought.

Everyone who is a parent knows how life-shifting and truly shocking the entrance of a newborn is to your life. My husband and I took a big hit – we had no idea what was coming, no real way to prepare but to take things as it came and survived. And we did – we all did. Phew!

My biggest plan for Nathan was that I was going to be the mum who stayed home with him. Not finding fulfillment in any pursuit other than nurturing, discipling, guiding and enjoying my children. Turns out though, Nathan had other plans. From the time he was only a couple of months old, it didn’t take long for him to become a grumpy, cranky, always-crying baby whenever it was just me and him at home. I thought he’d love staying home with me, his mother; but oftentimes he would only calm if friends or family visited.

This caused me so much stress, and grew such tension between Nathan and I. I couldn’t handle him whining and moaning all day, every day any longer, so, at one point we trialed him visiting day care – but only for a few hours, once a week. And my gosh. Did he LOVE that!

He came home, and was QUIET. He was happy. Happy to play with his toys by himself. Happy to just be a bit placid. Happy even to see me when I went to pick him up!

It was such a shift in dynamics for us. And since then, we’ve gradually increased how often he goes (2-3 days a week, with 1 of those being a half-day), which has freed up some time for me to go back to part time work to help support our family (daycare isn’t cheap, after all!). Now, when Nathan and I do have time at home together, instead of being just forced quantity time, it’s truly quality time; we’re both having fun and are able to enjoy ourselves and each other because both he and I are having all of our needs met (his super-extrovertedness is all my fault, I’ll admit).

I also realised that the stereotype-pressure I placed on myself wasn’t from God at all; but a false fulfillment and reliance on my works similar to what the Galatians struggled with. And besides, the Proverbs 31 woman is described as very industrious; working both inside and outside the home, committed to the welfare of her family.

Whether a mother works in employment or works in the home, she’s working for her family; the labour of her heart and hands are the fruit of her devotion and love. I’m so glad I chose to accept who Nathan is and do right by him and what he needs, instead of trying to expect some picture-perfect standard of what I believe we should be doing together.

Praise be to God for directing me unto wisdom, for His everlasting faithfulness and joy in my life, and my son’s. In Christ, I need only obey His command to love my children, to be wise, faithful, diligent in prayer, and showing them an example of the One who frees me from all worldly and ungodly pressure.

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“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.“

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith“

Galatians 1:10, 3:26

Would You Sell Christ for Riches?

 

In my quiet time this morning I came across a comparison in Matthew 26 I hadn’t noticed before. This is why I’m adamant reading books of the bible multiple times is of such significant benefit to us – as we grow in knowledge and godliness, the Holy Spirit reveals new gems of wisdom to us in holy Scripture.

The Setting

Jesus has just finished preaching about His second coming, the judgement; and the Passover is two days away. The chief priests and elders are plotting to kill him, and want to do so as soon as possible.

While Jesus was in the town of Bethany, in the home of a man named Simon (the leper), a woman came to Him and, as He reclined at the table, opened a magnificent alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, and anointed Him with it.

The Giver

As she poured it over His head the disciples openly resented her for it, saying “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor”. But Jesus rebuked them, saying “She has done a beautiful thing to me… When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.”

Now, the woman probably had no idea she was doing it in preparation for His upcoming burial – but God did. Our work means more in God’s plans than we often realise. And Jesus honours our faithfulness and generosity. Sometimes, what we think might be best in a situation might not actually be; but God always knows what’s best, and will always carry out His plans. Our job is to be as wise and obedient as we can be, doing all things through faith.

The Taker

After this passage, it is briefly mentioned that Judas approaches the chief priests (who are trying to kill Jesus), and asks, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”. They then proceed to count out a cost that was the equivalent of what a beast of burden (such as a donkey) was often sold for.

The Comparison

Judas was not willing to give up his own life to Christ – instead, he wanted to know, what could I have that would be better? He believed the lie that knowing Jesus Christ was not the best thing one could experience in life, and instead, sought out material riches to fulfill his soul.

What about you? If presented with the option, can you truly say that the glittering and clang of jewels and gold doesn’t appeal to your heart more than the gospel call of Christ?

Or, is this an ongoing struggle for you? Perhaps you find it hard to keep Christ as the Lord of your life, and find your heart competing with other idols for lordship. If this is so, be encouraged – take heart from the great faith of the woman who anointed Jesus. She saw no greater good than to honour her Lord with her best, and so it should be with us.