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?

 

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.

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.

 

 

5 Attributes of a Prideful Heart: An Overview of Ezekiel 35

 

“You will be desolate, O Mount Seir, you and all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the Lord”.

Neglecting the Old Testament based on the misconception that it holds no relevance for our modern lives as Christians is foolish and frustrating. Some of the richest blessings, lessons, convictions, and encouragements I have received through Scripture have come from the pages of the bible’s oldest books. The hostility between Israel and Edom can be found back in Genesis 25-28. These two nations were great enemies throughout all of the bible’s history, and continued for some time.

Reading through Ezekiel 35, I couldn’t help but notice a pattern appearing throughout Ezekiel’s prophecy against Edom; it presents a great example to us today of 5 common traits of a prideful and haughty heart:

Harbouring Hostility

“Because you harboured an ancient hostility…” verse 5

Our reaction to sin or enmity should be forgiveness, not hostility. The amount of time it takes for someone to realise their sin holds no relevance – whether it be weeks, months or even years before they seek forgiveness, or even if they never acknowledge it – we are called to not harbour hostility, but to offer forgiveness to those who sin against us. As Jesus said to His disciples regarding prayer, ^“if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).

Envy and covetousness

“Because you said, “These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession of them… I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them” – verse 10, 11b

The bible is full of warnings against envy and covetousness, and is clear on the consequences of such things:

• A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones – Proverbs 14:30
• Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?- Proverbs 27:4
• You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions – James 4:2-3

Instead of these, we should seek contentment with what we have (Philippians 4:12) and rejoice at the blessings of others (Romans 12:15).

Hateful anger

“I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed… Then you will know that I the Lord have heard all the contemptible things you have said” – verses 11-12

Emotions were given to us by God as a way to express how we feel – they were created good and perfect. However, as the fall of sin has its mark on everything, so it also does with our emotions. While anger can be felt in a righteous way (Ephesians 4:26-27), we must never let this fester in our hearts lest we become bitter and hateful:

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15

Boasting in yourself

“You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint” – verse 13

Boasting is fruit of pride and irreverence. Our lives should not be marked by these, but by the same characteristics that Jesus showed: meekness, peace and humility (Matthew 5:5, Philippians 2:1-8). We should also strive to say with the apostle Paul:

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” – Galatians 6:14

Rejoicing at the destruction of others

“Because you rejoiced when the inheritance of the house of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you.” – verse 15

Of all the people who have been sinned against, God is the only one who reserves the right to unleash justice. But even when Jesus came to this earth, He didn’t come to condemn or destroy – but to save, and we are to imitate Christ! As tempting as it may be to feel glad at the misfortune of those who seek to harm or persecute us, our attitudes, words and deeds should reflect a heart of love and humility, desiring to reflect the sacrificial, servant heart of Christ:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:17

“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.””- Luke 23:34

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Hostility, envy and covetousness, hatefulness, boasting, and rejoicing at others’ misfortune are all sins reflecting a heart that is ruled by pride and bitterness. Though we may be tempted by these things from time to time, we must strive in God’s grace to have a heart that is ruled by the Holy Spirit, not by sin; for Christ died for our freedom to be able to live as He did! I’ll finish with this final admonition from Paul regarding imitation of Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:1-11):

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.