Russell Media - Laurie

I read an article this morning stating the Presidential election is almost 17 months away and I was instantly filled with anxiety. Thankfully it was not caused by fear of military take-overs or self-absorbed dictators fixing elections leading to civil war. Nope, I’m blessed to live in a democracy so thankfully that wasn’t it. Instead it was caused by a dread of division.

The economy is imploding and natural disasters are exploding around us. Our country is in need for us to pull together like never before – we need each other. Even more – the world needs a unified church. We all need the stability in the midst of chaos that only Christ can give.

There are many agents that divide – money, faith, betrayal, jealousy – but politics is possibly on top. Family gatherings have been ruined, churches have split, towns divided and on and on.

The night before His crucifixion He prayed that His disciples would be one, united like He and his Father. As Christians and citizens we should work to model this to our country and the world.

Here are a few suggestions that may help us model Christ around the dinner table and water coolers as we enter the primary season (and hopefully open our heart to God molding us to be more like Him)…

1. Don’t view issues as “left” or “right” – look for Christ’s view. Social justice, the unborn, the environment, the poor…we shouldn’t avoid them because they are one the ticket of the other party. We should look at them through the eyes of Christ. Allow God to open your eyes to how He sees the issues.
2. Look for truth. Taking our eyes off ourselves helps us to broaden what we see. Perhaps God will teach us through the views of others. But first we have to be willing to see it with a learning spirit.
3. Pray for vision and wisdom. Open and honest discussion/debate is tricky. Most are not working towards unity – instead their agenda is solely to prove their point. Only God truly can see the heart of an individual if it is open. Sometimes the wisest thing to do is avoid the topic. No use losing your voice trying to talk over a jackhammer.

My prayers are with you as next political season begins. May God use this time to show each of us what matters most to Him at this time of history. That our votes won’t divide but Christ’s love and model will unite us.

Do political discussions cause tension in your family, church, work?

How do you handle it?

Do your fears ever overtake you - paralyzing you, either momentarily or long-term, to the point where you sit out on life?

Fear is a strong force that God may use to protect and guide us but it’s also a tool the enemy will use to keep us in stalemate preventing us from experiencing and trusting God.

A few weeks ago our daughter had her end-of-the-season soccer party at a new gym in our area. It’s in an old warehouse and high above our party was the ropes course with six platforms and in-between each iss a variety of ropes and obstacles.

It looked awesome and the girls immediately asked about it. The manager offered us a deal if each child had an adult to accompany them. We couldn’t pass it up so we did the mini-training, strapped in and waited our turn to climb the rope ladder.

I was with my son, Noah, who quickly climbed the ladder as I belayed him. He made it look easy and I was eager to join him at top. However, as I began my climb the narrow ladder, it began to twist and sway. I quickly realized it was going to be trickier than it appeared.

I felt uncoordinated as I climbed. When it came time for me to reach from the ladder and step onto the platform, a fear of heights took over me that I had never experienced before. I stood on the platform, grasping the pole and afraid to move. I wanted to go down - immediately.

I didn’t want to let Noah down so I tried to gather my nerves. He waited for me to clip him in to his first course while I mentally tried to think of a way to get out of it and without disappointing him. Maybe he’ll hate and “need” me to go down with him.

No such luck – he loved it.

It was my turn to lean out, grab the rope and step off the firm platform onto a swinging rope. It was unnerving and I hated it at first but I didn’t fall and even ended the day with an adrenaline high.

Here are a few life lessons it taught me.

1. Straight paths are not always easy. In Proverbs 3 we’re encouraged to trust in God and not our own understanding. But just because God directs us to a path, it doesn’t mean it’ll necessarily be easy. My fears (understanding) told me to quit. However, if I had listened, I would have missed out on a great bonding time with my son. It was worth the struggle.
2. Taking the 1st step is not always the hardest part. For me, taking the 2nd and 3rd steps was harder. Each one took me further from the platform and my safety blanket. It was even scarier at the end when I had to take one hand off of the rope to climb onto the next platform. It required me letting go and reaching out to another for help. Every step of our path we are dependent upon God and others – and this is a good thing.
3. “Healthy” pride won’t lead to a fall. It keeps us from sitting out on life. I was with my son and his ability to continue on the ropes course was dependent on me staying with him. I didn’t want him to see me as a mom who quits on him. So I struggled on. My pride didn’t want to disappoint him so it spurred me on.

There have been times in life where fear kept me from trying. I didn’t send a query letter because I feared the rejection. I didn’t talk to a person because I feared looking foolish. I didn’t apply for a position because I feared I wouldn’t be able to handle the position.

God broke through that day. He reminded me that He enables us and He clears the right path for us. It may not be smooth sailing the whole way but the bonding and joy He gives us are more than worth it.

Do you have fears that prevent you from stepping out?

What has God taught you as you tackled your fears?

Do your fears ever overtake you - paralyzing you, either momentarily or long-term, to the point where you sit out on life?

Fear is a strong force that God may use to protect and guide us but it’s also a tool the enemy will use to keep us in stalemate preventing us from experiencing and trusting God.

A few weeks ago our daughter had her end-of-the-season soccer party at a new gym in our area. It’s in an old warehouse and high above our party was the ropes course with six platforms and in-between each iss a variety of ropes and obstacles.

It looked awesome and the girls immediately asked about it. The manager offered us a deal if each child had an adult to accompany them. We couldn’t pass it up so we did the mini-training, strapped in and waited our turn to climb the rope ladder.

I was with my son, Noah, who quickly climbed the ladder as I belayed him. He made it look easy and I was eager to join him at top. However, as I began my climb the narrow ladder, it began to twist and sway. I quickly realized it was going to be trickier than it appeared.

I felt uncoordinated as I climbed. When it came time for me to reach from the ladder and step onto the platform, a fear of heights took over me that I had never experienced before. I stood on the platform, grasping the pole and afraid to move. I wanted to go down - immediately.

I didn’t want to let Noah down so I tried to gather my nerves. He waited for me to clip him in to his first course while I mentally tried to think of a way to get out of it and without disappointing him. Maybe he’ll hate and “need” me to go down with him.

No such luck – he loved it.

It was my turn to lean out, grab the rope and step off the firm platform onto a swinging rope. It was unnerving and I hated it at first but I didn’t fall and even ended the day with an adrenaline high.

Here are a few life lessons it taught me.

1. Straight paths are not always easy. In Proverbs 3 we’re encouraged to trust in God and not our own understanding. But just because God directs us to a path, it doesn’t mean it’ll necessarily be easy. My fears (understanding) told me to quit. However, if I had listened, I would have missed out on a great bonding time with my son. It was worth the struggle.
2. Taking the 1st step is not always the hardest part. For me, taking the 2nd and 3rd steps was harder. Each one took me further from the platform and my safety blanket. It was even scarier at the end when I had to take one hand off of the rope to climb onto the next platform. It required me letting go and reaching out to another for help. Every step of our path we are dependent upon God and others – and this is a good thing.
3. “Healthy” pride won’t lead to a fall. It keeps us from sitting out on life. I was with my son and his ability to continue on the ropes course was dependent on me staying with him. I didn’t want him to see me as a mom who quits on him. So I struggled on. My pride didn’t want to disappoint him so it spurred me on.

There have been times in life where fear kept me from trying. I didn’t send a query letter because I feared the rejection. I didn’t talk to a person because I feared looking foolish. I didn’t apply for a position because I feared I wouldn’t be able to handle the position.

God broke through that day. He reminded me that He enables us and He clears the right path for us. It may not be smooth sailing the whole way but the bonding and joy He gives us are more than worth it.

Do you have fears that prevent you from stepping out?

What has God taught you as you tackled your fears?

Do you ever feel God blesses everyone but you? You pray for the job promotion but it’s given to a co-worker. Your dream school sends you a letter politely telling you to go away but your best friend is immediately accepted into hers. It feels as if your dreams are on the verge of being fulfilled but are instantly yanked away, sending your emotions on a wild roller coaster ride.

While in my twenties, I lived in Atlanta and was a dancer – a hip-hop dancer. Most people laugh when they hear this but I was a white girl who had a few moves and I dreamed of using dance as a way of reaching the inner-city youth.

I prayed, fasted and trained but I only met closed doors that were bolted shut. Every so often there were doors that were “cracked” open but never enough to lead me anywhere. I wondered why God refused to bless my dream when I was doing it for Him? Why did He tease me with the times of “almost” making it?

Unfortunately this was not a one-time thing. Many events in my life appeared as if God was about to bless me but changed His mind at the last moment – playing a cruel joke on me. However, now that I have more years behind me, I look back and I see that these times of struggle actually had purpose.

1. I wasn’t ready. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is a time for everything and sometimes that means waiting. Looking back I see that I wasn’t mature enough emotionally and spiritually to handle my dream. I wouldn’t have represented Christ properly and possibly would have burned-out.
2. I was too far ahead of God. Isaiah 30:21 tells us we have a voice that tells us which way to turn. I was so far ahead of the Voice that I didn’t hear it. God had to use the closed doors to slow me down to His timing. Once I did, I heard Him leading me to overseas missions – where He redirected my ministry passion (and I met my future husband – totally worth it I must say)
3. We bonded in the trenches. Soldiers bond in war. Missionaries become family in the field. I believe the same is true with God. In times of trial I’m knocked down on my knees and God hovers over me, with me, that bonds me to Him like nothing else. He helps me develop perseverance that strengthens my character and dependency on Him. If life were perfect – I’d miss that time in the trenches with Him – where I see Him most.

There are still times when I wonder why He delays in His answers - I’m an impatient one who has a hard time staying still. But I try to remind myself that it’s not that God is refusing to bless me – it was quite the opposite. He is leading me to the correct spot where I can receive it. And now that I’ve seen what He gives in the trenches, I don’t want to miss out on it – there is nothing like it.

Do you ever feel overlooked by God?

What has He taught you in the times He had you wait?

Do you ever feel God blesses everyone but you? You pray for the job promotion but it’s given to a co-worker. Your dream school sends you a letter politely telling you to go away but your best friend is immediately accepted into hers. It feels as if your dreams are on the verge of being fulfilled but are instantly yanked away, sending your emotions on a wild roller coaster ride.

While in my twenties, I lived in Atlanta and was a dancer – a hip-hop dancer. Most people laugh when they hear this but I was a white girl who had a few moves and I dreamed of using dance as a way of reaching the inner-city youth.

I prayed, fasted and trained but I only met closed doors that were bolted shut. Every so often there were doors that were “cracked” open but never enough to lead me anywhere. I wondered why God refused to bless my dream when I was doing it for Him? Why did He tease me with the times of “almost” making it?

Unfortunately this was not a one-time thing. Many events in my life appeared as if God was about to bless me but changed His mind at the last moment – playing a cruel joke on me. However, now that I have more years behind me, I look back and I see that these times of struggle actually had purpose.

1. I wasn’t ready. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is a time for everything and sometimes that means waiting. Looking back I see that I wasn’t mature enough emotionally and spiritually to handle my dream. I wouldn’t have represented Christ properly and possibly would have burned-out.
2. I was too far ahead of God. Isaiah 30:21 tells us we have a voice that tells us which way to turn. I was so far ahead of the Voice that I didn’t hear it. God had to use the closed doors to slow me down to His timing. Once I did, I heard Him leading me to overseas missions – where He redirected my ministry passion (and I met my future husband – totally worth it I must say)
3. We bonded in the trenches. Soldiers bond in war. Missionaries become family in the field. I believe the same is true with God. In times of trial I’m knocked down on my knees and God hovers over me, with me, that bonds me to Him like nothing else. He helps me develop perseverance that strengthens my character and dependency on Him. If life were perfect – I’d miss that time in the trenches with Him – where I see Him most.

There are still times when I wonder why He delays in His answers - I’m an impatient one who has a hard time staying still. But I try to remind myself that it’s not that God is refusing to bless me – it was quite the opposite. He is leading me to the correct spot where I can receive it. And now that I’ve seen what He gives in the trenches, I don’t want to miss out on it – there is nothing like it.

Do you ever feel overlooked by God?

What has He taught you in the times He had you wait?