Blinded to Blessings

            The bright light of my refrigerator flickered on as I bent over to search for a snack to eat the other day. Three of the four shelves stared at me, empty of contents. My first thought was that by the looks of my fridge, anyone could tell I didn’t have money.

            But God wouldn’t let me think I had little for too long as the truth ran through my mind, informing my brain that I actually had been given much. My culture had told me that I didn’t have enough, when in reality, I do.

            As I was reminded of how blessed I truly am, a knot of disappointment looped in my stomach. How could I be so ungrateful when I have so much?

            Right then, I realized why I didn’t see all of the blessings God gave me—I always look for more. More time, more food, more clothes, more money, more friends, more affirmation, more success, and when I am consumed with wanting more, I blind myself to the blessings that God has so graciously given to me—the reality of already having more than enough.  

            Instead of seeing the blessings, I notice everything that is supposedly lacking in my life—my false needs.

            Recently, I started reading a book entitled One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, and she has challenged me to look for blessings everywhere. Yesterday, I began to mine through my day and seek out blessings of any kind. Do you know what I found? Millions of pieces of the evidence that God is with us—hugs from children, laughs that overwhelm your whole body, kisses of sunshine, warm, fuzzy blankets that melt the chill off your feet, and so many more blessings.

            With every blessing that I write down now, as Voskamp challenges, I get one step closer to realizing how much I’ve been given and how little I actually lack. With every stroke of the pen, I’m beginning to see only beauty, not voids, because I am evermore aware of all I’ve been given from such a gracious God.

            We all have been blessed more than we realize, and we all need to be more grateful than we are.

            Thank you will never be enough. He deserves our lives, and when we just start looking for the blessings, we realize that they’re absolutely everywhere just waiting to be discovered and appreciated.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Simply Follow the Leader

            I don’t know about you, but I used to (and still sometimes do), feel as if following Christ is complicated.

             We have to remember to do so many things: read and study the Word, memorize the Word, be good, love God, love neighbor, become like Christ, be a living sacrifice, and so much more, but there’s one problem with this thought.

            We can’t do any of this on our own, nor are we called to become like Christ on our own. Also, when we understand grace fully, the have to disappears because we desperately want to seek God with all of our hearts and learn and pray. He puts the desire inside us.

            This past Sunday, a speaker made me realize a truth that I had never fully known before. God commands us to simply follow Him, and He does the rest.

            Peter and Andrew, Jesus’ first two disciples, were once fishermen. They were professionals. I bet they could sing and the fish would come to them (maybe not, but you get the point). Peter and Andrew knew everything there was to know about catching fish. Casting nets was their life, and one day, a man named Jesus told them to follow Him and become fishers of men instead (ESV, Matt. 4:18-20).

            Let’s look at what Jesus said to them specifically: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).

            Jesus didn’t tell Peter and Andrew that they had to learn how to love Him by themselves or interpret scripture on their own without Him. He didn’t tell them that they had to renew their minds or make themselves like Christ, and He certainly didn’t say they had to make anything of themselves.

            They were simply called to follow. Jesus does the rest. He is the potter; we just have to be willing clumps of clay.

            Remember the game Follow the Leader? Everyone would walk behind the leader while mimicking everything the leader did. The followers looked to the leader to know how to act, sound, look, or move. 

            They didn’t make up what to do; they relied on the leader to make them flawless followers.

            The next time you feel overwhelmed, remember that God has called you to follow Him. He shows you what to do.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Surrounded by Lions

            Their eyes were glued to him.

Daniel’s blood pulsed through his veins faster than before as he stared into the hungry eyes of lions. He brushed off the dirt on his skinned-up knees and hands as the last bit of daylight was sucked from the dungeon.

No longer could Daniel see the full body of the beasts. Only their glowing eyes were visible as he gazed into the darkness. The king was punishing Daniel.

And, Daniel had done everything right.

            He prayed to God daily, obeyed His laws, and loved God even when the government told him that doing so would bring death. Three times a day, Daniel knelt and prayed to his God despite the decree issued by the king, and now, Daniel was paying the consequences of following God unashamedly—the lion’s den. (Read Daniel 6 for the full story).

            What amazes me about Daniel’s story is that he wasn’t caught off guard by the consequence of the lion’s den. King Darius didn’t hide the fact that anyone who bowed or prayed to a god other than King Darius himself would be ripped to shreds by the teeth of ravenous lions; Daniel knew the truth, the risk, yet he prayed to the Great I Am just as he had before.

            He was willing to lay everything down for God.

            One day, the risk became a reality as Daniel was arrested and brought to the lion’s den. King Darius ordered him inside and sealed the exit hole so that no one could enter or exit.

            Whether or not Daniel would stay true to God came down to this moment. He could deny God and beg the king for forgiveness or Daniel could trust God and be cast into the lions’ den. Daniel chose the second option despite impending death.

           

           How could Daniel make this brave choice?

            

            Well, Daniel had decided to follow God no matter the cost, and he knew the truth about God: He is our refuge and shield.

Psalm 91 states, “If you say, The Lord is my refuge, and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent” (NIV, Psalm 91:9-13).

Daniel had put his trust in God and knew that God would protect him even in a lion’s den. Nothing could touch Daniel that God didn’t allow. No, the Bible doesn't tell us that Daniel absolutely knew that God would save his life, but that obviously didn’t matter to Daniel; he served God no matter the cost and so should we.

Like Daniel, are you willing to serve God no matter the cost? 

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Steadfast Peace

            Sometimes, life can really stress you out. 

            Maybe tomorrow seems uncertain or a person in your family is sick or some circumstance has you worried. Whatever is going on, the fact is that we all have troubles, even Jesus agreed with that (John 16:33). But when we face these troubles, we have a choice about how we’re going to react and who we’re going to trust. 

            Many times when I face uncertainties or stressful circumstances, I first try to figure out a solution on my own or I pray and then instead of relying on God for the answer, I rack my brain for the much needed wisdom. The problem with that way of fixing a problem is that I’m not equipped to figure things out on my own—I need a Savior. 

            When I realize that I am not fully equipped, my mind starts churning and most nights, I have trouble sleeping. My life is chaotic—the opposite of peaceful. 

            The truth is that when we don’t rely on Jesus, we will stumble and our lives will be full of chaos and uneasiness, but life doesn’t have to be this way; we can have peace. 

            Isaiah 26:3 declares that God “will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in [God]” (NIV). The key to having peace is trusting in God. When storms arise, remind yourself of the truth: God provides (1 Timothy 6:17), we are loved (John 3:16), He is our refuge and shield (Psalm 119:114), we will never be alone (Hebrews 13:5), and He is our strength (Philippians 4:13). Those truths are just a few of the promises God has given us that we can trust God for. I challenge you to mine through God’s Word for yourself and discover that numerable promises God has for us. 

            When we trust in the Lord, He gives us peace, even that is a promise. One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 40:30-31, which reminds us that “even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

            Today, whatever you’re facing, trust our faithful God. Even if you have to say His name over and over or repeat biblical truths in your mind until you remember to trust Him, do so because we desperately need Him.

He is the only one who can give you peace. 

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

Where My Feet May Fall

            This time of year is full of beginnings and ends for many people. With my college graduation just around the corner, I’m no different. I’ll be honest. This past week has been extremely hard for me. I’ve had exciting moments, such as turning in my last paper of my undergrad career and walking out of my last exam, but I’ve almost cried more times than I can count.

            I’m leaving behind people who have become like my family. Tears come to my eyes as I think about not seeing them and having no definite time when we’ll reunite. For the first time in my life, I understand what fellowship with other believers means, and I can’t imagine life without those people in my life.

            The future seems so uncertain and scary.

            This past Sunday at church, we sang the song “Oceans: Where My Feet May Fall” by Hillsong United. The song talks about how God calls us out on the waves, where we may fall, stumble, or mess up. But, it also reminds us that God’s sovereign hand will guide us. He will never leave us.

            Throughout this song, all I could think about was Peter. The disciples, including Peter, were on the Sea of Galilee, which was exactly where Jesus had told them to be. Then, they see someone who looks like a ghost, but thankfully, it turns out to be Jesus. All of the disciples had to even more realize the deity of Christ as He walked on water in the midst of a storm. Then, Peter says “Lord, if it’s you, [. . .] tell me to come to on the water,” and then, Jesus does (Matt. 14:28).

            Next, Peter does what we as Christians long to do, he obeys and follows Christ despite the obvious risk of drowning. Think about it. Monstrous waves are billowing up around Peter, causing the boat to rock back and forth, but Peter steps out in faith because Jesus is there.

            I was reminded that the future may be filled with storms, but Jesus is out there walking above the waves. If I follow Jesus, I may be placed in the middle of a storm, but He’ll keep me safe and guide me, and if I fail, His love will break my fall and pick me back up when I reach my hand towards Him, just like Jesus rescued Peter after he took his eyes off Jesus.

            Therefore, I may be leaving people I love (but I always can keep in touch), but Jesus is out on the waves waiting for me. I may not know what lies beneath the surface of the waves, but Christ does and will not intentionally take me into harm.

            I don’t know what kind of uncertainty you’re facing or what Jesus is calling you to do, but I do know that He will be with you; He will guide you; He will catch you when you fall.

            Therefore, don’t worry about the future. I’m not.

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

Rainbow Promises

            Over forty days and nights had passed since the door of the ark was sealed shut.

 Where dry ground used to be, roaring water now resided. All life on the earth was gone. Only Noah, his family, and the select animals survived. Noah and his family were sick of the stench from the animals and ready to breathe fresh air again, but the possibility of that happening any time soon seemed impossible.

Finally, God gave Noah the command to send out a bird to find dry ground, but no grass was found. So, he sent out another. After many grueling days and hours of waiting, dry land was finally found.

As Noah and his family stepped out of the ark, a rainbow of beautiful colors stretched across the vibrant sky. God had fulfilled His promise to save Noah and his family, and now, He was making another—to never cause a flood like that again, and God kept that promise.

(**Read Genesis 9**)

—˜™–

            I imagine Noah and his family kissed the ground as they stepped off that ark. Before they went into the ark, they had never seen water fall from the sky, and then, all of a sudden, rain comes pouring down and their world as they know it drastically changes. I bet some days Noah and his family wondered if the rain would ever stop, if God would keep His promises. However, in the end, God did keep His promises and restored the earth again.

Then, God promised never to cause a flood like that again, and to remind Noah of that promise, He painted a rainbow in the sky. Even now, when we see the rainbow, we can be reminded of that promise God made to Noah all those years ago, and not only that, but we can also be reminded that God keeps His promises, even today.

Maybe you’re going through a tough time in life or your future seems uncertain. Maybe your financial situation is bleak or you’re enemies are coming against you and you can’t stand any longer. I want you to be reminded today that God keeps His promises. The rainbow reminds us of that.

God has promised to provide all of your needs (Philippians 4:19). He has promised to have a good plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11). God has promised to work all things for the good of those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:29). He has promised that we may be persecuted, but we will not be abandoned (2 Corinthians 4:9). Not only has He made all of these promises, but He has made so many more. Search the Bible; it’s full of great promises.

If today, you’ve lost hope and are wondering if God will come through, remember the rainbow. Thousands of years after God made the promise to Noah never to destroy the earth again by flood, God is still keeping that promise and proving to us He remembers.

Every time you see a rainbow, remember God keeps His promises, so you don’t have to fret.

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

Desiring a Blueprint

             I’m finally a senior in college, but I’ve found myself more scared than excited, and more worried than peaceful, basically, the opposite of relying on Christ. But, I’ve been trying so hard. Questions kept pounding my thoughts one day last semester, such as “What am I going to do after college?” “If I do grad school, how am I going to pay for it?” Should I write, teach, event plan, what?”

Suddenly, I found myself begging God for the same thing He told me I didn’t need a long time ago—a blueprint.  Then, He whispered to my heart a truth that I never realized before: only a professional knows how to read a blueprint.  

When I was a little, I found the blueprints to my home. My small hands unraveled the code and I stared in wonder. Being an inquisitive child, I had to know what the blueprint meant. Blue ink covered the pages, and I had no idea what to make of any of it; so, I called in an expert—my dad.

My dad has to interpret blueprints often. So, we sat down with the instructions stretched out to size. He pointed out every detail he thought would interest me. I showed him, in pride, \ the walls, but those lines actually illustrated the perimeter of the foundation. The one part I thought I could pinpoint by myself ended up being something completely different.Through my eyes, I saw blue ink on a page, but through my dad’s trained eyes that ink wasn’t a big mess; it was a house.

Just as I couldn’t read the blueprints to my house, I also can’t interpret God’s plan for my life. I need Him to sit with me every day and tell me the next step. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (NIV).  This verse reminds me that I’m not the expert when it comes to the big picture of my life and my understanding fails me every time.

Jeremiah 29:11, states, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’” (NIV). God has a plan for us and doesn’t hand us the blueprint because it’s a God plan. Even if He hand it to us, we would never understand it without Him, and it’d probably overwhelm us. God’s ways are not our ways, and instead of seeing a beautiful future, we’d probably just see a big blue inkblot.  

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas