Hey, Siestas! It’s Bible study day and I don’t have three minutes to spare but I had a thought I wanted to quickly share with you. I’m sitting at my breakfast room table with my Bible, books, and notes, putting the last few sentences on my message for tonight. (Can’t sit outside because the wind is whipping so hard that I can’t keep my notes on the table! It’s nearly blowing the feathers off my blue jays!) Keith is out and about, leaving the house nice and quiet so I can prepare – which was going well until I got distracted by a particularly silly birddog.
Beanie is sound asleep on the couch but must be dreaming she’s chasing a rabbit or a squirrel. She’s barking in her sleep the way she does when she’s chasing a critter and all four legs are going back and forth as if she’s running like the wind. It’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen. She does it periodically so maybe one of these days after I master the camera, I can move to video and catch her in action.
Every time she does it I think the same thing: is that what we’re doing? Are we just snoozing our way through (purposeful) life and day dreaming about how we’re going to chase down what Christ chased us down for – or are we going to wake up and actively pursue what God has created us for – even when the path gets rough? I ask the question because I’ve faced the dilemma. See if you can go here with me a minute: We get some vision from God and get pretty jazzed about it then, as God leads, we start taking steps that direction and suddenly the path gets hard. Or LONG. We wanted to leap there. Not crawl there. Somehow we weren’t expecting it to be like this. We were thinking it was going to be fun. Always fulfilling. And, for crying out loud, not so dad-blasted hard and irritating. We didn’t want to have to learn it or live it. We just wanted to do it. NOW.
So we retreat and decide we dreamed it all up – just like Satan was hoping we would. We don’t understand that the pressures we face getting to our places of full-throttle effectiveness in Christ are crucial for developing the muscle to sustain ministry there. He’s developing the character the calling requires. The Apostle Paul knew better than anybody what the path to Christ-ordained effectiveness required. In 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, he told of a “great and effectual door” that God had opened for him in Ephesus and in the same breath mentioned the great opposition he faced there. Let me echo here on this blog again and again: Satan will never oppose us more than when he thinks we’re onto our callings. Bet on that. As L.B. Cowman said in Streams in the Desert, “Both in the physical realm and spiritual realm, great pressure means great power.” (p.9)
Read these words from Paul with a fresh application to your significant life:
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)
Let nothing – no obstacle, opposition, pressure, PAST, or passage of time – stop you besides Christ Himself. And if HE does, stop immediately. It will be only for your good and your clarification. You will know the difference as you lie on your face before Him and ask Him. To double check that we ourselves have not inadvertently caused a delay, let’s be sure and turn dramatically from pride and every hint of selfish ambition so that Christ can entrust us with power from on high…
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.” Habakkuk 2:3
“Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you”! Eph. 5:14
Tags: Dogs
Thank you for the encouragement. Well-timed, God-timed!
Beth, after a night of discouragement, God knew I needed Tuesday’s post this morning! I was ministered to by your encouragement, and reminder that the road is rough. Such simple information, but so easily forgotten! I had myself a good dream of a quiet farm, h-schooling my kids with no distractions, and my phone not ringing for a month and a half…I think in my head my bags were half-packed. Thanks for the reminder to press on…also thanks “Posters” for your transparency – it helps me as much as the blogs from Beth and Amanda! Also, to Susanne, church-planting IS hard work, but keep pressing on – He will accomplish what He has set out to do!
Oh how I giggled when I read about your dog, dreaming about chasing rabbits and squirrels. Our new whippet pup has been doing much of the same thing. I love the analogy – do we do the same? For many years I had worked in a particular field of the real estate industry. My husband was a real estate agent and we had discussed me joining him after he had gotten his business established. In the meantime I had been growing even more unhappy w/ work. I had never dreaded going to work in the mornings and found myself dreading work. Many things were changing in the work environment and I felt myself being moved to do something different. Jim and I prayed about it, I prayed about it… I lamented leaving as I had a wonderful boss, but eventually I had to make a decision. Our company was bought out, they hired another rep to share territory so I didn’t feel I would be leaving them high and dry etc. One January morning after I had taken time off for Christmas – I arrived at work, flipped over the devotional calendar on my desk and these words were on the page “Wise people see the signs and respond” My head feel to my desk and w/ tears in my eyes I looked up and said “Yes Sir!” to my Lord. I registered for the Real Estate class that night! I was blessed by a boss who helped me plan my last few months (I gave a 6 month notice)and I have been a REALTOR for 4 years now. When people ask me why I chose this career – I tell them God chose it for me! It took a year of prayer and discovery before He moved me forward – He knew the right time and He told me loud and clear when that time was. I am so thankful I had the ears and heart to hear Him! He guided me to use the talents He gave me – and I love it! Satan tries to put those doubts in my mind as I am in a commission only business – he has studied my weaknesses – but I recognize what Satan is trying to do and in a loud voice tell him he has no power over me as the Most High gives me the power to do all things!
Sorry so windy this morning – I must be in tune w/ the windy day you experienced yesterday morning!
God Bless!
Thanks for your words. I am trying to believe them. I have completely retreated. I actually was in my bed all weekend. I have almost given up all hope. Why does this have to be so hard?
There is something that I want more than anything for my child and it is proving to be difficult to obtain — Did I really think it was going to be easy?!
I will keep fighting even when the road is rough, until He tells me to stop.
Thanks — perfect for today!
Beth,
I stumbled onto your blog recently. Can’t tell you what a blessing it is to have more of your insights. My women’s group is doing Living Beyond Yourself right now. God is using that study once again! I have probably been “dreaming” my whole “new life.” Oh there have been times when I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that He was real and moving powerfully in my life, but I have never given the Holy Spirit complete access. So now, I am going through the steps to allow HIM that access, so I might live a life that glories only Him. Thank you for being His obedient servant!
Thanks,
April
Beth, It seems whenever I read your posts whatever you are posting about is totally pretaining to me and my life right at that moment. I thank God for you and your words and wisdom. Thanks so much for uplifting me today. I appreciate more than you’ll ever know. Thanks again. Many, many Blessings, Mary Anne
I needed to hear this so very much. I should have posted last night after I read the blog but procrastinated. A timely word for me at just the right time when my struggle was heavy.
God gave me the verses in Philippians 3 back in 2003 and they have sustained me so many times and then to see them in your post…God is so good.
Blessings to you!!!
Beth,
I can’t tell you how much your taking time out of your busy schedule meant to me today.
My Bible Study class has just begun studying “A Heart Like His”, and I just read about David running to Samuel for confirmation!! That is exactly what I needed to hear!! To press on!!
I read your words today while having my morning coffee. They were certainly food for my heart. Thank you for them,
Pam
Thanks for that Beth. I seem to have jumped off the path God had me on and was not fully aware of it until I read the post! It is hard sometimes. For me it is hard to stay disciplined and determined. I want to…I just get overwhelmed or lazy or both! My coping mechanism for something hard is to not do anything at all. I am not proud of that, but I am hoping by admitting it to my siestas, then maybe I can change that.
My husband and I are struggling through a horrible job situation for him, which brings lots of frustration and angry outbursts out at home. While I am praying for him each day, I am super sensitive and get so upset when he has an outburst. A vicious cycle that I know is not healthy, but sometimes is so hard to get past!
So please pray with me and for me! I sure could use it!
Long, long ago – God put a calling on my life. If you had asked me to explain it, I don’t know if I could have – but suffice to say I sensed God’s leading in a certain direction and I knew what He required of me.
Then life got in the way. I get so tired. I don’t need anyone to be hard on me because I’m hard enough on myself and I just feel like giving up. For every step I take forward it seems I take another 3 backwards. There are things in my life I want to lay down. And while my victory has been somewhat sporadic, I sense it is becoming more consistent and frequent. My days of victory have actually become longer, halleljah! Yet, knowing that also comes with the knowledge that my enemy sees it as well.
A word you used in your post was PRESSURE. I feel as if my entire life is under tremendous pressure right now. Not just in my family but in my extended family as well. Add to that, health issues and just trying to be a wife, mom, and daughter to a sick daddy in this season God has called me to.
I needed to hear that word. I want God’s power on my life more than anything. I want to humble myself before the mighty hand of God and let Him work in my life, even in the midst of the pressure.
Thanks for being faithful to relay a timely word for me. I’ve GOT to stay in the race…
Boy, did God speak to me today through this post. My husband and I felt God calling us to homeschool our kids and we started in January. Since then, it has been harder than I ever thought, and I have wanted to quit just about everyday. This reminded me that God did call us, He will equip us, and Satan will attack me and try to stop me. This is why it’s been hard. Not because I didn’t hear the calling right, but because I heard it and obeyed it so Satan went to work. Thank you Beth.
I think the older I get the more I realize that I am alive today because my life has purpose. I have been facilitator of our Bible studies for the past few years and it has scared me to death. I have felt discouraged so many times. Nobody else was stepping up to do it and I knew how much the ladies would love meeting together to study God’s Word and fellowship as Heart to Heart Sisters, our group name:), so I organized it. We are presently doing “Stepping Up” and we have more ladies than we’ve ever had (30 when we are all there at the same time) and I feel the most comfortable I’ve ever felt.
The same with working with our youth. Over five years ago the youth in our church was dwindling down to almost none. I had such a burden to start something for them. I wanted to quit so many times because I felt like they needed someone who was younger….with a more outgoing personality. Here it is five plus years later and we have a great youth minister, faithful sponsors and have been averaging forty kids each week.
I still hate to talk in front of all of them….it makes me so nervous, but God has used my obedience. I love what you say, Beth…”Do it scared!” I give Him glory.
This verse was on my “Christian Women Today Devotional” today:
2 Cor. 8:12 NIV “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”
This showed me to pray “God, how can I be sensitive to others in need today?”
Blessing to all this Wednesday!
Valerie
Great analogy! Now every time my dog (cocker spaniel) does the same dreaming type thing, I’ll have this great parallel to remind myself to keep pressing on toward my calling. Thanks and have a great day.
Beth,
Thank you for this post. Habakkuk 2:3 is just what I needed today!
In Him,
Nancy
It just occurred to me after reading some of the other comments that a Sarah Groves song might be appropriate. “I’ve been painting pictures of Egypt, leaving out what it lacked. The future seems so hard and I wanna go back; but the places that used to fit me cannot hold the things I’ve learned, and those roads were closed off to me when my back was turned.” If you’ve never listened to her, Siestas, you should check out the album, Conversations. Once you hear her, you’ll never be the same.
Beth,
You just don’t know how much I needed this today. I am currently recovering from my 5th knee surgery which I had on Friday. And recovery has gone really well, but the attack in my stillness has been quite another thing. I know God has called me to write and I have been working on that because I know that He has called me to it. It just isn’t anything I can do on my own, so the attack on my already unstable confidence to do such a thing has been staggering. So as I sit here on the verge of tears I thank you for this post. Before I got on the blog this morning I had already talked to Christ and re-committed to the call on my life that He has placed. I am currently reading C Gene Wilkes book on leadership and I just felt the Lord urging me to jump in this thing with both feet. So thank you for your obedience in taking a few minutes out of your entirely overwhelming schedule to be obedient to the Lord. This Missouri girl needed it this morning.
In Christ alone,
Petrii
Thank you Beth for that. I’ve been going through this same exact thing for the last couple of years. I’m the coordinator for the Women’s Ministry in my church. Everything was great at first. People were so excited to be doing something and everyone just thought I was precious for getting it started. Then people started slacking off and I got discouraged. We usually meet once a month, but only had 4 meetings last year and haven’t had one yet, this year. I just got discouraged and felt the exact things you spoke of. Lately I’ve decided I’m just being lazy and need to come up with something new. Even if I’m the only one that shows up, I’ll still be doing my part. I know I’ve got to “get back on the horse” so to speak. Thanks for letting the Holy Spirit confirm that in me through you.
Have a blessed day!
Kim
well here is my delema dear friend; i am under such warfare right now. i am in the middle of your book get out of the pit and Jesus the one and only and praying GOd’s word daily (yes i am a sponge and CAN NOT soak up enough of GOd’s work or His teaching)and as i write this for the past 2 weeks i have not stopped crying and am filled w/ such for lack of better word UUGG. i have NO idea is it me, my sinful nature, the enemy, living in a fallen word, or what? Since Sunday I am now crying out to Jesus to reveal to me where this anger, pain and ugg is coming from? is it the enemy trying to keep me from my God ordained calling i feel on my life? is it the muck He is cleaning coming to surface? Is it ME running from the muck God is trying to clean up? Great blog i just dont have the anwers?? can you hear my angst?
Thank you for that encouragement!
What a GREAT post on the blog! I’ve been doing a study by Elizabeth George that is helping me realize my job as a woman, wife, and mom according to God’s word. It has been a rude awakening!
For the past two years I have been suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia and finally got cured. It has helped me to realize my life needs to be dedicated to raising my kids in a Christ-based home, love my husband like the day we wed, and devoting myself to being a woman after God’s own heart. Without my health trial I wouldn’t have come to these conclusion. If we just take a moment to reflect and realize that hardships build our perserverance, we would all be in better shape.
Isn’t God Grand!
Thanks for posting again – I can’t wait to share the thoughts with the young mom’s group I belong to (even tho I’m no longer young! haha)
Have a blessed day!
Kelli
Like so many others have said, this message was for me. I’m approaching the one year mark in a position of leadership at my church and have been experiencing an overwhelming amount of opposition and oppression from the enemy. I feel like I’m in way over my head most of the time and spent much of last week bawling my head off. As for dreaming – I started questioning whether I have really seen God at work or if I’ve just made the whole thing up.
Thank you so much for the encouragement – it was the added confirmation I needed to press on.
OH my goodness – As a few others have said, YOU are speaking to ME! Thank You Beth, amazing……..
Loving Him
Beth:
I read this yesterday, and I let the words settle with my overnight. As I enter today, I am freshly encouraged by the timeliness of your message.
I have been greatly discouraged lately by the women’s ministry in my church, which I’m the director of. We just had our annual retreat last weekend, and I faced heavy spiritual opposition in the two weeks leading up. I have felt totally worn out, and added to the fact I’m working 2 jobs and a full-time graduate student, I have questioned if I’m in the right place. But your words took me right to the scriptures and to the floor in front of Jesus, where I know he is telling me to be patient and trust in God’s timing and works.
Thanks for the sunshine on this cold and snowy Virginia day.
-Wendy
Just yesterday I found myself dealing with situation that reminded me that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. But, oh, now I forget that sometimes. I tend to believe other people’s flesh and blood – their talents, experience, knowledge, etc. – are much more capable than mine to carry out what I’ve been assigned. Thanks for the perspective!
Oh Beth! Just know that this ministered to me in ways that you’ll never know this side of heaven!!! God bless your sweet and wonderful heart for taking the time to post it!
Donna in IN
Thanks. I needed to hear this today. I appreciate you speaking into my life.
Thank you so much for this much needed Word. I am in a place of wanting to leap to where it is God is leading and I’m definitely in a crawl stage. I am getting little glimpses of wanting to completely surrender and then I start to pull back again. Thanks for the reminder that it’s His timing, not mine.
Steph
P.S. This morning my youngest daughter, who is 4, came in my room at 7 and asked why my teacher wasn’t on. I watch at 6:30 on Wednesday on Discovery Channel (and I do watch Life Today other days as well). I told her that you just went off. She said, ‘aw, I wanted to hear her’. So cute. I didn’t even know she knew it was Wednesday. They knew it was Awana day though, I guess. 🙂
Beth–
Thanks so much for the post. Your story about Beanie sure brought back memories for me. My basset hound used to do the same thing, one night she was asleep on the bed and all of a sudden raised up and lifted her head to the ceiling with a baying howl. This may seem a trivial request to some, but I know you will understand. My dog passed away this past December at the age of 10 years old and since we do not have any children, she was truly our baby. I miss her so much and my house sure seems empty lately. Please pray for me as I work through this loss. On a happier note I am so excited because I will be starting the Stepping Up study next week.
Thanks,
Doo-Dah (I can’t get my password to work go sign in)
Thank you, Beth. This spoke directly to me. And Thank you, Siesta’s for writing. This lets me know I am not alone! You too, are pressing through.
Thank you, Jesus, For knowing right where I am and right where I am going! And sending words of encouragement to light the way.
Your Siesta –
I LOVE the Habbakkuk verse. I need that at this time in my life where I’m sensing a “shift” in calling and direction.
Thank you so much for the encouragement, I am overwhelmed by God’s love today. He never fails me. Thanks again for speaking truth into my life day.
Oh, thank you for such a great message. God has been so faithful to redeem my past (and it is quite ugly). Lately, I found myself trying to remind God of my past and He lead me to verses you presented. Thanks for shining your light for Christ and using your gifts for His glory.
Your sister in Christ,
HKF
Thanks. I relish your reminders to not allow Satan to steal our joy and lie to us about our purpose in Christ because of our PAST, in capital letters, as you put it!
Beth,
Thank you for taking those three minutes to share. I am convinced that strong wind was the Holy Spirit moving to bring that message to the coast of NC. HARD, LONG & CRAWLING-that describes the last 3 years!!! Have so wanted to quit and retreat and your message has so blessed my “worn out muscles”. Praise Him for sisters with encouraging words in the darkness.
Love you so much
Celia
Dear Beth –
Thank you so much for those encouraging words. I really needed to hear them.
You are loved,
Sharon, NC
Miss Beth:
Thank you for the word of encouragement!!! Like most everyone else – your words felt like they were meant for me even though my “calling” is perhaps of a different sort than you were writing about.
I have always loved children and during my high school and college years most everyone said I should become a teacher. Long story short was that I didn’t want to be a teacher, thank you very much! I had enough of that growing up with a dad who was a school superintendant (at a very small school) and a mom who was a teacher! As God would have it though I am now a mom & “teacher” to a beautiful little girl who has developmental disabilites and mental retardation. Some days are like you mentioned “dad-blasted hard and irritating” even though I love her dearly. Lots of days I feel like I don’t have a clue what I am doing being a mom to a child who will forever be a child.
I just wanted you to know that God used your words today to remind me that HE gave my husband and me this ministry and that HE will provide for us. Thank you for being willing to share with us what God lays upon your heart. You have ministered to me today in a way that I am sure you probably never imagined you would.
Blessings always,
Larae
Those words pierced my heart. Not in a painful way, but in an amazing way. I know that God has placed a calling on my life and all my life I have ran from it until recently. But ever since I threw up my hands in surrender and said okay, I feel like I have come under serious enemy fire. I’m impatient by fault and I feel like everything should just fall into place with little effort. But these words I just read from you grounded me today and provided such an amazing enlightenment. I can’t even begin to thank you enough for them. God has truly spoken to me today through your words!
So timely, so timely to read this posting!! After waiting for over 4 years for a church to come to our area, we are part of the core team in place to plant the church. But it’s not going the way some of us thought it would. To the point where we have questioned over and over if we are where we’re supposed to be in this. Are we sure we should be here at all? So many questions couple with doubt have arisen. Thank you for these truths. It is so good to be reminded to press on until HE tells us to do otherwise.
Michelle
How timely is the Lord!
I have been listening to a book my denomination put out about the struggles missionaries have gone through, but their determiniation to fulfill the Call God has on their life.
THe stories are amazing and have encouraged me to keep pressing on (and encouraging my husband to do the same) even when the world seems to be against me.
Your words were ordained from the Lord to continue those thoughts in my life (and sounds like the lives of many other women). Thanks for the encouragement and continuing to live out YOUR call despite great odds!
Beth,
I can’t even tell you how timely those words are… I was just thinking and praying about “retreating” this morning… Thanks for taking time out of your busy day yesterday to post this; God has definitely spoken to me through it! 🙂
Dear Beth, Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy morning to speak to ME. And thanks to beanie for dreaming with “MOORE” enthusiasm. My 23 year old daughter has forsaken church which was once so important in her life. I have recently started speaking aloud to SATAN and telling him to leave my daughter alone. She belongs to CHRIST. I once heard you say that when we are baptised we are sealed. I am holding on to that promise for Brittany and thanking God that Satan cannot take my daughter’s precious soul. She belongs to JESUS. See you Aug. 1st. Love, LINDA
I have a funny……I was talking to my parent about finished up A heart like his and how much I enjoyed it….my dad pipes in….Her (as in Beth) dad was my ROTC instructor at Henderson State MANY years ago~ Anyway, another story about how the world is really a small place!
Beth:
You hit the nail right on the head I think. This post is so encouraging. Thank you. Kim B. in AZ
You truly are like a secong mom and mentor to me even though weve never meet,Beth! I love you!
I love how you always seem to be speaking right to me! God is using you in some amazing ways in my life and in the lives of so many others! Love you Beth!
In Christ Alone,
Rebecca <><
Beth,
I responded last nite but as I reread this post, I am more challenged…I know I am too mature in Christ to be asking this question…but since you are the best mentor in the faith/ministry, I’m going to ask it….
WHY DOES IT SEEM SOOOOO MUCH EASIER FOR OTHERS IN THE MINISTRY?
And I know I don’t know all their problems or what goes on behind closed doors…but they grow and they never seem stumped, etc.
MY SHORT STORY:
My husband and I have been in the ministry for years, our whole 15yrs of marriage. We really have felt called to start a church, started last spring…to be a really different church, on the edge, contemporary, reaching out to the “unchurched” (not your usual church goers).
Anywho…months later, we aren’t really growing. We are doing outreaches. There are some bumps and frustrations from some who have chosen to join us. Long story short, my husband asks me just sunday nite after church(b/c some in the body are considering..this isn’t working)….
?We did do the right thing starting this…we didn’t miss God did we?
Well I have learned enough from your studies that my response was…the others may want to go back to Egypt, but I don’t!
And my verse for this year is the very one from Phil. that you quoted in your post. Not b/c I have problems from the past but b/c I miss friends or how ministry was so good and “easy” in a different stage of life.
We have 4 kids, not babies anymore, who actually make it easier now….but why do I long for the days we were in the ministry when they were young?
Please Dear Beth, to get advice from you would be incredible…I know your post was a word for me….perhaps I will take the time to get on my face…and ask God to show us if we missed Him and we aren’t to go this path.
Can you tell, on top of all this I am a hormonal mess!!!
One minute saying I’m not going back to Egypt and the next asking and doubting!
Thanks for being a sounding board.
Love,
Angela
Amanda,
A quick question. Is the Living Proof Website under construction?
I have not been able to log on all morning.
I got the link to the blog by searching Google.
Just thought I should pass the word in case you were not aware of this.
🙂
Mary
Beth: Besides the gift of teaching, you are such an ENCOURAGER! This is a timely word indeed. Thank you as always.
Praying for you always too!
YOU ALSO HAVE THE GIFT OF SIDE-SPLITTING HUMOR! Timing is everything, and girl you know how to make us laugh (and cry and rejoice and pray).
Love from Georgia Jan
Thank you Beth. I’ve just realized that God needs to set me free from many insecurities and much guilt. I bought the breaking free bible study. I want to be VICTORIOUS in everything through Him.
Also, I love Streams in the Desert! It has been passed down in my family as a devotional for years. Love you….
Jenny from VA