Tag: God at Work

Wrong Thinking

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

“Parmesan cheese, please.” My 3 year old daughter pointed across the table.

I sprinkled some of the cheese on her pasta. “There you go.”

She took a bite, then picked up her water to take a drink.

As she tilted the cup to take a drink, she tipped it too far, pouring cold water onto her pant leg.

“Oh…” She put the cup back down. “Now I’m wet. I can’t be wet.”

She proceeded to roll her affected pant leg up past the wet spot.

“There,” she declared, “now it will dry faster.”

I frowned. “It will dry slower, not faster, when it is rolled up. Your pants need to be spread out to dry faster.”

“No. It will dry faster.”

I sighed. I knew pressing the point would get me nowhere. I had tried before, several times…

“Well, you get to choose if you want your pant leg rolled up or not.”

It was time to change the topic.

“Look. I see a squirrel in the tree outside. I wonder what he’s trying to do.”

It wasn’t until I had a few minutes to slow down several days later that it occurred to me that there is an allegory here for me to learn from.

As I was reflecting on my daughter’s attitude of not wanting to listen to me in this manner, the thought crossed my mind: “Is there any area of my thinking where I have been refusing to listen to God?”

With my daughter, sometimes this same attitude has shown up in statements such as, “if I don’t get a turn now, then I never will get a turn.”

My reply has been, “That’s not true. You need to wait for one more minute and then it will be your turn. You need to tell yourself the truth.”

To her reply of “Why?”

I say, “Because it hurts you when you don’t tell yourself the truth. It makes you feel grumpy.”

The question begs to be asked: Is there any area of my life that I am not telling myself the truth?

Probably.

My wrong thinking may be fueled by pride, ignorance, fear, or nearly anything else. It may seem harmless right now, but when I continue to think that way, eventually it will hurt me and likely cause harm to those around me.

Is God trying to explain to me the truth so that I don’t cause myself all sorts of trouble by believing the lie I am telling myself?

Yes.

Much of the transforming work God does in my life takes place in the mind.

As Romans 12:2 tells us: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (CSB)

How does God transform my thinking?

There are many ways. Time spent reading the Bible is hugely significant. Spending time in prayer, listening to sound Bible teaching, and fellowshipping with other Christians all play large roles as well.

God wants to help me know the truth. As I seek Him, He will transform my thinking (though I may not clearly see it myself).

Today, may I have the courage to honestly ask God to show me where I have been thinking wrong, and then to help me change it.

Looking for a Bible-based devotional? Check out my post:

Grow Your Faith: 5 Inspiring and Free Christian Devotionals

Construction Happens – Will I Marvel or Mumble?

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

As I neared the church parking lot, I studied the construction barriers. Could I drive into the parking lot?

An email sent earlier in the week had noted there would be construction. A construction crew needed to tear up the street just outside the parking lot to do work on the buried water pipes. The email suggested the crew would plan to keep a clear route to the church parking lot for mid-week events.

This end of the road had barricades, though there weren’t any workers nearby. Perhaps the other end was open.

I continued past the road and made a long detour in an attempt to approach the church from the other direction on that same road.

As I rounded the corner bringing the church into view, I stepped on the brake. Not only was this end barricaded, but an excavator and front-end loader were hard at work here.

Definitely not open.

There was no room to turn around where I was on the narrow street with cars parked along both sides.

I switched into reverse.

I backed up till I passed the nearest alley, then drove through it. It was bumpy and unpaved, but empty.

Back out on the main street, I approached the first end of the road again.

One of the barricades had been moved to the side. I could see a clear path to the church parking lot. The heavy machinery and crew were a fair distance away.

I decided to try it.

I cautiously navigated past the barrier and along the road.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I pulled into the church parking lot, and chose an empty stall.

In the back of my vehicle, I could hear my kids exclaiming excitedly about the construction vehicles.

I unbuckled my daughter and let her out.

Walking around to the other side of the vehicle, I pulled my 1-year-old son out. I placed him on the sidewalk.

He took two steps towards the busy construction crew (who were a whole parking lot away), then sat down decidedly. He stared in fascination at the noisy machines.

My daughter asked, “What are they building?”

“They’re doing something with the pipes,” I explained.

“Oh.” She watched in wonder.

My son continued to give them his undivided attention. He didn’t want to go anywhere else.

Several other ladies showed up. 

I convinced my 1-year-old to head into the church. Still he kept looking back. He pointed and made grunting, sputtering sounds – his version of what the heavy equipment sounded like.

As we entered the church, we greeted one of the pastors.

Immediately we discussed the inconveniences and hassle the construction site had caused and our hope that it would be short-lived.

A day or two later, I found myself thinking of the occasion. I see a lesson there for me.

As Paul tells me, “it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 CSB

The construction represents God’s work in my life. He helps me grow and become more of the person He created me to be – a person filled with the Fruit of the Spirit.

When there is no construction – no upgrading or making new – things slowly, over the years, degrade and fall into disrepair.

My life is like that. If God is not at work transforming me, I am coasting. Coasting may feel fine and good for a while, but gradually coasting leads away from a close walk with God. As I become more distant from God, the Fruit of the Spirit will fade out of my life.

When construction happens, it is typically messy and noisy. It is an inconvenience requiring detours and delays.

It is not clean and tidy most of the time. It is not comfortable, but it is necessary.

Sometimes, like the construction site by my church, it is all to do with deep hidden pipes. Once they refill the hole and patch the road back together, it will seem like they did nothing helpful at all.

Sometimes the work God has to do in me is like that. It is a transformation of the deep hidden parts of me that most people will never know about.

Yet if the deep underground pipes stop working, everyone knows about it. Fresh water stops flowing or sewage backs up. It is not good at all!

What do my children’s responses have to do with any of this?

They are a reminder that I get to choose my attitude.

When construction happens in my life, will I choose to marvel or mumble?

Will l be annoyed, frustrated, and complaining? Will I rant and fight against God?

Or, like my 1-year-old son, will I choose to sit in awe and marvel at what God is doing?

Like my daughter, will I wonder what God is up to? Will I choose to be hopeful for what the future holds as He is at work preparing me for it?

Today, I want to pause to thank God that He is at work in me and to wonder at what He is up to.

God knows what He is doing, I can trust Him.

Faithfully Working In Me

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

While my husband finished his breakfast, I let our toddler cuddle up on my lap, or what was left of it. At 36 weeks pregnant there’s not a lot of room left on my lap for her.

We chatted about the plan for the day.

I gave my daughter a little squeeze. “You get to stay with Grandma today while I go to a doctor’s appointment for baby.”

My toddler rested her head against me. “Strong and healthy.”

“That’s right. The doctor is checking to make sure baby is strong and healthy.”

I glanced across the table at my husband. “It’s a routine appointment. They’ll likely want me to book another one for next week since I’m so far along now. What are you up to today?”

My husband launched into a description of his expected meetings and the project he had on the go at work.

His words trailed off when our daughter sat bolt upright, shock covering her face.

I laughed. “Baby just kicked you.” I had felt the strong movement too.

Her shock turned to a grin, as she shifted to rest a hand on my belly.

“You really felt that didn’t you?”

“More?”

“He might kick you again, but I don’t know if he will. Sometimes he kicks a lot, but sometimes he is sleeping. I think he was sleeping just a minute ago, but then he kicked you.”

It wasn’t until the next morning that I found myself thinking about how the movements of my soon-to-be-born baby can stand as a meaningful reminder to me of how God works in my life.

Let me explain.

The kicks of an unborn baby are a wonderful, reassuring thing (though sometimes uncomfortable). Each kick is a reminder that he is alive and active. At checkups, the doctor asks if I’ve been feeling the baby kick because it is an important indicator that the baby is doing well.

Yet the baby isn’t always kicking. Sometimes he is sleeping.

More often than not, it is when I am busy or walking about that he sleeps. Then, within minutes of my sitting down or lying down to relax, I feel him start kicking.

His movements aren’t always the same either. Sometimes I feel his kicks on the right side, sometimes on the left. Sometimes he jabs at my ribs (those aren’t so comfortable), while other times he kicks deep within me. At times his movements are big and pronounced, visible to those sitting beside me. At other times, they are subtle and easy to miss. Still other times his movements are not kicks at all. Instead they are the steady rhythm of hiccups.

When I don’t feel him actively moving, does it mean there is a problem? No, unless the stillness lasts too long. He is most likely taking a nap while he continues to grow and develop.

Similar can be said of my relationship with God.

Sometimes I can see and feel that God is actively at work in my life. I know that I am walking with Him and He is growing me closer to Him.

Other times, I can’t feel Him. I sometimes start to worry – am I still following God? Have I become distant? Is He still at work in my life?

Just because I can’t feel God at the moment, doesn’t mean there is something wrong. God can still be at work in my life, even when I don’t feel it.

Often it is in the seasons of busyness that I feel Him less – such as the season I’m about to step into as the mom of a newborn.

That said, to help my baby’s growth and development be at an optimum, I must continue to eat a reasonably healthy diet, take my prenatal vitamins, and drink water – lots and lots of water.

Regardless of whether I have felt my baby kicking in the past while, I continue to eat for his optimum growth.

The same should be the case in my walk with Jesus. Regardless of whether I feel super close to God at the moment, it is still critical to be ingesting a healthy spiritual diet – Bible reading, worship songs, prayer, and times of fellowship with other Christians.

These elements will help keep me growing and learning more about God whether I feel it or not.

Today, whether I feel it or not, may I trust that, “He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 CSB)

I Want To Give It To You

Posted on by S. J. Little

 

Wandering into the kitchen, my toddler spotted the cut-up cantaloupe in a container on the table.

Excitement flooded her face.

She pointed toward it. “Yeah, yeah.”

“You want to eat some cantaloupe?” I ask.

She points into her mouth and pretends to eat. “Yum!”

“Okay, you can have some cantaloupe. Climb up on your chair and then I can give some to you.”

Her face fell and she began to whimper.

“You don’t need to cry. I will give you some, but you need to be in your chair.”

Tears appeared as her crying intensified.

I continued placing the rest of the breakfast items on the table.

Once complete, I turned my full attention to my little girl. She was still crying, clinging to her toy puppy.

I met her gaze. “Why are you crying?”

She pointed at the cantaloupe.

“You want to eat cantaloupe?”

She nodded.

I took her hand. “I want to give you cantaloupe, but you need to be in your chair for me to give it to you.”

Sniffling, she let me guide her to her chair and set her in it – though she often climbs into it all by herself.

She buckled herself in while I reached for her bib and tray.

I set her puppy aside.

She pointed at the cantaloupe again. “Yeah, yeah.”

“Can you ask nicely?”

She rubbed her chest to sign “please.”

I picked the container up. “Nice asking. You are in your seat now, so I can give you some cantaloupe.”

I put a piece on her tray.

She eagerly reached for it and took a big bite.

I grinned. “Cantaloupe is yummy.”

Later, as I went about my day, I found myself wondering if there has ever been a time when I asked God for something and His response was not “Yes” or “No”, but “You’re not ready for it.”

The Old Testament has plenty of examples of this, perhaps one of the clearest being the Israelites as they headed toward the Promised Land.

God had dramatically rescued the nation from slavery at the hands of the Egyptians. Before too long, they arrived at the border of the land God had promised to Abraham and now desired to give to Israel.

It was an abundant and prosperous land. It would have been such a blessing, but when the time came to go in and receive what God desired to bless them with, they chickened out.

God told them to go forward by faith, but they didn’t.

Their hearts were not in the right place. They were not ready to receive what God wanted to give them.

As a result, God made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years until that generation had died off.

Before I go any further, I must pause to remember that this allegory does not relate to God’s love. God’s love for me is unchanging. It does not depend on my goodness. God loves me and He will always love me no matter what I do.

It also doesn’t relate to the salvation God gives. Salvation is not based on what I can do. Salvation is based on what Jesus did on the cross. I do not deserve that salvation, but God freely gives it. My job is simply to receive it with thankfulness.

Back to my story with my daughter.

I wanted to give her cantaloupe. That was the whole reason I’d placed it on the table in the first place.

The problem was, I wanted her to be ready to receive the cantaloupe. I wanted her to be in her seat with her bib on.

My daughter wanted the cantaloupe but did not want to sit in her seat.

This had no bearing whatsoever on whether I love her or not. Rather, the thing at stake was whether she would get to eat the cantaloupe.

Being a mother who cares about my daughter’s health and happiness, I wanted her to eat the cantaloupe. I knew it would be enjoyable and good for her.

I was glad when she finally complied to sit in her seat so I could give it to her.

Does God feel this way about me sometimes? I suspect so.

Psalm 81:10-11 seems fitting to consider here.

“I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up from the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
But My people did not listen to My voice;
Israel did not obey Me.” (CSB)

God wanted to bless the Israelites. He really did, but He wanted them to be ready to receive it.

Am I ready to receive what God wants to give me?

In the Old Testament, very often God’s promises had to do with physical blessings (the Promised Land, good health, national security, etc.). In the New Testament, more often God’s promises are concerning spiritual blessings. (Indeed, in the New Testament, Jesus goes so far as to warn that I will face trouble in this physical world. (John 16:33))

One spiritual blessing God offers to give me is peace – a deep heart-level peace.

Shortly before going to the cross, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (John 14:27 CSB)

Two things catch my eye in this verse. First, there is something Jesus desires to give me: peace. Second, there is something I must do to be ready to receive it: not let my heart be troubled or fearful.

This is only one example of something God wants to give me, yet I must be ready to receive it.

I love the way the hymn “Trust and Obey” puts it:

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

It goes on to say:

“But we never can prove
the delights of His love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor He shows,
for the joy He bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.”

Have I been walking in the peace and joy of the Lord recently (not a superficial happiness, but that deep heart-level joy)? If not, maybe I need to check to make sure I have been trusting and obeying the Lord.

What’s Grabbed Your Attention?

Posted on by S. J. Little
Orange cat outside behind title: What's Grabbed Your Attention?

 

Hearing my baby fuss, I scoop her off the mat. She’s bored and getting tired, but it’s not nap time yet.

I glance around. What can I show her that will capture her interest?

The window. She likes looking out.

Turning toward it, I spot movement. A neighbourhood cat is just outside.

Perfect!

I waste no time in settling my baby on a low bookshelf in front of the window.

Supporting her from behind, I notice that her head is tilted down. She’s not looking outside. She’s looking at her toes.

Attempting to navigate the tightrope between redirecting my baby’s attention and scaring away the fluffy cat, I speak eagerly, “Do you see the cat?”

No reaction from my baby.

I try snapping my fingers where I want her to look. “There’s an orange cat outside.”

Still nothing.

The large cat is beginning to meander away.

I tap the window ever so slightly. “Look outside.”

My baby’s attention remains transfixed on her toes.

As the cat prepares to round a corner out of sight, I throw caution to the wind.

I tap louder. “It’s a cat!”

Nothing.

The cat wanders out of sight and my baby, well, she is still admiring those toes of hers.

I sigh.

My baby gets excited when she spots our cat, so I thought surely she would be fascinated by a large orange cat outside. Her interest in her toes started several weeks back. Wouldn’t a cat be a thrilling change?

It likely would have been, if only she had looked up and noticed it.

Then I pause to wonder, “How often does God feel this way about me?”

How often does He try to show me something new and bigger – something beyond myself? Yet there I am just staring down at my toes totally unaware of His attempts to capture my attention.

What is it that holds my attention, distracting me from what God wants to show me? Is it something bad?

Maybe, but not necessarily.

My baby’s fascination with her toes is, indeed, a healthy part of baby development. She has, so to speak, “found her toes”.

When she first found her toes we were excited.

Now that she has spent much of the past several weeks studying those toes, I wanted to take her further. I wanted to show her something new in the world beyond her toes.

Is the same true of me?

Is there some good and healthy area of life that I have become fixated on for too long? Does God want to show me something more? Something beyond myself?

(Please note that when I speak of something new and something more, I do not mean something beyond the Bible. God never contradicts His written Word.)

Are there examples of this sort of problem, where someone’s attention has been grabbed by their toes when God wants to show them something more?

The disciples sometimes had this problem, as we read in Matthew 16:5-12:

When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.

“Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Then they understood that He was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (NIV)

Can you think of other examples?

Okay, that’s a deep thought, but how do I apply it to my life?

How do I tune my ears to be ready when He calls for my attention?

In the past, when God sought my attention, He has done so through my standard daily Bible reading time. At other times, it has been through the teaching of godly pastors. A wise word from a friend or family member is yet another way God has grabbed my attention before.

As I go about my day today, may I be intentional to include time in the Bible, solid Christian teaching, and wise friends, as I keep my eyes open to what God may want to capture my attention with.