freedom

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Kathy Myers 4 Comments

Is God in Control?

The words in the song on the radio caused me to pause. “What would a skeptic think,” I wondered, “hearing God is in control — repeated over and over — and then reflecting on the recent killings of school children and policemen and the rampant sex trafficking of youth? Would he wonder, ‘If God is in control, why does He allow these tragedies?’”

My thoughts went to parenting and how it didn’t take much time to realize we couldn’t control our toddler, tween, or teen. There are things we can do to encourage our children to make good choices. There are consequences for disrespectful behavior and ways we teach our children to make things right with people they hurt. But we do not control them, as much as we might like to. We are in charge, but not in control.

God chose to give mankind free-will. He gave us the freedom to be Christ-followers and to do good. Yet free-will comes with the choice to ignore God and even to do evil. God is in charge of those who go against His ways, but He does not control them. There will be consequences for them — grave consequences, and He will step in to comfort and provide for those who have been hurt. He is in charge.

In this world we battle evil, but God has won the war. Jesus is the victor over pain, broken relationships, suffering, and death. Yes, I know what the song writer means by saying “God is in control.” But I wonder if it is less confusing to think of Him as the Heavenly Father, the good parent, who is in charge and has the final word. I wonder if it gives a clearer picture of who Jesus is — the One who gave His life for us and loves us unconditionally, yet gives us the freedom to love Him back — or not.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
–Romans 8:28 (NIV)

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Your Response: Lord, I know You wept over sickness, death, and pain while You were on earth (John 11:35). And then You did something. Out of death You brought life. As the One in charge and the One who has the final word, give me Your perspective on what this means. Plant it in my heart and mind. (Pause and listen.)

Lord, is there a way I can partner with You today to bring forth life—in my thinking or in the world around me? Give me Your insight and more of Your heart. (Listen and respond to God.)

(Part Two of these Thoughts to Ponder will be posted next week: God is Sovereign . . .?)

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Kathy Myers 4 Comments

When Losing is Winning

The Invitation: Every season of life holds beauty, but when the time for a new season comes, sometimes we resist or resent it. We’re not ready for the change. It arrives unexpectedly and we’re content with what we know and where we are. Or we’re sad about what we’re losing.

Yet what would the trees miss out on by not shedding their leaves? Getting through the winter would be questionable because losing leaves enables trees to conserve water and energy. Photosynthesis, seed production, food, and rest are all tied into the purpose of seasons for trees.

Seasons in our lives might not be as predictable as a tree’s. An empty nest or retirement are expected, but who saw a season of quarantine coming?

Are we willing to trust God when a new season arrives? Just as trees lose their leaves in the fall in order to prepare for new growth, there are things each person needs to lose or lay down in order to be ready for growth. Is there a way of thinking or acting you need to lose or put away today? It may be the key to winning–or thriving–in this season and the next.

When I was a child,
I spoke as a child,
I understood as a child,
I thought as a child:
but when I became a man,
I put away childish things.
–1 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJ)

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
–1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

My Response: Thank you, Lord, for continually inviting me to live in more freedom and maturity than I know today. Just as healthy trees lose their leaves in the fall, is there a way of thinking or acting that I need to lose or put away to prepare for the next season? (It may be something like regret, disappointment, an unhealthy behavior, my own plan, etc.)

Thank you for empowering me to do so. Give me a picture of what You have in exchange for my “loss.”

Lord, You have won the victory on my behalf. I receive it.

Posted on July 4, 2019 by Kathy Myers Leave a Comment

Word of the Day: Freedom!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
–Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

The Invitation: Celebrating the 4th of July is a great reminder of the freedom we have as followers of Jesus. Just as soldiers gave their lives so Americans can live free of tyranny, Jesus gave His life so Christ-followers can live free of condemnation.

As Americans we are free to enjoy life and liberty and to pursue happiness. As Christians, we know the way to truly experience the fullness of those freedoms is by following Jesus. For we have been given life-giving grace and live under the ways of love–loving God, self, and others.

Now the Lord is the Spirit,
and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom.
–2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

Your Response: Lord, thank you for the kind of freedom that is not limited by borders or governments. For freedom that brings abundant life, true liberty, and peace in the midst of storms. For the kind of freedom that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and transforms lives and nations. I am grateful.

Lord, what does it look like for me to live in and celebrate Your gift of freedom?

And today, Lord, I pray a blessing over America. May we be a nation that honors You.

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Kathy Myers 6 Comments

Word of the Day: Volunteer

This week I recognized the return of an old pattern. It was the dreaded “have to’s” and they steal from me. Joy, contentment, and peace seem out of reach when those thieves sneak in, and I was grateful the Holy Spirit nudged me. I’m going after those “have to’s” again. They are no match for a changed attitude empowered by the Holy Spirit. Join me if you’d like, through a revised post I wrote a couple of years ago.

The Invitation: A shift occurred in my thinking when I stopped saying “I have to…” I have to pay bills or I have to finish my report for the meeting. “I have to” thinking made things seem like a burden–as if some unknown person was forcing me to do something.

Yet all the things I thought I had to do were part of living out choices I’d made—being a parent, a spouse, a home owner, an employee. And I want to be a good friend, a contributing member of my church and community, and honoring of relationships in my life. Realizing this changed my thinking and I became a volunteer rather than a victim of circumstances.

My heart changed and my language changed. Now I say “I’m going to…” and it makes a difference. It’s part of taking up healthy responsibility and of living with the truth that I have choices. It brings freedom.

I think it’s how Jesus lived. He chose to get up early to be with His Father, He chose to teach and serve, and He chose to go to the cross. He did it all with love and grace, not focusing on how easy others had it. He was a volunteer, not a victim—going about His Father’s business on earth. May we do the same.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death,
between blessings and curses.
Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make.
Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
—Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)

Your Response: Lord, I see that my words and thinking can bring life or death, oppression or freedom. Forgive me for the times I’ve felt burdened by “have to’s” and resentful of all that’s on my to-do list. May I exchange my “I have to’s” for “I’m going to’s.” I want to live as a volunteer instead of a victim of circumstances.

Lord, is there anyplace in my life where I sometimes have a victim mentality—where “I have to” comes up in my thoughts or words?

If so, I repent of that kind of thinking. As I lay down the attitude of “I have to” and take up the choice of “I’m going to,” what changes? (Pause and listen)

How does this affect my relationship with others? (Pause and listen) And with You, Lord? (Pause and see what God has for you as you take up a new attitude. Then respond to God in prayer.)