Navingating the traps

The traps were all set, with sharp teeth gaping open ready to snap, and scattered all over the platform. There stood Nathan, a blindfold covering his eyes.

His instructions were simple: to walk through the maze of traps and get to his father.

The problem was also simple: he couldn’t see any of the traps.

And there was a complication. Anyone could give Nathan advice, and many were already shouting out instructions. Nathan didn’t lack advice. How would he get through?

He relaxed when he heard his father’s voice. He didn’t know who else held good advice, but he trusted his father.

It was slow going, but Nathan heard every direction from his father and he got through the minefield.

Life is sort of like that field of traps. We have to get past many things that could reach out and snap us. And we can’t even see the traps. We have to trust other hands and voices to get us through.

Paul told the Corinthians (1 Cor 2:6-16) that they had a voice they could trust. God had chosen to place his Spirit within each of them. That voice explained and interpreted God’s ways to them.

The Corinthians were getting a lot of advice from a lot of people who seemed to know a lot. How could they know who to listen to?

It matters which voice we take note of. Choosing the right voice got Nathan through a complicated field. Choosing the right voice will do the same for us.

"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?"
But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Cor 2:16

Words of the will

The moments when I truly live are the moments when I act with my whole will....Never allow a truth of God that is brought home to your soul to pass without acting on it, not necessarily physically, but in will.

—My Utmost For His Highest

Keepin' on

When Diane found the lump, we all held our breath for a month until the doctor declared it benign. Jack drove through a tire blow-out and coasted to a heart-pounding stop at the shoulder of the busy highway. Maya is fighting cancer. Mike is trying to get his cholesterol below the red zone.

We get bone-jarring reminders that this life is short, like a mist drifting off the river valley, disappearing in the morning sun.

I’m like you: I want to make the most of the days God has given me. I want to be focused on his best and not live in the smoke of emergencies that seem to need tending.

So I’m always testing the wind, trying to read the signs. Recently I’ve seen several bloggers take a break from their writing routine. For some, the demands of teaching their children have sopped up their extra time. Others have run out of topics or sense a new ministry whispering. They are trying to maintain their focus on God’s best. They know a rich life is attentive.

For me, too, the call of the classroom has whispered. I teach my children, adults, senior citizens. Was it time to set down the pen and pour new time elsewhere? Once, God sang to my heart a poem about writing. Was that song done? Was it time to move on?

Yesterday I shared with you a blog award from Writers…Interrupted. The news revived my resolve just before I got a rejection letter from a publisher. Then, today, I discovered I have been given another award.

The Mathetes Award originated at management by God. Mathetes is a Greek word, so you know this is my kind of blog! Mathetes means “disciple” and is given to those seen as “acting in the role of a disciple of God.”

This award came to me from Lisa at The Preacher’s Wife. Lisa is a dedicated disciple of God and offers an online Bible study, “I AM…So You Don’t Have to Be.” She shares her heart for her Savior in a vibrant warm way and I am honored by this award. Thank you, Lisa!

But the timing of this award is what is most amazing. As I have laid Sumballo before the King and asked, “What next?” I have felt his voice clearly: keep on keeping on. And so I’ll be writing on. I want my voice and my pen to do one thing: lift up the King of kings.

“You who bring good tidings to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
"Here is your God!"

Isaiah 40:9

I’m passing this award on:

In Pursuit of What is Good by Sarah

Refresh My Soul by Angela

Scraps of Glory by Maxine

Small Scribbles by Kate

Ben Witherington

They are all an inspiration to me in different ways and their passion for the Lord is invigorating.