After God’s Heart: Home

Tag: life story

  • The Sabbath Year

    The Sabbath Year

    The Levitical Law

    3 ‘Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its crop, 4 but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard.’

    -Leviticus 25:3-4

    The Sabbath year was to be a year of rest. A year of refreshing. Of seeking the Lord and rejoicing in Him. It was also the ultimate test of faith! There was no Costco, Sam’s Club or WalMart to go to if food ran out. If everyone obeyed and no one planted their field, if there was not enough food to last, the neighbor was likely to be in the same situation. If the Lord did not provide according to His word, it would mean death by starvation. So, naturally, what happened? God’s people did the logical thing, the same thing that we do when we reason out what we can see and don’t trust God with what He can supply. They did not trust or obey God. They worked the land and did not give the land, their servants, or their livestock the rest that God had so graciously provided for them in His law.

    The result?

    They did have hunger. They did have famine. They did have starvation at times. And eventually, God removed them from the land He had given them on account of all their many sins. Interestingly, He stated that the Israelites would go into exile for 70 years, so that the land may have its sabbath rest, all of the years they had not given it. And so it was.

    Blessings After Obedience

    Blessings always follow obedience. God asked them for their obedience and faith in Him first, before giving the blessings of abundance He promised would come. His ways have not changed. Today those who trust in Him and follow through with the things He asks of them will receive of His goodness. Those who do not, will receive His discipline.

    My Sabbath Year – Obedience and Entering into Rest

    I do not believe we are under the commands of the law, because we are under the grace of the new covenant, however, God does still call us personally to obey Him in different ways in different seasons of life. For myself, I have felt called to take a sabbath year this year. A radical idea and not one well accepted in our American culture.

    My sabbath year began January 1st, having quit my job at the end of the 2024. Entering into 2025, I have entered into rest, into the light burden of the Lord rather than the heavy yoke of my own striving. I am seeing God’s provision, just as He has promised. I am experiencing His rest and refreshing in both a very real and physical way, but also spiritually. What a blessing to belong to the Lord. What a blessing to believe Him, to take Him at His Word when His Holy Spirit prompts us to obey Him in some specific way.

    New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. 

  • Waiting Right

    Waiting Right

    I don’t know a single soul that isn’t “waiting” for something in life. We yearn and long for the things not yet attained. As Christians, we’re collectively waiting on the return of Jesus Christ. We’re waiting for the fulfillment of future prophecy, for the Kingdom of God on earth and also for our heavenly home.

    We’re also waiting on dreams and goals that we hope to fulfill in this lifetime. Whether it’s a spouse, a family, a career, friends, the restoration of a relationship that’s been severed, Whether we speak of heavenly things or earthly, there’s an aching in our hearts for the things not yet fulfilled that we wish for. I’m not immune, my heart aches too.

    While I may hope for the fulfillment of some of my earthly desires, the only certain promises are those that the Lord has given. I’m holding fast the promises of God, and loosely all the other hopes of this life. And how shall we wait, you ask? Here’s what I’ve come to so far- with humility, with worship, and with faith.

    Waiting with Humility

    Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (James 4:10)

    Waiting with humility is pleasing to God. It’s saying “You know the best timing for this Lord, and whether or not it would be good for me. I trust You.” I have a list of earthly things that fall in this category that I keep bringing before the Lord myself. Quite a long list actually. By placing everything in His hands, I’m enabled to be content and fully present where He has me, even while hoping for open doors to other things.

    Waiting with Worship

    Whether or not we ever receive the earthly things and opportunities we are hoping for, God is a great God. He has redeemed our souls, and He is worthy to be praised! Worshipping reminds us of who He is and all He has already done for us both spiritually and physically. We can praise Him and retell all His deeds and works and invite His presence into our lives. Being reminded that God is a great King over all the earth and that He loves us and is working, weaving our lives together as He sees fit when we are obedient to Him is very comforting. Ephesians 1 is a great chapter for me when I have forgotten all the spiritual riches I already have in Christ Jesus.

    Waiting with Faith

    What God has promised He will bring to pass. I’m learning not to disregard the seeds that God has planted within my heart for certain things, but to wait on Him in faith. How long did Moses wait to deliver the Israelites? How long did Joseph wait in prison before he became second to Pharaoh? How long did Abraham wait before He received the promised son, Isaac? And in addition to the promises that these did receive fulfillment to in this life, there were more that they died in faith still waiting for. But not in vain. God always fulfills His promises, although very rarely in the timing we have in mind, or in the way we expect! Abraham was waiting to be established as nation. And it happened but not in his day. Joseph was waiting in faith for the Israelites to go back to the land God had given them, but only his bones went with the children of Israel when they left Egypt some 400 years later. Moses was waiting to go into the promised land but because of a disobedient act, he did not get to go in this side of Heaven. (As an aside here, he did get to enter it before the rest of the Old Testament saints when he spoke with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration!!) None of these saints waited in vain. God fulfilled His promises to them, but they didn’t see the full fulfillment in their lifetime here, some promises they (and we!) will receive in full at the resurrection and Christ’s reign.

    Results of Waiting Right

    But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

    They shall mount up with wings as eagles

     They shall run, and not be weary;

    And they shall walk and not faint.

    -Isaiah 40:32, KJV

    God doesn’t promise to give us every earthly desire, but He does love us, and He does honor His promises. When we wait on Him, He promises to renew our strength. I’m so thankful for this promise. I don’t know about you, but I’m so often at the end of my own strength and in need of His, and He’s always faithful!!

    So while I’m waiting, I’ll let God be God, I’ll keep a posture of humility because He IS the LORD and I am His creation. I’ll keep worshipping because He is worthy. And I’ll keep faith, knowing that His promises are sure, AND if there’s anything I’m waiting on that He hasn’t promised me, I can still wait with a quiet heart and an open hand, knowing that every good thing is a gift from Him. I don’t have to run out and grab it. He’ll open the door. He’ll give the gift. If He chooses not to fulfill some longing that I have, I can trust Him that it’s not what’s best for me. And all the godly  hopes and desires of our heart’s that we are waiting for His fulfillment for now, will make that fulfillment all the sweeter when He brings them about in His will, His way, and His timing.

    So let’s sing praise. Stand on His promises, what He has promised He is faithful to fulfill. And remember that He is working all things “together for the good of those who know Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

  • “Follow Me as I Follow Christ”

    “Follow Me as I Follow Christ”

    Mentorship and the Church

    “Everyone needs a Timothy and everyone needs a Paul in their life.”

    I’ll never forget the quote above. My pastor used to say it. He meant that we should be keeping a sharp eye out for those younger less experienced Christians in the body of Christ  to lead, mentor, and disciple; as well as looking ahead  to catch up to those whose walk is deeper and more mature than our own. Our Christian walk is one hand reaching back to give assistance, one hand reaching forward to receive, and both eyes fixed on Jesus.

    Someone has said that the best leaders are also great followers. They are ever learning. Ever growing. Ever changing. They are students of others. The best disciples are the same way. Primarily, we are students of Christ. After all, the word disciple means to be a follower or learner of (someone/something).

    Find a Mentor

    But, sometimes life decisions and relationships can get confusing, even if you are reading the Bible and earnestly seeking the Lord. Oh, what a significant difference it can make to have a living, breathing example of Christlikeness! How great a guidance it is to witness first hand a gracious but truthful handling of difficult situations and people by a follower of Christ, a man or woman whose life reflects the maturity of one transformed by submission to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God!

    *Note* If you don’t have the opportunity to be mentored by someone in your life like this, take heart! God gives this opportunity to many but not all. Just keep seeking the Lord! He will faithfully lead you and you will someday have the opportunity to be for others the mentor you did not have.

    Be a Mentor

    As you walk in the footsteps of faithful Christ-following men and women, soaking in lessons, gleaning the precious gems of wisdom for life and following Christ that they share with you through counsel or example, do not forget to ask God to show you someone who you can lead also. What is given to us is meant for us to freely give away. Don’t store it up for yourself only. Pass it on. Find a “Timothy.” Come alongside a younger brother or sister and help them along the journey. Encourage them, point them to a deeper relationship with Christ. Model for them how to navigate the situations of life with wisdom, and humility, with submission to the Holy Spirit and the commandments of God.

    Final Thoughts

    Through each of our obedience to the Lord and our love and care for one another, may the body of Christ be built up and brought to maturity! The Lord bless each of you in every way. May He give you a Paul. May He give you a Timothy. And may you fix your eyes on Christ as you ultimately follow Him!

     

    1 Corinthians 11:1

    Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

    The New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

     

  • Idols in the Dark

    Idols in the Dark

    1/22/2025

    Idols In Dark Rooms by Mary Lou.

    “…Is there not a lie [idol] in my right hand?” (Isaiah 44:20 NASB, 1995)

    I had been making and chasing idols of all kinds, both tangible and intangible for many years. When I could no longer believe the lie of one idol, it lost its appeal and I cast it aside. But instead of turning to God I was always quick to find another and cling to it, the flash and appeal of a new lie I hadn’t yet tasted.

    They were heavy. They were harmful. They led me to brokenness in so many ways.

    This conversation was the beginning of the end of my idolatry:

    “Mom had a stroke.” He said softly.

    “Oh my God!” I reached my hand out, touching his arm comfortingly. The words that came next were unexpected.

    “I may need to move back to help them out.” He said.

    My eyes widened, taking in the implications of my then boyfriend (and the main breadwinner of our home) moving out of state.

    “Well I won’t be moving if we’re not married!” I shot back as I recoiled.

    “I didn’t say you had to.” Came the soft response. “Go or stay, that’s your choice, but I may need to go.”

    Here was another idol, my relationship, being brought into the light, its deception crumbling. It was full of compromise and trial. My boyfriend was an alcoholic and we were both miserable. But I needed him. And I clung to him. I had found security in knowing I had someone who was committed to me, who would always be there for me. I knew my relationship was solid, until I realized it wasn’t.

    I was living a lie. In a flash I realized I didn’t believe my status as girlfriend held the same rights and security as a wife. Our conversation proved just how fragile our commitment really was. Waking up from pretending was devastating. I had thought I could take God’s rules and discard them to build my own empire, my way. But God is a great King and the Creator of all things and His ways are not lightly cast aside without consequence.

    “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV)

    Truth crumbles the castles and fortresses of the darkness, it changes perceptions and directions. Truth is the only lasting Cornerstone. When we’re groping our way through the darkness and suddenly stub our toe on the immovable unyielding truth, we can curse it for confronting us or we can embrace it and build on it. I had a long track record of cursing and stumbling and I was weary of it.

    I let go of the idol, the lie, that was in my right hand. I humbled myself and asked real questions. Looked for real answers. I started attending a small Bible study. I wanted what was real and I wanted life. I found it in Jesus Christ.

    “Lord, I’ve made such a mess. None of the things I chased after and held on to have taken me anywhere good. They have wounded and broken me and left me empty. My life is a wreck and it’s spinning out of control. If You’re willing, I give You all this broken mess and whatever is left of me. I bow before You as King. From here on out, I will follow You. No exceptions.”

    That was the prayer I prayed in 2019. Since that time, I have since been increasingly living within the boundaries God created and has given us in His word. Living in the Light of fellowship with Him and with His people. The change He has wrought in my life is immeasurable.

    Surrendering everything to Jesus resulted in the death of the old me and that was excruciating. But it resulted in new life. Abundant life. Peace. Fulfillment. Flourishing. I want that for you too.

    Prayer and Reflection

    Lord, reveal to us the deceptions, the lies, the idols we have unknowingly taken hold of and clung to. Let us be transformed by the truth of Your word and Your Son. We humble ourselves before you and seek You.

    Friend, are there any idols, any lies, that the Lord has revealed to you? Is there any misplaced hope for fulfillment?

    Will you cast it aside and build on the Rock, Jesus Christ? If you do, you will not be put to shame, for all your deeds will then be wrought in the Light.

    The one who builds his life, his house, on the foundation that is Jesus builds an everlasting house. A thing both strong and beautiful, wrought of the Lord, that no storm of life or wind of change can tear down.

    “Behold I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.” (Isaiah 54:11 KJV)

  • Chasing After God’s Heart – Blog Dedication

    1/21/2025

    I gave my life fully to Christ in late 2019, and my whole world turned upside down (or should I say, right side up?)

    Since that moment God has continuously, painstakingly immersed me in, and walked me through, a series of fires to burn away the dross of old vices, mindsets, and worldly perspectives.

    The purifying changes God has wrought in my heart and mind; the things I have learned about His nature and character and word, I long to make known to you. My burning desire is that the church may experience increased fellowship with our Father, and with one another. May you be both challenged and encouraged along your journey and be “built up in your most holy faith.”

    With this desire in mind, I dedicate this blog to You, O Lord. You are the Living and True God, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and Friend. Lord Jesus, I hold all things loosely so as not to grab or grasp at something not made for or given to me, and whether whether this blog reaches one or many, as for me, I chase after You. Let me gaze upon Your Word and upon Your works and may I never be the same.

    I leave you today with these words, “what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

    These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.” (1 John1:3-4)

    Soli Deo gloria!