“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,”—African Proverb.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one.
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“Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth, or walking on a lame foot”—Proverbs 25:19/NLT.
Don’t you just love God’s sense of humor? That’s the daily devotional verse that greeted me this morning. I’ve been dealing with some on-going, painful dental issues and then I read this verse. Talk about timeliness with my mouth/tooth issues! I’m newly reminded that God is relevant. He is alive & well.
God is also reliable. There are many unreliable people out there—sad to say—more than reliable people. I know One who stands out above and beyond all the others: God. He knows all of my pain, suffering, and questions. He knows the beginning from the end.
In Pastor Jim’s sermon, he asks if I’m viewing my circumstances through the eyes of faith, or through my own eyes. I must stop seeing this whole ordeal through my finite eyes of logic. God is all powerful. He will rescue and redeem. I grow weary and tired of waiting for the end result, but God will accomplish His will in His perfect timing.
Dear God,
Forgive my impatience. Help me to not fight this down-time, but instead choose to embrace it as a gift from You, my loving Creator. I long to be patient and wait for your rescue. I give you my fears, doubts, and pain. All of it. However/whenever You choose to heal me, I release to Your Almighty care and love.
While reading through the gospel of Mark, I catch a glimpse of Jesus’ demanding daily schedule. Not only did Jesus feel it important to mentor His chosen disciples, but throngs of people followed Him from town to town. “At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many,” (Mark 1:32-34). The more miracles He performed, the more people flocked after Him making it difficult to have needed time alone with His heavenly Father. ![DSD_0922 [Out West-2011]](https://teresalasher.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSD_0922-Out-West-2011.jpg)
My schedule isn’t nearly as demanding as Jesus’ schedule. Today’s demands take on a somewhat different flavor. There are still meals to prepare, laundry to be cleaned, appointments to keep, and people to satisfy. Demanding either way.
One thing we do have in common: the need to take the time to reconnect with our roots. To connect with the One who gives me breath and life just as we looked at last time in the book of Mark, chapter 1. Remember those words:
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”—Mark 1:35–37.
I’ve found that the number #1 key to not losing my cool is to stay connected. Get connected. Stay connected. Otherwise, I’m sure to unravel and probably even before 10 a.m.
C.S. Lewis wisely points out that no one was busier than Christ. “Our model is the Jesus … of the workshop, the roads, the crowds, the clamorous demands and surly oppositions, the lack of all peace and privacy, the interruptions. For this … is the Divine life operating under human conditions.”
Our lives don’t consist of raising people from the dead, casting out demons, or healing the multitude. We manage challenging schedules while shuttling children back and forth from school, lessons, or sporting events. And then there’s our own schedule … where do we fit into this crazy chaos? Some days it feels like the four-wheel vehicle is your home. It’s easy to think, there’s nowhere to go where I can really be alone. Someone always wants something from me. If only I had a few more hours in the day. If only my spouse would be more helpful or my children behaved?
If Jesus felt it necessary to carve a piece of His day aside for meditation and prayer, how much more I need this sacred time of renewal.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”—Mark 1:35–37.
Reflection: Where do you go to be isolated and silent before God? What keeps you from going there? Jot down several concrete ideas.
My friend posted a comment on Facebook, “What a beautiful day! Praise God from whom all blessings flow … God’s beauty is apparent in all weather conditions.” While some may complain about the cold and ice, she chooses to be positive and uplifting. Finding beauty can sometimes be a chore. 
You see, she’s home in the frigid, icy, white conditions up North in Michigan while my husband and I took a vacation down south. She could choose to be negative, but she doesn’t operate that way. For me, temperatures were warm enough to wear shorts and sandals. She and others didn’t note comments of jealously, but rejoiced with me.
We can find beauty anywhere with an open heart. I’ve come to realize that beauty, as well as joy, doesn’t have to be contingent on circumstances or our environment. Joy is a choice. We choose to find beauty which leads to joy within.
Dear God, thank you for Your handiwork in creating such beauty. We have so much to be thankful for! I want to be present in every moment and acknowledge the part You play in my daily life. Amen.
In light of Christmas coming soon, several words intrigued me. Here are just a few which made me think of Christmas:
Makes you think of the holidays and gifting times, doesn’t it? I looked up the word “incomparable” just to see what new concept I might uncover. The dictionary describes incomparable as:
In this reference, Paul refers to God and His matchless gift of giving the ultimate sacrifice, His son Jesus Christ. There’s no better gift given than that of Christ’s blood shed for our forgiveness of sins. We also then can enjoy the gift of Hope for now and in the future.
Dear God,
Thank you for the ultimate gift of Your son, Jesus. None of us deserved such a priceless gift. I pray I’ll prove worthy. My desire is to focus on the real reason for the season and not be obsessed with the purchasing of many man-made gifts. I’m so thankful to be a part of Your family!
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved … in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God …,”—Ephesians 2:4–8.
“Best Friends. Slumber Parties. Cake. Presents. Secrets. Laughing 4 Ever!”
– Mary Engelbreit
I have the privilege of having several Best Friends. Admittedly, I am blessed. Friends from the past and friends from the present. Friends from past workplaces and various places of worship. We gain wisdom as we brainstorm together.
There’s no particular agenda. We come as we are, not counting up the days since we’ve seen each other last time. No blaming, just listening. Laughter and cries oftentimes indistinguishable.
When we return to our home spaces, we smile and count our blessings that God allowed us to meet yet another time on planet earth.
“By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped”—Ecclesiastes 4:12/MSG
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“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”—Exodus 15:11. 
There is none like Him in all the world. He alone is majestic and holy. Who else could fashion a green blade of grass? Who causes the monarch butterflies to hover and glide? Or, the lake waves to ebb and flow? Only God’s responsible for such glory and majesty.
For these reasons, I can breathe easily as God orchestrates my life. I’m assured that the circumstances I encounter have been filtered through God’s all-knowing hand. He’s in charge of the big stuff & the little stuff. It’s all important to Him.
Prayer: Who is like you, God? No one. This I know, but I don’t always act as though You are boss. Forgive me. I want to do better.
Let nothing trouble you,
let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever possesses God lacks nothing:
God alone suffices.
A dear Bible study leader and friend (Helen S.) calls Jeremiah 33:3 her “911” verse. In troubled times, she relies on this verse to reach out to God. In reaching out by calling His name, she also receives comfort and relief from fear.
I like the concept too. This is a never-ending promise with no expiration date. One that’s good to remember in times of turmoil or distress. Not only does God promise to answer me, but I’ll receive a bonus: information leading to great and unsearchable things I don’t even know. How cool is that?
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”—Jeremiah 33:3.
But I must take that first step of faith acknowledging the need for help. I cannot function alone and hang on to a prideful attitude. My heart must be open to the leading of a wise, Heavenly Father. To think that the God of the entire universe desires my fellowship—well, my finite mind can’t capture this fully. I don’t need to. I only need to trust and believe it is so.
Dear God, I’m weary of trying to manage my life and my loved one’s lives too. The job is exhausting and usually doesn’t work out when I try to take control. I give You back this day, my tired body, and flighty mind. Take control of me. I relinquish the reins and ask that You be in charge. I’m excited to see what amazing results You’ll accomplish through me. Thank you. Amen.