Along the Way

I had to get out.  I needed it. The sun was shining. Perfect. So I did.

I had a goal: I wanted to get to the street that had beautiful houses on it.  That was my goal. I'm a drivin' person. I'm going for it. I will succeed.

It took longer than I thought. Way longer. Probably twice as long. When I got there? There was just a street. No climax and "ahh look at the beautiful house" moment as I expected.  I walked my tale off and my dogs paws off for a street, road and cars zooming by? What? Did I take a wrong way?
Nope. I went the way I planned.
What then?

Instantly my mind went into allegorical mode: "I wonder if this is what it will be like when I finally meet my goals of X, Y and Z?  If all I have been striving to achieve is going to met with a busy road full of traffic, hardship and no pretty house?"

I looked on the left: A stream with a bridge.  How nice.  I took my dogs down to check it out.   It was a pleasant surprise.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  I also inhaled a dose of caution when I pondered: what am I giving up just to get to my goal?  The thought alarmed me.  My mind itemized the different situations. Wow.  All that for a busy street?

Ducks quacked in the water catching our attention.  I walked along the shore line and tried looking over  the edge at our reflections.  One my dogs looked at her reflection and just as I was leading the other to look at hers, BAM! The edge eroded and in she fell! Agh!  The water was cold and her little sweater was now partly wet.  If she could talk, I'm sure she was saying: "Thanks Mom".  But she's a dog and guess what?  They love the water.  She shook it off and went along her merrily little way.  If that happened to me, would I really shake that off? Probably not.  Hopefully though, I would laugh about it later.

I realized then that we get really caught up in meeting our goals, checking off our task list and zooming through life that when do we experience the water?  When do we get outside and experience discovery? My likely answer is: "I don't have time for that." It might be your answer too.  And if that is, then like me, it's time for a change.

There is so much to discover along the way and we miss it because we are so focused on that dream, seeing that beautiful house, that whatever the goal is.  Just the other night, when my husband and I specifically took a different direction so I could look at the lights in the trees and walk through them.  Halfway down, I realized I was missing the whole thing as I gazed from shop window to shop window.  Dang! I wanted to start over.

But we had to press on and that's the crux in life.  Many times, we can't go back to when we were at certain age and do over.  We have to start right where we are.  So, putting all my eggs in a basket with this dream and goal, with all the lofty expectations I have, may not be the best course.  But what about changing those expectations to being watchful for what's along the way?  I sure don't want to miss that or exchange those experiences to meet my deadline or goal.  Because, in reality, it's the unexpected that we should be watchful for and meet with great expectations.  Along the way, anything can happen.  Hopefully, the goal will be met.  But, it may not be and is likely not to be what you or I expect it to be.  Ironically, it is the things you don't expect that will blow you away and change the course of your life.

My doggie finally dried off and probably in her puppy kisses said: "Thank you".  The water put a little extra bounce in her step.  And, I did get to see the pretty houses.  They just weren't where I expected.  They were along the way.

"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect," (Hebrews 11: 39-40 NIV).

1.  What are your dreams and goals for your life?
2.  Dreams can be good things.  How can we protect the dream God gave us as well as the other blessings He's bestowed to us (significant other, children, family, house, giftings)?
3.  What could be in danger of being exchanged for your dream? (i.e. more time at work means less time at home, more weekends gone means less time investing into your loved ones)
4.  Recall a time when something unexpectedly pleasant occurred along the way of meeting a goal.  How did that change your direction?
5.  Recall a time when something unexpectedly devastating occurred along the way? How have you seen, or have you seen, God draw you closer to Him?
6.  What new perspective of life can you have if you begin to expect things along the way to your goal instead of just solely focused on meeting your goal?
7.  How does Hebrews 11:39-40 relate to today's story? How does it encourage you?



©2013 Candice Irion.  All Rights Reserved.

A Beautiful Rainy Day

What an oxymoron.  For me, most rainy days aren't beautiful.  They are gloomy, blah and often when I have bad headaches.

However, isn't it the rainy days where we find much joy? Aren't they the ones where snuggling underneath the covers feels so right? Where watching a days worth of movies is a delight? Where rest is welcomed?

Months where the sun is hard to find are often when I find myself gloomy and in bad moods.  At times, it's hard for me to find my way out of this cycle.  I'm beginning to believe negativity breeds negativity.  The more I allow myself to be in a bad mood, the more I complain, the more I'm negative, the longer the sun ain't gonna shine.  Get the picture?  Not pretty for me or those around me.

Then, something snapped and it made a big difference. Mind you, it's not a stroke a brilliance or a major epiphany.  Just a simple, plain as day thought that moved the fault line of my bad mood.  Here it is... are you ready? ->"Why should I be in a bad mood?"  Hm.  That's true.  I do have much to be thankful for.  I am blessed beyond measure.  I started naming off the many blessings God has provided and realized how I'm wasting my joy on my bad mood. Further, I'm allowing my bad mood to steal my joy.

Jim Reimann's words struck another cord: "Isn't it true that the longer we live, the shorter we realize this life really is?"*  I wonder how long I really have anyway, or how long any of my loved ones have.  Why would I not saturate every possible moment with joy, cheer versus the latter?

Granted, there are days where rain must fall.  The disagreement must occur.  The trash doesn't get taken out. I get it.  That's life.  But for me, myself and I, despite the circumstances circulating, how am I going to live each day?  What is going to counter shift negativity and grumpiness?  For me, it was getting out and smelling the roses.

You say: "What?" Yup.  I took a long walk and saw beautiful flowers and something resonated.  There are beautiful flowers all around me and I'm allowing my mood to cloud my view.  I'm allowing the grinding bits of my circumstances to cast a dark shadow over the joy of what I really have.

In addition, I realized why am I not seeking the things that do bring me joy? Why am I settling with my negativity?

Also remembering who I am in Christ was helpful.  These words from Charles Spurgeon were most enlightening:  "As we look into the future, we see death and "the body of sin... done away with" (Rom. 6:6) and the soul made perfectly complete --fit to partake in the inheritance of the saints of light.  Looking further still, the believer's enlightened eye of faith can see that gloomy stream of death's river then forded and the attainment of the heights of the hills of light where shines that glorious celestial city.  He sees himself within the pearly gates, hailed as more than a conqueror (see Rom. 8:37), crowned by Christ's own hands, embraced within the arms of Jesus, glorified with Him, and seated with HIm on His throne-as He said, "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne" (Rev. 3:21).  The very thought of such a glorious future should relieve the darkness of the past and the dreary gloom of the present.  The joys of heave will more than compensate for the sorrows of earth.  Hush then! O my doubts! Hush! Death is simply a narrow stream that quickly will be crossed."*

His words remind me that gloomy days, bad moods, negativity are just temporary.  They want to be the focus, but should never be.  The things that should be of focus are: "whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable...if anything is excellent or praise worth think about such things," (Phil. 4:8 NASB).

So on this rainy day, push away the dark clouds and concentrate on the "flowers" before you.  Allow these blessings to reinvigorate your soul, add a bounce to your step and more so, draw you ever closer to our Lord.

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, "(Eph. 5:19, NASB).

©2013 Candice Irion All Rights Resevered.
*Reimann, J.  (2008) "Morning by Morning The Devotions of Charles Spurgeon" Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Interested? Find it here: Morning by Morning: The Devotions of Charles Spurgeon

Jars of Clay

Reading in 2 Corinthians 4 today and thought it was interesting how Paul likens us to a jars of clay.  Furthermore, he notes that we have a treasure in the jar of clay.

Other analogies that Paul reveals in this passage are that we are outwardly wasting away, yet being renewed inwardly.  That we are hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down but are not crushed, or in despair, abandoned nor destroyed. He mentions that we carry around the death of Christ so that His life may also be revealed in us.  "Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."

These opposites circled around for me until I imagined a visual.  I've taken ceramics and created pottery pieces, so I pictured one of bowls I recently noticed.  There is was.  A light terra-cotta round pot.  It sits outside and takes on all the weather nature throws it's way:  harsh rains, intense heat, biting cold, snow, sleet, drought, you name it.  The structure of the piece is still there, but crumble by crumble it deteriorates.  I can't move it without little parts of it falling off.  It's outwardly wasting away.

But what is supposed to grow in the pot?  A plant.  A flower... A vegetable.  Some living organism that enjoys the soil that grows and produces leaves, fruit, a bud, or an herb.  A seedling of some sort will germinate, spring forth and grow.  (That is, if you have the green thumb and aren't like me, plant killer of all (even when I try, no bueno).  Life grows in the pot, even though the pot itself is outwardly wasting away.

Interesting.

This is how our life is to be with Christ.  While we, our flesh and physical form deteriorate as we absorb life and all its' many facets, inwardly, through our daily walk with Christ, we are germinating a new life.  A life that will outlast our pot, our jar of clay.

So let's put this together.  Outwardly we waste away.  Inwardly we are renewed.  Outwardly we are hard pressed, given the sleet of life.  Inwardly, we are not crushed through the hope, promises and love of our Lord.  Outwardly, our flesh carries around sin and the death of Christ.  But, inwardly through His grace and mercy, we are forgiven and grow into a new life, free from our sins.  As our seedling sprouts, fruits of the Spirit bloom forth and we are continually being made new.  "Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."

One last thought:  "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, what is unseen is eternal."  Us, in our jar of clay, is something seen and is temporary.  But, what is growing inside us... the unseen, outweighs it all, for that, my friend, is eternal.

"Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18  NIV


© 2013 Candice Irion.  All Rights Reserved.

Already

Already

By: Candice Irion

January 18, 2013

“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends,” 2 Cor. 10:18

A Shepherd to a King.  A Layman who built an ark.  A Carpenter who saved our souls.

Just when we think we are no good, the discards from our communities, we realize the world—or man’s approval—really has no play in the matter.  God does what He wants.  If He wants you for the job, you’ll have it.  He’ll move Heaven and earth, but it will be yours.  If He wants the script to go to the screen, He’ll do it.

But what if it doesn’t happen?  What if the script is always a script?  If the actor stays in the indie world and doesn’t get up to the national platform?  One has to consider that God has us right where He wants us.  If the script never makes it… ok.  It was meant for those who’ve read it.   If the actor doesn't see the silver screen? They still have a sphere of influence right where they are, even if they don't see it.  I don’t believe we give any value for the rankings in between the top and the bottom.  We should because there is much purpose in each. 

Being refined in the process is a huge Biblical principle.  The effects of the ministry to others, another.  
But, let's move in a different direction and look at a different angle.

The world will take from you, your craft and your project what it wants and then discards.  See the celebrities? The world takes and takes from their lives and doesn’t leave them alone until the feasting is over.  Then, they are has-beens.  During the process? It isn’t a refinement of personal benefit… it is a refinement for what the market wants.  That chin? That is not lead actress material.  Your weight? Try again.  We work so hard to be as the world approves.  How much of our lives are spent circulating around “I gotta be this, I gotta do that”?

How about the polar opposites: accolades and put downs? These also rattle around in our heads consistently.  “Oh you are so good at this.”  Or “You stink at that.  Why can’t you…”  In effect, being as the world would want us gets us in knots and chains.

Maybe on the exterior, or in our careers, being as the world would want us has excelled you to that promotion or to the top of the pack.  What about on the inside?  My guess is underneath the gratification of being at the top of the pack, there is a lining of frustration of just wanting to be who you are and isn’t that good enough? 

I’m not saying status quo or being stagnant are the places to be either.   But, moving forward in God’s will is the place to be.  Boasting in what He has done, what He continues to do and then being diligent to follow Him in all things and all aspects of life are what is key.  Focusing your thoughts on His love for you and not “I’m so great, or I am so aweful” changes your perspective, thoughts... actions.

Realize God’s mode of transportation: refinement.  He takes the Shepherd and makes him a king.  He takes the layman and makes him a master craftsman and sailor (when there was no previous rain, mind you).  He takes the Carpenter and….  He takes you and me and makes us into who He wants us to be.

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus," (Philippians 1:6).

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do," (Ephesians 2:10)

Still feeling like you're still not up to snuff? Check this out:

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong,” (1 Cor. 1:27).

So, when you’re on the down and out and feeling like nothing is ever going to come from your labor, or that you are just the discard of the world, take heart.   God has His eye on you.  He has a purpose for your work whether it is for your neighbor or the globe.  He has already entrusted you with His gospel (1 Thess. 2:6) He has already first loved you (1 John 4:19). 

Thus, look and boast on Him today and leave the thoughts of personal glory or gory behind.  It will change your world.



© 2013 Candice Irion.  All Rights Reserved.