I Told You So

“I said to you, 'I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.' But you have not listened to me." Judges 6:10

Are you the type that likes to test the boundaries? Maybe you prefer to think of it as an adventure seeker or risk taker. I will admit, I enjoy getting right up to the edge and always consider pushing the limits whether I actually do or not.

I have a rather compliant son who enjoys adventure but is not a risk taker. Then there is my daughter. Amazing how God provided a little girl through adoption who points out some interesting characteristics in me. I wonder if my Mom thought, “I told you so” as often as I do with my daughter.

Do you cry out to God in your difficult situations? Do you consider the truth that got you in those circumstances? Do you find yourself angry at God for your suffering? Would you be suffering as you are if you had listened to God from your first awareness of God?

Obedience doesn’t free us from all suffering but it will free us from meaningless pain. Sometimes my kids get bumps and bruises in the everyday activity of having fun. Yes, it hurts but the fun was worth the pain. It usually doesn’t keep them from getting back on the bicycle or running.

So it is with our suffering for the sake of Christ. The thrill of participating in his very nature is worth the trouble brought on by that experience.

The trouble we bring on ourselves by acting on our own desires brings death according to James 1:13-15.

For those snags of life brought on by the reality of this world, Jesus gives us his “I told you so.”

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

© 2005 Lisa Biggs Crum

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing with my kids

I recently had my first experience on an indoor rock climbing wall. It was the closest I’ll probably ever get to my dreams of sky diving.

The climbing was great. Encouraged by my six year old daughter, I hooked up to the easy rope and she took the intermediate rope beside me. Going up was no problem. About ten feet off the ground I realized the idea was to let go of the wall to get down. Hmmm, that idea looked a lot more fun when I was down on the ground.

Letting go of the wall was extremely difficult. I tugged on the rope with one hand to see if it would hold me or just let me fall. It didn’t tighten. That was not comforting. It took several minutes with encouragement from those on the ground before I was able to let go. I had to trust the design of the pulley which allowed the rope to slip through as I climbed up or down and catch only with all my weight.

Spiritual lesson #1 – God offers us the thrill of climbing mountains of any size. He is our safety rope. We can stay comfortably on the ground and enjoy encouraging others. Or we can hook up and climb with him.

Spiritual lesson #2 – When we are on the mountain, we have to trust the rope to really enjoy the experience.

When fear struck me I began to climb down. Climbing down in fear was not as fun as climbing up with anticipation. I was just a few feet off the ground when I decided to trust the rope. By this time, my daughter is saying “Mom, just push off like this.” And off she goes flying through the air.

When I finally let go and pushed off, the experience was better than I could have imagined. I wanted to do it again. Instead of taking my second turn, I encouraged a friend to experience it.

I know that God climbs with me through everything. Life is made up of cycles and seasons. There is a time to let go of even the good stuff. If I trust him as my security rope, the trip down can be even more exciting than the climb up.

Next time I climb the rock wall, I’m going to let go and enjoy the descent. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll free fall from an airplane. Then I’ll tell you about God as my parachute.

Experience Life!


© 2005 Lisa Biggs Crum

A Soldier's Armor

Then Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. David tried to walk but he could hardly budge. David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off. Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:38-40 (The Message)

Have you ever offered to do a job you felt deep inside was meant for you to do but you didn’t “look like” others in that role?

I am a volunteer “Director of Women’s Ministry” at a church with an average weekend attendance of 1700. Quite frankly, I have the qualifications of five smooth stones against a giant. And, like David, I recognize that my abilities are not in who I am but in who God is. I spoke that fact early on and recognized its truth as I got into the responsibilities.

God has designed me just the way he wanted me. He is the one that gave me that “meant for me to do” feeling deep inside. He will use what He is developing in me to bring honor to His name.

There have been times when I’ve looked at others in this role and felt like giving up. Then God sends encouragement. “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 Corinthians 1:27 (NIV) Just to confirm that thought, God encouraged me through an email from a friend not too long ago. She stated in a positive way that I was not like other women’s ministry leaders. I laughed when I read it. I knew the statement was true, I just wasn’t sure it was a positive thing.

I don’t think I’m killing any giants or shaming the wise and strong. But I am doing my best just to be who God made me to be. I’ve never been one to try to wear uncomfortable armor but now I’ve stepped up to the front line and I’m learning that I can be used by God without the armor.

What do you feel deep inside is meant for you to do? Step up to the front line - even if the front line is behind the scene - in the name of the Lord Almighty and be yourself to bring honor to His name.

David is fascinating. He is referred to as a man after God’s own heart in 1 Samuel 13:14. You can read about his life beginning in 1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 1. The Psalms he wrote reveal his passion for God both in his up times and his down times.

Seeking

Oh Lord my soul doth ache with sorrow
Sorrow from your love
The love that looks to pick us up
When books we tire of

We seek to find your power
And power becomes our god
Our god is that which we contend
Will ease our painful sod

I feel your tears in my heart
To cry out for all to hear
It is not might, nor power great
That frees us from our fear

Your peace, your joy, your love
Are not ours to possess
The intimacy that holds me tight
When I cry upon your chest

It’s you I want to know and love
Not your ways or works to show
You are my friend, I do adore
May others know you so

© 2005 Lisa Biggs Crum