What you see is not of me
I am no hero to be praised
successes are not of my hand
God is the ONE that has set them free
Children all around me sure,
is this the reason for
many of you to look at me and
count your part as obscure?
God has called us each by name
to serve His kingdom by
working our corners to reach them all
the broken, downtrodden and the lame
Beyond this call- throughout His WORD
is a special call to each
a group often seen as too small
to ever have to reach
This group s the orphan child
seen as anything but grand
they are broken, downtrodden, lame and poor
yet with our eyes we cannot stand
We turn the channel, tune out our ears
for fear we might be touched
the numbers are too large for us
and the pictures bring only tears
The call God has lain for us
is to set aside our rest
set loose the captive, feed the hungry
and make the homeless man our guest
The numbers, stats, pictures and more
are not the reason for defeat;
but our hearts, unwilling to move
to ever the challenge meet.
If only you could understand
that this is not of us-
We have no power for this call laid before us
It is GOD in us- THIS is how we stand.
For then you will truly see
I am no hero to be praised
GOD is the ONE that will set you free
Then you will know- what you see is not of me!
-M. Ruth Smith- May 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Who I am
(I wrote this in 2006 and just recently found it again... I guess I needed the reminder :)
What you do, your actions and your job, are not who you are. Seems simple enough; I’ve heard lots of people say this statement, in fact people everywhere quote it like they know it to be true.
Truth is I’ve said it before too. I told people out of frustration, that my job did not define who I was. The frustration was there because I was not satisfied by my job and I was insecure about what it said about me. At the time, my friends were electrical engineers, executives in their companies, managers, directors, teachers, etc. So what was the picture I saw of myself? Failure.
I’ve just recently discovered that my life’s pride (self worth), confidence and self-esteem have always been based on what I did. Not just my job, but how I proved myself in any situation… was how I performed. This could be displayed by singing on stage or in a choir, the first question out of my mouth every time I was done…. “How did I do?” The question should have been… well, there shouldn’t have been a question.
It was displayed at work. Anytime I felt that I had messed up, it was more than a mistake it was a failure. I was a failure. Therefore, I made the company look like a failure, and it was all my fault.
So what happens to pride (self worth) confidence and self esteem when you have failed and knocked your foundation out from under yourself? It disappears too. Then you are left with a great big defense mechanism to put to work. Because apparently, there is a demand inside you that requires you to know that you count for something. So when you have lost your worth and failed, that means that something inside you snaps, and you are left with fighting for something that you don’t even believe exists. Your worth. Basically, you are left with an ugly defense that only comes out when you are threatened by your inability to succeed.
Confused? So was I. I didn’t believe that I had anything to offer. I was/ am fat; I thought that defined my beauty. I am short; I thought that defined my part of ability. I was strong; I thought that defined my feminity. I only had a high school diploma. I thought that made me second class. Basically, anything I did have I thought was worthless.
Then I was told all these wonderful things about my features, personality, presence, voice etc. I believed them to be lies. Because all previous experience told me that I was worthless. I was told by a boy that I liked that I made him sick with even the idea of dating me. I was told that I was useless and definitely not worth dating if no one else had wanted to date me. I was told that my family was the reason that I could not be dated. I was told that my name should have been bacon instead of Megan because that described me better.
See what I mean? Absolutely worthless. I wasn’t worth a plug nickel, as my mom says.
My experiences, which I told everyone didn’t affect me, did in fact change my perspective of what I was and what I had to offer this world. I didn’t fight for schooling, because what would I go for, after all I couldn’t do anything that was worth anything. I didn’t go after a career, because after all I didn’t have any skills.
And I definitely didn’t go after any more guys because, well what would they see, but what I had already been told was there?
So for the longest time (actually my entire “adult” life), everything that I believed I had that was worth anything, was the works that I did. Whether it was using the office skills I had learned, or working with children, these were what I based my confidence on.
Now I’m sitting here and being told that what I do is not who I am. Then who the heck am I? Working was the one thing I could offer this world, was the only thing I based my confidence in and now you are telling me that it’s not who I am?!!?
Taking my work away from me is like taking an actors career away from them. They have shown the whole world that this is what they do for a living. So to take it away from them not only takes their identity away, but also their livelihood. This is what has just happened to me.
My job was taken away. I wish I could even say that I was fired or something, but no. God lead me away, and told me to leave. I said I’ll do things in my own timing, thank you very much; He said no, leave NOW, then proceeded to make things very difficult for me, until I finally did obey.
Now not only have I left my job, but it had turned into my passion in life, so that was taken away too. In fact my passion and dreams were taken away from me twice. Part of my works based identity went with both of them.
Right at this moment, I am sitting in a place where all my confidence has left me. I can’t find a job and I’m in anguish every time someone asks what I do for a living. That question by the way is one of the most popular in American society. But that is another subject for another day.
I hate being asked what I do, why? Because I have no job and that in my head has been the same thing as having no identity or worth or confidence or anything. I feel like a failure every time someone decides to ask that question.
So who am I? Who do I say I am when asked this question? What do I place my identity in now? Well, right now it’s being removed and replaced, into where it should have been in the first place. In my heavenly Father.
My identity is this, I am His daughter. A princess. Beautifully created in His image. Like any daughter I have the inheritance of my Father. What daughter doesn’t have their Father’s love, unconditional, unhindered, inconceivable, and non- works based LOVE.
One of my biggest loves in life right now is children. And it was brought to my attention that the way that I love those kids is in a way the same way the Father loves me. Just being with kids makes me smile, they can even be naughty as all get out and still I can smile about them. Same with the Father. I make Him smile, even when I’m as naughty as all get out.
There are some children that literally squeal with delight when I walk in a room, so does my Father.
There are some kids that ask their parent’s to leave so I can come and be with them. My Father asks people and things to leave so He can be with me.
I watch the little kids sleep, they are so peaceful and beautiful I just can’t help it. My Father can’t help but watch me.
My new identity is a much stronger foundation for life, because no one on this earth or around it can take it away from me. No one can threaten me with my inability to be loved by my Father, because only He can do that. And He won’t.
Work is not who I am anymore. I guess it kinda helped that all work was taken away from me, so I could see how worthless it is. What is worth EVERYTHING is my Father and His LOVE for me.
And guess what!? I am no longer worthless, ugly, unable or unfeminine. I am above all things HIS, and that my friend makes me BEAUTIFUL.
What you do, your actions and your job, are not who you are. Seems simple enough; I’ve heard lots of people say this statement, in fact people everywhere quote it like they know it to be true.
Truth is I’ve said it before too. I told people out of frustration, that my job did not define who I was. The frustration was there because I was not satisfied by my job and I was insecure about what it said about me. At the time, my friends were electrical engineers, executives in their companies, managers, directors, teachers, etc. So what was the picture I saw of myself? Failure.
I’ve just recently discovered that my life’s pride (self worth), confidence and self-esteem have always been based on what I did. Not just my job, but how I proved myself in any situation… was how I performed. This could be displayed by singing on stage or in a choir, the first question out of my mouth every time I was done…. “How did I do?” The question should have been… well, there shouldn’t have been a question.
It was displayed at work. Anytime I felt that I had messed up, it was more than a mistake it was a failure. I was a failure. Therefore, I made the company look like a failure, and it was all my fault.
So what happens to pride (self worth) confidence and self esteem when you have failed and knocked your foundation out from under yourself? It disappears too. Then you are left with a great big defense mechanism to put to work. Because apparently, there is a demand inside you that requires you to know that you count for something. So when you have lost your worth and failed, that means that something inside you snaps, and you are left with fighting for something that you don’t even believe exists. Your worth. Basically, you are left with an ugly defense that only comes out when you are threatened by your inability to succeed.
Confused? So was I. I didn’t believe that I had anything to offer. I was/ am fat; I thought that defined my beauty. I am short; I thought that defined my part of ability. I was strong; I thought that defined my feminity. I only had a high school diploma. I thought that made me second class. Basically, anything I did have I thought was worthless.
Then I was told all these wonderful things about my features, personality, presence, voice etc. I believed them to be lies. Because all previous experience told me that I was worthless. I was told by a boy that I liked that I made him sick with even the idea of dating me. I was told that I was useless and definitely not worth dating if no one else had wanted to date me. I was told that my family was the reason that I could not be dated. I was told that my name should have been bacon instead of Megan because that described me better.
See what I mean? Absolutely worthless. I wasn’t worth a plug nickel, as my mom says.
My experiences, which I told everyone didn’t affect me, did in fact change my perspective of what I was and what I had to offer this world. I didn’t fight for schooling, because what would I go for, after all I couldn’t do anything that was worth anything. I didn’t go after a career, because after all I didn’t have any skills.
And I definitely didn’t go after any more guys because, well what would they see, but what I had already been told was there?
So for the longest time (actually my entire “adult” life), everything that I believed I had that was worth anything, was the works that I did. Whether it was using the office skills I had learned, or working with children, these were what I based my confidence on.
Now I’m sitting here and being told that what I do is not who I am. Then who the heck am I? Working was the one thing I could offer this world, was the only thing I based my confidence in and now you are telling me that it’s not who I am?!!?
Taking my work away from me is like taking an actors career away from them. They have shown the whole world that this is what they do for a living. So to take it away from them not only takes their identity away, but also their livelihood. This is what has just happened to me.
My job was taken away. I wish I could even say that I was fired or something, but no. God lead me away, and told me to leave. I said I’ll do things in my own timing, thank you very much; He said no, leave NOW, then proceeded to make things very difficult for me, until I finally did obey.
Now not only have I left my job, but it had turned into my passion in life, so that was taken away too. In fact my passion and dreams were taken away from me twice. Part of my works based identity went with both of them.
Right at this moment, I am sitting in a place where all my confidence has left me. I can’t find a job and I’m in anguish every time someone asks what I do for a living. That question by the way is one of the most popular in American society. But that is another subject for another day.
I hate being asked what I do, why? Because I have no job and that in my head has been the same thing as having no identity or worth or confidence or anything. I feel like a failure every time someone decides to ask that question.
So who am I? Who do I say I am when asked this question? What do I place my identity in now? Well, right now it’s being removed and replaced, into where it should have been in the first place. In my heavenly Father.
My identity is this, I am His daughter. A princess. Beautifully created in His image. Like any daughter I have the inheritance of my Father. What daughter doesn’t have their Father’s love, unconditional, unhindered, inconceivable, and non- works based LOVE.
One of my biggest loves in life right now is children. And it was brought to my attention that the way that I love those kids is in a way the same way the Father loves me. Just being with kids makes me smile, they can even be naughty as all get out and still I can smile about them. Same with the Father. I make Him smile, even when I’m as naughty as all get out.
There are some children that literally squeal with delight when I walk in a room, so does my Father.
There are some kids that ask their parent’s to leave so I can come and be with them. My Father asks people and things to leave so He can be with me.
I watch the little kids sleep, they are so peaceful and beautiful I just can’t help it. My Father can’t help but watch me.
My new identity is a much stronger foundation for life, because no one on this earth or around it can take it away from me. No one can threaten me with my inability to be loved by my Father, because only He can do that. And He won’t.
Work is not who I am anymore. I guess it kinda helped that all work was taken away from me, so I could see how worthless it is. What is worth EVERYTHING is my Father and His LOVE for me.
And guess what!? I am no longer worthless, ugly, unable or unfeminine. I am above all things HIS, and that my friend makes me BEAUTIFUL.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Passionate Pursuit
This week has been interesting. A time when I feel like I was turning away yet again, and instead of the normal proceedings, I heard him calling me home.
The more that I’ve been praying lately – the more I feel like this vision is getting closer. The closer it gets the more inadequate I feel. The more inadequate I feel- the more I fear and have the tendency to run away.
It started with Psalms 139 going through my head over and over again. I heard him telling me in those words that I am not getting away. Then as I was listening to the radio I hear other people talk about their own journey and the fact that they run away too when they are bad, or are afraid. In fact it wasn’t even one of my favorite bands, but I love this song now. (
As I listened to them explain the song and how it’s God speaking to us when we turn away from him and how he’s begging us to turn to him… it broke another part of me. I understood immediately that the message was for me. I don’t even listen to that station –hardly ever! “Megan- don’t turn from me- turn to my arms and lean on them!!! This isn’t yours, it’s mine!”
Then as I was planning/ studying the lesson for the kids this week in church… funny how the lesson more and more lately seems to be for me – more than the kids... I heard him speak again. The lesson was on Moses and how he was complaining to God that he wasn’t right for the job. Well, I had to laugh. It was almost the very thing that I was saying to God too. Moses and I connected right there- I finally understood his pathetic whine to the Most High God. I mean God created him, knew him, and wasn’t afraid of using him and yet Moses had the gall to complain about not being right for the job… and so do I.
I went to bed that night realizing that I can’t ever say anything negative about any of the men or women of the Bible… I’m just as messed up as they are! And that I obviously have to pay attention because it seems as if God is working overtime to get my thick skull to listen to him!
The topper of all my musings came when Rod spoke yesterday. He spoke on another blockhead that I identify with… Peter. Rod outlined yesterday that Jesus was fully aware, fully prepared and in no way disgusted with Peter for his denial, but was interceding on Peter’s behalf. Amazing! All this time… I fall away and feel as if God is ready to hammer me, and yet he’s been interceding for me. Always waiting, always wanting that relationship with me. Wow….!
I too am a blockhead. In case you couldn’t figure that out. I mess up all the time and wonder constantly as to why anyone, much less the Most High God, would want anything to do with me. But this week I feel – loved, pursued, treasured, and cherished. I know that he wants me back and pursuing to be like him. I am nothing more than a blockhead disciple…
1. I feel very confidently that God is leading me further into the vision He gave me years ago. A vision of children- fostered, adopted, and living in the neighborhood- running in and out of my home because it is a safe place. A place where children are ministered to in emotional/physical/ spiritual ways. A place to connect with the pets/ earth and people around them. My home, not an institution, not an orphanage, but a place for kids to be kids in a very God driven/focused way. This is the original vision.
2. This vision feels very small compared to the words that were given to me only a few months ago. I know it is just a piece – but I’m not sure I’m ready to share anymore.
I know that God has not given us the spirit of fear (II Tim. 1:7) I know that God does not call us to something he doesn’t plan to control, fulfill, define, and enable. I have to keep trusting that He is going to do what is needed in order for me to fulfill what He has called me to. And NO I don’t need to send him extra voicemails and emails to remind him.
I have felt your words, your pursuit, your grace and your love in a most powerful way this week. I have felt the calling of your Spirit within mine to say that I am yours and that is all I need to rely on.
Amen
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away
Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run
'Cause I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life
(Chorus 2x)
Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Peaceful Fall Time Thoughts
This day is gorgeous.... time slowly dripping by and things of my mind call me to type my little fingers away. Cool breezes, funny dog races up and down my hallway and the radio playing in the background. My eyes view beauty and crave the quiet to last for days rather than just a few hours. It's not that the quiet is in the noise, but in my heart. I like this quiet. Peaceful heart that comes after a long week, time with friends and a great nights sleep.
Some say that quiet is often their doom... but do they mean silence or stillness? Peace all around is the best source of rejuvenation one can find... at least in this heart. Followed by a close second... cleaning. I know sounds insane... but somehow setting my physical world right sets this heart right. I read somewhere that cleaning, or having a clean house can represent what is happening in one's heart... and I guess, for me, it can be true. Or it can mean I'm too busy for my own good. :)
Right now I'm peaceful in the knowledge that God is working for me, I'm finally allowing him to work in me, and my world around me will be set right after all this time. Such peace is too great for me. How I long for it more...
Some say that quiet is often their doom... but do they mean silence or stillness? Peace all around is the best source of rejuvenation one can find... at least in this heart. Followed by a close second... cleaning. I know sounds insane... but somehow setting my physical world right sets this heart right. I read somewhere that cleaning, or having a clean house can represent what is happening in one's heart... and I guess, for me, it can be true. Or it can mean I'm too busy for my own good. :)
Right now I'm peaceful in the knowledge that God is working for me, I'm finally allowing him to work in me, and my world around me will be set right after all this time. Such peace is too great for me. How I long for it more...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Bible Study Break - II Corinthians 4: 1 - 7
II Corinthians 4: 1 - 7
(Paraphrased in my own words, this is the whole passage as revealed to me)
Because of God's mercy at work within me, I am able to have a ministry and I am not to lose heart. Instead I am to renounce my sinful, secret ways. I am to use TRUTH and not deception, or using God's word to shine light or justify my choices. I am to sit myself in a position of accountability. (Meaning to allow them to use the way they perceive me, to return how they respond to me. And I'm to trust them)
What is this ministry? Revealing the gospel to them- by living it, preaching it, and believing it. The only one not receiving it are the one's that are veiled by the enemy. Who blinds their minds against it. My ministry is to live the light so that the "Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" can shine in the darkness.
The treasure of this ministry and calling, the gospel, is carried in jars of clay. (Me) Cheap, breakable, and replaceable, but necessary service oriented tool- lowly and expendable. That is who I am - not someone who is above others.
I am not to preach about myself- for what am I? But I am to preach Jesus the Christ and I am their servant for Jesus' sake. All this to show that I am naught but a servant who's only power comes from Christ and not from me.
Bible Study Break - II Corinthians 4: 8 - 18
II Corinthians 4:8 - 18
(Paraphrased in my words, this is the whole passage as revealed to me.)
Ministry and following after Jesus breeds ground for being hard pressed on every side- like a flower press or a wheat grinder. Being perplexed or full of doubt and uncertainty; persecution or being harassed, constantly resulting in injury or distress (Struck down or beaten) and the death of Jesus is carried around in us so we are always given over to death.
Strangely enough this is a passage of hope because even though those are written as if guarantees, there are responding promises of life and hope to go with each angle of concern or death.
We are promised to never be crushed while being hard pressed; we won't be in despair or distress while being perplexed; we can't be destroyed by those who strike us down. And while it's true that we carry the death of Jesus with us- it's so that the life of Jesus can be revealed in us. And through the life in Jesus, when we die or are given over to death, it reveals who He is through our mortality. So the death (of our mortal, fleshly, desires, our "before Christ" selves) shows off Christ's life at work in us.
With faith we believe, and if we believe we speak (the gospel, the truth, the treasure) Because the One who raised Jesus also has the power to raise us and present us in His presence. And get this, it's for our benefit! It's for us to see the grace that is reaching more and more people. This is cause for us to have thanksgiving and have it overflow to the Glory of God!
So, we cannot lose heart. Though on the outside we are always wasting away. On the inside, we are being renewed, not just once, but daily. For these things that are coming at us are just light and momentary troubles. These things are actually working for and achieving for us an eternal glory and reward that so outweighs them all.
In light of this we need to fix our eyes (or my heart, soul, mind and strength) on nothing that we visibly see, because anything that we can look at is temporary. But we need to focus on what is unseen, because those things will last for eternity.
Desert Rain
My throat is dry, parched, toasty and cracked
the ground beneath my feet is shaky, uneven
The sun hot on my back, the wind still and flat
There are no clouds, no break
Solid is the weight of the heat
Water is the illusion that taunts me
the ground and sky unrelenting
The sun once considered my friend,
now my enemy
Desperate is the weight of my heart
My heart is this desert
unrelenting, unforgiving, dry, cracked and barren
not placed in this desert, for growth and renewal
but chosen by my wandering heart
And now I'm lost in this wasteland
Empty is the weight of my soul
Then the rain comes
each drop like a splash of life
flowing like sheets of blessed relief
my whole body rejoices
The weight of the pain of that torturous sun is gone
Replaced by the joyous weight of the rain
It touches every part of me
filling my soul with joy, giddiness even
water touches my head, my hands, my feet and even my heart
leaving me quenched and more alive than I could imagine
Life flows with every drop of this Living Water
Hope is found
and joy renewed
even the dry and weary land that is the desert
is renewed, transformed
What beauty to be placed here
or to find yourself in
Defeat, surrender and life anew
That is the joy of the desert
when Living Water flows over me
this wasteland now a garden, it's renewed and transformed!
M. Ruth Smith
September 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
What if?
"What if" is a phrase that can ruin ones life. Living your life based on what might happen is the equivalent to not living your life at all.
Life is the here and now, the known and known not knowns (i.e.: a job you have but you don’t know which technical glitch will happen next.) “What if” is like asking a gypsy for your fortune.
I don’t want to move- because what if something happens to my family. I can’t be a missionary, what if there’s a man that I might miss if I go? I can’t give sacrificially, what if I run out of money?
Do you realize there really isn’t one valid “What if” question out there? Hold up, wait- okay so there are only two valid what ifs- what if I died today – what would count? And, what if Jesus asked me why should I let you in heaven? Okay- so, besides those two- there are no valid ones left.
If God in His ultimate wisdom asks you to do something and you respond with a “What if”- what does that say to God? It says he’s stupid and doesn’t know what you might miss.
Have you read the book of Ezekiel? Have you read the commands of God in the first three chapters? Let me help you out by showing you a few…(No, these aren’t even close to them all)
Stand to your feet and I will speak to you (2:1)
I am sending you to a stubborn and obstinate nation- Israel (2:3)
Do not be afraid of them or their words- umm… just how bad were these guys?(2:4)
Do not be afraid though briers, thorns and scorpions live all around you- oh!(2:6)
You must speak My words to them whether they listen or not (2:11)
You must speak my words of warning, for if one should die because you did not warn him of my anger then I will hold you accountable to his blood. (3:18)
… Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to beat their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin- 390 days you will bear their sin of the house of Israel. (4:1-5)
Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt- put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for you. You are to eat (about 8 oz. worth) it during the 390 days and (4:6-12)
You will bake your bread over cow manure…(4:15)
Honestly, how do you think Ezekiel’s life would have ended if when God commanded these things Ezekiel came back with “what if I get a cramp?” “What if I die of starvation?” I wonder- would we even have the book of Ezekiel?
For that matter- look at all the hero’s of the faith; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, David, and of course Jesus. These men knew what God was asking of them and they didn’t respond with a “what if” scenario. Not one was perfect- except of course Jesus who was the Son of God- But every one of them had a huge challenge from God and if in their fear or in the moments of frailty they had asked what if- I’m sure the Bible would look a little different.
My point? Why do we as Christians today think that we are so much better than the hero’s of our faith, that we can and do ask the what ifs before we say “Here am I, send me!” (Is. 6)
Where do we get our nerve to question the creator of all things, including our life and the thing he has called us to? Who says that we can say I can’t because of a “What if”? God knows all the "What ifs" and all the equations of our lives. Do you really think that he would ask a question without knowing the answer? Do you think that he forgot about something?
He’s been holding the universe together since before man. I don’t think he’s using a post-it note system for reminders.
He knows every tear you’ve cried, He counts the hairs on your head, and He loves you with an everlasting love- an unstoppable, unquenchable, unconditional love. Since your Father loves you in such this way- Do you really think He’d ask you to do something that wasn’t in your best interest?
“What if” is a slap in God’s face. He knows everything about you, your world, your life- He will not let the right “What ifs” pass you by. Nor will the wrong “What ifs” come your way.
So, here’s the basic question- Do you TRUST GOD with your “What ifs”? Do you trust God? Do you trust Him with everything? Truth is you either trust Him with everything- all of your heart or you don’t trust Him at all.
Webster’s defines trust as a firm belief in the honesty, reliability of another; a confident expectation, hope; to commit to a person’s care; to allow someone to do something without misgivings.
This is a description of your relationship with Christ. Most of the time we read Proverbs 3:5-6 and we assume that trusting God with all your heart means – trusting God with this particular situation. All your heart- every situation- every time, all the time. Do you have a firm belief in the honesty and reliability of God? Do you have a confident expectation of what He is going to do? Do you have confidence in Him? Do you commit things to His care? Including your heart? Do you allow Him to do things in your life without misgivings?
One final thing- What if is a natural thought, or so I find… but if it is our only response in the course of following Jesus, then trust is gone and fear is leader. When was the last time you asked “What if”?
Life is the here and now, the known and known not knowns (i.e.: a job you have but you don’t know which technical glitch will happen next.) “What if” is like asking a gypsy for your fortune.
I don’t want to move- because what if something happens to my family. I can’t be a missionary, what if there’s a man that I might miss if I go? I can’t give sacrificially, what if I run out of money?
Do you realize there really isn’t one valid “What if” question out there? Hold up, wait- okay so there are only two valid what ifs- what if I died today – what would count? And, what if Jesus asked me why should I let you in heaven? Okay- so, besides those two- there are no valid ones left.
If God in His ultimate wisdom asks you to do something and you respond with a “What if”- what does that say to God? It says he’s stupid and doesn’t know what you might miss.
Have you read the book of Ezekiel? Have you read the commands of God in the first three chapters? Let me help you out by showing you a few…(No, these aren’t even close to them all)
Stand to your feet and I will speak to you (2:1)
I am sending you to a stubborn and obstinate nation- Israel (2:3)
Do not be afraid of them or their words- umm… just how bad were these guys?(2:4)
Do not be afraid though briers, thorns and scorpions live all around you- oh!(2:6)
You must speak My words to them whether they listen or not (2:11)
You must speak my words of warning, for if one should die because you did not warn him of my anger then I will hold you accountable to his blood. (3:18)
… Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to beat their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin- 390 days you will bear their sin of the house of Israel. (4:1-5)
Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt- put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for you. You are to eat (about 8 oz. worth) it during the 390 days and (4:6-12)
You will bake your bread over cow manure…(4:15)
Honestly, how do you think Ezekiel’s life would have ended if when God commanded these things Ezekiel came back with “what if I get a cramp?” “What if I die of starvation?” I wonder- would we even have the book of Ezekiel?
For that matter- look at all the hero’s of the faith; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, David, and of course Jesus. These men knew what God was asking of them and they didn’t respond with a “what if” scenario. Not one was perfect- except of course Jesus who was the Son of God- But every one of them had a huge challenge from God and if in their fear or in the moments of frailty they had asked what if- I’m sure the Bible would look a little different.
My point? Why do we as Christians today think that we are so much better than the hero’s of our faith, that we can and do ask the what ifs before we say “Here am I, send me!” (Is. 6)
Where do we get our nerve to question the creator of all things, including our life and the thing he has called us to? Who says that we can say I can’t because of a “What if”? God knows all the "What ifs" and all the equations of our lives. Do you really think that he would ask a question without knowing the answer? Do you think that he forgot about something?
He’s been holding the universe together since before man. I don’t think he’s using a post-it note system for reminders.
He knows every tear you’ve cried, He counts the hairs on your head, and He loves you with an everlasting love- an unstoppable, unquenchable, unconditional love. Since your Father loves you in such this way- Do you really think He’d ask you to do something that wasn’t in your best interest?
“What if” is a slap in God’s face. He knows everything about you, your world, your life- He will not let the right “What ifs” pass you by. Nor will the wrong “What ifs” come your way.
So, here’s the basic question- Do you TRUST GOD with your “What ifs”? Do you trust God? Do you trust Him with everything? Truth is you either trust Him with everything- all of your heart or you don’t trust Him at all.
Webster’s defines trust as a firm belief in the honesty, reliability of another; a confident expectation, hope; to commit to a person’s care; to allow someone to do something without misgivings.
This is a description of your relationship with Christ. Most of the time we read Proverbs 3:5-6 and we assume that trusting God with all your heart means – trusting God with this particular situation. All your heart- every situation- every time, all the time. Do you have a firm belief in the honesty and reliability of God? Do you have a confident expectation of what He is going to do? Do you have confidence in Him? Do you commit things to His care? Including your heart? Do you allow Him to do things in your life without misgivings?
One final thing- What if is a natural thought, or so I find… but if it is our only response in the course of following Jesus, then trust is gone and fear is leader. When was the last time you asked “What if”?
M. Ruth Smith
2005
Trust and Faith
Trust and faith, Fear and Doubt
These are the words that are in my life in abundance right now. I know that they are all part in whole how I’m feeling.
Trust – Defined as: a firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability and justice of another.
Faith – Defined as: unquestioning belief that does not need proof or evidence.
These are commands, a requirement of the Christian; because without them our God wouldn’t even exist- at least in the earthly realm. Because for Him to exist, we need to have faith that He is there, and then we need to trust that He is who He says He is.
I love how these two things, so essential in the daily walk of a Christian, are things that we fight with as much as we do. I know that is because the Enemy knows there won’t be Christians without faith and trust.
How can we who love Jesus say that we have trust issues? Last night while I was at prayer meeting a prayer warrior said that one of the reasons trust is so much on our list of things that God is teaching us is because we have had someone prove to be untrustworthy in our lives, and therefore leaving a gap in our ability to know what it means to trust without hindrance. I believe that she is right on a major level. Who among us hasn’t had someone in our lifetime prove to be untrustworthy?
If that is the case then shouldn’t there be a way that we can work past that and find the healing that we might need in order to trust God with all our hearts and no hindrances? I believe there is.
God has said that “All that call on His name shall be saved” (Rom.10:13)... which requires faith and trust. He also said “That all who come to me weary and with heavy burdens shall find rest” (Matt. 11:29). Another is that if you “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… he will direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6) . He said that for “Those who fear his name the Son of righteousness shall rise with healing in his wings and you will go free leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture” (Mal. 4:2).
I know that the God that healed all those people in the Bible didn’t leave them with emotional issues and mental issues when he healed the physical issues. I know that when they went away leaping and rejoicing that they were free from all injury. All pain of any kind was gone when they encountered the living God. So I can only conclude that just as God is able to this day to distribute physical healing he can also give out mental, emotional and spiritual healing to those who seek Him.
If these are indeed things that I know… then why do I have trouble trusting Him and having faith in Him? Maybe because sometimes, it’s not about what I know, but about the weapons the enemy is using- Otherwise known as Fear and Doubt.
Fear- Defined as: a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc.
Doubt- Defined as: a wavering of opinion or belief; lack of conviction; uncertainty; lack of trust or confidence.
I don’t find it coincidental that the tools that Satan uses are the very things that interfere with faith and trust. I also know that he is not above using whatever he can to defeat us when we’re down and go after us when we’re up. He is a lousy foe… no fairness can be found in him, and he uses a small measure of truth in order to convince us that there is validity in his accusations. He is sneaky, manipulative, and wrong. And we fall for it all the time.
The Bible describes our enemy Satan as “A roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8) It also tells us that he has fiery arrows, strategies in place to take us down, we are in a battle against him (Eph. 6:11-16), he goes after the footholds (little crevices that don’t seem like much to us, are his breeding ground) (Eph. 4:27) he sets traps (2 Tim. 2:27), and works in and through our enemies (John 13:2).
Of course this is a foe that we would need to watch at every turn. We can’t assume that he would take a break from making us falter in our faith. A slacking and hurting Christian is one of his favorite things. Get to that point and of course he will leave you alone, you aren’t a threat anymore.
This leads us to conclude that if we are following hard after Christ and are doing what God has called us to, the enemy will be hard on our tails to trip us up. Which makes faith and trust all that more important. Do you see how it all works together like that? I do take comfort in the fact that God doesn’t leave us to ourselves in the midst of these struggles. He has promised to never fail us or abandon us (Heb. 13:5) And He has promised that He will never give us more than we can bear (1 Cor. 10:13)
I have found that the promises of God are more faithful and dependable than the threat of the enemy. Only because God is greater. If I falter in my faith and slack in my belief and trust, then guaranteed the enemy is there to help bring me down.
So, yeah, these words have been heavy on my heart and I wonder sometimes about why they are so important. And why when people are talking about what God is doing, they almost always say that God is teaching them to trust… interesting then isn’t it that it generally coincides with an attack from the enemy?
Faith and trust are tools to bring us closer to God and into His loving presence. Fear and doubt are the very tools that Satan uses to break us up.
Trust – Defined as: a firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability and justice of another.
Faith – Defined as: unquestioning belief that does not need proof or evidence.
These are commands, a requirement of the Christian; because without them our God wouldn’t even exist- at least in the earthly realm. Because for Him to exist, we need to have faith that He is there, and then we need to trust that He is who He says He is.
I love how these two things, so essential in the daily walk of a Christian, are things that we fight with as much as we do. I know that is because the Enemy knows there won’t be Christians without faith and trust.
How can we who love Jesus say that we have trust issues? Last night while I was at prayer meeting a prayer warrior said that one of the reasons trust is so much on our list of things that God is teaching us is because we have had someone prove to be untrustworthy in our lives, and therefore leaving a gap in our ability to know what it means to trust without hindrance. I believe that she is right on a major level. Who among us hasn’t had someone in our lifetime prove to be untrustworthy?
If that is the case then shouldn’t there be a way that we can work past that and find the healing that we might need in order to trust God with all our hearts and no hindrances? I believe there is.
God has said that “All that call on His name shall be saved” (Rom.10:13)... which requires faith and trust. He also said “That all who come to me weary and with heavy burdens shall find rest” (Matt. 11:29). Another is that if you “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… he will direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6) . He said that for “Those who fear his name the Son of righteousness shall rise with healing in his wings and you will go free leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture” (Mal. 4:2).
I know that the God that healed all those people in the Bible didn’t leave them with emotional issues and mental issues when he healed the physical issues. I know that when they went away leaping and rejoicing that they were free from all injury. All pain of any kind was gone when they encountered the living God. So I can only conclude that just as God is able to this day to distribute physical healing he can also give out mental, emotional and spiritual healing to those who seek Him.
If these are indeed things that I know… then why do I have trouble trusting Him and having faith in Him? Maybe because sometimes, it’s not about what I know, but about the weapons the enemy is using- Otherwise known as Fear and Doubt.
Fear- Defined as: a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc.
Doubt- Defined as: a wavering of opinion or belief; lack of conviction; uncertainty; lack of trust or confidence.
I don’t find it coincidental that the tools that Satan uses are the very things that interfere with faith and trust. I also know that he is not above using whatever he can to defeat us when we’re down and go after us when we’re up. He is a lousy foe… no fairness can be found in him, and he uses a small measure of truth in order to convince us that there is validity in his accusations. He is sneaky, manipulative, and wrong. And we fall for it all the time.
The Bible describes our enemy Satan as “A roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8) It also tells us that he has fiery arrows, strategies in place to take us down, we are in a battle against him (Eph. 6:11-16), he goes after the footholds (little crevices that don’t seem like much to us, are his breeding ground) (Eph. 4:27) he sets traps (2 Tim. 2:27), and works in and through our enemies (John 13:2).
Of course this is a foe that we would need to watch at every turn. We can’t assume that he would take a break from making us falter in our faith. A slacking and hurting Christian is one of his favorite things. Get to that point and of course he will leave you alone, you aren’t a threat anymore.
This leads us to conclude that if we are following hard after Christ and are doing what God has called us to, the enemy will be hard on our tails to trip us up. Which makes faith and trust all that more important. Do you see how it all works together like that? I do take comfort in the fact that God doesn’t leave us to ourselves in the midst of these struggles. He has promised to never fail us or abandon us (Heb. 13:5) And He has promised that He will never give us more than we can bear (1 Cor. 10:13)
I have found that the promises of God are more faithful and dependable than the threat of the enemy. Only because God is greater. If I falter in my faith and slack in my belief and trust, then guaranteed the enemy is there to help bring me down.
So, yeah, these words have been heavy on my heart and I wonder sometimes about why they are so important. And why when people are talking about what God is doing, they almost always say that God is teaching them to trust… interesting then isn’t it that it generally coincides with an attack from the enemy?
Faith and trust are tools to bring us closer to God and into His loving presence. Fear and doubt are the very tools that Satan uses to break us up.
M. Ruth Smith
2007
Quiet Spirit
I Peter 3: 1-6
To have a quiet spirit is a thing for which I long. What does it mean? To be peaceful? To be at ease in all situations? To know something is going on and be quiet about it? The Bible calls for a woman to adorn herself with the “unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.”, yet I don’t understand what it is.
The verse says that this very quality is precious, or of great worth to God…okay, this is great- I sit here desiring this thing which is precious to God and I don’t know what it is or how to get it.
I being a loud person am often… okay never, described as a quiet person. So the idea of being quiet is bothersome. Also, when combined with the idea that one needs to be gentle, and I being a bull in the proverbial china shop, I am bothered with this too. So, if the God, who made me to be loud, and a tad bit bullish, treasures a person who is the opposite, then how can we say that God doesn’t make mistakes?
I feel as if God was asking me to be everything but what he made me to be and I didn’t think this was right. God doesn’t do that! After much contemplation, prayer and even a little begging- I can only guess that this thing called a gentle and quiet spirit is a longing to be quiet before the Father God above all and allow Him to change us.
A gentle and quiet person is not necessarily described as these things outwardly. But they are characteristics of her heart; a woman who is constantly seeking quiet at the root of herself to be with the God who made her; a woman who is gentle with those around her- obviously this is a character trait that needs work in my life. I believe one can be who God made her to be and still be chasing with all of their heart the person God desires her to be.
To have a quiet spirit is a thing for which I long. What does it mean? To be peaceful? To be at ease in all situations? To know something is going on and be quiet about it? The Bible calls for a woman to adorn herself with the “unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.”, yet I don’t understand what it is.
The verse says that this very quality is precious, or of great worth to God…okay, this is great- I sit here desiring this thing which is precious to God and I don’t know what it is or how to get it.
I being a loud person am often… okay never, described as a quiet person. So the idea of being quiet is bothersome. Also, when combined with the idea that one needs to be gentle, and I being a bull in the proverbial china shop, I am bothered with this too. So, if the God, who made me to be loud, and a tad bit bullish, treasures a person who is the opposite, then how can we say that God doesn’t make mistakes?
I feel as if God was asking me to be everything but what he made me to be and I didn’t think this was right. God doesn’t do that! After much contemplation, prayer and even a little begging- I can only guess that this thing called a gentle and quiet spirit is a longing to be quiet before the Father God above all and allow Him to change us.
A gentle and quiet person is not necessarily described as these things outwardly. But they are characteristics of her heart; a woman who is constantly seeking quiet at the root of herself to be with the God who made her; a woman who is gentle with those around her- obviously this is a character trait that needs work in my life. I believe one can be who God made her to be and still be chasing with all of their heart the person God desires her to be.
M. Ruth Smith
2003
Naked and Wretched
Naked and wretched I come before the cross
Laying all of me down to count as loss
Ribbons and trophies mean nothing now
You consume all of me somehow.
Naked and wretched you saw me exposed
Full of hatred, anger and so disposed
My heart full of sin
Yet you welcomed me in
And now Lord Jesus, well, here we start again.
Days and nights are filling my life
Hopeless I flounder losing to strife
Christian works and good deeds abound
But among all the noise I miss your sound
Calling my name, whispering your words
I miss them and say “get ya afta wards”
How dumb am I? Have I forgotten,
That once I came all gross and rotten?
Naked and wretched, poor, lost and blind
I come to the cross I’ve left behind
Trophies and ribbons I’ve picked up
Have now become my hang up
Jesus, you see me now on my knees
Come work your miracle once again please.
The beauty of Your cross is the glory you showed there
At your feet there is not one sin left unpaid or bare
You in your glory know
How long this journey will go
My Jesus walk with me todayAnd maybe today I won’t forget to pray.
Laying all of me down to count as loss
Ribbons and trophies mean nothing now
You consume all of me somehow.
Naked and wretched you saw me exposed
Full of hatred, anger and so disposed
My heart full of sin
Yet you welcomed me in
And now Lord Jesus, well, here we start again.
Days and nights are filling my life
Hopeless I flounder losing to strife
Christian works and good deeds abound
But among all the noise I miss your sound
Calling my name, whispering your words
I miss them and say “get ya afta wards”
How dumb am I? Have I forgotten,
That once I came all gross and rotten?
Naked and wretched, poor, lost and blind
I come to the cross I’ve left behind
Trophies and ribbons I’ve picked up
Have now become my hang up
Jesus, you see me now on my knees
Come work your miracle once again please.
The beauty of Your cross is the glory you showed there
At your feet there is not one sin left unpaid or bare
You in your glory know
How long this journey will go
My Jesus walk with me todayAnd maybe today I won’t forget to pray.
M. Ruth Smith
2007
My Only Hope
Father- forgive my sins for they are many
Calm all my fears for they are taking over
I fight back when I can’t see a way out.
Right now all I see is black- ebony.
Where are you, why can’t I see the way?
Where am I? Stepping into the grey…
Please help me, I’m so alone and afraid
You’re my only hope, I have no other
No other, no other way to go!
Please help me Lord, I’m failing again
Every time I think I’ve won, I fail
My desperate heart is tired and alone
Where can you be? You said I’d not be forsaken!
Is it possible – is it probable- You never left me here?
Could it be I wandered away on my own?
Now I see You, even the first step of the way.
Here am I, stepping into the day…
Please help me, I know I’ll fail again
You’re my only hope, I have no other
No other, no other way to live!
Calm all my fears for they are taking over
I fight back when I can’t see a way out.
Right now all I see is black- ebony.
Where are you, why can’t I see the way?
Where am I? Stepping into the grey…
Please help me, I’m so alone and afraid
You’re my only hope, I have no other
No other, no other way to go!
Please help me Lord, I’m failing again
Every time I think I’ve won, I fail
My desperate heart is tired and alone
Where can you be? You said I’d not be forsaken!
Is it possible – is it probable- You never left me here?
Could it be I wandered away on my own?
Now I see You, even the first step of the way.
Here am I, stepping into the day…
Please help me, I know I’ll fail again
You’re my only hope, I have no other
No other, no other way to live!
I Choose...
I choose to trust You
Even when the view is slim
I choose to trust You
Even when my heart grows grim
I choose to trust You
When my paths are unclear
I choose to trust You
When the shadows bring a tear
I choose to trust You
When my finances are gone
I choose to trust You
I choose to trust You
When life is just no fun
I choose to trust You
When hope is fading fast
I choose to trust You
When life is at it’s last
I choose to trust You
For when this life is over
And I’m safely home at last
All my trusting is in Your favor
And I’ll see Your face and be held fast
M. Ruth Smith
2005
Even when the view is slim
I choose to trust You
Even when my heart grows grim
I choose to trust You
When my paths are unclear
I choose to trust You
When the shadows bring a tear
I choose to trust You
When my finances are gone
I choose to trust You
I choose to trust You
When life is just no fun
I choose to trust You
When hope is fading fast
I choose to trust You
When life is at it’s last
I choose to trust You
For when this life is over
And I’m safely home at last
All my trusting is in Your favor
And I’ll see Your face and be held fast
M. Ruth Smith
2005
Home Again
I’m walking there and to my surprise
all the people are leaving with wide open eyes.
Tears are flowing freely and smiles grace,
people with the saddest of face.
I’m curiously drawn to this part and place
wondering what lies there for me and if I could find peace.
I come to the cross and there he hung
with tears in my eyes I scream what have we done?
I call out to him saying what do you want!?
Why do you call me here?! I have finally come…
I look all around me and no longer do I see
the faces of people surrounding me.
I see the sins of my youth, my past and present.
I see myself in sins encompassed.
I look up and I scream with selfishness, save me!
Allow your blood to cover me,
but it will take a flood.
And from his face I see tears of joy, of peace, of love
and down flows that river of life saving blood.
At my feet the blood flows round,
and now instead of iniquities… I see only ground.
The sins once present and flowing- controlling,
now are all in the depths of the seas.
I am finding my face on the ground screaming in victory, freedom and peace . In hope I look up to see his face again,
when he looks back at me I find my home in him.
This cross so gruesome so painful and alone,
I find when I come here, there is home found again.
Jesus doesn’t hang on that cross anymore.
He died, rose victorious and is reigning on the throne.
But when I feel downtrodden, hopeless and alone.
It brings me comfort and love when I travel that road once more.
I find Jesus still waits for those who call to him… and sometimes he waits at the cross to bring us home again.
all the people are leaving with wide open eyes.
Tears are flowing freely and smiles grace,
people with the saddest of face.
I’m curiously drawn to this part and place
wondering what lies there for me and if I could find peace.
I come to the cross and there he hung
with tears in my eyes I scream what have we done?
I call out to him saying what do you want!?
Why do you call me here?! I have finally come…
I look all around me and no longer do I see
the faces of people surrounding me.
I see the sins of my youth, my past and present.
I see myself in sins encompassed.
I look up and I scream with selfishness, save me!
Allow your blood to cover me,
but it will take a flood.
And from his face I see tears of joy, of peace, of love
and down flows that river of life saving blood.
At my feet the blood flows round,
and now instead of iniquities… I see only ground.
The sins once present and flowing- controlling,
now are all in the depths of the seas.
I am finding my face on the ground screaming in victory, freedom and peace . In hope I look up to see his face again,
when he looks back at me I find my home in him.
This cross so gruesome so painful and alone,
I find when I come here, there is home found again.
Jesus doesn’t hang on that cross anymore.
He died, rose victorious and is reigning on the throne.
But when I feel downtrodden, hopeless and alone.
It brings me comfort and love when I travel that road once more.
I find Jesus still waits for those who call to him… and sometimes he waits at the cross to bring us home again.
M. Ruth Smith
2007
Hold Me
It’s Friday night and here I sit again
Wanting to be free from lonliness and anxiety
I want more , more than you can know
Relationships or even friendships with a door
I’m getting older and these nights leave me cold
Arms are empty, heart is hurting and
I’ve nothing, no nothing, once more
Father hear my cry -do you know my hearts desire?
Wanting to be loved by someone
And be held tight by the arms of that special guy…
Father hold me because until that day
This lonely heart will only have your arms
To warm my lonely nights
Father wipe away these tears!
Show me how to be content
With the love you have for me!
I want more, my heart longs for romance novels,
Movie specials, false reality.
Show me how to turn around,
Knowing you are constant even through the
Singles battleground.
Once again, I lay it all down,
Knowing you will heal my hurt and hold me tight
And make me completely yours.
Father hold me because until that day
This lonely heart will only have your arms
To warm my lonely nights
Father wipe away these tears!
Show me how to be content
With the love you have for me!
M. Ruth Smith
2004
Wanting to be free from lonliness and anxiety
I want more , more than you can know
Relationships or even friendships with a door
I’m getting older and these nights leave me cold
Arms are empty, heart is hurting and
I’ve nothing, no nothing, once more
Father hear my cry -do you know my hearts desire?
Wanting to be loved by someone
And be held tight by the arms of that special guy…
Father hold me because until that day
This lonely heart will only have your arms
To warm my lonely nights
Father wipe away these tears!
Show me how to be content
With the love you have for me!
I want more, my heart longs for romance novels,
Movie specials, false reality.
Show me how to turn around,
Knowing you are constant even through the
Singles battleground.
Once again, I lay it all down,
Knowing you will heal my hurt and hold me tight
And make me completely yours.
Father hold me because until that day
This lonely heart will only have your arms
To warm my lonely nights
Father wipe away these tears!
Show me how to be content
With the love you have for me!
M. Ruth Smith
2004
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