Level Paths

This morning I left the house early to spend time on the North Fork of the Nooksack River. It was a cool 17 degrees, which could cause you to question my sanity, but that's what dedicated winter steelheaders do. Or desperate ones. When the sun finally hit the water, it made for a beautiful morning. I love watching the bald eagles perched in trees by the river or soaring over the water.I probably walked several miles seeking the elusive steelhead, which is an accomplishment in rubber hip waders. Graceful, I am not! The river banks of the North Fork are mostly rocks; in sizes from pebbles to 8-10 inches. I found I had to be very careful walking, especially over the larger rocks, because I was concerned I would tweak my ankle. If I looked too far forward, and didn't watch my where my feet were stepping, my stability was shaky. A verse of scripture came to mind: "Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm." (Proverbs 4:26 NIV) As long as I looked for a level place to step, usually on the smaller rocks or between the larger ones, everything was good. If I became distracted by the eagles, or the river, or the snow-capped ridges, my steps would become unsteady. I only stumbled and fell one time, which I thought was pretty good considering how much I walked.

As we make the transition from 2010 to 2011, there may be a temptation to look a few months into the future, which is okay as long as it doesn't distract us from our walk with the Lord today. Seeking a level path is not selfish, it is smart. A level path doesn't always mean an easy or comfortable path. It's making the right choices and seeking to please God with each step. 

This proverb is quoted in Hebrews 12:13, as the conclusion of a section of scripture (VS8-13) regarding discipline: "If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

The discipline referred to in Hebrews 12 is designed to develop us, not destroy us. The Father is trying to steer us towards the level paths, where we can experience righteousness, peace and healing. I was hoping he would direct me towards fish today, but I did enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

What's next, Papa?

This morning I was reading Romans 8 in The Message, a version of the Bible I don't regularly read. Verse 15 jumped off the page and captured my attention: "This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike 'What's next, Papa?'" As I look forward to 2011, I don't want my focus to be fixed on the crosses and losses of 2010. There's a good chance this past year has been my most difficult one yet. Check that, it has been the most difficult. By God's grace he has helped me to keep the faith and to be faithful, but it's been anything but easy. I have worked to keep myself spiritually and physically fit, which always helps me to remain emotionally balanced, but it has been a fight all year long. In the verse above it refers to a "grave-tending life." Paul is making reference to a life focused on our fears, which includes all that is wrong and all that could go wrong. I recall a message where the pastor talked about choosing not to nurse and rehearse our hurts. Whatever crosses and losses have shared our journey through 2010, I hear the Lord saying, "Let it go." We can't allow what has happened keep us from being "adventurously expectant" as we welcome the new year, and saying to the Father, "What's next, Papa?"

You Never Know

Here in Bellingham yesterday there was a major crime where a 32-year old man stabbed multiple family members and himself. Unfortunately, his father died from the attack. The home where this tragedy took place was only .4 miles away from where we lived in the Tweed Twenty neighborhood for many years and still have a rental house. We remember the suspect somewhat frequently walking his dog by our house. The incident falls into the category of "you never know." You never really know your neighbors and what they are capable of. You never know what's going on in the mind of people who are walking or driving by your front door.

Ironically, several weeks ago a new "best places" list was released which named Bellingham the fourth safest city in the United States (according to Farmers Insurance). Our beautiful city, where our quality of life is a source of community pride, doesn't feel so safe today. Link: http://www.bellingham-subdued-excitement.com/bellingham.html

We have to choose to live by faith, and not allow fear to dominate our lives. As people of faith we remind ourselves God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

First Words

Getting a conversation started shouldn't be difficult. When speaking on Sunday, I mentioned that in all of Paul's thirteen letters, which comprise a major portion of the New Testament, he includes the phrase "grace and peace" in his opening words. These two words, in Paul's day, were packed with meaning. They weren't just thrown into the conversation to get things started. 1 Samuel 25:6 (NAS) may best express the expansive meaning of "grace and peace": "Have a long life, peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have." Paul's understanding of "grace and peace" includes health, prosperity, security/safety and spiritual completeness.

So, in this first blog for The Transforming Truth, my desire for those who will read these words is that they will experience the full expression of God's amazing grace and peace.