THE VEHICLE ANALOGY

The other day, I shared with you an interesting vehicle analogy on where God is taking Embrace His Truth. What better way to hear it than from me.

Give me your comments, feedback and suggestions. Share God's vehicles with other women. Let's embrace the truth of God's purpose every moment, every step, every day.

IN THE WAITING...THE (FINAL) ACCESSORIES

Ladies, I want to be very sensitive here because not every reader can boast a fairytale past. Some daughters have dreamed of glamour sessions with their mom where bobbles dangled from earlobes and frilly things hung from necklines. Giggles emerged from floppy hats and oversized heels as the little girl parades down an imaginary runway to the pattern of a drunkard’s path quilt. Adorned to the nines and lookin’ mighty fine, this daughter radiates beauty.

At first glance, she may appear undersized in her mother’s accessories, but imagine if you will, the grand purpose behind the imagery – she has much to become. To grow into the depth, the height, the measure of her true self turns that glamorous fairytale into reality. Her past does not adorn her with objects labeled "victim," "reject," "throwaway," "worthless." In the waiting, this becoming daughter of God grows from her past and chooses to accessorize herself in His truth.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).
 

It took awhile to write this final installment, because I knew God wanted to “accessorize” us in priceless treasures, not worthless junk. But how do you say that? How do you convince someone to believe not necessarily in themselves, but in what God sees in and through them? Concepts like leading a horse to water or feeding a person a fish teaches only so much before it borders the line of being just another cliché. God didn’t create us as horses and we’re hungry and thirsty for more than water and fish, aren’t we?

Life “in the waiting” is all about wearing the right gear (designer label WisdomWear, but you know it as the “whole armor of God”). It’s about wearing the beauty of God’s truth in our countenance and allowing it to radiate in and through us much like that anticipated bride. And in the waiting, we have a counselor who teaches us how to live well, act right, love fully, pray continually, forgive quickly, give freely, and well, you get the picture.

I can see myself coming back to this theme down the road. Be encouraged. I know I am. Because in the waiting (and it bears repeating, though I know I ended my last posting with the same passage)…

"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) 

IN THE WAITING...GETTING FITTED

For a bride, the right dress makes the occasion special. Stunning comes to mind as she desires for her flawless, flowing outfit to capture her groomsman lover’s heart on that big day. So making sure it fits requires constant trips to the seamstress, but more on that in a minute.

In the last entry, we suited up with the whole armor of God – belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet covered in the readiness of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. Doesn’t sound like the perfect betrothal garment you typically see sporting down the aisle, right? If I had to visualize the look, olive-drab, army fatigues come to mind, not a soft chiffon or satin gown.

Well, consider those pieces WisdomWear, the spiritual undergarments, if you will. Before we chose to give our hearts to Christ, sin dressed us and if you remember life before a Savior, sin covered nothing. The Lover of our souls offered us a proposal of eternal life and a “garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” (Isaiah 61:3).

With the accepted proposal, the fitting process replaces a sin-drenched, tattered frock for a garment of purity. For some of us, that process teeters on exhilaration and anxiety. Excited over the change in wardrobe; daunted by our past wardrobe malfunctions:

“How can you love a sinner like me?”

“I’m so prone to messing things up, Lord. Are You sure You want me?”

 
He reiterates His love, and though our groomsman lover must leave us for a season to make preparations, His Word comforts us in the waiting…

"...Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." (Isaiah 1:18).

He understands our angst in the wait. That’s why I believe our betrothed appointed a Sanctified (fancy word for “set apart”) Seamstress, to shoulder the responsibility of fitting us for the perfect day until He returns. We know Him formally as the Holy Spirit and in the waiting…

"...the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26).

The Holy Spirit has a vested interest in our fitting as well and welcomes His role wholeheartedly. He gently reminds us when issuing instructions. He lovingly reprimands us when there is a need to dispense correction. He also tenderly offers comfort when we confess our shortcomings. He measures, tapers, cuts away, sizes and resizes the spiritual gusset in the ill-fitting areas of our lives until truth can be adorned from this…

"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).

Next step…Defining a few accessories

IN THE WAITING...BEAUTIFUL BRIDE

With your whole armor in place, can I say, “dahling, you look mahvalous!” (poor Billy Crystal character impersonation, I know). In the waiting, consider this time akin to the preparation for your wedding ceremony. A million to do’s make a bride’s list prior to the big day. And whether you have experienced this type of occasion first hand or not, you can certainly imagine its importance.

Can’t have a wedding ceremony without the groomsman lover, right? And in the waiting, the one who courts your soul woos and whispers sweetly these words…


“How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves” (Song of Songs 1:15).


Let that sink in. Yet from heaven’s great throne, this call and answer emerges from the recesses of your heart: “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!” “But, I’m unattractive.” “YOU ARE PRICELESS!” “But, I’m worthless.” “YOU ARE LOVELY!” “But, I’m unlovable.” “YOU ARE WORTHY!” “But, I’m useless.” “YOU ARE PRECIOUS!” “But, I’m of no value.” “YOU ARE TO ME!” Can you hear the reverberation of lies? How they entwine within the trail of truth you have long wanted to escape. The past is past; nothing can change it; but if you are thinking can you ever replace the tattered clothes of the past for pure, sacred garments, a captivated groomsman lover knows better.


He says you can...through repentance. And it is in this waiting period eyes open to the depths your betrothed has gone through to ransom you to Himself. He fashioned a rugged cross into a banqueting table, a bloodied shroud into a robe of white, a lost and hopeless past into a bright and promising future. His sacrificial act of love fulfilled these words of life abandoned brides to-be have waited to hear...


“But now, this is what the LORD says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 46:1).

You are His! Beautiful… priceless… worthy! And everything He says about you is 100% accurate! “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).


Next step: Getting fitted...


Photo taken by Pamela Velez - 1iStudios en Theos



IN THE WAITING...WEARING THE RIGHT GEAR

I believe outfits should fit the occasion. A coat, gloves and boots…proper gear for winter weather. A beach towel, bathing suit, rubber swim cap, earplugs and goggles…my ideal pool ensemble. Protective neck, shoulder, back and tushy padding? Worn to practice front flips in the back yard on an old mattress, of course. Held on by duct tape, that one stumped me until the visual screamed modern-day, spiritual battle gear. In the waiting…

What my child will do with duct tape!

 “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).


God does not expect us to tackle the tough stuff ill equipped any more than a parent should send their child off to school wearing shorts and a hoodie during a blizzard. If you are one of those children unwilling to observe the sage advice of moms everywhere, heed the Word from the Great Physician...


“The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15).


Simply, skip the Kleenex and prescriptions. Listen to your mother!


Okay, back to my original point.



Wearing the right gear protects us from seen and unseen elements. Sunscreen blocks sensitive skin from damaging rays. Shoes or sandals buffers our feet from sharp objects. And, dare I say, a diaper more than comes in handy on a baby during incontinent moments. Mommies, do I hear an AMEN!



So if wearing the right stuff protects, where is the harm in sporting minimal coverage or not wearing the right gear? The harm lies festered in what we leave exposed. Though the sun’s purpose is to shine, it is no respecter of scantily clad, body parts. Those parts will blister and deeply burn. A sandy beach or unkempt boardwalk may invite your bare feet for a long stroll, but broken glass, seashell chards or jagged pine splinters will deeply embed themselves in uncovered toes and heels. The right gear protects you from the dangers you do not see. From a spiritual standpoint, we learn in the waiting…



“…our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).


Puts an interesting twist on the whole “dress for success” concept, does it not? In my struggles through life, I had my share of spiritual “fashion failures.” I believed I controlled my own destiny. I believed I could live life my way. I believed that if I did all the right things and stayed out of trouble, only good things would follow. I wore the whole ensemble marked with a sinner’s price tag. Rags cut from the fabric of lost dreams, abusive lovers and shameful choices. My sinfulness exposed my garments for what they truly were – tattered, torn and unfit for a King’s daughter to wear.


Have you ever own or worn frayed rags you once thought covered well? If so, do you still hang onto those threadbare items? Are they stored somewhere in your heart’s closet out of guilt, remorse, regret or unforgiveness? You know it did not cover much on you then. Why believe it will cover much of anything on you now. In the waiting, we get to trade in the spirit of heaviness for a garment of praise. Fully covered, fully adorned, none exposed. Learn to…


“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:13-18).







IN THE WAITING...THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Last week, God took steps to get me to my mountain. Today, He opens my eyes to vistas long overdue in His making. In my sojourn, those jagged rocks and uneven terrain echoed some daunting voices in 2011, which nearly crushed my soul. But as I ached, I sat. I prayed. I waited. I cried out. I strained all the more to unearth the voice of truth concealed from my willing ears. In the waiting…

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told [me-but speaking to Elijah]. And as [I] stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:11, 12 - NLT)

The noise in our lives wails for our undivided attention. Its toxic charm demands devotion and will not stop at nothing to satisfy its insatiable desire. It knows nothing but to bring isolation, desolation, fear, unbelief, doubt, despair, hopelessness, worthlessness. And we oblige its tyranny because without waiting…

“I said to myself, ‘I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.’ But as I stood there in silence – not even speaking of good things – the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words” (Psalm 39:1-3 - NLT).

Lies ignite a fire. Truth extinguishes its flames with a gentle whisper. Earthquakes destroy the land. Truth “rebuilds the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago” (Isaiah 61:4). Lies blast through our lives like a mighty windstorm. In the waiting, The Way, The Truth and The Life…

“…rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm”

(Mark 4:39 – NLT).

Dear sisters, In The Waiting, be encouraged by the sound of God’s gentle whisper. He knows your mountains. He feels your pain. He more than understands the odds you’ve been up against. A rock and a hard place, maybe?


Your journey might have begun with Elijah…


“Then he went on alone into the wilderness traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said” (1 Kings 19:4).


…But today, allow your journey with God to begin with a whisper...BELIEVE!

WALKING THROUGH FEAR TAKING BABY STEPS

Mountain Park Ranch - Phoenix, AZ

It may not seem like much to you, but as I stood before the mouth of my mountain, God spoke. “Do not fear. Take the first step.” I said a prayer. I inhaled a deep breath. And like Indiana Jones extending his foot toward an invisible bridge, my journey into walking through my fear of the unknown commenced.A few timid steps onto the smaller pebbles caused my mind and heart to race. “Lord, what if this or that happens? God, what if I reinjure my ankle? Papa, what if I come across something these size 11 shoes can’t squish!” It’s like that, you know.

In the waiting… “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (Proverbs 20:24 – NLT)
To understand Him became my choice and my choice became a step of faith. I wanted to place this fear in my Savior’s capable hands and now was the time. Today, Much-Afraid* would be put to rest as I waited for God’s directive.

In the waiting… “God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.”

(2 Samuel 22:31 – NLT)
With my sights on Him, I hummed and prayed. I walked across those desert stones to the first sizeable structure in my path – a boulder. No anxiety crept in. And as I extended a leg up, God spoke again. “Well done in the waiting. Celebrate your bold, first step!”

After tackling first steps in the waiting.

 God didn’t call me in the waiting to tackle the mountain peak… yet. Because much like an infant exploring the world from a vertical view, those first steps are crucial in development. They wobble and hobble. They stumble and fall. But under the watchful support of a loving parent, soon their pace quickens their gait strides confidently. So I learned…

In the waiting… “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 – NLT)

 Waiting Prayer – Release the grip of fear over my sister or brother. Their life has been purposed to walk in Your footsteps, to trust where You lead. Where fear may cause him or her to doubt those first steps, assure them of Your great love to walk confidently as you hold them up with your victorious right hand. AMEN.
Blessings to you – In the Waiting*The main character in Hannah Hurnard’s book, “Hind’s Feet on High Places”