Lighten your load

Commit your works to the LORD,

And your thoughts will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

We are a planning, plotting, goal-reaching people. We are taught to strategize and have all of our ducks in a row.

With all of the danger and uncertainty in the world, people are looking for more ways to feel secure; with seminars on how we can make our money work better for us, how to stay out of debt and how to nail-down every aspect of our fiscal existence.

But we just don’t see it—at least not yet. God is not impressed with all of our vain efforts. Of course, Biblical principles will never steer us wrong—but if we miss the God that speaks these principles, we will still miss the greatest blessing of relationship with Him!

Life is not easy—no matter how one tries to make it seem so. I know some people who live what I call “prophylactic” lifestyles. They don’t just live—they are making sure that they have accounted for every contingency. They exist according to a plethora of checklists for everything from leaving the house to preventive medical tests and exams. Many are even religious for the same reasons; they want to be sure they go to heaven, but their god is not the God of the Bible; but the god of "necessity" or even "convenience". He is a small, weak and deaf deity, unable or incapable of bringing them through tragedy and heartache. Their goal in life is not to glorify the true God and enjoy Him forever; their goal is to keep themselves “safe” from trouble.

I don’t know if you’re like me, but I have observed that those who love God don’t usually live “safe” existences. I am reminded here of all the saints in the Word who followed God not by "sight" but by "faith" alone. King David certainly loved God—he was declared to be a man after God’s own heart! And yet, he went through so many trying circumstances—fleeing from King Saul after he was anointed, even living among the Philistines for a time, posing as a madman.

Even Moses was not without trials because he chose to walk with God. The prophets of God had to hide and run as a lifestyle. Jesus didn’t even have a place to lay His head. The Apostle Paul told his son in the faith, Timothy, the following:

10 But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:10-12)

Richard Wurmbrand, the gentleman who founded the ministry, Voice of the Martyrs, was not concerned about his own safety. He purposely spoke the truth during a time when to do so meant sure imprisonment and most probably death. He suffered near starvation, tuberculosis, and torture to serve God behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. He risked his life not only once, but even after he was released from prison, he boldly spoke out and was again mistreated for declaring and living his faith in Christ.

Today, many are heeding other voices--not discerning spiritually but carnally (human reasoning), as Paul in 1 Timothy 4 warns:

1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1-4)

Brother Wurmbrand wasn’t worried about retirement, or what sorts of diseases he would get by eating prison food. He was trusting it all into God’s capable hands and infinite wisdom, realizing that this life was a fleeting, passing thing.

After his release from prison, he lived quite a long and productive life, even without checklists and precautions.

We should not (and can not) plan for every contingency. Safety should not be our preoccupation. Obedience should be our focus with our gaze on Christ!

Obedience--not sacrifice!

Instead of looking to experts, we should be training our spirits to tune in to the voice of the Holy Spirit--following His lead.

As I have said previously, we did not decide to homeschool or have a large family because we were trying to be “correct” or “religious”—no, we were confident that trusting God was far better than trusting in our own understanding. We believed then and still do today, that His thoughts and ways were so far above ours, His ways are beyond finding out—so we decided just to trust Him to direct our paths.

God knows that, in our heart-of-hearts, our motivation was to know Him, to trust Him, and to obey Him, no matter how it seems to others and no matter what the cost. And so, even if some days it looks as though the Philistines are winning, we are sure that those things we have entrusted to Him, He is able to keep for us and for His everlasting glory.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

We put all of our time, money and energy into raising this family of ours by His leading. We don’t have any retirement, but we are undaunted—our God is not limited by our circumstances, and we are not to be a picture of worldly perfection, but heavenly blessings.

In the words of Betsy ten Boom, “The safest place to be is in the center of God’s will,” (after suffering the privations of a death camp in WWII, her sister Corrie went on to travel the world and lived into her 90’s).

“Lord, if You say it, I will do it. Even if no one understands it; even if I am misunderstood. Even if it looks foolish. My love for You supersedes even my need for human companionship. You are my Treasure, my Great Reward in this life. If it pleases You, it pleases me.”