Turning Point

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 1:4 NIV

There comes a time when a person gets a sudden touch from God that it becomes a major turning point of their life. It may come as a nudge, a word, a conviction, or a heavy sense of concern. They may have been experiencing something for a long time, they may have known about certain situations for years, but somehow, suddenly, their reactions become very different. They can no longer just sit through what they’ve willingly lived through for days, months, or years. They find no rest, satisfaction, and joy until they personally take action.

Now, they take action. Often, it calls for a different approach, a different focus, a different intensity. They make major adjustments. They get more involved. Major turning points and major breakthroughs are often synonymous. Both are often preceeded by major changes and actions. They don’t necessarily understand the difference in their response this time around, but some attribute it to God’s hand and God’s timing. It’s like God is saying: “I’ve been working on this situation, but this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. I’m doing something different. I’m taking it up a notch. I’m creating a breakthrough, and the person I choose for such a time as this is you.”

Yes, you read it right. The turning point that affects us most are personal breakthroughs. God is either creating a turning point in us, or through us, or both. It’s often both. The major milestones and changes in our lives affect way more people than ourselves. But here’s an important truth: when God calls, we move. When He touches our hearts, we yield. There are people who are so steeped in pride, trying to prove to others that they’re doing magnificently–in their job performance, or most importantly, in their relationship with God. God is wooing, prodding, calling: “Snap out of it; it’s time for a breakthrough; today is your turning point.” Instead of grabbing hold of the divine call, of the opportunity, they keep ignoring it because they’re stuck in their mindset and efforts of trying to prove to themselves and others that “No, I’m okay; in fact, I’m doing so great with God.” A huge loss. God forbid and perish the thought.

We’re people given to humility and surrender. When our precious Lord calls, we say “Lord, here I am; change me; send me. Thank you for choosing me. You could choose anyone else, but You give me the opportunity and honor.” A heart like that is ready for major turning point. A heart like that, God can and will touch. A heart like that, God moves in and through to touch other hearts. A heart like that, God moves in and through for phenomenal changes, turning points, and breakthroughs–in the individuals, in families, in communities, in nations, and in the world.

“Walking on Air”

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

One of the most interesting Divine paradoxes we’ve learned is how the humble gets exalted and the proud gets humbled. Some people will find this hard to believe and/or apply. They fear of being used, misused, bypassed, stepped on, taken advantage of, pushed over, pushed down, kept down, and hurt. The fear’s real; it’s understandable. That’s how many people in the world operate. They find the necessity of using people as their stepping “blocks” towards their goal or success. But there’s a much better way. We can say it’s the best way because it’s God’s way. It may not be as appealing to others, but it works. 

Not many people are open to humility. People want to be recognized; they want to be applauded. That’s where many people find significance, worth, and meaning. The difficulty in that is found in the stress that comes with it. Believers find their worth in our Lord Jesus. We understand that He has a unique purpose for our existence, and we need not be a part of the “rat race” to live out our purpose. We don’t have to get stressed out. If there are people who are “free spirits,” they are the children of God. They’re not threatened by other people’s successes or treatment of them. 

The essence of them becoming God’s people already necessitated a huge step of humility. They admitted their spiritual bankruptcy, and they surrendered their lives to God. Think about that. They placed total control of their lives to God. They may not have not known it in that starting stage of their Christian journey, but it aligns so well with this encouraging truth that because they humble themselves before God, He lifts them up–in impeccable timing. With that Divine M.O., it’s just right that they’re not worried about missing out on promotion or growth. They know it’s in God’s hands.

We do understand why believers can be restfully diligent through life. They’re not stressed because God is in control. Promotion comes from Him; provision comes from Him; protection comes from Him, and yes exaltation comes from Him. We need not “carry the chair we’re sitting on.” 

It’s so liberating to know God is in control even of “lifting us up.” Oh what freedom to know He knows exactly when to move us up; how high He ought to move us for every stage of our journey. Those things are off our shoulders. That’s why our yoke is easy and our burden is light, and we’re rested in Him. Whatever issues, situations, or entities people are concerned or worried about, we’re not weighted down by them because we don’t carry them oursleves. It’s a part of our humbling before God;.we acknowledge that God does an indescribably better job in handling crises than us. And we understand He loves us and cares for us so much. So we cast all our issues to Him.

We have oppositions, we have distractions, and there are those who consider us as enemies they want to devour and destroy. We’re very much aware of that. But our freedom, peace, and rest stay intact. We aren’t bothered. No, we know they exist; we don’t deny them. Rejection of fear and worry doesn’t necessitate denial of truth. David never denied the existence of Goliath, but he never cowered. He knew that God was in control.

We’re not careless either. We’re aware of our responsibilities in our covenant relationship. We play an active role. We’re watchful; we’re vigilant, nevertheless, we’re not heavily burdened. Our steps are stable and sure, but it’s like we’re floating on air. Why not? We’re anxiety, worry, and care free–all because of Him. God is good.

Rest

Luke 23:56   (KJV)   ⁵⁶ And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Rest is needed; it’s not negotiable; it’s a must. Even if our work has to do with the Kingdom of God, there comes a time when we need to pack-up, drop what we do and wait. Rest is obedience to God. Some of us feel guilty when we’re not doing anything, but giving our bodies and mind a break is godly. God want us to work; He also wants us to rest. He sees wisdom in ceasing from our daily routine and having some kind of recharging. His invitation still stands: “Come to Me, those of you who are tired and weary and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” He commands us to rest; His arms are extended; it’s there we go and let go.

There are people who take extended rest periods; this is not right either; laziness is never condoned by God. But there are people who are just overworked; some of them are workaholics—they seem to really love and enjoy working; they seem to get energized when they work; some of them just work out of “necessity.” Truth be told, many work more hours than needed to provide for excesses and live up to the standard of success defined by society.

Yes, there are hardships in life, but many of them may be self-inflicted. There are those who work so hard to enjoy life, but they don’t really get to enjoy it as much because they spend so much time working. They’re missing out on way more important things in life. There is a time to stop, to unwind, to re-energize. There is a time to be repeatedly and regularly reminded of the pre-eminence of God and His faithfulness to us. He provides all our needs according to His riches in glory. He doesn’t need us to over-extend ourselves for Him to fulfill His promise. Yes, we have projects to finish, but there’s always another day; we don’t push it when we don’t need to. Yes, we have deadlines, but instead of violating our much needed “rest-recovery-recoup-refocus-dedicated to honoring God” day, we kick back, relax, and enjoy our day with the Lord.

Caring God

Isaiah‬ ‭46:4‬ ‭  (NLT‬‬)   I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.‭‭

God is committed to you and me, and His commitment is for life. His involvement in our lives started even long before we were born, i.e., even before the world was created. He knitted  us together in our mother’s womb–fearfully, wonderfully. He never left us; He never will. He’s around us, with us, and for believers like us, He’s in us.

He’s our Lord and Master, but He’s not a slave-driver; He’s not a cruel taskmaster. He cares for us way much more than we realize, more than anyone does. He perfectly knows what’s best for us, and He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows even the very numbers of our hair. He knows everything we’ve been through although we may have forgotten some of them. He knows what we’re undergoing, and He knows what’s ahead of us–things we can only guess and hope for.

We don’t carry our burdens; we turn them all over to Him. No; He doesn’t mind that at all; in fact, that’s what He wants us to do. We’re His children; He’s delighted when we come to Him humbly like a little child. With complete dependence and faith-filled abandon, we jump right into the loving, mighty arms of our heavenly Father. There we find our joy; there we find our safety.