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Reflections

Reflections

Your Place

by Tracy Brackett

12/21/11 2:14 a.m.

Awaken to Me and I will give you rest. Obey My words and I will give you peace. Rest in Me always. There is no other place for you to be than with Me. Stay with Me. This is your place.

The very God of the universe desires to be a part of our lives, to be in relationship with us. The very God of the ‘universe’. Think about that. There is no one more powerful, no one of higher rank or status, no one more loving, no one more kind, no one more generous, no one more patient, and absolutely no one else who gives and sustains life. He provides the very air that we breathe. He is the ‘source’ and ‘definer’ of all that is ‘good’. Apart from Him, there is no eternal good. Apart from Him is emptiness. Vain self-focus. Unhealthy striving. Unfruitful exhaustion. We would be fools to decline His invitation.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV)

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

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ReflectionsUncategorized

Mysterious Peace, Abundant Joy

by Tracy Brackett

6/5/14 1:50 a.m.

Be not afraid for I am with you daily. I am with you always. You are My child, My dear child. Follow Me and My ways and life will be simplified. Easier. Lighter. Life on earth is filled with obstacles. Let Me guide you through them. Allow Me to ease your anxiety, lighten your burden and bring you peace. Allow Me to work in your life to your advantage. I am your God and I care for your every moment. Believe I am near and call to Me. I long to be a core part of your life and living. Every day I wait for your invitation. For your call to Me. I wait for your love to return to Me. I long to ease your burden and bring you joy. Real joy. Joy the world cannot bring. Invite Me into your world and see the difference I can make. Trust and believe. Know that I love you.

Peace and joy. This is what God offers His children. It’s not that intermittent peace that visits us occasionally when all is well, or when we’re on vacation. It’s not the short-lived joy that comes from buying a new car, receiving a complement, or a job promotion. It’s a different kind of peace and joy that is rather, well, baffling.

In the Bible, they are described as a peace that “surpasses” or “transcends understanding”, and a contentment independent of circumstances. They are there when you’ve had a bad day, when you’re in that long line, when someone cuts you off in traffic, and even when you receive that bad news you just weren’t expecting. It’s a peace that overshadows unexpected difficulties, and a joy that outweighs daily burdens. It’s a peace and joy that comes from a recurring and consistent connection to the Father, from a daily dose of His presence, from his supernatural touch. They stem from a trust in His guidance, provision, and faithfulness and from a certainty that He is Sovereign, in control, and works all things for your good.

It’s a peace and joy you must experience to truly understand. The great news is this peace and joy are available to all who sincerely and consciously invite God into their lives. To all who choose to taste and see.

Jesus speaking: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)


Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV)


Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8 NIV)


… for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11b-13 ESV)

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Reflections

The Better You is Calling – Part 2

by Tracy Brackett

4/23/13 1:40 a.m.
Growth is painful and takes time. You know and see this. You are experiencing growing pains as we speak. Fear not and do not lose hope. Your time of rest and peace is almost here. You still have much to learn but only in time will you learn it. A little at a time and a little more at another time. Growth is a process, and I am the master grower. Have courage to persevere during this time. Perseverance will lead to strength, and growth will have its perfect way in you. You are not alone child. I am with you and love you. I guide you daily. Look for My guidance and fulfill your destiny as My child and earth worker. There is so much you can do through Me. Believe it. Your ability and power can have no limit with Me by your side. Know and claim My power. Use it daily. Claim it daily. I am your rescuer and friend. Do not face your trials without Me. Invite Me in daily and you will succeed. You will overcome, you will persevere. You will prevail. Trust Me and know all is well.

3/21/14 12:11 a.m.
Leave the justice to Me. Your job is to love and forgive and serve others. I work everything for good in your life because you love Me. I know the pain you sometimes endure for My sake and for the sake of truth. You will be repaid many-fold for your faithfulness. I am mighty and I see all. Trust Me with the justice and redemption. You are truly blessed. Bless others.

In Part 1 of this three-part blog series, I discussed sanctification through desire.  We want to improve something about ourselves, to be a better person, a better listener, friend, parent, spouse, etc.  I encouraged us to ask God, through the power of His Holy Spirit, to help us in the hard work of positive change that we desire for ourselves.  Through our effort combined with the power and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, we can be freed from bad habits, from sin, in our lives.  Here in Part 2, I want to discuss another form of sanctification, that which comes through the sins of others.

If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of someone else’s verbal outburst, blame-shifting, gossip, or just plain rude behavior, you can relate to what I’m talking about, especially if the treatment you received was through no fault of your own. Often, simply because someone else is having a bad day, we get treated in an unjust manner.  Other times, we are treated unfairly through another person’s desire for power or control, or simply another person’s bias or prejudice.  Or maybe one of our friends or loved ones behaves in an inconsiderate, unreliable, or selfish manner, without regard for the inconvenience or hurt their selfishness exposes us to. The examples are many and we’ve all experienced them.

If you’ve read any of my other posts, you’ll know that staying quiet amidst unjust treatment is something I’ve really had to work on. My first desired reaction is to put the offender in their rightful place. And, even when I’ve managed to resist delivering a retaliating response for a short time, I have all too often caved after repeated blows I’ve felt were undeserved.  And my responses have not always been pretty. But this is not what scripture calls for. Instead, we are called to respond with grace and love, even when others are treating us unjustly. This is something that has been difficult for me to imitate, and my learning curve has been steep.

But here is what I’ve learned through many mistakes of not responding with love and grace. I have learned that the more I respond in anger, the less peace I have.  I have learned that the more I fight back, the less joy I feel.  I have seen that the more I put someone in their place who I think deserves it, the less I grow in maturity myself.  In the end, the more I respond like ‘the world’, the less practice I get in becoming more like Jesus and the less I glorify the God I profess to follow. I am not becoming the person I want to be, the person God created me to be, and I am not setting a positive example for anyone. I am contributing to a world gone wrong.

This realization has led me to focus on the bigger picture of who “I” want to be regardless of who anyone else is.  It has led me to grit my teeth amidst poor treatment when someone else is abusing their power.  It has led me to pray for love to replace anger when someone offends me. It has led me to choose my words more carefully when I do respond. It has led me to trust in God’s justice on God’s schedule.  He sees and judges all.  Through Jesus’ example, when He was unjustly persecuted, shamed and put to death, it has led me to swallow my pride for the sake of imitating the God who suffered and died for me. Through my knowledge of God’s love and grace, and in His power, it has led me to pray for those who hurt me.

Has this been easy? I wish I could say it has been, but I would be lying.  What I can say is, the more I have painfully taken these ‘higher road’ steps, the easier they have become to take. The more I have resisted the temptation my pride brings, the more peace I have experienced. Through each opportunity to practice my response to perceived unfair treatment, one by one, I have been and continue to be sanctified. God has taken something bad and used it for something good, my good, my growth, my maturity.  He has used the sins of others to chisel at and purify ‘my’ character. And, although I still don’t ace the test every time, I keep running the race set before me. I know that God will use my desire for obedience through times of fire to refine me like gold in a furnace. And I am thankful for His wisdom.

In summary, God has taught me that it is my response, to whatever I am going through, that matters.  Responding with love when I feel unloved or unappreciated is exactly what Jesus modeled and He is the only One I want to imitate. Gossip, retaliation, and anger do not reap good outcomes.  I no longer feel the need for immediate justice because I have learned to trust in God, the only true and unbiased Judge.  In the meantime, I will work toward full maturity in my own weakness, knowing that God will finish the work He has begun in me.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5 ESV)


Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:9-12 NIV)


Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.


“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”


When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:18-23 NIV)

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Reflections

Are You Visual?

by Tracy Brackett

6/24/13 2:39 a.m.

Be visual. See the world around you. My hurting world in need of care and understanding. See the joy of those helped by My love, by My tender children. Know the joy of helping others to see My love and understanding of their world. Feel the peace surrounding you as you see this picture of love and friendship. Know the effort is always worth it. Run the race for the ultimate prize. Eternal joy in My kingdom in a place I prepare for you. Feel My presence now as you ponder these things. You are blessed My child and you are loved dearly.

We live in a complicated and hurting world.  And while not everyone is hurting all the time, we all hurt some of the time… and all the time ‘someone’ is hurting.  I’ve been contemplating this a lot lately, especially with the challenges 2020 has brought upon us.  At any given point in time, some level of pain and suffering are all around us.  Someone is hurting.

Perhaps it’s the neighbor next door, a colleague at work, a family member, or close friend.  Perhaps it’s you.  For some, the hurt is deep and complex.  The ability to make it through a single day is challenging… let alone the next week or month.  I’ve been that someone a time or two.

I wonder what it would look like for each of us to truly ‘see’ the world around us.  To pay close attention.  To take the time to notice the often unnoticeable.  Unnoticeable, perhaps, because we are moving too fast to notice.  To ‘see’ the world around us takes both time and intentionality.  Self-sacrifice really.  It means the possibility of delaying where we are going… to ‘be’ where we are needed.  Giving up something self-beneficial to be others beneficial… to be available.

We not only live in a hurting world, but a relational one.  One where we need each other to navigate tough times and unexpected emotions.  One where two are better than one, and three is even stronger.  A world where encouragement and support go further than we realize.  Where a kind word or smile make an incredible difference.

But first we need to recognize the hurt.  We need to focus our attention to see it is there.  For many of us, that is the challenge.  We are so involved in our own business that we miss the signs of a friend or neighbor who needs us.  We neglect to see the loneliness or cry for help because we have become distracted with our own ‘things’… often things of lower relative importance.

During an extraordinary time of world-wide illness (a pandemic), ever more visible racial tensions through heightened awareness, anger backed reactionary riots, political fallibility, catastrophic hurricanes, unrelenting wild fires, and the everyday challenges of life that have not yielded, we have a world that is living on the edge of disaster… yet many do not see that people are, indeed, hurting.

Individuals have lost employment and are unable to meet their own needs.  Families have lost loved ones.  Others have been displaced from their homes.  African Americans cry for justice and dignity.  Those who are isolated are drowning in loneliness.  Do we see them?  Do we see the world around us?  And if we do, do we care to venture there?  Do we realize we can make a difference?

Where do we focus our time at a time such as this?  Are we self-focused or others focused?  Are we doing all we can to ensure we are not one of the victims, or are we seeking victims to comfort?  Are we enjoying our dinner knowing some are hungry?  Are we warm in our homes knowing others are at risk of losing theirs?  Are we mindful of… or indifferent to the needs of others?

I am currently participating in a Discipleship study called Groundworks prepared and administered by The Summit Church.  Some text quoted in this study from a book written by David Mathis stood out rather starkly:

The Secret of Joy: Self Forgetfulness

In Groundworks, the focus of self-forgetfulness is on the context of worshiping Jesus.  We become so preoccupied with Jesus (as opposed to ourselves) and His manifold perfections that we enter a state of joy only Jesus can bring.  I would like to expand on this concept.

We were not created for ourselves.  Not only were we created by and for God, but we were also created for the things of God.  Just like a famous artist is ‘praised’ for her colorful works of art and an architect is ‘admired’ for his unique designs, we were created by God for good works for His ‘glory’.  Self-forgetfulness is simply recognizing we are not our own.  We were created by God for good works that ‘glorify’ our Creator.  Therefore, it stands to reason that we were not created to glorify ourselves.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

Jesus Himself exemplified the very life we are meant to live.  During His time on earth, Jesus served His Father by serving others.  He taught truth, healed the sick, fed the hungry, advocated for the oppressed, and showed mercy toward the sinner.  He delayed where He was going so He could be where He was needed.  Jesus’ focus was to serve and, in the end, He gave His very life for others.

It’s important to note that Jesus did not serve based on race, religion, political affiliation, or economic status.  Nor did He serve only those who agreed with His opinions.  Jesus served indiscriminatingly – He loved and served all, including those who persecuted Him.

… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42:45 NIV)

Yes, we were made to glorify God in the things that we do and the way that we live, and those ways inevitably involve others.  Self-forgetfulness means we consider others more than ourselves, and we consider the care of God’s people as important as our own.  It means seeing and serving the world around us.  A world that so desperately needs to be seen.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:36-40 NIV)

No doubt, we can be successful ‘in this world’ (i.e. in the short term) by focusing only on ourselves and the people we love.  In fact, this is a common path many people follow: Look out for #1 because no one else will… Pursue the American dream… Network for self-gain… Climb the corporate ladder… Pursue wealth and power and win the race of life… even if at the expense of others…

And while this way of life may have moments of happiness, it’s unlikely, based on what we were ‘created’ for, that it will reap the fruit of true joy.

I once read an analogy that really stuck with me.  The writer described a runner who was dedicated, competitive, and well prepared for a race.  The runner trained with others who shared the same focus and, together, they entered the competition.  Part way into the race, the group perceived they were running very well and were ‘proud’ to be ahead of the other runners.  The prize was in sight.

At the finish line, the group couldn’t understand why no one had gathered to cheer them in.  In fact, after several minutes of waiting, the remaining runners were nowhere to be seen.  Something was wrong.  The group soon learned they had run the wrong course and, although they had indeed run swiftly, they failed to complete the race they were meant to be running.  And the race they were meant to be running was over.  It was too late to go back.

I fear this will be the case for many.  We run so fast and we run so hard.  We are dedicated and competitive.  But we fail to see we are on the wrong course.  The thing is the wrong course is incredibly deceiving such that it often appears to be the right one.  It is so deceiving that there are countless people running it, and many are trying to persuade others to join them.  But a time will come when time has elapsed, and we will all clearly see the course we were meant to be running… and it will be too late to start over.

Friend, the race of life is not about us.  No matter how dedicated and competitive we are in our jobs, our possessions, our beauty, or our experiences… and no matter how well we perceive our progress, if we are on the wrong course, focused only on our own desires, we will eventually be met with loss and regret.  Glorifying God in the way that we love, serve, and consider others is paramount to our success in the true race of life.  It is evidence of diligent training in the race we are meant to be running.

So where do we focus our time at a time such as this?  I want to challenge us to ‘be visual’ – to attempt to truly ‘see’ the world around us.  To expand our own world beyond ourselves and see how we can love and serve others… to be and do the things we were created for… for our joy and for our Creator’s praise and glory.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.  I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame.  I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.  Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. (Psalm 119:30-33 NIV)

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17 ESV)

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Reflections

Four Essential Keys to Success: #4 Accountability

by Tracy Brackett

8/19/12 3:33 a.m.

The road to joy and happiness is rocky. There are barriers and crevices along the way. With careful maneuvering, you can bypass the barriers and avoid the crevices. More likely, though, you will need to face these obstacles and overcome them in order to move on. Knowing this, prepare yourself for these challenges so that you are ready to face them with confidence. Preparation takes prayer and careful self-reflection, practice, thought, and planning. Be aware of the tools and weapons available to you. The tools of God’s wisdom and grace and the weapon of truth. Focus on the good and do not dwell on the evil. Steer clear of the darkness. Respond with love and live the truth. Accept responsibility when you fall but get back up and try again until you experience success. Bypass where you can but do not avoid the necessary challenges that prepare you for the next. Know your limits and seek assistance from Me and others, where needed. Do not be prideful. Pride leads to so much damage and multiplies the challenges. Humble yourself before Me and others. Everyone loves a humble heart, a loving heart. The path of obstacles can be overcome, and the reward is amazing. True joy is irreplaceable. There are no substitutes for the real thing. Do the work, travel the path, and experience the reward, the fruit of the Spirit which is joy. Joy can and will be yours.

Life is full of ups and downs; unpleasant situations we often can’t avoid… and temptations we can avoid but find it difficult to.  None of us are exempt, but how we choose to navigate life’s difficulties matters.  Luckily, God did not create us to navigate them alone.  One of the tools He provides when we are facing challenges and temptations is other people.  I would even argue that it is almost impossible to live life successfully in the absence of wise and loving community. 

Take the life of king David for example.  King David was appointed by God Himself.  God blessed him and David grew in success and power but, one day, he was tempted.  He saw the beautiful Bathsheba, the wife of another man, and he desired her.  David gave into his temptation and slept with Bathsheba who became pregnant. David tried to cover his sin by quickly arranging a romantic evening for Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah, in hopes they would sleep together.  When his plan failed, David orchestrated the killing of Uriah in battle and took Bathsheba as his own wife. 

Although David loved God, he did not repent of his wrongdoing.  So, God sent the prophet Nathan to reveal David’s sin through a story. 

The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.

“Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”

David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:1-13a NIV)

On our own, our will is weak, and we are tempted to compromise when no one is watching.  We need a support system that helps guard against the attacks of Satan where he knows we are weakest.  We need others to help us remember the truth of God’s Word, and to hold us accountable to persevere in this truth, despite our temptations.

Because David’s sin was revealed to him, because he was held accountable, he genuinely repented.  As a result, God forgave him.  David still had to suffer the consequences of his sin, but God restored him.  David was placed back on the straight path of pursuing the Lord with amazing commitment and worship.

I have heard it said that we become the four people we spend the most time with.  Therefore, surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who are also aiming to follow God’s commands and become more like Jesus is crucial to our success.  The more we compromise on our influences, the more we risk drifting from the very truths that have set us free.  In Christian community, we are repetitively reminded what the straight path entails and what is expected of us as followers of Christ.  With Christian accountability, we are lovingly reminded when we are not doing the right thing.  Our brothers and sisters in Christ help us to see the things we are blind to.  Light shines on the darkness and helps remove the darkness from our lives.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 NIV)

In my personal experience, true Christian accountability has not been easy to attain with other believers.  While many will agree it is important, that belief is often not translated into action.  I believe pride and fear are the cause.  Pride keeps us from experiencing true accountability because we don’t want to admit we need it.  When we are prideful, or fearful, we either do not want others to see or we do not want them to highlight our challenges… especially if those challenges are sinful.

We need to break through the barriers of pride and fear to experience authentic community.  Allowing pride and fear to have a hold on our lives leads to destruction.  We should not be fooled.  Pride and fear are weapons of the enemy.  Satan wishes to destroy us by leading us to believe we have our problems under control, that we can face them on our own, or we simply do not have them.  Independence stems from pride.  It has been known to create barriers in friendships and destroy marriages.  Pride often comes before a fall.

It takes humility to allow others to hold us accountable in doing the right things… to allow others to see our weakness or potential for failure.  In fact, if I were to add a fifth key to success, it would be humility because of its direct impact on the other keys.

Humility doesn’t mean lack of self-respect.  It’s realizing our proper place in relation to God and others.  We recognize we are the created, not the Creator.  We love ourselves but do not elevate ourselves above others because we know that ‘all’ are depraved and fall short of perfection.  When we truly see who God is and what He has done for us… when we understand grace, we can’t help but be humbled.  We acknowledge our need for forgiveness and healing and are willing to ask for it.  This leads to wisdom and honor.

Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:12 NIV)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2 NIV)

Practicing accountability through humility simply allows others to lovingly tell us when we are veering off the straight path, and they allow us to do the same for them.  Accountability gives others permission to ask us how we are doing in the areas we need to grow, so that we have that growth in the forefront of our mind.  Accountability is a beautiful thing when done out of love, trust, and mutual respect.  God created us for this.  He commands us to both encourage and lovingly rebuke our fellow Christians with the goal of helping each other persevere in the faith. 

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. (Proverbs 27:5 NIV)

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV)

As long as it is still “today”, we need to hold each other accountable to persevere.  We may not be alive tomorrow.  And it is incredibly easy, for Christians and non-Christians alike, to go astray in our hearts.  This is because the world is an alluring and seductive place, full of deceitfulness.  Sin is ugly in the dark and grows far uglier without accountability.

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20 NIV)

Accountability is crucial… in our workplace, homes, hobbies, marriages, friendships, and every other area of our lives.  There are no exceptions.

Joe and I work faithfully to hold each other accountable but we realize we need accountability outside our marriage as well.  We are part of a small co-ed bible study group, and we each meet independently with same sex friends we can trust and share our struggles with.  These things help us to keep the straight path in the forefront of our minds because we know we have weak flesh.  Even when we are feeling strong, we are not exempt from temptation or the attacks of Satan.  Even more so when we are feeling weak from exhaustion or disappointment.

I am also held accountable by this blog.  As I am working to grow in specific areas of my life, I am reminded of my commitment to write about my struggles and failures.  The more I lack in diligence to grow, the more I’ll have to write about it! 

Bringing it all together:

I’ve talked about many things in this post series so a summary might be helpful.  Let’s start with the definition of success.  For a large number of people, success lies in many things temporary: being known and admired by others, physical beauty, achieving high career status, accumulating wealth, driving an expensive car, living in a large home, and/or the ability to afford fancy vacations, to name a few.  You likely know by now that this is not the kind of success I am referring to.  Think of it this way.  If you could be king or queen for a day, knowing it would only last a day and then be followed by a miserable life thereafter, would you still choose to be king or queen for a day?  Of course not!  A day in the grand scheme of our entire physical lives is so very temporary…

… And so it is with life on earth compared to eternity. 

Let’s consider the wisdom of king Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes.  King Solomon was both the wisest and wealthiest king that ever lived.  According to a Google search, king Solomon’s wealth in today’s money would have been $2.2 trillion, or at least many billions of dollars.  King Solomon had the ability to ‘have it all’ and, at one point in his life, he did seek to experience everything under the sun:

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens… I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly… I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.”  I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives… I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun… (Ecclesiastes 1:12,13a,16,17a, 2:1a,3-11 NIV, underline added)

Then Solomon came to his final conclusion:

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes: 12:13,14 NIV)

This doesn’t mean that obtaining a high-ranking job or driving a nice car will lead to a meaningless life.  It simply means these things should not be our primary focus.  In the wise words of king Solomon, to have true and lasting meaning in life, our primary focus should be the things of God… everything else (in the absence of God), leads to emptiness… chasing after the wind.  I’ve heard this described as a God-shaped hole in our heart.  Trying to fill this hole with anything other than God leads to the continuous and unending pursuit of ‘trying’ to fill it.  We are chasing after the wind.  The hole remains empty.

Earlier this year, I found a page I had torn from a calendar I owned several years ago.  I kept this page because of the wisdom it imparts in a few short sentences.

To make the most of your time on earth, you must maintain an eternal perspective… Paul said, “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV).  So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity.  Don’t trade your life for temporary things. 

So now, let’s look at the true and lasting definition of success.  It starts with salvation which is the foundation… a foundation based on the success of Christ (not our own).  We realize we are sinful and in need of a Savior.  We accept Jesus’ free gift of eternal life and place our trust in Him (as opposed to ourselves).  Because of the accomplishment of Jesus, we get to experience true meaning, reward, and joy by focusing on four essential keys:

Through bible study during quiet time (Key #1), we gain a deeper understanding of who God is, His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, and his commands for living.  Study of the Bible teaches us a healthy fear of and reverence for God and activates His wisdom in our lives.  We realize Jesus is the center of everything.  We learn truth.  We see our sinfulness more clearly.  Personal biblical knowledge protects us from deceit and false teaching.  We learn the guide to right and joyful living.

Through prayer (Key #2), we develop a relationship with God through two-way communication.  We praise Him for who He is and all He stands for.  We apologize when we stray from His Word.  We thank Him for His love, guidance, provision, and protection.  We ask Him for help in our time of need.  We intercede for others.  Prayer activates God’s power in our lives and in the lives of others.  We gain insight, courage, and boldness.  We receive more grace and wisdom.

Through obedience (Key #3), we show respect for God.  We obey God’s ways.  We listen to and follow His guidance.  The more we obey, the more sensitive we become to the direction of the Holy Spirit.  We redirect our lives.  We love and serve others with sincere motives.  We are formed into the person we were created to be.  We live out our true-life purpose leading to peace and joy.  We become more like Christ and point others to Him through word and example.  Others who see and believe gain eternal life and God’s kingdom is glorified.  God’s blessing is activated in our lives, both in this temporary world and eternity.

Accountability (Key #4) activates God’s people.  We live in community with other believers.  We remind each other of our Christian code of ethics and protect each other from straying.  We reveal one another’s blindness to the truth.  We encourage perseverance in the faith and resistance to the competing and false attraction of the world.

In all of this we devote ourselves to humility.  Our bible study, the Word of God, reveals our sin.  It takes humility to both see and repent of it.  It takes humility to adore God above ourselves and to ask Him for His saving and sanctifying grace in our lives… to admit we can’t do it without Him.  It takes a submissive and humble heart to be obedient.  And it takes humility to allow others into our inner and private selves to hold us accountable.

I pray we strive for this true, freeing, and eternal success.  It does not come with regret, only pure and lasting joy, and treasure in heaven with a God who loves us beyond our imagination.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

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ReflectionsStill Growing

Your Trust Will Equal Your Peace

by Tracy Brackett

9/7/13 4:00 a.m.

Be at peace and know that I am God, your God. I am in control and I am sovereign. I work all things for good in your life. So be at peace and trust in My divine plan. My plans for you are good. Trust, My child. I am Holy and righteous and true. Keep close to Me and allow My strength and peace to penetrate your being. I love you, My child. Know that I am with you at all times. Draw from Me all you need to live on earth according to My kingdom values. My kingdom way. Your trust will equal your peace. Hope in Me today and be at peace. I am yours and I love you. Peace be yours, today and always.

We have all experienced moments of peace.  Whether it graces us with its presence while sitting on the beach, sailing on the ocean, looking out from the top of a mountain, quilting a blanket, playing the piano, or watching a child giggle with glee, we all know peace is good.  These moments are welcome, and we cherish them.

At the same time, if you are human, you know that peace can be elusive amid the hustle, bustle, and reality of life.  If you have worried about the safety of a loved one, felt stress over an unmanageable debt or illness (potential or real), or anxiety about a work deadline, then you know worry does not produce peace.  Yet, we have all allowed ourselves to experience this emotion.  At times, such as now, amid an uncertain pandemic, unmasked racial tensions, death, and understandable anger, peace does not seem attainable in our own hearts let alone the world.

To even attempt to tackle a discussion on world peace in one post would not only be overwhelming, but impossible.  Instead, I would like to discuss the possibility of experiencing consistent peace in our own hearts, a peace that transcends human understanding.  My focus in this post will be on your heart and mine.

Consider the below biblical promises:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:25-27 NIV)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

If we understand and believe the above scripture (the Word of God Himself) with all our mind, heart, soul, and strength, we will experience peace that transcends human understanding.  We will experience peace in both the certain and uncertain times simply because we choose to believe God is who He says He is.  If we trust in God’s eternal promises, then worry will no longer have a place of control in our lives.  Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? 

The obvious question is ‘why’ don’t more of us have this kind of peace?  I think part of the answer lies in our continual dependence on ourselves.  We want to believe we can make it on our own.  We want to prove we have the talent and knowledge to do it.  That we just need to put in the appropriate effort, and everything will be fine.  And this does seem to work in some areas of our lives which, I believe, causes us to have a false sense of security… for a time.  It’s when something outside our control, strength or knowledge confronts us that we need to work harder at figuring it out.  After much thought and effort, and the solution is not easily before us, we worry.

Let’s revisit the scripture above.  Through His inspired Word, God says: “Trust in the Lord… lean not on your own understanding… submit to Him… do not worry about your life… do not fear… I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you… I will uphold you… “

It seems in relying entirely on self, we have missed the point!  To be clear, we do have an important role in our own lives.  God gives us free will to make our own decisions.  He wants us to think, feel, respond, and act.  But God asks us to do this through the lens of His will and way for our lives.  We can absolutely choose not to – that is the definition of free will.  But God knew we humans are prone to wander and He, in His amazing wisdom and mercy, provided a guidebook for life called the Holy Bible.  We have a choice.  We can choose to follow God’s way instead of our own and, if we do, He will make our paths straight. 

Think of it this way.  If you only had partial knowledge about a dilemma but had to decide anyway, you would make what you believe is the best decision based on the information you have.  Given more (or complete) knowledge about that situation, your decision could be different.  The reality of life is we humans never have complete knowledge… but God does.  He sees all, knows all, and holds all wisdom.  After all, He created us and the world we live in.  He is Sovereign and can be in all places at the same time.  In His Word (the Bible), He teaches us the best possible way to live in the world He created. 

Think of God as our mentor as exemplified in His Son Jesus Christ.  If you had a mentor in the workplace who had far more experience than you, you would not only observe their behavior, but you would also seek their opinion when faced with certain decisions.  There is no mentor greater than Jesus.  And unlike flawed human mentors, Jesus is flawless.  He can be trusted.  I believe we lack consistent peace due to an incomplete trust in the Word of God or, put more simply, in God Himself.        

I believe a second part to the answer as to why many of us do not experience consistent peace lies in our fallen world.  A world where Satan roams the earth and tries to steal our peace and joy.  Satan is a fallen angel who wanted to be God, but he lost the battle for sovereignty.  But Satan is real, and he is still fighting.  He wants to ‘win us’ to his side of the battle.  The battle of good versus evil.  Satan is also crafty.  He knows a thing or two about human weakness and this is where he does his best work.  Friend, do not be fooled about the power of evil in this temporary world we live in.  We absolutely need the all-knowing, all wise God to help us navigate the mine field.    

And although I have lost sleep navigating the mine field of life, time and time again, God has come through.  More and more I can say, yes, Lord I trust You.  And more and more I feel a peace that once evaded me.  A peace that is delightful.  Let me provide some context by introducing what I will call the four P’s of peace: purpose, protection, provision, and people.

I will start by telling you I have worried about all the things I listed in the second paragraph above, and more.  Much of the stress I’ve experienced has come from high expectations for myself.  As far back as I can remember, I have wanted to be excellent at everything.  Mediocre has never been acceptable.  And, naturally, with this kind of expectation comes stress and anxiety.  What if I am not good enough… what if I say the wrong thing… what if I go blank… what if I don’t get an A… what if… It’s exhausting, really. 

Fortunately, I’ve moved past some of this simply by maturing and realizing I can’t be excellent at everything.  God created each of us to be naturally great at some things and not so great at others.  That’s why we need our diverse world – we form one complete body under Christ, the head, and together we are simply better, stronger, wiser and, honestly, more beautiful. 

Today, I trust I have been given gifts and talents that are perfectly suited for my unique purpose.  God is faithful that way.  He never asks us to do anything He doesn’t equip us for.  He will also not ask us to do something He will not walk through with us.  This trust has led to peace in my purpose.

I have also lost peace in the past due to fear of harm or danger.  Watching horror films, experiencing nightmares, and learning about psychopaths through my study of psychology, no doubt, contributed.  In addition, age and illness in our mortal bodies is an ever-looming threat.  At the age of 51, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and died at the age of 55.  She was my best friend.  It goes without saying, those four years were painful for her, me, and our family.  Since my grandmother also experienced a bout of cancer, I knew it ran in my family.  And you can’t help but wonder if you will face it someday as well. 

Over time, however, study of God’s Word and understanding His great love for me has removed these fears.  I now realize while evil may one day harm my ‘body’, it will never be able to destroy my ‘soul’.  I have salvation in the arms of Jesus for eternity.  And although I can’t know when my physical life will end, if God has even one thing for me to do on this earth, I believe He will keep me safe until it is completed.  I have peace in God’s protection.

Another worry I’ve experienced was in my ability to earn sufficient income to cover essential bills as well as non-essential luxuries.  At the time, I did not fully understand God’s approach to money.  But I was blessed in my early 30’s to be involved in a course that taught a biblical approach to managing finances (through an organization called Crown Financial Ministries).  Through studying God’s Word on money, I realized everything belongs to God and learned to become a good steward of the money and possessions He entrusts to me.  I learned the difference between a ‘want’ and a ‘need’ and became more responsible in my spending, saving, investing, and giving habits.  In response, God has been faithful to provide everything I need, and more.  This has led to peace in God’s provision.      

Yes, I have directly experienced the gift of seeing the true freedom God’s peace provides.  But I have not exited the battlefield.  There is still one major area in which I struggle with peace and it relates to people. 

You already know from prior posts that I wrestle immensely with the wrong in our world, the ever spreading and contagious disease of self, and the general indifference people have toward others… lack of genuine consideration in believers and unbelievers alike.  And because I ‘expect’ people should be better, I become frustrated when they are not.  Time and time again, this has led to disillusionment and lack of peace.    

In my struggle with high expectations of people, including myself, Satan identified my weakness and has gained a foothold in stealing my peace.  I know this to be one of my greatest areas of necessary growth… an area I need the strength of God for.  And I am slowly learning to trust God when it comes to His ongoing work in myself and others.  I am learning to both decrease my expectations and increase my patience and understanding.  And though I’ll admit it’s not easy, I am slowly learning to give the control (control that I’ll never have) to whom it belongs… to God.

So, let me ask you, friend… Are you willing to trust in the God who not only created you, but loves you beyond any human love you will experience?  Will you trust God even when you can’t see His purpose, knowing He works all things for good?  Will you trust Him in the middle of this pandemic?  Will you trust Him amid racial tensions that have no clear end?  Will you resist Satan and turn to God for answers?  Will you trust that God is ultimately the One in control?  These are difficult but important questions.  Friend, to the extent we can trust our sovereign Father, our trust will equal our peace.    

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)  

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Reflections

“I Can’t Breathe”

by Tracy Brackett

6/12/12  3:12 a.m.

Hate evil, Love good. Do not justify evil or allow its presence. Challenge it and move on. Evil is all around. Do not allow it to penetrate your being. Be watchful and prayerful concerning this. I have conquered evil and will continue to do so until the end and evil is gone completely from the world. Replace evil with Love. Love conquers evil. Love is stronger than evil. Challenge evil with Love today.

It’s 1:59 A.M on Thursday 5/28/20.  My mind won’t let me sleep.  I can’t erase the events of 5/25/20 and the graphic video I saw last night.  I think I’m in shock.  Our Nation is hurting and hope feels evasive.  This is not how it should be.  George Floyd is a real person, a human being, a father, a coworker, a friend.  He is a child of God.  George Floyd died three days ago.  The inhumanity of his death is incomprehensible.  Shame befalls us and I don’t know how to reconcile it. 

I grew up in Canada and came to America with almost no knowledge of American black history (the slavery, the lynching, the civil war, the fight for equality).  I’ve been living in America for over 21 years and, sadly, remained in ignorance for most of them.  Due to racial reconciliation topics raised by our church, my husband, Joe, and I began educating ourselves in this area over the past couple of years.  We asked questions, watched movies and documentaries, read and learned…and our new-found knowledge has been devastating. 

Five years ago, we moved to Durham, NC and have made more African American friends than I’ve had in a lifetime.  Perhaps that was God’s plan.  He knew I wouldn’t achieve the correct level of understanding unless it was personal.  And it is personal.  My African American friends are afraid to leave their house.  They are telling their children to stay inside.  They are telling each other not to wear a hoodie on the streets.  Their pain has become my pain and it’s penetrating my soul.  My emotions are exploding and I’m crying out to God for answers.  Lord, please rescue us from ourselves! 

I do not understand white supremacy, how one person or race can elevate themselves above another person or race to the point of death.  How hatred can rule a life and the indescribable actions that come forth from it.  But this is more than white supremacy.  This is pure evil.  A complete disregard for the rights and dignity of another.  A coldness that is almost robotic.  Is there ANY feeling there?  White skin touched black skin.  Two hearts were beating, one with calmness and superiority and the other with fear and desperation.  Two bodies were breathing, one freely and effortlessly while the other fought for air.  One heart stopped beating, one body is no longer breathing.  The images are raw and vivid.  Please tell me it’s not so.  This is not how we were created. 

I know that You are good, God.  I know that You see the inhumanity and I know it’s not of You.  Please help us fight this evil that is before and around us.  Please help every human being declare IT’S ENOUGH!  Please help us create awareness.  Please help us make it personal.  Please help us to implement change that prevents this atrocity from happening in the future of our children.  Please help us God, we need You. 

If COVID-19 is a wake-up call, why are so many still sleeping? I want to ask you personally, are you awake? Or are you indifferent to the inhumanity described above? Please nation, please world…wake-up!  We all need to be a part of eliminating this devastating behavior! What will you do for your part?

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble (I John: 2:9-10, NIV)

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