This I Know: The Next Door of Opportunity
Some things never change. In your life, maybe that’s your ringtone, sarcastic personality, or family tradition. It could be the beauty of a sunrise, relief of a weekend, or joy of new life.
While change is constant, I’ve taken note of certain aspects of my life that persist steadily. My family is always there for me, nature is still my happy place, and most of all … God remains the same. Come what may, the Lord never changes.
How thankful I am for that! No matter the frustration, confusion, and devastation; amidst chaos and tragedy; despite instability, desperation, and complacency, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
I’ve been reading through the Psalms, an experience that has brought much peace and assurance to my soul. Time and again, the writers sequence litanies of difficulties, followed by unashamed declarations of faith, despite all opposition. I’ll paraphrase: Oh Lord, my enemies surround me, my heart fails me, my life ebbs from my very bones … men surround me to destroy me, evil prevails, and my soul is destitute … but I will place my trust in the Lord, the God of my salvation.
The songs remind me of life: one hiccup after another, heartbreak upon heartbreak, seemingly endless suffering … but then something good—something unchanging.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (56:3). “In you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by” (57:1). “O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress” (59:9). “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy” (61:3).
How can the psalmists, you, and I stand so firmly on these truths, especially when everything else seems to paint another picture, in fact, an opposite reality? Psalm 56 nails it for me.
This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life– verses 9–13.
God’s Provision: God is on our side! And, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32). He gives us everything we need because He is everything we need.
Word of the Week: Defense. God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, is our Defense. He shields us against the attacks of the enemy, protects us from harm, and covers us with His gracious favor. We are safe with Him, for His is trustworthy and benevolent.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Being an introvert is okay. If you were an extrovert, that would be okay, too, but you have this idea that introverts aren’t as lovable as extroverts, and that’s not true. I know there’s a lot of pressure to make good impressions with others, but you don’t have to fake your personality for people to like you. You can be quiet and reserved and still friendly and warm. You can respect your own limits and be okay with that, and believe me that there are others who feel the same way you do. They also don’t expect you to be “on” all the time.
What if you walked into social situations without the pressure to perform, and just walked in with an appreciation for the people who are there, ready to love them and focus on them instead of on yourself? The beginning of 1 Corinthians 14 starts with “Let love be your highest goal!” Love others. Take your eyes off yourself and put them on others. They may be feeling the same way you do.
Love,
Megan
Your homeschool co-op convenes biweekly, ladies’ group monthly, or board meetings quarterly. This week, you’re off to prayer meeting one evening, parent-teacher conferences another, and somewhere in there you’ll grab coffee with friends. If you’re anything like me (and many people I meet), we’re a part of something at least, and lots of things many times.
With that comes the excitement of participation and comfort of belonging. In our communities, congregations, social circles, workplaces, homes, and families, we are a part of what is going on. You and I are privileged to observe and contribute to something greater than ourselves!
That’s how it is in the family of God as well. He adopts us as sons and daughters, assigns us a unique task, and equips us to carry out His work for the greater good! This sense of duty and gratitude has fully invaded my mind and heart this past week.
I think of what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:17.
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
Married or single, serious or goofy, rural or urban, employee or employer, divorced or widowed, male or female, young or old, outgoing or reserved, leader or follower, child or adult, whatever the case or distinction may be, it does not matter. God calls and sends, blesses and redeems, equips and transforms anyone who surrenders to Him.
Your contribution, and mine, is a critical portion of the story God is writing. “In the same way,” Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Then we read in Hebrews that we are a part of the great cloud of witnesses who live by faith and seek identity in God.
The truth is, God does not need us. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. God wants us. He invites us to the work He has already planned regardless of us, but we also know He has arranged those plans to include us (Ephesians 2:10). Mind-blowing!
I love the illustration in 2 Timothy. It says, “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2:20-21).
God’s Provision: God extends His offer of salvation to you and me! It not only includes freedom from sin and death of the past, newness of life in the present, and a promise of eternal life in the future, but also ongoing redemption in the daily moments and ministries of life.
Word of the Week: Restoration. God is doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19) and making all things new (Revelation 21:5)—including us! Romans 8 paints the picture: “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God … For in this hope we were saved” (8:19, 24).
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Can you be thankful for the chores? I know, cleaning and yardwork aren’t the most fun things to do on a Saturday. Doing dishes after supper is not ideal. Folding laundry while a show is on when you could be snuggled up is also not your favorite, but if you only knew what all those chores are preparing you for. Not only have your parents shown you the importance of doing your part in your home, but they are preparing you to take care of your husband and your own home someday. And you’ll be so thankful you know how to do such things when you get there. You’ll know what cleaning products work and what setting the laundry machine should be set on, and you’ll handle those tasks with confidence.
I know right now, it isn’t fun. You can try to imagine and wonder if anybody else’s parents make them clean or help with cooking and dishes or yardwork, but I wish I could tell you now to learn as much as you can. Sure, when you’re older and you don’t know how to do something you can always ask for help or do some research (and believe me, I’ve done that plenty), but I didn’t have the appreciation for what I was learning when I was younger.
Because someday, there will be somebody (hopefully somebodies) you can take care of, and thanks to your parents you’ll be equipped and ready to do so.
Love,
Megan
Dear Younger Me,
The world is bigger than just your own little world. There’s a lot going on in your world, with friends and family and all the life stuff that can keep your eyes from looking too far out. But the beauty of God’s design is that you live in His world, His family, His body, His Church. There’s a joy you can experience when you recognize that you are a part of something bigger than yourself, and that God has a great plan, and you get to be a part of it. Every day you live is a day you get to live with God’s great purpose in mind, that you get to glorify Him, and be His hands and feet in the world, whatever that looks like each day.
And the people you see all around you? God loves them. And they might be adopted into God’s family as Christians, too. What a glorious thing to get to meet members of God’s family around you, when you have open eyes and ears to see them. And maybe someday you’ll choose bravery and get to know someone, either asking them if they know God or telling them about Him.
And when you pray, certainly pray for your needs and the needs of the ones you love, but remember the Church. Remember what you’re part of.
Love,
Megan
You begin another day with renewed ambition, dare to offer a new prayer, snap at your kids a little less. You look in the mirror and smile for once, learn a hard lesson and move on, extend encouragement to a friend. You and I are always growing in the Lord!
I cannot imagine a moment or day without God. He is ever by my side, teaching me by His Word, conforming me to the likeness of His Son. Wherever I am in relation to Him, He meets me there, and He meets you too.
Day after day, I am increasingly conscious of my humanity. Social blunders, glaring distractions, and memory lapses remind me of my weakness. Repeated temptations, fleeting thoughts, and fearful doubts attest to my sinfulness.
I am nowhere remotely close to perfection—and thankful I don’t have to be. Jesus is perfect, and He is my Savior. He is everything I’m not and achieves everything I can’t.
That is why I am unspeakably grateful for sanctification, the lifelong process of becoming more like God through Jesus Christ. I make innumerable mistakes along the way, but as Jude says,
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (24, ESV).
In all our weakness, 2 Corinthians 12:9 assures us, God’s power is made perfect. Despite our grumbling and stumbling, He invites us to return to Him (Isaiah 44:22, Jeremiah 15:19, Hosea 14:1). As we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse (1 John 1:9).
Amidst the struggle, I am often disheartened, but the Lord quickly revives me. His grace prevails in my wrestling match against the old self crucified with Christ and the new creation moving toward glory. My failings remind me of Jesus’ sacrifice for me (Hebrews 10:12-14), the comfort of peace with God (Romans 5:1), and the calling of salvation (Ephesians 4:1).
Far from perfect (or even good), all I can do is thank God with a humble heart. He saved me and continues to make me more like Him.
God’s Provision: This grace is for all who depend on Him!
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
– Psalm 145:18
We can join in Paul’s prayer for the Colossians, that we “may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (1:9-10).
Word of the Week: Direction. We are continually growing in faith. I once heard we should focus on direction rather than perfection. Where we are heading matters more than how well we are doing along the way. “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14).
Waiting is so hard.
We dislike it so much we pick the shortest cashier lines, fastest internet speeds, and least busiest roadways. One moment of down time, and we pull out something else to do.
Stillness and quiet don’t seem to be common values in our society. But as parents who need a breather, hard workers who need a break, and human beings who need rest … well, how about it?
God freely offers it to us. We often quote Jesus from Matthew 11: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
I think we also find rest in waiting. David pens, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I hope” (Psalm 130:5). Over and over again, God’s people find respite in His sovereignty, comfort in His promises, renewed energy in His communion.
Isaiah says those who wait upon the Lord will run without fatigue (40:31). David declares they who keep the Lord’s way will be exalted to inheritance (Psalm 37:34). The author of Lamentations affirms the Lord’s goodness toward those who seek Him (3:25). Every person who has waited expectantly for Almighty God has never been disappointed.
God hears their cries, answers their prayers, and reassures their hearts. He is patient, kind, and faithful. Indeed, He neither slumbers nor sleeps, but always watches out for us.
The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
– Psalm 121:7-8
Personally, I don’t like waiting. It feels like a waste of time and unnecessary anxiety. But I am slowly learning how valuable the wait is. It teaches patience, deepens trust, and increases understanding. Indeed, God reveals Himself in secret to the one who is broken and in need of grace.
Right now, I am waiting on the Lord. One particular circumstance is at the forefront of my mind, but there are always ongoing pursuits and Scripture-inspired hopes that weave throughout my prayers. Maybe you also are waiting for Him.
Even though we don’t always know what we’re waiting for, there is such overwhelming confidence and inexplicable contentment in trusting God. Even in our moments of confusion, doubt, and frustration, God visits and protects us. He does not leave us waiting forever, but faithfully delivers on His promises and completes His perfect will.
God’s Provision: Both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ intercede on our behalf before the Father (Romans 8:26, 34). God Himself, who knows Himself and His purposes, helps us ask Him for what He already purposed for us. Truly, He is on our side!
Word of the Week: Watchfulness. “The state of being constantly attentive and responsive to signs of opportunity.” When we actively and persistently seek God, even a subtle indication of movement perks us up. We are so vigilant that we are ready for His response.
Far from a waste of time, waiting is a beneficial use of spiritual energy. It opens us up to God and makes us dependent on Him—so hard, yet so rewarding.
Abby
Dear Younger Me,
Know that you can share your feelings and be met with understanding. I know how hard it is for you to share them, because shame might be present, or because you’re afraid of disappointing the one you’re sharing those feelings with. I don’t want to tell you that sharing your feelings will always be met with grace, because that’s not the truth, but there are times when you will open up that you’ll find your feelings will be heard. I hope you’ll experience the joy that comes when you do that. I hope it will encourage you to allow yourself to do that more. And I hope that when you’re afraid of disappointing someone that you will realize an opportunity for growth, that even in the tension, you can grow to see you can’t please people in every way all the time and that you can be honest.
What beauty that sharing your feelings can sharpen others, and their response sharpens you. Hold to Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
And as you open up, do so with grace and gentleness, because that matters too.
Love,
Megan
Whether it’s our grandmother’s china set, a note from a friend, or breakfast get-togethers with mom, we tend to hold onto what matters to us. Our lives are filled with heirlooms, experiences, and relationships very special to us.
I attach myself to a lot of things. My family, select friends, and now my Ecuador family, are most important to me, so I intentionally invest in those relationships. Then there are responsibilities and pastimes, to which I commit time and determination. Last come the extras; I get to what I can, and as for the rest … God knows the intentions of my heart. We can’t hang onto everything and everyone that has ever crossed our paths, so we choose to stick with the most meaningful.
How about you? Who and what fill your life?
There are innumerable possibilities vying for our attention. For me, I always want to cling to the faith entrusted to me by God. Amid life’s activity, I strive to establish myself in the truth of God’s Word. Above all, I desire to discipline myself in the Spirit to follow Christ’s example.
None of this would be possible, however, if it weren’t for God’s love for me. You and I can only love because He loved us first, right? (1 John 4:19). If God were not clinging to me, I would never be able to hold onto Him.
This is something for which I repeatedly thank and praise Him. Every day, I am grateful for another occasion to grow in knowledge and service of God.
It truly is a gift to wake up breathing. How much more of a privilege to walk in newness of life in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:4)! To roll out of bed and know you belong to God; to pour your coffee and realize He’s inviting you to partake in His majesty; to go about your day and live in the gratitude of a life rescued and transformed by a merciful Savior.
I can’t think of a better life story!
God’s Provision: The cross! Our Father, Maker of heaven and earth, sets His love upon us and eternally clings to us through Jesus Christ.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
– Romans 8: 35, 38-39, ESV
Word of the Week: Shekinah. This brings to mind the radiant glory of God manifested as cloud, fire, and other fearsome phenomena. God’s presence with His people was enduring, striking, and transforming. It still is. Even now, He reigns in glory and refines us to perfection.
Yes, we cling to Him. Even more, He clings to us.
Dear Younger Me,
Let the fear of missing out give way to the joy of appreciation. The fear of missing out might be tied to feelings of being outside the in-group, or you might find that it’s tied to where you live when the people you love live further away. Your busyness may keep you from enjoying some of the things you’d rather do, but in those times where you envy what others get to experience when you can’t, remember what you do have. It’s easy to say that, and you might hear that over and over in your life, but it’s true.
God’s good gifts abound to you. You might miss out, but what you get to enjoy is a blessing. When you’re jealous or beginning to envy, choose to flip the coin and see those good gifts. There really is beauty right where you are. And when it comes to the people you love, even if you miss out for one reason or another, remember that you are loved so well, and missing out doesn’t change that.
Love,
Megan