#LookUp – rootedbythewater.blog

I’m sitting here on the porch this morning working on the devotion to share with the homeless ministry later on today. I find it so amazing how God brings these topics and scripture to me that are just as much for me as they are for the precious people who will hear it later. Today I’m going to teach on not despising the small things or small beginnings in our lives. That can surely apply to anyone.

We all have those day, weeks and even seasons when thins seems so small and progress seems so slow. You know, “two steps forwards, three steps back”. These times can feel very frustrating and we can often wonder, “Lord, how is this going to play out?” The Old Testament prophet Zechariah could probably relate. He was a post – exile prophet.

Here’s a bit of history in a “nutshell”. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Israel and sent the people into exile for approximately 70 years. During that time King Solomon’s magnificent Temple of the Lord was plundered and burned to the ground. Later the King of Persia defeated Babylon and he allowed the people of Israel to return to Jerusalem to rebuild. So the people of Israel returned to Jerusalem and began the process of rebuilding the temple. However what was coming up was nothing compared to the former glory of King Solomons temple. The progress was slow with limited resources and incomplete walls. It was unimpressive and likely discouraging. However God sent a strong message to Zechariah through a vision. Zechariah 4:10 says,“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)”‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So you see, God rejoices in small beginnings, in the work in progress. We need to do the same.

We can often feel frustrated with small beginnings and small things in our lives because it exposed our impatience. People are driven to see results. We want to see impact and often times get discouraged with slow progress. However God rejoices in our faithfulness and the work in progress. We must stay the course and keep looking to God for guidance.

One thing about people, we must look up to God for direction and validation. When we look around, we become distracted and discouraged by comparing ourselves to others. The world and culture are always telling us what our lives “should look like” or how we “should look”, what we “should be wearing, driving and doing”. It’s all distraction that deflated your peace and joy. Keep looking to God for direction. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (NKJV)

Many people try to do things in their own strength, possibly out of a sense of pride. I’ve done this before by saying “I can do it myself, thank you.” Can you hear the sassy? Been there, done that. Just being honest. There are many things I can’t do because of my hearing and visual imitations. The things I can do, I like to do myself. God has worked with me on this and I am much better. God wants us to rely on His strength not our own. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (That is from memory. Not sure which translation). I also came across a verse in Zechariah that I love. “Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭(ESV). I really have to take these scriptures to heart and let them sink deep within. Here’s a little testimony for you. When I signed up to help with the homeless ministry, I signed up with a friend who could help me understand through sign language. Yes, I can understand some with my cochlear implant but it depends on the situation and when you add my low vision to the mix, it is challenging. Well, right now my friend is out of town so I’ve been cooking the rice and beans and also teaching the devotion. Last week two ladies at the shelter approached me with health issues. One I could partially understand. The second lady I had great difficulty understanding. I asked her name and she pointed to her name tag, but with my low vision, I couldn’t see it. I explained that I couldn’t see her name tag, and I equally couldn’t understand her prayer request. However, I told her, “God knows your name and He knows exactly what you need, so let’s pray together and ask Him to meet your need”. I prayed with her and have to release it into the Lord’s care. I often wonder, “Lord, you know I can’t see that well and you know I have great difficulty understanding, why am I here doing this?” His answer seems pretty apparent, “It’s Him, not me” Not by my might, or my power, or special talent etc, but “By my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts”. From a human perspective it’s an uncomfortable place to be, but from a spiritual perspective it’s the best place to be…. Fully relying on God not on myself.

I will wrap this blog up with one last scripture: Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (ESV) Did you see that? It’s a “good” work and He will bring it to completion. God finishes what He starts. Let me encourage you to “stay the course”. Keep looking to Jesus in all things. He’s for you!!

Be blessed!

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Photo credit ~ Carry the Light Facebook post.

For some reason things seem to have aligned for this blog post. First, I listened to a sermon yesterday while walking on the treadmill. (Thank God for blue tooth technology!) Typically I don’t do that since I can seldom comprehend, especially if I’m unfamiliar with the speaker. Yet, I could follow the message. It was the first in a series about King David and how God chose him. Second, my husband Ron and I were talking about how people can be so fixated on issues that they begin to define the person. We both agreed that people aren’t defined by their issues but rather defined by God. Third, as I was scrolling through Facebook today I came across this picture (shared above) and the blog title came to me. Let’s talk about this.

In typical Shannon fashion, my blogs change and cover quite a bit of topics. This one may go deep and I hope you’re up for some exploration. Are you ready? What defines you? Is it your career, financial status, talents, abilities, your looks, health, or perhaps your role in another’s life? When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Someone too skinny, too big, not good looking enough, or perhaps you have an “ego” and think you’re “all that”. Just being real. There are all kinds of people in the world. Each one unique and beautiful in God’s sight.

In 1 Samuel 16, God tells Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons because He has rejected Saul as king. Samuel goes to Bethlehem to make a sacrifice and invites Jesse and his sons. Here’s the thing, all Jesse’s sons were there except for David, the youngest. Samuel thought God was choosing one of Jesse’s other sons but listen to what God says. 1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭ says, ”But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”” (NLT‬‬)(emphasis added) God ended up choosing David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons to be King of Israel.

God’s selection process is not like ours. We tend to look at the outward man, but God looks at the heart. God has created us. We are His masterpiece. Psalms 139: 13-14 says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. (NLT) Why don’t we go ahead and decide that God knows what He’s doing? If He made us with whatever features, it’s part of His masterpiece! I think we ought to praise Him because we are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. Believe what Go says and the noise of the world is quieter. Try it!

Another thing I notice is, people can be so fixated on their problems and issues that they begin to “own” them and allow them to “define” who they are. Let me gently say this, you are NOT defined by your self imposed or professionally imposed “labels”. You have to deal with certain issues and situations, Yes! However, you aren’t defined by them. Let me give you an example from my own life. I don’t label myself as deaf and blind. Do I meet the legal description of that label? Yes! Do I own it? Certainly NOT! So how do I manage? I say, “I have some visual and hearing issues, I can hear some and see some too.” Does that make sense? See, in taking this perspective of me and my “abilities” I’m not limiting myself to a ”labels set of things I can and can’t do”. Why choose this stance in life? I’ll tell you why, God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. (PS139:14) God says we can do all things through His strength not our own. (Philippians 4:13) It’s not about you or me! It’s about God! Let’s stop letting our finances or lack there of define us. Let’s stop allowing depression to define us. The Joy of the Lord is our strength. ( Nehemiah 8:10) Let’s stop letting our culture say we are or are not good enough. Who cares what people think? All that matters is what God thinks and let me tell you something, He thinks you are amazing because He formed you just the way you are. Rise up people and stop living in despair. Greater is HE who is in you than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

I think I will stop here. That’s a good bit of self examination for one day. I pray the Holy Spirit will guide you in all truth and reveal to you how He sees you. You are so loved. God wants us to rise up out of the “holes” of life we fall n. Let’s ignore the lies of the enemy. God has chosen you because He delights in you. Look in the mirror and say “ God has me in (whatever the situation is) but HE IS GOING TO GET ME THROUGH IT! I”M COMING OUT THE OTHER SIDE STRONGER and GLORIFYING GOD FOR ALL HE IS DOING!” Trust Him! Be blessed and better yet Be a Blessing! If you know someone struggling, feel free to share this with them. All Glory to God!