Wounded in the House of Friends

Zechariah 13:6 exposes an issue which honestly causes me distress when I consider it carefully. A prophet is asked, "What are these wounds in thine hands?" He replies, "Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." Use of the possessive, my, reveals the extent of pain in his pronouncement.

Friends love and are loved. They're trusted. There is an expectation of absolute loyalty. It is difficult to acknowledge, my friend hurt me. We know what to do with physical wounds. Certainly clean, apply ointment, bandage and give them time to heal. Do everything possible to avoid infection. Emotional pain is tough. How do we deal with a heart that is broken by someone we've allowed to touch it?

Think about this for a moment. Judas likely spent every waking moment with Jesus. They ate together. Christ washed his feet, yet, he betrayed Him with a kiss, to people who would kill Him (Luke 22). The betrayal was expected but painful anyway. Tamar never saw hers coming. She was raped by her brother Amnon when he deceived her into a compromising position by pretending to be ill. Afterwards, he put her out and locked the door (2 Samuel 13). Finally, King David's son, Absalom, conspired and took the throne from him. David ran to avoid being killed by his child (2 Samuel 15-19). Each scenario was an emotional minefield, and responses varied. Jesus surrendered and was tortured and killed. Tamar withdrew and became desolate, beyond redemption. David's heart was broken, but he fought to regain his throne. I am not sure how I would have reacted in any of these situations. 

A thirteen-year-old (I will call her Sheila) whose arms were covered in cigarette burns confessed that she put fire on her skin when the hurt in her heart was too much to bear. The physical pain momentarily dulled emotional trauma. I've been thinking of this because I feel an urgency to survive and properly manage painful processes. In my reflections on the matter, one thing is certain. If I focus on the wound, I will never get beyond it. To what then should I give the most energy? I decided, when my eyes are fixed on healing, that's what I'll move towards. 

Friendly fire is horrible and can be fatal if after care is not thoughtful. It requires a commitment to focus on healing although you are in pain. Be honest about what you are going through. You will need a support system (preferably a small but strong one) because there are times when they will have to hold you together until you can stand on your own. You address issues of the heart well when you also deal with your mental and spiritual state. If the mind and spirit are aligned, you are better positioned to handle the emotional roller coaster. 

Pray. Read the Psalms for examples of how David talked to God during his process. Forgive. It doesn't mean staying in relationship with those who have hurt you but forgiving allows you to let go. Letting go helps with healing. No matter the challenge, you can do this. You are not alone, and I am praying for you.

Bitten By The Bug

I have been bitten - by the writer's bug that is - and I cannot shake the symptoms of this windfall. My fingers will not stay still for a minute. My mind has created a folder of thoughts and concepts not yet typed. They are being stored at a rapid rate, and have reached a capacity that is threatening to overflow if I don't do something about it.

The Editor has been working on the "Pour The Oil" manuscript for exactly 6 days and I am itching to get back to writing. Clearly this is the season to accomplish this part of my purpose - to pen stories and principles that are destined to help those who are hungry for and have been prepared to receive them. I am ready for the words to begin pouring onto a page.

Today, I started the companion book to "Pour The Oil". It is a forty day Devotional. I am pretty excited about it. Stay tuned for more updates.

You Better Work!

Everyday, when you awake, you make a decision to get up, get yourself ready, and go. God just encouraged me this morning by reminding me of this fact. He said, "It is that simple. Make a decision everyday to serve with joy and gladness. Make a decision to complete whatever you start. Make a decision to win. All you need is a decision."

When you make a decision to get up, your brain communicates with your body and your body moves. If you decide to get ready to go, you prepare (find an outfit, take a shower, shave or put on makeup). You get the picture right? Corresponding action is necessary. To decide to do a thing requires both commitment and follow through. 

Are you willing to pay the price for your success? That is a loaded question, but it is unrealistic to have the expectation that simply deciding will make things happen. I am a part of the "you" that I'm talking to today, because there are times when I have to become a cheerleader and self-motivate. You have to sacrifice to bring the vision to life.

Sometimes I am wearied by the process, but I know that stopping is not an option. I regroup, refresh and keep moving toward my goal. There is no time out in a race - no hold on a minute - let me get myself together moment. Keep running until you reach the finish line, or you will become disqualified. Thank God this process is not a race. 

Don't focus on people in the other lanes, pay attention to your assignment. Runners are aware of the people running with them, but they are not turning around to see what others are doing. They run to win. They keep their eyes on the goal. Sometimes you make a decision, but when you see others who appear to be closer to achieving what they set out to do, you lose focus and become discouraged. Don't do that. Your work is your work. That is your focus. It is that simple, and I am grateful. 

Decide today that you will be a success. Understand that the journey is not always easy. Commit to achieving your goals, and whatever you do - don't.give.up. Your reward is coming, but to see it, you better work.

Mission Focused

I was reading Matthew 14 recently and was INSPIRED. John the Baptist had just lost his head, and Jesus was so upset when He heard that He withdrew from everyone, got into a boat and went to a deserted place. His grief did not shroud his anointing though. As a matter of fact it somehow seemed to stir it.  As he was trying to find solitude to grieve, others who had heard of the miracles He'd done began following Him, and His heart was filled with compassion for them. He healed others while He was hurting. He fed and served them, and when He was done giving of Himself went alone to pray.

As Jesus was still grieving He encouraged and comforted the disciples. He kept teaching and performing miracle after miracle. This was such an inspiration that I kept reading all the way through to Chapter 17.  It was in that Chapter that He was transfigured before them, when His face shone like the sun, His clothes became dazzling white, and He spoke to the disciples of the injustice of John's death. I believe it was on His mind the whole time, but He kept moving, working, teaching, transforming.

Sometimes the cares of life can wear us down so, cause us to want to shrink and hide until they are all over, but as I read these stories they made me want to STAND in the face of any adversity I would face and represent Him well. He did say that we "are the light of the world---like a house on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." 

There isn't anything you can't face with Him by your side. Resolve today to be mission focused, to "let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Sometimes you have to encourage yourself like David did - and at the end of the day get alone with God and pour your heart out to Him. He will restore you and give you added strength for the journey.

2012 is your year to SHINE. Stand strong and mission focused.