Hand over the Spoiled Milk

The Lord has a unique way of teaching “adults” the reality of who they are through watching children. We often forget that we are mere infants, and if we happen to be “mature” we are still only children in the eyes of God. The fact that we are children is not only our reality, but also a command! “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus said it, Matthew 18:3 We are children, and called to have a childlike faith.

Back in February I found myself babysitting a little boy named, Sawyer. He was in that precious and hyperactive stage of his life where he happened to be two years old. I happened to be twenty and looking for some extra money and that is how our paths crossed.  I suppose looking back it was more divine of an appointment than I expected.

It was my first time watching Sawyer, I got to the house, introduced myself to the parents, you know the typical stuff. They told me if they needed anything to just call. Easy enough. I wasn’t expecting anything strange or abnormal to happen, and especially not for the Lord to drop a truth bomb on me that night. But it is what it is!

So I was watching this two year old boy, and he had grabbed a bottle off the counter that had milk in it. I didn’t know how old the milk was or when it had been poured that morning so I figured I would simply ask him to give me the bottle and I would just fill it up with some fresh milk! I mean sounds good right? Who likes drinking lukewarm, or possibly sour milk anyway!? I was just trying to make his little life better, like any good babysitter would.

I maturely and calmly ask for his bottle that way I can fill it up. The response I got was “mine.”

Alright, I can handle this, kids always do this. I will just tell him the milk is bad and I want to give him something better.

“Sawyer, give me the bottle, I am going to get you some new milk”

He responds again with some kind of “my” answer and we go into the drawn out ordeal of me getting the bottle away from him. You can imagine for yourself what that looked like haha.

As I am in the process of trying to get this bottle of milk away from Sawyer, the Lord so clearly began to speak to me. I heard myself saying, “give it to me, it’s not good for you. “ “Trust me, I have something better.” “I want to give you something new.”

The same words I was telling Sawyer I could hear the Lord speaking to me. The Lord’s gentle voice, “do you trust me?” “You know that isn’t good for you.” “I have something new.”

It was so profound. Right as I was speaking, God was speaking. Is this making sense? It was that moment of revelation where you are taken back, and you just KNOW God is in your midst. It made me cry a little too, or at least made my eyes tear up! The Lord was asking me some very important questions and challenging me to let go of some things I held dearly to my heart. It was hard, but I felt the heart of the father. I knew his motives were to protect me and give me something better.

So I want to break down this “Battle of the Bottle” in more detail.

Sawyer’s first mistake was thinking the bottle was his. It actually wasn’t his it belonged to his Parents. He didn’t pour the milk he was holding onto himself. His Mom or Dad poured the milk earlier that day, and the milk was good for a while but now it is bad. The point is Sawyer did not provide it for himself. It did not belong to him, so when he said “mine” he was mistaken. That bottle did not belong to him it belonged to his father. Sawyer should have been willing to hand over the bottle, because it was not actually his.

THE LORD IS OUR PROVIDER.  Nothing we possess is our own. (The blessedness of possessing nothing, it’s a gift to not possess anything but God) We do not own, or have rights to anything. The blessings we receive from God are still HIS. He gives things to us, but it is still his and The Lord has full rights to revoke things that we may begin to idolize or hold too closely to our hearts.

Don’t believe me? Look at Abraham and Isaac.

The Lord can give us things, that are good, but they can go bad. They can be good for a season, for a time. Just like Sawyers milk was good and healthy for a time, but then it went bad and would make him sick if he held onto it.  (This has MUCH more to do with our fallen human nature than the Lords faithfulness. God is not an Indian giver, if it is good, and glorifies him, you can keep it, but if it starts to get manipulated and you idolize the blessing the lord will be QUICK to strip it away. I am not trying to challenge the character of God with this point) We cannot hold onto things too tightly. We cannot begin to worship the “blessing” in place of worship for God. We cannot hold onto the blessing more than we cling to God. Does that make sense? Yes we may “love” the blessings God gives us, but we LOVE the father.  It is all about The Lord. When the Lord asks us to surrender/sacrifice something we should be quick and willing to do so because chances are, it wasn’t ours in the first place. We possess nothing but the Father.

What is THE LORDS that you are claiming to be YOURS?

Sawyer’s second mistake, not trusting me! I had just met sawyer probably a few hours before this “Battle of the Bottle” began. I mean I guess I can’t blame him, he had the right to be a little skeptical, I suppose. Why? He didn’t KNOW me. Sawyer is like, “who is this random girl who is trying to take my bottle from me?”  Sawyer didn’t know my character. He may have been having a hard time trusting me. If he had known my character, or we had a relationship longer than a few hours of knowing each other he might have been a little more willing to hand the bottle over. Sawyer needed to trust me that I had good intentions for him. 

Do you know the CHARACTER of God? If you don’t know that God is good isn’t it going to be hard to trust him? If you haven’t spent time with Him, building a relationship with Him, and learned that his character is kind, and loving, it might be hard for you surrender to him. Please, take time to get to know the creator of the universe! Read the bible, pray, spend time in his presence, I promise he won’t disappoint you.

He is a GOOD father! In fact he is the perfect Father.

Matthew 6:26 “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?” 

Matthew 6:28 “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?”

If the God of the ages cares for the Sparrow, and clothes the lilies and grasses in splendor, how much does he love you? How much more does our good father in heaven care about you?

Matthew 7:9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Do you have faith that God is good? At the center of what you believe about God what do you think of? Do you believe he has the best intentions for you, even when it is hard to give things up? Do you trust he will give you something better? 

It all came down to it in that moment Sawyer handed me the bottle. He had resolved in his heart that I was good and I was going to give him something better in return. Through Sawyer’s action of surrender it revealed what he believed in his heart. Sawyer trusted me and decided I was good. The lord wants us to be willing to do the same. To trust him. Even when it hurts. Resolve in your heart that God is a good Father.

Sawyer’s third issue. He couldn’t understand me. I was trying to tell him, give me the bottle and I will get you more milk, again, super simple right? It would have been simple if we had the same level of intelligence! But I was trying to communicate with a two year old. It didn’t work.

Picture telling him, alright you give me the bottle, I’m going to open it, you have to unscrew the lid, careful not to spill the milk that’s already in, pour it out. Then I am going to go to the fridge and get the milk out. I determine how much milk is in the gallon, and how quickly or slowly to pour it. Blah, blah blah.. 

Sawyer would not understand EVEN if I explained to him all the steps and how I was going to put some new milk in his bottle and give it back to him.  Why? Because my ways were higher than Sawyer’s ways, my thoughts were higher than Sawyer’s thoughts. Sound familiar? It’s biblical.

Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

The Lord’s thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours. The way The Lord is orchestrating our lives, is beyond all comprehension or understanding. We can never fully understand what God is doing, and that is why he is God. He is the Lord who stretched out the skies and he holds our lives in the palm of his hand. He is the perfect God, who is holy and lovely. Even when you don’t understand what he is doing, or asking you to do you, your response is to trust Him. 

John 3:12 “I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” This verse is so revealing. Half of the time we don’t even understand earthly things! How can we even begin to comprehend the heavenly realms!? We are incapable. We need a renewed mind by The Spirit of God! We need to be transformed to have the mind of Christ, to gain a heavenly perspective of the true realities around us. There is a war waging, and our eyes need to long to gaze on Christ, so we may begin to understand our current reality. We do not seek to understand this world, we seek to understand the kingdom of God. We must learn to trust God.

The Lord is not looking for a people who can figure him out. He isn’t looking for a people who always have to understand “why.” He is looking for a people who are obedient. That when he asks us to do something, we willingly say, “yes”. Why is our “yes” easy? Why is saying “yes” to God easy, even when the world thinks you are crazy for giving up seemingly good things? Why is saying “yes” to God easy when they say “you are being too radical”? Why is saying “yes” easy even when we don’t understand?

We say “yes” because we know we have a good father. 

Reflection Questions:

What is the Lords that he wants you to give back to him?

What does the Lord want you to surrender so he can refine and make better /renewed?

Or do you even trust God? (Not in a condemning way, you just haven’t experienced the goodness of the Father yet. God wants to reveal his goodness to you.)

Suffer On

I find it no coincidence that people can be walking through similar seasons of suffering together at the same time. The Lord provides relationships in order to help us share the burden of suffering. Just as Christ himself says, “come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest,” He provides a way for our burdens to be carried. Would we partner together in sharing the sufferings of Christ? We do not have a savior who is unable to relate. He has been tempted and tried in every way. Jesus is the ultimate one who gives us freedom, but it doesn’t hurt to have healthy community around pushing us to that freedom (which is Jesus). It is important to have a healthy community of peers, and elders who will speak life into us!

Humans are built for community. We need social interaction! Being in Relationship with others is needed for the prosperity of any person. Our emotions produce a longing within us to be in community with others. We are called to be loved and wanted. It’s normal and it’s good.

I have noticed over the past year or so, whenever I am facing some kind of obstacle or trial there is a peer or someone near me who may be facing the same thing. Again this is not by accident. The Lord provides people to help carry our burdens. Sometimes it might take a little searching to find someone who is facing the same obstacles as you, but The Lord is faithful in leading you to someone.

If you are struggling and don’t know where to turn or you are overwhelmed I would suggest to start talking about it. How will people know that you aren’t doing well if you never share? So many times I have run into random people at a prayer meeting, or some kind of church event, or who knows where, and realized there are other people dealing with the same challenges that I am. The opportunities for fellowship presented just by being open and willing to share how you are REALLY doing will surprise you. The Lord will bring people into and out of your life for specific reasons, in different seasons!

When we discuss God with others we are strengthened. Our faith is built up and the body is edified! When you get together in community and talk about God, we often find things line up. The Lord is speaking the same thing to his people and it is so cool to watch it unfold before our eyes. When you start talking about God, He reveals more of his character to us through his community. We begin to share revelation of who our God is. We begin to share testimony of how the Lord has been good to us and in turn everyone who hears is strengthened. We will overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.

Back to suffering. There are times in our lives where we feel completely alone, there won’t always be someone there to hold our hand through the specific ordeals we face. Each one of our lives is unique and the stories will continually take unexpected and twists and turns. Although we may not be able to fully relate to one another’s struggles 100% we have the unique ability to support one another in a more general sense and that is through the unity we have in Jesus. We know life is going to knock us down. We know that we are going to be offended. We know we will be wronged, lied about, back stabbed, etc. Name the trouble we have all experienced it to some degree. We know we are going to face trials and hardships of many kind, we have been told that through scripture.  It is no surprise. We are all in this crazy life together. We have all been put on earth for such a time as this. We are called to encourage and uplift one another. Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” The days are evil, we have an enemy that is prowling around like a roaring lion ready to devour. It sucks!! It’s hard, this world is a tough place to live in. That’s why as the body we need to be focused on being a support for one another versus a hindrance! The last thing we want to do as the body of Christ is not take care of our brother and sisters. So when we see someone going through difficult times, stop and give them a hand and encouragement.

Here is a big chunk of Galatians 6 but it is describing how we should live as the body.

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Sprit, should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, ESPECIALLY to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:1-10

We are called to restore gently. To be uplifting and kind with our words, that it would benefit anyone who is to hear what we speak of others. We need to restore people gently.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Wow what does that even mean!? We get to fulfill the Law of Christ. We can play a part in that by caring for each other and taking on one another’s sufferings to help support and let them endure. Cool! I want to learn more about that concept of fulfilling the Law of Christ and the part we play in that as His inheritance and advancing his kingdom.

Do not be weary in doing good! You will reap a harvest! Do not give up! Even when life is dragging you down and you have that moment, that option to cheat a little, to just get by the way the world does, or you feel entitled because you have been having a crappy day, week, month or year, keep doing good! Keep pressing on, continue to turn the other cheek because you WILL be rewarded. This is the way of the kingdom, you reap what you sow. Keep on pressing on. Do not be weary in doing good for there will be a harvest! Don’t give up. The reward is Christ Himself! The reward is the surpassing greatness of the knowledge of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. Seek his presence, be found in him. Live in the secret place of His presence.

Lastly let us do good to all people. ESPECIALLY to those who belong to the family of believers.

Here is a question for us, do we sometimes treat people outside of the church better than our brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we feel like ministering to the lost and broken is more important than clothing the person sitting next to us in church service? How can we get this idea of loving one another right, if we don’t even love the people well who are right in front of us? Sometimes I wonder what our motivation is. Lord what are my motives? Is it easier or more glamorous to go do “homeless” ministry and give myself some kind of pat on the back when the person next to me in church is having a really bad day and I am not even taking the time to stop and pray and encourage them? It’s all a balance but do you see what I am saying? It is scary how “conditional” my love can be. It’s like,” I will love who I want to, when I want to, when it is convenient”.  “I planned on going downtown to love on homeless people tonight God, not the girl crying in the corner at church.”

Just an example but I am trying to reveal the heart motive there. Sometimes we pick and choose how we want to love. It’s not okay. We shouldn’t choose favorites with who we are willing to minister to. People are people. If we ignore the command, love your neighbor as yourself, we are missing it. We are called to love all people, at all times. It is not a matter of picking and choosing what your “ministry” is. We are called to be priests to all people! The main point I want to make here is MOTIVE. If we go out to love on people down town, but we are unwilling to love the unlovable right in front of us, ultimately that love we are displaying is coming out of our own strength and motives and will be depleted in a short amount of time. Our love is conditional when we pick and choose who to love. We are called to love unconditionally.

So that ties back into “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Let’s not ignore our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering right in front of us. Let us not get distracted from the needs in our community and the people who are crying out for support and help.

My pastor recently mentioned something about “getting down in the pit with people.”

We don’t like doing that do we? Haha Picture it! Someone in a pit, wet, with mud all over them. We have the tendency to stand on the edge of the pit in some kind of white blazer and white plans (we don’t want to get dirty), or business suit, and throw a rope over and are asking them to climb out. We yell down, “I know you are wet, I know you are weighed down by all that mud, even heavier than you were before, I know you are exhausted, yes I know,  but can’t you just get it together? Muster up the strength and pull yourself out! Come on use those arms! I threw you a rope what else do you want me to do?” Should we throw them a rope, or get down in the pit with them? Get down there and push them up. Get below them. Serve. 

That seems a little more of like what Jesus would do to me. The servant of all, coming down into some kind of messy hole and saving everyone. Go Jesus!

He has shown us the way to be the greatest. Be the least. Leave your White Blazer at home, don’t be afraid to get your White Washed Tomb a little dirty on the outside. We are all messy. Let’s help each other out. No one has it all together.

I think I made a mistake recently with this. I didn’t understand that you don’t have to fix people. (I did logically but my actions didn’t portray that) Sometimes there is nothing to say, nothing can be said in times of suffering. Just cry. Just cry with them, weep with them, don’t try and make everything okay. Let God do what he does, The Lord does the healing. Just be with them. Suffer with them, and hold fast to the hope and truth that Joy does come in the morning. Everything has been made beautiful in its time.

Anyway, we find support through friends and peers who get down in the pit with us, but we also find encouragement from those who are older than us. It is that moment when you have your head down, and you are all pitiful and woe is me, then you see someone you admire and look up to, and they tell you it’s going to be alright. Then they share part of their testimony and you begin to actually believe them when they say it is going to be alright.

The mentor gives you a little insight into their life and similar trials they have faced and you realize they still love the Lord and are blessed and on fire for God and you are like, “huh, I guess it isn’t the end of the world after all?”

My advice to you is find someone older than you who can encourage you and give you that “Aha” moment. Find a mentor who will share their testimony and pull you off your butt and tell you “it’s gonna be alright.” After they tell you that, believe them! It is going to be alright. You can do it! We are all in this together, like that cheesy high school musical song.

Read the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. So many people have gone before you, So many people have suffered in the same way you are suffering. Join the body of Christ in our suffering! Welcome to the club, but it is all for the surpassing Greatness and glory of Jesus Christ our Lord. He is worthy of praise. Praise that comes out of our mouths motivated out of anguish and praise that is motivated out of joy. God is good all the time. The lord was good and faithful to those who have gone before you and he will be good and faithful to you! He is the same unchanging God! The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! He will provide. Everything is going to be just fine.

I’ll leave you with an encouraging word from the creator of the universe,

 “Take heart, for I have overcome the world” –Jesus.