Isaiah 26:3

There are so many great verses in Isaiah, which is why I decided to pull this week's verse from this beautiful book again!

Isaiah 26:3 ~ "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You."

This simple verse just kind of hit me when I read it today. Oftentimes, I will go over something in my head again and again, letting it consume me and control my attitude or emotions. It's extremely humbling to think how often I don't trust God to work things out in my life. I try to do it all myself and have zero peace about it. When I give it to God, an act that should occur daily, not only does he give me peace about it, but he also works through the situation in a way that exceeds my expectations each and every time. When will it finally sink in that I can have perfect peace by keeping my mind steadfast and trusting in God? Easier said then done, I know, but I believe God honors those who set their feet on the path of steadfastness, despite the fact that stumbling will occur.

'Tis the season

In anticipation of the expenses of college books, I got a job at Target this winter break. I was placed in the food service area, which means that I ring up and make up the different food orders. Customers, or "guests" as we employees are instructed to call them, range from patient and very polite to extremely rude and condescending. 

I find it interesting that this time of year, which is supposed to be filled with Christmas cheer and joyfulness, is drastically replaced when shopping with the feeling that everyone is trying to make a deadline. I'm not going to harp on the commercialism or the loss of Christianity in Christmas, but I do want to pass along a reminder that a "guest" gave to me the other day.

The other day an older woman approached the counter. I smiled and said my usual line of "What can I get for you?" She smiled in return but did not answer with words. Instead, she touched her hand to her ear and to her mouth while shaking her head. She then placed her hand on the counter and imitated the motion of writing.

Following her initiative, I grabbed a paper and pen and handed them to her. She wrote down what she wanted, and I gave her some information and then the price of her order. After filling her order, she gave me a sweet smile of thanks before walking away.

I couldn't help but think about that interaction afterward. This woman seemed so calm, so patient with life. She didn't seem at all flustered with the process of crazy Christmas shopping. I wondered how long she has been deaf. Maybe she was born deaf? Or did something happen that caused this silence?

I thought what it would be like, especially during this season. What would it be like to not be able to sing Christmas carols? What would it be like to not be able to say Merry Christmas to family and friends? What would it be like to not be able to hear the story of the birth of Jesus Christ?

As simple as it sounds, this woman reminded me of how much I take for granted. I am ashamed to say that I can grow numb to hearing the story of the birth of our Savior, because I've heard it so many times. I can also easily zone out while listening to a sermon or even while singing Christmas songs.

How does that happen? How can the most extraordinary event that has ever taken place become so common that I do not fall on my knees and praise God whenever I think about it? I don't really have an answer, but I do have a reminder from a kind old lady in Target. She reminded me that I need to stay calm and patient in a world of chaos. She also reminded me that I cannot take anything for granted. Because, despite the fact that singing some Christmas carols and listening to a sermon seem like simple things to do, they are really incredible things when given the alternative.        

Isaiah 41:9

 I absolutely love this verse! It's hard for me to pick a favorite verse, but this one definitely makes the top 10:

Isaiah 41:9 ~ "I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you." 

I love how the book of Isaiah displays the forgiveness of God. It is amazing how often God's people ignored him and worshiped other gods despite all the times he showed himself to them. It is even more amazing how often God showed the people his forgiveness. This verse is such a reminder that, despite my sin, God has chosen me. He didn't choose me because I was the best or because I was a convenient choice. God reached to the farthest corners and the ends of the earth for me. What I love most about this verse is that, despite the fact that God knows my every sin and knows me better than I know myself, he has not rejected me. That is something I will always find comfort with.   

Patience is a virtue

The best things in life are worth waiting for. All things come to him who waits. Patience is a virtue. These are all sayings or quotes that people hear or say hundreds of times throughout life. They're easy to throw out there when needed, but they can be really frustrating to hear.

I am an extremely impatient person. Long red lights drive me crazy, and unless I really want or need something, I won't wait in a line that's too long. I'm trying to be better, but this patience thing is tough.

It is also hard for me to be patient about the major things of life, such as the future. I have often told God it would be really convenient for him to either work on my time table or just send me a quick text letting me know what's coming. Unfortunately, he doesn't really work like that, and so I have to work on my patience just like the rest of the world.

There are certain things that I feel like I have been waiting my whole life for. Everyone has something like that in their life. There's that one thing that you have always had a desire for, but God hasn't brought it about yet. It seems like it is always in the back of your mind and heart, but some days it feels stronger than ever.

I read a verse the other day from the New Testament that said how Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. That sent me on a mission to find out how long Abraham had to wait before God fulfilled his promises. Abraham was 75 when God made his first promise, saying that Abraham would become a great nation. That's kind of hard to accomplish without any kids, so I can imagine how excited Abraham must have been, thinking that he and Sarah were finally going to be parents.

Fast forward 24 years. Sarah still has not had any children despite God's promise. If it had been me, I would've felt abandoned and angry at God for teasing me with a promise only to not fulfill it year after long year. But finally, God speaks about his promise again. He tells Abraham that he will finally be a father to Sarah's child...in another year. Talk about testing one's patience!

After reading up on Abraham and Sarah and how they had to wait 25 years from hearing God's first promise to the fulfillment of that promise, it gave me a new look on being patient. It showed me that God's timing is not my timing, but he is always faithful and always fulfills his promises.

Abraham and Sarah had their moments of impatience and frustration with God, but God was faithful in the midst of their impatience. And despite the fact that it can be cliche and an overused saying, the best things in life truly are worth waiting for.     

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Sometimes this is just the reminder that I need:

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ~ "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

These past couple weeks have been pretty stressful with classes ending and with finals. It's easy to get frustrated with the little things and think that nothing is going right, and things are just too difficult to deal with. But we're reminded that nothing can break us. No matter how tough life gets, we will not be destroyed. So as much as my finals can stress me out and perplex me, I won't be in despair! 

Habakkuk 2:3

Habakkuk was one of those books that I rarely read because I just didn't get it. Until, however, I heard a short sermon series on it that opened my eyes to what God was saying. Despite the fact that Habakkuk and God are talking about Judah, I find it very easy to relate this book to different areas of my life.

Habakkuk 2:3 ~ "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."

This verse reminds me of how faithful God is. No matter how long it's been since I've heard God's voice or since God fulfilled a promise to me, I can know with certainty that his timing is perfect. Whatever he has for me has its own appointed time. Despite the fact that I think certain areas of life take forever to get to and others take forever to get out of, I can have peace knowing that nothing ever lingers in God's timing. Nothing is ever late or false with God. However long you feel like the road has been, know that God's revelation for you will certainly come and will not delay!