Design for Life

Mountain View - Stealing Your Breath With Views of the Heart of God

A week and a half ago, I traveled to Ozark, Missouri to attend my favorite women’s conference – Designed For Life.

Highlight video and info about next year's conference:
http://designedforlifeconference.org/


Standing near the front on opening night worshiping with 3,000 other women with eyes closed, I opened my eyes to see one of the lead pastors of that church standing in front of me looking directly at me. She touched my arm and asked, “How can we pray for you? God led me to you, and I want to know how I can pray for you.” How she saw me in that crowd of thousands, I do not know - or perhaps I do.

About a year ago, I became very intentional about finding healing from some extremely difficult challenges. Bitterness was not an option. I desperately wanted to be better and had been praying that God would remove all hardness of heart from me. In a year's time, I had made a lot of progress and actually thought I was doing pretty darn good. But when the pastor asked that question with genuine love, tears started to flow. She and another woman prayed over me and before going back up on stage she said, “Be all here this weekend. Be all here.”

When something like that happens, you begin wondering what God is up to. One of the things He showed me that weekend was that I had been holding a piece of my heart back from him. Now you have to understand that I have a fierce devotion to God and holding any part of my heart back was not like me – but he was right. I had been so deeply damaged that I had been guarding the deepest parts of myself from him. There was anger too because I felt he hadn’t shown up or defended us in particular circumstances. Making myself vulnerable to him (to anyone) again was a terrifying thought. I wasn't completely free yet, and was still in bondage to some pain.

Let me just tell you, God showed up in big, big ways that weekend. The speakers’ messages hit home - building upon each other and fitting together perfectly.  

John Lindell's (Lead Pastor) blog about this year's conference
http://johnlindell.net/?p=181

One of the speakers, Nancy Alcorn, reminded us that God has called us to freedom. She urged us to appropriate the truth of Christ's freedom in our lives, and to use our lives to draw attention to God - instead of using our problems to draw attention to ourselves. At the end, she asked us to stand if we would commit ourselves to embracing freedom and the future God has for us. I stood.

"He is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

God answered my prayers. My desire was for complete healing, and He knew exactly what was needed to move in that direction. He pursued me that weekend and helped me give my heart wholly to him again. I can tell you today, “It feels so good to be back home where I belong.” 

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

So here’s something for you to think about:

God's design for your life is wholeness, freedom, and fullness of life. (Deuteronomy 30:19; John 10:10; James 1:3; Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:21). Is there a piece of your heart that you're holding back from Him? Is there a place you're guarding? Can you admit to that today? How can you begin making your way home again? How can you get intentional about moving into the freedom, wholeness, and life He has called you to? Maybe for you it will simply begin with the decision to become better - not bitter - and to trust God to get you there.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5

With Great Confidence in the Character of God . . .
Lisa ~

At His Feet

Mountain View - Stealing Your Breath with Views of the Heart of God

Many of you are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha - sisters who were personal friends of Jesus. One day when Jesus was visiting, Martha (a great hostess) was naturally busy in the kitchen “distracted with all the preparations that had to be made” while Mary lounged at Jesus’ feet listening to what he had to say. Martha became indignant. She went to Jesus and demanded that he do something about her sister. “Tell her to help me!” she said. Jesus patiently informed Martha that Mary had "chosen what was better."

For the most part, this story teaches us the importance of setting aside distractions and busyness to spend time with Jesus. I’d like to suggest that there may be something more.

The rabbis of that day believed it was inappropriate for women to learn. They interpreted Deuteronomy 11:19 to mean “and you shall teach them (words of God) to your sons and not your daughters.” Deuteronomy 11:19 actually says, “Teach them to your children . . .”

And “Rabbi Eleizer is quoted as saying, “They shall burn the teachings of Torah rather then convey them to women” (ySot 3.4, 19a). Rabbi Eliezer also stated, “A woman has no wisdom except in handling her spindle, for it is written, ‘And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands.'” (From the book Every Woman in the Bible by Sue and Larry Richards; copyright 1999 by Lawrence O. Richards)

So culturally, Mary’s actions were extraordinary and bold. She had stepped over the line, out of her comfort zone, and into unknown territory - but she didn’t care. While Martha was distracted and busy, Mary was focused on one thing - the heart of Jesus. She loved him and wanted nothing more than to drink in every word he said.

In Luke 10:41 Jesus noted that Martha was upset and worried about many things. Martha understood and embraced the traditional roles of women in Jewish society. Could it be that she was upset about more than just the fact that her sister wasn’t helping her? Is it possible that she was upset because Mary had stepped outside the culturally acceptable boundaries that had been established for women of that time? Was she frightened and embarrassed to see Mary act this way? Was Martha really asking Jesus to put Mary in her place?

In verse 42 Jesus replied, “Only one thing is needed” and “Mary has chosen what is better.” He also said, “and it will not be taken from her.” What do you think he meant?

" . . . for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15

“He (Jesus) replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

 Martha saw a woman’s role (as defined by society) as being “better”. She most likely believed that she and Mary should stick to that role.

When Jesus said Mary had chosen what was better, he wasn’t denigrating a woman’s role in the home. We all know that a woman’s role in the home is crucial to the health and well-being of her family.

In this passage, Jesus was simply affirming women and inviting them to something new and wonderful – studying scriptures and learning directly from Him (i.e., sitting at his feet). His view was in direct opposition to the views of the religious leaders.

In this story it's important to recognize Jesus’ deep love for women. He values their company and wants them to know him personally. Their spiritual development is extremely important to him. He has a fervent desire to teach each of us individually. Bottom line: He's sweet on us girls!

What about you? Do you spend time “sitting at his feet” as you pray and study the Bible? Depending on the part of the world you live in . . . or the college you attend . . . or the culture around you . . . or the family you’re a part of . . . it may take courage. You may have to step across the line and out of your comfort zone. You might be ridiculed and it might even be dangerous. But the reward is more than worth it! You will encounter the very real, very safe, and very loving, Jesus Christ.   

With great confidence in the character of God . . .
Lisa ~