Taking It to Work:
There’s a story told about a famous tightrope walker named Tipsy, who was planning to walk across the expanse of the Grand Canyon while pushing a fully loaded wheelbarrow. “I’m nervous,” he said to his biggest fan. “Nonsense Tipsy!” said the fan. “You are the greatest tightrope walker ever! You’re going to do great and amaze the world!” “Really?” said Tipsy. “Do you believe in me that much?”. “Absolutely!” said the fan. “That’s great!” said Tipsy, “I was looking for someone to sit in the wheelbarrow!”
It’s easy to say we have faith when there are no trials, or say we have peace when we’re taking no risk. But I can tell you that in my life, some of God’s greatest gifts were wrapped in some pretty sketchy wrapping paper. It’s been my experience, and that of many others, that God is much more interested in us moving forward with a strong faith in Him, than making us comfortable and safe with only a marginal faith. And that’s the challenge isn’t it? We want to be comfortable and safe. When we sense that God may be asking us to get into His wheelbarrow, that is where the true test of our faith is measured.
If we are Christ-followers, claiming His lordship in all we do, we are obligated to, as the old hymn goes, “trust and obey”. Where does His peace enter in when you see He might be leading you into a storm? It’s in the “trust” part. When you draw close, and believe His promises to be with you. When you contemplate how He has seen you through past storms. When you read and believe His Word, locking it in to your heart and mind, that is where the peace is. It’s in the strength of your faith. I encourage you, today’s scriptures are powerful verses to memorize and have at the tip of your tongue, especially if it’s time to get into His wheelbarrow.
When you own a business, and want to run it, overtly, for Him. When you feel He’s calling you to take that next scary step in your career. When your dealing with sleep-robbing work or financial pressures, but you know you have been faithful in following Him. When the wind and the waves are raging on His path for you, remember His words, “Peace, Be still”. Sometimes He will calm the storm. Sometimes though, through faith, the great calm will be in you, as His Word works in you, today.
Hebrews 11:8 (ESV) – By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Psalms 77:11 (ESV) – I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV) – And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
Mark 4:39 (ESV) – And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Rom 8:28 (ESV) – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
I Am He who has power over all things. I Am He in which you also claim great faith. Grace and forgiveness I extend, but also My power for peace that lives within you. Are you My follower? Then you have been given a reassurance that all will work for your good. Why then do you fear? Even the most treacherous way is safe within My hand. You may desire a smooth place, but My providence has much more for he who hears My call, and follows into the storm. The blessings of life are not the counterfeit comfort of the world. They are given from above in many a tattered wrapper, and in many cases with pain and difficulty that is unseen and misunderstood. My Word promises that all things work together for good to those who obey in the purpose and call set before them. A great orchestra of events plays all about you, and its melody is beyond the world and desires of men. Each note cares for My people, and even the most misunderstood measure plays together in the perfect symphony for those who love Me. Worry not My child. Your fear is misplaced. I own the storm. My Peace is with you in every torrent. Be still. I AM with you.
