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There is Safety in Trusting the Shepherd {No Matter What Monday}

May 8, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

This week’s devotional is a guest post from Glenna Marshall. She’s one of my favorite writers, and I’d love for you to check out more of her writing over on her blog. She’s also just released her first album, Hold Fast, which is filled with beautiful music and biblical encouragement. We’re giving away a free digital download of her album on Instagram today–come check it out!

Of all the arguments I’ve had in my life, this one was a doozy.

I had jokingly attempted to play devil’s advocate with my friend, but it backfired when my pointed questions about life goals erupted into a full-blown fight about why she would achieve her goals NO MATTER WHAT.

I left the heated conversation wondering what I could have said differently about an obviously sore subject. I had only wanted to encourage her to keep her hands open.

In the past 13 years of infertility, illness, and broken dreams, I’ve learned to hold loosely to long term goals, so I worry when I see people I love white-knuckle their grip on a neatly planned future the way I did. The process of opening a tightly closed fist is a tough one, but sometimes God’s plans diverge starkly from our own. And that divine unclenching of our hands can be the course we need to walk in order to treasure Him more than any goal or accomplishment.

Though I’ve fought against the call to hold loosely many times, the truth is that my years of brokenness have turned up more joy and deep trust in the Lord than I could have ever drafted had I been the architect. Suffering and crushed hopes seem like the harder path. But Scripture teaches us that it is through suffering that we learn our Savior’s nearness and character. We may not understand His path, but there is safety in trusting the Shepherd. If God’s plans sometimes allow us to walk a shadowed valley, then we can see the gift of His rod and His staff, knowing with certainty that He is with us (Psalm 23).

No matter what you face this week, there is safety in trusting the Shepherd.

God is Not Surprised {No Matter What Monday}

May 1, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

Every May 1 for the last ten years, my friend Katherine has heard a knock on her door. She opens the door and feigns surprise when she finds flowers, calling out so the hiding children can hear: “What is this? Who could have left these here?”

My children cover their mouths to stifle their giggles, then nod at each other that it’s time. They run out shouting, “It’s us! Happy May Day!”

Katherine knows we’re coming every May 1. The tradition started more than three decades ago when I hid behind a tree in her front yard every May Day, holding back my laughter as she wondered loudly who left the flowers at her door.

Just as our May Day visit is no surprise to Katherine, God’s Word says our suffering should be no surprise to us. We saw two weeks ago in John 16:33 that Jesus told the disciples to expect trouble in this world. One of those disciples later wrote about suffering to believers who were experiencing it:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Be encouraged, friend. We can face suffering without fear, because God isn’t scrambling to figure out what went wrong. He’s not surprised or caught off guard by the trial that’s come upon you. He has a plan to use it for your good and for His glory, which will be fully revealed when Christ returns. You can rejoice because Christ suffered for you, so that one day you will be free of suffering forever.

No matter what you face this week, God is not surprised by your suffering.

Christ Has Overcome the World {No Matter What Monday}

April 17, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

On November 11, 1918, representatives of France, Germany, and Great Britain met in a railroad station in France to sign an armistice agreement and end the fighting in “the war to end all wars.” They signed the agreement at 5:00 a.m. with the stipulation that the fighting would end six hours later – at 11:00 a.m..

I wonder why they didn’t stop fighting immediately. I suppose in those days, it took time for word to spread throughout the Western Front. At 5:00 a.m., everyone knew Germany had been defeated by the Allies and celebrations started around the world. But for the soldiers in the field, the war wasn’t over. There were thousands of casualties that day as the fighting continued.

We are living in a time similar to those six hours in 1918. When Jesus walked out of the grave, God declared victory over sin, evil, and death. Satan knows he’s been defeated, but he’s not ready to stop fighting. We’re caught in the crossfire—living in the tension between the “already” and the “not yet” of God’s victory.

We say, “Where, O death, is your sting?” but still weep at the graveside of those we love. We read that the power of sin over us has been broken, and yet we confess with the apostle Paul that we keep on sinning (Romans 7:15-8:2).

Jesus knew we would suffer as the battle continues to rage, and so He told His disciples:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

We have peace because our hope isn’t in our own power to triumph. We trust in the One who has already conquered. Through our trials and our struggles, we can have confidence in this: God wins.

Take heart, friends. No matter what you face this week, Christ has overcome the world.

Be Still {No Matter What Monday}

April 3, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

I’ve had some stressful driving experiences, but nothing comes close to the time I was lost in Brooklyn, New York, during rush hour on a Friday afternoon. I took the exit into Brooklyn and needed to cross several lanes in a short distance to make a left turn and stay on my predetermined route. (This was in ancient times, before GPS and phones with map apps!)

But it was New York, not Arkansas. Not even the driver with a front license plate identifying him as a priest would let me pull in front of him. I didn’t make it to the left turn lane, and I was lost. My surroundings terrified me, and I didn’t know how to find my way to safety. All I had was a paper map, panicked tears, and desperate prayers.

Sometimes life feels similar to those jam-packed streets of Brooklyn. We’re confused and overwhelmed as we struggle to find our way . But Psalm 46 tells us we have a refuge in times of fear:

“‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:10-11)

When I hear the words “be still,” I’m reminded of the relief that washed over me as I parked in front of my friend’s Brooklyn apartment. Her knowledge of the city protected me from panic and fear as I blissfully followed her around the city. Her presence was a refuge in an environment that felt scary when I was alone.

When life feels chaotic and confusing, I can be still. I know the One who knows all things. He is God—I am not. He is with me, and He is my fortress. He will show me the way.

Whatever you face this week, you can be still and trust the One who knows the way.

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