Faith

Run, friend, run!

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I recently heard a message on running the race of faith faithfully. We are encouraged to run with our eyes set the finish line, looking for the prize. It was a message of encouragement, urging us to keep ourselves from the ways of the world, although we’re still being in it and reminding us of the tremendous cost the Lord Yeshua paid for us on the cross.

I have been thinking of this concept of a race since hearing the message. The book I am currently reading also reminds the readers of a very fundamental, yet transforming truth – the Lord Yeshua died for all our sins, past, present and future. He did it not because we are worthy or deserve another chance, but because He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever. As I read this book and ponder on the message I heard, I think of the movie “Forrest Gump”. Forrest was a young boy, who had braces on his legs because he couldn’t walk straight, let alone run. During one incident, when some children came to hit him and pick on him, his friend told him “run, Forrest, run!”. As his friend kept yelling that, he kept going faster and faster, looking ahead, until his legs started running and the braces broke off, allowing him to outrun the group of kids who wanted to hurt him. 

Just like Forrest’s leg braces, our past can hinder our walk, can hinder our race if we let it. It keeps popping up and pointing a finger at us. Perhaps your past haunts you and doesn’t give you rest. You did things you shouldn’t have, whether as a believer – knowing you shouldn’t be doing those things, or before you got saved and now you look back with shame and disgust at those things in which you once took pleasure and delight. Perhaps you know that God forgave you, but somehow your sense of guilt won’t allow you to forgive yourself. That is a wrong understanding of God’s grace. God’s morality is higher than ours. If He forgave you for murdering His only Son, would He not forgive you for what you have done in your life? 

You might say to me “well, you never lived in the world. You grew up in a believing family, never tasted those things. If you only knew what I’ve done, you would be looking back with shame and disgust as well”. To that I would answer that truly, I never lived “in” the world in the sense of experiencing everything the world has to “offer” concerning the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:16). By God’s grace, I grew up in a believing home that taught me the ways of the Lord from a young age. But, despite that, I had my struggles. I have feelings, emotions and thoughts like you, which are not always pure or pleasing to the Lord. But, I make every effort to submit them to God in repentance, knowing He is just to forgive and cleanses me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

If you feel you still have “braces” on your legs that prevent you from running His race as you should, God can free you from them. He can free you from the guilt and shame, from memories and pain of the past. God promised in His word that there is no condemnation for those who are in the Lord Yeshua (Romans 8:1). You are a new creation and God wants you to run the race looking forward, to Him, not back to where He took you from. 

Where do you see yourself in a few years? What do you see yourself doing? In the words of the message I heard, “where are you running to?” And as Forrest Gump said, “from that day on, if I was going somewhere, I was running!” It would be nice to join him, but even more so to join with the multitudes who are pressing on, despite the impediments and weights that slow us down.

© Hannah Kramer

There is a higher throne

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People disappoint. We have all experienced that kind of disappointment. We have certain expectations of people, think we know them and maybe even regard them as close friends. And then something happens that not only surprises, but disappoints us. And, the worst thing about the situation is that the people who did the offending or who disappointed us didn’t even realise that they did something wrong or improper, or failed to do what was reasonably expected of them.

Why is that? I think people often tend take others for granted, especially if it’s someone that they have know for years, or that they’re close to. Sadly, it is so easy to do and, if we’re honest with ourselves, we will admit that we all fail in that respect. One moment those people need you and are close to you. At another time they don’t and you aren’t beneficial to them now.  What would cause such a shift in relationships? The answer could be multi-faceted. Certainly, pride could blind them from saying so or even from realising it. But, they expect that when they need you again, you will spring into action for them. I think we’ve all experienced that? I certainly have – on both sides of the fence. At those times, when I am on the receiving end of the offense, I try my hardest to understand how this person could behave like this. I often find myself saying that I shouldn’t expect from people to behave in one way or another, so that I wouldn’t be disappointed when they don’t. But I think that attitude is wrong. People are not perfect and no matter how hard they try to be good, human nature is corrupt and, as a result, it will disappoint. The only questions are “when” and “under what circumstances”?

We have a tendency to exalt people and place them on a pedestal, even those we consider friends. But, shouldn’t we look to a higher throne – the throne on which the King of Kings sits, Who knows how we feel as people, as human beings. He knows how weak we are. We disappoint other people, but we sadden Him more by our sinful behaviour. I choose to look to Him who will never let me down, instead of to people. He knows our frame and despite our sinful nature, He longs to be gracious to us. At this season, we need to remember: our redemption is closer today than ever before. Let’s focus our eyes on the higher Throne, because He Who loves us with an everlasting love is seated there.

© Hannah Kramer

A Crown of Joy

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 “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away” Isaiah 51:11

I attended a young adults conference last week. It was a sweet time of fellowship with dear friends, a time for laughter, learning and worship well into the night.

The focus of the conference was God’s love. More specifically, it dealt with how God loves you and me and the implications of that to our lives. It is always good to be reminded of how God loves us. Have you truly considered that thought and begun to cry out of gratitude and love for your savior as a result? There were times I was so overwhelmed by God’s love me, my heart overflowed with joy and all I could do was cry from thankfulness.

From conversations during and after the conference, I know there were others who were touched as well by what we learned. We needed to be reminded that God loves us with an everlasting love, a love that transcends human love – a love that would never fail us and that we can lean on.

Some of those I spoke with had recently been through disappointments from people. Their hearts were hurt and only the Lord can reach out and heal the pain and comfort them. As we spoke, we were reminded that we are but vessels of clay, and that even if we get bruises and scars, we were Fashined by the Potter, and He would not let us get crushed.

I thought of the Song “Who Am I”, by Casting Crowns as I pondered on the events of the conference. I remembered a verse someone once shared with me, which greatly encouraged me. So I shared it with you now (at the top of this post). I encourage you to listen to the song and to consider that verse and, if you are going through a time of trouble, doubt, fear or uncertainty, be assured that He longs to adorn you with a crown of joy to replace the sorrow. It is not because of who we are, but because of what He is, a God of love. Not because of what we are, but because of who He is, Our God.

© Hannah Kramer

Who Am I – Casting Crowns

Crossroads

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“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:27)

I spent the weekend with some friends hiking and camping. It was a fun time, as well as sweet time of fellowship. After worship in the evening, some opened up about what they were going through in life, and a common theme that emerged was that many were at a crossroad. There were many decisions that needed to be made, some more important, some less important. Some of those decisions would affect their lives for the next several months, others for the next few years.

It was interesting how in a way we all reach a crossroad and, while we may know the general direction in which we want to go to, it’s the actual roads that need to be taken to get there, which are hard to choose. Sometimes, even the general direction is unknown.

I’m finishing my studies for a Master’s degree soon and am hoping to hand in my thesis in the next couple of weeks. It’s an exciting time, yet in a way both peaceful and frightening . I am glad to be finished with it, yet the road ahead seems a bit unclear. I am glad to have the extra time to do other things I need to get done or want to do. People keep asking me what my plans are for next year and what I want to do with my degree. Honestly, I don’t know. One friend described a decision she had to make for something she wanted to do during the summer. It would affect where she would live and work and it was hard for her to reach a decision. She half-jokingly said how easy it would be if God just sent her a note telling her what to do. I guess we all wish that in a way. It would be much easier to choose a job, studies, know who your spouse would be, where to go and what to do at every crossroad. Yet, God wants US to choose. Yes, He knows beforehand what and how we will choose, but He wants us to trust Him in the roads we take. After all, He didn’t create robots.

One verse that I remember learning as a child and which appears at the top of this post, was “let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid”. We all have concerns about the future, worries that we might take the wrong turn in the road, perhaps even fears. But God wants us to trust Him, not to be worried or afraid. I know this is easier said than done, but this is where faith comes in. My dad has a saying which exemplifies this perfectly: For All I Trust Him.

Whatever the crossroad you face right now, whether it is work, studies, having a spouse, traveling, or ________ (you fill the gap), know that God is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will show you which road to take. It may be before you reach the crossroad, or when you stand right at it.

Are you at a crossroad? If you were, what helped you decide what to do?

© Hannah Kramer

She Isn’t What She Once Was

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“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrew 11:31)

How often have we heard not to judge a book by its cover? That’s because we don’t know what we will see once we look inside. The hardness of the cover could easily conceal the softness of the story. This is abundantly true in the case of a book I just finished reading about Rahab, the Harlot. It was rather short and, although I finished it in two days, I keep thinking about her character. The story itself contained much speculation about her background, about what led her to hide the spies and how she met Salmone, her future husband. However, some of the ideas expressed in the book got me thinking about the things that are not mentioned in the Biblical account of Rahab.

How did the spies get to her house? How did she know they where spies? How did she hear all the stories of the Exodus and of what happened to them in the desert? What were her expectations for herself after the walls came down?

There are many questions I’d like to ask her. Yet, one thing is clear – she had faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. She knew God will give Jericho into the hands of Israel. God undoubtedly chose Rahab to welcome the spies and to encourage them. This is evident from her statement: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua 2: 8-11). But, He also chose her to bless her. Outwardly, she was a harlot according to profession in the flesh, perhaps rejected by society, captive in this way of life and longing to escape it. Inwardly, according to her profession of faith, she was a new creature, her heart being renewed and belonging to “God in heaven above and on earth beneath”, who, because of her faith, grafted her into His family. This sort of faith came about as she heard of the miracles and wonders God had performed (Rom. 10:17) and here was her chance to start afresh under the wings of the God of Israel. Many hear the truths of the Bible even today, yet few choose to believe. Rehab chose to believe. She knew that the battle was the Lord’s and that He God had already won the battle.

Rahab possessed a strong faith that many of her contemporaries, and ours, lack. Yet, she is still referred to as a harlot. I always thought it was some sort of an insult to her to mention her former profession. However, today, as I think of it, it is a testimony to God’s work of grace in her life. God showed His love for her by saving her life when Jericho fell and then went further by making her part of His people. God saw her heart beating with faith, admiration and love for Him and He rewarded her by making her a part of the lineage of the Messiah, the Lord Yeshua.

We are blessed because of Rahab’s faith. How many others will be blessed because of ours?

Keep your eyes on God

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“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness”. (Psalm 147:10-11)

How easy it is to look to man, to view some people as perfect, wishing we were like them, at times idolizing them and then being disappointed with ourselves for not being like them, How easy it is to expect people to be perfect. And then, when we see their flaws, we become disappointed with them, for not meeting up to the standards we think they should stand up to, or the standards that we set up.

I went mith my mom to a women’s meeting, where she was asked to speak on “Parenting and raising up children”. Among some of the things that came up as she taught was the dire need to teach the children and youth to know in Whom they believe in and why, and to realize the importance of fellowship. The women shared that the youth in that particular congregation was almost none existent. The members of that fellowship have teenage children, but the problem is that they no longer want to come to fellowship. This poses a serious concern for the future of that congregation. The women shared that it wasn’t always this way. It is only in recent years, after this generation saw conflicts and inconsistencies between what the people said and what they did that the problems began to arise there. The parents and friends that they trusted and followed for so long, left them broken, upset, confused and doubting.

Disappontment from people! I’m sure everyone has experienced it at one time or another. I certainly have. We see people behave in ways we don’t understand and we become upset at them, sometimes even very upset. It can even result in our becoming upset with God. Why? Is it because deep down, we expect them to be perfect? Maybe. Perhaps we have an expectation that believers should be perfect. Well, that’s not the case. Our faith doesn’t make us perfect and flawless. We err, we make mistakes, we don’t always do things right. But, for the most part, we’re trying to do what is right. As human beings, we won’t be perfect until we meet the only One who is perfect, our savior, the Lord Yeshua. We are still in the process of being conformed to His image and likeness. But, this transformation cannot done by us in our own wisdom, or by our own strength. It can and will be accomplished only by the Holy Spirit working in us.

So why do we still become disappointed from people? Maybe the question should be, “Why do we look to people?” I have expectations from people. I expect that when they need to do something, they’ll do it. I expect that when something needs to be dealt with and taken care of, that the right thing will be done by the right people and in the right way – regardless of circumstances or what people say or do.

Being disappointed is natural. There is nothing wrong with it in and of itself. However, the problem lies deeper, in where we set our eyes. I have heard of people whose disappointment in people resulted in them leaving the fellowship of believers and then turning away from the faith. Disappointment can come from how believers talk, how they relate to one another, judge one another, patronize one another and because they gather in exclusive “clicks”. I recently heard of a young man who is still in high school and dating non-believers. When he went to a youth camp once, he was so repulsed by the behavior of the youth, he decided to look to the world for friendships. He said that the girls he dated behaved more civilized than those who claimed to be believers. Do you see the danger of setting your eyes on man? It can make you decide that because believers act a certain way, they reflect what God is like and then anger and frustration are turned against God.

It is okay to have expectations. But we need to set our eyes on God and keep them there. We need to push forward and fight the good fight of faith for God. He will never disappoint you. The teenagers from the beginning of this post have set their eyes on people. They were hurt and they had a right to feel upset and disappointed. But, if the basis for their coming to fellowship was people, then the basis was wrong and unstable to begin with. Congregation fellowship should bring about growth in faith, hope and love (Heb. 10:22-24). That’s why we should encourage one another not to forsake being in fellowship.

Keeping our eyes on God can also help us in our behavior towards others. Do we seek to please man, do we want others to see “how good we are”, or “how talented”, or do we want to be “part of the group”? Or, is my motivation to please God, to revere Him, and wait for His lovingkindness? In both situations, when people are the ones we look to, what eventually happens is comparison. I compare myself to someone else, either because I want to be like them – or I want to be better than them. Both are wrong, since the only one we should desire to be like is Messiah Yeshua. And we need to be like Him. We need to be careful not to compromise on Biblical principles and to conform to what the world tries to mould us into. God doesn’t accept us because you’re popular, successful or good looking. He accepts us because of our faith in the blood of the Lord Yeshua that was shed for us. We are His workmanship and He made us for His glory.

If we are still looking to people today instead of looking to God, we need to change the focus of our attention and the direction of our eyes. As the prophet Micah said: “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me”. (Micah 7:7).

© Hannah Kramer