Quickened by Jesus

What am I supposed to do once she’s gone?

It hurt my heart when Savannah asked that of her friend whose family is moving away next week. This will be the second significant loss of a friend within her lifetime. Four years ago, at the end of this month, we moved from Florida to Wisconsin, leaving many friends behind. Now, one of Savannah’s closest friends is moving away. What do you say?

I’m grateful Savannah easily accepted my help last night, because it was only two days ago that she was sobbing. Just like Savannah, I believe we’ve all asked the question, “What am I supposed to do now?” as our lives change. Change is hard enough when it’s something we want or choose, but when it’s happening to us, not of our choosing… It can be so hard.

If I had not found encouragement in your law, I would have died in my sorrow. ~ Psalm 119:92 NET

Psalm 119:92 is an expression of deep gratitude, the kind that is born out of a trial and a close-knit relationship with Jesus. Based on the surrounding text, the author wrote it while still in the midst of a trial, and not after it. Have you ever felt pain so piercing, you truly believed your heart would shatter if one more thing bumped into it? How do you survive that? Not by isolating or trying to fix it on your own, but by running to the One who can heal and help you. 

I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. ~ Psalm 119:93 KJV

“Thou hast quickened me.” Though written in Early Modern English,  it captures the beauty and sentiment expressed by the psalmist. Just as a broken heart is not given a bandaid, a life in distress needs a quickening spirit, found only in Jesus, (1 Corinthians 15:45). The quickening, referred to in Psalm 119, is a reviving “from discouragement of the spirit; from faintness; from death,” (blueletterbible.org). In the middle of a trial, life can feel like it’s getting harder before it gets better. Part of that may be the dross dripping off as Jesus watches closeby, waiting for the precise moment that He’ll pull you out, as pure gold.

I pray that when life gets hard, we will have the same close-knit relationship with Jesus as this psalmist, whose life and spirit were revived and brought to life out of a pit of deep sorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhoEktYO5w8 ~ Rest, Kari Jobe

©Heather Potts 2021

Just Trust Me

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bqGQfk79A0&list=RD2bqGQfk79A0&start_radio=1

How Deep ~ Rock City Worship

 

Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 AMPC

 

On Monday night, when the Rams played the Buccs, Brad asked if I’d like to watch the game and “relive” our 3^rd date. Twenty years and a lot of changes separate us from our third date. Thinking about all the changes over the years, I realized that—while some changes have been scary and downright disappointing—many turned out to be huge blessings. Whether God was calling us to help launch a satellite church campus, have kids, move our family 1500 miles, or just walk with Him in the everyday changes and challenges, God was always holding out His hand, saying, “Just trust Me.”

 

Just trust Me is the same message God spoke through Isaiah. The Amplified version says we’re to “earnestly” not remember the past. In other words, don’t cling to the “good ol’ days.” There’s nothing wrong with telling a tale from them every now and then. Unfortunately, though, the “good ol’ days” have a way of grossly distorting the truth until you’re so desperate to hang on to what you had that you stand still when Jesus beckons you to walk further.

 

Trust can be hard when you consider empty stadiums, hybrid schooling, fearful, older relatives, and virtual holidays. But the same promise God made then, He’s making now: Just trust Me, because I’m doing something new. Not different, new – unheard of and unthinkable! Don’t worry about the details; I’ve got them covered. I’m making a path where there isn’t one, on which I’ll feed and nurture you. And I’m bringing refreshing rivers in the otherwise dreary seasons. But you need to stop clinging to the past and trust that I’ll do what I say.

 

Regardless of the circumstances, Jesus calls us to walk with and trust Him. What will you do?

©Heather Potts 2020

C.H.A.N.G.E.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBg8qXkkOxE

God with Us ~ Jesus Culture

 

But God hasn’t moved to the mountains;
    his holy address hasn’t changed.
He’s in charge, as always, his eyes
    taking everything in ~ Psalm 11:4 MSG

 

Honestly, I’ve never liked change. It feels like we’ve all had so many drastic changes lately that even little changes are intimidating. Not wanting to be overwhelmed by the unknown in the changes, I took my struggles to God and this is what He said:

 

The problem isn’t the change, but in how you view it. This is how you see change:

Can’t

Handle

All things

Not

Going

Exactly the same

But that’s not how you should view it. Think of change like this:

Challenges to overcome

Hold tightly to Me

Anything goes, but keep your peace

Nothing stays the same

God knows

Everything changes

With any change, there will be challenges to overcome, but you can do all things through Christ, (Philippians 4:13); in this world you will have trouble, but take heart! For I [Jesus] have overcome the world, (John 16:33); for everyone born of God overcomes the world, (1 John 5:4). Remember to keep your peace, even during chaos. Nothing stays the same. But God knows—both good and bad—and He’s always by your side, even when everything else changes.

 

It’s true that everything changes. We change socks, houses, schedules, jobs, toothbrushes, hair styles, grades, diets, presidents, calendars, cars, etc. Sometimes change is good (like changing socks). Sometimes it’s harder (like how we do school and interacting with one another). But in the end, God said that change will become less of a monster in my life when I focus more on Him and less on the unknown facets of the change.

 

Lord, help us to allow You to embrace us during seasons of change. Help us to extend grace to ourselves and those around us as we walk—and even stumble—through this time. Help us to remember that You are always with us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2020

Chapters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUc86gfzToU

All In ~ Matthew West

 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

 I love a good action novel, but if the plot takes longer than 5 pages to get moving, I may not keep reading. I know I have high demands. A few years ago, I read an intense series, and as each chapter closed and the next began, I didn’t want to put the book down. However, that often led to forcing myself to close the book at midnight, which made for a hard early start the next morning. I’ve enjoyed reading that author’s – and similar authors’ – books. Our lives are crafted by the greatest Author. Why, then, do we fight to change chapters when He’s clearly compelling us forward?

 I’ve been facing a chapter change in my life – no, it’s not turning 40 in a few weeks – and it’s been difficult to let the old chapter close. But it’s necessary, in order to fully embrace the next. I have friends who are facing chapter changes in their lives, some for career changes, others are moving, and still others are considering permanently homeschooling.  I wonder if they are having a hard time changing chapters, too?

 There was a time in my life that I allowed fear to immobilize me, keeping me from the joy and beauty the next chapter held. Though the next chapter is different from the previous – sometimes different feels a bit scary – I don’t want that to stop me. Instead, I want to be “all in,” giving my heart fully to this new adventure. After all, God said, “Fear not, [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you… (Isaiah 41:10 AMPC).

 If you’re facing a chapter change in your life, do not be afraid. If God called you to it, then remember His promises to be with and help you through it. Don’t let fear hold you back. Instead, decide to be “all in”!

©Heather Potts 2020