HOW DO YOU KNOW?

How do you “know that you know that you know” God’s reality and presence in your life? . . . the breadth and depth of His love? . . . Jesus Christ as your personal savior? . . . the guidance and discernment of the Holy Spirit?

Blessed are those who bring good news.

Her name was Mrs. Simmons, my Sunday school teacher during kindergarten. She told us we could invite Jesus into our heart by simply asking him, so I did. I remember closing the door to my room, kneeling on the carpet. I recall the texture beneath me, the colors of my room, the height of my bed. In the moment, life was different and I was changed. Mrs. Simmons also taught our early childhood catechism—the words created music in my own spirit—and shared the requisite Bible stories with flannel board images, opening the door to God’s Word. I am awed today to consider how very young I was, but God loved me so much, He provided the resources I would need in advance. My father, a man of faith, must have known or been sensitive to God’s prompting. He purchased a Bible engraved with my name, along with a set of adult study guides. My father died in a plane crash as I turned seven. While I have very few things to remind me of him, I do have that first Bible and the gift of nourished faith.

Be still and know that I am God.

I have such an abundance of stories and experiences to illustrate my journey! Another profound moment in my spiritual development occurred in my early teens. We lived in Malaysia; youth and Bible study groups nurtured my growth. At the foot of a mountain where local folk long practiced religious rites, I separated from the companions of the day. I sat upon a rock in the warmth of the sunlight, with a stream near my feet. I can’t describe the transition – to write “suddenly” or “gradually” seems inappropriate; there was a moment I just “knew” I was in the presence of God. The colors of the scene intensified, the sounds disappeared and yet were there, enriched, my sense of smell seemed exquisitely heightened. I felt Him, knew His love for me, embraced the peace that surpasses all understanding. I sat, saturated, with no sensation of the passage of time, recognizing the gift. Again, few words accurately portray the gradual re-awareness of “reality” around me; it just was. From that moment, I carried “more” of God within me and I knew God had a plan for my future. As Christians, we are told to “practice the presence of God.” I suspect this is more or less of a challenge at times, but for me—in any given moment of chaos—I reach into this place and moment to enable me to achieve a quietness, spiritual empowerment, and a readiness to “be” what God needs me for.

Have you considered my servant . . ?

Over the years, I’ve faced various challenges. Our second child suffered chronic illness from birth. Starting under five pounds, he barely took an ounce of nourishment at a time and required feeding every hour. He didn’t sleep through the night until he was three years old, and that was just the first time—not the establishment of a pattern of decent sleep! We got very familiar with hospital stays, and more than once I’d follow the ambulance on the two hour drive to transfer our child to the specialty children’s hospital in another city. We lost insurance because his seven plus medications daily included steroids.

A very blessed friend arranged from me to take my then four year old to a specialist at what used to be Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic. I still remember the drive over the Grapevine in an unexpected blizzard as the highway closed behind me. I was the only driver in a silent, white universe, praying that (1) we’d arrive safely and (2) this would be the answer that would save my child. Before I left the facility, we learned that he’d suffered from misdiagnoses from birth and the solution was fairly simple. If the first option didn’t work, a surgery would fix the problem. Our youngest had surgery on Maundy Thursday (Easter season is a fabulous opportunity for renewed life!). Churches in our community covered about 75% of the cost; we were allowed to make payments on the rest.

Faith provides such an anchor and a comfort when life presents challenges; so often I hear people ask why a loving God would allow painful or stressful events to occur. This is my personal answer. I do believe God allows the events. At the very beginning of the book of Job, God brings his faithful servant to the attention of Satan and allows increasingly difficult losses—possessions, family, and personal health. Three “friends” witness Job’s experience. How can we stand under such pressures in our own lives? First, we have assurance we will not endure more than we can bear. Yes, 1 Corinthians 10:13 refers to temptation; but if we are tired from our burden, aren’t we susceptible to temptation? Second, many unknown blessings happen as others witness God at work in our lives. One woman, who believed the church to be filled with hypocrisy, gave her life to Christ after hearing about the churches’ tangible support in our child’s surgery. Another mother had a child with similar symptomology; she obtained the information to challenge her pediatrician to consider similar testing. Her child, like mine, was ultimately fully restored to health. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me . . . including making the choice, every day, to accept all the experiences, both wonderful and challenging, God brings to me.

No one is perfect, not even one.

I have not, and am not likely, to achieve perfection. Despite my best intentions, I can be wrong, I make mistakes, and yes—though the admission pains me—I confess I am a sinner, who falls short of the Glory of God. I’m encouraged by the portrayal of David’s relationship with God. Over and over, David really blows it! I wonder—this one was so obvious! Didn’t he see this coming? How about my own shortcomings? Haven’t I been foolish in my own choices? But David also repents, he humbles himself, he sings praises, he calls on the Lord . . . and God loves him throughout. I have an added advantage in my life . . . Jesus, who intercedes for me. So, I must run with perseverance this race marked out for me!

The word of God is living and active.

I used to inscribe my study notes directly in my Bible; when I’d run out of room, I’d “retire” that copy and buy a new one. Once a pastor, who liked to move about the church, asked to borrow my Bible to read a read a scripture rather than return to the pulpit. He took one look and declared the current well-worn version “a mess.” That very week, my dog who never had eaten a single thing in the entire time he’d been in our home, tore out Timothy to Revelation! I took this as a sign and learned to use notebooks. I could never choose just one testament, and I have far too many favorite scripture to begin a simple list.

We’ve been given lessons for living, instruction from the experience of others, examples of faith and God’s love and care for his people, and inspiration from God’s word. Simultaneously ancient and appropriate for contemporary living, we need to read, intently study, contemplate, meditate on these fabulous texts. Would you like to rev up your study? Add a concordance (mine is from Guideposts, from years ago), a church history (Erdman’s is one of many), and a chain-reference Bible (I have a Thompson’s). Compare different translations, check out the footnotes!

I learn new lessons, even from old favorites.

As a female, I enjoy revisiting the women of faith represented in God’s word. I love Ruth, who was so faithful to her mother-in-law (whither thou goest I will go); Esther, who appealed to the king on behalf of her people (who knows but you have come to royal position for such a time as this?); and Deborah, who took on the mantle of leadership when no man was willing. And, I’m not too hasty with the “begats,” either . . . did you know Boaz appears in the lineage of Jesus?

When I lived in Iran, I stood amongst the ancient stones of what we call Persepolis. The ancient kings Cyrus (pronounced Kharoosh) and Darius (pronounced Dareeoosh) ruled over massive kingdoms and received tribute from many leaders of their day. When we read of God’s interventions on behalf of His chosen people, such places bring the history to life. He’s just as powerful for us today. The fervent prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much! We can pray on behalf of our own family, coworkers, neighborhoods, communities, states, nations, and the people of the world. We can be the catalyst for change!

To whom much is given, much is expected.

I am so blessed – God has bequeathed upon me a wealth of creativity, imagination, skills, talents and resources. I have an obligation to share, to be sensitive to the many opportunities to enrich others, just as I’ve been blessed. I’d love to sum up my belief in a single, profound verse; instead, I encourage readers to find their own. We choose, each day, our attitude and approach to what we’ll face. Today, try on joy: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice! Oh, and a sense of humor doesn't hurt!

Yours in Christ,

Kathryn