I’m sure pretty much all of you have seen Forrest Gump. It’s iconic! No scene more so than when Forrest is running away from his bullies. Jenny shouts, “Run, Forrest! Run!.” Before everyone’s eyes, Forrest breaks free of his leg braces and runs - without turning or stopping. He is free from his restraints, and his eyes are fixed ahead. This is the image I have in my head when I read this verse. I want to break free of those things that slow me down, that entangle me and get in the way. I want to have perseverance and focus. I want my eyes to be fixed straight ahead on Christ, and I want to run towards him without stopping or turning. Have a Terrific Tuesday, Naomi:)
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The 3 R’s are: Revelation, Repentance, and Restoration. Revelation. This is not to be confused with end-time prophecy, but rather, think of a light being turned on in a dark room. In 2013, our son had an MRI that revealed a brain tumor. Up until that moment, the tumor was literally hidden in the dark. It was not until the tumor was revealed that we could do anything that would actually help our son get better. This is the kind of revelation that starts the process of transformation. Unlike some good ole’ R&R, revelation is often painful, even scary. The light comes on, and we find tumors, addictions, broken relationships, hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and any number of abuses. Revelation can shake the foundations of all that we thought we could count on. With revelation often comes the question, “What now?” Although this is a raw place many of us would not wish for, without revelation, problems are left in the dark, and all they can do is grow. Repentance. Repentance simply means turning from one direction to a new direction. It is a 180 of the heart. With our son’s tumor, there was nothing to repent of in the traditional sense, but there was a new direction in our home. There had to be — the old ways of helping our son were not what he needed to get well. Repentance will lead to new thinking, new perspectives, new actions, and new directions. Revelation shows us that there is a problem; repentance shows us the old ways do not work. Repentance is when we accept the reality of what has been revealed to us, and we take the humbling steps of accepting responsibility and choosing to go in a new direction. Sometimes repentance is simply accepting the MRI report of a tumor, sometimes it is much more difficult. There are times when our choices in life have led to destructive habits that we need to let go of. We can choose shame which will lead us back to that dark room, or we can muster our courage and repent. There are times when we have been abused, and now we need to let go of lies we believed. We can chose to hold onto those lies and stay in the hurt we are familiar with, or we can chose to believe truth and walk towards freedom. Repentance is hard, because on some level we need to look in the mirror and face where we are, and then make a choice. Restoration. God uses a variety of things to shed light on areas of our life. This could be: other people, scripture passages, a sermon, a song, prayer, or simply some quiet time in the woods. Often it is a series of things that God works together to help us see clearly. After the hard work of choosing repentance (our one part), God throws open the gates of heaven and starts the process of restoration. When we choose to go in a new direction, we may start out feeling overwhelmed and lost, but God is longing to be faithful and more than willing to help. The challenge for us is not falling back into old ways. Restoration takes time. Things like hurts, habits, and lies did not happen overnight; these are often decades-old, piled on top of each other. To restore something properly takes time and care. With our son’s tumor, we wanted the doctors to take their time. After all, there were delicate things like the brain and optic nerves close to the tumor. There are several masterpieces that were quickly “restored” by amateurs that ended up causing more damage. Rushing in for a quick fix to relieve pain or consequences may seem like a good idea, but will often lead to patchy work that falls apart later. What God wants to do in the restoration process is heal the brokenness of our hearts and minds. Sometimes this healing process may need to undo patchy work, or tear down the work of amateurs. We may have to let go of our own ideas. We may need to listen to new healthy voices. We may need to question and test things to make sure they are true and good. It might not “feel” right to us because we are so used to feeling hurt that we don’t know what healthy feels like. It might not make “sense” to us at first because God is teaching us His ways instead of using our own old ways. The beauty of the 3 R’s is that God is willing to do two-thirds of the work. God brings the revelation and does the work of restoration; all He asks of us is to choose. God is aware that the repentance part is hard work, but He also knows the choice must be ours. He loves us and wants to show us things that are hurting us; He cares about our brokenness and wants to heal us. God also respects us and wants us to have a chance to choose for ourselves. He understands many of us may not choose His ways, but He is loving and will not give up on us even if other people do. When some R&R doesn’t seem to last, and your heart is heavy no matter what you do, perhaps it’s time to pray about the 3 R’s. In His Name, Bonnie
As humans, most of us want the things Jackson Kiddard is praying for … happiness, peace, love. We want to see something change. Kiddard realized that to receive these thing requires change from within. The first prayer he prays he answers by changing his mind. By doing that one thing, he can see the entire world from a different perspective. As I read his words I thought about where God fit into his prayers. But maybe his words came from God. Isn’t this about transformation? Isn’t that God’s plan? To change us from the inside out? The Bible is filled with stories where transformations were due to God’s Word and that goodness changed those individuals innermost selves. ‘They were able to find peace, courage, strength and forgiveness, forever setting them on a path that God planned for them, and that was better than anything they could ever imagine. Through being transformed on the inside, their lives were transformed on the outside.’ 1 So, let us pray for change from the inside so we can find peace, courage, strength and forgiveness inspired by God.
In His Name, Janet PS Also from Jackson Kiddard
Anything that annoys you is teaching you patience. Anyone who abandons you is teaching you how to stand up on your own two feet. Anything that angers you is teaching you forgiveness and compassion. Anything that has power over you is teaching you how to take your power back. Anything you hate is teaching you unconditional love. Anything you fear is teaching you courage to overcome your fear. Anything you can’t control is teaching you how to let you go. ~Jackson Kiddard
thought that helping families and how we delivered services was the right way to serve people. It was the way to reach many and to aid in several areas of need. I felt good about the work we did with children and families, but I often wondered about the families who returned year after year to our program. My hope had always been that we had at least given them something which they could hold on to. Something that might move the needle of their lives just a bit. The six components of the Redemptive Compassion training gave me so much to think about. We are asked to see everyone’s value, to invest relationally in others, to help everyone achieve their God-given potential, to require mutual contribution and participation, while responding with wisdom and discernment, and serve in ways that transform. I am familiar with these concepts and have put most into practice. I know I am not fully living up to what I am called to do. But I do know because I am putting Christ first, He will show me the way. As I sit quietly with my thoughts and try to gain a better understanding of the core values and how I can fully embrace this philosophy in my work with the 1st Pres Neighborhood Closet, I am realizing I need to seek discernment and wisdom, the fifth core value. So, I will take time to pray, asking God our Father to send the Holy Spirit to lead me in the right direction.
It will be in God’s time.
Through this training, I am gaining a different perspective on being obedient-driven (a servant of God) vs result-driven (just providing service). I am also embracing a new awareness of being the Lord’s servant with a renewed heart for how God calls us to serve people through Biblical holistic help. In this space I feel a presence of peace and joyfulness as I seek and wait on God. In His Name, Gina |
