Tag: faith journey

The Long Route

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. -Exodus 13:17-18

When I came upon those verses the other day, I had to smile.

Because so often, this is my experience with God. 

I want the short cut.

I want the quickest route.

Yet God takes me on the long one. Through the wilderness. 

And while I tap my foot and drum my fingers and wonder what in the world is taking so long, He knows what I can handle.

He’s leading me to the Red Sea.

He’s getting ready to reveal His glory.

Let’s Talk: Is something in your life taking longer than you’d like? Do these verses encourage you?

The Secret of Being Content

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

The other day, I came across these words from Paul:

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  -Philippians 4:11-12

Wow.

Talk about challenging.

Because seriously, content whatever the circumstances?

You mean as writers, we’re to practice contentment whether we have an agent or not? Whether we have a book deal or not? Whether we’re having a good experience with our publisher or not? Whether we have good sales or poor sales? Whether we’re writing in obscurity or writing in the spotlight?

You mean as adoptive parents, we’re to practice contentment whether we are happy with our agency or not? Whether we get a referral when we’re supposed to or not? Whether we bring our child home as scheduled or not? Whether our little ones adjust well to their new lives or struggle to bond?

Really?

God’s word says yes.

He wants us to learn contentment in every circumstance.

Because He knows something that tends to go right over our heads. At least mine.

Circumstances don’t bring contentment.

They might bring temporary excitement or happiness, but those feelings quickly fade. If we hinge our contentment on the hope of better things to come, we’ll never be content. 

We’ll forever live under the assumption that if we could just get an agent, or just get a book deal, or just earn out our advance, or just win an award….

We’ll forever live under the assumption that if we could just get that referral, or just get our travel plans, or just hold our child, or just help them adjust… 

Here’s the thing.

There will always be one more “just”.

Which is why these verses are worth remembering.

For writers. For adoptive parents. For pretty much anyone who lives and breathes and strives.

The source of our contentment is not our circumstances.

Does this mean we’re supposed to put on a happy face and smile when times are crummy? Does this mean that we’re not allowed to vent or cry or struggle?

Of course not. Even Jesus wept when his friend Lazarus died.

It just means that at the end of the day, God wants us to rely on His strength. To rest in His grace. To trust in His goodness. To put our hope in His promises.

Through every situation. Through every season of life. Whether good or bad. 

Let’s Talk: What area of your life do you struggle with the most in regards to contentment?

The Fast Fall from Faith to Fretting

Posted on by Katie Ganshert
Check this out.
 
When Abraham was just plain old Abram, God promised him a child. The dude’s old at this point. Way more likely to be kicking it with great grandpas than first-time fathers.

But God promises him a child and Abram believes.

Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.
-Genesis 15:6
 
Although this promise was by all accounts impossible, Abram believes and God declares him righteous because of his faith. 
 
Pretty awesome, right?
 
Yeah. Until chapter sixteen.
 
Can I just tell you that I love chapter sixteen?
 
I relate to chapter sixteen.
 
I am chapter sixteen.
 
Because here we have Abram, this righteous dude because he believes God will do the impossible, when bam! Abram and Sarai reveal their utter humanity. They try 
to fulfill God’s promise with human hands. Just one chapter later, they turn into Peter. Focused on God’s miraculous provision one minute, the choppy waves of impossibility the next.
 
Sarai freaks out and gives Hagar to Abram. Abram sleeps with Hagar. Hagar bears Abram a child named Ishmael. Sarai gets all jealous, blames Abram for her problems, and goes all mean-girl on Hagar. Who freaks out and runs away with baby Ishmael and doesn’t come back until an angel tracks her down.
 
Sarai and Abram, in their attempt to ensure God’s promise, take matters into their own hands and make a big giant mess.
 
Do you know how much I relate to Sarai and Abram?
 
God makes me promises. Through His Word and the Holy Spirit, He makes me promises. And man, I believe them. I grasp onto them with confidence and awe and expectation. Until I wake up the next morning and worry seeps in. And in my worry, I try to accomplish God’s will by my own strength. By my own understanding. And inevitably, I mess it up.  
 
But you want to know what’s amazing about God?
 
When Abram and Sarai dropped the ball, God didn’t give them a dismissive wave and say, “You two are obviously unworthy. Let me find two people who aren’t so messed up.” No. God was faithful. Even when Abram and Sarai weren’t. He kept His promise. He made them into Abraham and Sarah. And despite the impossibility, He blessed Sarah with a child. He gave them Isaac.

And through Isaac, Jesus. Our rescue. Our hope. Our savior. The only one who can redeem the ugly messes we make of our lives. The only one who can turn them into something beautiful.

Let’s Talk: Can you relate to Abram and Sarai? Have you ever tried to accomplish God’s will in your own strength and understanding?