Her Story Quotes by Shari - {Sighing is a Crossroads}

I love studying about the life of Christ. Probably 80% of the Bible studies I’ve done center around His time on earth….His miracles…His life’s work…His relationship with His Heavenly Father. But the one thing I love studying the most is His humanity.  I can’t relate to what it must have felt like to perform the great miracle of the feeding of the 5,000¹, nor can I relate to the power it took to still the raging sea². The depths of forgiveness Christ showed to His accusers on the cross³ is beyond my comprehension.  But His humanity…His humanity I can relate to. I can relate to crying with a dear friend because a loved one has passed away⁴. I can relate to seeing the multitudes in dire need of a spiritual leader and being overcome with compassion for them⁵. I can understand anger at stubborn hearts who refuse Biblical teaching⁶, and I can relate to sighing when after many long days of serving others someone asks something more of you⁷.

Recently I found an entry in my journals from a number of years ago about this matter of Jesus sighing. I had just read how He healed the Maniac of Gadera⁸ and a man who was deaf and dumb⁹. He had healed the Syrophencian’s daughter¹⁰ and a lame man brought to Him by his friends¹¹. In the midst of these great miracles I read that Jesus sighed.

“He sighed.” It seems like such a strange bit of information for Mark to share with us when telling the story of Jesus opening the ears of a man and loosening his tongue. Why did He sigh? Was He tired? Did He sigh because He knew those who would witness the miracle would not heed his admonishments to not publish it? Was it because everywhere He turned there was someone who needed His help? The Bible doesn’t tell us, but a few short verses later we find Him sighing again. This time it was because His enemies were questioning Him yet again¹²...questioning His deity…questioning His authority…questioning His actions and His motives.

I don’t know about you, but I often sigh when I’m at that point where I’m tired or frustrated or irritated with someone or something. For me a sigh usually signals that I’m about done with the matter and have not the wisdom nor the patience to deal with it any more.  I know that sometimes I feel an undue pressure to be at the top of my game at all times and get frustrated with myself for sighing, feeling like I’m not “strong” enough to get the job done or that I’m trying to do it in my own power. I mean, surely anyone serving the Lord in the center of His will in the power of the Holy Spirit should have no cause to give in to sighing at a situation, right? I’m encouraged to know that sighing is not a sin because we know Jesus never sinned at yet He sighed.

What I realized is that although Jesus sighed, He didn’t decide it was time to give up. Instead He continued in His great work.  So the next time you find yourself sighing, look at it as a crossroads and choose to keep on going instead of giving up.

My journal entry - June, 2007

Lord, last night I was reading in Mark. I came across 7:34 & 8:12 – both mentioned you “sighed.” The thought that You were tired made me sad, and I wished I could have done something to help You. I thought of all the people You had helped and healed. No wonder You were tired. I thought of writing a song about it (your sighing), but instead wrote of how You changed lives and healed people (in spite of it).

No More They’d Be the Same

Verse 1: 

As I stood there watching amazed,

My Lord healed every one.

They came from near and far away

To see God’s only Son.

And as they reached toward Him,

They saw His open arms,

A gentle face, a warm embrace,
Protecting from all harm.

Chorus:  

He knew them each by name.

He knew just why they came.

And with His touch or spoken word,

No more they’d be the same.

No more they’d be the same.

Verse 2: 

A man once bound up in chains

Now calmly shares his faith.

And one who couldn’t hear or speak

Tells all of Jesus’ grace.

A mother pleads for her young girl

And returns to find her whole.

A man borne upon a bed

Now stands a saved soul.

Verse 3: 

And just like one that was lame

To the Lord Jesus I came.

His precious blood shed on the cross

Made me whole when I called on His name. 

And all these years it’s still the same

Come everyone who will.

Chose Christ as Saviour of your life,

And He your heart will fill.

--------------------------------

1. Mark 6:30-44

2. Mark 4:35-41

3. Luke 23:34

4. John 11:32-35

5. Mark 6:34

6. Mark 3:5

7. Mark 7:31-37

8. Mark 5:1-20

9. Mark 7:31-37

10. Mark 7:24-30

11. Mark 2:1-12

12. Mark 8:11-12

Her Story Quotes by Shari - {When God says "Stay Put"}

What is the most frustrated type of Christian? Some may say it is the one who is backslidden and under conviction from the Holy Spirit? Others may say it is the one who is faithful to church and has a good relationship with the Lord, but is constrained by outside things such as family, debt, or work that keeps them from doing as much as they would like for Him? And still others would say it is the one who is completely surrendered to God to go or do whatever His will may be only to hear Him say, “Stay put.”

I'd say it is the last one, but to be honest, that might just be because the Lord has told me to “stay put” on two major things in my life recently. Actually, I’ve been in all three of these positions more than once over the years, and I think all three come with their own frustrations. They do, however, all have the same simple solution….Let the Saviour be your stay. Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:”

For those who have chosen to spend their lives saying, “Yes, Lord, I’ll go. Send me!!” it can be hard and frustrating when the Lord tells us to “stay put.” Many a missionary has had their bags packed, figuratively and literally, only to have to wait on a visa or paperwork from some government office. It took just over a year to raise my initial support when I first went to Nigeria. I applied for my visa in plenty of time and just knew it would come by the time I was finished with my last meeting. It didn’t. I sent several barrels on ahead of me in a container, finished my last meetings, and packed my bags…but my visa didn’t come. I waited for a month…and then a second month…and my heavenly father reminded me He was in control…and then a third month…and then a fourth…and I began to doubt if I got the Lord’s timing wrong…and my earthly father reminded me of “The birth of a vision, the death of a vision, and the supernatural rebirth of a vision”….and then I waited for a fifth month….and then a sixth…and I began to doubt not only God’s timing, but if I had actually gotten the Lord’s calling on my life wrong…and finally my visa arrived and before I knew it, I was on the plane headed to Nigeria. I don’t remember what all I did during that six months of waiting. I’m sure the Lord used the time to grow my faith and trust in Him. I know I spent time helping in my home church in any way I could with the youth and special events, but only the Lord knows for what reason He asked me to stay put so long after I thought it was time to go.
  
A "Stay Put" directive from the Lord does not have to end in frustration, though. One of the things I have learned from the story of the Demoniac of Gadara is the blessing of staying put even when you want to go. Three of the Gospels tell us of this amazing life-changing story of a wild man filled with a legion of demons whom Jesus restored to sanity, but only Luke gives us the end of the story…the result of obeying the calling of “staying put.” 

The people of the city were frightened when they saw the man, who was completely insane and uncontrollable, sitting clothed and in his right mind. They were frightened when they saw that their herds of pigs had plunged down a ravine and drowned in a lake. On the other hand, the Demoniac from Gadara was not afraid. For the first time in years he was whole. He was clear-headed. He had a purpose for his life…to follow Jesus and serve Him. When the people of the city told Jesus to leave, the healed man asked to go with Him. I know if Jesus had just worked in my life as He had in his, I’d never want to leave His side and would insist on going everywhere He went. But, Jesus told him no. Instead Jesus gave him two clear instructions….Stay put and Speak out.
  
The man obeyed completely. He did not argue. He did not try to reason Jesus into letting him tag along. He simply submitted and obeyed the command to stay and began speaking out about how Jesus had worked in his life. In Luke 8:40 we find the result of his obedience, “…when Jesus returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.” The man of Gadara’s willingness to “stay put” was instrumental in many coming to know Christ as their Saviour. 


Six practical things to do when you want “To Go” but God has said “To Stay.”

1. Stay focused on the Lord. Don’t become disheartened.

The Lord surely has a plan and in time all will be revealed.

2. Stay in a position where God can use you and reward you. Don’t become disillusioned.

When God says, “Stay” it is sometimes tempting to feel like “throwing in the towel” so to speak. Don’t let the devil trick you into self-pity.  Keep your focus on Christ.

3.  Stay listening to God’s leading. Don’t become deaf.

Continue seeking the Lord’s direction through your Bible reading, preaching, and godly counsel. Your “Stay Put” may actually only be a “Wait for a While.”

4. Stay serving. Don’t become distant.

Continue meeting the needs of others that the Lord brings across your path where you are. Practice your Esther 4:14 type of living – “For such a time as this.”

5. Stay doing whatever work you have been doing. Don’t become discouraged. 

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that another work for the Lord is more important than the work you are doing right now where you are. Now is not the time to quit.

6. Stay soul-conscious.  Don’t become disengaged.

The Lord may have someone in your neighborhood, in your family, at your work, etc. that needs you to speak out and tell what great and wondrous things the Lord has done for you.

The call “To Go” gets a lot of attention, and so it should, but sometimes God calls us “To Stay.” 

We must be willing to answer either call.

Her Story Quotes by Shari - {Who's Holding Your Clock?}

How many times have you said to yourself, or something like it, ..…

“If only God would hurry up and show me His plan.”

“If only my children would slow down and not grow up so fast.”

“If only I had been born 100 years ago.”

“If only God had called me into the ministry when I was younger.”

“If only I had had my children earlier in life.”

“If only I got saved when I was a teenager.”

“If only I were ten years older.”

"If only God would let me get married this year."

“If only I hadn’t wasted so much time.”

It is human nature to think that TIME is the key to everything. After all, there is that famous saying, “Timing is everything.” The problem lies in the fact that most often we would prefer to control the clock. 

One time a ministry opportunity presented itself to me that I’d been interested in doing for a very long time. It came out of the blue and, to be honest, had taken so long to eventuate that I assumed it wasn’t in the Lord’s plan for me. The opportunity came with a specific date, exactly ten days from the time I heard. My first thought was, “What in the world! There is absolutely no way I can make it happen that quickly. The timing is so off.” I was somewhat disappointed and a little frustrated and allowed myself, just for a moment, to ask God why He didn’t present the opportunity three months before when I would have had time to prepare and set things in order. 

I happened to be studying Ephesians 5 that morning for my devotions, and I read in verse 17, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” I felt I had a pretty good handle on what "the Lord's will" meant. I’d done so many studies on the Lord’s will…..I’d taught so many studies on the Lord’s will....but I found myself doubting if I really knew what the Lord's will was and wondering why He would dangle a dream right in front of me and yet just out of my reach. My study that morning took me to a sermon preached by Steven J. Cole entitled Walking Wisely. He made many good points, but one paragraph in particular spoke to my heart and reminded me of a great truth. Here is my paraphrased version I recorded in my journal:

"It is not about getting God to help me fulfill my dreams,

because it leaves me as the lord of my life and makes God my servant.

He is Sovereign and I am His servant. I exist to fulfill His will not vice versa."

Psalm 31:15 reminds us the “times” of our lives are in His capable hands. That morning I handed my "clock" back to Him and purposed not to waste another moment wishing the timing was different, knowing that when and if the Lord would bring that opportunity around again it would be in His perfect timing.

If you'd like to find out more about my story, you can click on this site's "Contributors" tab or visit my website. http://sharihousethailand.wix.com/servingjoyfully

I'd love to hear about your story, too. Feel free to leave a comment, or friend me on Facebook, or visit me in Thailand.  I have a great guest room.  :)

Her Story Quotes by Shari