BeyondSeeLevel

Often times, we will find in the midst of struggle, that we can actually do something to improve our situations in life. Therefore, we put in the work to do what we can to make things better for ourselves. In the meantime, we recognize that the work we put in to improve our circumstances, is actually the work we should have been putting in all along before the circumstances ever arose.  Nevertheless, the progress we make is actually good but achieved out of disease and a sense of desperation. Something had to get sick before we did what we were supposed to do. We had to have our backs against the wall, desperately looking for a way out.  But God wants us to make progress in life out of devotion, dedication and discipline. He wants us to be good stewards of our blessings; not have to wait for the urgency of desperation before we do what we’re supposed to do.  Wow! If we’re not careful, consequence will be our biggest motivation to do what we’re actually supposed to do; and not conviction. The love we have for God and the calling placed on our lives calls us to be good stewards of our lives. The motivation for doing what you’re supposed to do has to be intentional in living a life purposed to glorify God in all that you do. Many of us suffer unnecessarily because we simply fail to do what we’re supposed to do. We fail to be good stewards of what God has given us–health,  money,  relationships, etc. Then when those things suffer, we don’t accept the fact or even realize that’s is our own fault. We’re suffering because we didn’t do what we were supposed to do; not because of happenstance.  The simplest bit of advice we can all benefit from: When you learn better do better. If you don’t know, learn. Irresponsibility and ignorance are never good excuses for hardship.

*Tressa Jo

I got off work one day and headed to the grocery store, before picking up my little one and heading home. I pulled into the parking lot and decided to back into my parking space. When I turned the car off it wouldn’t crank back up. As a matter of fact, it wouldn’t do anything. My initial thought was “I knew it was coming!” I had heard a humming sound for about a week. But I was actually grateful that it didn’t stop on me in the parking garage I parked in at work. Then I thought to myself “Man, I don’t have anyone that I can call to help me right now.” After a few failed attempts to start my engine, I decided to give my mechanic a call. Fortunately, he was still at the shop. He instructed me to try to get a boost then take it to Autozone so they could check my alternator and battery. He said it sounded like it was the battery. So I proceeded to pop the hood of my car and open my trunk. I took out my battery cables and connected them to my car battery and waited to ask someone for help. I even put a $10 bill in my pocket to offer anyone that was willing to assist me. Well, I stood there a few minutes trying to identify anyone that I thought would be able to help me. I didn’t want to ask a woman. I was hoping a gentleman would walk by. It seemed that no one would look my way as they looked like they were in a rush. Well, I waited next to my car for about 10 minutes. Then an older gentleman pulled up, blew his horn and motioned. He asked me if I needed his help. I nodded yes and gave him thumbs up. He jumped out of his truck, grabbed the other end of the cables hanging from my battery, gave me a boost and drove away in less than 5 minutes.

The Autozone guy tested my battery and alternator. Alternator good! Battery bad! But he couldn’t remove the battery to replace it because it was encased by other car stuff. Lol He said they weren’t allowed to remove the other things and that I would have to have someone do that 1^st, and then bring the battery back. So I called my mechanic and asked would he help me gain access to my battery. He told me to come to the shop which was less than 10 minutes away. So I go in a rush to the shop. He removes my bad battery then places a loner battery that he had in his shop. He told me to go get the new, put it in my trunk, then swing back by Monday, and he would hook up my new one and retrieve his loaner battery. So I go to an Autozone closer to where I was and got a new battery at no charge. My dead battery was still under warranty. Great!

I’m up and running again about an hour and ½ later. Praise God! I was just overwhelmed with how quickly God had worked things out for me and how he had placed the right people in the right places at the right time to help me. My mechanic is an older man and usually closes shop early on Fridays. And he no longer works on the weekend.

My mind went directly to a friend that had been in the hospital that week. I texted her “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” We both understood that even though she was sick in the hospital, God had allowed her to lie down in a state of provisions. Excuse me while I shout!!!!!! Meaning, He made sure she had everything she needed in place in spite of her “break down”. She could have been consumed with having to lie down in the hospital. But, at least at that moment, she chose to celebrate the green pastures. She chose to focus on the fact that, in spite of the break down, God strategically positioned her in a place of provisions.

I thought about how God strategically orchestrated my break down. He made sure that the car died in a safe place; not on the freeway. (This is the 1^st thing my 7 y/o said when I told her where my car stopped.) He put on my mind to back into my parking spot; which made it more convenient and accessible to get a boost. He placed that gentleman on the right side of the parking lot to see me and offer to help me. He made sure the Autozone guy was available to check my battery. (Sometimes, they’re too busy.) He then made sure that my mechanic was still at his shop and that he answered his phone. (Sometimes, he doesn’t answer, even though he’s there). He made sure I had booster cables in the trunk of my car. And finally, he made sure that I didn’t have to come out of pocket 1 dime to get going again. Bonus! He made sure that if I had to come out of pocket to purchase a new battery, that I had it in the bank. He sho nuff made me to lie down in green pastures! Look at God!

How awesome is God to provide for us in spite of break downs?! We know that we will have break downs in life. We will have to lie down sometimes. But God never promised us that we will be problem free in this life. But He does promise to never leave us nor forsake us. That’s a guaranteed booster cable in the trunk of your ride!

When we face the break downs of life, don’t focus on the dead battery under the hood. Don’t focus on the inconveniences. Don’t focus on the change of plans. And don’t focus on the lack of available support. Focus on the booster cables. Focus on what you DO have; not what you don’t have. Satan is a joy stealer. He doesn’t want you to be able to see the “right now” blessings of God. He wants you wallow in the sorrow of your break downs. This is why we are instructed to focus on the “whatsoever things ARE”; not were or will be. God is a God of right now blessings. Right in the middle of your break down, God is still providing. But complaining, whining, faithlessness and panic will only disable you from being able to see all of the provisions in the green pastures God has already provided. Don’t be blinded by the break down. Praise God for green pastures!

*Tressa Jo

Every since I was a child, I’ve always loved the rain and thunder. I would sit on the porch and gaze into the streams of rain. I’d look up high to see if I could see its beginning. Then I’d look to the ground to see its ending crash to the ground. I absolutely, love the sound of rain. The harder it rained, the harder my spirit smiled on the inside. I also loved the sound of thunder (still do). I felt like I was in heaven if I could witness a hard rain and hear the thunder at the same time. Even now, if I feel stressed, the sound of rain is like a hug from heaven.

One day, as I sat by the window during my lunch, I noticed the trees as it rained. Trees are so beautiful. My favorite color has always been green. The green leaves beautifully highlight creation on a sunny day. They actually look happy. But during the heavy rain, they aren’t so perky and happy looking. They sag underneath the weight of the rain. They droop and almost look sad. The rain has a way of giving the leaves a countenance of defeat or sorrow. But when the rain stops and the sun starts to shine, it’s seems that they are greener and even more vibrant than before.

As I pondered the thoughts rolling around in my head from some grief I was experiencing at that time, the Spirit whispered words of comfort. He reminded me that the leaves on a tree during a storm are much like the life of a child of God. In life, we are so vibrant and beautiful during the seasons of sunshine. There’s no mistaking that we are with God and God is with us. Our countenance is the most beautiful green you’d ever want to see. But every now and then God will send the rain. Then our countenance starts to change. But even though our countenance is different, we’re still green and we’re still attached to the Tree.

Our spirits start to droop from sorrow and sag from the weight of burdens. Sometimes, we feel troubled on every side. The Spirit whispered to me that the same rain that causes the leaves to droop and sag is the same rain that washes them clean and give them what they need to survive the next season. So it is with life. There will be times in our lives that cause us sorrow, pain, hurt, distress and the like. We will droop and sag in our faith; in our spirit; in our hope. We may even get to the point of wanting to give up; let go of the branch and wither away. But then, God allows the rain to stop just in time. He allows the sun to shine another day.

He reminds us that the rain washes us and prepares us to produce and bare good fruit. He says “If I don’t send the rain, you won’t produce any fruit.” The rain cleanses us of the bad stuff in our spirits. Like Jesus, we too, have to learn obedience by the things we suffer. The rain also provides that life source that we will need to make it to the next season. We can’t live without rain. We can’t live without water.

When you think about the nature of any plant or tree, it takes water, light and soil to survive. You have to be planted and rooted in the good soil. You have to be exposed to the life giving Light. And you have to receive the cleansing and nurturing element of the rain water. When God sends the rain, He knows just the right amount it will take to get you to produce and bare fruit. He sends the rain for your growth and ultimately and primarily for His glory. Therefore, next time the rain comes, realize that the same rain that brings you down is the same rain that God purposes to lift you up.

*Tressa Jo