June 30, 2015
Working Out The Kinks
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart… (Psalm 24:3-4a, ESV)
Friend to Friend
I became a watering girl last summer.
Not because my black thumb suddenly turned green, but because my husband had ordered a heap of mulch and I was determined to not have a lame bare patch in the landscaped section of the house. No sir-eee! Mulch should be the accessory, not the main feature. My opinion.
So, in response to the mulch mountain I drove my spontaneous little self to the gardening store and bought us some new bushes, a few flowers, and a tree. And I quickly learned that once all of said planty-purchases were in the ground, they required… gasp… maintaining so they could take root.
Totally cool. I thought as I strapped on my big girl panties. I can do this!
So now I’m a watering girl. My sunny days often begin with the garden hose in hand. And I love it. The birds sing melodies with all their chirpy cuteness and the plants respond with claps of gratitude. {I seriously think they clap… in their own way. Moving on…}
Early one morning I unwound the hose and watered our small cucumber garden. Then I headed toward a few thirsty plant-friends in the back of the lawn along the fence. As I began to water, the flow trickled to a stop.
I looked up and spied the water-stopping nemesis. A kink in the hose.
So frustrating.
There was plenty of water. It just couldn’t flow because the hose had flipped and kinked. I tried to flap it out from where I was across the yard, but this kink was a good bit down the line. It required that I drop everything and address it. Once the kink was fixed, the water flowed smoothly and the rest of my plants got their drinks.
What a picture of faith.
Just like a hose is connected to a water source, our souls are connected to the Living Water – Jesus. And though as believers we are always connected to Him and always have access to the refreshment and nourishment we need, there are times when kinks happen and the flow stops.
I can think of a few times when, just like the hose, I flipped and kinked up the flow. Can you relate?
Our kinks come in all shapes and sizes. We can get flipped over by disappointments, unmet expectations, other people, or simply by our own attitudes, unbelief, fears, behaviors, rebellion, or unhealthy emotions.
How can we work out the kinks of our circumstances and relationships? By depending on the strength of God instead of our own. By going to Him in prayer, spending time in the Word, and by yielding to His Spirit.
The biggest of all kinks, however, is our own sin.
Yep. I said the s-word.
Pastor Timothy Keller said it this way; “The sin that is most destructive in your life right now is the one you are most defensive about.”
Ouch. Big kink. Right?
How can we work out the kinks of our sin? By confession. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10, ESV)
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (James 4:17)
Got a few sin kinks? Sure you do. We all do. Some might stem from blatant rebellion to God’s will, while others might be simply NOT doing something you know you ought to do. Regardless, if you want to have a right relationship with God, you must deal with sin honestly. Nothing can separate you from God’s love, but sin sure can stop the flow of you experiencing the power of His peace, grace, strength, and joy.
The Anglican theologian Richard Sibbes summed up the good news of Jesus beautifully when he said; “There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.”
I. Am. So. Thankful.
Let the grace of God work out your kinks today, friend. Sometimes we just have to drop everything and address them. The Bible says that the Lord’s kindness leads us to repentance – which, in turn, unleashes the powerful flow of His peace, grace, strength, and joy.
Want MORE of God’s peace, grace, strength, and joy in your life?
The Living Water is waiting.
Drink up, friend. Drink up.
“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”
(Psalm 24:3-5, ESV)
Let’s Pray
Lord, I am so thankful that your mercy is greater than my sin. Please forgive me for ____________________ . You know my heart and You know my ways. Cover me fresh with grace today so that I can experience Your joy, strength, and peace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Time to be a woman of courage! Grab your journal and list a few of your known kinks. Pray that the Lord would reveal some of your unknown kinks to you and ask that He would contend with you in those areas. If you are feeling extra courageous, CLICK HERE to visit my blog and post a prayer that asks God to help you with 2-3 of the specific kinks that you are convicted of today. Then, while you are there, pray for a few of the other women who posted. Encourage one another. Be the body. Be the beauty.
More from the Girlfriends
Gwen Smith is a speaker, author, worship leader, and songwriter who wants to help you think big thoughts about God – and inspire you toward His grace and truth. Her website is filled with videos, posts, songs and resources that will be a deep well of encouragement to you. (Get 3 FREE song downloads when you sign up for her blog!)
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