June 07, 2018

When a Believer Hides from God by Kimberly Dawn Rempel

Sometimes I don't want to talk to God. Mostly, it's when I suddenly glimpse all the junk that still lurks in me after all this walking with Him. "You mean I'm not holy yet?!"  


Once in a while, I get real tired of missing the mark all the time, you know? How can I work so hard to please my Father and still be in a completely desperate state of needing Him. Will I ever get it right? Can I do NOTHING?!  Scripture says we can do nothing apart from Him, so why on earth do I ever expect to? Pride I guess. Wanting to be good on my own, without His help.
... sounds alot like a two year old. "No! I DO IT!!!"

But, it happens. I get discouraged. I hide myself in movies, shopping, overeating... anything to keep from thinking about how short I fall.

And He lets me, loving Father that He is. He lets me walk away, taking His blessings with me. Even if I end up going quite insane and find myself inexplicably chin deep in a pig pen, He lets me. 

But, when I've had enough of the guilt and hopelessness, he also lets me come back. Finally I become ready to show my ugly self to Him (the ugliness was only ever a surprise to me), and allow Him to fix me. 

I still don't really feel like reading or praying. I'm not happy or relieved. I'm desperate and dirty and so very dependant on Him to help me. So I tell Him my feelings, and show Him my dirt. 

And do you know how He responds? 

"My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline,
and don't give up when he corrects you. 
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." (Hebrews 12:5,6)

I love that. He knows how much we want to give up when He corrects us. It feels near hopeless when He shows me how wrong I am - how I'm missing the mark. I want to hear 'well done', not 'okay, here's your sin...' But He loves me enough to do it. 

And He continues to reassure me:

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it's painful! 
But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living 
for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews 12:11)

He gets it. He knows this is hard for us, and He's right there with empathy, reassurance and even a promise, setting joy before us so we can endure the now. 

But it's not just for us. There's an assignment to accomplish for the benefit of others:

"So take a new grip with your tired hands 
and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a 
straight path for your feet so that those who 
are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." 
(Hebrews 12:12,13)

And we can please God and serve Him by the power of Jesus Christ. This book closes with a blessing the author prays over the church. I hope it strengthens and encourages you too. 

"Now may the God of peace - 
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, 
the great Shepherd of the sheep, 
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood - 
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will. 
May he produce in you
through the power of Jesus Christ, 
every good thing that is pleasing to him. 
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen."
(Hebrews 12:20,21)

*This post was originally published at From The Heart Online




Kimberly Dawn Rempel helps authors and entrepreneurs build their business and their faith through 1:1 coaching, editing, and book marketing.  Click here to 
Download her free guide, 14 Ways to Leverage Your Book  or join her Facebook Group, Marketing-Savvy Authorpreneurs HERE.

8 comments:

  1. SPOT ON!!! We are all like little children half of the time! What great verses.

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    1. I know, right? I often feel like a spiritual toddler. :)

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  2. I'm not holy yet and you can't make me! Oops, sorry Kim. That was supposed to be my inside voice. :) Thank you for reminding us of the blessed discipline the Lord may bring our way. Thank you also for the balance you show us, "He knows this is hard for us, and He's right there with empathy, reassurance and even a promise, setting joy before us so we can endure the now." Ah, the gracious love of God. I don't want to hide anymore. Thank you Kim. Keep on writing my friend.

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    1. "And you can't make me!" -- ouch. I've definitely taken that posture, as the stubborn child to a good Father...
      Like you, Alan, I don't want to hide anymore.
      Thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comment :)

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  3. Oh so true and oh so me. I really enjoyed this. Thank you Kimberly!
    Pam M.

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    1. Thanks for reading, Pam. Isn't it great that we're not alone in this? :)

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  4. I like your verses from Hebrews. This is such a practical prayer. "I also think of the verse, Kimberly, where Jesus invites us: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This is what I want to do--to spend time sharing the yoke with Jesus, so I can learn his gentle and humble ways. Often, like right now, I need him to do the heavy pulling. Thank you, Jesus, for your loving invitation to be right beside us through everything, including the good, the bad, the ugly, the difficult and the easy, and even the absolutely beautiful parts of life. .


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    1. Yes!! He does the heavy pulling.

      "Thank you, Jesus, for your loving invitation to be right beside us through everything, including the good, the bad, the ugly, the difficult and the easy, and even the absolutely beautiful parts of life." - AMEN!

      Thanks, Sharon!

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