This Moment…

This Moment…

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Perspective.

I woke up this morning, just as I have for the past forty-two years. With some moments and with an opportunity to make those moments count. To seed them with eternal thoughts and eternal doings or to limit them by ignoring the possibility of their worth.

I bet you woke in similar stride. If you’re reading this, then you did and, now, you have come to see what I have to say in the matter. A matter that matters for the kingdom, but not one that will impede the process. Rather, one that has been part of the process all along and has finally been given to us for the unwrapping.

Thank God. Seriously. Thank Him for the unveiling of an answer that has kept us captive to our “what if’s” for a long season.

Had I hoped for a different outcome? Yes. Did I weep some tears for the unborn child? You bet. But I did something else in addition to my disappointment. I gathered my family sometime after midnight, and we surrendered our tears in prayer to God. We laid our hopes and dreams and fears before the throne of heaven, knowing that our Father heard, understood, and then, listened to him as he asked for our understanding in the matter.

For a higher perspective that yields faith, obedience, and a heart that is willing to seed mercy and grace accordingly. For hands that are willing to get down in the soil and get to the business—God’s business—that exceeds a shift in Congress or the new residents of the White House. It includes them, but they are not the sum total of the whole.

They are part of the bigger picture, and alongside my country, I choose to stay focused on the role I’ve been given to play and the chapter I’ve been given to write. No one can do that for me. My story is mine to live, and these next few moments are mine to give to the world … to God. To stand and to kneel as the bridge between the two.

It is my joy and my privilege to do so. Thus, I pray for peace. Search for peace. Receive my peace, and go forward from this one moment, walking with peace. Peace is not some far off possibility or longed for conclusion. Peace shattered the night sky over 2000 years ago with the cries of his feeble flesh and his divinely rooted purpose.

A purpose that included moments of walking out the role he’d been given to walk, on an earthen soil he’d been given to save. Is Peace ringing his hands this morning? Is Peace heading to the local bar to drown his sorrows? Is Peace chaotically assembling his army for a showdown? Is Peace spreading more gossip seeded in fear? Is that the Peace you know?

If so, then may I be so bold to suggest that true peace will never be your portion?

Time for perspective, friends. Time for reframing and for some soul searching in the matter. Time for remembering who you are and who you belong to and for believing in a stronger and higher purpose that exceeds this one moment; not separated from this one moment, but rather lived in unison with a greater unseen whole that is walking its story in perfect cadence with our Father’s clock.

I love America. I love the fact that I’ve been given the privilege to call it my home. Do I think we are off course and could use a strong and bold revival in our land? I’m praying for it because I fully believe we are due its arrival. We are a needy and selfish people, both inside and outside of the church. Some of us our licking our wounds today. Some of us our celebrating a shift in leadership who has promised far more than any single person is capable of accomplishing.

Human nature is like that … always thinking it is up to us to solve the problems and the sin in the world. Too much of a load for any one man to carry. But One did. All the way to Calvary and back, fulfilling the role he had been given to play. The story he had been given to write.

His name is not Mr. President. His name is King Jesus, and he, alone, is my Peace this day. He’s yours too.

Pray for him. Seek him while he yet may be found. And then walk with him, in this moment and in the next, until all moments are gathered and collected and laid to final rest within the boundaries of a garden’s rest. Heaven. Forever.

A final unwrapping of a gift and an unveiling of an answer that has kept us captive to our “what if’s” for a long season. So be it, even so come.

Live it like you mean it, friends. This moment is yours to seed for eternity’s gain. As always,

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Copyright © November 2008 – Elaine Olsen. All rights reserved

32 Responses to This Moment…

  1. I’m in tears. My day did not begin as yours. Oh how I wish it had.

    Thank you for these moments when I can put my focus where it belongs…on Messiah, Lord.

    Sheryl

  2. wifeforthejourney:

    Thank you for bearing with your husband’s passion for current events, and helping me stay anchored in Christ. We should not greet Nov. 5 2008 as though God is at a loss for words.

    Whether we find ourselves elated or disappointed with America’s election results today, we ALL need to review the council of the Apostle Peter in 2nd Peter 1:1-11.

    I won’t type out the whole eleven verses, but reading them has value for this moment and every moment to come. As the Apostle says, may we find ourselves, “all the more eager to make [OUR] calling and election sure.”

    This is the day the Lord has made, better to greet it with joy instead of a smirk.
    ~ Billy

  3. No matter who won, no matter who lost, “This is the day that the Lord has made.” He knows the plans He has for this day and I am content in His plans. blessings, marlene

  4. Amen, my precious friend! Beautifully expressed.

    Praise God for His promise in Isaiah 11, and praise Him that the harvest awaits!

    May He richly bless your day, and may you enjoy your son at home with you! 🙂

  5. Words of boldness, quiet assurance, hope and faith… perfect for any day and amazing for today.

    Blessings,
    Grace

  6. I totally agree with you. We must come together as a nation and continue to pray and trust in God.

  7. Yes, I am trying to keep that perspective. Thank you for the gentle nudge in the right direction.

  8. Abosolutely….AMEN!

    Peace, that peace which surpasses all understanding.

    Lets show the world, in such a loving, calm, peaceful way…that we, you and I, are truly, TRULY different than the world. BECAUSE OF THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST!

    Lovingly,
    Yolanda

  9. Elaine, how my heart has been encouraged this morning by visiting the posts of my American friends. So many wrote of their belief that God is in control for days leading up to the election, and response today gives true evidence if those words came from head or heart.

    I believe that God is calling all of us to a time of prayer. His Word tells us that He can turn the hearts of Kings and rulers (and Presidents). Just try and imagine what could be accomplished for God’s glory alone, if all of His people would unite in prayer.

    Desiring to live it like I mean it,
    Joy

  10. My pastor in New Orleans told us that we should always pray for whoever’s in leadership. It may not be who we want there, but that doesn’t matter. As believers, we really need to pray for him. God is in control and we have to trust that alone. 🙂

    1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

    Blessings,
    Kennisha

  11. Elaine, thank you for being one voice crying out in the wilderness. So many of us are encouraged by your words during this time of uncertainty. God is moving His Spirit among His elect today in incomprehensibly powerful ways. Thank you for allowing Him to use you as a vessel to carry His unmatched peace to so many of us.

    Blessings,
    Lisa

  12. Good stuff, Elaine. So well put, and I say that, knowing with full confidence that God gave you those words for such a time as this to encourage your readers. You get it. It is our wake-up call, for we have been asleep as believers for far too long. We aren’t comfortable today, but that’s not what we’re called to anyway, now is it? We just prefer it.

    I join you in being one of the “fully committed” as Scripture references. One of my favorites, by the way!

    Thank you for speaking out in truth today. You’ve delivered His message, friend. Now don’t let Satan talk you out of it.

    I love you,
    Lisa 🙂

  13. Amen… our rescue comes from the Lord. He is the answer. He will take care of us… no matter what the future holds in this earthly life. He is our future! He knows the plans He has for us… H=

  14. Elaine,
    Peace and perspective, indeed. Our hope for our futures rests securely in Jesus. Maybe the shift in this country’s leadership will spur us Christians on to take a more active role in the direction of our country, our communities, our churches and our families.

    Thanks for your thoughts on this.

    Blessings,
    Kelli

  15. Amen!

    Who knows but what we’ve all (the cyber community here, and believers everywhere) been called for a time such as this? What an incredible opportunity to be light and salt.

    Thanks for summoning us to the high groung.

    Kathleen

  16. Yes, there was a heaviness in my heart last night. But I really think I knew it would go that way.
    Today God reminded me of Daniel and his three young friends.
    Their hearts were the Lords and yet they made the trek into slavery with the others. In their hearts and eyes it must have seemed if all were lost…BUT…God was about to write some of the most incredible stories through the lives of these guys.
    They continued to stand for Him even on their own. And the fewer there were standing….the bigger the impact God had on a king.
    Even today their faith encourages our hearts.
    May we follow Daniel and stay on our knees…..and expect the miraculous! We will be the shoulders upon which His glory will be seen.
    Our God will not be mocked!

  17. Although I am disappointed in the outcome, the people have spoken and voted. That’s the beauty of our freedom in the US. Now, it’s time to pray for our soon to be new President. I am comforted by knowing that God is sovereign and He knew this would be the outcome. Somehow, I am feeling more determined to live out my faith. At times it may involve words.

  18. “His name is not Mr. President. His name is King Jesus.”

    That about sums up my own post today. AMEN, sister, amen.

  19. Amen…and you just preach this words. For they are words given to you from our Father and your obedient heart has shared them with us. Thank you!

    For I know my purpose has not changed because of earthly election results…I will continue to Live My Life On Purpose!

  20. Yes, my sister… yes. Strangely sensing that more people will be won to the Lord during this presidency then any other. Hmm… haven’t we been praying that all would come to know HIM?

  21. God was not surprised by the outcome of the election. He is not pacing in heaven or wringing His hands in despair. He is still on the throne, and HE reigns!

    The enemy would like nothing more than to cause divisiveness in our nation. We have to be so very careful to guard our minds and our hearts.

    As Beth Moore wrote today:
    “Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.'” (Matthew 12:25)

    A united house stands. A divided house falls. The devil has much to gain. But he also has much to lose.

    We are the Body of Jesus Christ and we have an opportunity to show His character. This is our watch. We stand for what is right not from our feet but from our knees.

    God bless America…

  22. We have but one King, and all else is in His hands. We must trust the Lord. Sometimes His plans are veiled to us, but they are perfect, no?

  23. No matter the outcome, I had peace because I chose to beleive God is in control and this is all part of His plan. It is time for us to live our faith boldly. Amen?!?!?!?

    In His Graces~Pamela

  24. I said and posted on my blog before the election that ‘Our country may change…But God will never change!’

    You wrote so beautifully what so many of us are attempting to pull from the depths of our being.

    To trust God in the midst of fear for this great country HE has given us the privilege to live in.

    Bless you,
    Cindy

  25. Wow Elaine, this is beautiful and right from the depth of your heart for God. Loved every word of it.
    love you,
    lelia

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