Photo by Tobias van Schneider on Unsplash
Not for lack of writing, Road Report posts have faltered a bit. A growing list of paused messages await further inspiration.
An off-blog comment from a reader a few months ago scored a direct hit to some of my strongest doubts about this blog project - that my writing lacks the fluidity I desire, that a labor over messages.
Too often, Road Report Journal is way too much like my actual journal and thoughts - choppy and meandering and only occasionally lucid, natural and crisp.
I realize that doubt and brooding have dubious spiritual undertones. The song, “Through His Eyes” by Jenny and Tyler regards how Satan taunts along those lines.
Blank pages for months
And the sound of his voice rings in my head
Saying I should give up
And all that I write is meaningless
He says, no one else has to know about this
No one else has to know
Discouragement and secrecy gives “him” away. (See Zechariah 3: 1-2; Revelations 12:10)
Abandoned guitars
Dust covered shelves, laundry piled high
Tell me I’m not enough
And I know that they are wrong
But I still believe these lies
He says, no one else has to know about this
No one else has to know
No one else has to know
More discouragement and secrecy and, of course, lies. This is Satan’s M.O. (See John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:14)
To recognize a counterfeit, study the real thing. Our enemy’s intent is that we give in to our doubts and despair, set aside our resolve and by all means, abandon and question the claims of our Bible while slowly succumbing to "his” lies.
Faith is the antidote to doubt.
...whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. (Jesus, Matthew 21:22)
… faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
Satan deceives believers into trusting feelings while Jesus teaches that faith intentionally engages God’s word, developing discipline to connect feelings with the power of the Holy Spirit at work within our beings (hearts, mind, spirit).
Mature believers still doubt but they languish less before bringing doubt and disappointment directly to the Lord. Siding with God is the best way to rebuff and the lose the tempter. (James 4:7).
When what I’m doing isn’t going where I think it should be going or working out how I thought, I tend not to notice the “I” part of “my” desires while the urge to silently slink away and not attract any attention is very, very strong.
At these low points, Jesus will find us if we don’t go find him first. (Psalm 139) “Transfer your load to me,” he essentially urges. He takes everything and frees me to live large no matter what is going on or how I feel about it.
Jenny finishes the song with a flourish
Ooh I want to see myself through Your eyes
Ooh Father help me see myself through Your eyes
To see ourselves as God sees us is to reflect the radiance of Jesus. Others might notice us doing so.
-------------------------------------
Notes:
1. Jenny’s explanation of their song, "Through His Eyes"
2. Photo by Tobias van Schneider on Unsplash