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Written by Jocelynn Goff, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas (and mother of Michelle J. Goff, founder)
Did you know there actually was a “Year of Vision”? Yep, you guessed it, 2020. Some of you may remember or have participated in a 2019 New Year’s Eve party with the theme of 20/20 Vision. There were all kinds of phrases, jokes, even costume glasses made into the shape of 2020. It was going to be a great year. Afterall, 20/20 is what we have traditionally considered perfect vision. However, COVID happened and that perspective was silenced. It became the year we all wished would hurry up and go away quickly, so that we could get back to normal, or at least our definition of normal. We really wanted the year 2020 to be in our rearview mirror.
The year 2020 is truly behind us now. But, where are we now as a nation, a congregation, a family, or, looking closer to home, where am I?
For me, 2021 has been a most challenging year. The most recent challenge has been an additional health issue. The quivering feeling of my heart out of rhythm seemed to call me to worry and become anxious. It threatened to consume me. I knew I needed to recognize that something was wrong and seek medical help. However, I was also seeking the appropriate response to the anxiousness and not let it run away with my mind, even as my heart needed medical attention.
I prayed for calm and the appropriate perspective. Then, as I contemplated thoughts for this blog on Redefined Vision, the song, Be Thou my Vision, came to mind.
Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
My focus or vision has had to intentionally refocus on the perspective of letting my Lord be the vision of my heart, even as it’s physically beating rapidly out of sync.
There have been other events in my life as teaching points of this concept. For instance, when I was pregnant with our first daughter, I took Lamaze classes and was introduced to the helpfulness of a focal point and relaxed breathing. These were important for me in managing pain while in labor. I chose a birth announcement card as my focal point. I practiced multiple times prior to labor, using that focal point. Then during labor, I could picture my focal point, even if I had my eyes closed. I can still picture this focal point when I’m in other painful situations.
Spiritually, the application of this principle is not new.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2)
He is our focal point. We fix our vision on Him and let Him lead by example to have joy in endurance and rest at the throne of God.
Another aspect of the Lamaze method was learning relaxed breathing patterns for each stage of labor.
Spiritually, the relaxed breathing is a reminder of Who’s in control. A friend taught me this concept years ago, “Breathe out self. Breathe in Jesus.” It’s a part of letting go of the notion that I am the one sitting on the throne, and then allowing His breath to fill me.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I AM the LORD.” (Ezek. 37:4-6)
I think I can speak for all of us that we’d like to have the breath of the LORD in us and come to life like the dry bones.
In summary, not only as we do in January, when setting New Year’s Resolutions, but also throughout the year must define and redefine our vision to be fixed on Him so we can have joy, endurance, and be filled with life from the I AM.
Blessings and Happy New Year.
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Written by Liliana Henriquez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colombia
In general, we could say that society has certain expectations of women depending on their role or marital status. For example, women are expected to get married before their 30s, have children, and also have a prosperous and profitable job. None of which is a bad thing, but truth be told, sometimes life does not turn out that way or in that order… and that is when our complexes and conflicts with ourselves arise.
Today, I invite you to analyze the things that we CAN do regardless of our culture, role, or marital status. Let's look at the story of Ruth, a widowed woman, a single-again woman, who decided to emigrate to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law. She decided to start from scratch, but she decided to do it the right way.
From her history we can learn:
• We can choose to have God as our God. (Ruth 1:16) Sometimes we make the mistake of putting the boy we like, friends, work… as “gods.” They become our source of emotional stability and divert us from the one true God. Let´s remember that all these things are fleeting. Rather, we can choose what’s best, like Mary did in Luke 10:41-42 (NIV). “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
• We can serve others. (Ruth 2:11) Ruth served her mother-in-law, and the good work she did was known to all.
• We can work hard. (Ruth 2: 15-18) When we are willing to work and be productive in our field, we find grace and favor in the eyes of others.
• We can learn to appreciate processes and learn from them. (Ruth 2:23) The process of sowing and harvesting barley and wheat takes months. It is sown in the fall and harvested in the spring. Each stage of the process is important and Ruth knew it. She did not demand instant results. She did the right things step by step with patience and confidence.
• We can cultivate an admirable character. (Ruth 3:11) Ruth was known among the people as a virtuous woman. That reputation was cultivated over time and appreciated by all.
• We can learn to accept the advice of a wise person. (Ruth 3:18) Ruth listened to the wise advice of her mother-in-law Naomi.
Although Ruth had the happy ending that many single women desire, it is important to note that she got married AFTER she had manifested all these characteristics. This means that she was ALREADY a virtuous, helpful, hard-working, and devoted woman of God BEFORE getting married.
Many times, we hear some women say, "When I get married, I will focus more on God, on service, on growing professionally, etc." Ruth shows us that this is not the correct order. A Christian woman should cultivate all of these characteristics from an early age.
Our character and decisions totally influence the results we will obtain. Ruth made the best decisions and that is why she became David's great-grandmother.
God's Word redefines and shapes us. Let it continue to do its work in us to remain redefined in 2022.
For more information on single life from a biblical perspective, I invite you to read the ministry’s new book, One Single Reason: Conversations with Single Women.