Security- truth or lie?

Security. That word looks a lot different for me these days than it did a decade ago. A decade ago, I can almost hear myself saying- well “this job with the Army would mean security.” I’m glad to report that I’ve grown since then. I’ve come to realize that trusting in Jesus needs to come first. Always. Priorities must be aligned. Any time we have personally put this scripture (Matthew 6:33) into action: “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness” – all the other things, big or small, have a way of falling into place.

So, what does that look like? Seeking first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness? It’s very simple. No large formula you have to memorize. God doesn’t play like that. It means prioritizing your relationship with the God of the universe. Come on now. Don’t be narrow minded- you can’t afford to be that. Let the gift of faith be stirred in you today. The very thing we cannot see but- it’s the very thing that pleases God. Faith. (Hebrews 11:6)

Almost four years ago, I remember we were pcsing to Texas from Hawaii. I was staying with my in-laws in AZ with the kids, and my husband was on a short TDY. We tried to buy a house, and to no avail- because with the housing market that year everyone was after the same thing. You would think that living on an army base would be a much easier process, but it was not for us. There was no housing available on base and trying to find a house outside of base was equally as hard. Stress would not even cover how I felt at the time, as the stress absolutely consumed & crippled me. Then something extraordinary happened. Listen.

I was in my in-law’s guest bedroom, and I had shut and locked all the doors. I was angry. I was angry with God because- why? Why me? Why us? Why is this happening? Why do we always seem to hit a wall with the Army at every turn? Why? Why? Why? Cue: pity party. Ha ha. I got on my face and laid there with my face buried in the carpet. I started to sob. Guttural sobs. I was angry and my tears were hot. I started telling God exactly what was on my mind.

There was this distinct moment after I told the Lord how we need a house, and not just a house but this, that, and the other… there was this moment of what am I going to do right now? Am I going to trust God in this moment? Am I going to believe that no matter what happens He will continue to take care of us, just like he always has, even though us getting taken care of, isn’t normally the way I would have pictured it? Right?

I felt the presence of the Lord show up in that moment, and I was able to quiet down and stop crying. I just laid there. I had no answers. We didn’t exactly have a lot of money. There were so many things we needed, and we needed things to work out. I had 3 kids, and my youngest was a baby. As I felt His presence, I asked for forgiveness. Because I wasn’t doing life with the Lord, not really. I wasn’t trusting Him. I wasn’t leaning on Him, nor His word. I had let everything else, and all the worries of this world completely consume me forgetting that Jesus had once said, “my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)

This next part is not made up-not by a long shot. I don’t want you to think that this happens all the time either because it doesn’t. I swear, 30 minutes later- I got a call from Ft. Bliss housing, and they had called to tell me that a house had just opened up- it was a handicapped house made for the handicapped, but it had enough bedrooms for my family, functioning utilities, and they asked me if I would be okay with a house like that?

In tears I just replied, “yes, thank you.”

Take from the story what you will. God is no dummy. He knows. He sees. His grace is like rain. He loves. With that said, security. What does security look like? Often times people associate security with money and lots of it. Interestingly enough, when I look around and see folks who have so much money they don’t know what to do with it- these are the very folks whose families are falling apart. Divorces. Kids rebelling and acting out. Can I ask, what in the heck is the point of having so much “security” and I’m talking security by the world’s standards- if your whole family is broken up and falls away? Nothing and I absolutely freaking nothing is worth my family being broken. I grew up in a broken family and I’m only alive today because I found Jesus. He saved me from depression and suicide.

What's the point? To have everything but lose your soul in the process? The point is Jesus. Period. It’s simple. He’s the only one who can satisfy. You can die tomorrow and then what was the point? We can't take the wealth with us when we die? We need to get our priorities aligned. ASAP. I don’t want all the success and then no God. I don’t want all the success and no family. I can’t do it all. I don’t want it all. "Seek first God’s Kingdom and righteousness- and all these things will be added unto you." I want to challenge you: get on your face. Remember that our security- is first and foremost placed on the rock, aka Jesus Christ.

Merriam Webster defines security as: trustworthy; dependable.

Imagine that. What is dependable in this world? Definitely not the economy. Be encouraged today. Don’t give up praying. Don’t doubt the God of the Universe- don’t be narrow minded. Trust in Him. Rise up mighty warrior. Let your faith be stirred. Jesus is enough. Say that 10 times and watch your perspective shift for the better.

Some thoughts.

Even if I never see the miracles, I will be secure in my faith in Jesus Christ.

When I don’t have answers, I will be secure in my faith in Jesus Christ.

When hard things come which they always do, I will be secure in my faith in Jesus Christ.

When I feel alone or discouraged I will remind myself of all that the Lord has done and will continue to do, regardless, I will be secure in my faith in Jesus Christ.

When I’m dancing on the mountain top, I will be secure in my faith in Jesus Christ.

When I’m walking through the valley of the shadow of death, I will be secure in my faith in Jesus Christ.

If money is tight, I will ask for wisdom in how to be a better steward of what God has given me, and I will be secure in my faith in Jesus Christ.

 ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

With Love, E