Life In The Bubble

---

Posted by Erin Roberson, May 15, 2024

My family used to live in a city that was commonly referred to as “The Bubble.” The title evokes a positive connotation; there is even a social media page for city residents called “Life in the Bubble.”  There were many positive aspects of raising children in this city: attractive surroundings, great schools, low crime rate, many recreational activities, etc. Living in the Bubble was not a bad thing at all!

If you think about it, we all tend to live our lives in a bubble, associating with a small circle of friends and family members who look like us, live like us, and think like us. While staying in our bubble is the most comfortable place for us to be, it’s important for us to develop relationships with people outside of our comfort zones.

The phrase “birds of a feather flock together“ is so true. If I go to a social event by myself, I seek out someone I know or at least someone who has something in common with me: we work at the same place, grew up in the same area, or work in the same profession. Don’t judge! I’ll bet you do it, too! It’s the most comfortable thing to do!

The problem with staying in our comfortable bubbles is that we deprive ourselves of the richness that can be found when we reach out and get to know people who are different from ourselves. I’m not talking about the one-shot mission trip to a third-world country (although there is certainly nothing wrong with that). The connection I’m talking about is when we develop friendships with people who are different from us.

Jesus didn’t stay in a comfortable bubble.

In fact, He was often questioned and criticized for the company He kept. I think about his encounters with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4: 4-26), the woman who wiped His feet with her hair (John 12: 1-8), and Zaccheaus (Luke 19), just to name a few.

Contrary to the religious leaders of the day, Jesus didn’t seem to view these people as “inferior” to Him. He wanted to have a relationship with them.

Wouldn’t He want us to do the same?

If you are comfortable doing this, good for you! For most of us, it can be a little scary. These relationships don’t just happen on their own; we have to be intentional. The truth is, we tend to make assumptions about people, either positive or negative, until we really get to know them.

So how do we expand our friendship circles? There are many ways, but here are just a few suggestions:

• When in a social setting, look for the person who is standing alone and strike up a conversation rather than immediately going to those you already know.

• Be willing to develop relationships with people, even when it is difficult to communicate because their primary language is different from yours.

• Be accepting of people who look different than you, have different interests than you, speak in a different dialect, or come from different backgrounds.

• Refuse to make assumptions about people!

In Revelation 7:9, we read about the people who will be present to celebrate Jesus’ return, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

Does my friend group reflect the people with whom I will spend all of eternity?

It sure seems to me that Jesus wants us to be intentional about popping our bubbles!

Erin Roberson is a wife and mother of two wonderful grown boys. She is a lifelong educator who loves learning and teaching others. She believes our primary focus should be on our relationship with God, learning who God is, who God says we are, and how God wants us to live.

Too Short

---

Posted by Annette Burrell, May 8, 2024

I am short. Not medium short. Simply short. At my tallest, I was 5 feet 1 inch. Now, I am 5 feet

tall. I can relate to Zacchaeus. I sit in the front row at church to ensure no one is in front

of me so I can see.

Even my arms are short. I roll up the sleeves to fit my arms when I purchase a long-sleeved blouse. A few weeks ago, I was playing cards. My girlfriends will testify that the stack in the

middle is always slightly situated toward my side of the table so I can reach it without stretching

my arm out of its socket.

Many of you will agree with me when I say, “I am so glad that neither God nor his arms are short.” Have you ever really thought about just how big He really is? The Bible doesn’t tell us how big God is, but He demonstrates it repeatedly.

The LORD answered Moses, ‘Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not

what I say will come true for you.’ Numbers 11:23 (NIV)

The Holman Christian Standard Bible puts it like this, “Is the LORD’s power limited? . . .” These verses were written after the Hebrews had been led out of Egypt by God through Moses, and they complained about only eating manna. Moses was so frustrated he questioned God’s power.

Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow when you will eat meat.

The LORD heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in

Egypt!” Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day,

or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month—until it comes out of your

nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have

wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” But Moses said, “Here I am among

six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole

month!’ Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they

have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?” The LORD answered Moses, "Is

the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you." Numbers 11:18-23 NIV

God had just told Moses in verses 18-20 to tell the people, “The LORD” will give you meat, and you will eat it for a whole month.” Just two verses later, Moses questioned God.

Have you ever doubted God’s power to answer your prayers or His ability to do something big?

I have. I tell myself God is still in the miracle business, but do I demonstrate my belief?

I pray for a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer; then, I doubt God will heal their terminal

illness. I pray for a family member who needs a car and question how God will provide. I pray

for a family member’s salvation, then doubt he’ll deliver my loved one from the pit they are in.

When I begin to doubt, I seek The LORD, and He directs me to passages in the Bible that

encourage and reassures me that God is still God and I can trust Him to answer my prayers in

His will.

Nothing is too big for Him.

He wraps His arms around the earth as He stands in the

universe that He created. He speaks, and all creatures catch His breath.

Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? Job 40:9 (NIV)

The answer is no. No one is more powerful than God. Everything is in His control. He allowed

Satan to test Job, and Job was faithful and trusted God. Job lost everything, but because of his

faithfulness to God, the LORD blessed the later part of his life more than the former.

After years of prayer, He spiritually saved my family member last week, and Ric was baptized

yesterday.

God is faithful to answer prayers in His timing.

A girlfriend testified a few weeks ago that after 30 years of praying for her son, she and her husband witnessed his transformation. He has been born again and is a new creation in Christ. She sang the LORD’s praises that day.

Are you in a season of doubting God? Whatever your prayer is, I encourage you to be steadfast

in your request. It doesn’t matter if your arms are short and you have trouble reaching things. God has the power to reach what is unreachable for us. Trust in Him as Job did. There is no limit to His power.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. Psalm 98 (NIV)

Annette Burrell is an author, speaker, and singer/songwriter. Through Annette’s years of being a public servant, and her devotion to studying the Bible, God has equipped her to lead women into His presence, and share with them how they can grow in Christ. Her passion is learning, sharing about the Heavenly realms, and God’s plan of protection for us as believers.

Holding My Own Hand

---

Posted by Martha Wilson, May 1, 2024

No childhood memory has impacted me like this one. Some sixty years later, it continues to speak the truth. Mama and I stood at the street corner in our small cotton mill town. As the light changed, she reached to grab my chubby little hand to cross over the street. I promptly clasped one hand inside the other and announced, “I hold my own hand.” I even recall swinging it repeatedly like it always felt in her hand. I feel sure she grabbed my arm or at least the sleeve of my dress to ensure my safety.

Being the youngest of three children, I always attempted to be more grown-up. My stubborn, independent self stood a little taller, and I walked a little faster that day, feeling so proud of myself. I just wanted to be in control.

If I’m sincere, I will tell you I never outgrew this childish desire. My little Adam self wanted to be in control. As precious as I must have been, I was born with the Adam nature that wanted to be my own boss, have my own way, and go the most appealing direction. I have lived much of my life holding my own hand.

Why do we often feel more confident when we think we are in control? Pride puffs up and pushes us to maintain as much control as possible. We hate to cry out for help and despise feeling small, weak, or inept.

I remember seeing this same independence rise in my three-year-old grandson. He wanted to follow his sister's example and scoot his kitchen chair to the counter to help Nana cook. His small but determined frame mustered all of its strength as he screeched the chair across the room. He wore a proud, broad smile until he got stuck against the wall. He could not get the chair to budge another inch, no matter how hard he pushed. I repeatedly offered to help, but he protested, “I got it, Nana. I got it!” I stepped away, attempting to cover my smile and hush my giggle. He pushed and tugged until he finally realized the cooking was almost over. He complained and spewed frustration, but all my offers of help were denied.

In total exhaustion, he finally surrendered and cried, “Help me, Nana!” Those were the words he had fought against with all of his being. He gave up, surrendered, and relinquished control. And loving help rushed toward him.

Is this not the same way we act toward God?

We are determined we are strong enough and tough enough to do it ourselves. “I’ve got this God. I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

Too many times in my life, I have found myself stuck against the wall. I push and shove and boast independence a little louder. I gripe and complain as if I were one of the original Israelites. I run ahead of God and go places He never intended me to. I take control of things that I am incapable of handling. I will figure it out all by myself. But it never works out well for me. How about you?

He is God, and I am not. His way is so much better than mine.

And He waits. God waits. He waits for us to tire of being stuck. He waits for our surrender. It takes humility to admit our great need for help. “I give up, help me God.” He lovingly and graciously rushes in to help. Surrender doesn’t make us weak; it makes us strong in the Lord.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

He allows us to hold our own hand and go our own way, but He is always near. God’s sovereign hand is holding the entire universe together, and certainly, He keeps me. Even in my rebellion or stubbornness, I know He has my arm, guarding and protecting me.

If you are in the same struggle today, let His word speak to your heart. Find help and strength in Him.

Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely I will help you; surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’  Isaiah 41:10,13 NAS

Prayer for today:“Lord, here is my hand. Please take it and lead me, guide me, help me.

I need your help. You are in control; not me. I trust you to hold me, and guide me in the right way. I want to be held by your righteous right hand.”

Martha Wilson is a writer, speaker, blogger and co-host of A Burst of Hope weekly podcast. She is the founder and director of Touching Hearts Ministries for women. She has led women to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus for most of her adult life. She is bold, tender, and transparent as she teaches women to embrace powerful Biblical truths. Martha and her husband, Ed, live in Fayetteville, Georgia, and enjoy their blended family of five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. You can connect with Martha at: Facebook and Instagram @TouchingHeartsMinistries or listen to the A Burst of Hope Podcast.