The Reader For Leaders Seminars, articles, and musings by Paul D. Casey

In the hands of God,
We stand tall
Hands that are mighty, to deliver
Givin’ us freedom
–In the Hands of God (Newsboys)

Can’t think of a more secure place to live my life than in the hands of God. It allows me to be God-confident instead of self-confident. I know He’ll come through for me, even if it’s not how I imagined. I know He’ll protect me, even if some shrapnel of life still stings me on occasion. I know He’ll cut any chains that I’ve allowed to shackle me with His boltcutters, even if those chains have gotten rusty and comfortable.  And, why do I jump out of His hands–ever??

“Now, once I was downhearted
Disappointment was my closest friend
But then you came and he soon departed
And you know he never showed his face again“  –Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher (Audio Adrenaline)

Ah, the D-words: downhearted, disappointed, discouraged, depressed, despair, downtrodden…  It doesn’t take many negative circumstances in life to get to those places.  But we all have a choice when we get there: to stay and wallow and feed those beasts, making us slide deeper–OR, to run to Jesus and give him those negative thoughts/emotions, letting him fight those battles for us, banishing anxiety and fear and pulling us out of the funk we’re in. Constant contact with Him then is also a preventative measure to not going back there again.

“I’ve had a world of possibilities slip through my hands and prayers that went unanswered that I couldn’t understand. There’s a faith that can move mountains, but I never let it move me. I only trusted things that I could see. So much frustration and trying it alone. I’ve had the revelation I can’t make it on my own…I give You my all.” –All (Avalon)

Natural reaction to problems/situations/opportunities in this life: How can I handle it by myself? I don’t need anyone’s help. I’ll figure it out, and it’ll be great. But one quickly realizes that I can’t go it alone. Without the help of God, I miss out, I turn inwardly selfish and proud, I am underutilizing the greatest Force in the Universe at my disposal (so to speak), I have a limited perspective, I will run myself into the ground with failure. Other option, the countercultural one, since it doesn’t make any sense to the logical mind: Give my everything to the One Who made the owner’s manual of my life, and see what He can do with it. I guarantee my life will be piloted a whole lot better than if I keep clutching the wheel.

“Now, once I was downhearted. Disappointment was my closest friend. But then You came, and he soon departed.  And, you know, he never showed his face again. Your love has lifted me higher...” –Your Love Has Lifted Me Higher (Audio Adrenaline)

The remedy for being in a funk emotionally is to reflect on the blessings that God gives me–everything from His creation of me, to the sacrifice of His Son’s life for me, to ultimate/regular forgiveness/mercy, to the opportunities He gives me, and the people that enrich my life that He connects with me. No one can just will discouragement away; it has to be replaced with Hope.

“When there’s no where else to turn, all your bridges have been burned. Feels like you’ve hit rock bottom. Don’t give up. It’s not the end. Open up your heart again. When you feel like no one understands where you are, someone loves you, even when you don’t think so. Don’t you know, you got me and Jesus, by your side, through the fight. You will never be alone.” –Me and Jesus (Stellar Kart)

I know what it feels like to hit an emotional rock bottom in a crisis. Confusion, shock, scarcity-thinking, hopelessness, pulling in–all are the feelings that flood the soul. I always knew I had Jesus, though. To know He gave it all for me (so He understood), that He hurt with me, that He never left my side, that He unconditionally kept loving me, that He fought for me, that the Father’s will is best for me–what a comfort when the rug gets pulled out. How could I turn anywhere else?

“I am a beggar; You are the table. I am so helpless; God, You are so able. And when I get turned around, You change my direction. You’re so perfect; I’m so broken. Here you come with arms wide open, chasing me down every road. You’re always waiting there. I can’t get away…I keep running into You.” –Can’t Get Away (Rush of Fools)

If I ever wonder if I have a God-like role in life, this song confirms that I don’t. Look at the roles: He provides, has the strength to do so, directs the course of history, characterized by perfection, and yet patient and loving to pursue imperfect me. Me on the other hand–I’m dependent on Him, unable to accomplish anything worth noting without His help, frequently squirrely in my heart, battered down by my own sin/others’ sin/the sinful world around me…. So, I have but one response: running to the haven of Jesus.

“I know where all is forgiven. Let’s go where we know love is alive. This love can change a life forever. The only way to start is giving Him our hearts. His love will piece us back together.  This is the way, this is the life, this love.” –This Love (Avalon)

One target to shoot at, that encompasses everything in my life: God’s love. He IS love, and He’s demonstrated it through the giving of His Son’s life, and the constant protection and good gift-giving He does for me now…the daily forgiveness when I repent, the alive-feeling I get when I’m in His zone, fully releasing what I cling to, to Him. He illuminates my path, brings color to my world, heals my broken pieces. This life-changing love.

“Even If”

Zoegirl 

Stranded in the middle of a hurricane
I’ve got an umbrella but nowhere to stay
Do I give up now or do I face the cold
I better get some boldness
Looking to the left I see it coming
I’m alone and I’m scared and it’s heading my way
Do I run
Do I hide
Do I dare close my eyes
Do I face the fear inside

You give me joy
You give me hope
You give me love that doesn’t change

Fear paralyzes. Even if I know the action I need to take, fear pulls me back, making me feel inadequate, powerless, a victim–instead of a change-agent that possesses the greatest Power Source in the world: the Holy Spirit. He gives everything I need to push forward with whatever looms ahead of me.  Fear is a lack of faith in that power. Fear stands for False Evidences Appearing Real. I am an overcomer, but not on my own power. Only with His strength is the way paved in front of me. It’s really the only viable solution: running to Him.

“Here it comes a beautiful collision is happening now. There seems no end to where You begin and where I end now. You and I, collide.” –Beautiful Collision (David Crowder)

I want this said of my relationship with Jesus Christ: seamless, so integrated that it’s impossible for others to see me apart from Him.  There’s only one way to get there, and that’s to seek to know Him so well that I can anticipate what His desires are for me, so that I’m in step with His will, always in the photo frame with Him.

“I know You’ve washed me white, turn my darkness into life. I need your peace to get me through, to get me through this night. I can’t live by what I feel, about the truth Your word reveals. I’m not holding on to You.” –East to the West (Casting Crowns)

I’ve hung around more people in pain in the last 2 years than ever before in my life, and I’ve seen a lot of hurt. A lot of those people have trouble going to God because at some level, they were responsible for a share of the painful situation they were currently in. And even if they confess to Him, they don’t FEEL forgiven, despite reading the promises of God in Scripture and deep-down knowing His character. Maybe it’s unbelievable at some level. And maybe it’s us who need to forgive ourselves. Maybe that’s the obstacle to cross to get to basking in His unconditional forgiveness. A place where the Evil One can keep us down, ineffective in life in Kingdom-purposes. But I think even if we have a blindfold of the lack of self-forgiveness on, we can still reach out for Him and He will be found–and we can still pray for His peace.