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??

“Any single relationship that is expected to fulfill every need will become claustrophobic, cloying, and swampy.” –Sam Keene

The answer to the question above is “God.” I know, that’s always the “spiritual”, unromantic answer, but I’m serious!  As I head into week 2 of being married to Laura Dyan, I am reminded by this quote that she is not my all-in-all. She enhances my life, she brings me incredible joy, she stands beside me in ministry and life in general, she is my #1 human priority! However, she does not have the capability to meet my every need like all-powerful, all-caring God can. Laura is a gift from Him to me–personally–and I am forever grateful.  His unconditional love for me is my most beloved gift. And I guess that makes a pretty cool triangle of love to rest in and give back to!

Deuteronomy 1:29-33 “…to relieve your fears. Don’t be terrified…God, your God, is leading the way; He’s fighting for you. You saw what He did for you…how God, your God, carried you as a father carries His child, carried you the whole way until you arrived here…This same God Who goes ahead of you…”

I lapse in my trust of God sometimes. Have no reason to, really. He’s fully trustworthy. I just look too long at the crud in my circumstances, and doubt floods in. But at any time, He can swoop my fear and doubt away if I yield to His leadership in my life. He can take down all obstacles–anything I cannot handle along the way. And He’s got quite the track record in my life for doing so. So today I humbly ask Him to be my Balm, my Bandage, my Physician, my Wheelchair when I get beat up by life.  In His care, I can truly say “no worries.”

Numbers 33:55 “But if you don’t drive out the native population, everyone you let stay there will become a cinder in your eye and a splinter in your foot. They’ll give you trouble right in your own backyards.”

While in the times of the Bible, this was a literal directive from God to His people when He was instructing them what to do as they enter the Promised Land, for us today, it’s a symbolic principle: God wants us to drive out junk/fleshly pursuits from our lives, or else they will cloud our vision (which is His vision for our futures) and cause us pain in our spiritual journeys toward fruitfulness on this planet. And it will continue to hit close to home if we continue in unhealthy patterns. The best way to be aware of “slow death” in our lives is to ask Him to point it out to us, using His gentlest methods; then listening and responding when they are revealed.