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Traci Huff

Stinkin’ Thinkin’: The Lord, a Root Canal, and Me

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Life and peace? Yes, please!

All around us things clamor for our attention, making peace a seemingly elusive concept just out of our reach at times. Paul tells the Romans a mind set on the Spirit leads to life and peace. That sounds great, but how do we do that? How do we take our minds off of our flesh and set them on the Spirit?

Stick around this week and see what God’s word has to say about it …

 

The Lord, a Root Canal, and Me

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

DSC_0363 (2)Squeamish is not a word that has ever been used to describe me, but I must admit that the dentist can get me feeling a little anxious. My dentist isn’t the one to blame because it’s all me. Between the sounds of the instruments, the foreign objects crammed in my mouth, and trying to answer questions with said objects in my mouth, I want to just skip my appointment altogether. For the sake of full disclosure here, every time I leave the office, I wonder why I got myself so worked up. It’s never as bad as I think it’s going to be!

Now that you know this about me, you can probably imagine that when I needed a root canal, I was not cool as a cucumber. It wasn’t a bad experience physically, but mentally it was awful! I’m talking, somebody give me a brown paper bag! I’m hyperventilating over here! It wasn’t good.

As I was lying in the chair, my mind was trying to go into panic mode. I did my best to keep it all together because let’s face it, I was a 30-something year old woman who knew how to behave, and I really didn’t want to be THAT patient.

During the procedure, I remembered today’s verse: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! And so lying in my chair, with all the instruments crammed in my mouth, I began to think about the Lord. With intention, I shifted my thoughts from my circumstances to my Savior. I meditated on His character. I recalled His provision over me in the past and His promises for the future. I recited Scripture. I prayed.

There, lying in a dental chair, peace flooded my soul as I took my thoughts off of my circumstances and put them onto my Savior.

I realize your “root canal”— the situation occupying your thoughts and stealing your sleep, is likely much worse. You feel anxious and weary. Regardless of the circumstance that threatens to sweep you away, our God is a God of peace. Praise God, He is bigger than any circumstance we face.

He is there, His peace waiting to flood your soul as you take your eyes off your problems and fix them on your Provider.

Fixing my eyes on Him,

Traci

We’re In This Together: Can’t Get Enough Of Hur

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So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 
Exodus 17:9-13, NASB

Tucked neatly into five verses in the 17th chapter of Exodus is found a powerful portrayal of a battle-weary, yet faithful Moses. While this passage may have little screen time in God’s narrative, it packs a big message. Let’s unpack it together this week …

 

Can’t Get Enough Of Hur

“See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.”

Exodus 31:2-3 NASB

IMG_0103I can’t seem to get enough of Hur this week, so please bear with me as we talk a little more about this seemingly minor character whose actions had a major impact in the story of God’s people.

If you’re still with me in Exodus 17, you can turn to the right in your Bible and you will find in Exodus 31 a man by the name of Bezalel, who was chosen by God to build the Tabernacle. This gentleman is the grandson of a man named Hur, who is believed to be the same Hur that we met earlier this week. Pretty cool, huh? What makes this so cool? I’m glad you asked.

We’ve all heard that “little things” can make a big difference in the lives of those around us, but sometimes I need a little reminder. Hur is a man whom we know was faithful in a seemingly little thing, and it is presumed that his grandson went on to build the tabernacle. Is it possible that Hur was a man who was consistently faithful in little things, leaving a legacy of faith for his family?

Each of us have a sphere of influence. It may be in our homes, our school, our workplace, or our neighborhood. Regardless of where we are, people are watching our response to not only the battles of life but also our day to day. They see how we respond in the little things as well as the big things.

It’s easy to believe the lie that the work we’re doing is not important and that we are contributing little to the kingdom. But I believe, that all we have to do is what God has called us to do. We only need to do the “thing” that He has placed before us, regardless of whether it’s “little” or “big.” Today, my job has been to give extra love to two of my kids who are sick. It’s certainly not worthy of accolades, but today, that is the job the Lord has given me. And because it is assigned by Him, I trust that it is kingdom work.

Friend, someone is watching how you live your life. Your spouse who wants nothing to do with church, sees your faithfulness. Your neighbor sees your kindness and your faithfulness to your friends and family. Your integrity in the workplace does not go unnoticed. Friend, your faithfulness in “little” things can impact generations to come.

Dear God, we thank You for the awesome opportunity to witness to others by simply living our lives. However, we realize the magnitude of this task, and we cannot do it alone. Lord, please help us to be faithful in the big things and in the seemingly little details so that we may impact others and glorify You through the lives that we live. Amen. 

Amazed by His grace,

Traci

We’re In This Together: Little is Big

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So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 
Exodus 17:9-13, NASB

Tucked neatly into five verses in the 17th chapter of Exodus is found a powerful portrayal of a battle-weary, yet faithful Moses. While this passage may have little screen time in God’s narrative, it packs a big message. Let’s unpack it together this week …

 

Little is Big

Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.

Exodus 17:12, NASB

Moses,_Aaron,_and_HurIt’s the wash-rinse-repeat cycle of the day-to-day that can leave me feeling a little less than encouraged. In the mundaneness of daily life, I can completely overlook what God is doing around me and fail to notice the opportunity to do the good that He has placed right in front of me.

Of the three men that were stationed on the hilltop, he is definitely the lesser known. In fact, little is known about Hur, the man who partnered with Aaron as they stood beside Moses, keeping his hands raised to heaven as he fervently prayed for the Israelites. I for one, had read this story countless times failing to notice the significance of his actions in this fascinating story.

Hur is a supporting character in this story. He wasn’t a valiant warrior in the battle, putting his life on the line for his country. Nor was he the one entrusted with the staff of God, whose prayers on behalf of the Israelites would win the battle for God’s people.

From the little that we know about him, he was none of those. He was just a regular guy. Much like you and me. However, on that day, there was a job needing done that had been ordained by God, and Hur was ready and willing to do it. When Moses’ arms became exhausted and weary from the battle, he was there.

If there were a hero to be named in this story, Hur wouldn’t get that honor. However, on that day his seemingly “little” actions: rolling up a stone for Moses and holding his arms up in prayer, profoundly impacted a nation for the glory of God.

What is your job today? Are you teaching a room full of children? Caring for an aging parent? Sitting in a classroom?

No matter where you are or what you are doing, the Lord has a job for you. Nothing done in the name of the Lord is insignificant to God.

Dear Lord, we pray that You would open our spiritual eyes to the needs of those around us and that our eyes would be opened to the tasks that You have placed before us. Help us not to miss out on what You’re doing around us. Amen.

Amazed by His grace,

Traci

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