CIRCUMSTANCES!
(Recipe: Smoky Split Pea Soup)

This is a week I have been looking forward to with both dread and excitement. Dread - because I am asked to travel a road I have never been on before – open heart surgery. Excitement – because God has give me a promise, a verse He whispered into my heart; a verse I take with me as I enter the surgical doors on Friday. This is what God whispered, Psalm 23:4,
“Even though you walk through the valley of ‘open heart surgery’ you need not fear for I am with you.” Yeah!!! I’m glad I don’t have to face this journey alone. God will be there too!

Since I was unable to attend church this morning, I had “TV” church. I found it exciting that Dr. Stanley chose this morning to have as his topic “circumstances”, taken from Philippians 4:11, “……I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” He reminded me that I am to “Focus on Christ not my circumstances.” When we do this, the truth of Philippians 1:12 becomes real, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” The circumstances God brings into our lives are there because God wants to use them to advance his Gospel.

Dr. Stanley went on to say, “Focus on the Sovereignty of God”. God knows all. God sees all. God is in all. God says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things (circumstances) God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” If you are God’s child, if you have been called by him, then every circumstance you may be asked to face today, or this week, or this month - has been allowed for God’s good purpose.

Finally he encouraged us to, “Focus on the positive results rather than personal gain.” Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

What do I really want to see happen through my circumstance? I want to know Jesus more. I want to live in the center of his good purpose for me. Whatever circumstance you are going through today, the end result should be the same for you - you want to know Jesus more.

When we focus on circumstances, they still do not change. Circumstances become all about “me”. But when we focus on the sovereignty of God, not only do our circumstances change, but our outlook changes because we see, not me or what I’m going through, but God and what he desires to do in and through me.

Friend, what difficult circumstance are you going through today? Will you focus on Christ? Will you focus on God’s Sovereignty? Will you refocus from self and circumstances to see the positive results God has in store for you; allowing your circumstance to draw you closer to himself in praise and worship. “Even though you walk through the valley of (circumstance) you need not fear for God is with you.” Do you believe that? I do!!

SMOKY SPLIT PEA SOUP

1 lb. green split peas, rinsed
4 med. carrots, cut into small pieces
2 med. parsnips, cut into small pieces
2 stalks celery, cut into small pieces
2 finely chopped cloves
1 large onion
½ tsp. dried thyme
2 ham hocks (about 1-1/2 lb. total)
Salt and pepper

In 5-6 qt. slow cooker combine the peas, carrots, parsnips, celery, garlic, onion, thyme and 6 cups of water, (I use 3 cups water and 3 cups chicken broth).

Add the ham hocks and cook, covered, on low 7-8 hours or on high 4-5 hours

Transfer ham hocks to plate. When cool, shred the meat. Put back into soup along with ½ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper.