Kristin Saatzer

Purposeful Encouragement

  • Home
  • About
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Books I Love
  • Savor the Savior Book
  • Hear The Savior Book
You are here: Home / Archives for Listening

Who is Watching? Who is Listening?

September 16, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the rest of the prisoners were listening to them.  

Acts 16:25 NET

 

jailbarshands

Have you ever been to prison?

I have.

Not as a convict, though. I landed there as a college student  involved in ministry. An experience  forever planted in my head and heart. In Acts 16:25, we learn that Paul and Silas landed in prison (after being beaten) at the hands of the magistrates in a city called  Phillipi.

Many of us know this story from Sunday School: As Paul and Silas worshiped, God freed them from prison via a mighty earthquake. It’s a fabulous plot line, isn’t it?

Yet as I was reading this story the other day, some pre-earthquake words jumped out, “the rest of the prisoners were listening to them”. Paul and Silas had an audience. Here they were- persecuted, beaten, imprisoned and singing?  Wow.

I met beautiful souls during my summer in prison. Women trapped in bars, with the constant stench of cow manure permeating the hot wind. No earthquake set them free. Women singing and worshipping God while others watched and listened.

Have you experienced a prison of your own making? A prison made by another? We all experience suffering and times we’ve felt as if we were in jail or serving a long, severe sentence.

Paul and Silas could have played the victim card. Instead of worship, they could have whined  over their circumstances. Instead, they chose to sing.

Never do I intend to downplay your pain or minimize your circumstance or trial. I know how painful life can be. Believe me sister! (or brother). But I believe this is key: Others are listening and watching us in our trials. Yes! Let’s be  authentic with safe people. However, when others peer inside our prison bars, might they see us worshipping? Do they hear us singing? OR do we play the victim card? Do they hear us complaining?

These questions have burned in me all summer long as I have lived in a prison of emotional, financial and physical pain. As I “do my time”, I have people watching me: Four precious sons, their friends, my friends. There are neighbors, church acquaintances and many who  do not know Jesus. I’m transparent with my people, however, I’m reminded that my trial is a huge opportunity to shine for my King. As a daily reminder of this, my phone’s screen saver says, “LORD, LET THEM SEE YOU IN ME.”  

May others see Him as I serve out my sentence: in my broken places, in my tears and heartache, in my songs of worship.

Who is watching? Who is listening to you? Who are you influencing while you serve out your sentence? Your kids? Unbelieving spouse? Hostile coworkers? Hurting friends?

Difficulties are among God’s favorite display windows, providing a showcase for Christ and His character to everyone.       ~Margaret Feinberg

The world is hurting and knows not where to turn. When we hurt, we know where to turn: Jesus- our strength, endurance, hope, and help.

Whatever kind of sentence you are serving, or jail cell you dwell in, join me in singing to God as people watch us, just as Paul and Silas did.

Verses for further reading:                prison-light-through-window

  • Hebrews 12:1-2
  • Romans 12:12
  • Isaiah 61:1
  • Psalm 104:33
  • Psalm 142:7

 

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Listening and Asking

October 29, 2014 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

Lingering in the season

Listen, Listen To Me…

“Why do you spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2

I went to my high school reunion a few months ago (memories of leg warmers and big 80’s hair running through my head!). The evening was filled with laughter, funny stories and reconnecting with old pals.

I also spent much of the evening listening. Under a full moon and San Diego breezes, I heard about dreams-gone-bad, regrets, and profound emptiness.

Maybe The Lord put hurting and open people in my path that night for His purposes: to pray for them and for me to search my own heart. I believe so.

As I drove home after midnight, I prayed for these dear people and pondered my own regrets, emptiness, and dreams-gone-bad.

Tears falling on the steering wheel, I cried out to The Lord- overcome and overwhelmed with gratitude. Remembering how he saved me and filled me. The girl who told God she had an aching hole that only He could fill.

The next morning, I poured through the book of Isaiah, it’s been my go-to book lately. I discovered Isaiah 55:2.

This scripture asks a poignant question, “Why do you spend money on what is not bread and labor on what does not satisfy?”

God asks this question to Israel via His prophet Isaiah. The people were nearing the end of their captivity in Babylon. They were imitating their captors- seeking to eat what was not bread and laboring in work that did not satisfy.

I find the prophet’s words relevant to our culture today. Thousands of years later, what questions might we ask?

Why am I working so hard and spending all this money to look impossibly perfect?

Why can’t I stop maxing out my credit card every month?

Why am I still struggling with overeating?

And so it goes….

Isaiah says, “Listen, listen to me…” Are we listening?

HEAR  what Jesus says in Mathew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

My filling happened when I was twenty. But there are days (even seasons) when I feel vacant and seek the wrong food to satisfy. We, like the people of Isaiah’s day are surrounded by Idols and false gods. Often we turn to these instead of the only One who can gratify us.

What are you hungering and thirsting for?

Join me today in eating what is GOOD. Filling our souls with the richest of His fare. Let’s pray fervently for those dear ones who haven’t yet tasted The Bread of Life.

Yes Lord, we will Listen, Listen to You…

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

About Me

My prayer is that this place and the words written here will bring you a measure of encouragement, friendship and desire to live out your life with PURPOSE. more about me

Subscribe to Blog and Updates

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Instagram

A beautiful Tuesday with my Ethel. 🌼
A beautiful Tuesday with my Ethel. 🌼
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
A beautiful Tuesday with my Ethel. 🌼
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/16
Baseball team dinner with the BEST boys. 🤎💛
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Baseball team dinner with the BEST boys. 🤎💛
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/16
🙌🏼
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
🙌🏼
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/16
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
A lovely morning with the loveliest ladies! Thanks for having me THCF.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/16
Saatzfam7 celebrating the launch of #hearthesavior!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Saatzfam7 celebrating the launch of #hearthesavior!
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/16
What do you want for your birthday? This. This is what I want. 💚
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
What do you want for your birthday? This. This is what I want. 💚
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/16
This morning in Temec. Shot taken by Scott Padget. #timestoodstillphotography No filter!
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
This morning in Temec. Shot taken by Scott Padget. #timestoodstillphotography No filter!
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/16
A sweet reunion after far too long! We never dreamed we’d both be authors some day. #hearthesavior #ALTAR’d
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
A sweet reunion after far too long! We never dreamed we’d both be authors some day. #hearthesavior #ALTAR’d
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
8/16
No C&K visit is complete without #grease.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
No C&K visit is complete without #grease.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/16
Lovely day in a darling town with the bestest friend.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Lovely day in a darling town with the bestest friend.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/16
SAY WHAT???
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
SAY WHAT???
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
11/16
Happy February! 💜
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Happy February! 💜
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
12/16
“A sister is worth a thousand friends.”
~Unknown
Happiest birthday to a sister worth TEN thousand friends. I love you. 💚
“A sister is worth a thousand friends.”
~Unknown
Happiest birthday to a sister worth TEN thousand friends. I love you. 💚
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
“A sister is worth a thousand friends.” ~Unknown Happiest birthday to a sister worth TEN thousand friends. I love you. 💚
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
13/16
Spectacular Sunday in SoCal.
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Spectacular Sunday in SoCal.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
14/16
SD has my 💙#americasfinestcity
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
SD has my 💙#americasfinestcity
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
15/16
Happy 2023! May the Lord bless and keep you this year. 💙
kmysaatzer
kmysaatzer
•
Follow
Happy 2023! May the Lord bless and keep you this year. 💙
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
16/16
View on Instagram

Categories

  • 4 For You
  • Advent
  • Blog Series
  • Books
  • Can We Talk About?
  • Christmas
  • Devotionals
  • Easter
  • FIGHT!
  • Friendship
  • Goals
  • Health
  • Lent
  • Light
  • More of God
  • Mother's Day
  • New Year
  • Parenting
  • Planning
  • Prayer
  • Repost
  • Scripture
  • Seasons
  • Summer
  • Surrender
  • Thanksgiving
  • The Practice of Gratitiude
  • Uncategorized
  • Wisdom

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014

From the Blog

  • A Time to Rest and Refuel
  • A Time to Reset and Refocus
  • Four for March!
  • The Gift of Lent
  • Hear the Savior!

Popular Tags

#annualbooksblog Advent Books Christmas Christmas Season Comfort Courage Darkness discouragement Easter Faith FIGHT Four for You Friendship Giving Grace grateful Gratefulness gratitude Headlines Holy Spirit Hope Hope series Intentionality Jesus Journaling Lent Light Lingering New Year Parenting Praise Prayer Pslamist Pslams Purpose Reading Surrender thankful Thanksgiving The Cross The Practice of Gratitude to-do's trials wisdom

Find it Here

Copyright © 2023 Kristin Saatzer