Who's Who

I didn't want to read my Bible today.  After the last couple of days it felt like no matter what I read, it would spell failure for the day.  Two days ago I meditated on Proverbs 8:13 about how the fear of God is hatred of perverse speech.  All day my thoughts were full of critical, judgmental thoughts that I struggled to harness.  I thought Proverbs was about hating the twisted words of others--but, no, I found them in myself.  Yesterday I meditated on Ezekiel 12 and God reminded me that difficult circumstances are there to drive me to Him.  Wouldn't you know that the circumstances nearly overcame me? I found myself grumbling and justifying my grumpiness while listening to a gravelly Star Wars voice echo, "The flesh is strong with this one."

How would I fail today?  Only God knows, but I knew my options were limitless.  As my husband, David, and I read Jeremiah together I was reminded that God doesn't want fancy-schmancy sacrifices (Jeremiah 8:20).  He simply calls me to do it His way--to depend on Him, to walk in the death and resurrection of Jesus instead of my own strength.  Today's motto:  give it up.  Whatever I'm holding onto to make myself good, better, or righteous.  I don't need it.  It won't work.  I only need Him.  So, those critical thoughts?  Give em up.  It's not my job to "fix" others.  My reaction to difficult circumstances? Give it up.  It's not my job to "fix" the circumstances. 

Are you ready to give it up?  Or are you afraid to read your Bible too?

Reflection

Luke 17:20-37


v. 20-21: Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is! Or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Observation: God has already made Himself known. His provision and presence are so much a part of our lives that we take it for granted and often look past Him.

Interpretation: Perhaps that is why it is so important for believers to glorify and praise Him. By drawing attention away from the event and away from the people, we direct it to God and His constant, awesome provision. It is not that He is not there or has not provided. He is there, but is unseen, unrecognized, unappreciated.

Application: My job is not to “do great things for God.” My job is to simply walk with Christ, to submit to Him setting aside my wants and desires, pointing others to His great work. If I am the one doing the heavy lifting, then there is no grace.

“By the works of the law, no flesh will be justified” (Galatians 2:16)

“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:6

“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.” Romans 4:4

But God reveals Himself through my weakness, my inabilities, my inconsistencies. Am I reflecting His light, His glory? Or absorbing it? “For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Devastation

I had the opportunity to teach a couple of times this first week back from Christmas break.  One day near the end of our lunch break, one teacher said to another, "So, when do children stop believing in Santa Claus?"  She looked expectantly at the other moms sitting around the table.  Apparently her five year old had started to question the existence of the old fella and mom wanted the magic to last as long as possible.

I had nothing to contribute to the conversation, but grew more curious as the conversation picked up intensity.

"Has she noticed that not all Santas look the same?"
"Has she started to pull on his beard?"
"Do you use a different wrapping paper for your gifts and Santa's gifts?"

But the most damning of all was the observation that other children create and build the doubt.  "There's nothing you can do once the other kids start telling them Santa's not real," was repeated and agreed upon more than once.  Once the word's out, there's no stopping the questions, the doubt, the reality of the situation.

And, both sorrowful and rejoicing, I marveled that there is no need to lie to my children about who God is.  I don't have to create fantasy or sustain fanciful notions.  God is.  He has made Himself evident to all of mankind.  For "that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:18-19).

I was relieved with the assurance that our children will never have to question the truth of what we have taught.  Sure, they know we are faulty beings and yes, we've made many mistakes.  But we have not intentionally built a web of lies about someone who mimics the character of God.   God is the One who makes Himself known, apart from my frailty and inability.  There is no peer pressure, no wrapping paper, no false beard to guard against.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!