I have been amazed and bereft of speech when it comes to how God can bless obedience and submission to His plans!
For over two years now, I have been purposefully and willfully choosing to submit and to be obedient to God’s plans and timing with respect to a certain issue. It has, without a doubt, been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do my entire life. So many times, it would have been much easier to walk away from my authority and simply do that which seemed right in my own eyes.
Throughout this long journey, two paths were clearly discernable. The easy path was broad and inviting, lined with alluring promises and tempting offers. The other path was excruciatingly narrow and limiting, lined with boulders and strewn with obstacles.
Robert Frost talks about two paths diverging in a wood; one clearly defined and well-trodden, the other not as clear. Like the narrator of his poem, I chose – emphasis on choice - the more difficult, less-traveled, limited path. Many times along that rocky walk I questioned the sanity of what I was doing. Why would I subject myself to this difficult life path?
Because I had a promise. God had promised me at the very beginning that I would attain a life prize at the end… but I had to do it His way, not mine. Filled with fluffy and excited thoughts, I set foot on that path toward that promise. I had no earthly idea how difficult the road would be. I never guessed just how many rocks, boulders, obstacles, and pitfalls would be along the way. It never occurred to me how painful or how breaking my journey would be. I never thought it would take such a long time to traverse that path and never imagined what mountains I would have to climb or what lonely valleys I would have to tread.
I was never alone… and that with the vision of the promise given to me, urged and encouraged me onward in the harsh, restricting path. Though early on, I had many impulses to turn back and take the other route, at some recent point, the reward was so close that there was absolutely no point in even thinking of turning back or sneaking onto the other route.
The last mountain was actually a mountain range and I had to climb without human aid or consort to its peak. It was on that mountain range that I broke and became emptied of self, seeking only to let God’s will be done… it hurt too much to try and push my own agenda. Yet the struggle was not in vain and, footsore and weary I at last stood on that last mountain, looking into that Promised Land.
I have but taken a few steps down the mountain into that luscious valley and every step has issued jewels and priceless wonders. Blessings and miracles rain down on me at every turn so that I have no words to thank God for them. I cannot believe how much beauty and blessing are in this valley of promise – and I have not even descended the mountain!
Every sacrifice and every tear, every prayer and every cry, every choice to remain on that narrow restricting path has not gone in vain. The testimony of this walk has not gone unnoticed, the lessons learned have not affected only me – this story is much larger than I ever realized.
It is worth it all. I would never have appreciated the blessings which are starting to fall had I not been through the valley of affliction. I am amazed, stunned, blessed, agog with wonder, delighted, overjoyed, fascinated, touched, speechless at how God has blessed my faithfulness to Him. He has opened doors I never would have imagined and worked miracles my mind could not conceive of.
Now truly may I and those witnesses to my story say, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessing. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
On sacred cows
In the sixth chapter of the first book of Samuel, the Israelites have been spiritually wounded: the ark of the covenant of the Lord is with the Philistines.
The Philistines, wishing to be rid of this object of faith, are warned to proper sacrifice by their priests and diviners, and so have a new cart built, pulled by two "milch kine", and then associate the activities of the kine with whether the plagues that had beset them were "really" from the God of the Israelites, instead of some freak occurrence.
When I first read this passage, I assumed that "milch kine" meant "milk cow" and I still believe that holds. And I realized that cows, though never worshipped, have always had a special, subservient role in scripture.
Cows (kine) are mentioned far more rarely than sheep - this may be to dietary restrictions (maybe it’s harder to feed a cow than a sheep), expense (maybe cows are more expensive), or exclusivity (maybe cows are ONLY useful as a source of meat and milk, whereas sheep have both AND can be sheared). Regardless, cows are never given as much camera time as sheep.
Indeed, according to scripture you can milk camels (ref: Gen 32) too, which again reduces the need for cows.
So I imagine having cows were a luxury - for it was not until Noah that meat was even a part of a faithful Jew's diet, so the idea of raising an animal for meat might have been a kind of material excess, thus cows would be predominantly used for milking. And what with sheep and camels available, cows may have been seen as an extravagance.
The only indication we have that cows had any worth were three fold.
Thus, I believe that, though we should not revere cows as particularly spiritual, certainly not raising them to a level of worship, I believe that there are corresponding aspects of kine and sheep present in our lives.
Call to action - let’s love our cows!
Many of us take for granted certain things. We take for granted we are fallen sinners, deserve far less than the daily grace we're given, focusing on the negative, recurring messiness of being alive and involved in the abominable state of perpetual sinfulness that is only resolved through repentance, grace, and mercy.
I challenge you to be mindful today of those things which are good.
Today's focus can be on the miraculous aspects of your walk. What daily grace are you experiencing that you have so abundantly you daily forget to be thankful for it?
Give active, dedicated praise to God for providing them to you!
Encourage others to give thanks to their own 'for-granteds'!
Be a blessing by finding someone else who has at least four or five in common with you and give simultaneous praise to God!
Spend today asking God for increased wisdom about those things for which you can be thankful.
The Philistines, wishing to be rid of this object of faith, are warned to proper sacrifice by their priests and diviners, and so have a new cart built, pulled by two "milch kine", and then associate the activities of the kine with whether the plagues that had beset them were "really" from the God of the Israelites, instead of some freak occurrence.
When I first read this passage, I assumed that "milch kine" meant "milk cow" and I still believe that holds. And I realized that cows, though never worshipped, have always had a special, subservient role in scripture.
Cows (kine) are mentioned far more rarely than sheep - this may be to dietary restrictions (maybe it’s harder to feed a cow than a sheep), expense (maybe cows are more expensive), or exclusivity (maybe cows are ONLY useful as a source of meat and milk, whereas sheep have both AND can be sheared). Regardless, cows are never given as much camera time as sheep.
Indeed, according to scripture you can milk camels (ref: Gen 32) too, which again reduces the need for cows.
So I imagine having cows were a luxury - for it was not until Noah that meat was even a part of a faithful Jew's diet, so the idea of raising an animal for meat might have been a kind of material excess, thus cows would be predominantly used for milking. And what with sheep and camels available, cows may have been seen as an extravagance.
The only indication we have that cows had any worth were three fold.
- In Deuteronomy, when God is listing some of the blessings of being faithful, he singles out cows and sheep as being increased as a result.
There is no reason to mention this if cows are worthless - indeed, they are mentioned before the sheep, suggesting they are of more value than the sheep. - From the above verse in first Samuel, we have the Philistines being told to send two milch kine as part of the sacrifice.
The priests and diviners had a word of knowledge of some kind about what to include in the sacrifice - having golden remembrances to the plagues must have been humbling by itself, but having to include the cows must have been another level of which I'm not aware. - Throughout scripture, believers are compared to sheep numerous times, but are also told that the first shall be last, the humble shall be raised, etc.
Perhaps this comparison holds with livestock as well - maybe sheep are considered less desirable than cows in some material or spiritual sense. For example, we never hear of kine’s legs being broken to ensure it stays with the rest of the kine.
Thus, I believe that, though we should not revere cows as particularly spiritual, certainly not raising them to a level of worship, I believe that there are corresponding aspects of kine and sheep present in our lives.
Call to action - let’s love our cows!
Many of us take for granted certain things. We take for granted we are fallen sinners, deserve far less than the daily grace we're given, focusing on the negative, recurring messiness of being alive and involved in the abominable state of perpetual sinfulness that is only resolved through repentance, grace, and mercy.
I challenge you to be mindful today of those things which are good.
Today's focus can be on the miraculous aspects of your walk. What daily grace are you experiencing that you have so abundantly you daily forget to be thankful for it?
- Name two things that used to be a struggle for you but that God has given you grace to deal with autonomously.
Example: anger - Name two things that you have never had to struggle with because you were not given a particular weakness.
Example: addiction - Name two things that you unconsciously take for granted.
Example: running water - Name two things that you have an abundance of which you can freely offer to others.
Example: time, thankfulness, grace, hope, or food - Name two things that you have that others around you have not always had.
Example: peace, joy, hope, faith
Give active, dedicated praise to God for providing them to you!
Encourage others to give thanks to their own 'for-granteds'!
Be a blessing by finding someone else who has at least four or five in common with you and give simultaneous praise to God!
Spend today asking God for increased wisdom about those things for which you can be thankful.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Give Place without Hope of Recompense
“When thou are bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;”
With these words, Jesus began his parable that outlined appropriate humility and echoed the Proverbs motif of humbleness and lack of pride. In this parable, the reason for not assuming you were the most important person invited to the wedding was because the possibility existed that the one who invited you might have invited someone whose rank and importance was higher than yours.
Instead of being kicked out of your self-claimed seat of honor when one of a higher rank appeared, you would avoid that shame by claiming first the lowest room. By claiming the lowest position, the one who invited you would be able to call you up and you would be exalted in the presence of everyone who was there.
“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Imagine yourself in the position of the man in this parable and live through the utter shame and embarrassment of being removed from a self-claimed seat of importance. Equally, imagine yourself having elected to seat yourself in a less-important seat and the jubilation and honor that would accompany being called up to a higher level.
There is nothing to be lost by being humble, but there is much to be lost in being humbled.
Following the story of the wedding, Jesus gave instructions as to what kind of feasts to give. Not feasts for relatives or friends, but feasts for the homeless, the poor, the crippled, the blind. Why? Because there exists a very real possibility that your relatives and friends, after being feasted by you, would return the favor by inviting you to their own feasts. A homeless or poor or crippled person can never return this favor to you. They will not be able to repay your kindness and there is no hope of reward for you in giving them a feast.
But this is how Jesus said we are to view others… and it comes with it’s own reward.
“And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
With these words, Jesus began his parable that outlined appropriate humility and echoed the Proverbs motif of humbleness and lack of pride. In this parable, the reason for not assuming you were the most important person invited to the wedding was because the possibility existed that the one who invited you might have invited someone whose rank and importance was higher than yours.
Instead of being kicked out of your self-claimed seat of honor when one of a higher rank appeared, you would avoid that shame by claiming first the lowest room. By claiming the lowest position, the one who invited you would be able to call you up and you would be exalted in the presence of everyone who was there.
“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Imagine yourself in the position of the man in this parable and live through the utter shame and embarrassment of being removed from a self-claimed seat of importance. Equally, imagine yourself having elected to seat yourself in a less-important seat and the jubilation and honor that would accompany being called up to a higher level.
There is nothing to be lost by being humble, but there is much to be lost in being humbled.
Following the story of the wedding, Jesus gave instructions as to what kind of feasts to give. Not feasts for relatives or friends, but feasts for the homeless, the poor, the crippled, the blind. Why? Because there exists a very real possibility that your relatives and friends, after being feasted by you, would return the favor by inviting you to their own feasts. A homeless or poor or crippled person can never return this favor to you. They will not be able to repay your kindness and there is no hope of reward for you in giving them a feast.
But this is how Jesus said we are to view others… and it comes with it’s own reward.
“And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
Friday, April 06, 2007
Blessings and Curses While Coughing from A to Z in Rememberance
Deuteronomy, of a surety, holds the most impressive array of blessings and curses I have ever read anywhere. The list of blessings God puts forth to the Israelites is relatively short compared to the list of curses, but that small list of blessings encompasses every aspect of life… the basic end result of receiving all those blessings is that you would never want for anything. Period.
The list of curses for not following God’s commandments, however, is most impressive and detailed. There could be absolutely no misunderstanding what would happen to the Israelites if they did not follow God’s commandments; the detailed descriptions are far too graphic to leave room for any speculation.
One of the curses that fascinated me was that the Lord would smite them (the Israelites) with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning. Why should this be interesting?
In 1918, tuberculosis (TB) was a major epidemic in America. It is interesting to note that fever and chills is one of the symptoms for this disease. For a while, TB was known as the “Jewish disease,” with Jewish immigrants being blamed for the spread of TB in the United States. This is understandable given the level of prejudice against Jews at the time, but interesting since God had spoken so many years before that He would smite the Israelites with consumption – the other popular name for TB.
As if that wasn’t enough, God also specifically stated He would smite the Israelites with all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. Would it then surprise you to know that archaeologists have found Egyptian mummies, dating as far back as 2400 BCE, that were diagnosed as having had tuberculosis?! I don’t think God messes around when He stipulates the conditions of a curse (or a blessing).
One way to notice God’s hand was still on His people in the area of TB was the fact that although many Jewish immigrants brought TB with them to the United States, the Jewish population died of TB far less often than people from other groups. When God chooses someone, He really chooses them!
Another interesting item that caught my eye was a verse in Luke 11, From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. And there we have the earliest form of the saying, “From A to Z” when used to describe a period/event/thing involving everything.
The other verse that always amuses me, and which took me years to fully comprehend, is Luke 11:42, But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. It took me many years of reading this verse to finally realize what Jesus was saying here. The Pharisees were known for being extremely legalistic, following the letter of the law down to the least little jot and tittle. Here, Jesus was throwing that very legalism back in their faces by pointing out that, yes, they did indeed tithe religiously… down to the most humble herbs that grew in their garden. But what had they left undone in pursuit of such obedience to the letter of the law? They had passed over the love of God. They had passed over the concept of judgment. Their focus was on obeying the letter of the law and completely ignoring the Spirit behind that law and the power thereof.
In turning to the Psalm portion of today’s reading, I realized Psalm 78 is a detailed list of all God’s miracles, signs, wonders, and salvations for the Children of Israel as He led them out of Egypt. This list of amazement is coupled with the petty desires and flagrant rebellion of God’s chosen people as they sought after their own lusts and constantly ignored and despised the cherishment of God.
All in all, an interesting reading…
The list of curses for not following God’s commandments, however, is most impressive and detailed. There could be absolutely no misunderstanding what would happen to the Israelites if they did not follow God’s commandments; the detailed descriptions are far too graphic to leave room for any speculation.
One of the curses that fascinated me was that the Lord would smite them (the Israelites) with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning. Why should this be interesting?
In 1918, tuberculosis (TB) was a major epidemic in America. It is interesting to note that fever and chills is one of the symptoms for this disease. For a while, TB was known as the “Jewish disease,” with Jewish immigrants being blamed for the spread of TB in the United States. This is understandable given the level of prejudice against Jews at the time, but interesting since God had spoken so many years before that He would smite the Israelites with consumption – the other popular name for TB.
As if that wasn’t enough, God also specifically stated He would smite the Israelites with all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. Would it then surprise you to know that archaeologists have found Egyptian mummies, dating as far back as 2400 BCE, that were diagnosed as having had tuberculosis?! I don’t think God messes around when He stipulates the conditions of a curse (or a blessing).
One way to notice God’s hand was still on His people in the area of TB was the fact that although many Jewish immigrants brought TB with them to the United States, the Jewish population died of TB far less often than people from other groups. When God chooses someone, He really chooses them!
Another interesting item that caught my eye was a verse in Luke 11, From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. And there we have the earliest form of the saying, “From A to Z” when used to describe a period/event/thing involving everything.
The other verse that always amuses me, and which took me years to fully comprehend, is Luke 11:42, But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. It took me many years of reading this verse to finally realize what Jesus was saying here. The Pharisees were known for being extremely legalistic, following the letter of the law down to the least little jot and tittle. Here, Jesus was throwing that very legalism back in their faces by pointing out that, yes, they did indeed tithe religiously… down to the most humble herbs that grew in their garden. But what had they left undone in pursuit of such obedience to the letter of the law? They had passed over the love of God. They had passed over the concept of judgment. Their focus was on obeying the letter of the law and completely ignoring the Spirit behind that law and the power thereof.
In turning to the Psalm portion of today’s reading, I realized Psalm 78 is a detailed list of all God’s miracles, signs, wonders, and salvations for the Children of Israel as He led them out of Egypt. This list of amazement is coupled with the petty desires and flagrant rebellion of God’s chosen people as they sought after their own lusts and constantly ignored and despised the cherishment of God.
All in all, an interesting reading…
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Things to Come
Sometimes, the Lord allows me to catch glimpses of a future event by putting me in a situation where I can experience to a lesser degree what it will be like at some point later in my timeline. Today was such a day.
This week, I am “babysitting” two teenagers while their parents are out of town. Not bad, but part of the responsibilities I undertook when accepting the job was to drop off and pick them up from various extracurricular activities and classes. It’s not a bad life if you view it in the proper manner; there is no room to be self-centered if you are constantly catering to and arranging your schedule and plans to fit that of your charges.
This morning, I drove way out into the country to drop them off at a class. As I was driving there and back, my mind kept flitting to the awareness that one day, I could be doing this for my own children… and it filled me with happiness and joy. No, I don’t enjoy driving way out to the middle of nowhere, but I’m starting to realize all the lessons I’ve learned recently (especially those having to do with simultaneous joy and contentment) are preparing me to be a wife and mother.
The road curved and dipped as my mind continued to think about how blessed I was in so many things. A smile curved across my face as I felt the reality and security just knowing I have been blessed with a man who loves me and would do anything to provide, protect, and cherish me without hesitation. I thought about how his vision has expanded and how fierce his desire is to provide big things and a secure life for me and our children.
I felt so happy and secure. It’s true I miss him terribly while waiting, but the knowledge of his unwavering commitment and dedication wrapped around me like warm, strong arms and comforted softly.
As small houses flashed by, I realized that no longer did I have to think about and expect the miniscule, no longer did I have to think small, no longer did I have to patiently resign myself to the idea that big or good things must wait… God was changing many things, including my perspective. I felt provided for, cared for, and cherished.
With the residue of memories from the person I used to be a couple years ago, I began reading my Bible, only to come across a promise/reminder from God: “For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, it is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs. But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is…” and the descriptions followed. A plentiful, overflowing, big, rich, prosperous land blessed by the Lord; a Promised Land.
And new joy and happiness flooded me as this reconfirmation lodged within me; the way has been rocky and hard, full of tears and aches. God is but preparing and leading me there in fulfillment of His promises.
The crowning touch came when I read from Proverbs that “a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.” Not only was God working in the life of my soulmate (and indirectly me) and blessing me through it, but He was also working in my life and blessing my future husband through me as attitudes and viewpoints changed for the better.
A glimpse of things to come bolstered by divine encouragement and confirmation… J
This week, I am “babysitting” two teenagers while their parents are out of town. Not bad, but part of the responsibilities I undertook when accepting the job was to drop off and pick them up from various extracurricular activities and classes. It’s not a bad life if you view it in the proper manner; there is no room to be self-centered if you are constantly catering to and arranging your schedule and plans to fit that of your charges.
This morning, I drove way out into the country to drop them off at a class. As I was driving there and back, my mind kept flitting to the awareness that one day, I could be doing this for my own children… and it filled me with happiness and joy. No, I don’t enjoy driving way out to the middle of nowhere, but I’m starting to realize all the lessons I’ve learned recently (especially those having to do with simultaneous joy and contentment) are preparing me to be a wife and mother.
The road curved and dipped as my mind continued to think about how blessed I was in so many things. A smile curved across my face as I felt the reality and security just knowing I have been blessed with a man who loves me and would do anything to provide, protect, and cherish me without hesitation. I thought about how his vision has expanded and how fierce his desire is to provide big things and a secure life for me and our children.
I felt so happy and secure. It’s true I miss him terribly while waiting, but the knowledge of his unwavering commitment and dedication wrapped around me like warm, strong arms and comforted softly.
As small houses flashed by, I realized that no longer did I have to think about and expect the miniscule, no longer did I have to think small, no longer did I have to patiently resign myself to the idea that big or good things must wait… God was changing many things, including my perspective. I felt provided for, cared for, and cherished.
With the residue of memories from the person I used to be a couple years ago, I began reading my Bible, only to come across a promise/reminder from God: “For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, it is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs. But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is…” and the descriptions followed. A plentiful, overflowing, big, rich, prosperous land blessed by the Lord; a Promised Land.
And new joy and happiness flooded me as this reconfirmation lodged within me; the way has been rocky and hard, full of tears and aches. God is but preparing and leading me there in fulfillment of His promises.
The crowning touch came when I read from Proverbs that “a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.” Not only was God working in the life of my soulmate (and indirectly me) and blessing me through it, but He was also working in my life and blessing my future husband through me as attitudes and viewpoints changed for the better.
A glimpse of things to come bolstered by divine encouragement and confirmation… J
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