My heart is both enlightened and burdened as I sit here this morning with my coffee. On my way out, the sun was rising in the background of my first turn. Stopped in my tracks on the road, I took out my trusty iphone and snapped a photo. Why? Its beauty, its light, its morning promise was inspiring and humbling. Getting to my “Friday Office” (uh-hmm, Starbucks), I sat down and read some verses as I waited on my skinny mocha/peppermint latte’. Always, God’s Word is truth. When I’m willing and obedient, it’s also very personal; who am I that the Lord of all creation loves me so? Again, I’m humbled.
Coffee in hand, ahhhh, I see some other blogs, fb status updates, cries for help, shouts of questions and, the one that just plummets my heart to the ground hardest, acclamations of God’s character, direction or commandments (and lack thereof) based and scripted, not on scripture, but rather on personal thoughts, feelings and self-seeking satisfactions in the Lord. Oh, I want to cry!
I can hear and see so many people lining up and subscribing to these blogs with a hardy AMEN. Why does that burden my heart? It’s not truth. Does it sound good? YEP. Is it inspirational. Sure! Is it truth? Nope. I cringe. There IS absolute truth in God’s Word. It’s there. Truth is all throughout scripture, but it’s not always easy to hear truth and it’s not often flattering to others’ egos to share it when we could share words that get the emotions in our beings flaring instead. God’s Word can be offensive. We want feel-good. God’s Word can be sharp. We want comfort, always. God’s Word is complete. We want gaps to fill in with our own surmise.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — 9 for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth — 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.
Goodness, righteousness and truth.
This is where I was going to wrap things up, but you wouldn’t believe what I’m sitting here overhearing in conversation behind me. Two beautiful women are talking about another woman’s Christian walk. They’re Believers, from what I can gather…and what’s the issue? “She doesn’t allow her children to XYZ, while I know that the Bible does support her decisions, I just don’t like to do things like that. It’s totally normal and ok for the kids to do those things.” Gulp. I’m sure I’ve been there too. But God.
That photo I snapped this morning? The one full of promise for the day, as it turns out, makes a muddle of which way I was going. It’s sort of hard to distinguish the right way-or which path I was really on. Was I coming or going? Our lives are often the same miss-mash of direction, but as Christian women, it should not be.
That IS the hard truth.
God says there are ways are pleasing to Him, and ways that are pleasing to the world. 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.
We say, it’s not wrong. Everyone, most other Christians even, do it too.
God says, 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.
We say, even if in the still small voice of our own minds, things like~ prove to me it’s wrong. I won’t be judged for this little thing, it’s not going to hurt me, it’s not going to harm my children, it’s completely innocent, fun and frivolous…and the Bible doesn’t say…
God says, Romans 12:12
And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
con·form
[kuhn-fawrm] Show IPA
Joy - Tami…thank you. Tears fill my eyes just reading this. This is a hard message, and I’m praying the Holy Spirit will appropriately stir my heart as I ponder my own response. I read this as a link on my iPod, but knew I had to sign onto my computer to respond.
This morning I had received a link to a “popular” blog via an email. I rarely click into “attachments” and I confess I don’t read everything sent to me unless I feel prompted by the Holy Spirit, or I really know the person sending it. This morning I followed the link, and almost immediately I was struggling with what I was reading. Struggling, not in a useful, conviction type way, but in a hurting, heart-broken way.
Truth was being shared, but if I had just read this blog as my “word from God”, I would negate so much of “The Word” of God that He has recently been speaking to me during my personal quiet times. The blog post made following God simple and easy. You just follow this “pat answer” to this circumstance…and voila…done! Following the Lord is not easy…in fact Christ Himself says it’s impossible, without Him. He has asked me to take steps in recent months that have been incredibly difficult. I’ve had to surrender so many things for the sake of His call. But oh the sweet delight of knowing I’m walking in obedience. NOTHING can compare with that joy.
In the past (and probably still in the future, but not as often or without conviction I pray), I have manipulated and justified my own “truth”, yet felt that instant stirring within, KNOWING what I was doing was wrong. I could be just like one of those women you overheard today. I haven’t always heeded. I’ve plowed ahead making excuses, all the while conforming to the world. The resulting pain in the aftermath is not worth a second of the pleasure in the moment.
Yes Lord, be the air I breathe. I surrender all of me to all of You, so that whether coming or going I am walking in the center of Your will for me. Amen.
As for a prayer request…right now it’s for strength…strength to finish well.
By the way, a “branch” of your “office” is located almost in my backyard. Maybe someday you’ll have to have a “business” trip and check out other, international locations. 🙂
Love you Tami…and again thank you. Can you tell me how I can pray for you?
Hugs,
Joy