An Oldie, but a Goodie

I wrote this a long time ago, it seemed fitting to post it now.

Too Hard To Serve

Mal 1:13 NLT
You say, `It's too hard to serve the Lord,' and you turn up your noses at His commands," says the Lord Almighty. "Think of it! Animals that are stolen and mutilated, crippled and sick-presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?" asks the Lord.


This cut me to the quick this morning. You see, I had a conversation with someone just the night before about how we make compromises with the areas of weakness (sin) in our lives. It just seems too hard to drive that enemy out of the land. So, we get comfortable. We decide it isn't all that bad - we're not hurting anyone. We're not openly blaspheming God. We're not murdering or anything like that. We make excuses. We decide that it really isn't something God wants us to conquer today.

I know. I was shown a giant in my life that needs addressing. In fact, I've been shown it a few times. And, to be honest, I did try to chase it out. Funny thing about those giants, though. You really have to get to know them head-on in order to see them for what they are. Get to know the hold they really have on the land. See all the ways they are cheating you out of a safe home and a good harvest. We don't really want to pay tribute to these encroachers, do we? Somehow, I just seem to run out of steam, or desire, or just plain attention.

I forget the reason why I am to drive the enemy, or giants, from my life. For how do I offer myself as a sacrifice of worship to my God and King if I am full of the blemish of repetitive sin? How can He accept me if I am putting this thing before Him in priority and importance? It is a slap in His lovely face! I know He is merciful to me. I know it well!

And so... I will begin. I will identify fully this giant. This enemy of my soul. I will persevere, by the great grace of God, to slay this evil thing that I let come between me and my King. I will ~ for I want to be that sweet-smelling aroma that reaches to bless my Savior. I know there is no power or even thought in and of myself to do this task. It is in the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that I will overcome. In His power and might - I will serve.

Choosing Wisdom

'Redeem the time.'

'Bring everything to God.'

'Be timely.'

'You are more than a judge.'




I have looked back lately at my walk, and this is a short list of some of the things I remember the Lord speaking to me. The last was rather amusing, because it came in a dream and I NEVER remember my dreams. This one is sticking, though, and I am busy pondering it. I am delighting that I hear His voice. I am wondering what the next weeks will hold. I seem to be invited to help in some new areas, and truly delighting in each endeavor. I LOVE to help out! My heart wasn't in it for a spell, but I believe the Lord has turned the light on again and is saying: " Here are things you can do now. Choose."

I want to use the words He has spoken, and choose wisely. Redeeming the time I struggle with. I am not a good person when it comes to everyday duties. I procastinate. I forget how long something may take. Mostly, I just get sidetracked easily. When I am doing something at church, however, that seems to be a different matter. Oh, that I would really get that everything I do is to be unto the Lord!

Bring everything to God is another one. I often go about the day-to-day activities and forget that He is here, wanting me to bring it all to Him as a sacrifice of worship. It's easy to pray about serving the body for an event - somehow this housework stuff just doesn't seem like an event. He wants to be part of everything I do, and I am an independent cuss sometimes.

Be timely. Love that one! Timely with...encouraging words for a struggling student. Correction for a poor choice. When to praise the dog - when to ignore the dog. When to greet my spouse and ask questions, when to let him be to recover from a hard day. So many details, so much that just isn't about me.

You're not just a judge - can't really define that one well, yet. I remember Deborah sitting under the tree and Mamre, and people coming to her to settle disputes and for wisdom. I remember her going with Barak because he lacked conviction without her. Just not sure how it all applies to me, or what I am to do with it. But God...He will reveal it in it's perfect time. Blessedly, He is keeping it fresh in my memory and close in my prayer time.

I rejoice to hear the voice of my Savior.
I love that the light is on, and pray that it glows from inside me.
Now....to choose.



Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3,4

Revelation

"You are not a problem to be fixed. You are a work of art being revealed".

I heard this line this morning on the way home from running errands, and it struck me so powerfully. God is revealing a work. Not just a foundation, or a warehouse, or a tilt-up concrete storage unit. He is revealing a work of art. ME.

Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

In God's amazing grace, He pours out riches upon us. The amazing part: He is revealing a work of art. He is in the process of revealing Himself in us, His glory. Now, isn't that worth striving for? Enduring for? Persevering for? AMEN, it is! I don't have to be looking for the finished work yet - if I were I would be sadly disappointed. The finished product isn't here yet. You see, He's not finished with me yet. Oh, how I do look forward to it, though. You see, I know what it will look like. I have an inside view. Come closer, I'll tell you. (whisper) It's God's glory in me!!! I will be like JESUS! OH!!!! Won't that be wondrous to behold?! Until then, I get to watch Him reveal the work of art that He is making. I get to become more lovely, every day as I allow Him to mold and change me. As I quit fighting the work of His hands. As I listen to the hammer and the feel the sandpaper. I must admit, sometimes it is painful. Sometimes I don't want to change. Sometimes I want the path that changes me to be easy, not a rocky uphill climb with huge thorns and snowstorms and rock slides to trip me up. The valleys can be so low. The hill so high to climb.

I can't wait to see the final work...sigh.