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