In reading through the first few chapters of Proverbs, I have noticed something. The book of Proverbs is unashamedly full of terms of endearment such as: "My child," "My son," "My children," etc. This is not just a book of clever sayings and rules; it is intimate and personal. This is a father's heart lovingly doing his best to share Godly wisdom to and patiently cultivate Godly character in his children. The author starts first two verses of the chapter with the loving admonition, "My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years and your life will be satisfying." NO doubt much of this wisdom grew as a result of his own failures, cultivated in the soil of painful consequences, and watered by an abundance of tears. Like any good and Godly parent he realizes that he is far from perfect, but he hopes against all hope that his children will take his teaching to heart, steer clear of then pitfalls he has seen and fallen prey to, and avoid the mistakes he has made. Those of us who are parents, grandparents, older sisters, aunts, or are in any position of caring influence over a child can all relate. We would much rather see them learn from our mistakes than make the same mistakes we made and learn the hard way. Solomon is not writing so much to strangers as he is to those whom he loves and is close to. And in an even further reaching sense, God the father is speaking through these proverbs to us his children, teaching and shaping us into the image of his son Christ Jesus.
The theme of Proverbs 3 seems to be all about relationships....our relationship to others, our relationship to God, our relationship to ourselves and to our money and possessions. It is about keeping these relationships in correct perspective, and balance and thereby living successful lives by living in right relationship with God, people, and things. The first important life lesson this father seeks to impart to his children is all about rightly relating to others as well as to God. These are the virtues of loyalty and kindness. We get a sense from verse 3 that these two character traits are so important that they need to be inextricably bound to our person. "Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!" he says. Then as a very effective visual aide he further emphasizes, "Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart."
Dictionary.com defines the word loyalty as: faithfulness to commitments or obligations. In other words Solomon is instructing his children to be people of their word and their convictions, people who can be counted on to do what they have committed to do even when it is not always convenient. The ancients took loyalty and commitment very seriously, and there are many instances in the
Bible where we see people entering into a type of commitment with God or other humans known as a covenant.
A covenant is a binding commitment in which all parties involved agree to do or not do something specific. The terms of said covenant were articulated verbally in the form of vows that were often sealed by the shedding of blood (e.g circumcision, piercing the ear, sacrifice of an animal). The breaking of such a covenant often carried very serious consequences, from banishment from one's community to death. Because of the seriousness making covenant, such commitments were not to be entered into rashly. In Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 it says "When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. It is better to say nothing than to make and promise and not keep it. Don't let your mouth make you sin."
Nowadays covenants are often entered into on a way too lightly, without much serious thought and broken as soon as things are no longer convenient or easy, or a "better option" comes along. As women we often over-commit, attempting to show Godly love by being all things to all people only to ultimately find ourselves stressed out and burned out to the point of not having even the energy to fulfill those commitments. Or, we rashly commit to people or causes based on emotion alone, often to find ourselves heartbroken and disillusioned when we find out that things are not as we expected or that the commitment is one-sided. How does one know when and how to make rightful commitments and what if you already made a rash commitment? I believe, Solomon anticipated those questions from his children when he added the next statement in verses 5 and 6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." The answer may come through a Bible verse that speaks to our heart directly giving new and fresh insight, an inner voice that speaks to us as we pray, the advice of a Godly friend or counselor, a change in circumstances, etc. Whichever way he chooses to do it, God has promised that if we seek his will in all we do, he will show us which path to take.
The bottom line is that as children of God, we are to trust our heavenly Father to lead us in making wise commitments and then be loyal to whatever he directs us to do. When people see us, they should see in us the image and character of Christ who is faithful, trustworthy, honest, and true, and always keeps his word. The world needs to see women who are totally committed to Christ and will do what is right even when it is not convenient or popular and even in the midst of great difficulty. The ones God has entrusted to us in love, need to know that we are totally committed to them and that our love for them will never change even when they disappoint us, make bad choices, or do not live up to our expectations, just as Jesus laid down his life not only for the ones who loved and followed him but also for the ones who despised and crucified him.
To be fair, at times we will need to exercise tough love. Sometimes, we will have to hold those we love accountable for their destructive and harmful actions, and sometimes one of the most loving and compassionate things we can do for prodigal loved ones is to let them go and experience the consequences of their actions and pray that it leads them to repentance. However, in showing loyalty and kindness even under these circumstances, we must assure them that our love for them will never change. Is it always easy? No. Will you always feel the love? No. Is it convenient? Not always. But 1 Corinthians 13:8 assures us that love never fails. Do you want to be a person on loyalty? I do. Since this discussion on loyalty has gone a little longer than I had planned, we will talk a bit about the virtue of kindness and then move on to the rest of the chapter the next time. Grace and peace to you and yours.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Desire Proverbs 2 (Part 2)
Desire was created by God. It is inborn in every human baby from the moment he or she enters the outside world. We all have them. However, just like everything else God created, natural and healthy desires imbedded within sinful human flesh, living in a fallen world can easily become perverted. In fact any healthy desire can become bad if we choose to fulfill those desires in ways outside of those ordained by the God of perfect wisdom. Verses 12-22 at first glance seems to be an admonishment addressed primarily to the hearts of men; however, we as women are not exempt from trying to fulfill healthy desires in ungodly ways, and we too can be weak in this area.
It all started back in Genesis 3 with the very first woman, Eve and the serpent. Now keep in mind that the first couple, Adam and Eve up until this time lived in a perfect world, were lacking nothing, and lived in perfect harmony with their Creator. One would think that living in such an environment would be so fulfilling that there would be absolutely no room for dissatisfaction. But it says in Genesis 3:1 that the serpent was more shrewd than any other animal that God had created. Thus he became the perfect vessel for Satan's deceptive scheme. Taking advantage of the fact that God had created man with free will and the power of choice, the serpent introduced a weapon so powerful that it spoiled the once perfect environment and changed the course of history in an instant. The weapon of choice that was introduced that day... doubt. It started with one question concerning the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which God had forbidden them to eat. The question began with the words, "Did God really say....?" And suddenly, Eve began to wonder if what they had was all there was and if maybe God was withholding something from them. The serpent fed into those doubts further by stirring pride and self righteousness into the mix, causing her to question God's integrity, credibility, and even his goodness. "You will not die," the serpent said to the woman. "God knows that your eyes will be opened as you eat it (the fruit) and you will be like God, Knowing both good and evil." The rest is history. The sad thing is, that this tactic still works just as effectively here where we live in the 21st century.
As women we are wired with the desire to be loved and cherished. The serpent asks, "Did God really say to keep yourself pure until marriage and to wait on him to bring the right husband?" or "Can God really give you the desires of your heart and bring you fulfillment with or without a husband? After all, you are lonely, the supply of marriageable men is dwindling, you are almost 25, 30, 40, etc. and the clock is ticking." Do we choose to trust God or do we doubt Gods' goodness and give in causing the desire for love to degenerate into lust and desperation? I know what I am talking about here. I did not marry until I was 41 so I have lived this.
As women, we also have a need for friendship and wholesome conversation. The serpent asks, "Did God really say, you would have to give an account for every idle word that comes out of your mouth? Spreading that rumor is only speaking the truth and besides, it is really a prayer request and will ultimately help that person;" or "Sure that joke is a little off color but it is all in good fun and you are among friends. God knows your heart." Are we willing to take a stand and just say NO or do we give in, potentially destroy friendships, and cause wholesome conversation to become negative and slanderous speech, poisonous to ourselves and to those around us?
We as women also have a need to be needed and to feel a sense of significance. The serpent will ask, "Did God really say that you are created in his image and that he delights in you? If God really loves you why did he allow all of this to happen to you and why does everyone else at your age seem to have their life together except for you?" Do we trust in the goodness and faithfulness of God and choose to believe that our significance as well as our identity is in him despite our circumstances? Or do we give in, wallow in self pity, become angry at the whole world, or manipulate things and people to try and force significance? There are many things we as women want and need that the serpent seeks to pervert and use against us, and I could go on and on, but you get the picture
I find it interesting that the first desire that the serpent appealed to in Eve was the desire for wisdom. By using her sense of beauty and her appreciation for good food (She saw that the tree was beautiful and the fruit looked delicious. Gen 3;6b) he was able to lure her into thinking that God was somehow withholding his wisdom from them and that eating the fruit would give them the wisdom what they were lacking. I also find it interesting that her husband Adam also partook of the forbidden fruit without question when he was the one who was close enough to her to have gently reminded her of all the wonderful things that God had already provided for them and of her significance in their Creator. But that is a different topic for a different time.
The bottom line of verses 12-22 of Proverbs 2 is that since the very first sin in the garden of Eden the tank of our needs and desires has become an empty place in our souls that must be filled. A tank that is daily filled with the Spirit of God and godly wisdom will guide us in the paths of righteousness and keep us out of the arms of evil twisted men and immoral promiscuous women. But a tank that is not filled with with God and godly wisdom will be filled by default with mere human wisdom, futile thinking, and ungodly pursuits, leaving us open prey to the serpent and his minions. It is a road that ultimately leads to death and destruction. The good news is that as long as we are breathing earth's air, we have a choice. Even if we have already given in to the serpent's lies and are headed down the wrong road, we still have a choice. We can turn around (repent) be filled with the Spirit and godly wisdom and get on the right road. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." I don't know about you but I like the idea of a rich and satisfying (abundant) life much better. Selah.
It all started back in Genesis 3 with the very first woman, Eve and the serpent. Now keep in mind that the first couple, Adam and Eve up until this time lived in a perfect world, were lacking nothing, and lived in perfect harmony with their Creator. One would think that living in such an environment would be so fulfilling that there would be absolutely no room for dissatisfaction. But it says in Genesis 3:1 that the serpent was more shrewd than any other animal that God had created. Thus he became the perfect vessel for Satan's deceptive scheme. Taking advantage of the fact that God had created man with free will and the power of choice, the serpent introduced a weapon so powerful that it spoiled the once perfect environment and changed the course of history in an instant. The weapon of choice that was introduced that day... doubt. It started with one question concerning the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which God had forbidden them to eat. The question began with the words, "Did God really say....?" And suddenly, Eve began to wonder if what they had was all there was and if maybe God was withholding something from them. The serpent fed into those doubts further by stirring pride and self righteousness into the mix, causing her to question God's integrity, credibility, and even his goodness. "You will not die," the serpent said to the woman. "God knows that your eyes will be opened as you eat it (the fruit) and you will be like God, Knowing both good and evil." The rest is history. The sad thing is, that this tactic still works just as effectively here where we live in the 21st century.
As women we are wired with the desire to be loved and cherished. The serpent asks, "Did God really say to keep yourself pure until marriage and to wait on him to bring the right husband?" or "Can God really give you the desires of your heart and bring you fulfillment with or without a husband? After all, you are lonely, the supply of marriageable men is dwindling, you are almost 25, 30, 40, etc. and the clock is ticking." Do we choose to trust God or do we doubt Gods' goodness and give in causing the desire for love to degenerate into lust and desperation? I know what I am talking about here. I did not marry until I was 41 so I have lived this.
As women, we also have a need for friendship and wholesome conversation. The serpent asks, "Did God really say, you would have to give an account for every idle word that comes out of your mouth? Spreading that rumor is only speaking the truth and besides, it is really a prayer request and will ultimately help that person;" or "Sure that joke is a little off color but it is all in good fun and you are among friends. God knows your heart." Are we willing to take a stand and just say NO or do we give in, potentially destroy friendships, and cause wholesome conversation to become negative and slanderous speech, poisonous to ourselves and to those around us?
We as women also have a need to be needed and to feel a sense of significance. The serpent will ask, "Did God really say that you are created in his image and that he delights in you? If God really loves you why did he allow all of this to happen to you and why does everyone else at your age seem to have their life together except for you?" Do we trust in the goodness and faithfulness of God and choose to believe that our significance as well as our identity is in him despite our circumstances? Or do we give in, wallow in self pity, become angry at the whole world, or manipulate things and people to try and force significance? There are many things we as women want and need that the serpent seeks to pervert and use against us, and I could go on and on, but you get the picture
I find it interesting that the first desire that the serpent appealed to in Eve was the desire for wisdom. By using her sense of beauty and her appreciation for good food (She saw that the tree was beautiful and the fruit looked delicious. Gen 3;6b) he was able to lure her into thinking that God was somehow withholding his wisdom from them and that eating the fruit would give them the wisdom what they were lacking. I also find it interesting that her husband Adam also partook of the forbidden fruit without question when he was the one who was close enough to her to have gently reminded her of all the wonderful things that God had already provided for them and of her significance in their Creator. But that is a different topic for a different time.
The bottom line of verses 12-22 of Proverbs 2 is that since the very first sin in the garden of Eden the tank of our needs and desires has become an empty place in our souls that must be filled. A tank that is daily filled with the Spirit of God and godly wisdom will guide us in the paths of righteousness and keep us out of the arms of evil twisted men and immoral promiscuous women. But a tank that is not filled with with God and godly wisdom will be filled by default with mere human wisdom, futile thinking, and ungodly pursuits, leaving us open prey to the serpent and his minions. It is a road that ultimately leads to death and destruction. The good news is that as long as we are breathing earth's air, we have a choice. Even if we have already given in to the serpent's lies and are headed down the wrong road, we still have a choice. We can turn around (repent) be filled with the Spirit and godly wisdom and get on the right road. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." I don't know about you but I like the idea of a rich and satisfying (abundant) life much better. Selah.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Desire Proverbs 2 (Selah)
As I am sitting here at my dining room table typing this morning, my heart is quite full and there are so many things that I want to share that I am feeling almost overwhelmed. So much has happened in my own life within the past four weeks. To be totally transparent, a piece of my world, one of the things I felt I could count on has been tested and shaken quite suddenly, and with it my confidence. So much of what has happened has been totally out of my control which has left me feeling blindsided and quite vulnerable. Now to be fair, this piece of my world admittedly was not the most ideal situation... but it was mine (or so I thought) and it was comfortable in that it provided a certain amount of familiarity and security. Over the years I had settled in, come to know and love the people, and had become quite familiar with the landscape. But in moment it all changed, and I am left with a heart that is aching with pangs of loss, and feeling more like a fish out of water these days.
So as I wait here for the Lord to give me inspiration to pass along to you concerning desire, I am also struggling with my own self doubts and fears, dealing with my own wisdom and trust issues, and questioning my own desires. Then I open the blinds to the northwest facing bay window and behold the most beautiful view of the Blue Ridge mountains from my back yard. The brilliant blue/green of these peaks against the backdrop of a perfectly clear pale blue sky is especially beautiful at this time of year with just a subtle hint of color at the tree line. We have lived in this house for a little over 6 years now and and this mountain view that I fell in love with the very first time I saw this house, still takes my breath away. And then a scripture comes to mind.... Psalm 125:1,2 "Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mt. Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forever." Then I come to my senses as I am once again reminded about just how BIG our God is. What a comfort it is to know that at this moment of my weakness and no matter how I feel, I can be as strong as those mountains simply by trusting in the one who is made them. And at this moment where I feel so insecure and out of pocket, I can still belong and feel safe and secure because the strong nurturing arms of the Lord surround me on every side always and forever. Therefore I can write about desire not because, I am worthy or have my own life together but because He is bigger than anything I face and it is his strength and not mine that I am depending on. The plan for today was to write about desire gone bad; however, I am feeling the need just to pause for today and meditate on these things. So for now we will take a selah and continue with desire the next time.
So as I wait here for the Lord to give me inspiration to pass along to you concerning desire, I am also struggling with my own self doubts and fears, dealing with my own wisdom and trust issues, and questioning my own desires. Then I open the blinds to the northwest facing bay window and behold the most beautiful view of the Blue Ridge mountains from my back yard. The brilliant blue/green of these peaks against the backdrop of a perfectly clear pale blue sky is especially beautiful at this time of year with just a subtle hint of color at the tree line. We have lived in this house for a little over 6 years now and and this mountain view that I fell in love with the very first time I saw this house, still takes my breath away. And then a scripture comes to mind.... Psalm 125:1,2 "Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mt. Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forever." Then I come to my senses as I am once again reminded about just how BIG our God is. What a comfort it is to know that at this moment of my weakness and no matter how I feel, I can be as strong as those mountains simply by trusting in the one who is made them. And at this moment where I feel so insecure and out of pocket, I can still belong and feel safe and secure because the strong nurturing arms of the Lord surround me on every side always and forever. Therefore I can write about desire not because, I am worthy or have my own life together but because He is bigger than anything I face and it is his strength and not mine that I am depending on. The plan for today was to write about desire gone bad; however, I am feeling the need just to pause for today and meditate on these things. So for now we will take a selah and continue with desire the next time.
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