Can we just believe in whatever lot the LORD has apportioned to us
As we cross the bridge from one circumstance to the next?
Believe right in this very place where we stand.
I grew up with little compared to US standards. Same today. What will I do with what I have? Why do I demand God's Love show me more? Why do I wrestle with what the world thinks of people who haven't really made something big in life. A preacher told me one time: "If you succeed, then you'll know that this was the right thing. If you fail, then ... there ... there's your answer. No one will respect you." Funny the things people say to us that stick. Why do I hold in my heart what the world thinks of me? And a tear, maybe two, rolls down my cheek.
Joshua spoke to the House of Joseph who complained about having only one lot. Joshua 17:17. I'm giving you one lot and a mountain full of woods to work. Brooks and creeks. Corn and wheat. Cows and pasture. Dare we deserve a handout without any sweat? This Word of God is not about putting Knowledge in our Heads. It changes us to make us want to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Makes us want to work very hard at the job where we are. Transformed to believe and trust and wait in whatever wilderness, whatever lot, whatever circumstance we are in. Not hoping for an end but hoping for Peace Himself to break through in the midst of a broken world, full of Canaanites and broken people. Not to use Canaanites for our ends but to honor what's in our possession and work out love for those with less.
God gives out plenty and want---it is all for our good and simply amazing that He does anything for us, wishy-washy demanding people, deserving of what? We cannot define the Goodness of God by what we have or do not have. We define life by the Love from the Eternal Word, Who is always doing us good in lonely fields & forests, in friendly cities & comfort. What we long for is really Him, the Beauty. Not the counterfeit of thinking that we have it all here, storing up treasures for whom?
OVERVIEW: Joshua 16-18
Image: Keene Public Library www.flickr.com
Borders...God had a defined border in the Promised Land for everyone but the Levites. We had a complaint from 1 tribe because they thought they needed more land. I wonder how often I have not filled the borders the Lord gave me in ministry and how often I have exceeded them.
ReplyDeleteLord I want to be within the borders You've placed me, working for the Kingdom, not the stuff of this earth.
I too had very little growing up, growing up a military family. Yet, I never felt poor nor did I really do without. The provisions were more than enough and Mama was faithful to take us to Sunday School and church. God was always a part of my life. It is very sad that we Christians will hold ourselves up to the standards of our society and determine IF we are "successful" or not. Like Bev, I had a man tell e one time a long time ago that my husband was not a successful attorney because of what he did not have!!! I felt insulted.Salary has not ever been consistent and it has had it's many ups and lots of downs. However, through it all we have held on to our God and to our faith. We have two adult children who are following the Lord and their children have all made professions of faith but the youngest. So I feel very wealthy in that respect. Very wealthy indeed. I am sad to say that I am so much like the wishy washy Israelites.....why the Lord gives me even any thing right now at all is simply by His grace, for I look into the future and it is very uncertain, money wise and there is not really any more time to "make it big"....The God of the Universe keeps telling me to look unto Him and He will provide and to keep putting one foot in front of the other and He will have gone before me as He always has.
ReplyDeleteThe "stuff" I have here on this earth will not go with me and it does NOT prove my worth to Him or my worth for Him. Only what I have in my heart and only what I have done for Him will last. I do pray that those who come behind me will find that I was faithful. Not in whatever I leave them materially, but in what I share with them spiritually and how I live my life. May we all look to Him for what we are worth....we are His treasure. May He be our treasure today and every day.
Isn't it going to be a surprise for many of us, even believers, one Day when God defines our success. "Did you clothe the naked? Visit the imprisoned? Feed the hungry? Did you seek ME with all of your heart? Where were you when I called?" Why did you not protect your heart more against the world's waywardness? Before we can even hang our , we will already be pronounced forgiven.
ReplyDeleteWe will answer for ourselves. And we will probably shed a few tears over lost opportunities. And then He will wipe away every tear, and we will know ultimate success in His perfect Presence. Because of nothing we did. Because of nothing we earned. Yet, our debt is pronounced PAID in full. Help us be generous hearts for You, Lord. Our more-than-ample portion is You. Ambition and success mean little to You. Let us be fervent for Your Cause and humble enough to know it is You alone who fight for us, sustain us, provide so sweetly for us.
I've been playing nurse the last few days to Lauren. She's doing well, but if you get a chance, please pray for her this afternoon as I have to help her remove the catheter pain medicine line. She (and I) are dreading it.
I'm so grateful for this place to pour my heart. You are a safe haven and sweet comfort here at Pearls! Love to you all.
*Hang our heads in shame--got sidetracked...grin.
ReplyDelete