A Pile of Dust to God's Masterpiece

On our refrigerator hang great works of art sent to us from across the world. One is a signed self-portrait; the other, a still life. We know the artists personally. I was visiting a friend recently, and she has similar pieces, but they in no way rival the masterpieces that we possess. She foolishly believes her works are superior, but-- ha! I can clearly see the consummate value in our crayon sur bleu. Anyone would, wouldn't they? Well, maybe not. As they say, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." Our valuable works of art were done by someone special. The materials themselves --crayon on blue construction paper-- are of little monetary value, and I'm not sure the drawings themselves show any special promise, but for them to receive such a place of honor, it is obvious they are worth a great sum. It is the artist and the place he holds in our heart that has made it so.

Someone once estimated the value of the elements of the human body at $1.98. I believe, due to inflation, we're at $160 or so. As far as what good we do or our benefit to society, some may not be worth their weight in gold, so to speak. The sum total of contributions on all of my best days may not equal the withdrawals I have made or the malignity I have brought on society on just one of my bad days. In the grand scheme of things, none of us is worth much in and of ourselves. But the Bible tells us we were made from dust and to dust we shall return. How much is a scoop of dust worth? Mankind was created in God's image. Worth was superimposed upon us at creation by the One who is Creator. Our being may have been created with materials worth less than an average week's groceries, but God says we are worth so much more. How much more? His life. 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16

The sad irony is, despite our unworthiness absent our Creator, and the tremendous value He places on us, we have it fatally backward. We dismiss Him as being no longer of any value and fill ourselves with a false sense of importance. If He is valueless, from where does our value come? 

~ From the things we do. Anyone here an overachiever? Anyone here busy, busy, busy until your body finally just gives out?

~ From the things we tell ourselves. Anyone here constantly moving those goal posts, pushing ourselves a little further? Anyone here comparing themselves with others?

~ From the things others tell us. Anyone here counting up all those "Likes"? Anyone here a people pleaser?

What happens when we can no longer do? What happens when we let ourselves down? What happens when someone ghosts us? Our value has to come from Someone bigger than our calendars or ourselves or the people around us.

Phillip Yancey, in his book, A Companion in Crisis, paraphrases John Donne when he says:

My dust and ashes form the temple of the Holy Spirit --could marble be more precious?

At the very least, we were created to be in partnership with our Creator. We were made in His image and given the authority to govern the rest of creation. At best, we are His temples; His Spirit lives in each of us, transforming us into the image of Jesus. That is true worth.

In and of ourselves, we are crayon on construction paper. Our plans have no more potential than drawings on a fridge. Our schedule has no greater longevity or eternal legacy than that artwork, remaining only until new pictures take their place. We are but dust. 

Dust formed, esteemed, and inhabited by the Living God. What a glorious God He is!

Humble and Quiet

Years ago, someone gave me a beautiful graphic of the book of Ephesians, all of the wonderful affirmations God speaks over us in Jesus Christ. (I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing --Ephesians 1:3; I have been chosen before the foundation of the world --1:4a; I am holy and blameless --l:4b; I have been predestined and adopted in love --1:5; I have redemption through Christ’s blood, the forgiveness of my trespasses --1:7; I have obtained an inheritance in heaven --1:10; I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise --1:13 And that's just chapter one!)  I have been wrestling with the question, Who am I? But not, Who am I? In Christ, I am all those things. The question I have been contemplating is, Who am I?

The Holy Spirit has been sending up flares about my quiet time with Him. And what He's been showing me is, I'm not being very quiet. I may no longer be a readaversesayaquickprayercheckthebox "devotee," but what I am now is not much better. I study for hours and never truly learn anything. I research and read, and never hear God's voice. I bow my head and speak to Him and even stay on track, but never have a conversation with Him. It's not because He doesn't want to speak to me. It's because I'm not listening. The concept of listening, of being quiet every single day is not something I have been practicing. Hence the question, Who am I? What makes me think I am too good, or too busy to listen to God?

Months ago, we had some difficult things going on; I was crying out to God --and listening for an answer. A word came to me: HUMBLE. (If you're anything close to my age, you might be thinking of Charlotte's Web right now, but stick with me.) At the time, I assumed God was telling me I needed to be humble. I get it, I really do. I am a fairly well educated, over-achiever with a leadership mentality. I can be pretty tenacious, fearless, tough. I can run roughshod over people and approach things in a my-way-or-the-highway type of way. And I am busy, always busy. (I share this only because some of you may have the same hang-ups, things standing in the way of God and what He has called you to do.) I need to be humble if I'm going to minister to others in the name of Jesus. How can I be genuinely humble before people if I'm not humble before God? If I refuse (Let's call it what it is!) to be humble toward the God of the universe, if I refuse to listen to Him, how can I listen to the hearts of people? If I am unwilling to put aside things I want to do --even the things I tell myself I have to do-- so that I can be quiet before God in obedience to Him, so that I can be quiet before God and hear what He wants to say, what use am I?

I felt God calling me to leave my paying job to write a book. It's been difficult. Mom's needs have increased and require more of my time and attention. Instead of becoming frustrated by the "disturbance" of all this, I need to be humble, be quiet, trust that His ways are not my ways, and His plans are good. If God called me to write (and I believe He has) He will handle it all. In His way. In His time. My job is to be humble and listen for His voice, His schedule, His heartbeat. 

Decisions, Decisions

The other evening I found myself craving a snack. I try not to eat before bedtime, but when I really find myself struggling, I try to opt for something healthy. Peanuts are a good option, right? Maybe for you, but peanuts tend to wreak havoc on my metabolism; I toss and turn most of the night if I eat them before bed. Does that make eating peanuts before bed wrong? For me, it is. I have people depending on me throughout the day. It's wrong to choose something that disrupts my rest and causes me to shirk my responsibilities or spend the day being crabby to everyone. Our cravings --and whether we indulge them-- can impact those around us. We might crave a beer, although we've had too many already. We might crave a nice looooong walk, although we promised our spouse we'd paint this weekend. We might desire rest on a workday, or a vacation when we're broke, or a super double hot fudge sundae when we're supposed to be watching our sugar intake. None of those things is inherently wrong to want or even do, but context and timing are important. Context and timing can be a huge part of the decision we make.

There's a flip side to all of this, as well. There are those who remain so paralyzed with fear, they do nothing. They are worried every decision they make will offend, disappoint, or face the condemnation of those watching. Like someone terrified of wearing white shoes after Labor Day lest they be judged, they choose instead to bow to the court of public opinion before ever leaving the house. They think too highly of the opinions of others. And while the opinions of others can be important, knowing where to draw the line is crucial if we wish to move forward. People mired in what others think rarely stand up or stand out.

We find ourselves in a time where decisions are not so cut and dried. The dissemination of information is easier than it has ever been. Any joker with internet access can spread information worldwide in seconds (no, the irony is not lost on me), and bad info travels just as readily as good. We seem to have plenty of bad information. The factors that determine our personal decisions are not, however, simply based on what we read or hear from news outlets or social media. They are based on life experiences and the goals we have set for ourselves and our families. They are based on fears that may or may not be valid but are real to us. Our decisions may be grounded in political affiliations, but no one affiliation is more or less noble than the other. We may be compelled to choose as we do because of morals, upbringing, beliefs, spheres of influence, vocation, or economic status. 

The point of my rant? Good to be right in the things we do, but how much better to be righteous? No one wants to make the wrong decision, especially when it comes to the important issues of raising our children, or continuing in good health, or remaining employed, or caring for our neighbors. However, "right" may have more to do with the outcome of your discussions with God than it does, your discussions with peers. I will choose what I believe God says is right; that, too, might mean what God says is "right for me," a personal sort of right. Like no peanuts before bedtime. 

• Regardless of our choices, it's important to show one another grace in theirs. 
• Place the greatest value on what God is saying through His Word and what the Holy Spirit is speaking into our hearts. 
• Consult with our families and take into consideration the opinions or expertise of those we trust. 
• Comply with the law, to consider the impact of our decision on our neighbors and our country, but to seek obedience to God above all else. 
• Once we reach a decision, evaluate it periodically and go through these steps, adjusting to changes if necessary. 
• Pray for others as they make decisions. 
• Show grace. (yes, I said it again --we need to be reminded as often as possible)

Has God Had Enough of My Schtick?

What can I have? 

Scott is trying to lose a few pounds. In the process, I've lost my temper. What do you mean? You just ate dinner?!

But I'm still hungry, he tells me. So, then I run through the options. After the first three or four sniffs or scrunches from him, I've developed a tone. I offer two more choices and I'm through. 

Do what you want.

I know he is trying to watch his diet. He has asked me to help him watch his diet. I have spent time preparing alternatives to junky food and shopping for snacks that might satisfy his sweet tooth without sending the scale rocketing out the window. And he resists. That's his schtick. He loves the attention. But it wears on me sometimes.

And sometimes I realize that's my schtick as well.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Alright, just let me do this one other thing.

"Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6)

Can I pencil You in around two?

I cry out to God for healing and surrender my day to Him; I commit to seeking Him in quiet. And then I act stupid. That's really what it boils down to. I ask Him to hold me accountable and then I resist when He does. I want to be healed, but then I eat the stuff I know will cause my body to rebel. I ask Him to direct my schedule until His direction collides with my desires. I promise I will take the time to sit quietly in His presence but when faced with fulfilling that promise or checking off a box on my already overloaded ToDo List, I go to the list. I know what God requires and what brings Him glory; I know what will be best for me; I know what I said, but still... How does God not get fed up with me? Praise His merciful name, He continues to work in us!

Years ago, I transferred departments at work. That transfer was what it took to get me to quit smoking. It wasn't even intentional; I wasn't even trying to quit. But by His grace, God handled it. I wanted to do a good job and make a good impression, so I didn't dare step out for a smoke. I didn't know anyone and most of them didn't smoke, so there wasn't the "camaraderie" I had, smoking and chatting, as I did in the office prior. My smoking stopped. But I still gossiped; I still wasn't faithful in my daily devotions. It was only one thing. Other issues had to be taken care of in their time. 

There have been times when God has put His finger on things that I am unwilling to relinquish. Sometimes He has moved on. He is not worried because I refuse to change right now. He is not throwing His hands up in frustration, saying, "Fine! Do what you want!" He goes on to something else. A little easier for me. Less of a stronghold. He knows what He's doing. Other times He counters my resistance. "Something needs to change and it needs to change right now. You have no idea what's about to happen, but you need to be ready. This is how I'm getting you ready. No negotiation." And He will keep His finger on it until I give it up. 

I think most days I am more fed up with me than God could ever get. God loves His people with an everlasting love. He wants to do the heavy lifting, for it is when He works in us that He gets the glory. We can reveal our heart to Him again and again; we can come to Him day after day with things we know we need to get rid of. But God looks at our hearts and knows our flesh is weak. We can trust He's loosening our chains without losing His temper.