Scripture: “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation—for You I wait all the day long…” Ps 25:1-5
Observation: There must be a time where I gather up all the funky thoughts, hitch up my britches and recalibrate my soul before God, just like the Psalmist does.
What happens if I don’t take advantage of this instrument of Grace? Nothing good, I’ll bet. My guess? A hardening of the heart is in my near horizon…
Analysis: Sometimes the Word of God just opens like a flower when seen with time-lapse photography.
A small bud, gradually opening up petal by petal until the full bloom is shown and I go in hushed tones, “How beautiful. Just the right thing for the right time and all a gift from God.”
And then there are other times where the Word just thuds like a lead balloon in me. I don’t get it; the words are not alive; they don’t vibrate with meaning; they just lie there like a stone in my mind.
That’s how this posting was for me last week when I started writing it.
Interestingly enough, I started the post, got the scripture reference down, and…..then the phone rang.
All that the Holy Spirit was preparing me for with the above reference fluttered to the ground like a wounded bird. Even now, the day after that particular phone call, I am just now noticing how timely this Scripture reference is.
“O God: In You I trust. Don’t let me be put to shame…” Instead, I fumbled around in my own strength, trying to keep from gnashing my teeth at those speaking to me. While I succeeded in being outwardly humble (maybe—objective self-examination is difficult in the best of times), inwardly I barely kept the lid on a percolating rage. Certainly, grumbling, complaining, and disputing was well evident, albeit silent.
That is the awesome thing of being a Christian. The Father’s stated purpose is to conform me to the image of the Son (Ro 8:29). If it wasn’t for the times like I just experienced, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to confess, repent, and hitch up my britches to walk that narrow road of righteousness.
Prayer: Thank you Lord God. I am so ever grateful that you take the chisel and tap hammer to my stony heart and not the sledge. AMEN