Be a Busy Bee

Wait for the Lord ; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord . Psalm 27:14 NIV

Hurry up and wait. I've heard that expression my whole life. And anything that's worth it is worth waiting for. That's a good one too. Those of us old enough to remember our homes without microwaves and internet know all about waiting. Even though we now have instant grits, I'd much rather wait for the slow cooked kind. Yeah, it's worth waiting for.

Today's generations not so much. Waiting is hard and something they're not used to. Everything is instant from information to food to communication. If they had to wait for a fax they'd probably combust.

But I must say that today's generations do have a skill that is useful: working while waiting. If they MUST wait for something, they are multitasking and doing something else while waiting. They're not just standing around twiddling their thumbs. They're checking emails, sending texts, conducting business, all while waiting for that tall, no fat, hazelnut mocha pumpkin latte or whatever they order.

I think we could learn from them. Yes we must wait on God to answer our prayer or show us a sign or bring someone into our lives or take someone out of our lives. But while we wait we should be doing the work he's set before us. We should not be idle. Working while we wait builds character and strength for when he answers and places us where he needs us.

So hurry up and wait but work while you are there. Be a busy bee.

Bonfire of the Vanities

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

I'm pretty sure I just got called out. I've always been a bit on the vain side. If you like, you could say it was my dads doing. At 2 years old he would walk me across the table singing the Miss America theme song. As I've gotten older my focus has changed somewhat but it's still there, and simmering more these days with my daughters upcoming nuptials. Beauty is both painful and expensive and a lot of work on a daily basis. I'd say right now it's for a good cause and maybe I can relax a little after the wedding. Who am I kidding...naaahhh!

But guess what? No matter what I do to my physical appearance, no matter how shiny I make myself, God sees none of it. How shiny is my heart? Is it black with sin or washed in his son's blood? That's what he sees. You can talk a big game, throw money at churches and do every good deed, yet it's all in vain if your heart isn't right.

Make sure you take care to beautify your heart every day through prayer and spending time in gods word. Inward beauty, like outer beauty, does not come overnight. It's to be worked at daily.

In Whom We Trust

I will say of the Lord , “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 NIV

Trust is in little supply these days. You can probably count on one hand thr people you know who you can absolutely confide in. Unfortunately most are self serving with a personal agenda. They will tell you anything as long as it gives them the upper hand in the end. It is disheartening to say the least. And even those closest to us will let us down. We are after all only human.

But we know the One in whom we can always trust. He will never abuse our trust or be self serving. Everything he does he does for our good. It is painful sometimes but we can trust his judgement because it never fails.

Rest easy tonight knowing God has your back.

Say it From the Heart

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 NIV

Have you ever had someone say something about you that wasn't true? Or maybe their assessment of you was false and not really who you are or the virtues you embody? If you haven't, give it time. People can be cruel, but we are also marked by our own perceptions that may or may not be accurate. You may think you are being fair and honest but someone else only sees prejudice and malice. It's not necessarily fair but its reality.

This verse promises us that God is our defense and salvation. It's so insistent that it repeats itself: the Lord, the Lord himself. Not a proxy. Not the spirit. Not Jesus. God himself is our defense. We must have faith that we are acting according to his word and teachings. And we must also consider what the other person says in order to test the spirits. Is this person a gossip or storyteller? If so, they may not be telling the truth, only their version of it. You will know by weighing their words against God's. Do they have your best interest at heart? If not, move on. They're not worth listening to.

God knows your heart and intent. He will ensure, as your ultimate defense, that your truest self is heard and seen. You need only say it from the heart.

Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NIV

I'm an English major which means I take the use of who and whom very seriously. They are not only different from each other, but they are very different from other 'w' words such as what or which. What refers to objects; whom is the object of a verb. This verse isn't asking of 'what' should I fear, but rather 'whom' should I fear if the Lord is on my side. That's a big difference - what versus whom. I'm not afraid of people, although there are particular 'whats' in life that I am afraid of. I think everyone has a healthy awareness of what they are and are not afraid of. For some, it can be overwhelming and debilitating, resulting in life-altering conditions. Others are able to manage their fears. I like the line from Princess Diaries where Mia, quoting her father, says that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the knowledge that something else is more important.

There are many things - both living and otherwise - to be afraid of in this world. Hence why we have a fight or flight response pretty much built into our anatomy. Our brain is hardwired to run away and protect ourselves from that which we fear might do us harm. But sometimes what we fear is truly only in our minds because its the unknown. This is where God steps in. We do not need to fear the unknown because the one who knows everything, for which there are no unknowns, is with us and is lighting our way.

The world offers much to fear. Don't let the world rule your heart and mind. Let God's peace and knowledge light your path instead.

The Greatest Love

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 NIV

God's been so good to us lately. No, things aren't rosy and perfect, but it could be worse. He looks out for us day to day. But that's what fathers do right? What about friends? Do you expect them to look out for you? I don't. So it's always a nice surprise when something happens and your friends come to help. They're not laying down their mortal lives, but they are putting their own needs aside to help a friend or loved one. That's the greatest love we can have and show.

Laying down one's life isn't just about dying. It's about living for each other. An officer helping a homeless man get a job by helping him shave. A friend offering a bed when a home isn't safe to be in. A neighbor coming over to physically help with work. These people are exhibiting the greatest love in that for that moment they are putting their own needs aside and helping someone else.

That's real love. Honest love. True love. Spouses do it every day for each other. Parents do it every day for their children. Teachers do it every day for their students. Employers do it every day for their staff. It happens all over the world and is not acknowledged for what it is. God's love. Agape love.

The world would be a better place if we all let God's love shine through us. Be the greatest love.