So in continuation of my previous post, I've been thinking a lot
about what complaining actually is. I was reading the Psalms lately and
in several of them, it looks like David is complaining:
Psalm 10:1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
Psalm 11:1-3 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon
the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Psalm 13:1-3 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
Psalm 22:1-2 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Whoa! Where did that come from? David is a man after God's own heart, and he complains and doubts God?
Is he really complaining? Psalm 13 puts it the most succinctly:
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
What I've discovered is that the focus is what matters here. Complaining is completely focused on oneself, looking for sympathy, pity, more special treatment, a justification, and a judge to make it all "fair". The children of Israel complained. Why? Because they were tired of what God had given them, they wanted comfort, they wanted Moses to give them give them sympathy. I call it looking for the "aww, baby" syndrome.
But we, as people, really do have problems! We have health needs, irritating family members, loved ones who don't know the Lord, friends who make wrong choices. There's bad hair days and just plain old bad days. But what is our focus when we are praying about these issues?
God uses everything to bring our focus back to Him. So, we can give Him our burdens, He welcomes it! (1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.) But our focus should be steadfastly fixed on Him, learning what it is He has for us. Contrary to popular belief, we don't just learn about our God in the 15 minutes we take for devotions, He's always there, always drawing us!
And He has given us the gift of godly Christian friends who listen to us and bear our burdens as well. It is such a comfort to have friends who join in with us in entreaties to the Most High, to have friends who point you back to the One who is in control of the tough situation, to have friends who are willing to ask the tough questions in order to take the focus off yourself and place it back on the Marvelous One. (Galatians 6:2, Matthew 18:20)
When we have the correct definition of Sin, and a perspective on Grace, life is so much the better for it.
Because of Him,
Missa
Friday, September 14, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Content to Whine
"I'm bored!!!!"
This is the most frequently used set of words among 10 year old Americans.
Well, at least I think it is.... I hear it all the time. Whether it's in Wal-mart, or when I'm babysitting....
Or on Facebook....
Take that back - that phrase is the most commonly used phrase in America. Even if we don't say it in those exact words, we think it and act on it all the time (this is the only reason why they put Baseball on TV.)
But instead of doing something productive in our lives, we tend to be content to whine about it, and then use time-wasters like Facebook, watching TV, or eating.
And this week, I realized how content I was to whine to God.
If any of ya'll have ever worked in camp ministry or any other short term full time ministry, and then have to "come home" at the end, you'll understand my plight. It is so hard to keep a proper focus on God and His Word! Even though I have absolutely wonderful friends who keep me "accountable" it's so easy to switch back to the old checklist mode.
And my prayer life dynamic changes. I become a whiner to God.
"Where do You want me to go?"
"What do You want me to do?"
"I want a job!"
or even
"Why aren't I growing?"
Now, these are good questions... unless we refuse to do something about it. These shouldn't be an ongoing, recurring theme!
But, that's what I've kinda been doing lately. How can I know what to do or where to go if I'm not actively living a Christian life? This Christian laziness is just so much easier. When I was a kid, it was dangerous to say I'm bored because that meant that mom would find something for us to do.... and normally it wasn't anything fun like TV or a game or toys... it always was chores. We were not allowed to sit and whine when there was stuff that could be done.
The problem is, as Christians, we're good at doing stuff.... just not growing in His grace. We give up way too easily, take our focus off of Him, and steadfastly gaze at ourselves. It's then that we whine. I've discovered that the times I've grown the most was when I just didn't have time to make myself look like a Christian, but I had to keep my focus on Him. It takes more time and effort, but the effects are so worth it.
Let's stop being couch potato Christians.
Because of Him,
Missa
This is the most frequently used set of words among 10 year old Americans.
Well, at least I think it is.... I hear it all the time. Whether it's in Wal-mart, or when I'm babysitting....
Or on Facebook....
Take that back - that phrase is the most commonly used phrase in America. Even if we don't say it in those exact words, we think it and act on it all the time (this is the only reason why they put Baseball on TV.)
But instead of doing something productive in our lives, we tend to be content to whine about it, and then use time-wasters like Facebook, watching TV, or eating.
And this week, I realized how content I was to whine to God.
If any of ya'll have ever worked in camp ministry or any other short term full time ministry, and then have to "come home" at the end, you'll understand my plight. It is so hard to keep a proper focus on God and His Word! Even though I have absolutely wonderful friends who keep me "accountable" it's so easy to switch back to the old checklist mode.
And my prayer life dynamic changes. I become a whiner to God.
"Where do You want me to go?"
"What do You want me to do?"
"I want a job!"
or even
"Why aren't I growing?"
Now, these are good questions... unless we refuse to do something about it. These shouldn't be an ongoing, recurring theme!
But, that's what I've kinda been doing lately. How can I know what to do or where to go if I'm not actively living a Christian life? This Christian laziness is just so much easier. When I was a kid, it was dangerous to say I'm bored because that meant that mom would find something for us to do.... and normally it wasn't anything fun like TV or a game or toys... it always was chores. We were not allowed to sit and whine when there was stuff that could be done.
The problem is, as Christians, we're good at doing stuff.... just not growing in His grace. We give up way too easily, take our focus off of Him, and steadfastly gaze at ourselves. It's then that we whine. I've discovered that the times I've grown the most was when I just didn't have time to make myself look like a Christian, but I had to keep my focus on Him. It takes more time and effort, but the effects are so worth it.
Let's stop being couch potato Christians.
Because of Him,
Missa
Monday, September 3, 2012
Facebook Followers (of Christ)
I've just realized a harsh truth.
You can't believe everything you read on the internet.
Sorry to burst everyone's bubble. I was just Googling quotes for a project I'm doing and this one just captured the essence of my problem:
"The problem with quotes on the internet is that it is very difficult to verify their authenticity."
You can't believe everything you read on the internet.
Sorry to burst everyone's bubble. I was just Googling quotes for a project I'm doing and this one just captured the essence of my problem:
"The problem with quotes on the internet is that it is very difficult to verify their authenticity."
~Abraham Lincoln
And Facebook is the worst as far as falsified info goes. The point of Facebook is to have friends, make people like you, and show (the best parts) of your personality. There are very few people who are "real" on Facebook. I kinda think about it like a date. For an hour and a half you and the other person are on their very best behavior. Girls spend literally hours on hair, makeup, and wardrobe - and I'm sure guys at least take a few extra minutes to apply deodorant..... maybe. :)
The problem is, the only thing you see is the very best, and most of the time it's not the real person.
Are we, as a society, turning into Facebook Followers (of Christ)? What's super popular right now is to share nice pictures with "Christianese" quotes:
I really think the last one is so sad. Really? I don't love God if I don't share this picture? Wow, what a horrible person I am!
There are pages "Like if you love Jesus!" "Jesus is my Superman!" "I love Jesus Online"
Just so everyone knows, if you don't have an awesome blog like mine, post at least once a month, and share this link with 100 of your best friends, God will deny you before the angels at the final judgment!
How ridiculous!!!!!!!
And here's the thing, these things are posted by people who then go on to live like the rest of the world.
I want to see REAL Christians. What did you read in your Bible today, and how does it apply to your life? What has God been teaching you through (insert name of any person in your life)?
I'm not saying you shouldn't maintain a Christian testimony,but maybe we need to re-learn what it means to be a Christian.
Oh, and this doesn't just apply to Facebook. If you have a Christian bumper sticker on your car, drive like a Christian. Instead of taking the social time at Church complaining (or bragging) about your past week, take time to encourage the other believers. If our lives are changed and we are doing all things to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31, Col 3:17, etc), then we really need to live it.
Being a Christian is a 24/7 responsibility. Stop letting Facebook be your daily Christianity "date".
Because of Him,
Missa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)