The Way of Sorrow

"What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning

looking for a drink of alcohol

and spend long evenings drinking wine

to make themselves flaming drunk.

They furnish wine and lovely music

at their grand parties--

lyre and harp, tambourine and flute--

but they never think about the LORD

or notice what he is doing.

So my people will go into exile far away

because they do not know me."

Isaiah 5:11-13a NLT

It seems like a joyous, carefree way to live, the good life, really.  Many strive to grab hold of the life filled with recreation and fun, full of pleasure.  But is it all its cracked up to be?  

Illusion.  I'm the master of my own destiny.  I don't believe in an afterlife and I'm okay with that.  There can't be a God, otherwise He wouldn't allow all this suffering, therefore, I can live however I want.  I'm just not the type who is into this God-thing; I'm fine just the way I am.  There are many methods mankind uses to create the illusion that God does not exist, or that He is optional, there if we need Him but otherwise fine with being left alone. Either viewpoint pays no heed to the Truth:  There is a God and He made His image-bearers for relationship with Himself (Psalm 100:3).

To live for selfish pleasures creates a false reality where God does not exist and those who adhere to such a lifestyle delude themselves into believing they will never need answer for the way they lived their lives (Hebrews 9:27).   There are only two choices as a follower of Christ:  Live with my flesh as lord, or with Jesus as my Ruler (Galatians 5:16-23).  The first leads to destruction, the second to life (Matthew 7:13-14).  To numb oneself with alcohol or other diversions has a blinding effect toward God and His constant work all around me.  Either I pay attention and respond, or I ignore and and carry on as usual.  Despite my choice, however, God is a reality I cannot deny, try as I might (Galatians 6:7-9).

To create an illusion that God does not exist or that it won't matter if I acknowledge Him or not is the way of sorrow.

Short-Term Payoff.  "You can either go on the website and fill out the claim form and wait to hear the decision, or you can get an immediate response by going through the process over the phone.  Which would you prefer?"  I was speaking to a customer service agent with my cell phone provider who was helping me get a replacement for my broken phone.  I replied with a chuckle, "I'll take the quick way, of course!  I'm an American and we want things now!"  And so it is.  

Today's culture is all about "spending our children's inheritance," investing in the good life here and leaving thoughts of eternity for another day.  Maybe when I'm done having fun I'll be ready to settle down and think about God.  Meanwhile, the Savior who wants to deliver the best life as only God could deliver for all of eternity is exchanged for a mediocre life now (John 3:16., 11:25, 14:2-3)  It's like preferring plastic beads now over real pearls later, or a shack in the woods without indoor plumbing or electricity now over a mansion with all the amenities later.  I must not be deceived:  Today's best just isn't that great.

To invest in a short-term payoff in the here and now is to miss out on God's best for all of eternity, the way of sorry indeed.

Counterfeit Joy.  Every human desires it.  That happiness that doesn't come and go but stays put despite my circumstances.  The glow that tells me my life is good and all is well with my soul.  I search for it in religion, relationships, my life's work, but it is as elusive as a butterfly refusing to light on the flower that is my heart.  It's frustrating, really.  I pursue it, providing all the pieces that should bring it, but it never comes.

True joy only comes in knowing Jesus.  When I turn away from all other pursuits and place all my eggs in His basket, I will be "filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Peter 1:8b).  Living for Him, with Jesus as my greatest treasure, my loftiest goal, the prize to keep my eyes upon (Hebrews 12:2), I'll discover a joy that does not fade over time and is not dependent upon circumstances.  No matter what comes my way, I'll have the hope of Jesus to carry me through.

To seek counterfeit forms of joy in human experiences is the way of sorrow.

Many have come up short when they live according to their own desires.  When I follow suit, I'll live under the illusion that there is no God at work all around me, invest for the short-term payoff, and look for counterfeit joy.  In each case, I'll be following the way of sorrow.  If I want a better way, I need only give my life to Jesus.  His way is far superior, and it leads to life abundant!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to live His way so that I'll benefit in eternity.

When do I get caught up in following the way of Sorrow?

How am I investing in the short-term?    

   

Worthless

"The sons of Eli

were base and worthless;

they did not know

or

regard the Lord."

1 Samuel 2:12 AMP

Eli had taught them well.  They knew the commands of the Lord; the holy requirements for their service within the temple.  God had set them aside to perform sacrifices, specifically spelling out in great detail how these offerings were to be given.  Even though these men had learned at their father's knee, they paid no attention.  Instead, they came up with their own way of fulfilling their duties.

When the priests' rightful share of the breast and the right thigh no longer satisfied, (Leviticus 7:34-36) their wayward hearts led them to institute their own tradition:  For every man who brought a sacrifice, these rebellious priests sent their servant armed with a trident to thrust the utensil into the pot of boiling meat.  Whatever stuck to the fork, as declared by the young priests, now belonged to them.  

Once they tired of boiled meat, they came up with the idea to request raw meat from each man coming before the Lord to offer his sacrifices.  Even though they knew the fat portion belonged to the Lord and for a man to eat it was an abomination, (Leviticus 7:25) they still requested this holy part so that they could have a chance to roast some raw meat over the fire.  Their desire for roasted meat overshadowed any reverence they might have had for the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:12-17)

God labeled these sons of Eli who were born into the priesthood as worthless men.  Why were they deemed as without value by a God who created them in His image and placed them right where He wanted them for His own purposes?  They were considered as rubbish because they did not know they Lord.  As a result, the way they spent their time was wasted, the activities they invested in meant nothing, and the work of their hands was useless.

To avoid this same downward progression in my own life, I must seek to know the Lord and regard His ways as holy and significant.

Time

Each of us is given the same amount.  Some use it quite proficiently, making the most of every tidbit.  Others waste it, never realizing it's value.  This valuable commodity is given equally, across the board.  How I use it tells a lot about the status of my heart.

Time.  It is the great equalizer.  No matter how rich or influential one is, money or power cannot buy more time.  Even the poorest of the poor have been blessed with 24 hours in every day.   We all have been given free reign in how we use each moment; the only variable lies within my heart.  Will I use this gift wisely, or will I fritter it away, foolishly believing that there will always be more?

The world influences my decisions more than I realize, encouraging me to use this precious commodity to further my own agenda, to reach the dreams I have for myself, or to indulge in sensual pleasures that gratify my sin nature.  As a child of God who has been bought by the blood of Jesus, however, each moment is an opportunity to grow closer to the One who made me for Him and who loves me perfectly.  Every minute that ticks by so quickly in the course of a day is a chance for me to let the love of my Father flow out to the unlovable souls surrounding me.  As the second hand circles the clock one more time, I have been given another occasion to meditate on the treasured tidbit that I earlier gleaned from His Word.

Instead, I often take that opportunity meant for drawing closer to my Father and use it to go after what satisfies my flesh.  Equally as sad is the ease with which I find that I can waste that precious minute set aside for loving those that cross my path and use it for "me time."  Unfortunately, I also find it quite natural to ponder the ways I can spend my money instead of analyzing the truth I discovered in my scripture readings.

Therefore, it will take intentionality to keep from wasting the time God has given me.  His grace is sufficient to empower me to make the most of every moment.

If I want to avoid the road traveled by the sons of Eli, I must use the time that God has given me in a way that will bring glory to God and draw me closer to Him.

Choices

This way or that way?  One or two?  Up or down?  Now or later?  Life is filled with choices, that's for sure.  But choices are more than just decisions that I make.  They serve as a sort of barometer, gauging my values and priorities.  The options I pick reveal who I follow; me or God.

Romans 12:2 gives the answer to the question of how I can know God's will for my life and therefore understand the choices that will please Him.  First, I must keep from being influenced by the culture of sin in which I live.  Secondly, I need to cooperate with God as He changes the way I think.  As my thoughts fall more closely in line with God's, I will recognize the path He has prepared for me to follow.  (Ephesians 2:10)

Unfortunately for me, I often fall right in line with the world, buying into what Satan is selling through enticing temptations that are all around me.  If I hold my own contentment as most dear to me, for example, I will choose that which appeals to this desire, rejecting any notion of discomfort that will bring eternal reward. (Matthew 5:11-12) 

If my dreams are at the forefront of my mind, I will climb the ladder I think will lead me to great heights, only to find that I have forsaken my first Love.  (Revelation 2:4)  

If I allow my desire for popularity and acceptance to drive me, I will soon find myself walking the wide, crowded path that leads to destruction.  (Matthew 7:13)

Therefore, it will take intentionality to stand against the influences of this world, clinging instead to the richness of His Word and responding to His supernatural, transforming work that is going on within.  Then I will rejoice in the race He has marked out for me to run.

If I want to avoid the road traveled by the sons of Eli, I must make choices that honor God and deny the ways of the world that appeal to my flesh.

Work

My husband grew up with a strong work ethic instituted by his father.  Therefore, the highest compliment he can pay me is to say I am a hard worker.  Before I understood this about my partner, however, I took offense to his attempts at praise, thinking it not really complimentary but more like he was placing me in the same category as a mule or work horse!  Now that I know my husband better, I take his words as the compliment he intends them to be.

It's easy to take this mindset and transfer it to God's kingdom, thinking that He too must value my efforts.  Soon I find myself laboring hard "for the Lord," throwing myself into all kinds of activities that I think will please God and impress others.  Unfortunately, I end up forgetting God in the whole process, resulting in my efforts being in vain.

No matter how many good things I do; working religiously at the local soup kitchen, giving time selflessly to visiting the infirm, using my gifts to improve a ministry in my church, none of it will make any difference if it is done on my own.  In other words, if I am using my own self-discipline to keep my weekly appointment, depending upon my own brand of love to uplift those who are sick, or relying on my own strength to get a job done, my works are just that: works, empty and meaningless in the eternal scheme of things.

If instead I hold as most dear my connection to Jesus, keeping Him at the forefront of my minds-eye, He will lead me to do the things He has for me to do. (John 15:5) Once I follow Him, I will find  that I am producing fruit that will last for all of eternity.  Instead of spinning my wheels, I'll be leaving a lasting legacy of which God will be pleased.

Therefore it will take intentionality to resist the urge to labor hard for the Lord, diverting my tendency to work into an effort to grow closer to Him. (Luke 10:38-42) As I get to know Him better, my desire to obey His calling on my life will result in fruit that will last.

If I want to avoid the road traveled by the sons of Eli, I must make it my life's work to know God more intimately.

There is no doubt that Eli's sons were on the wrong track.  As evil as their actions were, however, I can easily find myself in the same mess if I'm not careful.  Living for myself and according to my fleshly desires have the potential of leading me down a very destructive path.  Therefore, it is important that I purposefully and deliberately use my time, make my choices, and work in ways that honor God.  In this way I will avoid being called a worthless woman.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can live each moment for the glory of God.

When do I make choices that only bring pleasure to me?

How am I driven by my own desires?       

True Wisdom

"O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

I will answer him and care for him.

I am like a green pine tree;

your fruitfulness comes from me.

Who is wise?  He will realize these things.

Who is discerning?  He will understand them.

The ways of the LORD are right;

the righteous walk in them,

but the rebellious stumble in them."

Hosea 14:8-9

They invested their time in our community.  Many hours were sacrificed in their quest to make our neighborhood pool safe and pleasant for the benefit for all who live here.  They selfishly gave out of a desire to make a difference.  Their reward?  Homeowner's cursed them out.  Some called them racist.  Still others threatened and belittled their efforts.  Finally out of discouragement and frustration, they quit serving; and no one can blame them.  

I can relate to this couple who tried to make their little part of the world a better place.  It's a worthy goal.  The problem is when I try to make a difference in my own strength.  I run into difficulties when I make an effort using my own knowledge.  My engine quickly runs out of steam and I hit the wall of discouragement when I am doing it for the wrong reasons.

The Apostle Paul says that God should be my motivation for everything I do.  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (Colossians 3:23)  If I change the reason why I do the things I do, I won't lose heart as easily.  When my expectation is that a human will appreciate all the hard work I am putting into a project, then I will feel disappointed, unappreciated and dejected when no one notices.  But if I instead expect no recognition except from my Father in heaven, then I will be able to withstand all kinds of mistreatment.

Following God and doing all for Him will never take me down a path that is wrong. Doing things out of obedience to His calling will always succeed in making a difference in God's Kingdom.   If I want true wisdom in how to live my life, I need look no further than Him.

Trust Him

Jesus was falsely accused, unfairly sentenced to death, spat upon, flogged, mocked, made fun of and beaten before He was finally nailed to the cross.  As He withstood this treatment out of obedience to His Father's will, salvation for all mankind was made available to those who trust in Him as their Savior.  But throughout the horrible ordeal, Jesus never stood up for Himself.  He never said a word in His defense.  Even though all power was made available to Him, He trusted His Father and His plan instead of lashing out at his accusers.  

Oswald Chambers said that, "Our Lord trusted no man; yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, never in despair about any man, because He put God first in trust; He trusted absolutely in what God's grace could do for any man.  If I put my trust in human beings first, I will end in despairing of everyone; I will become bitter, because I have insisted on man being what no man ever can be--absolutely right.  Never trust anything but the grace of God in yourself or in anyone else."

I admit that I give way to much credit to my fellow man.  I expect good treatment and a word of encouragement.  Instead, I receive ridicule and opposition.  I think it's reasonable for people to support my efforts, but no one shows up and I end up doing it all myself.  I give, give and give and people just keep taking.  

My problem is not that I'm doing the wrong things, but that I'm not leaving the outcome in God's hands.  He is in charge of the results, my own task is to do as He's asked.  If He wants me to mop the floor, I scrub away.  If someone tracks mud on it's sparkling clean surface 10 minutes later, that is frustrating, but it doesn't undo my obedience. My objective wasn't so much a clean floor as in doing as I'm told.   God is pleased.  

If He puts it on my heart to tutor a child, I plan lessons and carry out the mission.  If the student doesn't put forth the effort or fails to show up, I am not unsuccessful.  I have done my part and God is pleased.

If God opens the door for a business opportunity and I put my all into it, God is pleased with my efforts even if I never see a monetary blessing.  

Trusting God means I do what He says and leave the rest up to Him.  After all, His ways are right so following Him means I can't go wrong!

Willingly Choose

At the end of time when every human being will stand before the judgment seat of God, He informed us that, "Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God." (Romans 14:11)  I can either wait until that time to bow before my Maker, or I can honor Him by living His way now.  Everyone will acknowledge Him as God and Jesus as Lord; the only variable is time.  Either I do it now under my own volition, or do it then under God's compulsion.

Despite what is popular to believe today, there is such a thing as truth.  God's way is good and right.  As the Creator of this universe, He knows how best to run things.  I, however, only look out for my best interest.  I can't see the big picture so my choices mostly lead to destruction and emptiness.  

I have the option of willingly choosing today to submit my will to His, trusting Him for the outcome of my efforts and opting to walk in righteousness.   Paul instructs us how to do this in a practical way in Ephesians 4:29-32.  He says to only say things to build others up, telling them what they need to hear not what I want to say.  It is also important to sweep my life clean of bitterness, rage and anger, and to stop bringing others down either physically or with my words.  Instead, I can choose to act in a kind and compassionate way, cutting others a break as I remember how much God has forgiven in my life.

When I am under attack and being threatened with a law suit, I can rest in the knowledge that God is in control and He will serve as my Defender.  I can choose to live at peace with my foe.  

When I am feeling anything but loved in my marriage, I can choose to obey God and respect my husband.

When my temptation is to show disgust and loathing for those who treat me cruelly, I can instead decide to love them as God has loved me.    

Living God's way is a choice I can make now for, "He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous. . . will never be shaken." (Psalm 15:2 and 5)

Stubbornly Resist

One of my dogs can act pretty stubbornly at times.  If he's afraid of a sprinkler, for instance, he will dig his heels in and refuse to proceed.  The only way to be able to continue on the walk is for me to make a wide berth around the perceived threat.  

This is not uncommon behavior, in fact it's quite prevalent in human beings, especially in the toddler and teenage stages.  Have you ever tried to make a two-year-old child eat something he doesn't like?  He will stubbornly resist.

I can be just as inflexible in my insistence to live my life my way.   I know God wants me to put others needs above my own, but my flesh cries out to satisfy my own desires and strive to reach my selfish goals.  Many times I know I need help, but my pride holds me back from asking.  What will people think?  Other times it feels good to put a mean and nasty person in their place instead of loving them right where they are.

My nature is rebellious toward God and His righteous pathway.  It is easy and natural to fight against His ways.  In order for me to please Him and live a life of peace, however, it is necessary for me to stop digging in my heels and let Him lead.

Stubbornly resisting God is a lifestyle choice that will lead to strife and discord.  

The motivation for living my life can come from many different directions, but true wisdom comes from putting God first and acknowledging Him as the Lord of my life.  This will be evident in the way I trust Him enough to obey without worrying about the outcome, in my choice to willingly follow Him, and in how I let go of my natural tendency to stubbornly resist His ways.  Then I can consider myself to be a wise woman.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can strive to obtain this kind of true wisdom.

How do I fail to trust God, instead trying to work toward a certain outcome?

When do I dig in my heels against God's gently prodding?  

Garden of Grace

"Sow for yourselves righteousness,

reap the fruit of unfailing love,

and break up your unplowed ground;

for it is time to seek the LORD,

until he comes and showers righteousness on you."

Hosea 10:12

I live in a land of abundant choices, and nowhere is this more evident than in the aisles of an American grocery store.  Perusing the displays of toothpaste, for example, I try to find the one for which I'm looking.  My eyes rove across the labels, taking in the descriptions of the choices: tartar control, cavity protection, breath freshening, whitening or any combination thereof.  It takes me ten minutes to decide which one I want.  Then I enter the cereal aisle: Yikes!

There are choices to make in my spiritual life, as well.  There are decisions to make regarding what to say, with whom to associate, in what stand to take, of what entertainment to partake, or in what activities to participate.  Usually, I make these determinations based on cause and effect.  If I do "A" then "B" will happen.  

When following Jesus, however, this is not always the case.  There are many times I may be called to do things that don't make sense or which may have an outcome that seems counterproductive or even downright irresponsible.  Consider Abram, for example.  He was a man of God who was called to pack up everything he owned and take his family on a journey to his new home.  Oh, and by the way, God would let him know where that home was when he got there!  Who in their right mind would choose to sell their home, load up the U-Haul and start driving; destination unknown?  Meanwhile, the nieces and nephews, hired help, even your wife and nephew are asking, "Are we there yet?" and all you can say is, "I don't know."

Making choices that honor God does not rely on my common sense or on what is best for my welfare.  Instead, I am called to live my life for Him, even if I don't see the pay off immediately. . . or until I reach my eternal reward.  

Choose God

I love to plant seeds in my garden.  It is such a miracle to place a tiny seed in the ground, water it, and then a week or so later witness the emergence of a sprout from beneath the soil.  Soon it grows into a larger plant and begins producing fruit.  In all the years I have gardened, though, I have never reaped a carrot when I sowed a cucumber seed, or a watermelon if I sowed a kernel of corn.  I always reap what I sow.

In the same way, my spiritual harvest will depend upon what I plant.  If I'm never happy with what I have and always want more, my heart will be discontent.  If I only look at the negative side of things then my heart will be callous and pessimistic.  If I expect perfection from others then I will live my life in a perpetual state of disappointment and frustration.  

I can always look to Proverbs for some wisdom, and this time is no exception.  King Solomon wrote, "The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward."  (Proverbs 11:18)  If I want to experience a life of blessing, I will need to seek to please God in how I live my life.  This means I must choose to do things the way God has laid out in the Bible for me to live. 

But it is more than just following a list of do's and don'ts.  Living for Jesus is about my relationship with Him.  He is my Lord, and as such, I follow Him.  I can translate this to mean that He needs to be apart of every decision I make; large or small.  I don't just decide what to do and then ask His blessing.  Rather, I let Him decide for me and then do it His way.  As Oswald Chambers said, "Many of us do not go on spiritually because we prefer to choose what is right instead of relying on God to choose for us."

Jesus set an example in this.  When He lived on earth as a man, He was always focused on His Father's will.  He considered His own comfort, but His primary concern was in obeying His Father.  In the garden of Gethsemane, before He faced the agony of the cross, He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)  If I can set His life as my standard, considering His will to be the beacon that leads me, I cannot go wrong.

When it comes to pleasing God, letting Him choose for me means I will live a life of righteousness.  

Choose Love

When my family lived in North Carolina, my daughters were about 7 and 9 and there was a group of neighborhood bullies who constantly called them names, relentlessly chased them and were just plain mean.  Finally, the girls remembered the lesson they had learned from the Bible when Jesus said to love their enemies.  So, they gave those boys a big bag of candy.  The transformation was instantaneous and remarkable!  The once rude and nasty lads turned into polite and pleasant children.  There was never another problem with those former foes.

In a similar way, Jesus loved even when He was being mocked and mistreated.  As He hung dying on the cross, soldiers, bystanders, religious people and even the criminals who died beside Him, treated Him shamefully.  Instead of calling down fire from the heavens to devour them or commanding the legions of angels at His disposal to destroy the offenders, Jesus asked His Father to pardon them.  "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  (Luke 23:34)

I am faced with all kinds of meanness, cruelty and downright evil as I live as a foreigner in this dark world.  But as a child of the Father of love, I can choose to love as He has loved me.  I can follow the example of Jesus when He demonstrated His Father's love for us.  "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13)

When a friend is hurting and in need of a compassionate listener, I can choose to put aside my desire to fix the problem and just hurt along with her, offering an understanding ear.  If a young man sideswipes me causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to my car, I can choose to extend grace and tell him it will be okay.  For the times when the teenage girl turns up her nose and sneers at me, giving me the stink eye, I can choose to accept her where she is and love her anyway.

Choosing love is not easy.  However, remembering that God loves me despite my failures, weaknesses and flaws can help to remind me to allow His love to flow out to others. ". . . the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love."  (Psalm 33:18) When I trust that God's love will be there for me in future years, days and even moments, then I can trust His love to be there for others, as well.  His love will never let me down.  

When it comes to pleasing God, choosing to love when I feel like enacting revenge will result in a life of peace.

Choose to Receive

The ground in our South Carolina backyard consists mostly of clay.  Consequently, I had to use a pick-ax to break it up when first digging our garden and preparing the soil for planting.  After cracking the clay into chunks, I began the job of adding mulch and good soil, trying to improve the quality of soil so it was ready to receive the seeds for planting.  It took three years of repeating this process before the dirt became fertile enough to support good growth.  

My heart is like the hard clay ground.  If I don't let God work on it, breaking it down and putting in rich additives, I will not be able to receive the seeds of God's fruit.  Instead, I will remain cold, uncaring and indifferent.  In order to allow my heart to go through His tenderizing process, it is necessary for me to let go of my desires, my plans and my ways of thinking.  Then I can receive His desires, His plans and His way of thinking.  

As God works to humble me, I will be able to receive more of what God has to offer.  In the past, my proud heart would hold people at bay.  Now I am able to let others see my flaws and mistakes, knowing God will use it to bring people to Him.  

Yesterday I couldn't bear to think about my sin, but today I can hold it in the light and let it go at the foot of the cross, leaving me with a sense of peace and serenity.

In years gone by I was afraid to do things that made me feel uncomfortable, but recently I can step outside my comfort zone in obedience to God.   

When it comes to pleasing God, I can't go on with a hard heart.  I must choose to let God tenderize it so I can receive the seeds of His amazing fruit.

I have many choices in how I can live my life, and many times I pick what will bring me the most satisfaction or success.  But if I instead let God choose for me, deciding to let Him love those around me and allowing my heart to go through the tenderizing process, I will receive the many blessings found in His garden of Grace.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will dwell in God's garden of grace.  

How do I resist allowing God to break up the hard soil of my heart?

When am I reaping fruit of deception instead of love?