When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:7 ESV
It's been a rough season. Who am I kidding - it's always a rough season! Every season of life seems to bring its own challenges, and I have yet to go through a season of smooth sailing. I'm not saying it's not possible, but I have never experienced it.
And that's not unexpected. Jesus plainly told us, "In this world you WILL have trouble..." (John 16:33emphasis mine). He didn't say that trouble was simply "possible". He didn't say, "you MAY have trouble." Jesus presented difficulties in life as a sure thing. So really, I shouldn't be surprised when life is hard.
"But I just wish things were different!" I've heard that a million times, and said it just as often. And maybe, that is where we can find some hope today.
I have heard (and said) that what’s wrong with the world is people. As a die-hard introvert, I find that my greatest frustrations come from interactions with people. Life would be so much simpler if it just wasn’t so “people-y”!
But people are everywhere! And interacting with people is unavoidable. That is not something that the introvert in me likes to acknowledge, but it is truth.
When I get frustrated with people, it is my nature to conclude that they have a problem. I clearly see what is going on, and the fact that others don’t see it must be a clear indication that something is wrong with them. They must be blind or misguided or ill-intentioned or just ignorant.
And it’s possible that that’s what’s true. Sometimes people don’t act very nicely. Sometimes people are mean. Often, people are thoughtless, careless, and insensitive. And sometimes people are just plain wrong!
But that doesn’t mean that we can’t get along.
When there is a rift in a relationship, I tend to blame the other person. After all, I know that I am right! I may be wrong, or, in fact, I may be “right,” but if there’s a problem between us, I’m not right. My facts may be accurate, but if we aren’t getting along, I’m definitely not right. The Scriptures are painfully clear on this point.
If you and I aren’t getting along, I am to blame. I am the guilty party. You may or may not be wrong. But I am not right with God. No matter how much time I have spent in the Word, how much time I have spent talking to God in prayer, how many church services or small group studies I’ve attended, I am not spiritually right. If there is a problem in our relationship, it is MY responsibility.
.
The scripture says that, “When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” The corollary to this would seem to be that if a person’s enemies are not at peace with him, then his (her, my) ways are not pleasing the Lord. OUCH!
It is human nature to blame the other person for whatever problems exist in our relationships. It certainly is my nature. But the scripture today tells me that if there’s a problem between us, it is a spiritual problem, and it is mine.
You may also have a spiritual problem. That does not release me from my responsibility.
So clearly I have some work to do. While I’m not aware of any enemies in my life, I am very much aware that I am not necessarily at peace with everyone around me. And it’s not just because “people.” It’s because “ME.”
Are your ways pleasing the Lord today? If you’re not sure, just look at your relationships. If peace is lacking, you have your answer. And your challenge.
I know I have mine. And though it’s a painful realization, it’s...
...just a thought...
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Sunday, February 2, 2020
It's Just a Matter of Time
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV
My life these days feels pretty hectic. Though my kids have grown up and are on their own now, I have filled my empty nest with children. Currently, I have five - two in elementary school and three in middle school. These children have very different experiences than the children I raised from birth. Their needs are both the same and very different than the needs my own children had at the same ages. I have had to learn to navigate both the foster care system and the public school system. And about nine months ago, just as I was getting my bearings in one community and one school system, circumstances beyond my control sent me to a new community and a new school system for a couple of months before another move landed me in my current location. I have had more major "mom fails" in the past couple of months than I care to admit, leaving me feeling helpless at times, hopeless at times, and completely inadequate for the task at hand. And in the midst of all that, my list of things to do "when I have the time" just seems to get longer and longer.
I struggle. Hence there has not been a post to this blog in over a year. I've started at least a dozen posts in my head. I've actually got a couple of half-written drafts in the history, too. But time never seems to be on my side. Or, at least, this has been what I've told myself. But that statement is not exactly accurate.
Time is just a commodity. It does not take sides.
I have told myself, "If I just had more time, I would....", and, "Someday, when I have time, I will...".
But time is a constant. There will never be any more or less of it than what there is. I cannot manufacture more of it. No one can actually rob me of it. Each day has 24 hours - no more and no less.
My issue is not that I need more time. I have the same amount of time as every other being on the planet. And I will not have more time tomorrow than I have today. I will not have more time next week. I will not have more time next month, next year, when I retire, or ever. I have the time that I have. I may imagine that I need more time, but that is simply not reality. What I need is to use the time I have been given in the most useful way possible.
The apostle Paul encourages the believers in Ephesus to look carefully at how they walk. Walking is active - there is purpose in it. And Paul says that it should be done with consideration.
And he says to make the best use of the time.
Perhaps I will find more joy and less frustration in my days if I will stop "waiting until I have the time", and instead begin to actively, purposefully, and considerately use the time I have already been given, and use it wisely.
That is the truth about time - not that I need more of it, but that I make better use of the time I have.
It's been a long time coming, but it's....
Just a thought...
My life these days feels pretty hectic. Though my kids have grown up and are on their own now, I have filled my empty nest with children. Currently, I have five - two in elementary school and three in middle school. These children have very different experiences than the children I raised from birth. Their needs are both the same and very different than the needs my own children had at the same ages. I have had to learn to navigate both the foster care system and the public school system. And about nine months ago, just as I was getting my bearings in one community and one school system, circumstances beyond my control sent me to a new community and a new school system for a couple of months before another move landed me in my current location. I have had more major "mom fails" in the past couple of months than I care to admit, leaving me feeling helpless at times, hopeless at times, and completely inadequate for the task at hand. And in the midst of all that, my list of things to do "when I have the time" just seems to get longer and longer.
I struggle. Hence there has not been a post to this blog in over a year. I've started at least a dozen posts in my head. I've actually got a couple of half-written drafts in the history, too. But time never seems to be on my side. Or, at least, this has been what I've told myself. But that statement is not exactly accurate.
Time is just a commodity. It does not take sides.
I have told myself, "If I just had more time, I would....", and, "Someday, when I have time, I will...".
But time is a constant. There will never be any more or less of it than what there is. I cannot manufacture more of it. No one can actually rob me of it. Each day has 24 hours - no more and no less.
My issue is not that I need more time. I have the same amount of time as every other being on the planet. And I will not have more time tomorrow than I have today. I will not have more time next week. I will not have more time next month, next year, when I retire, or ever. I have the time that I have. I may imagine that I need more time, but that is simply not reality. What I need is to use the time I have been given in the most useful way possible.
The apostle Paul encourages the believers in Ephesus to look carefully at how they walk. Walking is active - there is purpose in it. And Paul says that it should be done with consideration.
And he says to make the best use of the time.
Perhaps I will find more joy and less frustration in my days if I will stop "waiting until I have the time", and instead begin to actively, purposefully, and considerately use the time I have already been given, and use it wisely.
That is the truth about time - not that I need more of it, but that I make better use of the time I have.
It's been a long time coming, but it's....
Just a thought...
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