I have a frequent conversation with the Lord. It happens just about every time I come in contact with an overly needy person, often one of my clients. There are a number of things that I am more than happy to be helpful about, but then the conversation or the list of needs will bump into one of my carefully placed personal boundaries. It's usually something that leads me beyond my comfort zone, takes more time and energy than I've alloted for a given day or person, and is likely to get a little "messy" either physically or emotionally.
My preference is to avoid such things, I find myself saying, "I just don't want to get involved." And, that'd be just fine if I didn't serve a living God whose Spirit dwells in me. You see, He's never content to sit on the sidelines, and I'm not sure He believes in "boundaries." More often than not, He is the compelling voice prompting from deep within, sometimes chomping at the proverbial bit, saying, "BUT, I want to get involved, and you're my chosen vessel."
You see, Galatians 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." If the God who didn't stop short of sacrificing Himself for me wants to use me to get involved in somebody else's situation, who am I to complain? It's never simple, and it's often messy, but it's always a blessing when He takes over.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Ought Not Be
"Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." James 3:10
I've known that verse since I was a child. But, when I was a child I didn't curse, ever. It never occurred to me to curse. Sure, I developed all kinds of pseudo-swear words and other careless ways of speaking for which I am still repenting. But, this particular verse never really bothered me back then.
On Monday, I began a new training schedule for an upcoming triathlon. I got up much earlier than usual, sweat profusely, telling the Lord how thankful I was for the health that allowed me to experience such pain. I cleaned up, dressed, and headed to work. The cd in my car was a mix of praise songs elaborating on the greatness of the Lord and the wonder of His love for His children. I was singing at the top of my lungs, reminding myself to keep my eyes open and my hands on the wheel, thinking about what a glorious week was ahead of me. About two minutes from my destination, at the height of my personal praise fest, a truck pulling an extra long trailer pulls up in the lane to my right and proceeds to push his way into my lane, nearly causing a wreck.
Without even a second's hesitation, ever foul and angry thought I'd ever had in my car came rushing to the surface, and a few of them escaped my mouth. I was angry.
As the truck/trailer sped on ahead of me, and I approached my exit, I looked up in the rear view mirror and noticed that one of my sweet coworkers was following me. And quickly, I saw the last two minutes in a whole other light. I could picture myself behind the wheel, mouth wide open, but this time, there were literally two incongruous streams of words spouting forth, and immediately I thought, "This ought not be."
"Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11
I've known that verse since I was a child. But, when I was a child I didn't curse, ever. It never occurred to me to curse. Sure, I developed all kinds of pseudo-swear words and other careless ways of speaking for which I am still repenting. But, this particular verse never really bothered me back then.
On Monday, I began a new training schedule for an upcoming triathlon. I got up much earlier than usual, sweat profusely, telling the Lord how thankful I was for the health that allowed me to experience such pain. I cleaned up, dressed, and headed to work. The cd in my car was a mix of praise songs elaborating on the greatness of the Lord and the wonder of His love for His children. I was singing at the top of my lungs, reminding myself to keep my eyes open and my hands on the wheel, thinking about what a glorious week was ahead of me. About two minutes from my destination, at the height of my personal praise fest, a truck pulling an extra long trailer pulls up in the lane to my right and proceeds to push his way into my lane, nearly causing a wreck.
Without even a second's hesitation, ever foul and angry thought I'd ever had in my car came rushing to the surface, and a few of them escaped my mouth. I was angry.
As the truck/trailer sped on ahead of me, and I approached my exit, I looked up in the rear view mirror and noticed that one of my sweet coworkers was following me. And quickly, I saw the last two minutes in a whole other light. I could picture myself behind the wheel, mouth wide open, but this time, there were literally two incongruous streams of words spouting forth, and immediately I thought, "This ought not be."
"Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11
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