Imagine, you are in the market for an ornate piece of pottery to display over the fireplace in your home. It has to be useful, as well as beautiful. So, you head to the heart of Selma, NC to peruse through the quaint little antique stores lining the streets.
After several hours - or what seems like hours - you see an assortment of just the right items displayed in a store window. You cautiously push open the door. Much to your surprise and elation, you see an abundance of the items you need. Intricate pieces of pottery line the walls, price tags dangling from the shelves. Your heart races, as you check the prices, expecting to see a number far above what you can afford. However, the prices are far below what you ever expected.
Of course, you don't let the owner of the store see your excitement, so you casually pick up a piece here or there, making sure not to miss anything.
When you get to the back wall, you notice a small room with a sign overhead that says, "Clearance." Now, if you are anything like me, you immediately put aside any other thoughts of the lower priced items and head to the cheap stuff!
Immediately, you notice a difference. These items are damaged - seemingly beyond repair. These pieces are broken and shattered, lying everywhere, with bright orange price tags dangling from the shelving. Yet when you glance at these tags, you notice the price is exceedingly more expensive. As a matter of fact, these tags are ridiculously over-priced.
About that time, another customer enters the room. He proceeds to take each of the broken pieces off the shelf and place them into a shopping bag. Noticing that he has none of the "perfect" pieces in his bag, your curiosity gets the best of you. You ask, as politely as you can, "Sir, do you mind telling me why you are paying higher prices for things that are broken, when there are so many things in the other part of the store that are truly worth the money you are willing to pay? It just seems to me that you are not getting the best end of the deal. After all, this IS the clearance section."
He looks at you for a moment and then grins. His reply startles you: "Oh, on the contrary. I am getting the best deal of all. You see, these broken pieces...these seemingly worthless pieces of clearance pottery are the very basis of the work that I do. I take things that you would call trash and transform them into beautiful pieces of art. These things are needful to me. I cannot do what I need to do without them. So you see, the things that you merely see as broken, I see as priceless and precious."
You know, the whole of Scripture is brimming with people that the world viewed as broken and worthless, but God viewed as priceless and precious. He chose Matthew - a lying, cheating tax collector. He chose Jeremiah - a teenager with a self-esteem issue. He chose Isaiah - a man who confessed unclean lips. He chose Rahab - a prostitute. He chose David - a dirty, stinky shepherd boy. He chose Moses - a murderer. He chose Mary - a lower class teenager.
And then, believe it or not, He chose Belinda - a broken and dirty vessel...
Simply because He deemed me worth the price to pay. Jesus deemed me valuable and useful to His Kingdom.
So, the next time you look into the mirror and want to cry, because what you see is not perfect, and what you feel is anything but - say a prayer of thanksgiving. realizing that God uses the broken things...and people...to bring about His purposes and show His glory to the world around them. You are priceless and precious to Him, my friend. Priceless and precious.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. II Cor. 5:21
Thank You, Jesus, for deeming me priceless and precious and worth Your suffering. Thank You that You made me valuable. Thank You that You made me Yours. Amen.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Tearing Down is Mindless, but Building Up Takes Work
A few years ago, I had the glorious "opportunity" to tear my house apart...literally! We had some issues with our flooring that necessitated ripping out the entire downstairs area, right down to the studs. Nail by nail, board by board, we ripped and sawed, tore and removed, ached and hurt all over. But with the help of some wonderful friends, we finally accomplished our task and got the house put back together.
I actually ENJOYED demolition. Yes, it was a lot of work, but it was also mindless. I could go in, grab a hammer and start hacking away at the flooring, not bothering to think about the damage that was being done. Nails could be bent. Boards could be broken, and all the while, I could think about something totally different. Yes, it was tiring and incredibly exhausting, but euphorically mindless.
However, when we started putting the house back together, my endless thoughts and mental wanderings were no longer a luxury I could afford. Mindlessness became dangerous. Boards had to be cut with precision. Each nail had its place. Every angle had to fit perfectly with it's counterpart. Mindlessness would have meant ruin...or at least a really rough-looking downstairs area.
To me, rebuilding was so much harder. The physically demanding labor wasn't as difficult as in demolition, but there was definitely more mental work that had to take place...at least on my part.
So, when I read Proverbs 14:1 which says, "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands," I had a new perspective on what it meant.
Tearing down is mindless. Building up is work.
In my mind, the foolish woman rushes in, and in her anger, responds to her children and her husband with no thought of the consequences. She berates them and disrespects them. She treats them like they are no more than mere inconveniences in her day.
The foolish woman chooses to complain and gripe when things don't go her way. She gets irritated and SAYS SO when the things that she has planned are interrupted.
The foolish woman chooses to pick up her cell phone or play games on her computer, rather than attending to the needs of her family, not ever realizing that her children and her husband are drifting further and further away...
...for tearing down is mindless. Building up takes work.
The wise woman, on the other hand, responds to her building anger with patience. She holds her tongue, when she has the overwhelming desire to fight back or argue. Her answers are gentle and do not provoke. Her encouraging words to her kids and husband are frequent and aptly spoken.
The wise woman chooses NOT to complain and gripe, but chooses to think of ways to fix problems and help others learn how to fix them, as well. She makes an effort to keep from degrading her husband and children with her hurtful words. She chooses thankfulness and gratitude, when what she feels is grumpiness and irritability.
The wise woman chooses to limit her phone and computer usage. She chooses to NOT use it as an escape from the reality of her house that needs cleaning or her kids that need dinner. Phone time and computer time become a privilege, instead of a priority...
...for tearing down is mindless. Building up takes work.
I would LOVE to say that I always exhibit the wise woman in my relationships with my kids and my husband. I would LOVE to say that I never get frustrated with my family and the things in my house! I would LOVE to say that I have never used my computer as an escape from a dirty kitchen. I would LOVE to say that I have always built my home, instead of tearing it down, but I can't.
But what I can say, is that with God's grace and mercy and ever-presentness in my life, I am choosing to rest in His ability to make me that wise woman. I am choosing to see that too often I get lulled into the ordinary and don't realize the damage - the tearing down - I'm doing to my home and my family. With His leading, I am choosing to NOT to become too familiar with my kids and husband and forget what incredible gifts they are. With God's help, I am choosing to NOT forget the responsibilities I have been given to love them actively.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe just today you find yourself tearing down instead of building up. Can I just tell you - there is hope. This vicious cycle does not have to consume your life. You CAN be the wise woman. You CAN cement your relationship with your kids and your husband back together. You CAN choose to build up, rather than tear down.
How? Well, first and foremost, you go to God and ask Him for forgiveness. Confess to Him your inability to do this on your own. Ask Him to help you control your tongue and be patient with your words. Ask Him to guard your mouth and your time...to put a door over your lips and your cell phone case.
Secondly, you make it right with your family, if need be. Apologize for the hurtful words and the lack of loving attention you have given. Ask your kids - and your husband - to pray for you. Yes, I said ask your kids to pray for you! You'd be surprised how this works!
And then thirdly, don't be lazy. Don't just "allow" life to happen. Don't be content to be mindless, but be intentional about what you do and say. Be a builder...for tearing down is mindless, but building up takes work.
Dearest Jesus, help me with this today. I want to be wise. I want to build, Jesus. I want to build. Thank You that You want me to build, as well. I love You, Jesus.
I actually ENJOYED demolition. Yes, it was a lot of work, but it was also mindless. I could go in, grab a hammer and start hacking away at the flooring, not bothering to think about the damage that was being done. Nails could be bent. Boards could be broken, and all the while, I could think about something totally different. Yes, it was tiring and incredibly exhausting, but euphorically mindless.
However, when we started putting the house back together, my endless thoughts and mental wanderings were no longer a luxury I could afford. Mindlessness became dangerous. Boards had to be cut with precision. Each nail had its place. Every angle had to fit perfectly with it's counterpart. Mindlessness would have meant ruin...or at least a really rough-looking downstairs area.
To me, rebuilding was so much harder. The physically demanding labor wasn't as difficult as in demolition, but there was definitely more mental work that had to take place...at least on my part.
So, when I read Proverbs 14:1 which says, "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands," I had a new perspective on what it meant.
Tearing down is mindless. Building up is work.
In my mind, the foolish woman rushes in, and in her anger, responds to her children and her husband with no thought of the consequences. She berates them and disrespects them. She treats them like they are no more than mere inconveniences in her day.
The foolish woman chooses to complain and gripe when things don't go her way. She gets irritated and SAYS SO when the things that she has planned are interrupted.
The foolish woman chooses to pick up her cell phone or play games on her computer, rather than attending to the needs of her family, not ever realizing that her children and her husband are drifting further and further away...
...for tearing down is mindless. Building up takes work.
The wise woman, on the other hand, responds to her building anger with patience. She holds her tongue, when she has the overwhelming desire to fight back or argue. Her answers are gentle and do not provoke. Her encouraging words to her kids and husband are frequent and aptly spoken.
The wise woman chooses NOT to complain and gripe, but chooses to think of ways to fix problems and help others learn how to fix them, as well. She makes an effort to keep from degrading her husband and children with her hurtful words. She chooses thankfulness and gratitude, when what she feels is grumpiness and irritability.
The wise woman chooses to limit her phone and computer usage. She chooses to NOT use it as an escape from the reality of her house that needs cleaning or her kids that need dinner. Phone time and computer time become a privilege, instead of a priority...
...for tearing down is mindless. Building up takes work.
I would LOVE to say that I always exhibit the wise woman in my relationships with my kids and my husband. I would LOVE to say that I never get frustrated with my family and the things in my house! I would LOVE to say that I have never used my computer as an escape from a dirty kitchen. I would LOVE to say that I have always built my home, instead of tearing it down, but I can't.
But what I can say, is that with God's grace and mercy and ever-presentness in my life, I am choosing to rest in His ability to make me that wise woman. I am choosing to see that too often I get lulled into the ordinary and don't realize the damage - the tearing down - I'm doing to my home and my family. With His leading, I am choosing to NOT to become too familiar with my kids and husband and forget what incredible gifts they are. With God's help, I am choosing to NOT forget the responsibilities I have been given to love them actively.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe just today you find yourself tearing down instead of building up. Can I just tell you - there is hope. This vicious cycle does not have to consume your life. You CAN be the wise woman. You CAN cement your relationship with your kids and your husband back together. You CAN choose to build up, rather than tear down.
How? Well, first and foremost, you go to God and ask Him for forgiveness. Confess to Him your inability to do this on your own. Ask Him to help you control your tongue and be patient with your words. Ask Him to guard your mouth and your time...to put a door over your lips and your cell phone case.
Secondly, you make it right with your family, if need be. Apologize for the hurtful words and the lack of loving attention you have given. Ask your kids - and your husband - to pray for you. Yes, I said ask your kids to pray for you! You'd be surprised how this works!
And then thirdly, don't be lazy. Don't just "allow" life to happen. Don't be content to be mindless, but be intentional about what you do and say. Be a builder...for tearing down is mindless, but building up takes work.
Dearest Jesus, help me with this today. I want to be wise. I want to build, Jesus. I want to build. Thank You that You want me to build, as well. I love You, Jesus.
Monday, July 7, 2014
His Glorious Affection
"Affection"
That's one of the words my husband used to describe the feeling when John met Jesus in Revelation 1:12-17. I didn't get it at first. I just couldn't see how John falling on his face as dead created any kind of affection. HOWEVER, the more I thought about the exchange, the more my own affection for Jesus began to blossom and grow.
You really need to read it. The description of the glorified Christ is extremely detailed, and Scripture says that when John beheld Jesus in that manner, he literally "fell at His feet as dead."
I found this very intriguing. You see, John knew Jesus...I mean, really KNEW Jesus. He had walked with Him down miles of dirty, dusty roads. He had seen Him sweaty and probably stinky (yes, Jesus was human). John had seen Jesus coated in dust from head to toe and had even seen Him transfigured in His glorified state.
Yet, the Jesus he sees here in Revelation is not like anyone he'd ever seen before. For in this moment, John sees Jesus as HIS GOD, and John's response tells it all. Scripture says that the image of Jesus shocked John so badly that he "fell at His feet as dead" (v.17).
Now...the meeting between the two could have ended just like that - with John on his face and with Jesus then immediately beginning to say, "I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this" (Rev. 18,19). I would have been fine with that. Yep, that is the GOD I serve.
Yet, Jesus was not fine with that. He didn't want John to see Him just as the powerful, amazing, could-squash-you-like-a-bug God. He wanted John to see Him as SOOO much more.
So, in the latter part of vs. 17, John says that "He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid...."
"Do not be afraid...."
I have a question for you. As parents, what do we do when our children have a bad dream? How do we comfort them? We immediately rush to their sides and assure them. We take them in our arms and hold them close, saying, "It's okay. You don't have to be afraid. I am here."
That's exactly what Jesus did with John. Instead of gloating in the fact that this tiny, insignificant human responded appropriately to His presence, Jesus came to John. Reaching down, He touched Him with His right hand and said, "It's okay. I'm here. There's nothing to be afraid of" (paraphrase, mine).
How beautiful is that!?! The God of the universe - deserving of all the honor and glory - reaches down and comforts His child as a perfect Father/Friend would. You know, He doesn't desire our "fear" in the "big-scary-monster" way. He desires for us to see Him as He is - God...Father...Friend.
"Affection."
I get it now...and it makes me love Him all the more.
Thank You, Jesus, for making Yourself known. Thank You for reaching out to me through Your Word and Your world. Thank You for desiring a relationship with me...me...of all people. I love You, Lord. I really do.
That's one of the words my husband used to describe the feeling when John met Jesus in Revelation 1:12-17. I didn't get it at first. I just couldn't see how John falling on his face as dead created any kind of affection. HOWEVER, the more I thought about the exchange, the more my own affection for Jesus began to blossom and grow.
You really need to read it. The description of the glorified Christ is extremely detailed, and Scripture says that when John beheld Jesus in that manner, he literally "fell at His feet as dead."
I found this very intriguing. You see, John knew Jesus...I mean, really KNEW Jesus. He had walked with Him down miles of dirty, dusty roads. He had seen Him sweaty and probably stinky (yes, Jesus was human). John had seen Jesus coated in dust from head to toe and had even seen Him transfigured in His glorified state.
Yet, the Jesus he sees here in Revelation is not like anyone he'd ever seen before. For in this moment, John sees Jesus as HIS GOD, and John's response tells it all. Scripture says that the image of Jesus shocked John so badly that he "fell at His feet as dead" (v.17).
Now...the meeting between the two could have ended just like that - with John on his face and with Jesus then immediately beginning to say, "I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this" (Rev. 18,19). I would have been fine with that. Yep, that is the GOD I serve.
Yet, Jesus was not fine with that. He didn't want John to see Him just as the powerful, amazing, could-squash-you-like-a-bug God. He wanted John to see Him as SOOO much more.
So, in the latter part of vs. 17, John says that "He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid...."
"Do not be afraid...."
I have a question for you. As parents, what do we do when our children have a bad dream? How do we comfort them? We immediately rush to their sides and assure them. We take them in our arms and hold them close, saying, "It's okay. You don't have to be afraid. I am here."
That's exactly what Jesus did with John. Instead of gloating in the fact that this tiny, insignificant human responded appropriately to His presence, Jesus came to John. Reaching down, He touched Him with His right hand and said, "It's okay. I'm here. There's nothing to be afraid of" (paraphrase, mine).
How beautiful is that!?! The God of the universe - deserving of all the honor and glory - reaches down and comforts His child as a perfect Father/Friend would. You know, He doesn't desire our "fear" in the "big-scary-monster" way. He desires for us to see Him as He is - God...Father...Friend.
"Affection."
I get it now...and it makes me love Him all the more.
Thank You, Jesus, for making Yourself known. Thank You for reaching out to me through Your Word and Your world. Thank You for desiring a relationship with me...me...of all people. I love You, Lord. I really do.
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