When Chris and I were in the lovey dovey dating stage of our relationship I thought he was just the greatest thing. He was cute, funny and such a gentleman. He charmed his way into my heart and after just five months we became engaged. It was bliss. As life would have it, the bliss was short-lived when shortly after our engagement Chris received some bad news which took us through our first trial as a couple.
At first I wasn't sure at all that our young relationship could handle the weight of this heavy news. However, watching Chris handle it with maturity and a dependence on God allowed me to see him in a whole new way. I thought Chris was a great guy before the trial but now, wow, I knew he was an amazing man with whom I could build a strong marriage.
Job had a similar experience in that he went through a terrible trial. He had always honored and obeyed God. Their relationship was good but watch what Job says about God after the storm, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." (Job 42:5) LOVE IT!! Job hadn't experienced God fully until the trials came. There were parts of God Job could only experience through suffering. Though his circumstances were unimaginable, Job continued to believe God. His belief ultimately allowed him to see more of God.
When we are in the midst of trials God reveals Himself to us in ways we never knew before. The only way to experience God's comfort is during times of sorrow. The best way to appreciate His peace is in times of tribulation. The darkness of our suffering can accentuate the glory and majesty of God.
Have you merely heard about God or have you seen Him? When is the last time God revealed Himself to you in an intimate way? Suffering is never wasted when we believe God for the outcome. Next time you face a trial, follow Job's example and see what God will do.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Spiritual Foodie
I am, by definition, a foodie. I'm sure you've heard the term. Wikipedia defines a 'foodie' as "amateur cooks who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news. Foodies want to learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food."
That's me. I'm into food. When I was a starving single adult working at non-profits and making no money, the one thing I would splurge on was good food. Living in the D.C. area, I made frequent visits to Dean and Daluca (The Neiman-Marcus of grocery stores) buying cheese and bread with names I couldn't pronounce. I spent my weekends eating my way through Zagat's Restaurant Guide. If you know about Zagat's there's a good chance you're a foodie too. I have subscriptions to food magazines and subject my family, periodically, to new and weird recipes for dinner.
Yes, you could say that food is important to me. Perhaps that's why I love Isaiah 55:1-2 because it says, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."
The richest of fare for free? Sign me up! God is calling all who are spiritually thirsty and hungry to come enjoy His presence. The word 'thirst' in this passage indicates intense desire, and addresses the sense of want which sinners often have. No need is so acute or demanding of our attention as the basic desire for food and drink. God uses this analogy to tell us He is offering to fulfill our most basic and intense needs - the need for Himself.
Now, there were times in my state of poverty when I could not afford to dine at the posh eateries my taste buds so longed for. Similarly, we can feel spiritually bankrupt and unworthy of the feast God is offering. We feel compelled to earn our invitation. But, God's call is for everyone. He does not say, "Come only if you are good, rich, or otherwise worthy." He invites the D-listers!
While I love the ambiance and gastronomic delights of fine dining, I do not always like the snobbery often linked with such establishments. Though God Himself is the ultimate Iron Chef, He is not distant or aloof. To the contrary, He says, "Come", four times! The God of all creation is inviting you and me to pull up a chair and tie on the feedbag.
What's the best meal you've ever had? Steak dinner? Lobster bisque? You ain't tasted nothin' til you've tasted what God has to offer. He's no McDonalds or Taco Bell, people. He's the five star, four dollar-signs, kind of joint. When He says, "come" we need to run, not walk, to our King.
Next time you're hungry for the 'richest of fare', forget your wallet and don't worry about making a reservation. Just rest in the Lord and feed your soul at the Divine Diner.
That's me. I'm into food. When I was a starving single adult working at non-profits and making no money, the one thing I would splurge on was good food. Living in the D.C. area, I made frequent visits to Dean and Daluca (The Neiman-Marcus of grocery stores) buying cheese and bread with names I couldn't pronounce. I spent my weekends eating my way through Zagat's Restaurant Guide. If you know about Zagat's there's a good chance you're a foodie too. I have subscriptions to food magazines and subject my family, periodically, to new and weird recipes for dinner.
Yes, you could say that food is important to me. Perhaps that's why I love Isaiah 55:1-2 because it says, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."
The richest of fare for free? Sign me up! God is calling all who are spiritually thirsty and hungry to come enjoy His presence. The word 'thirst' in this passage indicates intense desire, and addresses the sense of want which sinners often have. No need is so acute or demanding of our attention as the basic desire for food and drink. God uses this analogy to tell us He is offering to fulfill our most basic and intense needs - the need for Himself.
Now, there were times in my state of poverty when I could not afford to dine at the posh eateries my taste buds so longed for. Similarly, we can feel spiritually bankrupt and unworthy of the feast God is offering. We feel compelled to earn our invitation. But, God's call is for everyone. He does not say, "Come only if you are good, rich, or otherwise worthy." He invites the D-listers!
While I love the ambiance and gastronomic delights of fine dining, I do not always like the snobbery often linked with such establishments. Though God Himself is the ultimate Iron Chef, He is not distant or aloof. To the contrary, He says, "Come", four times! The God of all creation is inviting you and me to pull up a chair and tie on the feedbag.
What's the best meal you've ever had? Steak dinner? Lobster bisque? You ain't tasted nothin' til you've tasted what God has to offer. He's no McDonalds or Taco Bell, people. He's the five star, four dollar-signs, kind of joint. When He says, "come" we need to run, not walk, to our King.
Next time you're hungry for the 'richest of fare', forget your wallet and don't worry about making a reservation. Just rest in the Lord and feed your soul at the Divine Diner.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Pep Rally
Tis the season for pep rallies! Don't you just love a good pep rally? I do. As a junior high cheerleader, Mary Cate, is preparing for her first pep rally in a couple of weeks. I can't wait! All the elements of a pep rally are intended to fire up the team for a victory. It's kind of a tribal feel. The loud drums, the roaring crowd, the motivational speeches. It's all designed to prepare the warriors for battle.
That's the thing with pep rallies...you only have them because a big game is coming up. You can't just stay at the pep rally forever. You've got to go play the game. In Deuteronomy 1:6 God tells the Israelites to leave the pep rally and get to the game. "The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.'" You see, the people had gathered at the foot of Mount Horeb while God spoke to them. It was a radical experience with fire, smoke, a lightening show and trumpets. They didn't want it to end but God said, "It's over, people. Leave!"
While God planned this experience to inspire the Israelites, He did not mean for them to stay there forever. God rescued them from Egypt so they could go conquer the Promised Land. God will speak to you in powerful ways at times in order to build your trust in Him. He will allow you to have amazing experiences of worship, teaching and fellowship. The purpose of these awesome encounters with God is to prepare you for His calling in your life.
It's great to get fired up but what will you do with that energy? The only way to get a victory is to face your opponent. What is God calling you to do once the cheering dies down? It's tempting to stay at the pep rally. Who wants it to end? But at some point we've got to leave and get to the game. The battle awaits!
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