Wisdom is a Shadow

          Last night I was studying in the book of Ecclesiastes and I found a passage that was both interesting and confusing at the same time. The first three verses in chapter 7 said things like "better is the day of death than the day of birth... it is better to go to the house of mourning than the house of feasting" and "sorrow is better than laughter." What?! That didn't make sense to me at all, but I reminded myself that God's thoughts are not my own and His ways are higher than mine. I read the notes in my Bible to try to get an idea of what point the Word of God was trying to get across, and suddenly it made perfect sense. The notes in my Bible read, "Mourning and sorrow are better than feasting and laughter because they cause a man to reflect wisely on the brevity of life... Both good and bad days are the work of God and are used, apart from our ability to understand them, in God's sovereign plan." Wow! As I looked back over Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 everything began to fall into place, and God began to speak to my heart. He showed me six points throughout the passage and gave me the answer to every "Why?" I asked along the way. My God is an awesome God!

1. Death is better than birth (v.1) - Spiritual death is better than birth because you have to die to your sins in order to be born again. Physical death is better than birth because it is better to leave a sinful world and enter a sinless world than to leave a sinless world and enter a sinful world. There is a quote that says "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." That is so true!
2. Mourning is better than feasting (v.2) - Mourning is better than feasting because it is a time when you focus your thoughts inwardly on the life of another being. On the other hand, feasting is a time when your thoughts are focused outwardly on selfish things. 
3. Sorrow is better than laughter (v.3) - Sorrow leads you to reflects on the brokenness and brevity of life, while laughter drowns out these thoughts. Sorrow leads you to seek out answers, while laughter leads you to forget there was ever a problem to begin with.
4. Rebuke of the wise is better than the song of fools (v.5) - The rebuke of the wise (teachers, parents, pastors, etc.) convict your heart and instruct you to make a change, but the song of fools (worldly musicians and celebrities, non-believer friends, etc.) try to convince you that all is well and eventually lead you down a path of destruction.  
5. End is better than the beginning (v.8a) - In the beginning of a story the character, who is usually immature and naive, is setting out on a journey of self discovery that is full of obstacles and opposition. However, by the end of the story the problem has been solved, the character has been rescued, and a valuable lesson has been learned. 
6. Patient in Spirit is better than proud in spirit (v.8b) - Patience is molded and perfected through death, mourning, sorrow, and rebuke. But pride is molded and perfected through feasting, laughter, and the song of fools.

          Last, but not at all least, verse 12 says "Wisdom is a defense." When I looked up the word "defense" it said that it meant a "protective shade" or a "shadow." I found that to be an interesting comparison and I wanted to look into it more. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my shadow reflected on the wall to the left of where I was sitting. It was the middle of the night and I was the only one awake in the house. I suddenly remembered when I was younger and how scary I used to think those big black things on the wall were. As soon as that thought entered my mind, I looked to my right and saw my lamp sitting on the table beside me. It was the only source of light in the darkened room.  

God Moment! 

          God's Word is our only source of light in this dark world, and by it we receive wisdom. Like the shadows on the wall when I was younger, wisdom can be scary when you first encounter it. After all, according to verse 12 it has the power to give life to those who have it. Like this passage when I first read it, wisdom is difficult to understand at first. But when you break it down and let the words sink in, it will minister to your soul. A shadow is defined as "an imperfect imitation or copy, a mirrored image or reflection." Let the Word of God illuminate you, because we are imperfect people, but with God behind you your reflection can be bigger and bolder than you could ever imagine. Remember that wisdom is also defined as a "protective shade" and there is nothing better than to rest and find comfort in the shadow of God, safe under His wing. 

From the Inside Out

     One of my favorite things about God is how He speaks to us through the simple things in life. He takes the most basic of circumstances and teaches me a valuable lesson. These are the moments when God makes Himself real and personal in my life. I call them "God Moments!" My “God Moment!” this week came in the form of my iPod
     I got an iTouch for Christmas and it very quickly became one of my most valued possessions for the simple fact that it combined Music, the Bible, and Facebook in one handheld device. I went from December to April without it even getting one scratch, though I did tend to drop it pretty frequently. Then, last month it was sitting on a stack of clothes on the counter in the bathroom. Suddenly and without notice, the pile of clothes began to lean and my iPod went crashing to the floor. I didn't think twice about it because this had happened so many times before. I simply bent over and picked it up. My heart sank... It was shattered! I quickly searched the web trying to figure out the simplest and easiest way to repair the damage. It was going to end up costing at least $100 - nearly the cost of a brand new one. It still worked though so I continued to use it. I just had to be wary of cutting my fingers on the cracks and shivers of glass. However, I knew I couldn't continue to use it, because the simplest of falls this time could destroy it completely.
     Then a few weeks ago I was at a clothing store, when I happened to come across a case for an iTouch. It was for the same version as mine, it was my favorite color, it was only $5, and it came with a protective screen shield. In other words…. It was perfect! As soon as I got home I fixed it up. The screen shield covered the cracks, so I could use it without worrying about hurting my fingers. And the case protected it from future falls. It was just like new! My mom, however, wasn't as pleased. She had paid for an iPod that was now damaged, cracked, and ugly. I, on the other hand, didn't care what it looked like. I just knew that I could use it and that was enough for me. In my mind, it was just as valuable as the day I got it. I had bought it for what it could do, not what it looked like.

God Moment!

     We are broken people. We've been shattered by sin. Our falls have left us cracked, damaged, and ugly. When the world looks at us, that's all they see. But God sees beyond our exterior image. He sees what we are capable of. He sees our value. He sees through our brokenness and say's "I can still use her!” or “I can still use him!" God knows we are broken, but He doesn’t leave us that way. He covers us with His blood. It fills in the broken pieces and protects us from more damage. The cracks are still visible. They're still ugly. But we still have a purpose. God can still use us, and to Him that makes us valuable. The cracks remind us of where we came from, and keep us from going back. When God saved us He made us a new creation. My mom saw the cracks in my iPod and she didn’t see the use in it. In the same way, the world will only see your broken pieces - until you play them your music! Show the world what God has done in your life. Show them what you are capable of. Show them that God changed you from the inside out!

The Real Me

          Brokenness & Transparency. Before I came to Gardner-Webb, these were just words to me. But the people I've met and the things I've experienced this year have given new life and meaning to these words. This year has been a tremendous learning and growing process in my walk with Christ, and most of the lessons I've learned can be traced back to these two words. Tonight, I felt as if the lesson finally came full circle. God opened my eyes and made these words real to me. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was real with God. I didn't pretend to be someone I wasn't and I didn't try to impress Him. I simply humbled myself before Him. I opened myself up to Him. I was honest with Him. I surrendered myself to Him. And as a result I felt like my prayer life was given new life. I simply had an honest conversation with God, and it was the closest I've felt to Him in a long time. I may be four years old in Christ, but I felt like I didn't take my first real steps as a Christian until tonight. There's a song by Josh Wilson that says, "I don't want to say another empty prayer." That is my prayer. There is no point in praying a "pretty" prayer to a God who knows all your dirty secrets. Those are just empty words. You can't conceal the truth from an all-knowing God. Be transparent. If you are angry, yell at Him. If you are hurt, cry to Him. If you are broken, let it show. There is so much beauty in our brokenness. God knows our true inner darkness- and He loves us anyway! This is a poem called "The Real Me" that I wrote in August 2007. It seemed relevant to the situation so I thought I would share.

No one knows the real me.

No one that is, except for me.

No one understands what I feel inside.

No one cares about the pain hold inside.

No one listens to my cries from deep within.

No one can see through my mask, to the real me which dwells within.

Wait…

Someone is calling out my name. Someone is pulling off the veil.

My prayers have been answered. The wait is over.

Now I know One who knows the real me – He loves me anyway!

Now I know One who understands what I feel inside – He listens!

Now I know One who cares about the pain I hold inside – He offers healing!

Now I know One who hears my cries from deep within – He gives me comfort!

Now I know the One who can see through my mask, to the real me that dwells within.

Sweetly Broken

"There is nothing more beautiful than to be broken in the arms of the Savior."

          

          I am blessed to be a part of a FOCUS group at school and we have the privilege of going to minister to different youth groups in the area. Being a part of this group has been such an amazing experience. This past weekend in particular was an exceptionally amazing experience. The way God pieced everything together so perfectly was absolutely beautiful. I've never experienced anything like it. The whole weekend was one big "God moment" and His presence was undeniable.

          The youth group we were working with was not your average church youth group. They were not brought up in church. They were there because they wanted to be, not because their parents dragged them. The youth pastor picked them up for church and took them home afterwards. They didn't conform to the "stained glass masquerade" and they didn't wear a "church mask" to cover anything up. They were not religious; they were just real. They held nothing back, never pretended to be something they weren't, and they didn't let their diversity cause divisions. Their youth pastor accepted them as they were and did not judge them. He proved himself trustworthy and dependable. He befriended them just as Jesus would have, and he never gave up on them. As a result, they kept coming back. Church for them was not a place to fake who they really were or pretend that life was good when it really wasn't. Church for them was a place where they could be real about their problems; they could seek answers, and find comfort.
          The theme for the week was "Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?" In other words, are you changing the world or are you letting the world change you? The key verse was Daniel 3:16-18 which is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It is a very familiar passage of scripture. These three men are thrown into the blazing furnace because they refused to bow to a graven image. The furnace was seven times hotter than usual, so hot that the men who threw them in were killed by the flames. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego escaped unharmed - and a fourth person was even found walking in the flames with them! It is powerful story of God's deliverance when you stand up for your faith and endure persecution. However, for the lesson Saturday night we chose to focus more on verse 18 in which they declare that they will still praise God even if He doesn't deliver them from the flames. After the lesson, God showed up and left us all in awe.

          Picture with me a church basement, splatter painted walls, and a room full of mismatched couches. If you look out the window you see that a storm is raging. You can even hear the rolling thunder and flashes of lightening outside. But in this room you can also hear the hearts of God's children singing, "I'll praise you in this storm!" When the music ceases, the Spirit of God takes control. Suddenly, the walls are being torn down and these young people begin to tell their stories. Pain. Heartache. Sorrow. Abuse. Struggles. Brokenness. They begin to ask the tough questions... Why, God? They are crying out. They are seeking answers. My heart is breaking for them, but God slowly opens my eyes to the beauty of their brokenness. They don't even realize it yet, but they are in the arms of the Savior. I no longer see a room full of broken people; instead I see powerful testimonies in the making. We may not be able to save them from their pain, but we can point them to the One who can. We plant the seeds, and God brings it to fruition.
          The sin of this world may lead to pain and suffering, but God finds purpose in our pain. I can't even begin to imagine the plan God has in store for this group of young people. Their struggles have only made them stronger and there is no doubt in my mind that one day they will take hold of the promises of God and recognize Him for His goodness. I believe that one day I will sit around the throne of God and listen to them share their stories of deliverance. I will watch the crowns come rolling in as God rewards them for their patience, perseverance, and obedience of His will. Then I'll watch them turn around and cast those crowns back at the feet of Jesus and worship Him for His goodness and provision in their lives. Sweetly broken, wholly surrendered.

What is my life?

What is my life, God?

You’ve given me a vision,

But what if tomorrow never comes?

What is my vision then?

This life is nothing but a vapor in the wind, a passing breeze.

Here today, and gone tomorrow.

I look to the future with hopeful eyes,

But I don’t even know the purpose of my next breath.

Why am I here, God? What is my purpose?

When tomorrow isn’t promised there is only one way to live -

One day at a time, seizing every moment,

Capturing every memory, and enjoying every step.

We aren't here by chance or medical mystery,

Only by Grace and the mystery of Your perfect will.

What is Your will for me, God? What is my life?

I'm searching for answers amidst the chaos and confusion;

I'm searching for more of You in a world that only wants less.

My greatest desire is to be used by You and for Your glory.

I offer myself as an empty vessel, a willing sacrifice.

May I live to serve You and die to give You praise.

Your vision for me was not given in vain;

You find purpose even in the midst of our pain.

Whether or not this vision ever comes to pass,

Whether or not tomorrow ever arrives -

I will continue to run the race,

I will press on towards the prize,

And I will fight a good fight.

You've whispered Your wisdom to my heart,

And I'm seeing more clearly the plan You have prepared.

Each day holds a specific purpose,

Small pieces to a much bigger picture.

I'm finding that the journey is just as important as the final destination.
Hold my hand and guide my steps, Lord.
Lead me closer to You.

Each step is one step closer to a future that only You can see.

What is my life, God?

My life is not mine at all, but Yours alone.
My only purpose is to follow, wherever You lead.

Holy Spirit, Rain Down!

     I heard a message the other day that compared the Holy Spirit to rain and/or water. The preacher took several different biblical stories in which water was involved and replaced it with the Holy Spirit. In one example he said that the the mother of Moses had to place her faith in the Holy Spirit (Nile River) to protect her son and keep him safe from harm. The Holy Spirit/River not only protected her son, but also sent him directly to the King's Palace. It was a very powerful comparison. I had never really considered the concept before, but the more I thought about it the more it made perfect sense.
     I haven't been able to get the idea off my mind since then. In fact, my mind went all the way back to Genesis. In the beginning, there was no need for rain. God allowed water to bubble up from the center of the earth to water the ground (Genesis 2:5-6). It wasn't until sin entered the picture that rain began to fall from the sky. The first time God "opened the windows of heaven" was when He sent the flood. We should live our lives so that God's Spirit bubbles up from within us, but when we let sin get in the way God has to send His Spirit down in the form of rain in order to get our attention. I took two years of AP English in high school, and one of the most important things we ever learned was symbolism. In literature, it is a well-known fact that rain is symbolic of cleansing, renewal, and restoration. God sent the flood to cleanse the evil of that day and create a new beginning. It is for that same reason that He sends rain into our lives as well. We need to stop recognizing rain as "punishment" and start seeing it for what is truly is - the Holy Spirit of God working in our lives.
     God's Spirit convicts our heart and chastises us when we need correction because God is just and jealous for us. But He also loves us unconditionally, and He will wrap us in His arms and protect us just as He did with baby Moses on the Nile River. It may be rainy and bleak in your spiritual life right now, but remember that the Holy Spirit is guiding us to King's Palace and after every storm comes a rainbow. Just as He allowed Moses to part the Red Sea, the Holy Spirit can make a way when there seems to be no way.
    Take time today and thank God for the rain He has sent your way, because the absence of rain is called a drought. If you’re in a spiritual drought it is because you have yet to welcome the Holy Spirit into your life. Without His presence in your life you will forever be in thirst of the Living Water and you will never truly reap the fruits of the Spirit. Acts 2:17 says that in the final days God will pour out His Spirit, so give Him praise for the rain in your life! If you are experiencing a drought, then welcome the Holy Spirit into your life before it's too late and ask Him to rain down in all that you say and do.



“No eye has seen, no ear has heard. No mind can know what God has in store. So open up Heaven and open it wide, over your church and over our lives. Let Your power fall, let Your voice be heard. Come and change our hearts as we stand on Your Word. Holy Spirit, rain down!”

–Hillsong United

***

“Bring me joy, bring me peace, bring the chance to be free. Bring me anything that brings You glory. And I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise You - Jesus, bring the rain!”

–Mercy Me

Preparation of Peace

"Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established."

-Proverbs 4:26



     I usually walk with my head down. It's not because I'm purposely avoiding people, and I'm not sad or depressed. I'm just clumsy. Seriously. My past experiences have taught me that I tend to trip when I get confident and start looking around while I'm walking. Up the stairs. Down the stars. Cracks in the sidewalk. Bumps in the road. It happens. But, if I keep my head down I can see what's ahead of me. I know where I'm going and I know what stumbling blocks to avoid. Life is the same way.
     I've been studying the Armor of God recently, and it says to have your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. If you took out the word "preparation" the verse would still make sense, but it's there for a reason. The word "preparation" is especially important because following Christ is not a peaceful journey. There are moments of peace along the way, but mostly you're just preparing for the peace that comes when you reach your final destination. It's a learning process. There are bumps in the road. You will fall down a few times, but there is a purpose in it all. God is preparing you for something greater than yourself. He is taking you somewhere, and He wants to grow you along the way. He wants to teach you, so let Him.
     Study His Word. Talk to Him daily. Let Him talk to you, and listen to what He has to say. Before long you will learn how to avoid the potholes. In time, you will even begin to develop a vision of the road ahead. You will have a better understanding of where you're going and how you're going to get there. Eventually, you won't have to always walk with your head down. You'll be strong enough in your faith, confident enough in your God, that you will be able to lift up your head from time to time and look around without stumbling. Don't get me wrong, there will still come times when the bumps catch you by surprise. You may even fall flat on your face a time or two. But God is standing close by, and He's always ready and willing to pick you up.
     Don't live your life in a constant search for peace. It will never come, and you'll always end up disappointed. Life isn't about finding peace; it's about preparing for peace. Ultimate peace only comes when this life is over. Until then, enjoy the journey. Let the road reveal itself to you. Let God pick you up when you fall. Learn from your mistakes and move on. It's all worth it in the end... an ETERNITY of peace awaits you!