Looking beyond the chariots

Last time I wrote about boasting in people rather than God. Another translation of Psalms 20:7 says that “some trust in chariots and some in horses” (NIV). This change of wording has a different implication for me to think about. The kings that David faced had big armies and fancy weapons. David knew his enemies had better odds of winning and that they believed an easy win was assured. He was scared. Rationally so too. You probably know what this feels like. It’s like talking to someone about a job you don’t have the education for, a house you don’t have the money for, a part in a play you aren’t talented enough to get. David should expect to be beaten down, maybe facing his own and his friends’ deaths under his leadership.

But then a remarkable thing happens.

David is reminded that the Lord is His Provider. David can trust solely in what his God will do, completely and sharply distinct from the physical appearance of things. He could have had nothing but untrained children with only sticks and stones to throw. David knew personally that even a child with a rock would be enough. If God wanted to see His chosen ones prosper, the ways and means were not a hindrance. David didn’t have to bother worrying over the battle, I imagine he may even have chalked up some time spent seeking his Lord’s face as battle preparation.

I see myself facing some battles that I seem ill-equipped to handle. I’m looking for a job although I have little experience in the field and stopped school short of the degree I’d expected. Throw in the difficult job market and economic issues now, and it’s just looks all uphill. I’m trying to write more, to share some of the amazing things God teaches me daily, although my freshmen English professor told me I didn’t have the mind of a writer. In the vast world of words online, I’m less than the size of rest area along the highway, although I hope to be at least a bench where someone can sit and chat. These issues are two of the opposing armies I’m seeing. I haven’t seen the outcome yet, but praise the Lord I don’t have to keep staring my problems! It has taken me a little longer than it probably took David, but God has patiently been calling me to trust in Him alone, not in the lay of the land ahead.

Something to Boast About

Boast = to speak of with excessive pride
Boasting is about sharing what gives you pride, or that which makes you proud of it. Do you have anything to boast about?

The economy, wars, and uncertainty of our times have motivated many people to change what they boast in. Commentators say that the holidays this year will focus more on family and people than in many years. We have trusted in money, stocks, jobs, positions, real estate, and the government - and been burned. So now, having learned the error of our ways, we’ve decided to go back to finding pride in ourselves and those around us. The acquired talents, earned education, and natural abilities that we possess will now be our focus. We will pay more attention to ourselves and each other, marveling in what everyone can do. Collectively, we start to think, “Oh, how silly that was to think that money would make me happy. Prestige wasn’t working out too well either. Well, fine. I’ve got myself - and I’m great, and I have those who care about me. Enjoying each other is what makes life worthwhile.” How sweet. Kinda nervous-thud-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach sweet.

Boasting in material wealth was a problem. Ok. Good to know. But we have to be careful about learning the actual lesson these difficult economic times are teaching us.

People are precious and valuable. They should get our love, care and attention. But could they become a source of pride? And if so, is anything wrong with that? We can boast of our families of origin, spouses, children, grandchildren, co-workers and friends. A little of this is certainly good and is encouraging. But what happens when our lives become about the prestige of a spouse’s position - and then it is lost. Or the potential success of our children - who end up either doing little with their lives or not finding the time to visit or call. What about the powerful or well-known friends who then forget us - or even the kind ones with whom we just lose touch? Is that what we are left with from our boasting? People are important, but have the potential to fall away faster than the economy.

What about ourselves? There, we have more control, no big surprises. We have long known (at least in theory) that pride in ourselves is a bad idea. We know that literally boasting about ourselves is rude. But a new kind of boasting is emerging. It is boasting without a word. It is building yourself up to be beautiful and organized, informed and worldly, contemplative and artistic, all in your own strength. So people look at you and see … you - accomplished, cool-headed and prepared for success. This one is easy to trap at least me. The boasting is spoken through volumes of actions in my life. I boast in wanting others to think I’m doing all the right things to make me happy. I boast in wanting them to see how well I can do for myself. And what proud boasting (internally) when I don’t want people over because the house isn’t clean and smelling of homemade bread? Blek!

So take more time for yourself, your friends and family, enjoy them. But boast in what is perfect and unchangable, the only unwavering existence. Boast not in the world or the people in it, but boast - oh, yell it out and get all prideful - boast in the Lord.

“Some nations boast of their armies and weapons, but we boast in the LORD our God.” Psalms 20:7

Homecoming

People use the term, “home” in different ways. When I was in college, most students referred to home to mean their dorm room as well as the place where their families lived. After a long day of classes or projects, a roommate might say she was ready to go home and imply she wanted to head back to the place with her bed. Conversely, I always refused to call any campus housing “home.” The word home was reserved for the house I had lived in my whole life, where my parents were. I continued to refer to that alone as home until I had my own townhouse years later. Now, this house I share with my husband is my home.

Some people refer to visiting their parents and the town they grew up in as “going back home” even when they have their own families elsewhere. I think I’m just not the type to have multiple homes. Just the place where I most long to be when I’m tired or cold or lonely or scared. That’s home. Home is a place to be vulnerable and wear comfy clothes. It’s a place I can think and get to know myself. It’s a place where I fit; I match the decor and it reflects me. A home has an impact on the people that live there and they bring it life. It is a current and fluid relationship.

But I notice something else about my feelings toward home. No matter how safe or how much belonging I feel there, there is still a longing. It’s an ache that comes and goes and kinda reminds me of being on long school trips or camping as a child. I may like where I am, but I miss where I belong. I’m homesick. No matter how perfect the scene with family or friends gathered around a meal or a conversation, there’s always something missing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy these fun times tremendously, I laugh and talk and eat way more than I should. Yet, there are times my attention is drawn away, Jesus calls softly to my heart, and I can’t help but realize that only heaven is truly home. And I want to be there….

This world has many things going for it - but careful if you don’t stop and think about what you’re really looking for. You can have a lovely house, fill it with light and warmth, people and music, entertainment and beauty. It will be enchanting. It could also be very distracting. It may seem inviting when you are tired, but it will not refresh your soul. It may be filled with aromatic food, but you will continue to be hungry. You will start to reflect the place you call home, and if you are too settled in this world, it will show to those around you.

No matter how much you enjoy your home or the homes you visit this season, remember they are here for just a short time. Ask God to reveal His idea of home for you. Go ahead and start thinking of going there when you are tired. Try filling up on the Bread offered at Jesus’ table. Reflect the home you were meant to have, though not there yet. And it’s okay to be homesick sometimes.

Isaiah 61:1

Poetry inspired by the Word:

“… the LORD has anointed me… to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…”

——-

Softly, quiet as the noise of crunching snow,

The night is waning to the new day’s glow.

Arising from over the tall spruce trees

White light beams, diffusing winter’s stone freeze.

Ice crystals creak as each is compromised.

The bright Sun leaves every shadow baptized.

Under the snow are found old rusty chains,

Shackles and cages – captivity’s remains.

But no prisoner is found. No enslaved soul.

The darkness is gone from every deep hole.

The bars have been broken, bent and cut.

Every lock is open, no trap is left shut.

For hope of the day, the early burst of dawn,

Woke the hostage, who was not too far gone

To stir to life and lift her weary head,

To listen and hear what message was said.

It rang from the sky, came from across the sea,

“Trust Me, child. You are healed and set free!”

Despite temptation to cover her ears

She had slowly stood and faced all those fears:

Of being rejected and insecure

Of holding more pain than she could endure

Of losing the battle she alone fought.

She began to surrender every thought.

As the Sun melted the ice from her heart,

The doors swung open so she could depart.

Her battle had not been with flesh or bone,

But her own belief of Christ to atone.

After the night of sad remorse was through

The captive left to use what she now knew:

The love of the Lord is worth more than life.

His peace satisfies, even amid strife.

Worries and wonders can lead you astray,

But honest repentance keeps guilt at bay.

No matter your past, it is just history

The beauty Christ forms is a mystery.

And so, my fellow travelers, listen

During this winter of indecision.

The walls that you build and places you hide

To keep others out only keep you inside.

The prison is lonely and full of lies

And you cannot leave ‘til you’ve opened eyes.

***

Remember during this Advent season,

The Coming we wait for has a reason –

It is Christ and His freedom that we need.

Open to His call and be free indeed!

You can wait for a perfect escape day

Or choose now – be a Glorious display!

What will I teach you?

I’ve been thinking about becoming a teacher and the influence that teachers have on the lives of their students. The few classes I have taught have been good experiences that I really enjoyed. I’m energized when students become excited about what I have been excited about. I get to share my thoughts and interests as well as information that has become meaningful to me. I get to share the learning that changed my life in order to change the lives of others. The essential work of a teacher is to “rub off” on others. Students go to school and take classes in order to learn what a teacher knows, which is learning to be like the teacher in that area of study. Usually, the influence does not stop with textbook knowledge though. We all tend to remember teachers that influenced us in other ways. Teachers we wanted to be like or admired personally. We get more from teachers than we expect and they teach more than they realize.

But this is also true of everyone around us, not just the official teacher - student relationship. We teach our family, friends, and co-workers all the time. We teach them what matters to us and how we feel about others and our situations. As social beings, we all learn how to act and what to believe by those around us. Not only does this mean that we can tell each other how we want them to behave or what we like, but we also learn from the examples around us - and create an example for others. We often unconsciously teach our children to resent or value the things that we do. We teach our co-workers what matters about our work by the way we do our jobs. We teach our spouses what respect means to us by the way we treat them.

Regardless of my profession, I have to realize that I teach every day. As long as someone sees me, interacts with me, or hears what I say, I am a teacher. I can help get others excited by what excites me just by sharing that. Daily, I am an example of what I believe and value.

I can choose the “right” answer objectively as to what I think I should esteem, but do I teach you that by the way I live? Is my life the example and most important parts of what I want people to know about me? If not, my contradictions render me useless. Be the example. Realize the message you teach.