I just had to post this. Obviously, I regularly read Dr. Skip Moen’s blog, and I feel that he brings many things to light that many people, especially traditional Christians, don’t know about because we can’t read God’s Word in its original language (I am thinking I need to learn Hebrew, though). There was a post yesterday about what it means to be created in God’s image (read it here), and it’s generated a lot (A LOT) of commenting. The comments are fascinating in and of themselves, and if you read the blog long enough you can recognize the style of writing of different people (some have such distinct writing styles that I can almost imagine them bobbing in their seat trying to contain their enthusiasm). I love the community of this site. I love that questions aren’t discouraged or laughed at, that suggestions are encouraged, and criticism or skepticism are accepted graciously and not condemned. Sometimes I feel very inadequate when I post comments because my understanding seems so small, but nobody laughs or is rude when I write something stupid (oh, and I’ve done this several times). I wish I lived in a community of people (not just a virtual community) like this. I hardly know anyone who lives around us in the apartment complex (although many of them are empty, are rented on a month-to-month basis, or are vacation condos; or the people who live there don’t speak English). I know I get caught up in living my life with my family (which is overwhelming sometimes, to say the least), and I should probably reach out more to the people around me. Most of the people I know, most of my friends live across town from me, and with each mile and each month it seems to get harder and harder to stay connected. I miss living there. (And I am reminded that I need to be content and grateful in the place I find myself. The last few days this has been a struggle. I have more than most, and sometimes I only see how much less than some I have. Maybe I’m here to learn more about contentment.) And, finally, one last story. Yesterday I was at the grocery store and as I was pulling out I saw this old man getting out of his car with great difficulty. At first I didn’t think anything of it, but as I put the car into drive I noticed that he was using the post to hold onto as he got a grocery cart to lean on. I almost re-parked the car and asked him if he needed help. I almost. But as I started to re-park the car I saw that he had a shopping cart and was using it to help him walk to the grocery store. And out of fear of being “rude or condescending” I figured he was okay and on his way. So I left. And ever since then I’ve kicked myself. I should have gotten out sooner instead of watching to see if I should help. I shouldn’t have hesitated. I should have offered to get him one of those mechanized cart thingies. I should have asked him if he wanted help, even if he rejected it. This was a kairos moment, when God injected himself into my day… and I missed it until it was too late. I missed an opportunity to show God’s love and compassion because I was afraid of what he might think of my offer. I think this is a moment that will haunt me, a reminder to seize those opportunities that God puts in my path. Yeshua recognized those kairos moments (think about the woman at the well when he was on His way to heal/raise Lazarus – what would have happened if He hadn’t obeyed God’s leading and taken that moment to change her life and the lives of everyone in her town). He wasn’t too busy or worried to stop. I want to be like that, and I hope the next time I am ready.
Psalm 61:4Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude. When I run to God for safety and take shelter in Him, it’s a peaceful, secure place. And I am happy to be there. I want to stay there forever, and God is happy to let me… But, unfortunately, I have a tendency to wander out from the sanctuary of His wings. One thing God has really been working on in my life is contentment. A lot of the issues my family faces is because I struggle with this area. No, I don’t feel the need to get the biggest or best TV or car or whatever, but I want my family to have what they want and need… and that can be difficult, even in the best of times. Additionally, I struggle with contentment in other areas of my life. Being discontent is really telling God that I don’t trust Him, that I don’t think He has my best in mind. That’s sad. It’s subtle, because I often don’t realize that discontent is sneaking up until after it’s pounced on me. To live in the sanctuary of God forever is great, but if I’m not content to stay there, it’s a pipe dream. When I am discontent, I go looking for something or someone to fix my problem, to provide that contentment. If I don’t look to God and remind myself of the blessings I already have, then I’m wandering out from under His wings and into a dark and dangerous world. It’s easy to do, too. So, when I’m overwhelmed (usually because of problems I’ve brought on myself through my selfish choices), I run to God. He welcomes me into Him arms and is quite happy for me to stay and snuggle. But I get antsy and squirm out. And He lets me go because He loves me, but he’s waiting for me to come back and sit quietly and peacefully, trusting Him to protect me and love on me. That is contentment – the lap of the Father, letting Him be everything He wants to be and loving me the way He knows best. After all, He IS love.