Skip to main content

Blend the harsh lines

When we are first learning to color, we are instructed to stay in the lines.  I was great at coloring.  My lines were sharp and controlled.  In fact, in the 5th grade I received a reward for great penmanship.  I’m not even sure they give those kinds of rewards anymore.  But as I matured, so did life.  And life required a more blended approach.  It was acceptable to blur the lines, to smudge the sharp edges to make beautiful pieces of art.  


It is a type of “coming of age.”  You have to first learn the skill of control and staying in the lines, before you can learn the skill of blending.  And learn it quickly we must, because life is messy.  There is much tension right now, with keeping things separate.  Separate church and state; take God out of schools; keep God out of fast food (Chick Fil-A).  Wow, Really?!    And there are so many more references of this desperate attempt to separate, and to keep apart.  Segregation is a way of the past, folks, not the future.  It didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.  No wonder this world is going crazy, it’s trying to separate things that should be together.  Oh, the uproar if we tried to take peanut butter from jelly! Or hot sauce from fried chicken.  Or milk from cookies.  


God belongs here.  He is in our finances: “The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.”(1 Samuel 2:7). He is in our politics: “He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed.” (Psalm 18:50).  He is in our country: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12).  He is in our hearts: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He is in our sustenance: “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35).  He is in our family: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”


The uncomfortableness that we feel when we try to go through life separating the things God has designed to be together, is self-inflicted.  I guarantee the more we blend the lines and allow every aspect of our world to be touched by the Most High God, we will be much better off. 


God is in everything, how could we ever seek to separate from our creator.  Consider this: “Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been his counselor?  Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever! Amen.”  Romans 11:33.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

All that I need, I already have

  So, what are the things that are necessary?   Because I refuse to do busy work.   Many have fallen prey to the belief that as long as I’m busy doing things, I’m actually getting things done.   Not true.   And painfully so because most of us live on the brink of exhaustion.   To think that more than half the things we spend time doing is a waste of time and getting us no closer to our goals is heart wrenching.   My sleep is so sweet when I hit my pillow because I feel like I’ve done well, the things God has desired me to do.   And when I was a poor steward of my time, I toss and turn with a to-do list in my mind of things I still need to do. I pray, “Lord, turn my eyes away from worthless things and preserve my life according to your Word.” Psalm 119:37. Why?   Because it’s so easy to lose hours on social media, reality tv, daydreaming, starting and quitting projects before they’re completed, etc.   Anything can be busy work. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stop Expecting the blessing to be the Blesser

For lack of a better word and to prevent a miscommunication of the main concept, Blesser : refers to the Almighty God – Creator of Heaven and Earth; omnipotent and ever-present and powerful Being.   Blessing : refers to everything and every one God has ever placed in your life to increase your value and to provide you fulfillment.     Blessings are all around us. They take many shapes and forms.   Blessings flow from the Blesser.   Your spouse is a blessing.   Yet sometimes you may expect him to be your God.   You may be expecting your spouse to perform duties only God can perform for you.   You may be expecting your spouse to fill a void, an emptiness you feel when only the Blesser can satisfy those requests.   There is no wonder why there is so much strain on our relationships.   Do not be confused on where your provisions are truly coming from.   Your job is a blessing.   Whatever way you are being provided for economica...
Post a Comment
Read more

Woe to the Complacent

Amos 6:1-7 is a call to action for the blessed, full, contented individuals of the time.  During this time there were some who lived incredibly rich and abundant lives, while others were extremely poor.  Kind of like today, isn't it?  The Lord said, there will always be the poor among us.  Knowing that, I'm not sure he was looking to fix the economic imbalance, but more so fix our internal dispositions.  The Lord desires us to take care of one another.  He desires the fortunate to consider the unfortunate.  He desires the haves to look after the have nots.  He is pleased when the wealthy take care of the poor. The thought behind it is simple.  If you can, you should.  Giving keeps us from becoming greedy, insatiable people.  I often find myself saying "But I barely have..." and the Lord corrects me.  "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25. My pastor, Josh Teis, in his...
Post a Comment
Read more