No one has ever accused me of NOT being impulsive. This irrational behavior has brought me pain as well as happiness. I would have to categorize it under my flaw colum though. I tend to pay for my choices that are made while under the impulse spell. Maybe I am completely mis-interpreting this scripture, but I found Ecclesiastes 11:9 to be a fresh idea. Imagine that, a book that's hundreds of years old holding fresh ideas.
"Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things."
Okay, is this a trick? I hear that song in my head right now,"You can have whatever you like..." There are always consequences. We learned that from the time we were small. For every action there's a reaction. I think there is more to this scripture though. I believe God is telling us to not live in fear. Who actually listens to their heart? I believe it's human nature to listen to our heads. We analyze the situation in our minds, categorize it and tie a pretty bow around it.
We so often hold ourselves back from LIFE and the power of living. I can't believe that the only reason we were created and placed on this earth was for Glory Land. It's the final chapter, but there is so much to do before we get there. So much to feel and see. God says follow the impulses of our hearts and the desires of our eyes. If we play by the rules, there are no stipulations on the joy we can experience in this moment. I don't think he reminds us that we will be judged to ruin our good time, I think he just wants us to do everything while honoring the commandments.
Ecclesiastes 11:10
So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.
You only get one ride. You get to determine where you go, how fast you go, whether or not you want to wear a helmet, and who you want to ride with. As for me...I'm riding fast, no helmet, and with my eyes wide open. I don't want to miss anymore than I already have.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
And He Loved Her...
Every Christmas I truck it back home and spend time with my family. We always spend Christmas day with my mothers side. The side from which we were abundantly blessed with preachers. My father, grandfather, uncle etc... My uncle always finds it necessary that we discuss my personal life and where I am at with it. I try to avoid it, but It's his lot in life to make sure I'm married off.
Last Christmas he didn't prod at me as much as he has in the past due to the recent passing of my grandmother. The only thing he said to me was..."He's on route." My response was ..."who?" He said "the chosen one." Yes, I understand that my family is a strange group. I lived it. He went on to make reference to the story of Isaac and Rebekah. It wasn't until today that I actually read the story.
In my experience with people coming and going in my life, I have never known of anyone to trust God like Isaac and Rebekah did. I know that this was a long time ago when men were trading livestock for women so I understand the insignificance of a relationship in this story. As I read it though, I was a bit encouraged. A servant (very trusted) was sent to retrieve a mate for Isaac. This all had to follow a plan so there could be no foul ups. If he chose the wrong woman, a mans life would not go accordingly. No pressure chief servant.
Off he goes with his heavy burden not to SCREW UP! He lays it all at the feet of God and before he is even done praying, God has delivered. There's Rebekah standing before him at the well. Everything goes accordingly, but for me the real shock and ahhh here is the fact that Rebekah had never met this man and she was willing to go because she trusted God. Isaac was waiting patiently back on the home front with the same trust.
This is where it all gets good.
Genesis 24:63-64
He (meaning Isaac) went out to the field one evening to meditate and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac...
In my mind I want to know what went through their minds. Were they scared, nervous, feeling insecure and inadequate? Was there disappointment???
Genesis 24:67
Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mothers death.
I can really appreciate how simple that story ends..."and he loved her." The question is, does God still act in men and women's lives today or are we all out here wondering aimlessly with no direction looking for companionship with anyone that stumbles into our lives. How many times have we acted hastily and not waited for the one who is on route? The one who we will just love.
Last Christmas he didn't prod at me as much as he has in the past due to the recent passing of my grandmother. The only thing he said to me was..."He's on route." My response was ..."who?" He said "the chosen one." Yes, I understand that my family is a strange group. I lived it. He went on to make reference to the story of Isaac and Rebekah. It wasn't until today that I actually read the story.
In my experience with people coming and going in my life, I have never known of anyone to trust God like Isaac and Rebekah did. I know that this was a long time ago when men were trading livestock for women so I understand the insignificance of a relationship in this story. As I read it though, I was a bit encouraged. A servant (very trusted) was sent to retrieve a mate for Isaac. This all had to follow a plan so there could be no foul ups. If he chose the wrong woman, a mans life would not go accordingly. No pressure chief servant.
Off he goes with his heavy burden not to SCREW UP! He lays it all at the feet of God and before he is even done praying, God has delivered. There's Rebekah standing before him at the well. Everything goes accordingly, but for me the real shock and ahhh here is the fact that Rebekah had never met this man and she was willing to go because she trusted God. Isaac was waiting patiently back on the home front with the same trust.
This is where it all gets good.
Genesis 24:63-64
He (meaning Isaac) went out to the field one evening to meditate and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac...
In my mind I want to know what went through their minds. Were they scared, nervous, feeling insecure and inadequate? Was there disappointment???
Genesis 24:67
Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mothers death.
I can really appreciate how simple that story ends..."and he loved her." The question is, does God still act in men and women's lives today or are we all out here wondering aimlessly with no direction looking for companionship with anyone that stumbles into our lives. How many times have we acted hastily and not waited for the one who is on route? The one who we will just love.
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