I am a woman who has a huge heart for God. The problem is that sometimes my brain, my mouth, and my feet have taken me (and still do) to places better left undiscovered. Still, though, I continue on, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13,14
Lyrical Love
A song came to mind recently during a Sunday morning church service. The pastor was speaking about a verse of scripture and it reminded me of one of the songs I sang in a college choir. The lyrics of the song come straight from scripture, and over the years, they have become a section of scripture that I cannot read without singing. And there are many other songs from pages of the Bible that I have in my head, all learned in church youth groups and choirs.
I’ve always been so grateful for the years I spent in these groups. So many songs are stuck in my head because they were sung over and over again, week after week, concert after concert. Over the years, the music worked its way deep into my heart and mind and pops up, I’m starting to realize, especially when I need a word from God.
I have always associated happy memories with these songs and have been grateful for all the times that the songs bring to mind. But I realized recently that I have taken the songs for granted and have failed to see just how precious they truly are.
All of these songs were chosen by God especially for me. All of them are musical moments that He carefully picked out knowing they would mold me and shape me and care for me for the rest of my life. And they have. I have wandered away from God many times, for long periods sometimes. But the songs never left me and have never stopped coming to mind.
Sometimes I’m very hard on myself and only see the many really bad decisions I’ve made, along with the resulting consequences. I think that all of the orchestrating of my life during those times was done by me and that as a result, I had blocked Him from directing me or communicating with me.
But that’s not true. He wrote these songs of scripture into my heart because He created me to have a passion for music even during those times when I had tuned Him out. He knew what He was doing by giving me the desire and the many opportunities to sing these songs. I did not make that happen! I was only following the longing for singing and playing music that God created me to have.
I have messed up more times than I ever thought I would. But that’s not my whole story. And even when I was far from God, He was still singing these holy lyrics into my heart where they would, over time, take root and grow deep and large, giving me shelter, encouragement, direction, comfort, and joy. Over and over again He has sung over me bringing me back to Him, reminding me of His presence in my life. I know these songs by heart because it is He who placed them there.
“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
What to Do?
Yesterday my head was full of what should I do thoughts regarding a couple of situations. Feeling confused and knowing I couldn’t see into the future, I did the only thing that made sense to me. I put my Bible in my hands and reached out to the Lord. Now, this is not something I do on a regular basis, but I asked Him to show me the answer and then I just let my Bible fall open.
My attention was immediately piqued. I had opened to Proverbs 22. Sometimes when I don’t have a specific book or chapter that I’m in the middle of, I will read the chapter of Proverbs that matches the day of the month. And there I was on the 22nd of the month looking at the 22nd chapter of Proverbs.
Did I get a specific answer to my what should I do thoughts? No. It was better than that. I received an answer to ALL the what should I do thoughts I’ll ever have.
“A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3
In other words, the one who has good sense and sound judgment is able to view her life as a spectator rather than just as a participant. She pays attention to all of her experiences and doesn’t fall into destructive cycles!
She has sharp judgment in practical matters and realizes that she is more than simply an unwitting person living her life. She is aware and conscious rather than ignorant and oblivious. She has her eyes wide open and is not blindly making her way through her days and weeks and years.
She is partaking in her life, looking where she is going, and is aware of what is around her. All of this gives her the necessary information to help her make sound decisions about where she is headed. She is attending her life and participating in her life all at the same time.
Because her eyes are open, she sees the evil, misery, and distress that approach her and she hides from it. She removes herself from anything that will bring destruction, corruption, grief, worry, heartache, shame, and anxiety. And instead, she is looking for what will add righteousness, goodness, hopefulness, calmness, blessing, joy, peace, and contentment to her life.
As I continued throughout the day mulling over my options regarding those situations I mentioned, I realized that my prior experiences in life had given me the wisdom needed to make the necessary decisions that would help me avoid having to take cover down the road.
Paint By Numbers
We all have gifts. We don’t all have the same gifts. I can sew, knit, crochet, bake, and write. And I can use those gifts to serve others. Or I can use those gifts simply for my own enjoyment.
“Each one of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
If we all are using our gifts to serve others, it is like a paint by numbers coming to completion. But if, say, #3, #8, #16 and #18 don’t get painted, there are empty places in the beautiful picture. The picture ends up being confusing. Undone. Lacking. Anyone looking at it would likely be more drawn to the flaws than to the gorgeous shades and hues.
I don’t want to be a dry paintbrush next to an unopened container of paint. I want to be part of the beautiful picture of God’s grace and love being poured out on others.
There is a big world out there filled with believers. What sort of picture are we painting of God’s love for the world? Is it full of empty spots that are causing those who look at us as the Body of Christ to be lacking in love and help for the hurting? Or is it a grand masterpiece allowing people to see and experience Jesus through our hands, feet, mouths, and thoughts….. the very things we do?
Check Your Ears
“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25
In other words: worry, nervousness, unease in my inner self – my mind – weighs me down, but things said that are pleasant and agreeable to my senses will cheer up my heart.
Looking at all the words in that short little verse, the word that stood out the most to me was depression. Part of the Hebrew definition for that word is to bow down. That really struck me, because I realized that the depression that comes from anxiety keeps me from looking up. The weight of it has me bowed down. Like in a position of worship. I have allowed my worries to be my king and ruler.
What is the remedy according to this verse? How do I get my head and my heart facing up again toward God? It’s simply this – a good word.
This is ironic because I’ve been spending so much time lately trying to stop all the bad words. The ones that come out of my mouth. And the ones that come into my head. Such as the news. Social Media. Negative people. In an effort to try to improve what comes into my thinking, I’ve only focused on how to block all the bad words. But what have I done to fill in the silence (as I continue to block out all the bad words) with words that will “make my heart glad”?
They are in conversations with friends and family who love me. They are in hymns and praise music. They can be heard on my local Christian radio station that plays the messages from godly pastors all day long. They are in podcasts and Bible Studies. I don’t have to look too hard to find them. They’re there. Just as as easy to grab onto as the bad words are. The choice is mine.